"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.