command of the squadron, and to accept in lieu
thereof, the command of the four armed prizes taken by the
_O'Higgins_ in the last cruise, and with 1,000 troops selected by
myself, to accomplish all that is expected from the 4,000 troops
and the squadron; the former being a manageable force, capable of
defeating all the defensive measures of the enemy--whilst the latter,
solely under military command, will not only be unmanageable for
desultory operations, but, from its unhandiness, will paralyse naval
movements.

Lastly, I must repeat to your Excellency that the inviolable
secresy of determinations and the rapidity of operations under
present circumstances, are the only security for the prosperity of
the Chilian Government and the hoped-for liberty of Peru. If
those are to be set at nought, I hereby again place at your Excellency's
disposal the commission with which I have been honoured,
in order that you may be convinced of my having no other object
than to serve your Excellency in every way compatible with honour.

I have the honour, &c.
COCHRANE.

To his Excellency the Supreme Director,
&c. &c.

To return to my, now in reality, approaching departure from Chili. The
request to be permitted to retire for a time from the service, was
promptly complied with, and no doubt gladly so, from the belief of the
Government that I might otherwise ally myself with General Freire,
though, that I had no such intention, the annexed reply to his
communications--made shortly after I had left Chili, and when he had
succeeded in overthrowing the Government of General O'Higgins--will
shew.

Bahia, June 21, 1823.
My respected Friend,

It would give me great pleasure to learn that the
change which has been effected in the Government of Chili proves
alike conducive to your happiness and to the interests of the State.
For my own part--like yourself--I suffered so long and so much,
that I could not bear the neglect and double dealing of those in
power any longer, but adopted other means of freeing myself from an
unpleasant situation.

Not being under those imperious obligations which, as a native
Chileno, rendered it incumbent on you to rescue your country from
the mischiefs with which it was assailed by the scandalous measures
of some of those who were unhappily in the confidence of the late
Supreme Director, I could not accep