safely in this city. On the 18th of last month I sailed from Valparaiso,
and after a pleasant passage of ten days we cast anchor in Callao Bay.
Callao is an excellent harbour, the best I have yet seen. It will hold
almost any number of ships riding in great safety. It is well defended
from all winds except the north, but it scarcely ever blows from that
quarter. In consequence of an order from the Government that no
passengers should be allowed to land until they receive a licence or
passport from Lima, I had to defer my coming here till the day after our
arrival; I got permission, however, from the captain of the port to go
on shore. After viewing Callao, I went to take a view of the place where
the former Callao stood, which was destroyed by the earthquake, of which
of course you have read. Its site is about half a mile from where the
present town stands. The destruction seems to have been complete. Not a
house is now standing; but walls of houses of considerable thickness are
to be seen scattered all over the place. Some of these are lying _flat_,
and others are half turned over. How weak is man, and all his works, when
God arises to shake the earth!
On the day on which I arrived in this city, I called on San Martin,
and delivered him the letters of introduction which I had brought from
Chile. He opened one of the letters, and observing its purport, said “Mr.
Thomson! I am extremely glad to see you;” and he rose up, and gave me a
very hearty embrace. He would not, he said, be lavish in compliments,
but would assure me of his great satisfaction at my arrival; and said,
that nothing should be wanting on his part to further the object which
had brought me to Peru. Next day as I was sitting in my room, a carriage
stopped at the door, and my little boy came running in crying, San
Martin! San Martin! In a moment he entered the room, accompanied by one
of his ministers. I would have had him step into another apartment of
the house more suited to his reception; but he said the room was very
well, and sat down on the first chair he reached. We conversed about
our schools, and other similar objects for some time; and in going away
he desired me to call on him next morning, and said he would introduce
me to the Marquis of Truxillo, who is at present what is called the
Supreme Deputy or Regent. I called on him accordingly next morning, and
he took me with him and introduced me to the Marquis, and to each of the
ministers.
From all the members of the government I have received great
encouragement. On the 6th current an order was issued relative to our
schools, and published in the Lima Gazette of the same date. I am going
to write Mr. Millar to-morrow, and shall give him a translation of this
order or decree, a copy of which will of course be sent you. By this
order one of the convents is appropriated to the schools, and is now in
our possession. I believe the convents here will decrease in number as
the schools multiply. There is no contest or balancing of powers between
the civil and ecclesiastical powers in this place. The former has the
latter entirely at their nod. The case in regard to this convent is a
proof of what I have said. The order for the friars to remove was given
on Saturday, on Monday they began to remove, and on Tuesday the keys
were delivered up.
From all I have seen during the short time I have been here, I cannot
doubt of the great benefits which this country will derive from the new
state of things. San Martin and his first minister, (and also the others)
seem truly anxious to characterize the times by improvements—by solid
improvements. They wish to encourage foreigners, and to improve the state
of the country in every point of view. I have already mentioned to you my
representation made to the Chilian government just before leaving that
place, regarding the bringing out of tradesmen and farmers. I showed a
copy of this representation to San Martin; he read it very carefully
over, and concluded by saying, “Excellent!” He then told me what was his
opinion on the subject, and proposed a plan for carrying it into effect,
much more likely to succeed than the one I had stated. I am to draw up
this plan in order, and to present it to him, that it may be sanctioned
and carried into effect. I therefore consider this matter, so far as
regards Peru, as fairly begun. The particulars of the plan I may send you
afterwards. In the mean time, that you may see that in these matters I am
not losing sight of my chief object, I shall mention to you one sentence
of the representation referred to. It is this, “The men who will be most
useful to South America, are men truly religious and of sound morality.”
The minister of Chile, upon reading this sentence, said, “That is very
true;” and San Martin expressed himself in a similar manner upon my
stating the same thing to him.
What an immeasurable field is South America; and how white it is to
the harvest! I have told you this repeatedly, but I have a pleasure in
telling it to you again. I do think that, since the world began, there
never was so fine a field for the exercise of benevolence in all its
parts. The man of science, the moralist, the christian, have all fine
scope here for their talents. God, who has opened such a door, will
surely provide labourers.
