but this
alone was an advantage gained, as it enabled us to communicate freely
with the inhabitants on the coast, and to ascertain their sentiments,
which--from our forbearance, no less than command of the sea--were
almost uniformly in favour of co-operation with Chili for their
emancipation.

Both at Lima and on the coast, the best effect was produced by the
circulation of the following proclamation:--

"Compatriots! The repeated echoes of liberty in South America
have been heard with pleasure in every part of enlightened Europe,
more especially in Great Britain, where I, unable to resist the
desire of joining in such a cause, determined to take part in it.
The Republic of Chili has confided to me the command of her naval
forces. To these must the dominion of the Pacific be consigned.
By their co-operation must your chains be broken. Doubt not but
that the day is at hand on which, with the annihilation of despotism
and your now degraded condition, you will rise to the rank of a free
nation, to which your geographical position and the course of events
naturally call you."

"But it is your duty to co-operate in preparing for this success,
and to remove obstacles, under the assurance that you will receive
the most efficacious assistance from the government of Chili, and
your true friend, COCHRANE."

This proclamation was accompanied by another from the Chilian
government, declaratory of the sincerity of its intentions, so that
these combined caused us to be everywhere received as liberators.

On the 8th, we returned to Supe, and having learned that a Spanish force
was in the vicinity, a detachment of marines and seamen was, after dark,
pushed through a heavy surf, and landed, in the hope of taking them by
surprise. But the enemy was on the alert, and on the following morning
our little party fell into an ambuscade, which would have proved
serious, had not Major Miller, who commanded the marines, promptly
formed his men, who, attacking in turn, soon put the enemy to flight at
the point of the bayonet, capturing their colours, and the greater
portion of their arms. On the 13th, a detachment of Spanish troops
arrived from Lima under Major Camba, who, notwithstanding his
superiority of numbers, did not venture to attack our small party, which
withdrew to the ships with a number of cattle taken from the Spaniards;
Camba writing to the Viceroy so effective a descri