in providing the means, and also in endeavouring to collect the
reward of 50,000 dollars which _you_ offered to the seamen who should
capture the _Esmeralda_, and I am not only disposed to pay these sums,
but to recompense valour displayed in the cause of the country.

But you know, my Lord, that the wages of the crews do not
come under these circumstances, and that I--_never having engaged
to pay the amount--am not obliged to do so!_ That debt is due from
Chili, whose government engaged the seamen. Although it may
be just, in the state of its finances, to indemnify Chili in some
degree for the expeditionary expenses, that will be, for me, an
agreeable consideration; but in no degree will I acknowledge a right
to claim arrears of pay!

If I could forget the services of the squadron, and the sacrifices
of Chili, I should manifest ingratitude, which, neither as a public
or private virtue will I ever forego; but it is as imprudent to lavish
rewards, as to withhold them from the meritorious. I am engaged
in finding means to realize measures as regards the squadron, which
I intend to propose to the Supreme Government of Chili, and thus
conciliate all interests.

Your affectionate friend,
JOSE DE SAN MARTIN.
To Lord Cochrane, Vice-Admiral of Chili.

In this letter, San Martin attributes his usurpation to a "singular
current of success;" omitting to state that he neither achieved one
blow, nor devised one plan which led to it, whilst he had all along
offered it every obstruction in his power. He declares that the
arrogation of the fall of the Spaniards, attributed by the inscription
on the medal to the army and himself, was a mistake, brought about by
"his not being able, in the hurry of business, to give attention to the
model presented to him;" whereas the inscription was his own writing,
after days of deliberation and consultation with others, who advised him
not to mention the squadron in the inscription.

In this letter he repudiates all connection with Chili, though he had
sworn fidelity to the republic as its Captain General. He denies ever
having engaged to pay the squadron their wages, though on no other
condition had it put to sea from Valparaiso, and his own handwriting to
this specific promise was accepted as the inducement. Though himself an
officer of Chili, he treats Chili as a state with which he had nothing
to do, whose debts he declares