in 



owing entirely to accident; and if we consider the expedi^ 

 tion with which naval contests are now decided, the action 

 is a dishonour to them. Had they brought their ships 

 boldly into action with a force so very superior, and having 

 the choice of position, they should either have cap- 

 tured or destroyed us in one-fourth of the time they were 

 about it. 



During the action, our consul general, Mr. Poinsett^ 

 called on the governor of Valparaiso, and requested that 

 the batteries might protect the Essex. This request was 

 refused, but he promised that if she should succeed in 

 fighting her way to the common anchorage, he would send 

 an officer to the British commander, and request him to 

 cease firing, but declined using force under any circum- 

 stances ; and there is no doubt a perfect understanding ex- 

 isted between them. This conduct, added to the assistance 

 given to the British, and their friendly reception after the 

 action, and the strong bias of the faction which govern 

 ChiU in favour of the English, as well as their hostility to 

 the Americans, induced Mr. Poinsett to leave that country. 

 Under such circumstances, I did not conceive it would be 

 proper for me to claim the restoration of my ship, confi- 

 dent that the claim would be made by my government to 

 more effect. Finding some difficulty in the sale of my 

 prizes, I had taken the Hector and Catharine to sea, and 

 burnt them with their cargoes. 



I exchanged lieutenant M'Knight,* Mr. Adams, and Mr. 

 Lyman, and eleven seamen, for a part of the crew of the 

 Sir Andrew Hammond, and sailed from Valparaiso on the 

 27th April, where the enemy were still patching up their 

 ships to put them in a state for proceeding to Rio de 

 Janeiro, previous to going to England. 



Annexed is a list of the remains of my crew to be ex- 

 changed, as also a copy of the correspondence between 

 Commodore Hillyar and myself, on that subject. I also 

 send you a list of the prisoners I fiave taken during my 

 cruise, amounting to three hundred and forty-three, 

 I have the honour to be, &:c. 

 (Signed) D. Porter. 



The honourable Secretary of the Navy 

 of the U. S. Washington, 



* For an account of the mysteriows fate of Lieutenants M'Kni^ht and! 

 tynran, see Apprendix. 



