, 'I ordered my
secretaries to inform you of it,' returned San Martin. 'That is
now unnecessary, for you have personally informed me,' said his
Lordship; 'I hope that the friendship which has existed between
San Martin and myself will continue to exist between the Protector
of Peru and myself.' San Martin then--rubbing his hands--said,
'I have only to say, that I am Protector of Peru!'"

"The manner in which this last sentence was expressed, roused
the Admiral, who, advancing, said--'Then it becomes me, as
senior officer of Chili, and consequently the representative of the
nation, to request the fulfilment of all the promises made to Chili
and the squadron; but first--and principally--the squadron.' San Martin
returned--'Chili! Chili! I will never pay a single _real_ to Chili! As
to the squadron, you may take it where you please, and go where you
choose; a couple of schooners are quite enough for me;' '_Chili! Chili,
yo nunca pagare 'un real a Chili! y en quanto a la esquadra, puede V
llevarla donde quiere, e irse quando guste, con un par de golestas me
basta a mi_.'"

"On hearing this, Garcia left the room, and Monteagudo walked to the
balcony. San Martin paced the room for a short time and turning to his
Lordship, said,--'Forget, my Lord, what is past.' The admiral
replied--'I will, when I can,' and immediately left the palace."

His Lordship was now undeceived by the man himself; the repeated reports
he had heard of his past conduct crowded on his imagination, and knowing
what might be attempted, from what had been already done, his Lordship
agreed with me, that his life was not safe ashore. He therefore
immediately took horse--rode to Boca Negra, and went on board his
frigate[1].

[Footnote 1: "_Twenty Years Residence in South America_,"
by W.B. STEVENSON, Secretary to Lord Cochrane, Vice-Admiral of Chili,
&c. &c. 1825.]

One thing has been omitted in the preceding narrative. General San
Martin, following me to the staircase, had the temerity to propose to me
to follow his example--viz. to break faith with Chilian Government to
which we had both sworn--to abandon the squadron to his interests--and
to accept the higher grade of "First Admiral of Peru." I need scarcely
say that a proposition so dishonourable was declined; when in a tone of
irritation he declared that "he would neither give the seamen their
arrears of pay, nor the gr