i had assumed the rank of a recognised
member of the family of nations.

I took with me as a guest to Quintero, my former prisoner, Colonel
Fausto del Hoyo, the Commandant at Valdivia on our reduction of that
fortress. Previous to my departure for Peru, I had obtained from the
Government a promise for his generous treatment, but no sooner had the
squadron sailed, than he was thrust into prison, without fire, light, or
books, and in this miserable condition he had remained till our return.
As he received the promise of generous treatment from me, I insisted on
and obtained his liberation, and he was now on parole. By paying him
every attention, I hoped to inculcate that national greatness does not
include cruelty to prisoners of war.

No sooner had I arrived at Quintero, than I zealously entered on my
improvements, having now received from England a variety of agricultural
implements, such as ploughs, harrows, spades, &c, all of which were new
to Chili; also European agricultural seeds, such as carrots, turnips,
&c, which, previous to their introduction by me were unknown in the
country.

But I was not long permitted to enjoy the "_otium_" marked out for
myself. Letter after letter came from the squadron, complaining that,
like the Spanish prisoners, they too were in a state of destitution,
without pay, clothes, or provisions. Starting again for Valparaiso, I
found their complaints to be more than realized, upon which I addressed
to the Minister of Marine the following letter:--

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

Three months having passed since the squadron
anchored in this port, and the same period since my representations
on its condition were made to the Supreme Government, relative to
the nakedness and destitute condition of the crews; who still
continue in the same state as that in which they passed the
winter, without beds or clothes, the sentinel at my cabin door
being in rags, no portion of which formed his original uniform. As
it is impossible that such a state of things can continue, without
exciting dangerous discontent and mutiny, I beg that you will order
such clothing as may be found in Valparaiso to be supplied through
the Commissary of the squadron, in order that it may immediately
be distributed to the naked crews.

(Signed) COCHRANE.

The determination with which I had entered upon the relief of the
seamen, was so offensive to those who, in popular estimation, were