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notwithstanding the separation of in his temper. But, on the other

the two crowns.

This judicious and liberal treaty, placed the independence of Brazil on the secure foundation of public law, and left the emperor nothing to apprehend from Europe. On the death of his father, and the descent of the Portuguese crown to himself, Pedro wisely renounced his rights in favor of his young daughter, Maria da Gloria, well judging that his condition, as emperor of Brazil, was better than to reign in Portugal with a divided interest; convinced, also, of the difficulty of keeping countries united, which nature designed to be separate and independent. In granting to Portugal a constitutional charter, as the condition of his renouncing the crown, his conduct seems hardly reconcileable to his character. But in other respects, as well as in this particular, his measures indicate that he is no ordinary man.

Tyrant as he is, it would seem, that, in establishing his monarchy in the new world, he ceased to partake of the incapacity, which marks so many of the royal families of Europe. The blood of Braganza is regenerated on American soil. Pedro is reputed to be conversant with science and the arts, more than is becoming in a legitimate prince. He is dissolute in his morals, it is true, and cruel

hand, he is brave and careless of danger; and zealously watches, in person, over the concerns of his army and navy, with energy deserving a better cause. Highly gifted in personal appearance, he adds to it an enterprise of action, vigor of intellect, and robustness of constitution, which well qualify him for the high part which he sustains, in the political drama of South America.

Before he became embroiled with the government of Rio de la Plata, he was in some danger of drawing upon him the enmity of Bolivar, with his victorious Colombian troops from Peru. Had not the Brazillian troops promptly evacuated Chiquitos, which they took possession of at the desire of D. Sebastian Ramos, the Spanish royalist governor; there is no doubt Sucre would have led his conquering legions into Mattogrosso. Pedro, therefore, anxiously disavowed the acts of his officers on the frontier, declaring his determination to preserve a strict neutrality in the contest, between the inhabitants of Spanish America and the mother country. So many accounts, having all the appearance of authenticity, ascribe to Bolivar a design to pass from Upper Peru into Brazil: that we incline to believe he had it in contemplation. We do not rely upon a pro

clamation to the Brazillians, which made its appearance, alleging to be from Bolivar, but bearing incontrovertible marks of forgery. Other documents, better entitled to credit, and coming to us through Bogota and Buenos Ayres, afford surer ground for the same belief. But the idea, if entertained, was abandoned, and Pedro was left to pursue his war against the patriots, unmolested by so formidable a foe. To comprehend the origin and merits of this dispute, we must review the previous history of the region called the Banda Oriental, lying on the eastern bank of the river La Plata, bounded towards the south and west by that river, and its branch the river Uruguay, and on the northeast by the Brazillian province of Rio Grande.

When the viceroyalty of Buenos Ayres raised the standard of independence, it is well known that Artigas maintained himself at Monte Video against the troops of Buenos Ayres, and compelled the latter, by a victory gained at Gaubiju, in 1815, to respect his flag, and acknowledge him as independent chief of the Banda Oriental. But hostilities arising between him and the Brazillians; the king of Portugal, after making great sacrifices, succeeded in driving Artigas beyond the Uruguay, and remained in possession of the Banda Oriental, claiming in right of con

quest, all the territory which that chief possessed, by admission of the government of Buenos Ayres.

In this state, things remained in the Banda Oriental for the space of four years. In 1821, the Brazillian government, apprehending, probably, some weakness in the province, summoned a congress at Monte Video, and induced the deputies to agree to an act for incorporating the province with the kingdom of Brazil and Portugal. When the Brazillian provinces invited Pedro to mount the throne, the cabildos, cities and troops of the Banda Oriental also proclaimed him, and took the oath of fidelity. From that period, the emperor retained possession of the province, until the spring of 1826.

At this time, general Le Cor commanded there for Pedro, with 2,000 troops, supported by a small naval squadron. But the inhabitants were wholly dissatisfied with their situation, preferring independence, probably, to any other political condition; but choosing to form a component member of the republic of the river Plate, rather than to be the subject of Brazil. One of the soldiers of Artigas, called Fructuoso Rivera, had entered the Brazillian service, and risen to the rank of brigadier. In concert with some private individuals in Buenos Ayres, he proclaimed independence April 27th, and speedily gain

ed possession of Maldonado. Soon afterwards, a small force, headed by a patriot of some distinction, D. Juan Antonio Lavalleja, set out from Buenos Ayres, landed on the eastern shore of the river, and forming a junction with Rivera, liberated the whole Banda Oriental, except the towns of Monte Video and Colonia.

Intelligence of these events reached Rio by the middle of May; and the government promptly despatched a reinforcement of 1,500 men to the succor of Monte Video. Their timely arrival, saved the city. During the summer months, the hostile operations of the two parties were inconsiderable; but in most of the engagements which took place, the patriots were victorious; and their cause constantly and rapidly went on, acquiring solidity and support. They kept a body of men near Colonia, commanded by D. Ignacio Oribe, whilst Lavalleja threatened Monte Video, and Rivera carried on the war in the vicinity of the Rio Negro.

