Lord Cochrane and Chilean Government....Preparations for the
Expedition to Peru....Captain Spry....Charges presented by the
Admiral against Captain Guise....Lord Cochrane throws up his
Commission....Letters from the Captains and Officers....Commission
returned by the Government....Offer made by San Martin to the
Foreign Seamen....Embarkation of Troops for Peru....Announcement
of....Sailing of the Expedition....Force of the Squadron.
Lord Cochrane, whose whole soul was engaged in the total emancipation of
the Spanish colonies, desirous of contributing to the acquisition of
this interesting object, re-assumed the command of the squadron, relying
on the fulfilment of the promises made by the government of Chile,
supported by the guarantee of General San Martin; who, however
extraordinary it may appear, pledged himself not only to sanction but
also to fulfil the promises made by a government in whose _employ_ he
was himself engaged.
The supreme director, in the name of the republic, again made to Lord
Cochrane a donation of an estate in the province of Conception, as a
token of gratitude for those important services which the country had
received from him; this was again rejected, and his Lordship, wishing to
give an unequivocal proof of his attachment to the country, and of his
intention to establish his residence in it, purchased an estate called
Quintero, about eight leagues to the northward of Valparaiso. On
visiting Quintero, Lord Cochrane examined the bay called de la
Herradura, and made a report to the government, accompanied with a plan,
stating that this harbour had many advantages which that of Valparaiso
did not possess; he solicited that it might become an establishment for
the vessels of war belonging to the state, pointed out many important
results that would accompany the adoption of such a plan, with respect
to the discipline, order and regulation of the squadron; and concluded
with an offer to the state, of all the land that might be necessary for
an arsenal and general marine depôt; when, to his utter astonishment,
the answer to this signal generosity and sacrifice of private property,
for the good of the service, was a notification, that "in consideration
of the peculiar advantages of the harbour of Herradura, and the estate
of Quintero, advantages of the highest importance to Chile, Lord
Cochrane is ordered not to continue any improvements on the said
estate, as they will not be paid for by the state, to whom Quintero and
Herradura are declared to appertain, on condition that Lord Cochrane
shall be paid by the state the purchase money, and improvements made."
This blow affected Lord Cochrane more than any other which the
government could have given him; at a moment when he had been entreated
to continue in the command of the squadron, and an estate in the country
had been presented to him, when he became the proprietor of another, by
purchase, wishing to convince all parties that he adopted Chile as his
home, he tacitly received an order to abandon such ideas. His lordship
immediately addressed to the supreme director an answer to this
unexpected notification, which produced an apology, and an assurance
that the proceedings were founded on the old Spanish laws, which as yet
had not been repealed; and that the notification rested only on the
_vista fiscal_, the solicitude of the attorney general. It was very
apparent, at this time, that something was brewing in the Chilean
government; but it was impossible either to comprehend the matter, or to
foresee the effect; all parties seemed to endeavour to conciliate the
good will of the Admiral, yet something occurred daily, which tended to
alienate him even from the cause of the country; and although, upon
inquiry, the most polite excuses were given, and apologies often
tendered, yet some busy hand seemed always to be employed in feeding the
flame of provocation and mischief.
Nothing but the active preparations of the government for the grand
expedition to Peru, and the repeated solicitations of General San
Martin, would have prevented Lord Cochrane from resigning the command of
the squadron, and of embarking for England. San Martin visited the port
of Valparaiso in June, for the purpose of inspecting the transports; and
the troops began to move from their encampments at Rancagua to Quillota,
twelve leagues from Valparaiso, for the purpose of embarking. Every
thing appeared at first to contribute towards the accomplishment of this
most important object, and all persons concerned to act in unison, as if
animated by one spirit, that of extending to Peru the happiness enjoyed
by Chile, the fruit of her emancipation from the Spanish yoke. At this
period, quite unexpected by all concerned, Captain Spry was promoted to
the rank of Capitan de Frigata, and appointed flag captain to Lord
Cochrane, at the same time that his lordship had solicited the
appointment of Captain Crosbie; and to add to this irregular proceeding,
the minister of marine informed his lordship, that although Don Tomas
Crosbie had held the command of the Araucano, and had been treated as a
captain, and addressed as such by the government, that as yet he had not
received a commission appointing him to that rank, nor was he as such
placed on the navy list. His lordship was also informed, that the
appointment of Captain Spry must be acceded to. This order received from
the Admiral a positive denial, and he wrote in answer, that Captain Spry
should never tread the quarter-deck of the flag-ship as captain of her,
so long as he held the command of the squadron; not because his lordship
had any personal objection to Captain Spry, but because he would not
consent to any encroachment on the privileges he enjoyed as admiral and
commander in chief.
