naval force in the Pacific.  In this I am prepared to justify whatever course I may pursue.  In thus taking leave of Chili, I do so with sentiments of deep regret that I have not been suffered to be more useful to the cause of liberty, and that I am compelled to separate myself from individuals with whom I hoped to have lived for a long period, “without violating such sentiments of honour as, were they broken, would render me odious to myself and despicable in their eyes.”

Until this day I have abstained from pressing upon your Excellency’s attention my reply to the infamous accusations presented against me by the agents of San Martin—­knowing that your Excellency had more urgent objects to attend to.  Nevertheless, I now beg your Excellency’s consideration of this matter, in order that—­as has been the case in Peru—­these falsehoods may be rendered manifest—­as well as the despicable character of that man who falsely arrogated to himself the attributes of a General and a Legislator, though destitute of courage or legislative knowledge—­the substitution for which was duplicity and cunning.

   (Signed) COCHRANE.

Foiled in getting one of the ships of the squadron, wherein to escape from the impending storm, San Martin remained in Santiago till the beginning of January, 1823, when finding matters in Chili becoming dangerous to his safety, he crossed the Cordillera to Mendoza, and from thence went to Europe to avoid reprobation in retirement.

Throughout this narrative I have been careful that San Martin’s proceedings should be shown from his own acts and letters, there not being in this volume one which has not been published in the gazettes of Chili and Peru, or of which the originals are not now in my possession.  Of the latter, I could communicate San Martin’s letters to me by dozens, and had I so far trespassed on the patience of the reader, his acts would have appeared in a yet more invidious light.  What have been given are strictly relative to public transactions, and belong to the people of Chili as part of their national history, which, rather than any defence of my own conduct—­which was never brought in question by the Chilian Government—­is my chief reason for now making them public.

There may be, however, some who think that I have mistaken General San Martin’s prudence in not approaching Lima when every advantage was before him—­for a worse quality, which until my letter to the Supreme Director O’Higgins, just quoted, I had never publicly attributed to him, though, in the estimation of every officer of the army and squadron, richly deserving it.  It will be in the recollection of the reader, that instead of marching on Lima, he wasted nearly two months at Haura, and that from the pestilential character of the climate, a fearful amount of sickness amongst the troops was the consequence.  I will here give a letter to me from his Aide-de-camp Paroissien, who was