174 



porter's journal. 



spicuous place in a religious procession, commenxorative 

 of the occasion, where he wore the habit of a friar, and 

 bore in his hand a waxen candle. 



Soon after the capture of the Essex, I was sent on board 

 the Phoebe, by the officer who took possession of the 

 Essex. I had no cause to complain of my treatment while 

 there. Captain Hilljar's conduct was delicate and re- 

 spectful. The instant of anchoring in Valparaiso, I was 

 allowed to go on shore on parole, and the same privilege 

 granted to my officers, as well as those of my crew who 

 were wounded. The rest were placed under guard, on 

 board a Spanish merchant ship, hired by Captain Hillyar 

 for that purpose. 



Under present circumstances, I could not expect any 

 civilities from those in authority at Valparaiso. But the 

 neglect of the governor and his officers was fully compen- 

 sated by the kind attentions of the good citizens. When 

 my wounded companions were brought on shore, they 

 were borne to the place selected by me for a hospital, by 

 the kind ChiHans. The ladies of Valparaiso took upon 

 themselves the task of providing for their necessities, and 

 administering to the alleviation of their sufferings. At all 

 times, women of the most respectable appearance attended 

 at the hospital, who tendered their services gratuitously, to 

 take care of the wounded. Without their aid, I have no 

 doubt, many would have died, who now live to thank them. 

 For myself, 1 shall never forget their gentle humanity ; and 

 if it should not be in my power to return it, I bequeath the 

 remembrance as a legacy of gratitude to be repaid by my 

 country. 



After providing every thing in my power for the com- 

 fort of my wounded companions, I made a visit to the 

 capital of Chili. I shall pass over the events of this jour- 

 ney, and hasten to a conclusion. On referring to the cor- 

 respondence between myself and Captain Hillyar, in the 

 appendix, it will be seen there was an arrangement made, 

 for disarming the Essex Junior, and converting her into a 

 cartel; which I considered highly advantageous, as it 

 ensured the safety of a prize. This case was similar to 

 that of the Alert, to which Captain Hillyar had objected, 

 on a former occasion. His motives for acceding to such 

 an arrangement at this time, were probably^founded in 