This affair was stated by Cochrane to San Martin, who merely answered,
it shall be as you choose, _sera como V. quiera_, and on the following
morning Crosbie was appointed flag captain, and Spry ordered to continue
in the command of the Galvarino. Scarcely had this matter been thus
adjusted, when Lord Cochrane was obliged to place Captain Guise of the
Lautaro under an arrest, and to forward to the government charges
against him, requesting that he might be tried by a court-martial. The
charges were for repeated acts of neglect of duty and insubordination;
they were arranged under thirteen heads, finishing with "endeavouring in
the various acts of disobedience herein mentioned to set at defiance,
and bring into contempt the authority of his superior officer, the
commander in chief, in the execution of his duty, to the subversion of
discipline, and in violation of the articles of war on the foregoing
heads, made and provided." This act of the admiral astonished the
government; the principal part of which was now at Valparaiso, for the
purpose of forwarding as much as possible the equipment of the
expedition. It met with their most determined opposition, and after some
very warm correspondence, the following note was addressed by his
lordship to the minister of marine:--
"Sir,--The apparent determination of the supremacy to support a junior
officer in the commission of the most outrageous breaches of his public
duty, and of acting not only contrary but in direct opposition to the
orders communicated to him by his commander in chief, not only
encourages his dereliction from duty, and is a precedent of the most
pernicious character for the imitation of others, but brings my
authority into contempt, and renders my exertions in the service of the
republic nugatory. I have nothing to add at present to what I have
already stated to you, except that you will place in the hands of his
excellency the supreme director my resignation of the command of the
squadron of Chile, and express to him my sincere wish, that, whoever may
be appointed to supersede me, his endeavours to serve the cause of
liberty in the new world may be crowned with greater success than mine
have been; and that he may be better qualified to preserve that
discipline in the squadron which is not only essentially necessary, but
indispensably requisite, for the honour of himself, the success of his
operations, and the welfare of the cause he serves. I have to request
you will inform me at the earliest period of the acceptance of my
resignation, that I may order my flag to be struck, as also, whether it
would be agreeable to the present views of the supreme government that I
should continue to reside as a citizen of Chile, among those persons
who, after having exerted themselves in the support of her sacred cause,
have retired to enjoy the fruits of their labours; if not, I request
permission to leave the country; and my passport constituting my
ultimate request, I remain, &c."
"Cochrane."
"Valparaiso, July 16th, 1820."
The first tender of his commission which Lord Cochrane made was
unexpectedly kept a profound secret by the government; indeed at that
time the greatest danger would have attended a disclosure of the matter;
the greater part of the foreign seamen were unpaid, and the natives,
both seamen and marines, were more clamorous on this head than the
foreigners, and all seemed determined on some desperate proceeding, if
their claims were not directly satisfied. The present act of the
commander in chief became known immediately; and the following
invitation was on the 17th laid on the capstern-head of the flag-ship:
"It is reported that Lord Cochrane, wearied out by the illiberal
treatment of the government, has at last been forced to resign the
command of the squadron, because their jealous policy no longer enables
him to hold it with honour to himself or benefit to the state.
