TAMPERING WITH CHILIAN OFFICERS--THE ARCHBISHOP OF LIMA--HIS
EXPULSION--NEGOCIATION FOR SURRENDER OF THE FORTS--THIS
COUNTERACTED--SAN MARTIN'S BOMBASTIC PROCLAMATIONS--HIS REFUSAL TO
ENCOUNTER THE ENEMY--THE SPANIARDS RELIEVE CALLAO--DELUSIVE
PROCLAMATION--THE UNBLUSHING FALSEHOOD--SPANIARDS CARRY OFF THE
TREASURE--DISCONTENT OF THE SQUADRON.
Finding that I was indisposed to acknowledge his self-assumed authority,
and still less to contribute to measures which would, in effect, have
deprived Chili of the Navy, which by her patriotic sacrifices had been
created, the Protector issued a proclamation, again _promising_ the
payment of arrears to the seamen, and a pension for life to the
officers, _acknowledging them as officers of Peru_! No inference can be
drawn from this other than a direct intimation to the officers to desert
from the Chilian service.
The following are extracts from the proclamation, which was published in
a Gazette Extraordinary of August 17th, 1821:--
"The Army and Squadron of Chili united, have, at last, completed
the oath which they took, to liberate Peru, and have raised it to
the rank which justice and the interests of the world demand.
Their constancy and heroism will hand them down to posterity
with gratitude. I should be deficient in my political duty, did
I not manifest the appreciation due to their transcendent deeds,
promoting the interests of both hemispheres."
"1. The State of Peru acknowledges as a national debt the
arrears of the Army and Squadron, as well as the promises made by
me to both."
"2. All the property of the State, and also twenty per cent, on
the revenue, are pledged to the extinction of these debts."
"3. All the officers of the Army and Squadron who sailed with
the liberating expedition, and now remain in them, _are acknowledged
as officers of Peru_."
"4. Those comprehended in the preceding articles, and those
employed in the said cause, shall receive, during the period of their
lives, a pension of half their full pay, awarded on leaving Valparaiso,
which pension shall be paid even in the case of their settling in a
foreign country."
"5. All shall receive a medal," &c, &c.
Not a penny of the arrears and the other emoluments promised, was,
however, paid to the squadron; nor was any intended to be paid, the
object being to get the officers quietly to transfer themselves from the
Chilian squadron to the service of the Protector, on the strength of the
promises made: and, in this, he was ably seconded by his instruments,
Guise and Spry, who, in defiance of their desertion, and the sentence of
court-martial on the latter, had been retained near his person for the
accomplishment of this object.
One of the most fearless opponents of the Protector was the Archbishop
of Lima, an excellent man, much beloved by the people--who made no
secret of his indignation at the usurpation which had taken place,
despite all the promises of Chili, declared "before God and man"--as
well as those of the Protector himself, to "leave the Peruvians free as
regarded their own choice of Government." As the honest prelate
denounced, in no measured terms, the despotism which had been
established in the place of the liberty guaranteed, it was determined
to get rid of him.
The first step was an order to the Archbishop, dated August 22, 1821, to
close all the houses of spiritual exercises. This was politely refused;
but, at the same time, the prelate stated, that if any confessor
disturbed public order, he would take the requisite measures for his
punishment. On the 27th, the Archbishop was told in reply, that "the
Protector's orders were irrevocable, and he must at once decide on the
line of conduct he intended to adopt."
On the 1st of September, the prelate, in an admirable letter, told the
Protector, that "the principal obligation of a bishop was to defend the
deposit of doctrine and faith which had been confided to him, and, if
threatened by any great potentate, to remonstrate with respect and
submission, to the end that he might not be a participator in crime by a
cowardly condescension. God had constituted bishops as the pastors and
guards of the flock, and he tells us, that we are not to be cowards in
the presence of the greatest potentates on earth, but, if necessary, we
must shed our blood, and lay down our lives, in so just a cause;
anathematizing us, on the contrary, as dumb dogs who do not bark when
the spiritual health of the flock is in danger."
