Bernardo O’Higgins had been one of the South Americans who, during the last days of the Spanish dominion, had been sent to study in Europe.  There he came into contact with Miranda, who appears to have been almost ubiquitous at this period, and whose terrific energies seem to have absorbed all those with whom he came into contact.  In any case, it is certain that Bernardo O’Higgins rapidly became a devoted adherent of Miranda, and joined with enthusiasm the society that Miranda had formed for the liberation of South America; indeed, he was admitted into this before Simon Bolivar had joined it.

On his way back to South America he endured various rebuffs at the hands of the Court of Spain.  Possibly he was made to suffer vicariously on his father’s account, since undoubtedly there were times when the latter’s policy was strongly resented by the Spanish officials.  It is, on the other hand, quite possible that some suspicions of Bernardo O’Higgins’s notions of independence had filtered through to Madrid.  It was owing to complications of this kind that coolness ensued between him and his father, the famous Ambrose O’Higgins.  On the latter’s death Bernardo applied for his rights of succession to his father’s titles.  These were abruptly refused him.  Thus, when he entered into public life in Chile it was in a comparatively humble capacity, serving as he did as Alcalde of Chillan.  From this it will be seen that Bernardo O’Higgins had not only achieved much, but had suffered much in his own person.

During the War of Liberation the capacities of Bernardo O’Higgins were almost ceaselessly tried, and it must be said that they were never found wanting.  The triumph of the patriot cause and the foundation of the new Republic of Chile entailed for him no period of repose.  On the contrary, he now felt himself loaded with an infinitely greater weight of cares and responsibilities.

His post as President of Chile was no sinecure.  He had not only to attend to the organization of the new State, but also to employ to the utmost his judgment, tact, and diplomacy, with which qualities he was so well endowed, in allaying the disputes and jealousies between the patriot leaders.  There is no doubt, for instance, that but for the calming influence of O’Higgins the breach between San Martin and Cochrane would have been attended with more violent results than was the case.  It was the work of a veteran in statecraft to deal alone with the machinations of the brothers Carrera, those irresponsible firebrands who, although ostensibly enthusiastic in the Chilian cause, were in reality fighting for nothing beyond their own hand, and hastened to sacrifice any cause or person to their own interests.  There were times, moreover, when it was necessary to suppress actual attempts at revolution, while, as though this were not sufficient, external difficulties tended to render the situation still more complicated.