"It is requested that all who feel themselves attached to his lordship,
or who are aware how much the HONOUR, SAFETY, and INTEREST, not only of
the navy, but of the state of Chile, depend on his continuing in the
command, will to-day meet on board the Independencia, at one o'clock,
for the purpose of taking into consideration what steps it may be most
proper to adopt."
On the 18th, Lord Cochrane received the following letter from the
captains of the fleet, which received the subjoined answer:
"My Lord,--It being very currently reported, and generally believed,
that your lordship has resigned the command of the squadron of Chile,
and as our views are so closely connected with those of your lordship,
we beg leave most respectfully to solicit your information on this
subject. (Signed.) Robert Forster, W. Wilkinson, Cladius Charles, T.
Sackville Crosby, James Ramsey."
"Gentlemen,--I have been favoured with your letter of this date, and
assure you, that whether I remain in the command of the squadron or not,
is a matter of perfect indifference so far as I am personally concerned.
"My object in proceeding from England to this quarter of the globe was
to promote the furtherance of liberty and independence, more than any
private object, or to promote the views of others inconsistent
therewith.
"I have only to add, that my desire is to be permitted to surrender the
command of a squadron which I can no longer hold with benefit to the
state nor credit to myself, since the orders which appeared necessary to
be given, and the limited powers vested in me, are disobeyed with
impunity, and not only disobeyed, but made the objects of persevering
scorn and ridicule, by persons who ought to be under my authority, but
who for their personal views wish by insinuations, falsifications, and
detraction, to overthrow all that stood in the way of their vain
ambition. Under this impression, I tendered my commission to the
government three days ago, but am ignorant of the result, which I
expect, however, to learn to-morrow. Believe me, gentlemen, with
feelings of gratitude for your anxious inquiries on the subject, yours,
&c."
"Cochrane."
"My Lord,--Your lordship's reply to our letter has created feelings of
the deepest regret in our breasts, and it behoves us to act in a manner
which will stamp our characters, not only as true patriots, but as men
looking up to your lordship, as the only man capable of commanding the
naval forces of Chile with effect, against the enemies of liberty and
independence. We, the undersigned, have come to the resolution of
resigning the commissions we respectively hold in the service of Chile;
we have therefore to request that your lordship will be pleased to
acquaint us with the result as soon as you are aware that the government
of Chile have accepted your resignation of the command of the squadron.
"We avail ourselves of this opportunity of expressing our confidence in
your lordship's talents, and our determination to act hand in hand with
your lordship; in doing which, we are persuaded that we are most
effectively and faithfully serving the Republic of Chile, and acting
honestly and sincerely towards you, our commander in chief." Signed by
the same five captains. The only two who did not sign it were Guise and
Spry. On the same day, the eighteenth of July, the following was
addressed to his lordship, by the officers of the squadron:
"My Lord,--The general discontent and anxiety which your lordship's
resignation has occasioned among the officers and others of the squadron
afford a strong proof how much the ungrateful conduct of the government
is felt among those serving under your command.
"The officers, whose names are subscribed to the inclosed resolutions,
disdaining longer to serve under a government which can so soon have
forgotten the important services rendered to the state, or treat with
indignity a character the most implacable of the enemies of his own
country have been forced to respect, beg leave to put into your hands
their commissions, and to request you will be so kind as to forward them
to the minister of marine for the state. At the same time that we are
thus forced to withdraw ourselves from the service, our warmest wishes
continue to be offered up, not only for the prosperity and liberty of
the country, but that of the whole world.
"We pray your Lordship all health and happiness, and have the honour to
remain, &c." (Signed by twenty-three commissioned officers.)
"Resolutions entered into at a meeting of the lieutenants, and other
officers of the same class, belonging to the squadron of Chile, held on
board the Independencia, the eighteenth of July, 1820, for the purpose
of taking into consideration the resignation of the commander in chief:
"Resolved, that the HONOUR, SAFETY and INTEREST of the navy of Chile
entirely rest on the abilities and experience of the present commander
in chief.
