nticipated.
I count, together with the whole Province, on your
co-operation to avert mischief and advance the good of the country.

Act as you judge best, but for the promotion of that object, the
moment has arrived for action. Answer me with promptitude and
frankness. Let us have the satisfaction of applying effective
remedies to the evils which afflict the country, zealously and
disinterestedly for the good of the Republic, and without personal
views.

_I hold the residence of San Martin in any part of Chili as suspicious
and dangerous. Let him be off to make some other quarter happy,
where he can sell his protection to the ill-fated inhabitants._

I hope my intentions meet your approbation, and will be seconded
by the officers of the squadron.

I trust you will receive this as the sincerest proof that I can give
of the high consideration with-which I am

Your most faithful and unchangeable Friend,
RAMON FREIRE.

To Vice-Adm. Lord Cochrane,
Commanding the squadron of Chili.

I did not reply with promptitude, for I felt that it was no part of my
mission to mingle in civil warfare. This letter, however, corroborated
my opinion as to the fact of San Martin's influence over the Supreme
Director, and the recent coolness in his conduct towards me. If General
Freire's information was correct, there was evidently a desire to
restore San Martin to the Empire of Peru! when possession could be got
of the squadron, and he in return had deluded General O'Higgins into
the plot by promise of support. Whether this was so in reality is
problematical, but there is General Freire's letter, for the first time
published, and the Chilian people can thence draw their own conclusions.

Fortunately an occurrence took place, which relieved me from the dilemma
in which I was placed, as will be narrated in the succeeding chapter.

CHAPTER XII.

THE SQUADRON TAKEN FROM ME--I ACCEPT INVITATION FROM BRAZIL--LETTER TO
THE SUPREME DIRECTO--- SAN MARTIN QUITS CHILI--HIS PRUDENCE--OPINION OF
HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP--MINISTERIAL NEGLECT--PERMISSION TO QUIT CHILI--LETTER
TO GENERAL FREIRE--FOR THE FIRST TIME MADE PUBLIC--LETTER TO THE
CAPTAINS AND OFFICERS--TO THE CHILIAN PEOPLE--TO THE FOREIGN
MERCHANTS--TO THE PRESIDENT OF PERU--SAN MARTIN ACTUATED BY
REVENGE--THIS SHEWN FROM HIS LETTERS.

The event alluded to in the last chapter was the arrival of an express
from the Brazilian _C