PORTER’S JOURNAL, 
239 
of the Greenwich will be kept complete, for the protection of the 
other vessels, and, in the event of being attacked, you will call on 
the other prize-masters and their men to assist on board your ship; 
but it is expected you will only act on the defensive. Should I 
not appear in six weeks from the time of my leaving this, you will 
proceed for Valparaiso, in company with the Seringapatam, after 
the articles of value are taken from the New Zealander, and that 
ship is burnt. If, however, lieutenant Downes should appear be¬ 
fore the expiration of six weeks from the time of my leaving this, 
you will please to deliver him the enclosed letter, which contains 
instructions for the guidance of his conduct respecting the dispo- 
sal of the prizes. 
I must recommend your keeping constantly on your guard, 
with a look-out from a suitable point. Let the ships be ready for 
sea on the shortest notice, and suffer no guns to be fired, no fires 
at night, or any other practices by which you may be discovered. 
Should I appear off with an English red ensign, hoisted union 
down, at the fore, you will send a boat on board the Essex. If the 
same signal is made at the main, it will be for the Seringapatam 
and New Zealander to send their boats for their crews, and you 
will please to furnish them assistance for the purpose, if necessa¬ 
ry. Should you leave the cove before I arrive, you will bury a 
bottle, containing a letter, in some suitable spot, near the landing- 
place at the head of the cove, and cut in the rocks immediately 
over it the letters S„ X., in order that I may be enabled to find it. 
I need not inform you how important it is that the prizes should 
not fall into the hands of an enemy. Your situation will render 
their destruction (in the last extremity) very easy. I would re¬ 
commend to you to have as many boats, as may be necessary for 
the escape of their crews, in constant readiness for service, and a 
sufficiency of provisions and water, Sec. See. provided for them at 
the shortest notice ; and, in the event of the necessity of taking to 
to them, I would advise your proceeding to Charles’ Island, as 
the most likely place of meeting with the Essex Junior, or Es¬ 
sex ; and, in case you should not fall in with either, it appears the 
