226 POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 
on learning that the consul-general was despatching a vessel to 
inform his government, they put an embargo on the port of Callao. 
The vessel, however, had sailed before the order reached the port ; 
on understanding which the embargo was immediately raised. 
This was publicly commented on at the time by foreigners in the 
place, and afforded conclusive evidence that the Peruvian government 
was concerned in the plot. The Chilian vessels of war, Achilles and 
Colocolo, the only ones possessed by the government, were despatched 
suddenly on secret service. A confidential agent accompanied them. 
They went to Callao, and seized upon three Peruvian vessels of war 
lying in the harbour, to take away the only means of offence in the 
power of a government which had proved itself so unfriendly. This 
being done, the vessels were taken over to the island of San Lorenzo, 
and anchored under the guns of the Chilian vessels. The Chilian civil 
agent demanded explanations respecting Freyre's expedition. Before 
these were given great excitement prevailed on shore, at what was 
conceived to be an outrage against civilized nations ; for it was said 
that the Chilian vessels had entered under the guise of friendship, 
and while partaking of the hospitality of a nation at peace witb their 
own, had basely taken advantage of it to insult the country. The 
Chilian consul-general, when the news first reached Lima, was 
subjected to a short arrest. Finally, matters settled down, and the 
parties agreed to discuss the subjects of complaint on board the 
English sloop-of-war Talbot. Santa Cruz sent one of his principal 
officers, and a convention was agreed upon for the suspension of 
hostilities on both sides for the term of four months. The Peruvian 
vessels were to remain in possession of the Chilians, and no warlike 
preparations during the time were to be made by either party. Santa 
Cruz disavowed any participation in Freyre's plans, and expressed 
his willingness to pay Chili her loss in putting the invasion down 
He also bound himself to the performance of his part of the conven- 
tion, leaving the Chilian agent subject to the approbation of his 
government, and assured him of his earnest desire for a good under- 
standing with Chili. 
The vessels returned to Chili, a diplomatic agent of Santa Cruz 
accompanying them. The Chilian government refused to ratify the 
convention, as soon as it was informed of it, and proceeded in the 
most active preparations for fitting out all the captured Peruvian 
vessels. At this time it might have dictated any terms to Santa 
I ruz, who was anxious to secure his newly acquired power. Chili, 
