LORD COCHRANE. 



61 



and other requisites, and the indolent habits ac- 

 quired under their former rulers, prevented any 

 real progress being made in the expedition, till 

 about March 1820, two years after the battle of 

 Maypo. They had, however, an animating cause 

 before them ; they were quickened by success, 

 and strongly stimulated, both by the hopes of 

 securing their independence, and by the dread 

 of again sinking under the ancient yoke. 



The Spanish naval force in the Pacific was at 

 this time considerable; and although the Chi- 

 lians had made great exertions to equip a squa- 

 dron, and had distinguished themselves at sea 

 on more than one occasion, they could not for a 

 long time have gained such a command of the 

 sea-coast, as was essential to the grand project 

 above mentioned, had not Lord Cochrane, for- 

 tunately for the independent cause, accepted an 

 invitation from the Chilian Government, to take 

 the command of their navy. 



The great influence which Lord Cochrane's 

 renown, his matchless intrepidity, and his inex- 

 haustible resources in war, have had on the fate 



