ellency Don Ramon Freire,
Supreme Director of Chili, &c.

This letter has never before seen the light, and I here make it public,
in order to show that the Government of General O'Higgins had nothing to
fear, even from its ingratitude to me; my only desire being to escape
from it, even at the cost of leaving behind the whole amount due to my
services, none of which was conceded.

Previous to my departure, I addressed the following letter to the
squadron:--

To the Captains and Officers generally of the Chilian Navy,

Gentlemen,

As I am now about to take my leave of you, at least
for a time, I cannot refrain from expressing my satisfaction at the
cheerful manner in which the service has been carried on, the
unanimity which has prevailed, and the zeal which, on all trying
occasions, you have shown. These have compensated me for the
difficulties with which I have had to contend, and which I am
confident have been such as never before presented themselves in
any service. Your patience and perseverance under privations of
all kinds were such as Chili had no right to expect, and such as no
other country would have demanded, even from its own native
subjects. In all maritime states the strictest attention is paid to
the necessities of officers and men--regularity of pay and adequate
reward for services are deemed necessary as excitements to perseverance,
and the achievement of effective and heroic exploits--but
your exertions and achievements have been made independently of
any such inducements.

Gentlemen, by our united exertions, the naval power of the
enemy of these seas, though superior to our own, has been annihilated,
and the commerce of the Pacific is everywhere carried on in security
under the protection of the independent flag of Chili. To me it is
highly gratifying to reflect, that these services have not been sullied
by any act of illegality or impropriety on your part; and that, while
you have asserted the rights of Chili, and maintained and confirmed
her independence, you have so conducted yourselves, as uniformly
to preserve the strictest harmony and good fellowship with the
officers of the ships of war of all neutral states. The services you
have rendered to Chili will, however, be better appreciated at a
future period, when the passions which now actuate individuals
shall have ceased to influence those in po