Chapter I: Front Matter

THE

EMANCIPATION OF SOUTH AMERICA

“Serás lo que debes ser,
Y sinó, no serás nada.”
SAN MARTIN.

THE EMANCIPATION OF
SOUTH AMERICA

_BEING A CONDENSED TRANSLATION_

BY

WILLIAM PILLING

OF

THE HISTORY OF SAN MARTIN

BY

GENERAL DON BARTOLOMÉ MITRE

FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

With Maps

LONDON: CHAPMAN & HALL, LTD.

1893

TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.

The title of this translation is the second title of the original “History of San Martin.” This transposition of title is an index to the relation which the translation bears to the original. This latter is truly a biography of San Martin, whose life could not be understood unless very full account were given of the events in which he took so prominent a part, therefore the biography is also a history.

No man who plays a prominent part in the history of a revolution can escape becoming involved in disputes with his contemporaries, and in many intricate questions which are of interest only to a very small number of their successors. These disputes and these questions greatly affect the career of a man, but have small influence upon the history of a Nation. Of such troubles San Martin had his full share, his biographer has entered fully into them, and with much detail has given proofs of the correctness of the view he takes of them. These details are, for the most part, suppressed in the translation, and all matters concerning San Martin himself are greatly curtailed, while prominence is given to the events of the times in which the scene passes. The translation is thus a history in which enter the biographies of the two principal personages, San Martin and Bolívar.

This translation is intended only for the general mass of English-speaking readers, to whom minute details are wearisome, and is thus in every part a condensation of the copious accounts which are given in the original of the stirring events described. The student of history will not find in it that ample information which he requires, in order fully to understand the subject in all its bearings; for him the original provides a mine of historic wealth, enriched as it is with notes and with a voluminous appendix.

WILLIAM PILLING.

LONDON, _March, 1893_.

CONTENTS.

.....PAGE

TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.....vii

PROLOGUE.....xxvii

CHAPTER I.

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

The Argument of the Book--Synopsis of the South American Revolution--The Action of America upon Europe--The Colonization of Spanish America--The Colonization of North America--Colonial Policy in both Americas--The Emancipation of North America--The Affiliation of the Revolution of South America--The Moral Revolution of South America--The Precursor of the Emancipation of South America--The Races of South America; the Creole--The First Throes of Revolution--The Growth of the Revolution--Attempts at Monarchy in South America--Retrospection.....1

CHAPTER II.

SAN MARTIN IN EUROPE AND IN AMERICA.

1778--1812.

His Birth and Parentage--Leaves for Spain--His Career in the Spanish Army--Africa--France--St. Vincent--Portugal--Cadiz--Society of Lautaro--Argonilla--Baylen--Tudela--Albuera--Lord Macduff--London--Buenos Ayres--Outbreak of the Revolution--Experiments in Government--The Influence of San Martin--Personal Appearance and Character of San Martin.....31

CHAPTER III.

THE LAUTARO LODGE.

1812--1813. PAGE

The First Triumvirate--Political Parties--The Mounted Grenadiers--Military School--The Lautaro Lodge--Battle of Tucuman--Revolution of 8th October--The Second Triumvirate--Military Plans.....43

CHAPTER IV.

SAN LORENZO.

1813--1814.

Battle of the Cerrito--Meeting of the Constituent Assembly--Reforms--Spanish Depredations on the Fluvial Coasts--The Action of San Lorenzo--Battle of Salta--Influence of the Lodge--Disasters of Vilcapugio and Ayohuma--Argentine Generals--San Martin takes Command of the Army of the North--Appointment of the Supreme Director.....53

CHAPTER V.

UPPER PERU.

1814.

The Problem of the Argentine Revolution--The Geography and Ethnology of Upper Peru--Outbreak and Progress of the Revolution in Upper Peru--Cruelties of the Spaniards--Composition of the Royalist Army--Arenales--His campaign from Cochabamba to Santa Cruz--Battle of La Florida--Results of these Operations.....64

CHAPTER VI.

