ve
their necessities.

I have told your Lordship all I know, and have conceived the
rumour to be of so much importance, as to send one of my own
horses with the little doctor to inform you immediately of what is
going on, as such reports ought not to be treated lightly. I beg to
subscribe myself, with the greatest respect,

Your Lordship's grateful Servant,

HENRY COBBETT.

Another letter, from Captain Wilkinson, was to the same effect:--

MY DEAR LORD,

A report is in circulation that your Lordship has put
on board the British frigate _Doris_ nine thousand ounces in gold. I
feel it my duty to acquaint you of this, as no person can have your
Lordship's reputation more at heart than myself. I have been told
this by two or three persons after your Lordship left for Quintero,
and in the evening by Moyell, who must have known it to be
false, and I declared it so to him. I trust your Lordship will
be able to trace the shameless offender.

I am, my Lord, &c. &c.

W. WILKINSON.

As soon as these letters were received, I lost no time in repairing to
Valparaiso, not doubting that Zenteno and the Peruvian agents were again
at work to disorganize the squadron, and in case of the overthrow of the
Supreme Director, which was still impending, to place it in the hands of
San Martin. The object of the party was to cause dissension amongst the
seamen, by making them believe that, amidst their poverty and
sufferings, I had been taking care of myself, and hence they hoped to
destroy that confidence in me which officers and men had all along
exhibited, notwithstanding their privations. As they had never before
been so wretchedly destitute, this circumstance was considered
favourable to the impression, that having secured all I could for
myself, I was about to abandon them.

Though there was not a word of truth in the report which had been thus
sedulously disseminated, it was too serious to be trifled with;
accordingly, on the receipt of Captain Cobbett's letter, I hastened to
Valparaiso, and to the chagrin of Zenteno, again hoisted my flag on
board the _O'Higgins_.

My first step was to demand from the Government the appointment of a
commission to go on board the _Doris_, and there ascertain whether I had
placed any packages on board that frigate for transmission to England or
elsewhere. The reply was, that no such commission was requisite, as no
one gave credit to th