Under these circumstances, a provisional government was organized in June, which held its meetings in the village of Florida. They appointed D. Manuel Calleros president of the province, and Lavalleja commander-in-chief, relying upon his influence to procure the protection of the government

of the United Provinces, or at least, aid from the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres. Whether Lavalleja acted upon his sole responsibility in undertaking the expedition, or not, does not appear; but, however this may be, the Orientalists received such assurances from him and other citizens of Buenos Ayres, that, in August, they passed resolutions, declaring their acts of submission to Brazil void, and demanding to be re-admitted into union with the provinces of the Rio de la Plata.

In the meantime, a Brazillian squadron commanded by admiral Lobo, arrived in the river, and despatched a communication to the executive government at Buenos Ayres, requiring explanation relative to the alleged interference of the republic, in behalf of the Banda Oriental. But Lobo having no proper credentials, the minister of the republic refused to hold a diplomatic correspondence with him, repelling, however, the charge of having assisted the patriots. Here the correspondence ended, with the admiral's signifying his intention of remaining off Buenos Ayres, to intercept any supplies designed to aid the insurgents, or act against Monte Video.

Without dwelling upon various skirmishes, and minor actions of no material consequence, individually, we come to the decisive battle of

Sarandi, which gave character and resolution, at once, to the revolutionists of the Banda Oriental. On the 12th of October, a body of Brazillian cavalry, consisting of two thousand soldiers, and commanded by colonel Ventos Manuel, encountered an equal force of patriots, on the coast of Sarandi, led by Lavalleja. The battle was a mere charge; for the patriots dashed impetuously upon the Brazillians, sword in had, and fought with their sabres alone, until, in a short time, they gained a complete victory. The imperialists lost about 1,000 men in killed and prisoners, together with 2,000 stand of arms, ten pieces of artillery, their horses, and a great quantity of munitions of war; while the whole loss of the patriots but little exceeded 100 So remarkable a difference in the loss of the two parties, might induce the reader to suspect some exaggeration in the victor's account of the battle, did we not know its peculiar circumstances. The fact is, that the Brazillians advanced at a canter, with their carbines ready to discharge, and their sabres remaining sheathed, expecting their antagonists would approach in the same order, and fire previous to coming to close quarters. Lavalleja, on the contrary, caused his men to draw their sabres, leaving their carbines swung across their backs for protection,

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and pushed them in among the Brazillians, at full gallop, regardless of the fire of the latter, so as to engage at once, hand to hand. The Brazillians, therefore, being taken unawares, had not sufficient time to throw away their carbines and draw their sabres, ere the patriots were in the midst of them, hewing down their disordered ranks.

Nothing could equal the rejoicings at Buenos Ayres, on receiving information of this splendid victory. The Argentine congress no longer hesitated what course to pursue. At their sitting, October 25th, they decreed to incorporate the Banda Oriental into the republic. Accordingly, the minister of foreign affairs notified the Brazillian government of this determination. He referred to the circumstance, that the inhabitants of that province, having recovered, by their own efforts, the freedom of the territory occupied by Don Pedro's forces, and established a regular government, had announced their solemn wish to be reunited to the Argentine provinces. The republic could not, without injustice to itself, abstain from the exercise of its indisputable rights to the province, nor leave its inhabitants to their fate. Congress had, therefore, resolved, that the Banda Oriental should be reincorporated in fact, with the United Provinces, to which it of right belonged, and

desired to belong; and stood pledged to provide for its defence and security. The republic did not seek a war with Brazil, and would strike only in self-defence; but would resolutely exert all the means in its power, to maintain the integrity and inviolability of its territory.

Pedro did not long delay in making a formal declaration of war, against the republic. Both among Brazillians, and foreigners, but one sentiment existed, in regard to war; all thinking it impolitic and unjust, and fearing it would be fatal to the imperial dynasty, if long continued. Nevertheless, the declaration of war was issued, December 30th, and the most vigorous efforts made for prosecuting it with effect. Pedro declared Buenos Ayres, and the other ports of the republic, in a state of rigorous blockade. In Rio, all were engaged in fitting out the navy, and enlarging the army; and to supply them with men, the government resorted to the odious expedient of impressment by force.

To judge of the lawless and arbitrary proceedings of the government on these occasions, a single incident is sufficient. The province of Ceara was suffering for want of provisions, occasioned by drought. The president of that province offered Pedro 2,000 recruits; and the latter immediately chartered vessels, for the transport

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Pedro alleged that the province of Banda Oriental, was a member of the Brazillian empire, by right of conquest from Artigas, and by the subsequent acts of its inhabitants, who had voluntarily 'annexed themselves to Brazil. He denied, that the Argentine republic had any claims upon the territory, because Buenos Ayres and the Banda Oriental being alike insurgent Spanish colonies, neither of them possessed any rights of supremacy over the other. Finally, he accused the republic, of having excited Fructuoso Rivera to revolt, and furnished Lavalleja with resources to fan the spark into flame. These are, in brief, the fundamental grounds, upon which Pedro rested the justice of his cause, in his long and circumstantial manifesto.

The simple truth is, that neither Buenos Ayres nor Brazil has any substantial title to the Banda Ori

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