Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Spanish and Portuguese Domi

Lord Thomas Cochrane
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Narrative of Services in the Liberation of

Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 1, by Thomas Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald
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Title: Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 1
Author: Thomas Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald
Release Date: February 5, 2005 [eBook #14914]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU AND BRAZIL, FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE DOMINATION, VOLUME 1***
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NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU, AND BRAZIL, FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE DOMINATION
by
THOMAS, EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B. Admiral of the Red; Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, etc. etc.
VOL. I
London: James Ridgway, No 169, Piccadilly
MDCCCLIX

TO THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, K.G. ETC. ETC.
My Lord,
I am proud to have been honoured with your Lordship's permission to dedicate to you the following narrative of historical events, respecting which the public has not previously been placed in a position to form a correct judgment. Your Lordship's generous acquiescence enables me to discharge a double debt: First--of thanks to one whose high political character this country will ever warmly cherish;--Secondly--of deep-felt gratitude for the countenance and efficient aid experienced from your Lordship at a period when party faction made me the object of bitter resentment; the injustice of which could in no way be better demonstrated, than by the fact that--in the midst of unmerited obloquy, it was my high privilege to preserve your Lordship's friendship and esteem.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordship's obliged and faithful Servant,
DUNDONALD.

CONTENTS.
PREFACE
CHAPTER I.
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.
CHAPTER II.
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.
CHAPTER III.
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.
CHAPTER IV.
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.
CHAPTER V.
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.
CHAPTER VI.
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.
CHAPTER VII.
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.
CHAPTER VIII.
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.
CHAPTER IX.
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.
CHAPTER X.
Return
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