Chapter VI: Artigas 78

The human product of a turbulent era--Historical verdicts
disagree--Opinions of Uruguayan and foreign historians--
High-flown tribute--The cleansing of Artigas's fame--
Prejudices of some local accounts--Uruguay at the time
of Artigas's birth--Surroundings of his youth--Smuggling
as a profession--Growth of his influence--His name becomes
a household word--Artigas enters the Spanish service--The
corps of Blandengues--Efficiency and promotion--Quarrel
with the Spanish General--Artigas throws in his lot with
the patriot forces--His success as a leader of men--Rank
accorded him--Jealousy between Artigas and the Buenos
Aires generals--Conflicting ambitions--The Portuguese
invasion--Artigas leads the Oriental nation to the
Argentine shore--The encampment at Ayui--Scarcity of
arms and provisions--Battles with the Portuguese--The
subalterns of Artigas--Otorgues and Andresito--Crude
governmental procedure--Arbitrary decrees--The sentiments
of Artigas--His love of honesty--Progress of the war--
Complications of the campaign--Artigas as Protector--The
encampment of Hervidero--Revolting tales--The exaggeration
of history--Artigas refuses honours--His proclamation--
Simple life of the Commander--Some contemporary
accounts--The national treasury--Final desperate
struggles against the Portuguese--Rebellion of Ramirez--
Fierce battles--Extraordinary recuperative power of the
Protector--Final defeat of Artigas--Flight to Paraguay--
The Protector in retirement.