334 



CHILI. 



lapidated fort, is the sea-port of Conception ; and 

 occupies the south-western angle of the square. 

 The present city lies a league further inland, 

 about five or six miles distant from Talcuhuana. 



We found in the harbour a ship from Lima, 

 full of Chilian Royalists : unhappy people who 

 had emigrated to Peru, when their country had 

 been rendered independent by the arms of San 

 Martin. Being followed to Lima, by their evil 

 genius, they had resolved to return to their na- 

 tive place ; and throw themselves on the mercy 

 of their countrymen the Patriots. These poor 

 people, strangers in their own land, had found, as 

 they expected, their possessions in the hands of 

 others, and scarcely knew whither to bend their 

 steps. 



I landed with one of the midshipmen, intend- 

 ing to ride to Conception, and on the beach met 

 the captain of the ship which had brought the 

 passengers. I had known him in Lima a most 

 staunch Royalist, and was amused to find him 

 here transformed into just as staunch a Patriot. 

 The truth is, that he, like many others we met 

 with, whose sole object was gain^ cared very little 