THE WAR IN THE NORTH.

1814.

The Army of Tucuman--Preparations of Pezuela--Plans of San Martin--The New Military School--Popular Movement in Salta--Martin Güemes--The Gauchos of Salta--Operations of the Royalists--The Fall of Monte Video--Retreat of Pezuela--San Martin’s Secret Plan--His Illness--Is appointed Governor of Cuyo.....72

CHAPTER VII.

THE CHILENO-ARGENTINE REVOLUTION.

1810--1811.

Chilian and Argentine Society compared--Martinez Rozas--Popular Excitement--Loss of Power by Governor Carrasco--The South of Chile--O’Higgins--Deposition of Carrasco--Establishment of a Junta--Resemblances of the Two Revolutions--Argentine-Chilian Alliance--Freedom of Commerce--Mutiny in Santiago--Installation of the First General Congress--Defeat of the Radicals--Rozas at Conception.....80

CHAPTER VIII.

PROGRESS AND FALL OF THE CHILIAN REVOLUTION.

1811--1814.

The Three Carreras--A New Junta--Dissolution of Congress--Armed Protest by Rozas--Valdivia--The First Newspaper--Death of Rozas--The Chilian Flag--Carrera again Dictator--Abascal--Pareja lands at Valdivia--Battle of San Carlos--Siege of Chillán--O’Higgins made General-in-Chief--Argentine Auxiliaries--Arrival of Gainza--Lastra named Supreme Director--Capture of Talca--Mackenna at Membrillar--Defence of Quecheraguas--Mediation of the British Commodore--Treaty of Lircay--The Carreras again in Power--Invasion of Osorio--Siege of Rancagua--Flight of O’Higgins and Carrera.....91

CHAPTER IX.

CUYO.

1814--1815.

The District of Cuyo--Policy of San Martin--Reception of Chilian Refugees--Trouble with Carrera--Fall of Alvear--Cuyo becomes an Independent State--Self-sacrifice of the People of Cuyo--Revenues of Cuyo--Characteristics of San Martin--Anecdotes of San Martin--Royalist Successes--The Banquet at Mendoza.....108

CHAPTER X.

THE SPY SYSTEM OF THE PATRIOTS.

1815--1816.

The Restoration of Spanish Domination in Chile--Cruelties of the Royalists--Nationalist Reaction--The Plans of Abascal--San Martin establishes Secret Agencies in Chile--His Spy System--Preparations of the Chilian Patriots--Marcó del Pont--Manuel Rodriguez--Brown and the Argentine Privateers--Loss of the _Uribe_--Capture of the _Consequencia_--Blockade of Callao--Attack on Guayaquil--Loss of the _Trinidad_--Return of the Squadron.....117

CHAPTER XI.

THE IDEA OF THE PASSAGE OF THE ANDES.

1815--1816.

Opposition to the Plans of San Martin--He receives Permission to assume the Offensive--Also Supplies of Guns and War Material--Collects the Grenadiers--Balcarce Provisional Director--The Lodge in Mendoza--Tomas Guido.....124

CHAPTER XII.

THE ARMY OF THE ANDES.

1816--1817.

Composition of the Army--Freeing the Slaves--Fray Beltran--The Arsenal--Powder Factory--Cloth Factory--Pueyrredón elected President--Declaration of Independence--Interview at Córdoba--Condarco--Maps of the Passes of the Andes--Concentration of the Army--The Function of the 17th January, 1817--The Flag of the Army of the Andes.....126

CHAPTER XIII.

THE PASSAGE OF THE ANDES.

1817.

The Southern Andes--Passes of the Andes--Stratagems of San Martin--The Pehuenche Indians--Preparations of Marcó--Preparations at Mendoza--Pueyrredón--Detachments flanking the Main Army--Instructions from Government--The Sierra of Chacabuco--Occupation of Coquimbo by Cabot--Capture of Copiapó--Capture of Talca--March of the Main Army--The Affair at Pichueta--Capture of Achupallas--Juan Lavalle--Capture of the Guardia Vieja--Putaendo--Defeat of Atero--Concentration of the Army at the Foot of Chacabuco--The Judgment of Posterity.....132

CHAPTER XIV.

