upon the rest of the world, shall be commensurate with its extent, its riches, and its situation."

The expedition sailed from the port of Valparaiso in Chili on the 20th of August, 1820, and reached Pisco, which is situated about 100 miles south of Lima, on the 7th of September, and by the 11th the whole army was disembarked. The Spanish troops stationed in the neighbourhood had previously retired to Lima, where the viceroy resolved to collect his whole army. The liberating army at first encountered no resistance, and on the 26th of September an armistice for eight days was concluded, at the request of the viceroy, and commissioners from both parties held a conference. On the 4th of October, the armistice terminated without any successful result to the negotiation, which had been attempted, and on the 26th the expedition moved northward to Ancon. Lord Cochrane, with part of the squadron, anchored in the outer roads of Callao, the sea port of Lima. The inner harbour is extensively and strongly fortified, and is called the castle of Callao. Under the protection of the batteries, lay three Spanish armed vessels of war, a forty gun frigate, and two sloops of war, guarded by fourteen gun boats. On the night of the 5th of November, lord Cochrane, with 240 volunteers in fourteen boats, attempted the daring enterprise of cutting out the Spanish frigate, and succeeded in the most gallant manner, with the loss of only 41 killed and wounded. The Spanish loss was 120 men. success annihilated the Spanish naval power on the Pacific.

This

The joy occasioned by this splendid naval exploit was increased by col. Arenales, who had been sent from Pisco with 1000 men, with orders to proceed by a circuitous route around Lima, until he rejoined the army. On his march, he attacked and defeated a detachment of the royal army sent from Lima to oppose him; and at the same time took the commanding officer prisoner. Many districts declared in favour of the liberating army, and the revolutionary cause become so popular, that on the 3d of December a whole regiment of the royalists, with their colonel at their head, deserted from the Spanish service, and joined the liberating army.

After a short stay at Ancon, San Martin proceeded to Huara, a strong position near the port of Huacho, about 75 miles north of Lima. Here the army remained for six months, engaged in recruiting; in disseminating the spirit of independence, and cutting off the resources of the royalists in Lima. After another unavailing armistice, the liberating army began to advance towards the capital on the 5th of July, 1821, when the viceroy, alarmed for its security, issued a proclamation, announcing his intention of abandoning the city, and pointing out Callao as an asylum for those who felt insecure in the capital. This was a

signal for an immediate flight; the consternation was excessive throughout the city; the road to Callao was crowded with fugitives, carrying their most valuable effects. The women were seen flying in all directions towards the convents, and the narrow streets were literally choked up with loaded wagons, mules, and mounted horsemen; the confusion continuing all night, and `until day-break. The viceroy marched out with his troops, not leaving a single sentinel over the powder magazine, having previously nominated the marquis Montemire as governor of the city, who immediately called a meeting of the inhabitants, and the cabildo, or town council, which resolved to invite San Martin to enter the capital. The answer of San Martin was full of magnanimity, and immediately inspired the greatest confidence among the inhabitants. He told them that he did not desire to enter the capital as a conqueror, but as their liberator; adding, as a proof of his sincerity, that the governor might command a portion of his troops, for the security of the persons and property of the inhabitants. The people who had deserted the city, now returned to their dwellings, and order was restored; and San Martin, who a few days before was considered an enemy, was now hailed as a benefactor. On the 12th of July, he made his entry into the capital, without ostentation or ceremony, and in a manner worthy of a republican general. He was accompanied by a single aid-de-camp only, and was received with the greatest enthusiasm by most of the inhabitants. All classes were anxious to behold the man who had performed such distinguished services for their country; he was kind, courteous, and affable to all. The females caught the enthusiasm of the men, and vied with each other in paying their respects to their liberator. To every one he had something kind and appropriate to say, occasioning an agreeable surprise to the person he addressed. San Martin now commenced the difficult task of reforming the abuses of the colonial government, and published an address to the Peruvians, containing sound and judicious sentiments, which justly entitles it to preservation.*

On the 28th of July, 1821, the independence of Peru was solemnly proclaimed. The troops were drawn up in the great square, in the centre of which was erected a lofty stage, from which San Martin, accompanied by the governor and some of the principal inhabitants, displayed for the first time the independent flag proclaiming that Peru was free and independent, by the general wish of the people, and the justice of her cause: Then waving the flag, San Martin exclaimed, Vive La Patria! Vive La Liberta! Vive La Independence! which was reiterated by the multitude in the square, while the bells rung a joyous peal, * Journal of captain Basil Hall.

and cannon were discharged amidst the universal acclamations of the people. On the 3d of August, San Martin took upon himself the title of protector of Peru, and issued a proclamation.

This proclamation concluded by declaring that the supreme political authority and military command were united in him, under the title of protector, and that Juan Garcia del Rial was named secretary of state, and by specifying the other appointments under his new government. He also addressed a proclamation to the Spaniards, bearing date the 4th of August, in which he says, that he has respected their persons and property agreeably to his promise, but notwithstanding which, they murmur in secret, and maliciously propagate suspicions of his intentions. He assures those who remain peaceable, who swear to the independence of the country, and respect the new government, of being protected in their persons and estates; he offers to such as do not confide in his word, the privilege of passports, within a given time, to leave the country with all their effects, and declares that those who remain and profess to submit to the government, but are plotting against it, shall feel the full rigour of the law, and be deprived of their possessions.

San Martin now proceeded steadily in recruiting and disciplining his army, in reforming the local abuses in the administration of affairs, and in preparing and organizing a provisional government, until the permanent constitution of the state could be established. When absent, he appointed the marquis of Torre Ta- · gle as supreme delegate, to exercise the functions of government.

