EXPEDITION AGAINST PERU. 67 



equipment of the fleet destined to accompany 

 the expedition. Under his hand all things pro- 

 spered : the confined naval resources of the coun- 

 try were turned to the greatest account, with a 

 dexterity and professional skill which astonished 

 every one ; nor was his Lordship less successful 

 in producing, out of the incongruous materials 

 under his command, a thorough union of hearts 

 and hands in execution of the great task he had 

 undertaken. 



The expedition was finally reported ready for 

 sailing on the 15th of August 1820 ; the troops, 

 which had been encamped in readiness in the 

 neighbourhood, were marched into Valparaiso on 

 the 18th, and immediately embarked from the ar- 

 senal under the superintendence of General Las 

 Heras : when it was admitted, by men experien- 

 ced in the embarkation of regular European ar- 

 mies, that their appearance and discipline were 

 worthy of any country. Their numbers amount- 

 ed to 4400 men, exclusive of 500 who subsequent- 

 ly joined the expedition as it passed Coquimbo. 

 Fifteen thousand stand of arms, with a proper- 

 tionate quantity of ammunition and clothing, were 



