m this deprives me of this pleasure, and as you expect to add
new glories to Chili in the seizure of the _Prueba_ and _Venganza_, and
to bring them to port Bernardo under your orders, I will hastily
answer the principal points of your communications.

The party and the words you mention, do not leave any doubt of
the small hopes which Chili is to have for its sacrifices; yet there
is nothing to fear from such intentions when discovered. Whilst
the squadron under your orders commands the Pacific, this Republic
is very well covered, and it is in our hands to be the masters of the
moral, political, commercial, and even of the physical force of this
part of America.

* * * * *

Although the battery placed at Ancon _after_ the enemy went away
in tranquillity, and the threat (_from San Martin_,) about not paying
one _real_, unless Chili should sell the squadron to Peru, made it
excusable not to send any mission there; yet I have named my
Minister of Finance, in whom I have the greatest confidence,
to go to Lima to fix the basis of relations, and to ask compensation
for the active debt of Chili against Peru. My Minister has orders
to return as soon as possible, let the end of his mission be what it
will, and by that time you may have returned to Chili, and then
we will accord the ulterior.

It is very painful that the garrison of Callao would not capitulate
under your flag! Then you and Chili would have been implored
for grants,--then all should have been paid without excuse,--and
then you would not have found yourself under the necessity
of taking the property retained, to pay and save the squadron. I
_would have done the same if I had been there, therefore I say again
all has my approbation_, and I give to you, as to the meritorious
officers under your orders, my cordial thanks for their fidelity and
heroism, in favour of Chili, where, in a more glorious and decorous
way, the fortune of all will be made in the course of progress which
events are preparing for this happy country; whilst it is not known
what is to be had in Peru, because, as you observe, the war is only
beginning, which will be followed by poverty, discontent, and above
all, anarchy. They will soon feel the want of you and of the
squadron, and those ungrateful officers who separated themselves
from you to enter the P