Chapter V: HISTORY (continued) 69

Conclusion of Spanish rule--Situation of the victors--
Rival claims--Alvear defeats a Uruguayan force--
Montevideo remains in possession of Buenos Aires--Rural
Uruguay supports Artigas--Alliance of the Argentine
littoral provinces with the Orientales--Some intrigues
and battles--Success of the Uruguayans--Departure from
Montevideo of the Buenos Aires garrison--The Uruguayans
enter into possession of their capital--Some crude methods
of government--Trials of the inhabitants--Growth of
Artigas's power--The Buenos Aires directors undertake
a propitiatory measure--A grim human offering--Attitude
of the Uruguayan Protector--Negotiations and their
failure--The civil progress of Uruguay--Formation of
departments--The Portuguese invade the country once
again--Condition of the inhabitants--Fierce resistance
to the invaders--A campaign against heavy odds--The
Portuguese army enters Montevideo--War continued by the
provinces--Invasion of Brazil by the Oriental forces--
Crushing defeats suffered by the army of invasion--Final
struggles--The flight of Artigas--Uruguay passes under
Portuguese rule.