"That as the feelings of unbounded confidence and respect which we
entertain for the present commander in chief cannot be transferred to
another, they have induced us to come to the resolution of resigning our
commissions, and of transmitting the same to government, through the
hands of the Admiral.
"That our commissions shall be accompanied by a letter, expressive of
our sentiments, signed by all those whose commissions are inclosed."
(Signed by the same twenty-three officers as the foregoing letter.)
Although his lordship was convinced of the inability which the whole
expedition would labour under should his resignation be accepted, he
still left the government at liberty to act according to their own
discretion. In the public duties on board the vessels of war no
relaxation took place; the preparations were carried on with the same
alacrity, and the unremitting attention of the commander in chief to
their speedy equipment suffered no diminution; the determination of the
captains and officers of the squadron was not forwarded to the
government, lest the threatening danger might force them to adopt a
measure contrary to their wishes; however, as some of the captains and
officers had not joined the others in their resolutions, and were aware
of their proceedings, the government soon became acquainted with the
whole transaction, and General San Martin, on the night of the 19th,
when in conversation with Lord Cochrane, expressed his astonishment and
disapprobation of the proceedings of the government, and pretended to be
totally ignorant of what had taken place. This assertion was entirely
void of truth, as was proved on the following night, when he said, that
"he only wanted to be convinced how far the supreme director would allow
a party spirit to oppose the welfare of the expedition." It was moreover
corroborated by the subsequent conduct of this chief. San Martin
concluded on the 19th, by saying, "well, my lord, I am general of the
army, and you shall be admiral of the squadron; _bien, mi lord, yo soy
general del exercito y V. sera almirante de la esquadra_." After this
expression. Lord Cochrane shewed to him the letters he had received from
the captains and officers, at which San Martin was very much astonished,
for he was not aware of the positive determination of those individuals
not to continue their important and indispensable services, except under
the command of their present admiral; a determination which was
certainly as honourable to themselves, as it was fraught with danger to
the government and to the state. San Martin asked Lord Cochrane if he
would consent to the suspension of the arrest of Captain Guise, and
delay his trial to a future and more convenient time, should such be the
request of the government; to which his lordship assented, on condition
that the supremacy should confess that the accusations furnished and
charges exhibited were just, and that the conduct of Captain Guise was
highly reprehensible, as being not only prejudicial to the necessary
discipline of the squadron, but in every other point of view injurious
to the general cause of America. In consequence of this agreement, the
admiral received on the twentieth, the following official note from the
government:
"My Lord,--At a moment when the services of the naval forces of the
state are of the highest importance, and the personal services of your
lordship indispensable, the supremacy with the most profound sentiments
of regret has received your resignation, which, should it be admitted,
would involve the future operations of the arms of liberty in the new
world in certain ruin, and ultimately replace in Chile, your adopted
home, that tyranny which your lordship abhors, and to the annihilation
of which your heroism has so greatly contributed.
"His excellency the Supreme Director commands me to inform your
lordship, which I have the honour of doing, that should you persist in
resigning the command of the squadron, which has been honoured by
bearing your flag, the cause of terror and dismay to our enemies, and of
glory to all true Americans; or should the government unwisely admit it,
this would be indeed a day of universal mourning in the new world; the
government, therefore, in the name of the nation, returns you your
commission, soliciting your re-acceptance of it, for the furtherance of
that sacred cause to which your whole soul is devoted.
"The supremacy is convinced of the necessity which obliges your lordship
to adopt the measures which placed Captain Guise of the Lautaro under an
arrest, and of the justness of the charges exhibited against this
officer of the state; but being desirous of preventing any delay in the
important services on which the ships and vessels of war are about to
proceed, it is the pleasure of his excellency the supreme director, that
the arrest of Captain Guise be suspended, as well as his trial by a
court-martial on the charges exhibited, which will remain in the
archives of the marine department, to be postponed till the first
opportunity which does not interfere with the service of the squadron,
so important as at the present epoch.--(Signed) Jose Yguacio Zenteno,
minister of marine. Valparaiso, July 20th, 1820."
