BOSTON: HIGGINS AND BRADLEY, 20 Washington Street . 1855. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, BY CHAS. H. BROWN, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. GEO. C. RAND, PRINTER, CORNHILL, BOSTON....

The preface to a book is very often nothing more than a respectable cloak, allowed by the conventionalities of literature, in which an author may wrap his excuses and apologies for troubling the public with his lucubrations. This dressing up of excuses in order to introduce them into notice under another name, is a thing so tempting to poor human nature, such a pleasant little offering to self esteem and vanity, that it would be very hard if authors were to be debarred from a luxury in which all

Valparaiso—The barque Florida—Chartered by the Chilian government—Prisoners for convict colony put on board—Captain Avalos and soldiers sent for protection—We set sail—Arrangement of the vessel—Mr. Shaw’s sickness—Attempted insurrection among the prisoners—Prompt conduct of Captain Avalos—All quiet again—We reach the Straits of Magellan—Williwaws—We anchor in Sandy Bay. In the latter part of October, 1851, I was at the port of Valparaiso, Chili, having command of the barque Florida, of New Orlea

Sandy Bay Colony—Governor Benjamin Numoz Gamero—Insurrection of Cambiaso—Forged Message from the Governor—Landing of Captain Avalos—Escape of Governor Gamero—Boat sent on shore—Return of the boat—Capture of the Florida—Mr. Shaw and myself seized—Taken on shore—Our imprisonment at the barracks—Privations—Mr. Shaw removed. Sandy Bay Colony lies on the Patagonian side of the Straits of Magellan, on a level spot of ground which slopes down gently towards the water on the south-east. The settlement h

My prison—My guards—An English hymn book—A fellow prisoner—Capture of the Eliza Cornish—Fears of the English mate—Death of Mr. Shaw—Of Captain Talbot and boy—Barbarity of their execution—The Chilian prisoners sympathize with us—Cambiaso’s bravado—Captain Avalos and others led out to view the dead bodies—Treacherous betrayal of Governor Gamero—Execution of the traitor—My walk. I now began to feel for a few days, some of the monotony of a prisoner’s life. Shut up alone, without occupation, within

Capture of the Governor—His execution—I am led out of my prison—The burning of the bodies—Governor Gamero’s character—His intercourse with the native tribes—The Priest Acuna—Arrival of H. B. M. war steamer Virago—Mr. Dunn, the Secretary—Cambiaso plans the capture of the steamer—He fears her force and discipline—The officers invited on shore—No suspicions aroused—The Virago sets sail. On the afternoon of the day of these executions, Cambiaso sent out two or three parties of soldiers, well armed,

Article I. Every inferior who speaks disrespectfully of his superior officer, shall be immediately shot. Art. II. Every inferior who should raise his hand against his superior officer, shall be immediately hung. Art. III. If an inferior strikes his superior officers, with or without arms, he shall be burnt alive. Art. IV. He who should be a traitor to the flag we have sworn, shall be cut in pieces, alive, and afterwards burnt. Art. V. He who is guilty of perjury, incurs the same punishment. Art.

Comparative comfort—The American ensign—Christmas day—My visit to the barracks—The Indian boys—Cambiaso’s rage—Execution of the Indian woman—The cattle slaughtered—Escape of the Indians—Fears of the rebels—Preparations for leaving—The Florida re-christened—Interview with Cambiaso—The embarking of the colonists—Prisoners sent to the Florida. After my removal to the Florida, I made myself comparatively comfortable, with the help of my steward Tom, who seemed as if he could never do enough for me.

Cambiaso’s orders—We set sail—Wood’s Bay—The old French ship—A drunken riot—The officer condemned—Garcia’s interference—Men deserted at Wood’s Bay—The Eliza Cornish left behind—Stormy weather—Sandy Bay again—The Indians—Cape Gregory—Interview with Cambiaso—His promises—Conversation with Mr. Dunn—My determination. The 2d of January saw us all ready for sea, and early in the morning Cambiaso came on board. He called me into his state-room, and after renewing his threats, in case he saw any signs o

The re-taking of the vessel planned—Mr. Dunn—Captain Avalos—Preito—The corporal—Three bells—The struggle—Cambiaso overpowered—Garcia—Cheers for victory—The crew swear fidelity to me—Our course—Cambiaso put in irons—His cowardice—The prisoners from the hold—River Gallegos—Voyage round Cape Horn—Attempted outbreaks—Our danger—We reach San Carlos. Wednesday, the 14th of January, we left Cape Gregory behind us, and continued our course eastward, towards the eastern entrance of the Straits. I sought

Reports of the revolt reach San Carlos—American Minister sends assistance—Chilian Government despatches forces for the Straits—The Virago—Fears of the inhabitants of San Carlos—I deliver the Florida to the Chilian authorities—Arrival of the E. Cornish—The Virago takes the prisoners and treasure—Passage to Valparaiso—Protest and claim of salvage—Mr. Duer—Don Antonio Varas—Injustice done me by the Chilian government—The British Admiral claims the treasure—I protest again—Compromise—Don Antonio den

Cambiaso’s trial—His execution—His character—Garcia—My interview with him—The officer saved by Garcia—His wife’s gratitude—Mr. Duer’s kindness—Mr. Dunn—Captain Avalos—Conclusion. During the time that I had been occupied in endeavoring to obtain a recognition of my claims from the Chilian government, the trial of Cambiaso, Garcia, and the other ringleaders among the rebels, had been going on at Valparaiso. Cambiaso’s trial was not public, and I was not called in during its course; consequently I