CHAPTER XVIII. 



EVENTS AT VALPARAISO, PREVIOUS TO THE CAPTURE OF 

 THE ESSEX. 



It may be recollected by those who have read the first 

 edition of this Journal, that the narrative ended with my 

 arrival at Valparaiso. The particulars of the capture of 

 the Essex are stated in my official letter to the Secretary 

 of the navy, written on my passage home. That letter 

 refers to circumstances which require some further state- 

 ments to make them fully understood ; and which I had 

 not time to prepare and arraiige for the first edition of my 

 Journal. I shall now proceed to give a brief relation of 

 the events which occurred at Valparaiso, previous to my 

 capture ; together with the material events of my passage 

 home to the United States. 



On the 3d of February I anchored in the bay of Valpa- 

 raiso, exchanged salutes with the battery, went on shore to 

 pay my respects to the Governor, and the next day recei- 

 ved his visit under a salute. The Governor was accompa- 

 nied by his wife and several of his officers. 



The Ess?x Junior was directed to cruise off the port, to 

 intercept the enemy's merchant vessels, and to apprise me 

 of the appearance of any of his ships of war. In the mean 

 time, every effort was made to get the Essex ready for sea, 

 while my crew were allowed by turns to go ashore on 

 liberty. The attention and hospitality of the people of 

 Valparaiso seemed to increase; and not having had an 

 opportunity to return their civilities on iny former visit, I 

 took advantage of the present occasion, to supply the omis- 

 sion. On the evening of the seventh, I invited the officers 

 of the government, their families, and all the other res- 

 pectable inhabitants, to an entertainment on board the Es- 

 sex. To give Lt. Downes an opportunity to participate 

 in these gayeties, I directed him to anchor his vessel, but 

 so as to save a full view of the sea. 



The dancing continued until midnight ; after which Lt, 

 Downes repaired to his vessel, got her under way, and 