Lord Cochrane immediately discharged Captain Guise from his arrest by
the following note:
"Whereas certain charges had been exhibited by the commander in chief,
touching the conduct of Martin George Guise, of the C. S. S. Lautaro;
and whereas his excellency the Supreme Director has been pleased to
order, that the investigation of the same by court-martial shall be
suspended, in order to prevent delay in the important services on which
the ships and vessels of war are about to proceed: it is the pleasure of
his excellency, signified to me under his sign-manual, that the said
Captain Martin George Guise shall be replaced in the command of the
Lautaro, and (as in justice due) shall be deemed innocent of the said
charges during the suspension of his trial.
"July 24th, 1820. (Signed) Cochrane."
On the same day his lordship returned the commissions to the different
officers, with letters addressed to them, thanking them for their
personal marks of esteem and support in the performance of an unpleasant
public duty, and assuring them, that he was convinced that their
conduct had been governed by their zeal for the true interests of the
public service.
I consider any comment on these extraordinary proceedings unnecessary at
present, as the spirit which dictated them will become too visible to be
mistaken in the course of these pages. Had General San Martin observed a
different line of conduct to that which marked his operations in Peru,
when he could not shield himself by any specious pretext, importing that
they were regulated by a superior authority, or that they emanated from
a source over which he had no direct control, the government of Chile
might have been considered the authors; whereas, they were only the
agents of the machinations of the general in chief of the expedition,
who foresaw, that in Lord Cochrane he should have a rival, to whose
merits South America could not be blind: he also knew, that the opinions
of his lordship in council would not be overawed by those of a superior,
be biassed by hope or fear, nor be led away by subserviency: however,
his excellency expected to be as implicitly obeyed as a Dey of Algiers,
and as universally flattered as a Sultan of the East; and to those two
over-ruling passions may be attributed part of the disgrace of his
administration in Peru.
The following announcement appeared in the last number of the Censor on
the tenth of July:
"To-day the staff officers of the liberating army leave Santiago for
Valparaiso. We have authentic advices, that the expedition will leave
that port for its destination on the twenty-sixth of the present month.
The presence of the supreme director and of the general in chief has
given in Valparaiso a most extraordinary impulse to the last
preparations. At all events, the sun of August will behold the
expedition on its march. Valparaiso is at this moment the most
interesting point in America: it contains as in outline her destiny: the
time will arrive in which its name will be the register of the most
renowned epoch of our history. The army anxiously awaits the moment to
embark on the Pacific, and to present a spectacle entirely new, a
spectacle which has never been seen since the Continent was laved by its
waters. Happy are those who shall partake of this enterprize! their lot
shall be the envy of all those whom the love of glory inspires with a
passion for great designs. Follow me in the path of my fame. Equal my
deeds in the war."
A new difficulty unexpectedly presented itself, and which the
government at first thought beneath their consideration--the want of
foreign seamen in the vessels of war. The delay on the part of the
presidency in the fulfilment of their contract had weaned this class of
individuals from the service of the state; that great stimulus to
exertion, prize-money, had been and was witheld, and despair instead of
confidence had been so ripened in their breasts, that although many were
unemployed and wandering about the streets of Valparaiso, few would
enter themselves at the rendezvous opened for this purpose. The evil
began to be most serious, and the supremacy consulted the admiral if
coercion ought not to be used; but this insinuation met with just
opposition from his lordship; he expressed to the government his total
abhorrence of impressment, and stated to them, that such a proceeding
would also meet with the lawful opposition of the senior British officer
then in the port. Captain Sherriff would be compelled by his duty to
interfere in the protection of British seamen, however interested he
might personally feel himself in the cause of liberty and the views of
Chile, which it was well known to every individual acquainted with the
sentiments of Captain Sherriff, he regarded as of the first magnitude.
