CHAPTER IX.
Reports of the revolt reach San Carlos—American Minister sends assistance—Chilian Government despatches forces for the Straits—The Virago—Fears of the inhabitants of San Carlos—I deliver the Florida to the Chilian authorities—Arrival of the E. Cornish—The Virago takes the prisoners and treasure—Passage to Valparaiso—Protest and claim of salvage—Mr. Duer—Don Antonio Varas—Injustice done me by the Chilian government—The British Admiral claims the treasure—I protest again—Compromise—Don Antonio denies all claim—My claims put into the hands of the United States Authorities.
Early in January, about a month before our arrival, the news of the insurrection in the Straits had spread some alarm through San Carlos and other southern Pacific ports. The first report was brought by two of the soldiers who escaped from the colony with the governor, and had not been captured by Cambiaso. They had witnessed the capture of the Florida and the Eliza Cornish, from their hiding place among the bushes around the cantonment; had even lurked in the vicinity long enough to witness the embarkation of the colonists and the abandonment of the colony; then, through incredible hardships, had found their way to the Pacific coast, been taken off from thence by some passing vessel, and carried to San Carlos. Their report was that Cambiaso had turned pirate, and was coming to San Carlos to take the port.
The intelligence they brought had been transmitted to Valparaiso, with a description of the vessels; both of which were said to belong to the United States. Additional forces had been sent to San Carlos, and an official communication sent from the commander general of marines, at Valparaiso, to the American consul there, and from thence to colonel Balie Peyton, the American Minister at Santiago. Col. Peyton immediately sent orders to Callao that the U. S. frigate “Raritan” should proceed in search of the two vessels; and a request was also sent to the English Admiral at Valparaiso, that the “Virago” might be allowed to go again to the Straits, and render such assistance to the colonists and vessels as might be needed. Some French and Swedish vessels then in port also went out on the search.
The Chilian authorities despatched two Chilian men-of-war, and some Chilian troops under Don Santiago Jorge Bynon. The troops were put on board the Chilian men-of-war; the latter on board the Virago, on the same service. The English steamer proceeded immediately to the Straits, and it was to be hoped that her officers would learn a lesson from experience, and prove themselves more sharp sighted than they had done a month before, in their former visit to the colony.
The news that the Florida had arrived off the entrance of the harbor filled the people of San Carlos with consternation, which not even the sight of the American flag and my signals of distress served to dissipate entirely. We lay off the harbor some six or seven miles from the town, with the wind ahead, blowing off from the harbor, and the tide against us.
About sunset, a boat came near us with six persons in her, and lay on her oars within hailing distance. Some one from her hailed us in English, and asked where we were from. This boat had in her the captain of the port, who had put off to reconnoitre, and now seeing so many people on deck, was afraid to come nearer. I answered him from the Florida, saying that I had come into the port in distress, having Cambiaso a prisoner on board, and that I was anxious to go on shore at once to see the Intendente of the port, and deliver up my vessel to him; as I was unable to protect it any longer. This relieved his fears, and he came alongside. I had prepared every thing for my leaving the vessel in safety; knowing that the prisoners would not dare to make another outbreak within the harbor, with the guns of the Chilian war vessels around them. The captain of the port left a pilot on board, and took Mr. Dunn, captain Avalos, and myself into his boat. We were landed on the quay at about nine o’clock.
We went immediately to the Intendente, the captain of the port accompanying us almost on a run, shouting out as he passed through the streets, “Cambiaso is taken!—he is here!—he is a prisoner!” By the time that we reached the Intendente’s house we were surrounded by a crowd of the inhabitants of San Carlos, asking questions and shouting out their exultation. Our arrival had excited such alarm that the troops had been ordered out. I told my story to the Intendente, representing to him the worn out condition of my crew, and the necessity there was for sending them immediate aid. He sent at once for the commander of the forces on shore, and the captain of the Chilian vessel of war, “Indefatigable,” then lying in the harbor. They agreed that the troops and the Indefatigable should immediately take possession of the Florida; and by twelve at night, a guard of twenty-five soldiers, with their officer, was placed over the prisoners on my vessel, while the Indefatigable lay by her side.
As we left the Intendente’s house, Mr. Dunn was greeted on every side by warm friends, all rejoicing to see him alive once more, and eager to hear our story and to extend the hospitalities of their houses to us. Indeed, during the few days that I remained in San Carlos I experienced the greatest hospitality and kindness from the inhabitants of the place. Every house was thrown open to me and to my friends; our immediate wants of clothing and personal comforts supplied; and every thing done to make us look back to the time passed there with grateful remembrance.