The end of this was, that the Protector urged on the Archbishop to
resign, promising him a vessel to convey him to Panama; relying on which
promise, he sent in his resignation, and was ordered to quit Lima in
twenty-four hours! As the promise of a conveyance to Panama was broken,
the Archbishop embarked in a merchant vessel for Rio de Janeiro,
addressing to me the following letter previous to his departure.
Chancay, Nov. 2, 1821.
My dear Lord,
The time is arrived for my return to Spain, the Protector
having granted me the necessary passport. The polite
attention which I owe to your Excellency, and the peculiar
qualifications which adorn and distinguish you, oblige me to
manifest to you my sincere regard and esteem.
In Spain, if God grant that I arrive in safety, I request that you
will deign to command me. On leaving this country, _I am convinced
that its independence is for ever sealed_. This I will represent to the
Spanish Government, and to the Papal See, and will do all in my
power to preserve the tranquillity, and to further the views, of the
inhabitants of America, who are dear to me.
Deign, my Lord, to receive these sentiments as emanating from
the sincerity of my heart, and command
Your obliged servant and Chaplain,
BARTOLOMÉ MARIA DE LAS HERAS.
This forcible expulsion of the Archbishop was an act of political folly,
as being tantamount to a declaration that he was too good a man to
countenance the designs of those who had usurped an unjust dominion over
his flock. Had the promises of Chili been carried out in their
integrity, both the Archbishop and his clergy would have used all their
influence to promote the cause of liberty--not more from interest than
inclination. The expression of the Archbishop, that "the independence of
Peru was _for ever_ sealed," was, however, erroneous. Tyranny is not
composed of enduring materials.
The Bishop of Guamanga, who resided at Lima, was also ordered to leave
Peru within eight days, without reason assigned, and thus the
opposition of the Church was got rid of, though not without deep feeling
on the part of the Limeños, who were, however, powerless to help their
clergy or themselves.
The affairs of the squadron becoming every day worse, and a mutinous
spirit being excited from actual destitution, I endeavoured to obtain
possession of the castles of Callao by negociation, offering to the
Spanish Commandant permission to depart with two-thirds of the property
contained in the fort, on condition of the remainder, together with the
forts, being given up to the Chilian squadron. My object was to supply
the crews with the absolute necessaries, of which they stood in need
from the evasive conduct of the Protector, who continued to withhold,
not only pay, but provisions, though the squadron had formed the ladder
on which he had ascended to his present elevated position. There were
large sums and a vast amount of plate in the possession of the Spanish
garrison,--the wealthy citizens of Lima--fearing their liberators--having
deposited both in the forts for security. A third of this would have
relieved us from our embarrassments. The vessels were, in fact, in want
of stores of every kind, their crews being without animal food, clothing,
or spirits, indeed their only means of subsistence was upon money
obtained from the Spanish fugitives, whom I permitted to ransom themselves
by surrendering a third only of the property with which they were escaping.
As soon as my offer to the Spanish Commandant, La Mar, became known to
the Protector--in order to counteract it, and ensure the success of his
design to starve out the Chilian squadron, and so procure its transfer
to himself--he offered La Mar unlimited and unconditional protection,
both as to persons and property, on purchase of letters of citizenship!
The Commandant, therefore, rejected my proposal, and the hope of
obtaining a sufficient sum for the payment of the seamen, and for
refitting the ships, was frustrated.
General San Martin afterwards accused me to the Chilian Government of
aiming at the possession of the fortress of Callao, for the purpose of
setting at defiance the Government of Peru! This was ridiculous; though,
had it been my object, it would have been perfectly consistent with my
duty to Chili, from which State the Protector of Peru had cast off his
allegiance. My object was simply to obtain means to subsist the
squadron; though, had I obtained possession of the forts, I would most
certainly have dictated to General San Martin the fulfilment of his
promises; and should as certainly have insisted on his performing his
solemn engagement to the Peruvians, of giving them the free choice of
their own government.