The day destined for the embarkation of the troops approached, still the
vessels of war were deficient in their complement of seamen, and those
who could not remain ashore preferred to serve in the transports, in
which service greater pay was offered than in the squadron. General San
Martin being convinced that the most energetic measures were necessary
to man the vessels of war, subjoined his name to a proclamation dictated
by Lord Cochrane, stating, among other things--"on my entry into Lima, I
will punctually pay to all such foreign seamen who shall voluntarily
enter the service of Chile, leaving the port of Valparaiso in the
vessels of war belonging to the state, the whole arrears of their pay,
to which I will also add to each individual according to his rank one
year's pay over and above his arrears, as a premium or reward for his
services, if he continue to fulfil his duty to the day of the surrender
of that city, and its occupation by the liberating forces."
This proclamation, with the subjoined signature of Lord Cochrane, as a
guarantee for the fulfilment of the promise, had the desired effect, and
the crews of the ships were immediately completed.
On the twentieth of August the expedition left the port of Valparaiso.
The following account of it was published by order of the government:
"The fortunate day to Chile has at length arrived; a day on which, by an
extraordinary effort which almost elevates her above herself, she
presents to both worlds an example of unheard of constancy and pure
patriotism. Never did any people exert themselves with greater energy,
nor obtain such rapid progress in the brief space which Chile measures
of real and stable emancipation. The liberating expedition which to-day
leaves our port to re-establish independence, and diffuse civil liberty
among the oppressed children of the ancient empire of the Incas, will be
an imperishable testimony of this truth, and a monument as lasting as
time itself, in the history of the age of achievements.
"A brief view of the successes which have paved the way to this
memorable event will demonstrate to the most disinterested observer, the
great and heroic sacrifices that it has cost. Chile abandoned to her own
resources, without arms, without money, and without the other elements
sufficient to oppose force to force, was burthened from 1812 with a
desolating and ferocious war in her own territory, carried on to the
degree of involving the whole of the country in its calamities. She
succumbed for a moment; for her last resources which at some future
period might give re-action to her social body seemed to fail; the
bowels of the country were torn to pieces by the implacable fury of her
enemies; but in the midst of these disasters, oppressed with the most
direful tyranny, and threatened with universal ruin, Chilean valour and
constancy opened the path to that honour and glory, which in 1817
crowned the army of the Andes, the restorer and preserver of Chile. The
immortal action of Chacabuco marked the epoch of the aggrandizement and
prosperity of the republic.
"From that time the state and the government conceived the sublime
object of advancing to the very throne of Spanish tyranny, the enormous
weight of which oppressed Peru. They were aware that for the subversion
of this colossal power, where, although it trembled, the principles of
motion still existed, which vomited hostilities among us--it must be
sought for and destroyed in its origin. But exhausted of all the means
that could animate so arduous an enterprize, it was necessary that time,
and an unexampled decision should overcome these great obstacles.
Soldiers of all classes were formed, to constitute a national army. Arms
and ammunition of all kinds were purchased in almost indefinite
quantities. Every resource was drained, and every effort employed to
form a military depôt, that should excite the attention even of Europe.
"In the mean time our territory was inundated with the disasters of war,
as with a torrent. Her adverse fortune seemed to threaten with total
ruin our very existence, till we obtained the renowned victory of Maypu;
this victory cost us nearly as much blood as the unfortunate result at
Cancha-rayada, when we lost a treasure in money and implements of war,
now recovered. That triumph was really and truly crowned with all the
circumstances of a decisive action: but our republic did not reap the
benefit of our advantageous state. Our resources were annihilated; the
greater part of private fortunes was ruined; the capital was oppressed
with an immense number of emigrants, who had arrived even from the other
side of the Biobio, searching for security within her walls. The
enormous and inevitable expenses necessary for the preservation of a
sedentary army which occupied the centre of the state, and of a
belligerent army employed in the south against the last, but desperate
relics of our enemies, who were yet invincible under the protection of
the fortifications of Talcahuano. These were the afflicting
circumstances that pervaded Chile, and which would have made many others
despair of saving the Patria, especially if they were not her children.