My present intention is to continue here about six months, and then to
move on northwards. I may, however, be kept longer here than I intend,
but I am anxious to get to England as soon as possible. My stay here
will depend much on the facility or difficulty of obtaining good masters
for the school. This I find, from experience, a matter of so great
importance, that I intend to pay every attention to it; and I have it now
in my power more than ever to do so, having represented to the government
the necessity of encouragement, by offering employment and a good salary
to those who thoroughly study the system, and are able to put it in
practice; and this encouragement I am authorised to give.
* * * * *
_Lima, 12th July, 1822._
My last letter to you was written a few days before my leaving Chile. I
then apprized you of the state of things there at that time, and of my
intention of setting out for this place. Through the blessing of God, I
arrived safely in this country on the 28th of last month, and have now to
state to you how things look here, in reference to that truly important
object—EDUCATION.
I believe I told you, some time ago, that from various circumstances I
expected every encouragement would be given to our object here by San
Martin. I have not been disappointed in this. My expectations have all
been fulfilled, and more than fulfilled. San Martin is most _decidedly_ a
friend to general, to universal education. I hope none of the members of
the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society will be offended,
but rather gratified, when I say, that they are not more friendly to
this object than San Martin. Because I have come to Peru to promote this
object, I have received from him every mark of respect and personal
attention, as well as every encouragement to proceed in this work. The
Marquis of Truxillo, and each of the ministers of government, feel deeply
interested in the same object. Blessed be God for this encouragement. In
his hand are the hearts of all, and he inclineth them to whatsoever he
will. Surely the days draw nigh, when ignorance shall be ashamed to walk
about any where in open day. May the glorious war now waged against her
be a war of extermination. It will I trust be so, and when this enemy
of mankind shall be slain, the British and Foreign School Society shall
be clothed with her spoils, and be crowned with never fading laurel. Is
it wrong to indulge pleasing prospects of the future amelioration of
mankind? Is it sinful to cherish the hope of better times for this poor
unfortunate world? I think it is not. If it is right to pray “Thy will
be done on earth, as it is done in heaven,” it cannot be wrong to expect
that this prayer, daily reiterated from the mouth of thousands, will one
day be heard, and be answered in all its extent; and when the will of God
is done in this world, as it is done above, then shall the felicity on
earth resemble the felicity of heaven.
The following is a translation of a decree of this government relative
to the Schools, and which was published in the Lima Gazette of the 6th
current.
“Preamble.—Without education there is properly speaking no society. Men
may indeed live together without it, but they cannot know the extent of
the duties, and the rights which bind them one to another, and it is in
the right knowledge of these duties and rights that the well being of
society consists. The bringing of education to any degree of perfection,
is, from the nature of the thing, slow. To accomplish it, time is
required, and some degree of stability in the government, as well as some
other circumstances, both natural and moral. All these must combine, in
order that the education of the people may become general, and that thus
a foundation may be laid for the continuance of those Institutions which
may be established among them. Of the various improvements which the
government has been desirous of making, none has been more earnestly and
constantly kept in view since the moment of its commencement, than the
reformation of public education. In those intervals of tranquillity which
have been enjoyed from the clamour of arms, this object has occupied
their attention; and though the sun has not stood still, they have found
in activity the secret of doubling the length of the day.
“It has already been announced, in various decrees of the government,
that the introduction of the Lancasterian system in the public schools,
was one of the plans in meditation. It is not yet possible to calculate
the revolution which will be produced in the world by this system of
mutual instruction, on its becoming general throughout the civilized
world. When this shall take place, ignorance shall come to an end, or at
least shall be reduced to certain limits, beyond which it shall never be
allowed to pass. The time is now arrived for setting this system agoing
in this place, and the commencing of it is worthy of the month of July—a
month in which posterity will record many events of importance; and we
trust they will do us the justice to declare, that we have desired to
make this time memorable by deeds which philosophy applauds, and which
spring from the noblest principles of all human actions, namely, the love
of glory, founded on promoting the prosperity and happiness of mankind.
The above are the reasons on which the following decree is founded.
“The Supreme Deputy, with the advice of the Privy Council,
decrees—
“1. There shall be established a central or principal school,
according to the Lancasterian system, under the direction of
Mr. Thomson.
