218 POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 



that four months were allowed her to renew it or not, otherwise it 

 would be of no effect. 



Chili took umbrage at this abrupt mode of proceeding, and allowed 

 the time to pass, when both governments restored the former retalia- 

 tory duties on their respective products. 



Santa Cruz framed a new commercial code for Peru, and among 

 its articles, was one .imposing double duties on all vessels touching at 

 any Chilian port, before going to Peru. This measure was odious 

 to Chili, and was considered as evincing unfriendly feelings. Whilst 

 Chili was in the full tide of prosperity, and attending to her own 

 internal regulations, the administration, satisfied that all was quiet at 

 home, appears to have been utterly regardless of the course things 

 were taking in Peru. President Prieto at this time was re-elected foi 

 a second term, upon which General Ramon Freyre, the former director 

 of Chili, but for some years banished the country, and living in Peru, 

 set out with a few other exiled Chilian officers, on a revolutionary 

 adventure to Chili. Embarking in two Peruvian government vessels, 

 hired from Orbejoso ostensibly for a trading voyage to Central 

 America, his real intention was to proceed to the south of Chili, and 

 make a descent upon the coast. He entertained the expectation of 

 being joined by the old military, and other dissatisfied persons, and 

 was in hopes of finally establishing himself again in power. Some few 

 days subsequently to Freyre's departure from Lima, the Chilian consul- 

 general hearing of it, despatched a fast-sailing vessel to apprise his 

 government. The vessel had a very short passage, and the intelligence 

 took the government entirely by surprise. They were wholly unpre- 

 pared 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 the 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 