Notwithstanding, to this unpromising epoch belongs the first intimation
of the great enterprize of sending an expedition to Peru. We now saw the
squadron appear, as if it had sprung from the waves, rather than as the
results of human efforts, attending to the absolute nullity of means by
which we might procure its formation. We were without the necessary
materials, destitute of any relations with foreign states; we had only
one port, where by extraordinary efforts something might have been
effected, and this was blockaded; and lastly, we were in absolute want
of every thing but boldness and resolution. One vessel (the Lautaro)
little better than a hulk, and manned in a moment by determined patriots
rather than seamen, hoisted triumphantly the national flag, and obliged
our blockading enemies, the national marine of Spain, to betake
themselves to a shameful flight. A prodigious rapidity of circumstances
favourable to our navy were the immediate results; the enemy was driven
from Talcahuano; the excellent frigate Maria Isabel, and several
transports from Cadiz, sent to assist in devastation and extermination,
were captured; in fine, our navy obtained the dominion of the sea from
Guayaquil to Chiloe, and deprived Spain of Valdivia, her most important
bulwark in the Pacific ocean.
"Chile now contemplated, not without surprize, the progress of her
operations; but it was necessary to advance them with greater
endeavours, for such were required at the altar of liberty. It was yet
necessary to recruit troops, to re-equip the squadron, and to procure a
large quantity of materials, for the purpose of forming an expedition
that should carry with it the necessary resources for a campaign of
indetermined duration. It was also necessary to stifle the machinations
of some anarchists, who more iniquitous than the Gracchi or the
Catalines, opposed obstacles almost insurmountable to the government, in
the transaction of the public business.
"At last all difficulties were overcome, the desires of the virtuous
have been fulfilled, and the nation has arrived at that pitch of power
and respectability, to which perhaps none ever arrived under similar
circumstances. For the acquisition of this, our sacrifices have been of
a most extraordinary class; there scarcely exists a town, a river, or a
valley in our territory, which has not vibrated with the report of
cannon, or been the witness of some obstinate encounters; but according
to the opposition and deformity of the conflicts, the civic virtues of
our citizens have shone with greater brightness. The most compromised
personal services, donations, and erogations from all classes have been
so repeated, and so heroic, that it is impossible to transfer to paper
the expression of their just value; time will do that justice to us
which is due to such marked and indelible actions of the most ardent
patriotism. Our government would not have acted gratefully to its
fellow-citizens, had it not proclaimed and published them to all
freemen; because to such efforts the realization of the liberating
expedition, whose description we have proposed to give, is due.
"After twelve or fifteen days had been employed in embarking the
necessary depôt of articles for the immediate service of the expedition,
it was announced in the general orders of the thirteenth inst., that the
different corps of the army, including the troops of the Andes and those
of Chile, should begin to move from their encampment at Quillota, and
embark on the eighteenth, as follows:--At eight, ten, and twelve, a.
m.; and two and four, p. m., the regiments No. 7, 11, 5, and 4 of
infantry, and the mounted casadores: on the nineteenth at eight, ten,
twelve, a. m. the artillery, regiment No. 8, of infantry, and the
mounted grenadiers; the companies No. 6, of infantry, squadron No. 2, of
dragoons, the companies of sappers, the workmen and implements; the part
of the beach between the castle San Jose and the arsenal was chosen for
this purpose, as being the most convenient.
"The spectacle presented by the different bodies in the progressive
order of their march was as interesting and imposing as was the
enthusiasm and joy of all concerned: the spectacle was sublime, and
every individual from the general in chief to the lowest of the soldiers
seemed to rejoice. They had scarcely left the land of their birth, and
which had been a grateful witness to their victories, when the
spontaneous and simultaneous shout was heard, "Viva la Patria!" "Viva la
Libertad!" was re-echoed by the spectators, and produced a most
interesting, soothing, and consoling effect, the best prognostic of
their future triumphs, which were destined to fix the liberty of the
south.
