f
monies in our hands justly due for the capture of the Esmeralda,
when such supplies had been refused by General San Martin_. We
may also claim similar approbation for having repaired the squadron
at Guayaquil, and for equipping and provisioning it for the pursuit
of the enemy's frigates, _Prueba_ and _Venganza_, which we drove from
the shores of Mexico in a state of destitution to the shores of Peru;
and if they were not actually brought to Chili, it was because they
were seized by our late General and Commander-in-Chief, and
appropriated in the same manner as he had previously intended with
respect to the Chilian squadron itself. We may add, that every
endeavour short of actual hostilities with the said General, was
made on our part to obtain the restitution of those valuable frigates
to the Government of Chili. In no other instance through the
whole course of our proceedings, has any dispute arisen but what
has terminated favourably to the interests of Chili, and the honour
of her flag. Private friendships have been preserved with the naval
officers of foreign powers; no point has been conceded that could
be maintained consistently with the maritime laws of civilized
nations, by which our conduct has been scrupulously guided; and
such has been the caution observed, that no act of violence contrary
to the laws of nations, nor any improper exercise of power,
can be laid to our charge. The Chilian flag has waved in triumph,
and with universal respect, from the southern extremity of the
Republic to the shores of California; population and the value of
property have by our exertions increased threefold; whilst commerce
and its consequent revenue have been augmented in a far greater
proportion; which commerce, so productive to the State, might,
without the protecting aid of its navy, be annihilated by a few of
those miserable privateers which the terror of its name alone deters
from approaching."

"The period has now arrived at which it is essential for the well-being
of the service in general, and especially for our private affairs,
that our arrears, so long due, should be liquidated; and far as it is
from our desire to press our claims on the Government, yet we
cannot abstain from so doing, in justice to the State, as well as to
ourselves; because want of regularity in the internal affairs of a
naval service i