ns who did not sign the resolutions were Guise and Spry,
the former being in arrest, and the latter being offended with me on
account of my refusal to accept him as flag captain. There is no doubt
but that he immediately communicated to Zenteno the resolutions of the
officers, for on the 20th I received from him the following letter:--
"Valparaiso, July 20th, 1820."
"My Lord,"
"At a moment when the services of the naval forces of
the State are of the highest importance, and the personal services
of your Lordship indispensable, the Supremacy, with the most
profound sentiments of regret, has received your resignation, which,
should it be admitted, would involve the future operations of the
arms of liberty in the New World in certain ruin; and ultimately
replace in Chili, your adopted home, that tyranny which, your
Lordship abhors, and to the annihilation of which your heroism has
so greatly contributed."
"His Excellency the Supreme Director commands me to
inform your Lordship that should you persist in resigning the command
of the squadron which has been honoured by bearing your
flag--the cause of terror and dismay to our enemies, and of glory to
all true Americans; or should the Government unwisely admit it,
this would indeed be a day of universal mourning in the New
World. The Government, therefore, in the name of the nation
returns you your commission, soliciting your re-acceptance of it, for
the furtherance of that sacred cause to which your whole soul is
devoted."
"The Supremacy is convinced of the necessity which obliges
your Lordship to adopt the measures which placed Captain Guise, of
the _Lantaro_, in arrest, and of the justice of the charges exhibited
against this officer; but being desirous of preventing any delay in
the important services in which the ships of war are about to
proceed, it is the request of His Excellency the Supreme Director
that his trial be postponed to the first opportunity which does not
interfere with the service of the squadron, so important at the
present epoch."
"(Signed) JOSE IGNACIO ZENTENO."
In addition to this communication from the Minister of Marine, I
received private letters from the Supreme Director and General San
Martin, begging me to continue in command of the naval forces, and
assuring me that there should be no further cause for complaint.
On receipt of these le
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