VALPARAISO. 279 
wonderful nothing else should be talked of; but I, who am only a 
passenger, sometimes sigh for what I enjoyed this evening —a little 
rational conversation on more general topics. 
Captain Vernon returned this night with a copy of the reglamento 
in his pocket. I hear it is so inconsistent, that it will defeat its own 
purpose. 
13th.— Every one has been electrified to-day by the sudden ar- 
rival of General San Martin, the Protector of Peru, in this port. 
Since the forcible expulsion of his minister and favourite, Montea- 
gudo, from office by the people of Lima*, while he himself was 
absent visiting Bolivar at Guayaquil, he had felt some alarm concern- 
ing his own security ; and had, it is believed, from time to time de- 
posited considerable sums on board of the Puyrredon, in case of the 
worst. At length, at midnight on the 20th September, he embarked, 
and ordered the captain to get under weigh instantly, although the 
vessel was not half manned, and had scarcely any water on board. 
He then ran down to Ancon, whence he despatched a messenger to 
Lima, and his impatience could scarcely brook the necessary delay 
before an answer could arrive: when it did come, he ordered the 
captain instantly to sail for Valparaiso ; and now gives out here, that 
a rheumatic pain in one of his arms obliges him to have recourse to 
the baths of Cauquenes. If true, “’tis strange, ’tis passing strange.” 
14th. — Reports arrive this morning that San Martin has been 
arrested; and that having endeavoured to smuggle a quantity of gold, . 
it is seized. 
Noon. — So far from San Martin being arrested, two of the Direc- 
tor’s aides-de-camp have arrived to pay him compliments, — besides, 
the fort saluted his flag. 
Many persons, knowing Lord Cochrane’s sentiments with regard 
to the General, and that he looks on him both as a traitor to Chile 
and a dishonest man, made little doubt but that His Lordship would 
arrest him. Had he done so, I think the government would have 
* 25th July, 1822. 
