90 INTRODUCTION. 
worse appear the better cause ? and then Lord Cochrane agreed, 
that on condition of receiving necessaries for the ships, and particu- 
larly anchors *, some portion of the bullion should be restored ; but 
as the stores, &c. were refused, the money, amounting to 285,000 
dollars was detained, and distributed as above stated; regular ac- 
counts being kept, and all being placed to the credit of the Chileno 
government. The scheme for revenge was more successful. At 
midnight, on the 26th of September, the very day on which the Pro- 
tector had desired the admiral to make what use he pleased of the 
money, San Martin’s two aides-de-camp, Captain Spry } and Colo- 
nel Paroissien, boarded the several ships of the squadron, and then, 
for the first time, made known the secret instructions and full powers 
granted by Chile to the Protector concerning the squadron. Besides 
this communication, they offered commissions, and held out the 
prospect of honours, titles, and estates, to such as might desert 
and serve under Peru. Then, finding that the admiral had discovered 
their nocturnal visits, Paroissien insolently went to him, and held 
the same language ; hinting that it was better to be admiral of a 
rich country like Peru, than vice-admiral of so poor a province as 
Chile, and attempting anew to gain or bribe him. Of those officers 
who basely deserted their flag on these suggestions, most have been 
punished by the disappointment of their hopes,—and all by the 
contempt of both friends and enemies. The seamen were enticed to 
enter the Peruvian service by every possible means ; and, while on 
shore enjoying themselves after receiving their pay, were either bribed 
or threatened into compliance. Nay, the faithful officers were put 
into the guard-house for attempting to induce them to return to their 
former ships. Thus the squadron, in bad repair and scantily sup- 
plied, was half unmanned. Yet, under these circumstances, now that 
Callao had surrendered, San Martin peremptorily ordered Lord 
* Two that had been cut from the Esmeralda when she was taken, and one lost by the 
O’Higgins in an attack on Callao, were then in San Martin’s possession, —he refused 
them. 
+ The same who had been dismissed his ship by sentence of a court-martial, and had 
afterwards deserted. 
