“INTRODUCTION. 111 
the national gratitude towards the worthy supporters of its maritime 
power. 
“ T have the honour to communicate this to Your Excellency by 
supreme command, and to offer you my highest respect. 
(Signed) | Joaquim pe EcuHEverria. 
“ To His Excellency the Right Honourable the Lord Cochrane, 
“ Vice Admiral and Commander-in-chief, &c. &c. &c.” 
Lord Cochrane had now been two years and a half at the head of 
the naval force of Chile ; he had taken, destroyed, or forced to sur- 
render every Spanish vessel in the Pacific ; he had cleared the western 
coast of South America of pirates. He had reduced the most im- 
portant fortresses of the common enemy of the patriots, either by 
storm, or by blockade ; he had protected the commerce, both of the 
native and neutral powers ; and had added lustre even to the cause 
of independence, by exploits worthy of his own great name, and a 
firmness and humanity which had as yet been wanting in the noble 
struggle for freedom. 
