Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 1 — Key Ideas to Explore

Invitation to take command of Chilian Navy--Arrival at Valparaiso--First expedition to Peru--Attack on Spanish shipping at Callao--Departure for Huacho--Capture of Spanish convoys of money--Paita taken--Return to Valparaiso to reorganise the squadron--Offer to give up my share of prize money to the Republic--This offer declined by the Supreme Director--Popular congratulations--Attempt on Lady Cochrane's life.

Second expedition to Peru--Disappointment at not being provided with troops--Failure of rockets--Departure for Arica--Capture of Pisco--Capture of Spanish ships at Puna--Determine to make an attempt on Valdivia--Arrival off that port, and capture of Spanish brig of war _Potrillo_--Troops obtained from Conception--Flag-ship nearly wrecked--Attack on forts, and conquest of Valdivia.

Departure for Chiloe--Preparations of the enemy--Capture of Fort Corona--Failure at Fort Aguy, and subsequent retreat--Return to Valdivia--Capture of Osorio--Return to Valparaiso--Enthusiastic reception--Chagrin of the ministry--Importance of conquest of Valdivia in a political point of view--Promotion of officers under arrest--Employment of Indians by the Spaniards--Career of Benavides--Mutinous spirit of the seamen in consequence of their captures being appropriated by Government--Resignation of my commission--Refusal thereof--Renewed offer of an estate--This again declined--Seamen obtain their wages--Private purchase of an estate--Government gives notice of taking it--Appointment of flag captain against my wishes--Annoyance given to me by Minister of Marine--Renewed resignation of the command--Officers of the squadron resign in a body--Government begs of me to retain the command--My consent--General San Martin--The Senate--Zenteno--Corruption of parties in the Administration.

Obstacles to equipping the squadron--Sailing of the liberating expedition--Debarcation at Pisco--Long inaction of the army--General San Martin removes to Ancon--Capture of the Esmeralda--Exchange of prisoners--Acknowledgment of the service by General San Martin--Lady Cochrane's visit to Mendoza.

San Martin's violation, of truth--Removal of blockade--Spanish depression--Troops dying of fever--San Martin's designs on Guayaquil--Mutinous conduct of officers--Refusal to obey orders--Deposition of Viceroy--San Martin gives me troops--Jealousy of San Martin--Attack on Arica--Capture of Tacna--Capture of Moquega--Refusal of more men--an armistice ratified--Distress of Lima--Dissatisfaction of the army--Lady Cochrane in action--Devotion of seamen.

Return to Callao--Lima abandoned--Hesitation of General San Martin to occupy the City--Loss of the _San Martin_--Excesses of the Spaniards--Proclamation of independence--San Martin assumes autocratic power under the title of Protector--My remonstrance--His reply--Mutinous state of the squadron from neglect.

Tampering with Chilian officers--The Archbishop of Lima--His expulsion--Negociation for surrender of the Forts--This counteracted--San Martin's bombastic Proclamations--His refusal to encounter the enemy--The Spaniards relieve Callao--Delusive proclamation--The unblushing falsehood--Spaniards carry off the treasure--Discontent of the squadron.

Prolonged destitution of squadron--The men mutiny in a body--The seamen's letters--San Martin sends away the public treasure--My seizure of it--Private property restored--San Martin's accusations against me--The squadron paid wages--Attempt on the officers' fidelity--I am asked to desert from Chili--Ordered to quit on refusal--Monteagudo's letter--My reply--Justification of seizing the treasure--- No other course possible.

Arrival at Guayaquil--Address to Guayaquilenos--Injurious monopolies--Ministerial folly--Departure from Guayaquil--Arrival in Mexico--Anchor at Acapulco--Mock Ambassadors--Plot against me--Return to Guayaquil--Venganza taken possession of--Agreement with Junta--General La Mar--Orders to withhold supplies--Abominable cruelty--Courtly splendour--Destruction of a division of the Army--Dissatisfaction of officers--Renewed overtures from San Martin--Their refusal by me--Warning to the Chilian Government.

Return to Valparaiso--Thanks of the Government--Reasons for satisfaction--Illegitimate trade--Turned to good account--Denunciation of Officers deserted--Investigation of accounts--San Martin's charges against me--My refutation--Government refuses its publication--Cruelty to Spanish prisoners--Retirement to Quintero--Political fruits of our success--Destitute condition of squadron--Infamous attempt to promote dissatisfaction therein--Object of this course--Steps taken to defeat it--Disavowed by the Minister--Sympathy of officers--Attempt to get rid of Gen. Freire--Its eventual result--Letter of the Captains.

Negociations with Bolivar--Exile of Monteagudo--Complaints of the Limeños--Extravagance of the Government--Exculpation of San Martin--Effects of popular dissension--Disagreement of Bolivar and San Martin--Vote of Peruvian Congress--Extraordinary neglect of the Chilian Squadron--San Martin's arrival at Valparaiso--I demand his trial--Countenance of the Supreme Director--Squadron at length paid wages--Revolt of Conception--General Freire apprises me of it--Freire asks for my support--His letter not replied to--San Martin's influence.

The squadron taken from me--I accept invitation from Brazil--Letter to the Supreme Director--San Martin quits Chili--His prudence--Opinion of his Aide-de Camp--Ministerial neglect--Permission to quit Chili--Letter to General Freire--For the first time made public--Letter to the Captains and Officers--To the Chilian people--To the foreign merchants--To the President of Peru--San Martin actuated by revenge--This shewn from his letters.

Freire marches on Valparaiso--Elected Supreme Director--He begs of me to return--My reply--Subsequent letter to General Freire.

Injustice to the squadron--Inconsistency of this--Estate taken from me--My losses by litigation--Endeavours to enforce my claims--Petty excuses for evading them--I am charged with expenses of the Army--And with costs for making legal captures--My conduct approved at the time--- Ministerial approbation--Paltry compensation at length given--Ministerial corruption--Proved by San Martin--Cause of official animosity to me--Conclusion.