62 



CHILI. 



of those countries, render some account of his 

 proceedings an important part of this sketch. 



His Lordship arrived in Chili in November 

 181 85 when he was immediately appointed Cojn- 

 mander-in-chief of the squadron. Many English 

 officers, and a great number of English and Ame- 

 rican seamen, attracted by the celebrity of his 

 name, and the romantic nature of the cause, ea- 

 gerly flocked to his standard. By their united 

 exertions the Chilian fleet was so greatly increas- 

 ed in numbers and efficiency, that, in September 

 1819, a gallant attack was made on the batteries 

 and shipping at Callao, which, although not fol- 

 lowed by any important success, gave practical 

 confidence to the fleet, while it alarmed the Span- 

 iards, by displaying an extent of naval power of 

 which they had previously no conception. His 

 Lordship, after this attack, went to Guayaquil, 

 where he surprised and captured a number of va- 

 luable Spanish ships, laden with timber and na- 

 val stores. He then sailed from the coast of Pe- 

 ru, apparently with the intention of returning to 

 Valparaiso : instead of which, he proceeded, with 

 a celerity and decision perfectly incomprehensible 



8 



