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 of your consideration will induce you to favor us with the grant of our request.

“You having pleased to notify to us, that to-morrow is the day appointed for the sailing of H.M. ship under your command, we beg leave to represent to you, that the conflicting circumstances which have occurred since your arrival have prevented us from conducting our affairs to that termination which we had hoped for, that your sailing to-morrow would leave us in a state of great incertitude with regard to our present situation, and future plans; and that, as the British merchants in Chili, as well as ourselves, will be greatly benefited by your protracting for a few days your departure hence, you will, by thus favoring us, be producing a great benefit to British commerce. We therefore earnestly request you, as the protector of British commerce and interests, to favor us with the advantage of your influential presence for a few days longer than the period fixed on for your intended departure; assuring you, that nothing could induce us to make this request, but the conviction of the very important effects which will result from your determination, the distressed situation in which we shall be left by your speedy departure, and the important benefits which will be the consequence of your acceding to our request. We have the honor to subscribe ourselves, with the utmost respect, &c.

(Signed)“, “.

In reply to the above, Captain O’Brien informed Messrs. Heim and Waddington, that the Viceroy of Peru had made an official application to the same effect as their own, and that he had been induced thereby to suspend the sailing of the Slaney for some days.

“Ship Merope, at Sea, 8th Nov. 1819.

“My dear Sir,– Allow me to sincerely thank you in the name of Messrs. Mackintosh and Co., in whose employ I am, for the very great assistance and benefit you have rendered them in protecting and expediting the returns of a large amount of their property to be conveyed to Calcutta in the Merope, under my command, I doubt not they will find means to convey to you the sense they feel of the obligation they are under, as soon as the same is made known to them. In the mean time, I beg to give you my own particular thanks, and, wishing you a happy voyage, remain, my dear Sir, yours ever sincerely,

(Signed)“.”

The returns spoken of by Mr. Lihou were shipped on board the Slaney, at Callao, and not transferred to the Merope until after Captain O’Brien had escorted her clear of every danger.

