1832.] 
PACIFIC STATION. 
433 
south, where the Potomac now lay at anchor, some distance 
from the shore, throwing the rest of the shipping and town, 
with the surrounding hills, in the rear, as has been faithfully rep- 
resented by the artist in the accompanying engraving. Proceed- 
ing north, Coquimbo, Copiapo, and Huasco, comprise the re- 
maining part of the Republic of Chili. 
The two first named, Chiloe and Valdivia, are seldom visited 
by our vessels, though' time may render them more important, 
especially Valdivia, to our whale-ships, while cruising for the 
spermaceti off shore, or for the right whale along the coast, as is 
frequently and successfully done. The harbour is certainly 
among the best on the coast of Chili; and generally, such 
refreshments as are needed by whalemen in the midst of a cruise^ 
or in preparing to double the Cape, may be procured in great- 
abundance, and on the most reasonable terms. 
Talcahuano, the port of Conception, has been much visited by 
our whale-ships ; and from its many advantages, would be more 
so, particularly as the last port preparatory to their return to the 
United States, could they but find in that place adequate protec- 
tion in a resident consul. The natural resources of this province, 
lying as it does on the borders of the Araucanian country, and 
extending from the ocean to the Cordilleras, will in time make 
it one of the richest departments of Chili. 
Of Valparaiso it is scarcely necessary for us to speak — cer- 
tainly not in detail, as the importance of the harbour has long 
been known. It is a point where all our merchant vessels touch, 
whatever may be their destination, on or from the coast. But 
our whale-ships seldom enter the harbour — in winter, never — as 
it lies exposed to the ocean from the north ; and, during the winter 
months, the wind is sometimes strong from that quarter. The 
sea rolls in with great power, and the anchorage there is not 
only exceedingly unpleasant, but highly dangerous. Many ves- 
sels, and some hves, have been lost at such times. 
The town contains about twenty thousand inhabitants, and to 
the eye of a stranger presents but a very imperfect idea of its 
extent and importance. Here is centred nearly the whole foreign 
commerce of Chili ; and as a commercial depot, it will be ren- 
dered still more iznportant, as the government has wisely deter- 
E e 
