Fénix 10, 203-234

208 FENIX as well as Robertson's Ancieat India, 19 which forward to me when he has read it. 1 enclose you letters for Blanco 20 and Turner [ ? ] 21, which 1 would thank you to forward. 1 close this now, in case 1 should not have an opportunity of writing to you when we put on shore, and leave the packet on board to be sent to yoii by the first conveyance. Nothing has occurred during our voyage worth relating and E have now only to beg by way of concluding that you will ever believe me Yours most sincserely, VV. Miller. MZLLER T O PAROZSSZEN Caücato. 28th March, 1821. My dear Paroissien, I have not time hardly to write a dozen lines because 50 men are wai- ting for me to ride to the front in search of a party of negroes and 1 have but this moment iearnt His Lordship was about to sail. The enemy saw us neariy two days before we landed, and the rich ha- ciendados made such preparations as to be off with their mules, slaves and most valuable articles before we landed. At 6 a.m. 140 men landed near the Palmas, at 9 entered Pisco. At 10 the infantry of the 2 and 11 proceeded to Chincha-baxa, halting only a few hours at Caucato after fording the river, which is extremely difficult to pass, and with 15 cavalrymen joined them. For- ty cavalry were mount'ed at 4 p.m. Sorne of them, with the Detatchment of the 4th, proceeded on the road to Robles. Our captives were that day, and the ones following, 140 slaves, SO lances, 400 and odd head of oxen, 600 sheep and 300 horses. There are 3000 loaves of sugar at this place, chancaca and other articles of tbat description in proportion. We have embarked come of it as weil as Pisco wine etc., etc. A report of the enemy7sadvance in force, and for want of good information, have prevented me procuring the quantity of mulas aparejadas required to get every thing on board as one would wish. 80 horse- men attacked 43 of our infantry the other day in Chincha-baxa end were routed. The inhabitants remain in Pisco and I do not think 10 families are mis.- sing. They appear very content and great patriots, at al1 events better than when the whole of the army was there. 1 have returned to them their oxen 19. William Robertson, An Historical Disquisifion concerning fhe Knowledge which the Ancients had of India (konlon, 1791). 20 . See note 9. 21. Possibly John Turner, who had previously served with Miller. Fénix: Revista de la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú. N.10, 1954