POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 225 
by surprise. They were wholly unprepared for an attack from any 
quarter. Their only armed vessel was a small schooner, and this 
was employed at the time to bring the electoral returns from Chiloe. 
The intelligence, however, caused government no alarm. With a 
promptitude characteristic of Portales' system, which was now fairly 
established, a dismantled brig-of-war was rigged, a crew shipped, and 
made ready for sea in four days. Gun-boats were armed, and every 
precaution taken to guard against surprise. At the same time 
government received tenders of service from people of property and 
influence, throughout the whole republic, and few felt any doubts 
that the result of the affair would be in favour of the government. 
Soon after, the largest of Freyre's vessels, with some of his best 
officers on board, was brought in by her crew, and delivered up. It 
was ascertained that the rendezvous was to be Chiloe. No time was 
lost in sending off the prize, with a good equipment, to decoy Freyre, 
if possible. He was found in possession of Chiloe. The stratagem 
was successful, and they returned with him prisoner, and the other 
vessels as prizes. Thus ended, in the short space of two months, an 
expedition headed by one who had been the most popular ruler Chili 
ever had. Though possessing still many friends in the country, he 
found himself a prisoner and not a voice raised to his rescue. His life 
was considered forfeited, as he had been banished by the present gov- 
ernment, and had come to introduce anew all the horrors of civil war 
into a peaceful country. The recollection of his distinguished ser- 
vices to the nation in times past, his having with honour to himself 
and credit to his country filled its highest office, and no doubt some 
sympathy for his changed situation, obtained for him the clemency of 
the government. He and his adherents were again banished, and no 
person connected with him otherwise punished. He was also per- 
mitted to see his family frequently during his confinement. 
The result of this attempt had the effect of strengthening the 
administration. People of property and respectability, even of oppo- 
site parties, rallied around it : a satisfactory proof that there was a 
love of order rising, and that the supremacy of civil rule would no 
longer submit to changes effected by arms. 
In the meanwhile, circumstances seemed to justify the belief of 
the connivance of the Peruvian government in Freyre's plan. 
It had been notified by the Chili consul-general, a few hours after 
the vessels sailed, of the true objects of the voyage, and there was still 
time to prevent their success. They shuffled out of the affair, and 
VOL. I. 5? 
