1§4 
PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
After some conversation on the subject, the following corres¬ 
pondence took place: 
Valparaiso , April Mh, 1814. 
Sir, 
Taking into consideration the immense distance we are from 
our respective countries, the uncertainty of the future movements 
of his Britannic majesty’s ships under my command, which pre~ 
eludes the possibility of my making a permanent arrangement, 
for transporting the officers and crew late of the Essex to Europe, 
and the fast approaching season which renders a passage round 
Cape Horn in some degree dangerous: I have the honour to pro¬ 
pose for your approbation, the following articles, which I hope 
the government of the United States, as well as that of Great 
Britain, will deem satisfactory: and to request that, should you 
conceive them so, you will favour me with the necessary bond 
for their fulfilment. 
1. The Essex Junior to be deprived of all her armament, 
and perfectly neutralized; to be equipped for the voyage solely 
and wholly at the expense ot the American government; and t© 
proceed with proper American officers and crew (of which I 
wish to be furnished with a list for the purpose of giving the ne¬ 
cessary passport) to any port of the United States of America that 
you may deem most proper. 
2. Yourself, the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, &c. 
composing your crew, to be exchanged immediately on their ar¬ 
rival in America, for an equal number of British prisoners of si¬ 
milar rank—-Yourself and officers to be considered on their pa¬ 
role of honour until your and their exchange shall be effected. 
In case of the foregoing articles being accepted, the Esssex 
Junior will be expected to prepare immediately for the voyage, 
and to proceed on it before the expiration of the present month; 
should any of the wounded at that period be found incapable of 
removal, from not being sufficiently advanced in their recovery, 
the most humane attention shall be paid them; and they shall be 
forwarded home by the first favourable conveyance that may offer. 
I have the honour to be, he. 
(Signed) James Hillyar, 
Captain David Porter, 
Late commander of the United States frigate Essex-, Valparaiso 
