these were lights which enabled them, the more distinctly, to see their condition. As early as 1805, an extensive plan is said to have been formed by a lawyer of Cusco, of the name of Ubalde, but which was detected, and its author publicly executed. The fact proves, that among the enlightened, the independence of their country from Spain was really meditated; but the first revolutionary movements were similar to those which took place in other parts of South America; ostensibly, with the intention of taking care of themselves, and preventing their country from falling into the hands of the French. The utmost devotion was manifested in favor of Ferdinand, but they thought themselves equally entitled to establish juntas, and act in his name, with other parts of the Spanish dominions. The first step is every thing. This singular juncture in Spanish affairs, enabled the bold spirits who entertained the idea of independence, to take the first step towards that object, under the banners of the European sovereign, round which the whole population would rally; and if those who penetrated the designs of the first movers, ventured to oppose, their loyalty, itself, afforded a just ground of suspicion.

The junta tuitiva of La Paz, was established in March, 1809; but as the principal actors were Americans, their conduct was disapproved of by the Spaniards, although a junta professing similar views, had been established in Monte Video, but composed of Spaniards. Their manifesto alleged their equal right with other Spanish cities, to establish a junta until the restoration of the monarch; especially at a time when attempts were made by the agents of the princess Charlotte, to place her in possession of the

country. The patriots proceeded to organise a government, and to raise forces for their defence, as they were immediately denounced by the Spaniards. Cisneros, the viceroy of La Plata, dispatched a force from Buenos Ayres, under Nieto; who was appointed president of the audiencia; an army was at the same time, marched from Lima under the command of Goyneche. Nieto carried the city by storm, and immediately proceeded to execute "bloody vengeance," on the principal inhabitants. The revolution which occurred about this time in Buenos Ayres, prevented him from carrying into operation his plans of proscription in their full extent; the remains of the patriot forces of La Paz, under the command of Lanzas and Rodrigues, retired to the forests of Yrupani, whither they were pursued by the royal forces, and gradually wasted in battle or by famine.

The first step after the revolution of the 25th of May, 1810, at Buenos Ayres, was to march a force towards the upper provinces. General Ocampo proceeded at the head of a thousand men, to which the title of auxiliary army of Peru, was given. Concha and Liniers were defeated in Cordova, were taken, and in retaliation for the murders committed by Nieto and Goyneche, were executed. The numbers of the auxiliary army rapidly increased as it advanced towards Peru, and was hailed with enthusiasm wereever it appeared. General Balcarce arriving with a reinforcement, found himself sufficiently strong to meet the Spaniards. Balcarce attacked the Spanish intrenchments at Suipacha, and gained a complete victory. Nieto, and other Spanish leaders, were taken, and put to death for the same reason that this

sentence was executed on Concha and Liniers. The whole of the audiencia was almost instantly revolutionized, and the Spanish forces, under Goyneche, compelled to cross the Desaguadero; the boundary line between the two viceroyalties. The patriot army consisted of six thousand men, under Balcarce, as commander in chief, and generals Viamonte, Dias Veles, and Rivero. The army of the royalists, was about equal in numbers. The success of the patriots had lulled them into a security, which was taken advantage of by Goyneche. Castelli, who had accompanied the patriot army as the representative of the junta, listened to an offer of negotiation from Goyneche. An armistice was, unfortunately agreed upon, at the very moment when the fire of the revolution was beginning to blaze throughout the neighboring viceroyalty—the nerves of the patriots were unstrung at the time when they ought to have been braced to the utmost; they resigned themselves to the pleasing delusion, that the liberties of their country were already fixed. "They celebrated the anniversary of the revolution on the magnificent ruins of the palace of Inca Mayta Capac, at Tiaguenaco, singing hymns to their country and to liberty." On the other hand, Goyneche prepared for a treacherous attack, before the expiration of the armistice; at the same time, turning to his advantage, among the superstitious and ignorant, the comparative irreverence for religion in the soldiery of Buenos Ayres. "The auxiliaries of Buenos Ayres," says Pazos, "were more expert troops than the Peruvians, and were possessed of more vivacity of genius; their wars with the English, had given them a martial air and spirit, and their commerce, their inter

course with foreigners, and other circumstances, had rendered them more liberal in their opinions; particularly in matters of religious worship practised by the Peruvians, which consist chiefly in external forms and superstitious ceremonies." Goyneche persuaded many of these deluded people, that the Buenos Ayreans had come for the purpose of destroying their religion. He, also, proclaimed the virgin del Carmen, the commander in chief of his army; he contenting himself with acting as her lieutenant.* These gross superstitions, when preached by fanatic monks, had considerable effect on the lower classes of Peruvians. Thus prepared, Goyneche unexpectedly attacked the patriots at Huaqui, on the 20th of July, and completely routed them. The author of "The Outline," attributes this defeat, in part, to the unfortunate dissensions which had by this time begun to shew themselves at Buenos Ayres, between what was called the Moreno and the Saavedra factions, and which spread to the army; Dias Velis and Balcarce, being of the first, and Viamonte attached to the second.

Goyneche took possession of La Paz, and several of the neighboring cities, but his progress was greatly impeded by the bands of guerillas which continually harassed his marches. These bands were particularly numerous in Cochabamba, Chayanta, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Enraged at this opposition, he fell upon the plan of putting his prisoners to death; and in order to strike terror into the country, is said to have siezed and shot many of the market people,

*These circumstances are alluded to in the manifesto of independence.

and cut off the ears of great numbers.* His progress to the southward was, notwithstanding, extremely difficult. Pueyrredon, who had been appointed governor of Cordova, shortly after the revolution, was now sent as president of Chàrcas, with some reinforcements, with a view, if possible, to make a stand against the royalists. But he found every thing in such disorder, and the patriot forces so completely broken, that nothing was left to him but to collect its fragments, and fall back on Salta. The retreat was executed in such a manner as to entitle him to applause; having saved the wreck of the army, brought off a large sum of public money, and secured the means of organizing a new force; for, in its present state, it was found impracticable to maintain his ground against the superior force of Goyneche.t

Pueyrredon being called to take part in the administration of the government, he was succeeded by general Belgrano; who reached Salta with reinforcements, and military supplies, but on the approach of the royalists, withdrew to Tucuman, where, on the 24th of September, 1812, he was attacked by the Spanish general Tristan. With the assistance of the volunteers and militia of the city and vicinage, he gained a complete victory. Tristan retreated to

* See the manifesto of independence.

"The retreat made from Potosi, by colonel Pueyrredon, with the remnant of the army and the public property, was executed so heroically, that it deserves to be taken for a model." Funes, page 55.

This is, probably, one of the most brilliant actions fought during the revolution, especially as the combatants were chiefly private citizens opposed to regularly disciplined troops. The ap `pellation of campo del honor, has been given to the spot