The season is now far advanced, and the Andes are covered with snow. Besides this inconvenience of the mountains, the roads, in some places, are nearly intercepted, so as to render travelling rather insecure. From these considerations, I have resolved, with the advice of my friends, to go by sea, and have taken my passage in the brig Dragon, Captain Green, for Valparaiso, in Chile. Sailing round Cape Horn is by no means so formidable a matter now as it was formerly considered to be. Vessels frequently go round now, and at all seasons. This is now the middle of our winter, and we expect the cold to be severe. I am accordingly preparing myself for it, as well as I can, by providing warm clothing. During the winter the winds are considered more favourable, and vessels make quicker passages. We expect to sail in a day or two, and, I trust, He who guided me over the ocean in coming to this place, will still be with me to preserve me, and to bring me safely to my desired haven.
I leave all my friends here on the best terms, and I leave the place, in many respects with regret. I shall never forget all the kindness I have met with in this city from the Magistrates, and from all classes with whom I have had intercourse. May God reward them. When I gave in my resignation, I said that it was my intention to return here next summer, to visit the schools, and to see how they were coming on. In the kindest manner I was requested not to forget my promise of returning. They were sorry, they said, that it was not in their power to reward me in a pecuniary way, from the lowness of their funds. They begged me to accept of their sincerest thanks for establishing this system of education in the country, from which they said they anticipated the happiest results, in making education general throughout all classes of the people; and they added that, as a mark of respect, they had requested the government to confer on me the honour of citizenship, and which was accordingly done.
Santiago de Chile, 6th Aug. 1821.
My letter to you of the 16th July, brought down my journal to the day before my leaving Valparaiso. On the 17th I left that place in the afternoon, and at two o’clock on the 19th I said, “Peace be to this city!” I was going to give you some account of the road, and what I met with upon it, but find I have got other things to write which will fill my letter. I shall leave this description till a further opportunity.
You know, already, that I was engaged to come here by this government, and that my passage round the Cape was paid by the same. I therefore looked for a fair and open reception. I have not been disappointed, or, perhaps, I should rather say I have, for I have met with a reception beyond my expectation, I might say to my wish. I have been introduced to the Director and to the Ministers of Government, all of whom express much desire for the speedy establishment of schools throughout Chile. We have got the largest apartment in the University for a school-room. The joiners are busy at work, fitting it up, and we only wait their finishing to begin our operations.
I shall occupy the rest of my letter in giving you a translation of two articles, which bear upon this subject.
On my arrival here, I received a copy of the following order, issued by the Government two days before I reached this city:—
“By supreme authority of this date, I communicate to Don Manuel Salas the following note.
“Mr. Thomson, who has been engaged to establish in this city the new system of mutual instruction, has already arrived in Valparaiso. His Excellency, the Director, has a decided wish that public education may be general, and is very anxious to give all possible aid to this establishment for elementary instruction, as preparatory to the higher branches. He has for this end appointed you with full powers to forward this object, in conjunction with Mr. Thomson, and the President of the Board of Public Education. You will, therefore, do all in your power to establish it as soon and as perfectly as possible.—A copy of this order to be sent to the President of Public Education, and to Mr. Thomson.”
“Office of the Minister of State in Santiago de Chile, 17th July, 1821.