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Narrative of services in the liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil
Narrative of services in the liberation of Chili Peru and Brazil Author:Thomas Cochrane Dundonald Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER I. INVITATION TO TAKE COMMAND OF CHILIAN NAVY ARRIVAL AT VALPARAISO FIRST EXPEDITION TO PERU ATTACK ON SPANISH SHIPPING: AT CALLAO— DEPARTURE FO... more »R HUACHO—CAPTURE OF SPANISH CONVOYS OF MONEY PAITA TAKEN RETURN TO VALPARAISO TO REORGANIZE THE SQUADRON OFFER TO OIVE UP MY SHARE OF FRIZEMONEY TO THE REPUBLIC THIS OFFER DECLINED BY THE SUPREME DIRECTOR—POPULAR CONGRATULATIONS—ATTEMPT ON LADY COCHHANE's LIFE. In the year 1817, Don Jose Alvarez, accredited agent of the government of Chili—as yet unacknowledged by European powers—applied tome to undertake the organization of a naval force in that country, capable of contending against the Spaniards; who, notwithstanding the successful revolt of the Chilenos by land, still maintained their predominance on the waters of the Pacific. Having at that time no professional employment, in consequence of my unjust expulsion from the British naval service, by the machinations of the powerful political party which I had offended—and finding that Chili was making great efforts to create a navy, in furtherance of which object a war steamer had been placed on the stocks in London—I accepted the invitation, engaging to superintend her building and equipment, and to take her to Valparaiso when completed. I REQUESTED TO SAIL IMMEDIATELY. Meanwhile, Alvarez received orders from his Government, that, if his proposals had been accepted, no time must be lost in my departure, as the position of Chili was critical, the Spaniards threatening Valparaiso by sea, and being still in possession of the continent from Conception to Chiloe, where they were organizing the savage Indian tribes to carry desolation into the newly emancipated provinces. Reliable information had also been received, that the Court of Madrid was making stren...« less