Finding that all the measures proposed in the expedition to Peru are made public—­that all that is decided on to-day is contradicted to-morrow—­that no system is followed, either in regard to naval or state matters, which can promote your interest—­that mischievous delays of all kinds are opposed to the success of an enterprise, which your Excellency is desirous of promoting —­that the expedition of 2,000 men (abundantly sufficient), was not to be delayed on any pretence, but that it has been delayed in order to increase it to 4,000—­and that even now it is kept back, in order to ascertain the position and force of the enemy at Callao, of which we know just as much now as we should when the Montezuma may return, some forty days hence, after an investigation to no purpose—­in short, finding that everything stipulated and agreed upon has been deviated from.  I am desirous to give up the command of the squadron to whoever may enjoy the confidence of your Excellency; which act will, I hope, add to your tranquillity, by relieving you from my opinions in regard to what ought to be done, but has not been done—­and to that which could be effected, but has not even been attempted.

I have abstained from sending the Montezuma on a meaningless voyage of forty days to Callao, till I receive your Excellency’s definitive commands—­considering that the despatch of that vessel is not only useless, but a pretext for delay, and is calculated to frustrate all that your Excellency has in contemplation.  Would that you could yourself note the palpable treachery which prevents anything of importance being collected for the expedition—­I say palpable treason—­as not a single article necessary has yet been procured.

Can your Excellency believe, that only one vessel is in the hands of the contractor; and even she is not prepared for sea?  Will you believe that the only provisions that the contractor’s agent has in hand is twenty-one days’ rations of bread, and six days’ of salt meat, whilst to my query whether he had any charqui ready, his reply was, “There is plenty in the country.”  Will your Excellence believe that there are only 120 water casks ready for 4,000 troops and the crews of the squadron?

Your Excellency may be assured that only your interest and that of the State could induce me to utter these opinions; but, in order to convince you that I have no wish to abandon the service, if my continuance in it can be of any use—­my only wish being to avoid becoming the butt of disasters after their occurrence—­I now offer to give up the command of the squadron, and to accept in lieu thereof, the command of the four armed prizes taken by the O’Higgins in the last cruise, and with 1,000 troops selected by myself, to accomplish all that is expected from the 4,000 troops and the squadron; the former being a manageable force, capable of defeating all the defensive measures