He also accused me of wishing to appropriate the sum proposed to be
surrendered by the Spanish Commandant to my own use, though the seamen
were in a state of mutiny from actual starvation! Instead of
contributing to this useful end, as before the Protector's interference
La Mar was not unwilling to do, the Spaniards were afterwards permitted
to retire unmolested with the whole of their treasure; and to this, the
most discreditable act which ever sullied the name of a military
commander, we now come. As the whole transaction has been well described
by another writer, who was present throughout, I prefer extracting his
words, in order to prevent any suspicion of mental bias which I may be
supposed to entertain on the subject:--
"The Spanish army at Janja, in the beginning of September,
spread alarm in Lima, from advices received of their movements.
It appeared that they were determined to attack the capital, and on
the 5th of September the following proclamation was issued at
head-quarters by the Protector:--"
"Inhabitants of Lima,"
"It appears that the justice of heaven, tired of tolerating for so long
a time the oppressors of Peru, now guides them to destruction. Three
hundred of those troops who have desolated so many towns, burnt so many
temples, and destroyed so many thousands of victims, are at San Mateo,
and two hundred more at San Damian. If they advance on this capital,
it will be with the design of immolating you to their vengeance (San
Martin had 12,000 troops to oppose them), and to force you to purchase
at a high price your decision, and enthusiasm for independence. Vain
hope! The valiant who have liberated the illustrious Lima, those who
protect her in the most difficult moments, know how to preserve her
against the fury of the Spanish army. Yes, inhabitants of this capital,
my troops will not abandon you; _they and myself are going to triumph
over that army which--thirsty of our blood and property, is advancing;
or we will perish with honour, for we will never witness your
disgrace_. In return for this noble devotion, and that it may receive
the favourable success of which it is worthy, all we require of you is,
union, tranquillity, and efficacious co-operation. This alone is
necessary to ensure the felicity and splendour of Peru."
"SAN MARTIN."
"On the morning of the 10th, Lord Cochrane received on board
the _O'Higgins_ an official communication, informing him that the
enemy was approaching the walls of Lima, and repeating the
request that his Lordship would send to the army every kind of
portable arms then on board the squadron, as well as the marines
and all volunteers; because the Protector was '_determined to bring
the enemy to an action, and either conquer or remain buried in the
ruins of what was Lima_.' This heroic note was, however, accompanied
by a private one from Monteagudo, containing a request that
the boats of the vessels of war might be kept in readiness, and a
look out placed on the beach of Boca Negra."
"Lord Cochrane immediately pressed forward to San Martin's
camp, where, being recognised by several officers, a murmur of
congratulation was heard, and even Guise and Spry exclaimed,
'We shall have some fighting now the Admiral is come.' General
Las Heras, acting as General-in-Chief, saluting the Admiral, begged
of him to endeavour to persuade the Protector to bring the enemy
to an action. His Lordship, on this, rode up to San Martin, and
taking him by the hand, in the most earnest manner entreated
him to attack the enemy without losing a single moment; his
entreaties were, however, in vain, the only answer received being--'My
resolutions are taken'--'_mis medidas están tomadas_.'"
"Notwithstanding this apathy, his Lordship remonstrated, stating
the situation in which he had, not five minutes before, observed the
enemy's infantry, and begged of the Protector to ascend an eminence
at the back of the house, and convince himself how easily a victory
might be obtained; but he only received the same cold reply--_mis
medidas están tomadas_.'"
"The clamour of the officers in the _patio_ of the house roused
San Martin, who called for his horse and mounted. In a moment
all was bustle, and the anticipated glow of victory shone in every
countenance. The order to arms was given, and instantly obeyed
by the whole army, amounting to about 12,000 men, including
guerillas, all anxious to begin the fight. The Protector beckoned
to the Admiral and General Las Heras, who immediately rode up to
him, hoping that he was either about to consult them respecting the
attack, or to inform them how it was to be conducted."
