e promotion of the good
of the marine, was set at naught, or opposed by measures directly
the reverse. Look to the orders which I received, and see whether I
had more liberty of action than a schoolboy in the execution of his
task. Look back into the records of the Minister of Marine's
office, and you will find that, while the squadron was nearly reduced
to a state of starvation, provisions were actually shipped at
Valparaiso, _apparently for the navy, but were consigned to Don Luiz
de Cruz, and disposed of in such a way as to reflect eternal reproach
and disgrace_. You may probably find also, the copy of an order,
the original of which is in my possession, (not rubricated by the
Supreme Director) _to permit a vessel laden with corn to enter the
blockaded port of Callao at the period of its greatest distress_,
and which did enter in my absence, and was sold for an enormous amount;
whilst funds could not be found to send even 500 troops on an eight
days' voyage from Chili to secure Upper Peru, when the greater part of
the country was actually in our possession, and when the minds of
the people, afterwards alienated by the base conduct of San Martin,
were universally in our favour.

Sir, that which I suffered from anxiety of mind whilst in the
Chilian service, I will never again endure for any consideration.
To organise new crews--to navigate ships destitute of sails, cordage,
provisions, and stores--to secure them in port without anchors and
cables, except so far as I could supply these essentials by accidental
means, were difficulties sufficiently harassing; but to live amongst
officers and men--discontented and mutinous on account of arrears
of pay and other numerous privations--to be compelled to incur the
responsibility of seizing by force from Peru, funds for their payment,
in order to prevent worse consequences to Chili--and then to be
exposed to the reproach of one party for such seizure, and the
suspicions of another that the sums were not duly applied, though the
pay-books and vouchers for every material item were delivered to the
Accountant-General--are all circumstances so disagreeable and so
disgusting that until I have certain proof that the present Ministers
are disposed to act in another manner, I cannot possibly consent to
renew my services, where, under such circumstances, they would be
wholly unav