“2. The convent or college of St. Thomas shall be appropriated
to this purpose. The friars at present residing in it shall
remove to the large convent of St. Dominic, leaving only so
many as are necessary for the service of the church attached to
it.
“3. In this establishment the elementary parts of education
shall be taught, together with the modern languages. The
teachers necessary for this purpose shall be appointed
agreeably to the arrangements which will be pointed out in the
plan for the National Institute of Peru.
“4. At the expiration of six months all the public schools
shall be shut, which are not conducted according to the system
of mutual instruction.
“5. All the masters of the public schools shall attend the
central school with two of their most advanced pupils, in order
to be instructed in the new system; and in studying it they
shall attend to the method prescribed by the director of the
establishment.
“6. As soon as the director of the central school shall have
instructed a sufficient number of teachers, these shall be
employed, with competent salaries, in establishing public
schools on the same principles in the capital city of each
province of the state.
“7. At the first public examination which shall take place in
the central school, those masters who have been most attentive
in learning the system, and shall have made such progress as to
be able to conduct schools according to it, shall receive the
reward of a gold medal, to be ordered for that purpose by the
Minister of State.
“8. For the preservation and extension of the new system
the Patriotic Society of Lima is particularly requested and
commissioned to take such measures as may be considered
necessary for these purposes; and they are desired to make
known to the government those things in which its co-operation
may be required, in order effectually to carry forward this
important object.
“9. In order that the advantages of this system of education
may be extended to the female sex, which the Spanish government
has always treated with culpable neglect, it is particularly
recommended to the Patriotic Society to take into consideration
the most likely means for establishing a central school for the
instruction of girls.
“10. The salary of the director, and the other expenses
necessary for this establishment, shall be defrayed by the
government. The Minister of State is authorized to issue all
the orders necessary for the punctual fulfilment of this decree.
“Given in the government palace in Lima, 6th July, 1822.
(Signed)
“TRUXILLO.
“By order of his Excellency, countersigned,
“B. MONTEAGUDO.”
As we go on in our operations, I shall communicate to you the result.
* * * * *
_Lima, 4th September, 1822._
The _first_ of September has returned, and has gone by. I have not,
however, failed in seizing an opportunity of writing you according to
our agreement. You know, I dare say, that we have not a post that leaves
Lima every morning for England. A vessel goes now and then from Callao
to Valparaiso, and through these two places, and across the Andes, and
through Buenos Aires, my letters to you are now obliged to travel. No
vessel has sailed for Chile since the 1st current; but in a few days the
French frigate lying here is to sail for Valparaiso.
I have now been upwards of two months in this city, and have all the
while enjoyed my health very well. I am inclined to think this climate
is better than I was led to expect from the accounts I had heard of
it. The tertian ague, however, is a disease very common, especially
during summer. Of the Englishmen I know here, three have had it since my
arrival. The general opinion, I think, is, that with great regularity
of living, this place is not unhealthy; but that the effects of
irregularity in the general mode of living, is more hurtful here than
in most other places. A good police would certainly contribute greatly
to the healthiness of this city. This will be enjoyed, I believe, in
due time; but the Government has so many things at present to do, that
some time may elapse before that improvement takes place. This is the
largest city I have yet seen in South America, and I believe there is
none larger in it. I do not, of course, include Mexico, which is in
North America. The houses here, and the general appearance of the city,
have a more commanding and richer aspect than what is met with in Buenos
Aires or Santiago de Chile. The general appearance of the population,
however, I think, is considerably inferior to what is seen in these two
places, particularly in the latter. One thing which contributes to this
difference, is the considerable proportion of slaves here. In Buenos
Aires, there are a good many of this class of our fellow-men, but fewer
than in Lima and Santiago; and in Chile, in general, there are very few;
and this is one thing which inclines me to prefer the general appearance
of Santiago to the other two cities I have mentioned.