On the 10th of September, the Spanish army returned from the interior, and marching past Lima, entered Callao. As it passed the capital, San Martin drew up his army, but did not attack the enemy, wisely foreseeing that an increase of the garrison of Callao would diminish their provisions, and hasten the surrender of the fortress. The Spanish army, after a short stay, retired, carrying off the treasures deposited in the castle, which shortly after surrendered to the independents.

The liberating army now remained inactive until the following May, when a detachment was sent against the Spaniards, which proved unsuccessful. In July, 1822, San Martin left Lima for Guayaquil, where he had an interview with Bolivar, the liberator of Colombia, and, during his absence, the people of Lima irritated against the minister, Monteagudo, forcibly deposed, imprisoned, and afterwards banished him to Panama. In August, San Martin returned with a re-enforcement of Colombian troops.

On the 20th of September, 1822, the sovereign constitutional congress of the federal provinces of Peru was assembled, and the patriotic and popular chief was happy to divest himself of the dietatorship, and gladly resigned into their hands the supreme autho

rity which he had exercised for more than a year. The congress duly appreciating his magnanimity and patriotic services, elected him, by an unanimous vote, general and commander in chief of the armies of Peru; but he declined the appointment, only accepting the title as a mark of the approbation and confidence of the Peruvians, declaring that in his opinion, his presence in Peru in command of the army, was inconsistent with the authority of the

congress.

"I have," says this illustrious patriot, "fulfilled the sacred promise which I made to Peru. I have witnessed the assembly of its representatives. The enemy's force threatens the independence of no place that wishes to be free, and possesses the means of being so. A numerous army, under the direction of warlike chiefs, is ready to march in a few days to put an end to the war. Nothing is left for me to do, but to offer you my sincerest thanks, and to promise that if the liberties of the Peruvians shall ever be attacked, I shall claim the honour of accompanying them, to defend their freedom like a citizen."

The congress expressed much regret at his declaration, and entreated him to take the actual command of their armies; but their appeal had no effect on the conduct of San Martin, whose resolution was formed on mature consideration. He had accomplished the object of his mission; he had emancipated the country which he had visited for that purpose, and not to become its ruler. On retiring from a country which he had redeemed from slavery, and to which he had given a new creation, he published a proclamation, in which he says that he is repaid for ten years of his life spent in revolution and war: "I hold in my hand the standard which Pizarro brought over to enslave the empire of the Incas."

66

My promises to the countries in which I made war, are fulfilled-I give them independence, and leave them the choice of their government."

San Martin proceeded to Callao, and immediately sailed for Chili.

The congress, now left to themselves, appointed a supreme junta of three enlightened men, to whom they confided the executive power. In November, 1822, an expedition sailed from Lima for the southern coast, but in January, 1823, shortly after landing, the army was defeated and dispersed. This disaster was followed by a general discontent among the people, and in Febtuary, the sittings of the congress were suspended by Rivaaguero the president, who shortly after dissolved them in a most unconstitutional manner, and every thing was in confusion. Availing themselves of these disorders, in June, 1823, the Spanish army under general Canterac, re-entered Lima, having driven the pa

triots into Callao. They remained in the capital about a fortnight, evying contributions on the defenceless inhabitants. This was short and sad termination of a struggle which had been so successful under the direction of an able leader. Whilst the cause of the revolution was thus prostrated in Peru, general Bolivar was bringing the war to a close in Colombia. Foreseeing that if the affairs of Peru were not placed in a better condition, the royal authority would shortly be re-established in that country, and the independence of Colombia would be endangered, and being invited by the Peruvians, he resolved to proceed to that country. This he did at the head of a considerable force, and was most cordially received at Lima, and appointed dictator until the Spaniards should be expelled or subdued. On his approach, the royalists retired into the interior.

In addition to a formidable enemy that possessed the whole of Upper, and most of the interior of Lower Peru, the liberator soon found himself surrounded with difficulties, in the dissensions among the patriots, which threatened the entire destruction of the revolutionary cause. Rivaaguero, the late president of the congress, collected a force to oppose both the congress and Bolivar. This insurrection, however, was soon suppressed, and the principal instigators were made prisoners, and exiled: but the disasters of the army, and the conflicts of the parties soon obliged the congress to confer on Bolivar the supreme power as dictator, to preserve the republic from ruin; notwithstanding, however, Bolivar found it necessary to return to Truxillo for safety until the arrival of his re-enforcements from Colombia.

In the month of February, 1824, the royalists under general Canterac, took possession of the city of Lima without opposition, and about the same time, of the important fortress of Callao, by means of a defection of the troops from Buenos Ayres, which formed part of the garrison. The state of affairs in Peru was now critical and alarming. The factious exerted themselves to prejudice the people against Bolivar, and charged him with entertaining ambitious designs, which induced him to address a proclamation to the people, dated at Truxillo, the 11th of March, 1824. Great exertions were made by the liberator to forward his re-enforcements from Colombia, and to organize a force for the ensuing campaign, sufficient to liberate the whole of Peru from the power of the royalists; it was also necessary to acquire a naval superiority in order to conduct the operations of the war in the most efficient manner. Such additions were therefore made to

the naval force, as to enable the patriots, not only to blockade the port of Callao, but to destroy a number of vessels in that harbour. The army being at length completely organized, commenced its operations in the month of June, 1824, and crossing the AnVOL. II.

13

Τ