ment, not to allow any stranger to land from the foreign ships in the roads, during these turbulent times. As this part of the despatch is curious, from showing the state of feeling at the moment, I subjoin a translation of it: ‘And in order to maintain the friendship and harmony so valuable to both nations; to place out of reach all motive of dissension; and to avoid misunderstandings between the English and Spaniards, which, in consequence of the opinions held at Lima, and still more at Callao, neither the prudence, the foresight, nor the zeal of the commanders can prevent; it seems necessary to the Government, under existing circumstances, (the port being blockaded by the Chilian squadron, under Lord Cochrane,) that all strange ships should anchor outside of the line, (of gun-boats,) and that no individuals, of whatever class and condition they be, shall come on shore. On the 23d of February, we accordingly embarked, and, for the present, took leave of Lima, without any great regret; for the period of our visit had been one of constant irritation and difficulty.
“Lord Cochrane, who had been at sea for some time, rejoined the blockading squadron in the roads just before the above discussion ended; and on the 24th, I had an interview with his Lordship, on board his flag-ship, the San Martin.
“On the 25th his Majesty’s ship Andromache returned to the anchorage; and on the 28th, with a ship full of passengers, I sailed for Chili.” * * * * *
“Valparaiso, 19th March 1821. We anchored here yesterday evening, after eighteen days passage from Lima, which is considered rather quick, the average for ships of war being somewhat more than three weeks. I landed in the evening to deliver letters and messages, being principally in answer to those we had carried on last sailing from Valparaiso, and already alluded to in the account of our proceedings at Callao. Many of the people at Valparaiso would scarcely believe that we had been in Peru at all, not being acquainted with the expeditious manner in which passages are now made. We had been absent only seven weeks, whereas in old times as many months at least would have been required to have performed the same service. At the first house for which I had letters, the family received me with a look of disappointment, and begged reproachfully to have the letters returned, not supposing it possible that I could have delivered them; but when they beheld the answers, their joy and gratitude knew no bounds; the news of our arrival spread rapidly, and in ten minutes the house was filled with people beseeching us for letters. In no country could a more lively interest be expressed than by these persons for their absent friends; and this furnishes a complete answer to the statements so often made, of their coldness and indifference in their domestic relations. After delivering all my letters and messages, I was overpowered by questions from the ladies as to the appearance, manners, and various other qualities of persons whom they had not seen, but who had married into the families of their relatives in Peru. This was a hard task; but the little I recollected was extremely well bestowed, and it was pleasing to observe the effect