of Chili, I should manifest ingratitude, which, neither as a public
or private virtue will I ever forego; but it is as imprudent to lavish
rewards, as to withhold them from the meritorious. I am engaged
in finding means to realize measures as regards the squadron, which
I intend to propose to the Supreme Government of Chili, and thus
conciliate all interests.

Your affectionate friend,
JOSE DE SAN MARTIN.
To Lord Cochrane, Vice-Admiral of Chili.

In this letter, San Martin attributes his usurpation to a "singular
current of success;" omitting to state that he neither achieved one
blow, nor devised one plan which led to it, whilst he had all along
offered it every obstruction in his power. He declares that the
arrogation of the fall of the Spaniards, attributed by the inscription
on the medal to the army and himself, was a mistake, brought about by
"his not being able, in the hurry of business, to give attention to the
model presented to him;" whereas the inscription was his own writing,
after days of deliberation and consultation with others, who advised him
not to mention the squadron in the inscription.

In this letter he repudiates all connection with Chili, though he had
sworn fidelity to the republic as its Captain General. He denies ever
having engaged to pay the squadron their wages, though on no other
condition had it put to sea from Valparaiso, and his own handwriting to
this specific promise was accepted as the inducement. Though himself an
officer of Chili, he treats Chili as a state with which he had nothing
to do, whose debts he declares that he will not pay, as he had
previously told me on the 4th of August; finally, he says that he will