The duties thus collected,--for the most part in contraband of
war,--were duly accounted for by me to the Government of Chili, whilst
such compromise was received as a boon by the British merchants, and
highly approved of by the British naval authorities, Sir Thomas Hardy
especially.

Yet General San Martin, and others interested in a line of policy which
in its prosecution was inimical to the true interests of Chili,
afterwards charged these proceedings upon me as "acts of piracy."

That the Chilian Government was, however, well satisfied with all the
steps taken for provisioning and maintaining the squadron, as well as
with the seizure and disposal of the public money at Ancon, is evident
from the following acknowledgment:--

Most Excellent Sir,

I have informed the Supreme Director of the note
which you addressed to me on the 7th of October, accompanying the
accounts of the monies supplied to the payment of the officers and
seamen of the squadron, and to the other objects of the naval
service; as well as the accounts of money and bars of silver returned
at Ancon to their respective owners.

His Excellency approves of all that you have done in these matters
and orders me in reply to convey his approbation, which I have the
honour now to do.

Accept the assurance of my high consideration,