"While the conduct of an English officer, Major Tupper, is mentioned in terms of high commendation for the firmness and steadiness with which he pre- vented the troops from being drawn aside from their duty, we are, on the other hand, very sorry to per- ceive the manner in which French influence has been exerted on this and other occasions in Chile."
Among the individuals banished was Colonel Viel, a Frenchman, who went to Peru, and of whom fre- quent mention will be made in the sequel ; but either from some jealousy on the part of General Freire, or very possibly from a dread of giving offence to many powerful individuals implicated in this conspiracy, Major Tupper received no immediate advancement or reward for his very decisive interference. If the former motive were the cause, that jealousy probably arose from the circumstance of Major Tupper having been in some degree a rival in the affections of the young lady whom the director had recently married, and who had, it is natural to suppose, evinced a pre- ference for the equally young major ; but in Chile, as in older countries, parents do not always consult the inclinations of their children, and attachment is sacri- ficed at the shrine of wealth or ambition. General Freire, a native of Talcahuano, was at that time about forty-six years of age, and, without any of the usual advantages of education, had raised himself from a humble origin to the high situation he then occupied. Represented as possessing a stately and pleasing exterior with a frank and conciliatory address, he was doubtless indebted, in a great measure, to these advantages for his success, as he displayed neither talent nor energy from the date of his fatal elevation to power.*
- Vide Appendix C, No. 3.
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