PORTER S JOUKiS AL, 



still among them ; and tiiat, however desirous tliey might 

 appear of establishing liberty and equal rights, the chief aim 

 01 a few leading characters and designing men among them, 

 was despotic powder. The governor was himself one of 

 those who owed his rise entirely to the revolution ; his grade 

 was that of a lieutenant in the navy ; but he was created go- 

 vernor on shaking off his allegiance to Ferdinand, it could, 

 however, be perceived, that his excellency was rather luke- 

 w^arm and cautious in his expressions, and was still desirous 

 of preserving appearances, in the event of the province re- 

 turning again to its former masters. The captain of the 

 port, whose name I do not recollect, was a sterling honest 

 patriot, and spoke his sentiments boldly ; he evidently felt 

 as those should feel who are determine'd to be free ; appear- 

 ed sensible they had yet much to do ; and I am sure was re* 

 solved to do the utmost to emancipate his country. 



A courier was immediately despatched by the American 

 deputy vice-consul, to Santiago, the capital of Chili, to in- 

 form Mr. Poinsett, the American consul-general, of our ar- 

 rival in the port of Valparaiso ; and arrangements were 

 made for getting our wood, water, and provisions on board. 

 The latter article I found could be procured in the greatest 

 abundance, of an excellent quality, and at a more moderate 

 price than in any port of the United States. I also direct- 

 ed k daily supply of fresh beef and vegetables, fruit and 

 fresh bread, for the crew, and, by the time I completed 

 these arrangements, was informed tliat the governor intend- 

 ed returning my visit. I consequently went on board to 

 receive him, and on his arrival, with a numerous suite of offi- 

 cers, saluted him with eleven guns. It appears that many 

 of them had never before seen a frigate, all of them being 

 native Chilians, and this being the first, since their recollec- 

 tion, that had entered the port. The Standard, a British 

 ship of the line, had touched there four months since for re- 

 freshments, on her way to Lima ; but some misunderstand- 

 ing having taken place between them and her officers, there 

 was but little intercourse between them. The visit lasted 

 about two hours, during which time they viewed every part 

 of the ship ; and although she appeared under great disad- 

 vantage, from having been so long at sea, and from the tem- 

 pestuous passage around Cape Horn, still they Were much 



