PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
193 
The affair of the salute was arranged; and, after anchoring, I 
saluted the town with 21 guns, which were punctually returned; 
immediately after which I waited on the governor, don Francisco 
Lastre, who gave me the most friendly, and at the same time 
unceremonious reception. On my passing the American armed 
brig Colt, she fired a salute of 9 guns, which was returned by 
the Essex by 7. I had not been long with the governor, before 
I discovered that I had, happily for my purpose, got among 
staunch republicans, men filled with revolutionary principles, and 
apparently desirous of establishing a form of government founded 
on liberty ; but it could not be concealed that some of the leaven 
of the old Spanish regime was still among them ; and that, how¬ 
ever desirous they might appear of establishing liberty and equal 
rights, the chief aim of a few leading characters and designing 
men among them, was despotic power. The governor was him¬ 
self one of those who owed his rise entirely to the revolution; his 
grade was that of a lieutenant in the navy, but was created gover¬ 
nor on shaking off his allegiance to Ferdinand. It could, how¬ 
ever, be perceived, that his excellency was rather lukewarm and 
cautious in his expressions, and was still desirous of preserving a 
creep-hole, in the event of the province returning again to its 
former masters ; he was evidently one of those patriots whose best 
wishes are for the?nselves. The captain of the port, whose name 
I do not recollect, was a sterling honest patriot, and spoke his 
sentiments boldly ; he evidently felt as those should feel who are 
determined to be free ; appeared sensible they had yet much to 
do ; and I am sure was resolved to do his utmost to emancipate 
his country. 
A courier was immediately dispatched, by the American de¬ 
puty vice-consul, to Santiago, the capital of Chili, to inform Mr. 
Poinsett, the American consul-general, of our arrival in the port 
of Valparaiso; and arrangements were made for getting our wood, 
water, and provisions on board : the latter article I found could be 
procured in the greatest abundance, of an excellent quality, and 
at a more moderate price than in any port of the United States. 
I also directed a daily supply of fresh beef and vegetables, fruit 
and fresh bread, for the crew, and, by the time X completed these 
