POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 009 
hundred men was soon completed, and reported to be in fine order. 
The navy, composed of seven vessels, was ready to sail. At this 
time Portales, being minister of war, came to Valparaiso, to hasten 
the departure of the expedition, and to give his personal inspection to 
its materiel. Vidaurre was his protege, and an invitation to a ball, 
said to be about being given in Quillota, sent by Vidaurre, was 
accepted by Portales, who intended going there to examine the 
condition of the troops. At the same time, he determined on 
carrying Vidaurre his epaulettes and promotion as brigadier and 
chief of the staff. On the afternoon of the 3d of June, 1836, 
Vidaurre ordered the troops into the square for Portales' recep- 
tion. When all were assembled, Vidaurre made a signal; some 
soldiers advanced, surrounded and seized Portales, who was not 
allowed to say a word, but was hurried to prison, and heavy irons 
put on him. An acta, or declaration, was drawn up and signed 
by about forty officers, all subalterns, containing the usual phraseo- 
logy of such documents, about tyranny, injustice, suffering country, 
&c. A servant of Portales escaped unseen, and brought the 
astounding intelligence to Valparaiso, soon after midnight, creating 
the greatest consternation. It was naturally supposed that an officer 
of Vidaurre' s energy and character would push for Valparaiso 
without delay. If he had done so he would have taken it. Alarm- 
guns were fired, and before daylight the militia were under arms, and 
not long after the squadron, consisting of some seven vessels, were 
hauled towards the Almendral. In the course of the day, some few 
hundred men, sent by Vidaurre, were met and repulsed by a body 
of militia. Not long after, a flag of truce was sent to the town, 
demanding the delivery of the "Port" and vessels, threatening, in 
the event of a refusal, to execute Portales, and in case the town was 
taken, to give it up to plunder, besides shooting every officer found in 
arms. It is said that Vidaurre offered to save Portales' life if he 
would write an order for the surrender of the town. This he refused 
with indignation. The authorities, nevertheless, remained firm, and 
allowed the flag to return. The greatest anxiety prevailed in the 
Port, as a night attack was apprehended, and it was feared the 
militia, new to warfare, would run, or perhaps join the revolters. 
The measures taken to defend Valparaiso were admirable. No con- 
fusion was observed, and the greatest alacrity was manifested by 
every officer of the government and citizens to aid the cause of order. 
The foreign merchants, however, sent their books, papers, and money, 
vol. i. 58 
