the cables of the, _Esmeralda_; but after
taking her to capture the _Maypu_, a brig of war previously taken from
Chili--and then to attack and cut adrift every ship near, there being
plenty of time before us; no doubt existing but that when the
_Esmeralda_ was taken, the Spaniards would desert the other ships as
fast as their boats would permit them, so that the whole might either
have been captured or burned. To this end all my previous plans had been
arranged; but on being placed _hors de combat_ by my wounds, Captain
Guise, on whom the command of the prize devolved, chose to interpose his
own judgment, and content himself with the _Esmeralda_ alone, cutting
her cables without my orders; the reason assigned being, that the
English had broken into her spirit-room and were getting drunk, whilst
the Chilenos were disorganized by plundering. It was a great mistake,
for if we could capture the _Esmeralda_, with her picked and
well-appointed crew, there would have been little or no difficulty in
cutting the other ships adrift in succession. It would only have been
the rout of Valdivia over again, chasing the enemy, without loss, from
ship after ship, instead of from fort to fort.

The following extract, from the order issued preparatory to the attack,
will clearly shew the plan frustrated by cutting the _Esmeralda_
adrift:--

"On securing the frigate, the Chilian seamen and marines are
not to give the Chilian cheer, but to deceive the enemy, and give
time for completing the work: they are to cheer '_Viva el Rey_.'"

"The two brigs of war are to be fired on by the musketry _from
the Esmeralda_, and are to be taken possession of by Lieutenants
Esmonde and Morgell, in the boats they command; which, being
done, they are to cut adrift, run out, and anchor in the offing as
quickly as possible. The boats of the _Independencia_ are to turn
adrift all the outward Spanish merchant ships; and the boats of the
_O'Higgins_ and _Lautaro_, under Lieutenants Bell and Robertson, are to
set fire to one or more of the headmost hulks; but these are not to be
cut adrift, so as to fall down upon the rest."

(Signed) "COCHRANE."

By the cutting of the _Esmeralda's_ cables, not one of these objects was
effected. The captured frigate was ready for sea, with three months'
provisions on board, and with stores sufficient for two years. She was,
no doubt, if opportunity offered, intended to convoy the treasure