Many of the Spanish officers and most of the crews were adverse to the
surrender of the ships, so that a mutiny was the consequence; when, at
the instance of Salasar, the Government of Guayaquil was induced to
sanction an assertion that the Chilian squadron was at anchor in the bay
of La Manta, and that letters had been received from me announcing my
intention to come to Guayaquil and seize the ships. This mendacity had
the desired effect, and both officers and crews accepted the terms
offered; so that San Martin's agents had thus tricked the Chilian
squadron out of its prizes.

Under the before-mentioned impression the _Prueba_ was hastily sent to
Callao before our arrival, but the _Venganza_, being in a condition
unfit for sea, remained at Guayaquil. On being positively assured of the
dishonourable transaction which had taken place, on the morning of the
14th of March I sent Captain Crosbie on board the _Venganza_ to take
possession, of her, for Chili and Peru jointly, being unwilling to
embroil Chili in hostilities with Guayaquil by seizing her on our own
account, as we were indisputably entitled to do, having chased her from
port to port, until, destitute of provisions, she was compelled to take
refuge in that port.

My orders to Captain Crosbie were to hoist at the peak of the
_Venganza_, the flag of Chili conjointly with that of Peru. This act
gave great offence to the Guayaquil Government, which manned its
gun-boats, erected breast-works, and brought guns to the river side with
the apparent intention of firing upon us; the Spanish sailors, who
shortly before had sold their ships from the dread of having to fight,
being extremely active in these hostile demonstrations.

Upon this, I ordered the _Valdivia_ to drift with the flood tide in the