INTRODUCTION. 79 



be that of the man who had been the first tyrant in Chile. This was 

 followed up by other letters equally improper ; so that in order to 

 dissipate what was in reality a petty conspiracy, the admiral ap- 

 pointed these gentlemen to other ships, and substituted other officers 

 in the Valdivia. 



Notwithstanding this unpleasant business, however, Lord Coch- 

 rane had formed a plan, which doubtless would have succeeded but 

 for these cabals. Having carefully reconnoitred the bay of Callao 

 himself, he intended to go in with the San Martin, and all the boats 

 of the squadron, seize the ships and gun-boats, and turn all the 

 enemy's own guns upon the castles. The officers and crew of the San 

 Martin volunteered with three cheers for the service, and everything 

 was appointed for the execution of this spirited project, when, just as 

 it was to be carried into effect, Captain Guise declared he could not 

 serve unless he had his own officers back ; Captain Spry declared he 

 should stand by Captain Guise, and the whole squadron was in com- 

 motion. On the 23d, these two officers resigned their commissions 

 in the navy of Chile ; and on the 1st and 2d of March, a court-mar- 

 tial was held on the officers of the Valdivia, when, Michael, the sur- 

 geon, and Trew, the purser, were dismissed the service ; the lieu- 

 tenants, Bell and Freeman, with Kenyon, the assistant-surgeon, dis- 

 missed their ship ; and Captain Spry was also dismissed his ship and 

 placed at the bottom of the list, by sentence of a court-martial. * 



These persons, together with Captain Guise, immediately pro- 

 ceeded to San Martin to induce him to cause them to be reinstated, 

 and he accordingly sent them back to Lord Cochrane with a request 

 to that effect. To Captain Guise His Lordship offered his ship, and 

 to the lieutenants, commissions in other ships ; but they refused to 

 serve unless with their own captain, and by his order, and accordingly 

 withdrew altogether from the service. The admiral was grieved not 

 only at the occurrence which seemed to threaten the worst con- 

 sequences to the squadron, but at the interference of the commander- 

 in-chief in favour of these persons. Captain Guise's conduct seems 



* Captain Spry afterwards deserted. 



