San Martin afterwards accused me to the Chilian Government of seizing the whole of the treasure, that in his yacht included, which, at a low computation, must have been worth several millions of dollars, which were all left untouched.  He also asserted, that I had retained the whole belonging to private individuals, though each real claimed was given up, as was well known to every individual concerned, and he also knew that I did not retain a penny on my own account.  Nevertheless, he added, that I had kept the whole myself,—­that, in consequence, the squadron was in a state of mutiny, and the seamen were abandoning their ships to offer their services to the Government of Peru! the fact being, that those who went on shore to spend their pay after the fashion of sailors, were prevented from returning on board, a lieutenant of my flag-ship being put in jail for attempting to bring them off again.

The first intimation of this outrage was conveyed by the officer himself, in the following letter, from his place of confinement.

   My Lord,

Whilst obeying your Lordship’s orders in bringing off the men to the O’Higgins, Captain Guise sent his Lieutenant to tell me that I could not ship any more men.  My answer was, that, till I received contrary orders from you I could not think of desisting.  I then went to Captain Guise to tell him your orders, and he told me, that it was the Governor’s order that I should not do it; he likewise told me, that several officers had spoken against the Government, instancing Captain Cobbett and others.  He then asked me, whether I thought that your Lordship’s robbery! of the money at Ancon was right? and, whether I believed that the Government meant to keep its promise, and pay us, or not?  My answer was, that I thought your Lordship had acted perfectly right, and that, in my opinion, the Government never intended to pay us; upon which, he ordered me to be seized.

My Lord, I am now a prisoner in the Case-mates, and am told that the Governor has written to you on the subject.  The men, my Lord, will, I have no doubt, come off, as many have promised me to do so, to-morrow morning.  Hoping that your Lordship will enquire into the circumstance, I remain, &c. &c,

   J. PAYNTOR.

On receipt of this, I immediately demanded his release, which was complied with.

Before distributing the money to the squadron, I took the precaution to request that a commissary of the Government might be sent on board to take part in the payment of the crews.  As this was not complied with, I again urged it, but without effect—­the object of not attending to the request being, as was afterwards learned, the expectation that I should place the money in his hands ashore, when it doubtless would have been seized, without payment to officers or men.  This was, however, foreseen, the Government being informed by me that “the money was on board ready for distribution, whilst the people were on board ready to receive it, there was, therefore no necessity to take it on shore;” it was then distributed by my own officers.