your laws according to the spontaneous wish of your own representatives.
The soldiers of the Army of Liberation, your brothers, will exert no
influences, military or civil, direct or indirect, in your social
system. Whenever it suits you, dismiss the Army which marches to protect
you. A military force should never occupy the territory of a Free
People, unless invited by its legitimate magistrates._
This proclamation aroused the patriotism of many Peruvians, who brought
quantities of food and supplies to the Army. While numbers of them
joined the Army, including six hundred slaves, to whom San Martin
promised their freedom.
Then San Martin prepared to invest Lima, with the help of Lord
Cochrane’s fleet.
THE FALL OF THE CITY OF THE KINGS
Lima, “the City of the Kings,” stands not far from the sea on a plain
near the foot of the Cordilleras.
When San Martin landed in Peru, Lima the proud, the rich, was the seat
of the Spanish Viceroy’s Court with all its pomp and vices. She was shut
in by walls above which rose her turrets and domes. Many of her people
were slaves, Indians, or freedmen; the rest were haughty Spanish
grandees and rich royalists. Lima was the civil, and military, despot of
all Spanish America.
San Martin had now but one thought and aim--to drive the Spaniards from
Lima, and make the city independent. He besieged her by sea and land.
Through proclamations sent far and wide, he urged the Peruvians to rise
up and help gain their own Freedom. Peruvian Colonists, Indians, and
slaves flocked to his standard.
The siege began to tell on Lima. Her pride was humbled to the dust. Her
food was exhausted. Fresh supplies were cut off by the blockade. The
poor suffered dreadful want. The rich were deprived of their luxuries.
Rich and poor alike lived in terror of their lives. To add to the
miseries of the unhappy city, her officials, who should have protected
her, fell to quarrelling among themselves.
On the Fifth of July, universal terror reigned. The Spanish Viceroy had
announced that he was about to abandon the city to her fate. Every one
believed that San Martin’s troops would fall upon her to pillage and
burn. At dawn the Viceroy marched out with his troops.
There was one mad rush to escape to Callao, the port of Lima, several
miles away. All the people who could, hastened to leave. Crowds of
fugitives hurried along the highways, people on foot, in carts, on
horseback; men, women, and children, with bundles and household goods,
with horses and mules, and with slaves bending under heavy burdens of
baggage and treasure.
Inside the city, there was pandemonium. Women were seen fleeing toward
the convents. The narrow streets were choked with loaded wagons and
mounted horsemen.
By midday, scarcely a person was to be seen. Those who had been forced
to remain, had barred their doors and closed their shutters, and were
waiting with fear and trembling for San Martin’s troops to fall upon the
city.
In the midst of this confusion, the few officials who had not fled,
gathered together to consult as to what should be done. They feared an
uprising of the slaves or an attack by a mob. But greater still was
their fear of the multitude of San Martin’s armed Indians, savage and
undisciplined, who were surrounding the city. For though the Indians
were under the command of San Martin’s officers, they seemed likely at
any moment, to break loose from restraint and massacre the helpless
people of Lima. The Indians were so near that they could plainly be
seen, perched on the heights that overhung the city.
The officials, in great terror of mind, wrote a letter to San Martin,
entreating him to enter Lima and protect her. The letter was despatched
by a messenger.
All night long, a profound silence brooded over the city.
The next morning San Martin’s answer came.
It was brief. He would enter the city, he said, only if it was the real
wish of the People of Lima to declare their Independence. He had no
desire to enter as a conqueror, he declared, but would come only if
invited by the People.
And added he, that the People, in the meanwhile, might give whatever
orders they desired to his troops surrounding the city; and the orders
should be obeyed.
His answer stunned the officials. They could not believe that a
conquering general could be so humane to a helpless foe. They thought
that San Martin was mocking them. But to put the matter to the test,
they sent an order to a commanding officer of a regiment stationed near
the city gate, asking him to withdraw his men to a spot a league away.
The officer immediately withdrew them.
The good news flew through the city. People went almost mad with joy.
Confidence was restored; and parties of picked soldiers were invited in
to guard the city.
