at the same time handing in their commissions. To this proof of
attachment, I replied, by requesting that they would not sacrifice their
own positions on my account, and recommended them not to make their
resolutions public till they had further considered the matter, as it
might be seriously detrimental to the interests of the country.

The following letter was addressed to me on this occasion by the
officers of the squadron:--

"On board the _Independencia_, July 18, 1820."

My Lord,

The general discontent and anxiety which your Lordship's
resignation has occasioned amongst the officers and others of
the squadron, afford a strong proof how much the ungrateful conduct
of the Government is felt by those serving under your command.

"The officers whose names are subscribed to the enclosed resolutions,
disdaining longer to serve under a Government which can
so soon have forgotten the important services rendered to the State,
beg leave to put in your hands their commissions, and to request
you will be kind enough to forward them to the Minister of Marine.
At the same time that we are thus forced to withdraw ourselves from
the service, our warmest wishes will be offered up for the prosperity
and liberty of the country."

"Signed by 23 Commissioned Officers."

The following resolutions accompanied this letter:--

"Resolved--1. That the honour, safety, and interest of the Chilian
navy entirely rest on the abilities and experience of the present
Commander-in-Chief."

"2. That, as the feelings of unbounded confidence and respect which we
entertain for him cannot be transferred to another, we have come to the
resolution of resigning our commissions, and of transmitting them to
Government, through the hands of our admiral."

"3. That our commissions shall be accompanied by a letter expressive of
our sentiments, signed by all whose commissions are enclosed."

"Signed by 23 Officers."

Pending the acceptance of my resignation by the Government, the
equipment of the squadron was carried on with the greatest alacrity, so
that there might be no ground for complaint that the termination of my
command had caused any remissness in our duties. I, however, withheld
the commissions which had been enclosed to me by the officers of the
squadron, lest the measure should excite popular dissatisfaction, and
thus cause a danger for which the Government was unprepared.

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