Previous to this time I had on board the flag-ship the unexpended
portion of the money captured at Arica, but as the Chilian Government,
trusting to Peru to supply the wants of the squadron, neither sent funds
or provisions, I was compelled to spend for our subsistence the
uncondemned portion of the prize money belonging to the seamen--a
necessity which, no less than their want of pay or reward, irritated
them beyond measure, as, in effect, compelling them to fight the battles
of the Republic not only without pay but at their own expense. In
addition to this, I was in possession of the uncondemned portion of
other sums taken on the coast, and these also I was obliged to expend,
at the same time transmitting accounts thereof to the Minister of Marine
at Valparaiso, the appropriation being fully approved by the Chilian
Government. The destitute condition of the squadron, and the consequent
dissatisfaction of the crews, will be best shewn by a few extracts from
the letters of the officers and the men themselves.

On the 2nd of September, Captain Delano, the Commander of the
_Lantaro_, wrote to me as follows:--

"The officers as well as the men are dissatisfied, having been a
long time on the cruise, and at present without any kind of meat
or spirits, and without pay, so that they are not able to provide for
themselves any longer, though, _until starved_, they have borne it
without a murmur."

"The ship's company have now absolutely refused duty on
account of short allowance. The last _charqui_ (dried beef) they got
was rotten and full of vermin. They are wholly destitute of clothing,
and persist in their resolution not to do duty till beef and spirits
are supplied, alleging that they have served their time, with nothing