In a day or two everything was as before. The shops were opened again.
Women were seen stealing from the convents. Men ventured into the square
to smoke their cigars. The streets were lined with refugees returning to
their homes, bringing back bundles, trunks, and treasures. The street
criers were bawling their wares; and the city was restored to its usual
noise and bustle.
Then a deputation of citizens waited upon San Martin to invite him to
enter Lima and proclaim her Independence.
_Captain Basil Hall_ (_Retold_)
SAN MARTIN THE CONQUEROR
_A Retreat_
The people watched eagerly to see San Martin enter in state as a
conquering general should. The day passed, and he did not come. When it
began to grow dark, he rode in through the gate attended by a single
aide-de-camp.
And he would not have come then, if he could have helped it. It was his
plan to slip unobserved into the city early in the morning before people
were up.
But the reason why he had to enter at evening, was this:--
He was tired, and he had just settled down for the night in the corner
of a little cottage outside the walls. He was blessing his stars that he
was well out of the reach of business, when in came two Friars, who had
discovered his hiding place.
Each one made him a long tedious speech; one likened him to Cæsar and
the other to Lucullus.
“Good heavens!” exclaimed San Martin, when the Friars had left. “What
are we to do? This will never answer!”
“O sir,” replied the aide-de-camp, “there are two more of the same stamp
close at hand.”
“Indeed! Then saddle the horses again, and let us be off!” exclaimed San
Martin.
So it happened that the conquering General was forced to retreat, and
enter Lima before people were asleep.
_The Mother and her Three Sons_
When he entered the city, instead of going directly to the palace where
he was to lodge, he stopped to call on the Governor.
In a moment, the news of his arrival sped through the city. People came
thronging into the Governor’s house, and even filled the court and
street.
San Martin was forced to stand in the audience-chamber and receive the
crowds. Old people and young people pressed fast upon him. But though he
was so modest and heartily disliked any show or pretension, he received
their praises patiently and kindly.
A handsome middle-aged woman approached him, and as he leaned forward to
greet her, she threw herself at his feet. There, clinging to his knees,
she looked up into his face, and exclaimed that she had three sons at
his service, who, she hoped, would become useful citizens.
San Martin listened to her with respect. As he gently raised her from
the floor, she flung her arms around his neck and finished her speech.
He replied to her with great earnestness; and the poor woman’s heart
seemed bursting with gratitude for his attention and kindness.
_The Little Girl Who Was Bashful_
San Martin then seeing a little girl about ten or twelve years old, who
was too bashful to come forward, lifted the astonished child and kissed
her cheek. When he set her down again, the little thing was in such
ecstasy that she scarcely knew what to do.
_Another Little Girl_
San Martin established his headquarters a little beyond the city-wall.
There he was completely surrounded by business. But every man coming out
of San Martin’s presence, seemed pleased whether he had succeeded in his
petition or not.
Among others, an old man came into headquarters holding a little girl in
his arms. He had just one request, would the great General please kiss
his child? San Martin good-naturedly kissed her, and the father went
away radiantly happy.
_The Best Cigar_
San Martin lived on the friendliest terms with his officers.
One day, at his own table, he opened his pouch and took out a cigar,
rounder and firmer than the rest. He gave it a look of unconscious
satisfaction. Just then a voice called:--
“My General!”
San Martin started from his revery, and raised his head.
“Who spoke?” he said.
“It was I,” said an officer who had been watching him. “I merely wished
to beg the favour of one cigar from you.”
“Ah ha!” said San Martin smiling good-naturedly with an assumed look of
reproach. And at once he tossed his chosen cigar to the officer.
_Duty Before the General_
At another time, San Martin was entertaining a visitor on board a
schooner. While they were walking up and down, the sailors began to swab
the deck.
“What a plague it is,” said San Martin, “that these fellows will insist
on washing their decks at this rate.” Then turning to one of the men, he
said, “I wish, my friend, you would not wet us here, but go to the other
side.”
The sailor, who had his duty to perform and who was too well accustomed
to the General’s gentle manner, went on with his work, and soundly
splashed him and his guest.