"At this moment a peasant approached San Martin on horseback,
the General with most unparalleled composure lending an
attentive ear to his communications as to where the enemy was
the day before! The Admiral, exasperated at so unnecessary a
waste of time, bade the peasant 'begone,' adding--'The General's
time is too important to be employed in listening to your
fooleries.' At this interruption, San Martin frowned on the
Admiral, and turning his horse rode up to the door of the house,
where he alighted and went in."
"Lord Cochrane then requested a private conference with San
Martin--which was the last time he ever spoke to him--and assured
him that it was not even then too late to attack the enemy, begging
and entreating that the opportunity might not be lost, and offering
himself to lead the cavalry. But to this he received the reply, 'I
alone am responsible for the liberties of Peru.'--_'Yo solo soy
responsable de la libertad del Peru_.' On this the Protector retired
to an inner apartment of the house to enjoy his customary _siesta_,
which was disturbed by General Las Heras, who came to receive orders,
and recalled to the attention of the Protector that the force was still
under arms, when San Martin ordered that the troops should receive
their rations!"
"Thus Gen. Cantarac, with 3,200 men, passed to the southward
of Lima--within half-musket shot of the protecting army of Peru,
composed of 12,000--entered the castles of Callao with a convoy of
cattle and provisions, where he refreshed and rested his troops for
six days, and then retired on the 15th, taking with him the _whole
of the vast treasure deposited therein by the Limeños_, and leisurely
retreating on the north side of Lima."
"After Cantarac had led his troops into the batteries of Callao,
the success was announced by the firing of guns and other demonstrations
which harrowed up the souls of the Chilian officers. The
patriot army thereupon passively occupied their old camp at the
Legua, between Callao and Lima."
"It would be an act of injustice not to mention that the second in
command, General Las Heras, disgusted with the result, left the
service of the Protector, and requested his passport to Chili, which
was granted; his example being followed by several officers of the army,
who, deeply wounded by what had taken place, preferred obscurity,
and even poverty, to further serving under such circumstances.
The British ship of war, _Superb_, was in the bay, and several of
the officers, expecting to see the decisive blow struck in Peru,
repaired to San Martin's head-quarters, and were astounded at the
coolness of a general, who, commanding 12,000 men, could abandon
a favourable position in which he might at least have intercepted
the convoy of cattle, and so at once have compelled the surrender of
Callao, instead of permitting them to pass without a single shot
being fired."[2]
[Footnote 2: "_Twenty years Residence in South America_," by W.B.
Stevenson. Vol. iii. London, 1825.]
The preceding extract, published in London by one who was by my side
during the whole affair, is perfectly correct. The Limeños were deeply
humiliated by the occurrence, nor was their annoyance mitigated by the
publication of the following proclamation in the ministerial Gazette of
the 19th, in which General San Martin informed them that he had beaten
the enemy and pursued the fugitives! though, the said enemy had relieved
and reinforced the fortress, and then coolly walked off unmolested with
plate and money to the amount of many millions of dollars; in fact, the
whole wealth of Lima, which, as has been said, was deposited by the
inhabitants in the fortress for security.
Limeños,
It is now fifteen days since the liberating army left the
capital, resolved not to permit that even the shadow of the Spanish
flag should again darken the illustrious city of Lima. The enemy
haughtily descended the mountains, filled with the calculations they
had formed in their ignorant meditations. They fancied that to
appear before our camp was enough to conquer us; but they found
_valour armed with prudence_! They acknowledged their inferiority.
_They trembled at the idea of the hour of battle, and profited by the
hour of darkness_!! and they sought an asylum in Callao. My army
began its march, and at the end of eight days the enemy has had to
fly precipitately--convinced of their impotency to try the fortune of
war, or to remain in the position they held.
The desertion which they experience ensures us that, before they
reach the mountains, there will only exist a handful of men, terrified
and confounded with the remembrance of the colossal power which
they had a year ago, and which has now disappeared like the fury of
the waves of the sea at the dawn of a serene morning. _The liberating
army pursues the fugitives. They shall he dissolved or beaten_.
