66 MEMOIR OF COLONEL TUPPER.
the Peruvian army, and who has himself lately arrived from Santiago.
" He there knew your nephew, young Tupper, and his account is so creditable to that fine fellow, so honorable to our country, and must be so gratifying to his highly respectable family, that I cannot defer communicating it to you. He says that in point of appearance he is the handsomest man he has ever seen in either hemisphere ; that he is esteemed one of their best soldiers, extremely active and habile ; and stands so well with all parties, that no change in the local politics of the country could be in any way disadvantageous to him ; and he adds, that he is perfectly idolized by the troops he commands, parti- cularly those who have served with him in action ; and to crown all, he says, with a partiality very justi- fiable, especially to so distinguished a brother, that when they speak of young Tupper they call him another General Miller. This at all events, in com- ing from my friend, is the acme of panegyric, for the brother is really a first rate character. I could not resist telling you all this upon the testimony of a cool, sensible, and unprejudiced observer. Pray re- member me to Savery and my other friends, and believe me, &c."
Lieut. -Colonel Tupper, on his return from Chiloe to Santiago, in August, 1826, learnt that he had become lieutenant-colonel effective, in consideration of his services in the recent reduction of that island. In December he joined at Talca the army of the south, under General Borgono, whose object was to destroy a horde of bandits composed chiefly of In- dians, and of nearly a thousand strong, who ravaged! the province of Conception in summer, retiring on
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