of the bayonet. In short, on my arrival, Peru presented the
extraordinary spectacle of a court whose minions indulged in every
species of costly luxury, and a people impoverished to the dregs to
administer to their rapacity.

Those who had condemned my conduct in taking possession of the money at
Ancon, now admitted that I had adopted the only possible step to
preserve the squadron of Chili. The officers of the liberating army sent
me deplorable accounts of the state of affairs; and the regiment of
Numantia, which had deserted from the Spaniards soon after the capture
of the _Esmeralda_, sent an officer, Captain Doronso, with a message,
asking me to receive them on board, and convey them to Colombia, to
which province they belonged.

My appearance in the port of Callao caused serious, though, as far as I
was concerned, unnecessary alarm to the Government, to which I
transmitted a fresh demand for the sums due to the squadron, further
alluding, in no measured language, to the events which had taken place
at Guayaquil. Without replying to this by letter, Monteagudo came off to
the _O'Higgins_, lamenting that I should have resorted to such
intemperate expressions, as the Protector, before its receipt, had
written me a private letter praying for an interview, but on the receipt
of my note he became so indignant as to place his health in danger.
Monteagudo further assured me that in that letter he had made me the
offer of a large estate, and the decoration of the "Sun" set in
diamonds, if I would consent to command the united navies of Chili and
Peru, in a contemplated expedition to capture the Philippine Islands, by
which I should make an immense fortune. My reply was, "Tell the
Protector from me, Mr. Monteagudo, that if, after the conduct he has
pursued he had sent me a private letter, on any such subject, it would