222 A HISTORY OF CHILE "Colocolo, " to Callao harbor. Garrido commanded them, and he was as prompt as Portales: he immedi- ately seized the three Peruvian warships lying un- manned in the harbor. This bloodless victory and capture of a nation's fleet occurred on August 21st, 1836. On the nth of November following, Chile de- clared war, but took no active steps until September of the following year. At that time General Blanco Encalada sailed from Valparaiso with eight warships, twenty transports, and 3,500 troops. He landed at Islay and on the 12th of October marched to Arequipa. In this desert city he was cooped up by Santa Cruz's able commander. General Cerdena, who, with an^army of six thousand men, was able to cut off Blanco Encalada's supplies. This forced the latter to capitulate on the 17th of November. The treaty of Paucarpata was signed, the Chileans agreeing not to renew the war and to return the Peruvian fleet. This treaty was made in good faith and Chile should have abided by it. But she did not; she immediately began preparations for a renewal of the contest. The war, however, was unpopular with the liberals ; a mu- tiny broke out, men and oificers allying themselves with the liberals and denouncing the war with Peru. The mutiny was suppressed, but it resulted in the death of Portales, who was shot by the mutineers, June 6th, 1837. , He was reviewing the army stationed at Quil- lota under the command of Colonel Vidaurre. By order of their leader the troops seized the minister, declar- ing that they rose in rebellion against the conservatives because they were opposed to foreign war and were in favor of reestablishing a liberal government. The revolutionists then marched toward the capital but were met and defeated at a place called the Hill of the Baron by militia troops commanded by General Blanco