At all events, the capital of Peru shall never be profaned with the
footsteps of the enemies of America--_this truth is peremptory_. The
Spanish empire is at an end for ever. Peruvians! your destiny is
irrevocable; consolidate it by the constant exercise of those virtues
which you have shown in the epoch of conflicts. _You are independent_,
and nothing can prevent your being happy, if you will it
to be so,
SAN MARTIN.
To these monstrous assertions I only know one parallel, viz:--Falstaff's
version of his victory over the robbers at Gadshill. The Protector
asserts that "the shadow of the Spanish flag should never again darken
Lima." It nevertheless passed completely round the city within
half-musket shot. "The enemy thought that to view our camp was to
conquer us." They were only 3,000 to 12,000. "They trembled at the hour
of battle, _and profited by the hour of darkness_!" The fact being that
with droves of cattle and abundance of other provisions, they
triumphantly marched into Callao _at mid-day_! viz, from eleven A.M. to
three P.M. "The liberating army pursues the fugitives." This is the only
fact contained in the proclamation. The enemy _was_ pursued by 1,100
men, who followed them at a distance for ten miles, when Cantarac
suddenly facing about, let loose his cavalry at them, and nearly the
whole were cut up! The Spaniards in fact came to relieve Callao, and
fully effected their object.
Were not the preceding proclamation indelibly imprinted in the columns
of the ministerial Gazette, it would be deemed a malicious fabrication.
Yet the poor, _independent_ Limeños dared not utter a voice against
falsehood so palpable. Disarmed and betrayed, they were completely at
the mercy of the Protector, who, if he can be said to have had a motive
in not encountering the small force of Cantarac, no doubt founded it in
keeping his own troops intact for the further oppression of the unhappy
Limeños--with what effect we shall presently see.
This triumphant retreat of the Spanish force with its large amount of
treasure was a disaster which, after the Limeños had risen against the
tyranny of San Martin and forcibly expelled him from their city,
entailed the shedding of torrents of blood in Peru, for the Spaniards
were thus enabled to reorganize a force which would have subjected the
country to its ancient oppressors, had not the army of Colombia stepped
in to resist a common enemy. Even Chili trembled for her liberties, and,
after I had left the Pacific, begged me to return and check disasters
with which she was incompetent to grapple.
Had not the Protector prevented the Spanish Commandant, La Mar, from
accepting my offer of permitting him to retire with two-thirds of the
enormous treasure deposited in the fort, Chili would, at the lowest
computation, have received ten millions of dollars, whilst the Spaniards
would have retired with twenty millions. Surely this would have been
better than to permit them--as General San Martin did--to retire
unmolested with the whole.
Foiled in this attempt to relieve the necessities of the squadron,
whilst the Protector's Government pertinaciously refused to supply them,
it was impossible to keep the men from mutiny; even the officers--won
over by Guise and Spry, who paid midnightly visits to the ships for the
purpose--began to desert to the Protectoral Government.
The following letter, addressed to Monteagudo, will shew the state of
the matter as regarded the squadron:--
Most Excellent Sir,
I have written you an official letter to-day, by which
you will perceive that the consequences which I have long predicted
will have so far come to pass, as to render the removal of the
large ships of the squadron indispensable. If by a total neglect
of all I tell the Protectoral Government through you, things happen
prejudicial to the service, the Protector and yourself will at least do
me the justice to feel that I have done my duty; the base,
interested, and servile, for the promotion of their selfish views, may
clamour, but I regard them not.
I would send you the _original_ reports of the provisions and state
of the ships issued by the captains, but I must hold these for my
public justification, should such be necessary.
What is the meaning of all this, Monteagudo? Are these people
so base as to be determined to force the squadron to mutiny? And
are there others so blind as not to foresee the consequences? Ask
Sir Thomas Hardy, and the British captains, or any other officers,
what will be the result of such monstrous measures.
Believe me, with a heavy heart,
Yours, &c.
COCHRANE.