--SAN MARTIN'S TREACHERY.--HIS
ASSUMPTION OF THE PROTECTORATE OF PERU.--HIS BASE PROPOSALS TO LORD
COCHRANE.--LORD COCHRANE'S CONDEMNATION OF THEM.--THE TROUBLES OF THE
CHILIAN SQUADRON.--LORD COCHRANE'S SEIZURE OF TREASURE AT ANCON,
AND EMPLOYMENT OF IT IN PAYING HIS OFFICERS AND MEN.--HIS STAY AT
GUAYAQUIL.--THE ADVANTAGES OF FREE TRADE.--LORD COCHRANE'S
CRUISE ALONG THE MEXICAN COAST IN SEARCH OF THE REMAINING SPANISH
FRIGATES.--THEIR ANNEXATION BY PERU.--LORD COCHRANE'S LAST VISIT TO
CALLAO.

[1820-1822.]

Lord Cochrane returned to Valparaiso on the 27th of February, 1820.
By General O'Higgins, the Supreme Director, and by the populace he was
enthusiastically received. But Zenteno, the Minister of Marine, and
other members of the Government, jealous of the fresh renown which he
had won by his conquest of Valdivia, showed their jealousy in various
offensive ways.

In anticipation of his failure they had prepared an elaborate charge
of insubordination, in that he had not come back direct from
Callao. Now that he had triumphed, they sought at first to have him
reprimanded for attempting so hazardous an exploit, and afterwards
to rob him of his due on the ground that his achievement was
insignificant and valueless. When they were compelled by the voice of
the people to declare publicly that "the capture of Valdivia was the
happy result of an admirably-arranged plan and of the most daring
execution," they refused to award either to him or to his comrades any
other recompense than was contained in the verbal compliment; and,
on his refusing to give up his prizes until the seamen had been
paid their arrears of wages, he was threatened with prosecution for
detention of the national property.

The threat was impotent, as the people of Chili would not for a moment
have permitted such an indignity to their champion. But so irritating
were this and other attempted persecutions to Lord Cochrane that, on
the 14th of May, he tendered to the Supreme Director his resignation
of service under the Chilian Government. That proposal was, of course,
rejected; but with the rejection came a promise of better treatment.
The seamen were paid in July, and the Valdivian prize-money was
nominally awarded. Lord Cochrane's share amounted to 67,000 dollars,
and to this was added a grant of land at Rio Clara. But the money was
never paid, and the estate was forcibly seized a few years afterwards.

Other annoyances, which need not here be d