deserving of blame, that a report was circulated of my having
surreptitiously shipped on board the English frigate _Doris_, then lying
in the harbour of Valparaiso, 9000 ounces of coined gold, and also a
quantity of gold and silver bars to the like amount! the object no doubt
being to induce a belief in the popular mind, that money had been
applicable for the use of the squadron, but that it had been dishonestly
appropriated by myself.

As I had returned to Quintero, this rumour did not reach me till it had
become widely disseminated amongst the Chilian people. The first
intimation I had of it, was contained in the following letter from
Captain Cobbett, of the _Valdivia_:--

MY DEAR LORD,

When I informed you, on my arrival at Quintero,
that something unpleasant would take place, I was not altogether
ignorant of a report which has now become prevalent. It was said
on the day of your departure, that your Lordship had placed a large
sum of money on board one of the British men of war in the
harbour, 9,000 ounces in gold in a package directed to Lady
Cochrane, and an equal amount in gold and silver bars to wait
further orders from your Lordship. Every exertion was made by
one interested in injuring your Lordship, to convince me of the fact,
my reply being, that I had too long been accustomed to rely in
your Lordship's integrity to believe any such report without proof.

Yesterday the same person came again to my house to inform me
that the matter was cleared beyond doubt, for that the master of the
_Doris_ frigate had told him that the two boxes of gold and silver
were on board, directed as above-mentioned. This report has created
great sensation here, and the greatest pains are being taken to
spread it far and wide. On making inquiry on board the _Doris_,
Captain Wilkinson and myself found that no packages of the kind
were on board, and on telling the parties engaged in spreading the
report the result of our inquiry, they seemed much chopfallen, but
would not retract their charge, which I am certain they intend
to carry to the Supreme Director, the consequence of which would
be, that were the report true or false, the Government would blame
your Lordship, and accuse us of being your abettors; whilst, as the
want of pay and prize-money renders the officers irritable, they are
ready for anything and everything which might promise to relie