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VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC. 
[November, 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
Valparaiso — Amicable deportment of the inhabitants — Interchange of civilities — 
Accumulated documents — Extent and importance of the Pacific station — Illegal 
detention of two American whale-ships — Defects in our consular system — Effects 
of the revolution — Other ports on the coast — The islands — Sail from Valparaiso 
— Arrive at Callao — Meet with the Falmouth and Dolphin — Description of the 
harbour — Visit Lima. 
The Potomac having winged her way around the world (New- 
York and Valparaiso being nearly on the same meridian*) had 
now arrived in safety on the station for which she had been 
originally selected by the navy department, as relief of the United 
States' ship Guerriere. The circumstances which led her to the 
east, and the services performed there, have already been detailed. 
For many months, her arrival on the station had been anxiously 
looked for by her officers and men, who were now dehghted, 
refreshed, and invigorated, by the fine and healthy climate of 
Chili. A few days were now happily spent in recreation, and 
the interchange of civilities, not only with the citizens of Valpa- 
raiso, but also with a few agreeable families from our own country, 
settled in Chili for purposes of commerce. 
Time, however, admitted but of short respite. The interests 
of an extensive coast were to be looked after. Communications 
and official despatches, which had been accumulating for more 
than twelve months, in anticipation of the commodore's arrival, 
had now to be examined and answered ; while new dispositions 
were to be made of the other public vessels under his command. 
The Pacific station is an extensive one, the several ports being 
distant from each other. On doubling Cape Horn, and entering 
the Pacific Ocean from the South Atlantic, the first port of entry 
is Chiloe, in latitude 42° south. The second is Valdivia, one 
degree further north. The third is Conception, in latitude 37° 
* The Potomac had more than circumnavigated the globe ; as Valparaiso is one 
deo-ree and forty-six minutes further east than New- York, and four degrees and 
forty-six minutes further east than Washington city, from whence she first started. 
