PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
m 
that both ships had a full cargo of oil, and were about returning 
to America, and had put into Coquimbo for refreshments ; and 
that the first intelligence they had received of the war was at the 
time of their capture. 
The Mereyda was now under the muzzle of our guns, and I 
directed the American flag to be hoisted, and fired two shot over 
her, when she struck her colours. I then sent lieutenant Downes 
to take possession of her, with directions to send all the Spaniards 
on board the Essex ; and as I had reason to expect that the Nim¬ 
rod and the other ships were some where in our neighbourhood, 
I stood in shore, with a view of looking into Tongue Bay and 
Coquimbo, sending lieutenant M 4 Knight to take charge of the 
Nereyda for the night; and next morning had all her guns, am¬ 
munition, and small arms thrown overboard, as well as all her 
light sails. What surprized us very much was, that all the shot 
of this vessel, round, bar, and star shot, were made of copper; and 
I have since been informed, that this metal is in such abundance, 
and is so cheap in Peru and Chili, as to be held in very little es¬ 
timation, and there is no comparison between the value of that 
and iron; for, wanting a few nails while at Valparaiso, I found they 
could not be procured for less than one dollar per pound; but it 
seemed equally curious, that, although copper was in such abun¬ 
dance, and brass guns are so far preferable to iron, yet all the 
guns of this vessel, except one, were cast of the latter metal, dif¬ 
fering in this respect from the customs of every other part of the 
world. After I had completely dismantled her, leaving her only 
her top-sails and courses to take her back to Callao, which is the 
port of Lima, I liberated all the Americans from on board of ter, 
sent back all the Spaniards, and directed her commander to pro¬ 
ceed to Lima with the following letter to the viceroy. 
United States frigate Essex, at sea, 
YOUR EXCELLENCY, March 26, 1&13. 
I have this day met with the ship Nereyd-t, mounting fifteen 
guns, bearing your excellency’s patent, and sailing under the 
Spanish flag. 
