k, and, having finished all which you gave me to do,
I may now rest till you shall command my further endeavours for
the honour and security of my adopted land.

The enemy's forces, since the destruction of the division at Pasco,
under Tristan, are superior to those of San Martin at Lima, and are
said to be advancing on the capital.

Everything being fully explained in my despatches, I need not
trouble your Excellency with a repetition. Trusting that you will
judge of my conduct and intentions by my acts--not by the vile
scandals of those who have deserted their flag, and set your
proclamations at defiance,

I have the honor, &c,
COCHRANE.

CHAPTER X.

RETURN TO VALPARAISO--THANKS OF THE GOVERNMENT--REASONS FOR
SATISFACTION--ILLEGITIMATE TRADE--TURNED TO GOOD ACCOUNT--DENUNCIATION
OF OFFICERS DESERTED--INVESTIGATION OF ACCOUNTS--SAN MARTIN'S CHARGES
AGAINST ME--MY REFUTATION--GOVERNMENT REFUSES ITS PUBLICATION--CRUELTY
TO SPANISH PRISONERS--RETIREMENT TO QUINTERO--POLITICAL FRUITS OF OUR
SUCCESS--DESTITUTE CONDITION OF SQUADRON--INFAMOUS ATTEMPT TO PROMOTE
DISSATISFACTION THEREIN--OBJECT OF THIS COURSE--STEPS TAKEN TO DEFEAT
IT--DISAVOWED BY THE MINISTER--SYMPATHY OF OFFICERS--ATTEMPT TO GET RID
OF GEN. FREIRE--ITS EVENTUAL RESULT--LETTER OF THE CAPTAINS.

On my arrival at Valparaiso, I found that San Martin's agents,
Paroissien and Garcia del Rio, had produced his accusations against me
to the Government at Santiago, though without effect, as I had taken
care to keep it apprised of everything which had transpired, exercising
the most scrupulous care in furnishing accounts of monies and stores
taken from the Spaniards, but especially as regarded the public money of
the Peruvian Government appropriated at Ancon.

The return of the squadron was announced by me to the Government in the
following letter:--

The anxious desires of His Excellency the Supreme Director
are now fulfilled, and the sacrifices of the Chilian people are
rewarded. The naval power of Spain in the Pacific has succumbed
and is extinguished, the following vessels having surrendered to
the unceasing efforts of the squadron of this Free State:--

_Prueba_, 50 guns; _Esmeralda_, 44; _Venganza_, 44; _Resolution_, 34;
_Sebastiana_, 34; _Pesuela_, 18; _Potrillo_, 16; _Prosperina_ 14;
_Arausasu_; seventeen gun-boats; the armed ships _Aguila_ and
_Begonia_; the block ships at Call