at the conduct of the Protector. On the 11th of August I wrote
to him, apprising him of the increasing discontent of the seamen, again
requesting payment. On this a decree was issued, ordering one-fifth of
the customs receipts to be set aside for the joint pay of the army and
navy, but as the fortress and port of Callao were in the hands of the
Spaniards, these receipts were most insignificant, and the measure was
rightly regarded by the squadron as a subterfuge.

To this communication the Protector replied, on the 13th of August--at
the same time hinting that I might _reconsider_ my refusal to accept the
command of the contemplated Peruvian navy.

The subjoined is his letter:--

Lima, 13th of August, 1821. MY LORD,

In my official letter addressed to you on the disagreeable business of
paying the squadron, which causes us so much uneasiness, I have told you
that it is impossible to do as we wish. I have nothing to add, unless my
previous declaration, that I shall never view with indifference any
thing that interests you. I told you in Valparaiso, that "your lot
should be equal to mine" and I believe myself to have proved that my
intentions have not varied--nor can vary, because every day renders my
actions more important.

No, my Lord, I do not view with indifference anything which concerns
you, and I shall be deeply grieved, if you do not wait till I can
onvince you of the truth. If, however, in despite of all this, you
determine on the course, which, at our interview a few days ago, you
proposed to take, it will be for me a difficulty from which I cannot
extricate myself, but I hope that--_conforming yourself to my
wishes_--you will conclude the work begun, on which our common lot
depends.

Adieu, my Lord, I repeat that I am, with sincere esteem, your eternal
friend,

JOSE DE SAN MARTIN.

The assertion, that he could not satisfy the seamen, was a subterfuge;
he had abundance of money, derived from the wholesale spoliation of the
Spaniards, to which indefensible course I had alluded in my letter of
August 7th. He also hoped that "_conforming to his wishes_," I would
accept the appointment of "First Admiral;" the consequence of
which--together with the decree transferring the Chilian
officers--without their consent--to the service of Peru, would have been
to turn over to his Government the Chilian squadron.

CHAPTER VII.

TAMPERING WITH CHILIAN OFFICERS--THE AR