INTRODUCTION. 19 
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 Ist 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. 