“I am afraid,” cried San Martin, “we must go below, although our cabin
is but a miserable hole! For really there is no persuading these fellows
to go out of their usual way.”
_Captain Basil Hall and Other Sources_ (_Retold_)
LIMA’S GREATEST DAY
_July 28, 1821, Peru’s Independence Day_
It was Lima’s greatest day. It was the 28th of July. It was her
Independence Day.
Flowers and perfumes were being showered down from palace-windows and
balconies. They fell on the heads of San Martin and many officers,
clergy, and officials who were marching through cheering crowds.
They marched to the great square, and mounted a platform. The troops
were drawn up in the square.
The Declaration of Independence of Peru was read aloud.
Then San Martin, standing on the platform, unfurled the new flag of the
Republic of Peru. As he shook out its scarlet and white folds on which
was the face of the Sun rising over the Andes with a tranquil river at
their base, he called in a loud voice:--
“From this moment Peru is free and independent by the common wish of the
People, and by the justice of her cause, which God defend!”
Then waving the flag on high, he shouted:--
“Long live the Fatherland! Long live Liberty! Long live Independence!”
“Long live the Fatherland!” shouted the crowds, as they caught up his
words and passed them along from the square to the streets beyond.
The bells of the city rang out a joyous peal. Cannon were fired. And
such a roar of voices went up as was never heard before in Lima.
Then from the platform silver medals were rained down on the crowds. On
each was inscribed:--
_Lima, being liberated, swore its Independence on the 28th of July,
1821, under the protection of the Liberating Army of Peru,
commanded by San Martin._
San Martin adopted the title of “Protector of Peru.” He took upon
himself the temporary government of the country until its Independence
should be assured.
“I do not want military renown,” said San Martin, “I have no ambition to
be the conqueror of Peru. I want solely to liberate the country from
oppression.”
HAIL! NEIGHBOUR REPUBLICS!
San Martin continued to wage his successful campaign against the
Spaniards. Now, let us leave him and Peru for a moment.
Let us turn to the United States and see what we were doing about all
this.
We recognized our sister Republics for the first time on March 8, 1822.
On that day President Monroe sent a special message to Congress saying,
“the Provinces belonging to this hemisphere are our neighbours.” He
recommended that Congress should recognize as independent Nations,
Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Argentina, then called La Plata.
Brazil had already acknowledged them; so the United States was the
second Power to hold out the hand of fellowship to our neighbours.
England followed soon after.
This acknowledgment of a brave People’s struggle for freedom, came after
more than twenty years of terrible warfare.
Our neighbour Republics--recognized in 1822,--have the honour of having
won their own Liberty without the aid of foreign Allies. For though they
had the sympathy of all free Peoples, and the moral support of both the
English and the United States Governments, and though hundreds of
foreign young men--whole legions of them--volunteered in the Patriot
Armies and shed their blood for Spanish-American Independence, yet the
Patriots of the Southern Republics had to stand up alone and unaided by
any Government.
They won their Independence by patient endurance of every conceivable
suffering, by rising above momentary defeats, and by courageously
persisting to the end under the command of their devoted Liberators.
In the language of San Martin, “God granted them success.”
AMERICA FOR THE AMERICANS
So at last, the Spanish-American Republics were recognized. Their
Freedom was practically won.
But the Kings of Continental Europe felt their thrones tottering and
their crowns loosened.
After the wars of Napoleon, the whole of Europe was in political
ferment. So it always happens after long wars.
The Peoples of Continental Europe, who for generations had been
down-trodden by Kings and Emperors, had learned from the United States
and France, of such things as Liberty, Constitutions, and the right of
Peoples to a voice in their own government. Everywhere the Peoples of
Europe were preparing to demand constitutional governments. Then, too, a
wave of infidelity was sweeping through the world, the result of the
terrible French Revolution.
Then, in 1815, the three Kings of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, formed a
league called the Holy Alliance.
Its original purpose was lofty. It was at first, a very pious affair.
