DITION UP THE PACHITEA AND EXPLORATION OF THE PICHIS
RIVER--EXPEDITION UP THE AMAZON AND HUALLAGA
RIVERS--ORDERED TO LIMA. ORDERED TO NEW YORK TO
SUPERINTEND THE CHARTS MADE BY THE HYDROGRAPHICAL
COMMISSION--PUBLICATION OF CHARTS ABANDONED ON ACCOUNT OF
THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF PERU--LETTER FROM PRESIDENT
PARDO--LETTER FROM MINISTER FREYRE--TUCKER RETIRES TO HIS
HOME IN PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA--OCCUPATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS
OF OLD AGE--DEATH--CHARACTER AND QUALITIES--CONCLUSION.

While residing in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tucker received a letter
from the Peruvian Minister to the United States, requesting an
interview on affairs of importance. Going to Washington, Tucker saw
the Minister, and the result of the interview was that he accepted a
proposition to go to Peru and enter the Navy of that Republic as a
rear-admiral, his commission to be dated from the time of his arrival
at Lima. He was allowed to take with him two staff officers, one with
the rank of captain and the other with that of commander.

When Tucker entered the Navy of Peru, that Republic was engaged in a
war with Spain. Spain had never recognized the independence of her
former South American colonies, and thinking a favorable opportunity
had arisen for asserting her dormant claims, the Spanish Government
sent an iron-clad frigate, accompanied by several smaller vessels, to
attack the Chilean and Peruvian seaport cities on the Pacific coast.
The attack upon Valparaiso, the chief port of Chile, was successful,
but the Spanish squadron was beaten off at Callao by the Peruvian
batteries. Whilst preparing for the defense of Callao, the Peruvian
Government determined to place its naval establishment on such a
footing that it would be able to meet any force Spain could send to
the Pacific. Tucker had, and most deservedly, the reputation of being
a hard fighter, a thorough disciplinarian, and a splendid seaman;
hence the Peruvian Government of President Prado directed its Minister
at Washington to engage his services if possible. The cause was one
which enlisted all Tucker's sympathies, and he agreed to take command
of the Peruvian fleet. Tucker became much attached to Peru, and served
the Republic zealously and faithfully. He had many warm friends in
Lima, and no matter what party held the Government, the trust and
confidence reposed in him by the authorities in Lima was always
implicit.

Tucker