152 



porter's journal. 



I must now appeal to your humanity; repeat to you how 

 anxious I am for the sufferings of my countrymen, at pre- 

 sent your prisoners — and express my request, that you will 

 liberate them here, as the only expedient I can think of. 

 If you accede to it, I pledge myself that they shall not be 

 permitted to serve on board any of his majesty's ships, 

 under my orders ; and I will write immediately to the 

 British government, that an equal number of Americans 

 may be restored to their country. 



I have availed myself of your permission to copy some 

 of the papers, and have taken the names of those who 

 have acknowledged your goodness to them. The liberal 

 minded will always do you justice — and a much higher 

 reward awaits the performance of every Christian duty to 

 an afflicted fellow-creature. 



I have the honour to be, <Sz:c. 

 (Signed) JAMES HILLYAR. 



David Porter, Esq, ^rc. ^c. 



It will be understood, from the foregoing letters, that the 

 Phoebe and Cherub had gone to cruise, off the port. The cir- 

 cumstance that hastened their going to sea, was as follows : 

 A signal from the Spanish Telegraph, on the hill, announced 

 a sail in the offing. The morning being calm, I ordered 

 the Essex Junior to get under way, and go in pursuit, tow- 

 ing her with the boats of the Essex. After reconnoitering 

 the vessel, which proved to be a store ship of the enemy, 

 the Phoebe and Cherub got under way, and made all sail to 

 cut off the Essex Junior from the harbour, which they were 

 near effecting, but for the timely aid of the Essex's boats, 

 which again brought her safe to her old anchorage. 



On the 25th of February, I sent a flag of truce on board 

 the Phoebe, with the following note : 



U. S. Frigate Essex, Valparaiso, 25th Feb. 1814. 



Sir, 



I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of 

 your letter of yesterday, and agreeably to your request 

 and assurances, immediately liberated on parole, the Bri- 

 tish prisoners who were on board the vessels under my 

 command. Their obligation, as well as a certificate of 

 their liberation, are herewith enclosed. 



My feelings have been greatly roused by the scandaloir& 



