66 INTRODUCTION. 



This necessary document being published, the director next caused 

 a manifesto to be circulated, dated 31st of August, 1820. It is en- 

 titled " Manifesto from the Captain-General of the Army, Don 

 " Bernardo O'Higgins, to the People whom he governs." It begins 

 by congratulating them on the sailing of the Liberating Expedition, 

 and then proceeds to give a short but clear statement of his political 

 life, and the events, civil and military, in which he had been engaged. 

 He says ; " Educated in the free country of England, that desire for 

 " independence which is born with every man in the climate of 

 " Arauca was strengthened. Loving liberty, both from sentiment 

 " and principle, I swore to assist in procuring that of my country, 

 " or to bury myself under its ruins." The paper is well written, 

 and the sentiments expressed do honour both to the head and heart 

 of the supreme director, whose personal character has always been 

 esteemed, while such of his actions as have dissatisfied the people 

 have uniformly been ascribed to the influence of his ministers. 



Meanwhile, the expedition had arrived at Pisco. On the 7th of 

 September, the squadron passed San Gallan, and anchored off that 

 place at six o'clock in the evening. Lord Cochrane immediately 

 proposed to land a small detachment, and surprise the town before 

 the enemy should have time to convey away the slaves, cattle, and 

 provisions. The army was in want of recruits and horses, and as the 

 ships were scantily victualled, it was of importance to secure the 

 spirits and other stores known to be at Pisco : but this proposal of 

 his lordship's appeared too hazardous to the captain-general, and the 

 attack on the place was postponed till next morning. On the 8th, 

 therefore, the first division of the troops was landed under General 

 Las Heras, with two pieces of artillery, and formed into two squares, 

 each of 1000 men, on the burning beach of Paraca, where they con- 



perately, telling Chile in so many words, that a little nation had no business to attempt a 

 great operation ; and saying something about the law of nations, as if that law was not 

 the same for little as well as great nations. The answer written by Zenteno, told him* 

 that the Esmeralda had been taken, and that the addition of force gained by it gave Chile 

 quite enough ships to maintain the blockade. Gazette, Feb. 24. 1821. See Appendix. 



