s orders in bringing off the
men to the _O'Higgins_, Captain Guise sent his Lieutenant to tell me
that I could not ship any more men. My answer was, that, till I
received contrary orders from you I could not think of desisting.
I then went to Captain Guise to tell him your orders, and he told
me, that it was the Governor's order that I should not do it; he
likewise told me, that several officers had spoken against the
Government, instancing Captain Cobbett and others. He then
asked me, whether I thought that your Lordship's _robbery_! of the
money at Ancon was right? and, whether I believed that the
Government meant to keep its promise, and pay us, or not? My
answer was, that I thought your Lordship had acted perfectly right,
and that, in my opinion, the Government never intended to pay us;
upon which, he ordered me to be seized.

My Lord, I am now a prisoner in the Case-mates, and am told
that the Governor has written to you on the subject. The men, my
Lord, will, I have no doubt, come off, as many have promised me to
do so, to-morrow morning. Hoping that your Lordship will enquire
into the circumstance, I remain, &c. &c,

J. PAYNTOR.

On receipt of this, I immediately demanded his release, which was
complied with.

Before distributing the money to the squadron, I took the precaution to
request that a commissary of the Government might be sent on board to
take part in the payment of the crews. As this was not complied with, I
again urged it, but without effect--the object of not attending to the
request being, as was afterwards learned, the expectation that I should
place the money in his hands ashore, when it doubtless would have been
seized, without payment to officers or men. This was, however, foreseen,
the Government being informed by me that "the money was on board ready
for distribution, whilst the people were on board ready to receive it,
there was, therefore no necessity to take it on shore;" it was then
distributed by my own officers.

Annoyed beyond measure at my having taken such steps to restore order in
the squadron by doing justice to the officers and men, the Protector, on
the very day, September 26th, on which he told me by letter to "make
what use I pleased of the money," sought to revenge himself by sending
on board the ships of the squadron his two _aides-de-camp_, Colonel
Paroissien and Captain Spry, with papers for distribution, statin