for, was by all considered to complete our labours
in Peru, and to entitle us if not to a remuneration
from that State, as in the case of those officers
who abandoned the Chilian service! yet, at
least, to a share of the valuable property taken
by our means, as awarded under similar circumstances
by other States, which, by experience, are aware
of the benefit of stimulating individuals by such
rewards for great enterprises undertaken for the
public good. But, alas! so far from either of
these modes of remuneration being adopted, even
the pay so often promised was withheld, and food
itself was denied, so that we were reduced to a state
of the greatest privation and suffering; so great,
indeed, that the crew of the Lautaro abandoned
their ship for want of food, and the seamen of
the squadron, natives as well as foreigners, were in
a state of open mutiny, threatening the safety
of all the vessels of the State.”
“We do not claim merit for not relieving ourselves from this painful situation by an act of a doubtful nature, viz. by an acquiescence in the intentions of the General Commanding-in-Chief the expeditionary forces; who, having declared us officers of Peru, offered, through his aides-de camps, Colonel Paroissien and Captain Spry, honours and estates to those who would further his views. Nor do we envy those who received those estates and honours; but having rejected these inducements to swerve from our allegiance, we may fairly claim the approbation of Government for providing the squadron of Chili with provisions and stores at Callao, out of monies in our hands justly due for the capture of the Esmeralda, when such supplies had been refused by General San Martin. We may also claim similar approbation for having repaired the squadron at Guayaquil, and for equipping and provisioning it for the pursuit of the enemy’s frigates, Prueba and Venganza, which we drove from the shores of Mexico in a state of destitution to the shores of Peru; and if they were not actually brought to Chili, it was because they were seized by our late General and Commander-in-Chief, and appropriated in the same manner as he had previously intended with respect to the Chilian squadron itself. We may add, that every endeavour short of actual hostilities with the said General, was made on our part to obtain the restitution of those valuable frigates to the Government of Chili. In no other instance through the whole course of our proceedings, has any dispute arisen but what has terminated favourably to the interests of Chili, and the honour of her flag. Private friendships have been preserved with the naval officers of foreign powers; no point has been conceded that could be maintained consistently with the maritime laws of civilized nations, by which our conduct has been scrupulously guided; and such has been the caution observed, that no act of violence contrary to the laws of nations, nor any improper exercise