expedition to Peru, came to Valparaiso in June, and on the 13th of July,
the squadron was paid wages in part only, but as I insisted on the whole
being liquidated, this was done on the 16th; but without any portion of
their prize-money. My share alone of the value of captures made at and
previous to the capture of Valdivia was 67,000 dollars, and for this I
received the assurance of the Supreme Director that it should be paid to
me at the earliest possible moment; upon which I accepted the estate
which continued to be pressed upon me, the grant expressing the purpose
for which it was given, adding as a reason that "my name should never
cease from the land." This estate, situated at Rio Clara, was, after my
departure from Chili, forcibly resumed by the succeeding Government;
and the bailiff, whom I had placed upon it for the purpose of seeing how
it could be improved by culture and the introduction of valuable
European seeds, was forcibly expelled from its supervision.

On my first refusal to accept the estate--for the reason before
assigned--in order to convince the Chilians how great was my desire to
be enrolled amongst the number of their citizens, I purchased a hacienda
at Herradura, about eight miles from Valparaiso. The effect produced by
this upon the Ministry was almost ludicrous. It was gravely argued
amongst them as to what I, a foreigner, could intend by purchasing an
estate in Chili? The conclusion to which they came being, as I was
credibly informed, that as the whole population was with me, I must
intend, when opportunity served, to set myself up as the ruler of the
Republic, relying upon the people for support! Such was statesmanship at
that day in Chili.

It so happened, that soon after purchasing this property I pointed out
to the Government how much better the Bay of Herradura was calculated
for a naval arsenal, than the ill-protected Bay of Valparaiso; offering