As the attached and sincere friend of your Excellency, I hope you will take into your serious consideration the propriety of at once fixing the Chilian Government upon a base not to be shaken by the fall of the present tyranny in Peru, of which there are not only indications, but their result is inevitable; unless, indeed, the mischievous counsels of vain and mercenary men can suffice to prop up a fabric of the most barbarous political architecture, serving as a screen from whence to dart their weapons against the heart of liberty.  Thank God, my hands are free from the stain of labouring in any such work, and, having finished all which you gave me to do, I may now rest till you shall command my further endeavours for the honour and security of my adopted land.

   The enemy’s forces, since the destruction of the division at Pasco,
   under Tristan, are superior to those of San Martin at Lima, and are
   said to be advancing on the capital.

Everything being fully explained in my despatches, I need not trouble your Excellency with a repetition.  Trusting that you will judge of my conduct and intentions by my acts—­not by the vile scandals of those who have deserted their flag, and set your proclamations at defiance,

   I have the honor, &c,
   COCHRANE.

CHAPTER X.

RETURN TO VALPARAISO—­THANKS OF THE GOVERNMENT—­REASONS FOR SATISFACTION—­ILLEGITIMATE TRADE—­TURNED TO GOOD ACCOUNT—­DENUNCIATION OF OFFICERS DESERTED—­INVESTIGATION OF ACCOUNTS—­SAN MARTIN’S CHARGES AGAINST ME—­MY REFUTATION—­GOVERNMENT REFUSES ITS PUBLICATION—­CRUELTY TO SPANISH PRISONERS—­RETIREMENT TO QUINTERO—­POLITICAL FRUITS OF OUR SUCCESS—­DESTITUTE CONDITION OF SQUADRON—­INFAMOUS ATTEMPT TO PROMOTE DISSATISFACTION THEREIN—­OBJECT OF THIS COURSE—­STEPS TAKEN TO DEFEAT IT—­DISAVOWED BY THE MINISTER—­SYMPATHY OF OFFICERS—­ATTEMPT TO GET RID OF GEN.  FREIRE—­ITS EVENTUAL RESULT—­LETTER OF THE CAPTAINS.

On my arrival at Valparaiso, I found that San Martin’s agents, Paroissien and Garcia del Rio, had produced his accusations against me to the Government at Santiago, though without effect, as I had taken care to keep it apprised of everything which had transpired, exercising the most scrupulous care in furnishing accounts of monies and stores taken from the Spaniards, but especially as regarded the public money of the Peruvian Government appropriated at Ancon.

The return of the squadron was announced by me to the Government in the following letter:—­