Page:A history of Chile.djvu/223

ERA OF CONSTITUTION MAKING 203 at Mocopulli, but afterward fell into an ambush, became panic stricken, and fell back in confusion upon the oth- er division. This defeat, with the constant rains pre- vailing, demoralized the whole arm}', which soon em- barked and returned home, June, 1824, having suffered heavy losses. So great was the di«;satisfaction and demoralization prevailing at this time, that the British consul-general, Mr. Nugent, did not think it advisable to recognize the independence and present government of Chile, though he had been sent out for that very purpose. He foresaw plainly enough that the country was on the eve of another revolution. During this time two Spanish men-of-war had ap- peared at the island of Chilo^, having arrived there soon after Freire's departure. It was not until near the middle of the year 1824, that the government at San- tiago gained information of this, and then the news occasioned considerable commotion. General Freire feared an attack upon Valparaiso, and to provide against it as best he could, dispatched a force to that port. He wished to overhaul the old war ships in the port for defensive purposes, but the senate refused to vote the funds. This occasioned a split between the director and the senate, so that he dissolved that body, and set aside the new constitution. Having made himself, in effect, dictator, Freire now ordered the war vessels to be refitted ; this required several months and the pay of the sailors was in ar- rears, so that they refused to do anything until they were paid. Taxes were levied, licenses granted, and a sufficient revenue raised to pay the men a portion of the amounts due them and complete the equipment, the total expense being about ^100,000. Satisfied with this, the fleet put to sea toward the end of the year