94 



PERU. 



ber of objects to attend to, it was frequently the 

 source of considerable embarrassment. We were 

 obliged to communicate occasionally with both 

 parties, on business relative to commerce, and 

 other matters affecting the British interests ; and 

 as the nature of the subject often required per- 

 sonal intercourse, we were inevitably led, at times, 

 to a greater degree of apparent familiarity with one 

 party, than the other could allow to be consistent 

 with our professed neutrality. Each, however, in 

 turn, invariably forgot this reflection, when the 

 intercourse happened to lie with themselves : so 

 that, to maintain our neutral character on these 

 occasions, and not at the same time to give offence, 

 required some address. With the Chilians, who 

 were advancing, it was not so difficult as with the 

 Spaniards, who stood in need of countenance : the 

 Chilians also had good reason to believe that we 

 wished them success on account of our trade ; 

 as well as from the sentiments known to be ex- 

 pressed on the subject in England. But with 

 the Spaniards, who were sinking in the world, it 

 was otherwise : nothing would satisfy them but 

 a declaration of cordial adherence to their cause. 



