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. [Illustration] 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.