CHACABUCO.

1817.

The Sierra of Chacabuco--Atero occupies Chacabuco--Maroto appointed to command the Royalist Army--Moonlight March of the Patriots--The Royalist Vanguard driven in--Advance of the Main Body--Repulse of O’Higgins--Soler takes the Position in Flank--Total Rout of the Royalists--Barañao--Occupation of Santiago--O’Higgins elected Supreme Director--Marcó taken Prisoner--San Bruno shot--Reception of the News in Buenos Ayres--San Martin returns to Buenos Ayres.....144

CHAPTER XV.

THE FIRST CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH OF CHILE.

1817.

The Mistakes committed by San Martin--Ordoñez--Las Heras marches to the South--Occupation of Concepcion--The Action of Gavilán--O’Higgins takes Command--Freyre captures the Forts of Arauco--Treaty with the Indians of Arauco--Operations against Talcahuano--French Officers--The Assault of the Morro--Las Heras is withdrawn from the captured Outwork.....151

CHAPTER XVI.

ARGENTINE-CHILENO ALLIANCE.

1817.

Origin and Results of this Alliance--San Martin in Buenos Ayres--Carrera’s Trip to North America--His Return and Arrest by Pueyrredón--The Mission of Condarco to London--Quintana Deputy Director--Coinage of Chilian Money--“The Legion of Merit”--Guido as Argentine Representative--Irizarri appointed Chilian Agent in Europe--Monarchical Ideas--Chilian Jealousy of Argentine Influence--The Conspiracy of the Carreras--Two of the Brothers imprisoned at Mendoza--Life of San Martin at Santiago--The “Tertulias”--Commodore Bowles takes a Secret Agent to Lima.....157

CHAPTER XVII.

CANCHA-RAYADA.

1817--1818. PAGE

The Political State of Chile--Pezuela appointed Viceroy of Peru--His Policy--Osorio lands at Talcahuano with Reinforcements--The Patriot Forces--Retreat of O’Higgins--March of Osorio on Santiago--Proclamation of Independence--Concentration of the Patriot Army--Affair on the Lontué--Retreat of Osorio--The Halt at Talca--The Night Attack at Cancha-rayada--Dispersion of the Patriot Army--O’Higgins wounded--Masterly Retreat of Las Heras--Panic in the Capital--Return of O’Higgins and San Martin--Reorganization of the Army--The Camp on the Plain of Maipó.....165

CHAPTER XVIII.

MAIPÓ.

1818.

Confusion of the Royalists after Cancha-rayada--They march on Santiago--The Plain of Maipó--Position of the Patriots--Desertion of General Brayer--Battle of Maipó--Results of the Battle--Osorio collects a Small Force at Talcahuano--Zapiola takes Command in the South--Osorio evacuates Talcahuano.....174

CHAPTER XIX.

AFTER MAIPÓ.

1818.

Execution at Mendoza of Don Luis and Don Juan José Carrera--Constitutional Reform in Chile--Tragic Fate of Dr. Rodriguez--The Secret Correspondence of Osorio--San Martin leaves for Buenos Ayres--His Arrangements with Pueyrredón--Monarchical Illusions--Bolívar--Spain.....181

CHAPTER XX.

THE FIRST NAVAL CAMPAIGN ON THE PACIFIC.

1818.

The Naval Resources of Chile--Ships purchased by Government--Affair of the _Esmeralda_--Blanco Encalada--Another Convoy from Spain--The Mutiny of the _Trinidad_--The Chilian Squadron leaves Valparaiso--The Capture of the _Maria Isabel_--Capture of Five Transports--The Return of the Squadron--Cochrane--The Two Wives.....186

CHAPTER XXI.

THE REPASSAGE OF THE ANDES.

1818--1819.