"On the nineteenth, at nine, a. m., the national flag of the republic
was displayed: it was saluted by every battery and every vessel of war
with twenty-one guns. At this time the Captain-general Don Jose de San
Martin visited the vessels of war and transports, enlivening the jubilee
of his brave soldiers.
"To-day, the twentieth, the expedition weighed, and left the port in the
following order: the flag ship, O'Higgins, with the hero of Valdivia on
board, the commander in chief of the squadron, the Right Honourable Lord
Cochrane (whose illustrious talents promise the most flattering results,
as well with respect to the expedition, as the future glory of our navy)
led the vanguard, with two other vessels of war. Then followed, in
column, the transports, flanked by three other vessels of war: the rear
was closed by eleven gun-boats, following the Independencia and San
Martin, bearing the general in chief and his staff.
"These are the happy effects which order, constancy, and valour have
achieved; their progress in a great measure is owing to the existence of
the squadron: its establishment, increase, and superiority over that of
Lima is the result of firmness and boldness: Chile has the glory of
owing this to herself, and may call it the child of her sacrifices, her
resolution, and her valour. The time will come when America will offer
to Chile demonstrations of her acknowledgment, and pay to her the homage
which is due: this they will do in return for her laudable and
meritorious services, because they, more directly than any others, have
been serviceable to the common welfare of the Continent. And should the
fates be adverse, even in despite of every probability, should the
precious expectations of this formidable expedition be disappointed,
neither calumny, nor envy, nor all the vicissitudes of time will be
sufficient to wrench from us the glory of having realized the most
liberal project which the history of infant states can present. (Signed)
Zenteno, Minister of war and marine."
The supreme director of Chile, O'Higgins, addressed the following
proclamation to the liberating army, at the moment of sailing from
Valparaiso:
"Soldiers,--I have repeatedly witnessed your courage, and know full well
what may be expected from you in the most important campaign of the
revolution. The general who commands you is the same who conducted you
to the field of battle at Chacabuco and Maypu; remember what ye there
did, and think of the glorious destiny that awaits you.
"_Soldiers of the Andes!_ you gave liberty to Chile; go now to Peru,
and enrol your names with the blood of its oppressors!
"Chileans! your intrepidity, with that of the auxiliary troops, saved
the Republic a second time, in the action of the fifth of April; go on
in your career of glory, and deserve the gratitude of the inhabitants of
Peru, as you have even that of your patria.
"Expeditionary Army! march to victory; go and close the calamities of
warfare, and seal the fate of rising generations--these are the wishes
and the hopes of your friend and comrade. (Signed) O'Higgins."
The number of troops destined to the liberation of Peru was four
thousand seven hundred; fifteen thousand stand of arms were embarked for
the purpose of raising troops in Peru, and the whole equipment was
highly honourable to Chile, and truly the fruit of the most patriotic
sacrifices. Chile, ten years before this memorable epoch, was considered
as little more than a province dependent on Peru, and supported by the
sale of her productions in the markets of this country; her inhabitants
were looked upon as ignorant boors, and the term _huaco_, the epithet
given in Chile to the farmers and people who resided in the country, was
synonymous in Peru, with loon, or booby; but the sincere patriotism,
the steady and unremitting efforts, and the undaunted valour of these
people, triumphed after having resisted the efforts of the Spanish
expeditions, sent both from Peru and the mother country. Having
struggled under, and thrown off the yoke of oppression at home, they
prepared a new offering at the altar of liberty, and united their
persons and fortunes to make Peru a partaker of that glorious state of
freedom and independence which at the point of the bayonet they had won
for themselves and their descendants.
The naval force under the command of Lord Cochrane, consisted of--
The frigate O'Higgins, flag ship, of 48 guns.
San Martin 64
Lautaro 44
Independencia 26
brig Galvarino 18
Araucano 16
Pueyrredon 14
These had on board 1600 individuals, 624 of whom were foreign officers
and seamen, chiefly English.