squadron was in a state of mutiny, and the seamen were abandoning their
ships to offer their services to the Government of Peru! the fact being,
that those who went on shore to spend their pay after the fashion of
sailors, were prevented from returning on board, a lieutenant of my
flag-ship being put in jail for attempting to bring them off again.

The first intimation of this outrage was conveyed by the officer
himself, in the following letter, from his place of confinement.

My Lord,

Whilst obeying your Lordship's orders in bringing off the
men to the _O'Higgins_, Captain Guise sent his Lieutenant to tell me
that I could not ship any more men. My answer was, that, till I
received contrary orders from you I could not think of desisting.
I then went to Captain Guise to tell him your orders, and he told
me, that it was the Governor's order that I should not do it; he
likewise told me, that several officers had spoken against the
Government, instancing Captain Cobbett and others. He then
asked me, whether I thought that your Lordship's _robbery_! of the
money at Ancon was right? and, whether I believed that the
Government meant to keep its promise, and pay us, or not? My
answer was, that I thought your Lordship had acted perfectly right,
and that, in my opinion, the Government never intended to pay us;
upon which, he ordered me to be seized.

My Lord, I am now a prisoner in the Case-mates, and am told
that the Governor has written to you on the subject. The men, my
Lord, will, I have no doubt, come off, as many have promised me to
do so, to-morrow morning. Hoping that your Lordship will enquire