About three weeks after my arrival here, San Martin set out for Quito, to
have an interview with Bolivar. They met in Guayaquil, as the President
of Colombia had left Quito, and reached that place before San Martin
landed. The interview was, I dare say, interesting, and I trust it will
be productive of good effects for the two countries of which they are the
Governors, and also for South America in general. A good understanding,
I trust, will be kept up between the nations of this continent, and war
in it I hope will be a thing as rare, and rarer than peace has been in
Europe. San Martin returned a few days ago, and has since re-assumed
the reins of Government, as “Protector of the liberty of Peru.” Every
exertion is making here for the formation of a congress. The greater part
of the representatives are already elected. All the liberated provinces
elect their own members for congress freely; the right of voting is,
I believe, much the same as in the United States. Representatives are
chosen for those provinces still under the dominion of the Spanish
army, from among the inhabitants of those places at present residing
in Lima. A fair representation seems to be desired and sought for, and
I hope will be attained in a considerable degree. All acts emanating
from such a body will, of course, give more general satisfaction, than
if the representation were partial. I do not trouble you with my views
of governments, whether monarchical or republican. Certainly, on this
subject, “much may be said on both sides.” Without fixing my mind for or
against this or that form of government, I am strongly in the opinion of
Pope, where he says, “Whate’er is best administered is best.” I do not
think, however, that all are fools, (as he insinuates) who, “for forms
of government contest.” The sum of the matter and the truth is, that
honesty and uprightness are more required, and have been less found in
all governments than any thing else. Wisdom, therefore, requires, that
such measures should be taken in arranging the form of government, as may
secure good conduct in governors, in the greatest possible degree.
There were some suspicions, some time ago, and some flying words, which,
if true, would have led one to suppose that San Martin wished to form
Peru into a monarchy. Who was to be king according to these reports,
I need not inform you, as I suppose you will find no difficulty in
guessing it at the first trial. The prime minister was of course in
the secret, if there was any such thing in hand. With this individual,
on other grounds, there was a good deal of dissatisfaction. This
dissatisfaction openly broke out a few weeks ago, on account of his
interfering in the election of representatives for this city. The
consequence was, that a petition was presented to the Marquis of
Truxillo, requesting that the minister might be immediately dismissed.
This petition was signed by so many of the respectable and powerful
inhabitants of the place, and presented with such firmness, that it had
the desired effect. The minister resigned before the petitioners left
the palace, and in a few days after, he was sent off by sea to Panama.
All this took place in San Martin’s absence, and the leaders in it were
the republican party. San Martin has very wisely fallen in with these
measures since his return, and has confirmed the new minister in his
situation. A republic, I think, is the general wish of the people, and as
the form of government is to be determined by the Congress, I have little
doubt of what the result will be.
You know, I dare say, that Colombia is free. The longest and severest
struggle of South America has been in that quarter. The first news
I heard on casting anchor in Callao, was that Quito had fallen into
the hands of the patriots. I think Bolivar, who has been the chief
instrument in the Colombian contest, is a great man. I was not at the
interview between him and San Martin, that I might take their comparative
dimensions at one view; but I may observe, that the general opinion, from
a view of the operations of both, is in favour of the Northern Chief. As
far as my own information and knowledge of each extends, I fall in with
this opinion. I do so, not from any dissatisfaction with San Martin. He
is to me, and has been uniformly, more than I could have expected, and I
may say, all I could wish. I believe both of these men are most sincerely
desirous of the real welfare of the countries which they respectively
govern, and of South America. There is no unholy alliance yet formed
in this country, and I think there never will. On all hands, light and
information are encouraged, sought after, and promoted. Knowledge, rich
with the spoils of time, has just unrolled her ample page in this city,
in a public library. This public institution is very respectably got up,
and already possesses a number of the best works in the various branches
of literature. It is inferior to the similar institution in Buenos
Aires; but superior, if we consider the short reign of civil, literary,
and religious freedom in Peru. Every individual is free to attend this
library every week-day, from 8 to 1, and from 4 to 6, without expense;
and every book in it is at his command during that time. This one view
of the present state of things here, shows at once the immense advantages
gained here by the revolution, and the blessings that tread in the steps
of liberty. I shall add one thing more to confirm what I have just said.
The Bible is now publicly sold at a short distance from the place where
used to sit the dreadful Inquisition. Perish all unrighteousness from the
earth! May the knowledge and love of God every where abound!
* * * * *
_Lima, 9th Nov. 1822._