The Holy Allies agreed to take under their Christian protection the
Kingdoms of Europe, and to govern their three Peoples as one People by
the dictates of the Holy Religion of Christ. They pledged themselves to
bring about a reign of charity, justice, and peace for Europe. The Holy
Allies claimed to be divinely appointed to do all this. Spain, France,
Naples, and Sardinia joined them. England did not become a member for
though she has a monarch, she has a Constitutional Government.
It was not long before this Holy Alliance became a hotbed of European
intrigue, and developed into a subtle political league to destroy the
awakening liberties of the World.
The Holy Allies conspired to put down all democratic principles, and
stamp out all representative government from Europe. They also conspired
to prevent the formation of any new Republics in other parts of the
World, and to chain the liberty of the Press, which is the Voice of the
People. Thus these Holy Allies joined forces to uphold the divine right
of Kings and the tyranny of absolute monarchies.
Their next move was to promise Spain to help destroy the
Spanish-American Republics, and thus restore to her her lost Colonies.
This was after we had acknowledged the Independence of those Republics.
The Holy Allies planned to _invade America_ with their Army.
When this news reached the United States, there was a furore. And, when
added to this news, it was announced that Russia was laying plans to
colonize the Pacific coast of North America, there was great indignation
in this country.
It was then, that President Monroe, on December 2, 1823, gave to the
World the famous MONROE DOCTRINE, which is this:--
_To the defense of our own [Government], which has been achieved by
the loss of so much blood and treasure ... and under which we have
enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole Nation is devoted._
_That the American continents, by the free and independent
conditions which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth
not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any
European Powers...._
_We should consider any attempt on their part to extend their
system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace
and safety._ ...
_But with the Governments (the Spanish American Republics) who have
declared their Independence and maintained it, and whose
Independence we have ... acknowledged, we could not view any
interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in
any other manner their destiny by any European Power, in any other
light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward
the United States._ ...
This is the MONROE DOCTRINE.
AMERICA FOR THE AMERICANS, American Independence, is what it means.
WHAT ONE AMERICAN DID
_October 9, 1820_
Now, to return to South America and its struggle:
“That was bravely and cleverly done!” exclaimed Joseph Villamil.
Villamil was an American, a citizen of the United States, who had cast
in his lot with the Spanish-American Patriots. At his house in Guayaquil
(a city now a part of Ecuador) the local Patriots met to discuss plans.
The Province and city of Guayaquil lay on the northern border of Peru.
They were still under Spanish rule. They were garrisoned by 1500 Spanish
soldiers.
The Patriots decided to capture the garrison. So while San Martin was
preparing to besiege Lima, they set out from Villamil’s house, led by a
Venezuelan officer. Villamil accompanied them with a band of Englishmen
and North Americans, who were eager to help in the attack.
They took the garrison in double-quick time, and with very little
bloodshed at that, for scarcely eight men were killed.
“That was bravely and cleverly done!” said Villamil.
And that he himself had fought bravely and cleverly during the attack,
was soon proven, for the Provisional Government of Guayaquil despatched
him aboard a schooner to carry the good news to Lord Cochrane and San
Martin.
Some time after, there took place at Guayaquil one of the most amazing
meetings the world has ever seen.
THE AMAZING MEETING
This amazing meeting at Guayaquil, was like the dramatic climax of an
exciting story.
There was a mystery in it.
It happened a few months after the freeing of Guayaquil. The people of
the city, dressed in their gayest clothes, were crowding along the
streets, and craning their necks to watch for a procession.
Triumphal arches spanned the streets. On each arch was inscribed:--
BOLIVAR!
And while the people watched eagerly, lo, the new white and blue flag of
independent Guayaquil was hauled down from the gunboats on the river,
and in its place were run up the red, yellow, and blue colours of the
great new Republic of Colombia, which had just been formed to the North
of Guayaquil.
Then there was a sudden burst of military music, and under the
triumphal arches marched a procession of officers in brilliant uniforms
and soldiers with bayonets. And astride his war-horse, cocked hat in
hand, rode Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan Liberator, small, erect, and
elegant.
He had been leading his conquering Army down from the North, driving out
the Spaniards; while at the same time, San Martin had been freeing the
Republics of Argentina and Chile and convoying his Army up from the
South to the liberation of Peru.
