Chilenos—­My fellow Countrymen!

The common enemy of America has fallen in Chili.  Your tricoloured flag waves on the Pacific, secured by your sacrifices.  Some internal commotions agitate Chili.  It is not my business to investigate their causes, to accelerate or retard their effects; I can only wish that the result may be favourable to the national interest.

Chilenos.  You have expelled from your country the enemies of your independence, do not sully the glorious act by encouraging discord and promoting anarchy—­that greatest of all evils.  Consult the dignity to which your heroism has raised you, and if you must take any step to secure your national liberty—­judge for yourselves—­act with prudence—­and be guided by reason and justice.

It is now four years since the sacred cause of your independence called me to Chili.  I assisted you to gain it.  I have seen it accomplished.  It only remains to preserve it.  I leave you for a time, in order not to involve myself in matters foreign to my duties, and for other reasons, concerning which I now remain silent, that I may not encourage party spirit.

Chilenos.  You know that independence is purchased at the point of the bayonet.  Know also, that liberty is founded on good faith, and on the laws of honour, and that those who infringe upon these, are your only enemies, amongst whom you will never find

   COCHRANE. 
   Quintero, Jan. 4th, 1823.

On the same day I issued another address to the English and other merchants at Valparaiso who at the outset had given me every confidence and assistance, but—­notwithstanding the protection imparted by the squadron to their legitimate commerce, the minds of some had become alienated because I would not permit illegitimate trading at which the corrupt ministers not only connived, but for their own individual profit, encouraged,—­by granting licences to supply the enemy, even to contraband of war.  In the subjoined, allusion is made to this matter—­

   To the Merchants of Valparaiso.

   Gentlemen,

I cannot quit this country without expressing to you the heartfelt satisfaction which I experience on account of the extension which has been given to your commerce, by laying open to all the trade of these vast provinces, to which Spain formerly asserted an exclusive right.  The squadron which maintained the monopoly has disappeared from the face of the ocean, and the flag of Independent South America waves everywhere triumphant, protecting that intercourse between nations which is the source of riches, power, and happiness.

If, for the furtherance of this great object, some restraints were imposed, they were no other than those sanctioned by the practice of all civilized states:  and though they may have affected the immediate interests of a few who were desirous to avail themselves of accidental circumstances