ailing to the true interests of the people. Intrigue and
faction might again place me in the predicament in which I found
myself previous to my departure from Valparaiso, viz., a cypher and
a public burthen; for the ships of war might again be placed in the
hands of a Governor Zenteno, for the purpose of exposing me to
popular odium, as a person receiving a large salary from the state,
for which--without a vessel under my command--no adequate
services could be rendered. That this was the intention of the
late ministers in withdrawing the ships from my command, on the
false pretence of repairing them, there can be no doubt; for whilst
every honorary reward was withheld from me, they refused to accept
the remission which I offered of 4,000 dollars from my annual pay--
treating me at the same time with every neglect and indignity.

Such proceedings, I am aware, are far distant from the contemplation
of the excellent person who now presides over the affairs of Chili,
as in my conscience I believe that they were no less distant from
the mind and heart of the late Supreme Director, who, being placed
in that elevated situation, was unfortunately exposed to the errors
that arise from listening to the reports of interested individuals who
ever surround the powerful, making a gain by concealing the truth
and propagating falsehood.

It is a fact--as is well known to all my friends--that I had determined
to quit Chili, previous to my receiving any proposition from
the Government of Brazil. By that Government I have been
hitherto treated with the utmost confidence and candour, and the
orders they have given me are in everything the reverse of those
narrow and restricted instructions with which I was hampered by
the Senate, the Ministers of Chili, and San Martin, under whose
orders they had placed me. The Government of Brazil, having in
view the termination of the war, gave orders to that effect, without
any of those miserable restrictions which are calculated to retard, if
not finally to defeat, their object. The consequence is, that the war
in Brazil is already successfully terminated--though we have had to
contend with a much superior force--by the evacuation of Bahia--
the flight of the Portuguese fleet--the capture of great part of their
transports and troops--and the surrender of Maranham--all in
fewer months than the Ch