INTRODUCTION. 93 



In what communication, Sir, have I insisted on the disbursement 

 of 200,000 dollars ? I sent you an account of money due it is true *, 

 but, in my letter, I told you it was the mutinous seamen who de- 

 manded the disbursements, and that I had done all in my power, 

 though without effect, to restrain their violence and allay their fears. 

 You add, that it was impossible to pay the clamorous crews. How 

 then is it true (and the fact is indisputable), that they are now paid 

 out of the very money then lying unemployed at your disposal ? I 

 shall only add, that promise of sharing 20 per cent, of the customs 

 with the soldiers did not satisfy the minds of the sailors, knowing 

 the nature of the divisions already made. My warning you that they 

 were no longer to be trifled with was founded on a long acquaintance 

 with their character and disposition ; and facts have proved, and may 

 yet more fully prove, the truth of what I have told you. 



Why, Sir, is the word " immediate" put into your order to go forth 

 from this port? Would it not have been more decorous to have 

 been less peremptory, knowing, as you do know, that the delay of 

 payment had unmanned the ships ; that the total disregard of all my 

 applications had left the squadron destitute of provisions, and that 

 the men were enticed away by persons acting under the authority of 

 the government of Peru ? That you yourself have given me no 

 answer to an official letter, dated the 23d, calling upon you to put a 

 stop to such unjustifiable proceedings ? Was it not enough to land 

 the supplies brought by the Montezuma, whilst the squadron for 

 which they were meant was in absolute want, without the insult of 

 placing guards on board and ashore, as if you felt a conviction that 

 the necessity to which you had reduced the squadron might warrant 

 the taking of food by force ? If so, why are matters pushed to this 

 extremity by the government of Peru ? 



I thank you for the compliments paid me regarding my services 



* The accounts of money due to the Chileno squadron contained items for wages, pro- 

 mised rewards, prize-money, payment for ships taken and used by the Peruvian government, 

 and freight of vessels belonging to the squadron as transports, besides the price of sail-cloth, 

 cordage, and slops for the people. All this San Martin was bound to pay to the govern- 

 ment of Chile, which had fitted out the whole expedition. 



