"Peruvians! I have paid the tribute which, as a public man, I
owe to the opinion of others, and have shewn what is my object and
mission towards you. I come to fulfil the expectations of all those
who wish to belong to the country which gave them birth, and who
desire to be governed by their own laws. On the day when Peru
shall freely pronounce as to the form of her institutions, be they
whatever they may, _my functions shall cease_, and I shall have the
glory of announcing to the Government of Chili, of which I am a
subject, that their heroic efforts have at last received the consolation
of giving liberty to Peru, and peace to the neighbouring states."

The troops being reimbarked--on the 28th we sailed from Pisco, and on
the following day anchored before Callao. After having reconnoitred the
fortifications, I again urged on General San Martin an immediate
disembarcation of the force, but to this he once more strenuously
objected, to the great disappointment of the whole expedition;
insisting on going to Ancon, a place at some distance to the northward
of Callao. Having no control over the disposition of the troops, I was
obliged to submit; and on the 30th, detached the _San Martin,
Galvarino,_ and _Araucano_, to convoy the transports to Ancon, retaining
the _O'Higgins, Independencia_, and _Lautaro_, as if for the purpose of
blockade.

The fact was, that--annoyed in common with the whole expedition--at this
irresolution on the part of General San Martin, I determined that the
means of Chili, furnished with great difficulty, should not be wholly
wasted, without some attempt at accomplishing the objects of the
expedition; and accordingly formed a plan of attack with the three ships
which I had kept back--though being apprehensive that my design would be