106 
PORTER'S JOURNAL, 
Boose; and their dexterity in using it, in catching animals at full 
speed, is surprising. Every pack-horseman and driver of a jack¬ 
ass is furnished with one of them; and so much do they deligl^ 
in them, or in showing their dexterity, that when they wish to 
catch any one of their drove, either to load, unload, or for any 
other purpose, they take their distance, deliberately coil up their 
laquc , and never fail of throwing it over the neck of the animal 
wanted. 
On the 17th, capt. Munson, of the American brig in port, ar» 
rived from St. Jago, bringing me a letter from the consul-general, 
inviting myself and officers, in the name of the government of 
Chili, to visit the capital, and informing us that horses and every 
other convenience were provided for us on the road. Capt. Mun¬ 
son was also desired by the consul to inform me, that the presi¬ 
dent and junta, with a large military escort, would meet us at 
a considerable distance from the city, and that, in a political view? 
they considered our arrival as the most happy event. Capt. Mun¬ 
son stated, that the bells had been rung the whole day, and illu¬ 
minations had taken place the evening after our arrival was an¬ 
nounced, and that it was generally believed that I had brought 
from my country nothing less than proposals for a friendly ah 
liance with Chili, and assurances of assistance in their struggle 
for independence. This idea I felt no disposition to do away 
with ; and as I had not, since my arrival, given any hints of my 
object in this sea, I found it not too late to encourage a belief that 
suited my views and accorded with their wishes. I had prepared 
my officers and crew to secresy before my arrival, and had now 
no objection that the good people of this place .should put the 
most favourable construction on our arrival among them, provided 
it did not traverse my only object, the getting a supply of provi¬ 
sions, a circumstance which their solicitude to oblige gave me n© 
cause whatever to apprehend. 
When we were about to embark our provisions, it was signifi¬ 
ed to me by the deputy vice-consul, that the officer of the customs 
did not feel himself authorized to permit their embarkation free 
from duty, without orders from superior authority, unless we 
would enter into bonds to pay the duty, if it should be exacted bv 
