CHAPTER VII.

TAMPERING WITH CHILIAN OFFICERS--THE ARCHBISHOP OF LIMA--HIS
EXPULSION--NEGOCIATION FOR SURRENDER OF THE FORTS--THIS
COUNTERACTED--SAN MARTIN'S BOMBASTIC PROCLAMATIONS--HIS REFUSAL TO
ENCOUNTER THE ENEMY--THE SPANIARDS RELIEVE CALLAO--DELUSIVE
PROCLAMATION--THE UNBLUSHING FALSEHOOD--SPANIARDS CARRY OFF THE
TREASURE--DISCONTENT OF THE SQUADRON.


Finding that I was indisposed to acknowledge his self-assumed authority,
and still less to contribute to measures which would, in effect, have
deprived Chili of the Navy, which by her patriotic sacrifices had been
created, the Protector issued a proclamation, again _promising_ the
payment of arrears to the seamen, and a pension for life to the
officers, _acknowledging them as officers of Peru_! No inference can be
drawn from this other than a direct intimation to the officers to desert
from the Chilian service.

The following are extracts from the proclamation, which was published in
a Gazette Extraordinary of August 17th, 1821:--

"The Army and Squadron of Chili united, have, at last, completed
the oath which they took, to liberate Peru, and have raised it to
the rank which justice and the interests of the world demand.
Their constancy and heroism will hand them down to posterity
with gratitude. I should be deficient in my political duty, did
I not manifest the appreciation due to their transcendent deeds,
promoting the interests of both hemispheres."