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

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
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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