The Last Campaign in Chile--Another Conspiracy of Carrera’s--Proclamation to the Peruvian People--Correspondence with Bolívar--San Martin withdraws a Division to Mendoza--The Tragedy at San Luis--Definite Arrangements for the Expedition to Peru--Retirement of Pueyrredón.....194

CHAPTER XXII.

COCHRANE--CALLAO--VALDIVIA.

1819--1820.

The Character of Cochrane--He sails for Callao--The Spanish Squadron--The First Attack on Callao--Loss of a Fireship--Capture of the _Montezuma_--Return to Valparaiso--Manufacture of War Rockets--Second Attack on Callao--Inefficiency of the Rockets--Guise captures Pisco--Death of Colonel Charles--Capture of Transports at Guayaquil--Escape of the _Prueba_--Cochrane’s New Scheme--Valdivia--Capture of the _Potrillo_--Reinforcements at Talcahuano--Return to Valdivia--Capture of the Southern Forts--Evacuation of the Northern Forts--Wreck of the _Intrepido_--Surrender of the City--Repulse at Chiloe--Return.....200

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE DISOBEDIENCE OF SAN MARTIN.

1819--1820.

The Perplexities of San Martin--Popular Sentiment in Spain--The Expedition assembling at Cadiz--Discontent among the Troops--O’Donnell crushes the Conspiracy--San Martin summoned to Buenos Ayres--His Proposal to O’Higgins and Cochrane--The Gaucho Chieftains--San Martin again ordered to Buenos Ayres--The Plans of Government--The Duc de Luca--Uprising of the Argentine People--San Martin still hesitates--Mutiny of the Army of the North--San Martin sends in his Resignation--Critique on his Behaviour.....210

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE CONVENTION OF RANCAGUA.

1820.

The Spanish Revolution of 1820--Return of San Martin to Chile--Mutiny of the Detachment at San Juan--The Remnant of the Division crosses the Andes to Chile--Rout of Cepeda--The Reign of Anarchy in the United Provinces--The Convention of Officers at Rancagua--The Disobedience of San Martin endorsed by the Army--Cochrane aspires to the Command-in-Chief--San Martin appointed Generalissimo--The Presence of the Army of the Andes a Danger to Chile.....216

CHAPTER XXV.

PERU.

1820.

The Colonial Era in Peru--Lima--The Peruvian People--Viceroy Abascal--The Native Army--Pezuela--La Serna--Revolutionary Outbreaks--The Insurrection of Cuzco--Secret Societies--Correspondence with San Martin--Dissolution of the Native Army--Olañeta--Camba--Valdés--The Royalist Forces.....223

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE EXPEDITION TO PERU.

1820.

San Martin’s Address to the Argentine People--Composition of the Expedition--Sailing of the Expedition--Disembarkation at Pisco--Occupation of Pisco by Las Heras--Proclamation by San Martin--Pezuela proposes Peace--The Commissioners meet at Miraflores--Arrange an Armistice--The Terms proposed--Negotiations broken off--Expedition of Arenales to the Highlands--Re-embarkation of the Army.....230

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN.

1820--1821.

The Coming Campaigns--The Pageant at Callao--Expedition from Ancon--Guayaquil--Revolution of Guayaquil--The _Esmeralda_ Frigate cut out by Cochrane--The Expedition lands at Huacho--Huara--Cavalry Skirmish at Chancay--The Numancia Battalion joins the Patriots--Discontent in Peru--The Independence of Trujillo--Torre-Tagle--Junction with Arenales--The Guerillas--The Provisional Regulation.....235

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE FIRST CAMPAIGN IN THE HIGHLANDS.

1820--1821.

The Natural Division of Peru--The Highlands of Peru--The Flying Column under Arenales--Defeat of Quimper--The Invasion of the Highlands--The Battle of Pasco--Retreat of Aldao from Ica--Massacres of Indians by Ricafort--The Sack of Cangallo and Huancayo--Aldao establishes himself at Huancayo--Arenales rejoins San Martin.....245

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE ARMISTICE OF PUNCHAUCA.

