d
Convention; whose injustice became the more conspicuous after
their receiving the stars and distinctions bestowed by San Martin,
with the promise of estates and further bounties. Indeed, the
reception which even the late Supreme Director influenced by these
persons gave to San Martin after his apostacy to Chili, his cowardice,
ambition, and tyranny in Peru, formed a sufficient contrast with
the conduct pursued towards me, to convince me that my presence
in Chili was no longer desired by the Government, and could not,
under existing circumstances, be useful to the people.

I hear that O'Higgins has proceeded to Peru. Personally I wish
him well, and hope that the lesson he has received will enlighten
him, and enable him in future to distinguish between sincere
friends and insidious enemies. I fear, however, that his asylum in
Peru will not meet his expectations, because his passive acquiescence
in the barbarities inflicted by San Martin on the Spaniards
to whom he had tendered protection cannot be forgotten; and the
Peruvian people are not ignorant that the miseries which they
have suffered might have been averted by a little firmness on the
part of O'Higgins.

I have no reason to believe that the old intrigue on the part of
Puyrredon and San Martin, is again revived by the latter, and that
a French frigate which lately sailed hence for Buenos Ayres, has a
commission on that subject. Whether these intrigues extend from
Mendoza over the Cordilleras, or not, I have no means to ascertain,
but I know that the French _Charge d'Affaires_ here has been
endeavouring underhand to induce this Government to give up the
fortifications of Monte Video to the State of Buenos Ayres, which
can only be with the view of extending the influence of France in
that quarter.

I fear that I have already trespassed too long on the time of
your Excellency, otherwise I might take the liberty to throw out
some suggestions which it appears to me ought to be useful, though
you may probably have anticipated them. The principal one is the
benefit which might be derived from having some accredited agent
here; and from the reciprocal and formal acknowledgment of the
independence of the respective States. Treatises of commerce and,
if possible, alliance and mutual protection against any hostile
attempts on the independence of South America