214 
PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
ing it discretionary with him whether to send the Policy to the 
United States, she having a full cargo of spermaceti oil, which 
cannot be sold on this coast without great loss. I furnished him 
with blank powers of attorney for appointing an agent for the sale 
of our prizes ; and as I gave him directions to procure for the Es¬ 
sex a quantity of spirits and some other articles, I furnished him 
with g 4,000 to make the purchases, in the event of his being dis¬ 
appointed in the sale of the vessels. On leaving me, I gave him 
sealed instructions, with orders not to open them until he had left 
Valparaiso, which were as follows. 
( Confidential .) 
United States’ Frigate Essex, 
Sir, At sea, 1st July, 1812 . 
On leaving Valparaiso, you will scour the coast of Chili 
and Peru, keeping the usual distance for whalers. It will be ad' 
visable to look into the harbour of Lima ; from thence proceed to 
the Gallapagos, searching Hood’s and Charles’ Islands for letters ; 
should you find none at either of those places, look into James’ 
Island. Get clear of all prisoners before leaving the islands if 
possible, and proceed to join me at the Island of Chitahoo, or Sta* 
Christiana, one of the Marquesas, where you will find me at an ¬ 
chor, or hear from me in Resolution Bay, in the latter part of Sep¬ 
tember, and first of October. I intend there to refit my ship. 
(Signed) D, PORTER 
Lieutenant John Downes . 
And now finding myself in the latitude 7° 15' S., and nearly 
in the longitude of the Gallapagos, I parted company with the 
Essex Junior and her convoy, and stood to the eastward, until they 
were out of sight; I then shaped my course for the Gallapagos 
Islands, which I was strongly induced to visit again, as I had re¬ 
ceived intelligence of three English armed ships having sailed 
from Tumbez a fortnight before my arrival there, and I had eve¬ 
ry expectation of their having gone to their favourite fishing 
ground, and particularly as it was stated that they had information 