1821.

Prospects of the Royalists--Spanish Councils of War--Deposition of Pezuela--Proposals of Peace--The Conference at Retes--State of the Two Armies--The Royal Commissioner--The Patriot Army moves to Ancon--Proclamation from King Ferdinand--Effect in Columbia--Effect in Mexico--Course of the Revolution in Mexico--Iturbide--The “Plan de Iguala”--Success of the Plan--Fate of Iturbide--The Conference of Punchauca--Armistice of Punchauca--Interview between San Martin and La Serna--Mistaken Policy of San Martin--The Conference renewed at Miraflores--Prolongation of the Armistice--Captain Basil Hall--Canterac moves to the Highlands--Return of the Patriot Army to Huacho--La Serna evacuates Lima--Occupation of Lima by the Patriots--Proclamation and Inactivity of San Martin.....249

CHAPTER XXX.

THE SECOND CAMPAIGN IN THE HIGHLANDS.

1821.

Aldao and his Indian Levies--Gamarra takes Command--Is driven out by Ricafort--Ricafort returns to Lima--Arenales marches from Huara--The Successes of Arenales cut short by the Armistice--Character of Arenales--His Expostulations against the Mistaken Policy of San Martin being unheeded he rejoins him at Lima--Repulse of La Serna by the Mountaineers of Jauja.....261

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTH.

1821.

Conspiracy to capture Callao--Miller sent South with a small Force--Lands at Pisco--Insurrection at Cuzco--Cochrane applies to Chile for Aid--Ravages of Fever at Chincha--Cochrane sails for Arica--Capture of Arica--Evacuation of Tacna--Miller marches Inland--Capture of Mirave--Occupation of Moquegua--Miller retreats to Tacna and to Arica--Miller establishes himself at Ica--Loss of the _San Martin_.....265

CHAPTER XXXII.

PERU INDEPENDENT.

1821.

The Continental Campaign--Lack of National Spirit in Peru--Convention of Notables at Lima--Declaration of Independence--Capture of Ships by Cochrane at Callao--Attempted Surprise by Las Heras--Overtures of Cochrane to La Mar--San Martin appoints himself “Protector of Peru”--Decree against the Spaniards--Banishment of the Archbishop--Tragic Fate of José Miguel Carrera.....270

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE PROTECTORATE OF PERU.

1821--1822.

The Captain of the Army of the Andes--Royalist Expedition for the Relief of Callao--The Defile of Espiritu Santo--Outburst of Enthusiasm in Lima--Manœuvres in Front of Lima--Retreat of Canterac--Feeble Pursuit of the Royalists--Capitulation of Callao--Reforms of San Martin--The Order of the Sun--Deterioration in the Spirit of the Army--Subsidy from the City of Lima--Conspiracy in the Army--Monarchical Ideas of San Martin--Monteagudo and the “Patriotic Society of Lima”--Mission of Garcia del Rio to Europe.....277

CHAPTER XXXIV.

SAN MARTIN AND COCHRANE.

1821--1822.

Mutual Invectives of Two Heroes--San Martin fails to fulfil his Promises to the Fleet--A Stormy Interview--Cochrane seizes Treasure--Cochrane pays his Men with Government Funds--And sails for Guayaquil--Surrender of Two Spanish Frigates to Peruvian Agents--Cochrane attempts to seize the _Venganza_--Returns to Callao and Captures the _Montezuma_--Returns to Chile and abandons the Pacific--The New Peruvian Navy.....287

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE DISASTER AT ICA.

1821--1822.

Royalist Headquarters established at Cuzco--Expedition under Loriga against Pasco--Defeat of Otero--Burning of Cangallo--San Martin sends a Contingent to the Assistance of Bolívar--And Summons the First Peruvian Congress--Torre-Tagle Deputy-Protector--Expedition to Ica--Rout of the Patriots by Canterac--Barbarous Treatment of Spaniards by Monteagudo.....292