VALPARAISO. 275 



The reports alluded to, though apparently caused by the thought- 

 lessness of an indifferent person, tend so directly to the accom- 

 plishment of the ends of a certain party in the state, that one 

 cannot help connecting them. The jealousy entertained against the 

 Admiral by those whose genius quails before his, strengthened by 

 the suspicions to which foreigners are universally exposed, is now 

 more at liberty to rage, because the great object of destroying the 

 mother country's maritime power in the Pacific is accomplished. 

 And this jealousy has been ingeniously fostered by subordinate per- 

 sons, interested in getting rid of what has been felt to be an English 

 interest here, particularly by some of the agents of the United States, 

 who have made common cause with San Martin and his agents. 

 Could the creatures of this party separate Lord Cochrane from the 

 squadron in any way, their great object would be easily accomplished ; 

 and for this end the present juncture is favourable. The sufferings 

 and poverty of the squadron in general are hard to bear ; and to 

 make the officers and men believe that the Admiral had made a 

 favourable arrangement for himself, neglecting them, was a direct 

 means of destroying that confidence and union which has constituted 

 hitherto the strength of the squadron. For this time the design has 

 failed ; but who can say how long the present calm may last ? 



2d. — As my own health is far from being strong, and my poor 

 invalid requires every moment's attendance, I cannot go out in search 

 of news, therefore I take it all at once as it is brought to me ; and 

 to-day I have been almost overwhelmed with details about the new 

 regulations of trade, the taxes to be laid on, and the monopolies of 

 the minister Rodriguez, and his partner Areas. In addition to the 

 spirits and tobaccos they long ago purchased with the government 

 money, they have now bought up the cottons, cloths, and other arti- 

 cles of clothing, and only their own agents or pulperie-men are able 

 to procure such for any customer. This, added to the want of a small 

 coin, and the use of notes for tbree-pences, only payable, or rather 

 exchangeable, for goods from their own shops, is a severe grievance, 

 and will, of course, at once retard civilisation and rob the revenue ; 



iV AT 2 



