e people of this
Republic are full of the most lively gratitude, and are grieved that
it is not in their power to give you an effectual proof of their deep
attachment. This Province, holding valour and merit in estimation,
idolizes you, whilst it holds in abhorrence and detestation the tyrant
"Liberator of Peru!" who has stained our soil with tears of blood
shed for his pretended services. Chacabuco would have terminated
the war throughout the Republic, had it not been deemed necessary
to foster its continuance for the interests of this individual.

This Province (Conception) having been completely sacrificed,
has arrived at the point of exasperation. Its inhabitants are
unanimously determined on a change and a reform of Government,
and declare that in Arauco they will breathe the air of liberty, and
that they will perish in the field of battle to obtain it. This is the
decision universally adopted without exception. This is the
determination of the gallant troops which I have the honour to command,
and of their valiant officers, and is moreover sanctioned by the holy
orders of the clergy.

Compromised by these declarations, what am I to reply to them?
Must I profess my sympathy and accordance of opinion with them,
and admit to you, that, though yesterday a private citizen, with a
heart burning to be freed from fetters, _I must to-day gird on the
sword_. May Heaven favour my lot in the absence of personal
merit! To my country I owe my life and the position I hold--from
having contributed to its welfare--can I then neglect the duty
that I owe to it? No, my dear friend, far be that course from me.
Freire has sworn to live or perish for the liberty of his native
country, and he now repeats that solemn oath, grieved at the cause
which compels him to renew it, but trusting in the hope that God
will avert the effusion of blood in the accomplishment of the object.

I know that you are deeply interested in securing the liberty of
Chili, for which you have so gloriously contended. I know you will
deeply feel the privation of hope--for neither in your generous
heart, nor in mine, can such events be received with indifference. Let
us then pursue a course in uniformity with the glory of Chili, and
the opinion of the world. Let us listen to the voice of the country,
which calls us to avert evils when repose might have been a