It was General Bolivar who had founded the new and great Republic of
Colombia, and had given it a constitutional government. He was now come
to Guayaquil on his way to liberate Peru.
He rode thus proudly under the arches that bore his name. His alert,
bright, black eyes turned to the right and left as he took in every
detail around him.
Soon after this, the Amazing Meeting took place.
San Martin the Protector arrived at Guayaquil to confer with Bolivar.
Strong Spanish forces were gathering in Peru, concentrating for a
terrible, and final struggle. San Martin’s Army had been weakened by
disease and losses. He was now come to ask Bolivar to join his forces
with the Patriot Army in Peru and so help bring the war to a quick,
decisive end.
Thus the two great Patriots met in the gayly decked tropic city. One had
liberated all the northern part of Spanish America, the other had
brought Independence to two southern Republics: Bolivar small, alert,
sagacious, of vivid personality and iron will impatient of restraint,
elegantly clad in full dress uniform; San Martin, stalwart, earnest,
simple, yet strong, dressed in plain garments.
On the result of their conference, hung the completed Freedom of all
Spanish America.
They were left alone.
They conferred for more than an hour.
No one knew what they discussed. But those who caught glimpses of them,
said that Bolivar seemed agitated, while San Martin was grave and calm.
After the conference, San Martin sent his baggage back to the ship.
The next day, they conferred again.
Again, nobody knew what they discussed.
That night, San Martin went aboard his ship, and sailed for Peru.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARD
Then came the results of that Amazing Meeting.
San Martin returned to Peru, and announced that Bolivar was coming with
his Army to aid the Country. He then resigned his command, refusing all
the honours heaped upon him by the grateful Peruvian Government. But, he
said, that if the Republic of Peru were ever in danger, he would glory
in joining as a citizen in her defense.
Then, to the sorrowing Peruvian People, he issued a farewell address,
assuring them, that since their Independence was secured, he was now
about to fulfil his sacred promise and leave them to govern themselves,
adding:--
“_God grant that success may preside over your destinies, and that
you may reach the summit of felicity and peace._”
That same night, San Martin mounted his horse and rode away into the
darkness. He had left Peru forever.
He passed through Chile and laid down his command; then he crossed the
Andes to rest for a while on his little farm at Mendoza.
There the terrible news reached him that his wife had died in Buenos
Aires. All that she had meant to him, he himself expressed in the simple
words:--
“The wife and friend of General San Martin.”
His trials were not yet over. For on his reaching Buenos Aires, its
officials met him coldly and scornfully. Then San Martin, ill,
sorrowful, and forsaken, took his little daughter in his arms, and
going aboard a ship sailed for Europe. Thus he left Argentina, and went
into voluntary exile.
He never saw Buenos Aires again. Five years later, longing to retire
quietly on his farm at Mendoza, he returned to Argentina. He never left
the ship. He learned that if he did so, old political factions would
rise up again, and civil war might threaten Argentina. So he sailed back
to Europe.
There he looked after his daughter’s education. And in his old age, he
lived comfortably in a small country house on the bank of the Seine. He
cared for his garden, tended his flowers, and read his books, until his
sight began to fail.
At the age of seventy-two, still a voluntary exile for the good of his
Country, he died in his dear daughter’s arms.
“I desire,” said he, “that my heart should rest in Buenos Aires.”
THE MYSTERY SOLVED
What was the mystery, that had made San Martin at the height of his
success, bow his head in silence and go into voluntary exile?
His enemies reviled him. Even some of his friends accused him of
deserting his post in time of need. But he neither complained nor
explained.
A great act of self-abnegation may not be hidden forever. Years passed
by, then San Martin’s noble purpose came to light.
At that Amazing Meeting, after he and Bolivar had exchanged opposing
views as to the best form of government for Spanish America, they began
to discuss the liberation of Peru.
Bolivar refused to enter Peru or to allow his Army to do so without the
consent of the Congress of Colombia. He politely offered to lend San
Martin a few troops, altogether too few to aid in the subjection of the
large Spanish forces gathering in Peru for the final decisive struggle.