488 APPENDIX. 



" According to these principles, the alleged blockade of the coast in question 

 must be considered and held absolutely illegal, in the opinion of the govern- 

 ment of His Britannic Majesty ; so that it cannot operate on the ships or 

 property of His Majesty's subjects, without a violation of the law of nations. 

 I consequently feel obliged to protest formally against the legality of the 

 blockade, for the reasons above stated. I hope that Your Excellency will 

 have the goodness to order your decree of blockade to be so modified and 

 altered ; and that such orders shall be given to the commander of your squa- 

 dron as shall prevent any kind of coercion not permitted by the law of 

 nations against the British ships and property, under pretence of keeping up 

 the blockade. 



" I am sure I need not repeat here to Your Excellency the assurance of my 

 ardent wish to preserve, as heretofore, our amicable relations with the govern- 

 ment of Chile and its local authorities, so necessary for the protection of the 

 subjects of His Britannic Majesty who are engaged in lawful commerce, and 

 to maintain that neutrality which His Majesty wishes should be observed by 

 all those acting under his orders. 



" I have the honour to subscribe myself, 



" With the highest respect and consideration, 



" Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, 



(Signed) « T. W. Hardy, 



" Commodore and Commander-in-chief of the ships and vessels of 

 "His Britannic Majesty on the coast of South America." 



To this Zenteno answers, on the 6th of December, 1820. His letter begins 

 by acknowledging the receipt of Sir Thomas's letter, and saying that of course 

 neutral property would be respected according to the law of nations ; and his 

 opinions on that head quite agree with the English commander's wishes. 

 Zenteno then says, — 



" But even if this agreeable coincidence had not been, as it is, sufficient to 

 satisfy the pretensions of Your Excellency in all respects, the prosperity that 

 has attended our arms has, n fact, set at rest all question and cause of doubt. 

 Our petty force, perhaps diminished in apparent magnitude by distance, was not 

 believed sufficient to maintain the blockade in all its extent ; yet it has had the 

 glory of setting at liberty, and of placing in the hands of the American inde- 

 pendents, all the ports and coast of Peru, including Guayaquil, and also 

 much of the interior of the country, excepting only the port of Callao ; and 



