COLONEL ARENALES. 



83 



ralda mounts 40 guns, and is not in a bad state, 

 as was represented, but, on the contrary, very 

 well found and perfectly equipped. She has on 

 board three months'* provisions, besides a supply 

 of cordage and other articles for two years, A 

 gun-boat of four guns, which lay directly in the 

 passage of our boats, was boarded and towed ou| 

 on the following morning. 



" I hope the capture of the flag-ship Esmeral- 

 da, secured by booms, batteries, and gun-boats, 

 in a situation always before deemed impregnable, 

 and in sight of the capital, where the fact cannot 

 be concealed, will produce a moral effect greater 

 than might be expected under other circumstan- 

 ces. 



" I have great satisfaction in sending you the 

 flag of Admiral Vacaro, that you may be pleased 

 to present it to his Excellency the Supreme Di- 

 rector of the Republic of Chili, 



(Signed) " Cochrane.'*' 



While the spirits of the Chilians were raised 

 to a high pitch by this splendid naval exploit, 

 equal success crowned their exertions by land? 



