INTRODUCTION. 77 



French commodore, to know why they had come into the Pacific. 

 The answer calmed all their fears. In a very polite letter, M. Jurien 

 assured the government of Chile, that the only object of His Most 

 Christian Majesty for sending ships thither, was to form his young 

 naval officers, and survey those seas. 



Meanwhile, the blockade of Callao was carried on vigorously by 

 Lord Cochrane ; on the 2d of December, 16 gun-boats came out of 

 the bay to attack the O'Higgins and Esmeralda, but after an action 

 of upwards of an hour they were obliged to retire, with loss. A 

 similar attempt was made, with the like success on the 26th, but 

 nothing farther occurred till the beginning of 1821, except the taking 

 of several prizes, chiefly laden with provisions. The month of Ja- 

 nuary was employed in a similar manner ; the squadron keeping up 

 a close blockade, and detachments of the army under Arenales, &c. 

 gaining slight advantages in the neighbourhood, but the main body 

 continuing totally inactive. 



The month of February was every way more remarkable. In the 

 first place, General Lacerna superseded Pezuela as viceroy of Peru, 

 by the will of the soldiery ; in the next, San Martin published, on 

 the 12th, a "Provisional regulation to establish the bounds of the 

 " territory actually occupied by the liberating army, and the form of 

 " administration to be observed until a central authority may be 

 " constituted by the will of the free cities." A few phrases of which 

 are worth transcribing, to show the style and spirit of the captain- 

 general's publications. " Charged with restoring to this vast portion 

 " of the American continent, its existence and its rights, it is one 

 " of my duties to consult, without restriction, every means which 

 " may contribute to that great work. Although victory should make 

 " a strict alliance with my arms," there would remain a perilous void 

 " in the engagements I have contracted if I did not prepare in anti- 

 " cipation the elements of universal reform, which it is neither 

 " possible to perfect in one day, nor just to defer entirely under any 

 " pretext. The most brilliant successes in war, and the most glori- 

 " ous enterprises of the genius of man can only excite in the people 

 " a sentiment of admiration mingled with anxiety, if they do not 



