CHILI. 207 



Messrs. Reid and Bacon were among the most promising young 

 officers in the squadron, and I was extremely well satisfied with the 

 performance of their duty in the vessel. The crew consisted of fifteen 

 persons. 



Passed Midshipman James W. E. Reid was the son of the late 

 Governor Reid of Florida. He was a native of Georgia, and entered 

 the service in September, 1831. He was ordered to the Exploring 

 Expedition in 1837, and appointed to the command of the Sea-Gull, 

 one of the tenders attached to the Expedition, previous to sailing, in 

 August, 1838. 



Passed Midshipman Frederick A, Bacon, entered the service in 

 May, 1832. He was a native of the State of Connecticut, where his 

 highly respectable relatives reside. He joined the Expedition in 1838, 

 and was attached to the Sea-Gull, previous to leaving the United 

 States. 



Both of these young officers brought with them into the Expedition a 

 high character, and, during the short period which they were attached 

 to it, they were distinguished for their devotedness to the arduous 

 service in which we were engaged. Their deportment was that of 

 ardent and zealous officers, and of upright and correct gentlemen. 



Mr. Bacon left a widow and one child. 



In the family of Mr. Reid there has been a remarkable fatality 

 during our absence. His respectable father, the Governor of Florida, 

 and three or four other members of his family, have since died. 



During our stay at Valparaiso, the Chilian army was daily ex- 

 pected to arrive from Peru, and all were rejoicing over its success. 

 All opposition to the existing administration had died away. The 

 manner in which the government of General Prieto had carried 

 through its plans, both of war and peace, had met with the appro- 

 bation of all parties. One of the first acts of the government was to 

 restore to their ranks, Generals Pinto, Borgono, and others, whose 

 conduct had been extremely praiseworthy, though opposed to the 

 government for the last eight years. They, although believing 

 themselves ill used by it, discouraged all attempts at revolution, pre- 

 ferring to suffer themselves, rather than be instrumental in producing 

 changes. Attention was now paid to the building of custom-houses, 

 and other public works at Valparaiso, and elsewhere. The whole 

 seemed to have given a fresh impulse to every thing in Chili. Those 

 who had been at all doubtful of the stability of the government, lost 

 their fears, and became its warmest supporters, while happiness and 

 joy seemed to reign every where. 



The Congress met on the 1st of June, when the President delivered 



