My intention before reaching San Carlos had been to report myself immediately to the American consul, or to any one holding authority from the United States whom I might find there, and follow his advice in regard to the steps to be taken to deliver the prisoners, treasure, and vessel into the hands of the government of Chili; but I was told by the captain of the port that no American consul was in the place. I then inquired if any vessel of war belonging to the United States was in the harbor, intending to claim its assistance. There was none; and my next step was to seek the Intendente of the port. In my conversation with him I told him that my wish was to deliver up every thing into the hands of the Chilian authorities as soon as I could do it. He told me that no one in San Carlos had power to take the vessel in the name of the government; to find any one authorized to do this. I must go to Valparaiso. To attempt this without further aid would be, I felt, to risk the lives of my crew and passengers; therefore I accepted the offer of the Intendente to take the prisoners and treasure from the Florida and send them to Valparaiso in some Chilian vessel of war then in harbor, with the understanding that on reaching that port, I was then to deliver every thing into the hands of the government. The next morning, while preparations were making to transfer Cambiaso and Garcia, together with the treasure, to the Indefatigable, the Virago and Metero were reported as coming into the harbor. The English steamer had then been successful in her search for the Eliza Cornish, and she now seemed inclined to follow her orders to the letter, and take the Florida _wherever she might find her_; for immediately on entering the harbor, captain Stewart, with two armed boats, went alongside my vessel;--then, not finding me there, he left the boats lying at the side of the vessel, while he came on shore and to the house of the Intendente. Here I met him; when he told me that he had orders to take my vessel wherever he found her. I answered that he could not take her, as I had her myself; when with something of what seemed to me high handed insolence, he insisted on his right and his orders.