Chap. V. 



REBELLION OF THE CHOLOS. 



81 



Though the received idea in Europe, that Peru is con- 

 stantly in a state of civil war, is erroneous in fact, as well as 

 unjust,^ yet it is true that the period of tranquillity which had 

 lasted from 1844 to 1854 was broken in the latter year by 

 the successful revolution of General Castilla — the result of 

 the discontent caused by the dishonest financial measures 

 and the embezzlements of his predecessor ; and two years 

 afterwards the Cholos of Arequipa commenced a rebellion 

 against Castilla. A brief account of the siege of that city, 

 which followed, will give a good idea of the endurance and 

 fighting qualities of the Cholos. 



In October 1856 two young men of good family, named 

 Gamio and Masias, collected a handful of Cholos, and sent a 

 message to the Prefect Canseco, telling him that he must 

 either evacuate the city with his troops, or lay down his 

 arms. The prefect marched out, and left Arequipa in the 

 hands of the insurgents, who proclaimed the exiled General 

 Vivanco President of Peru, and appointed Don Jose Antonio 

 Berenguel prefect of the town ; and most of the soldiers 



'■• The republic of Peru has had 37 years and 7 months of existence, of which 

 28 years and 8 mmiths have been passed in peace, 2 years in foreign war, and 6 

 years and 11 months in civil dissensions. 



1824 to 1828 inclusive .. 

 Jan. to July, 1829 . . . . 

 July, 1829, to the end of 1833 

 Jan. 1834, to Feb. 1836 .. 

 Feb. 1836, to Aue;. 1838 .. 

 Aug. 1838, to Jan. 1839 . . 

 Jan. 1839, to Jan. 1841 .. 

 Jan. 1841, to July, 1841 .. 

 July, 1841, to June, 1842 

 Aug. 1842, to July, 1844 

 July, 1844, to June, 1854 



June, 1854, to Jan. 1855 

 Jan. 1855, to Oct. 1856 . . 

 Oct. 1856, to March, 1858 

 March, 1858, to March, 1862 



At peace. 



At war with Colombia. 



At peace, under President Ganiarra. 



In civil dissensions. 



At peace, under General Sanfci Cruz. 



At war with Chile. 



At peace, under President Gamarra. 



In civil tlissensions. 



At war with Bolivia. 



In civil dissensions. 



At peace imder Presidents Castilla 



and Echenique. 

 In civil war. 



At peace, under President Castilla. 

 An insurrection at Arequipa. 

 At peace, under President Castilla. 



These are the plain facts of the case, which are preferable to vague and igno- 

 rant statements tJiat Peru has been in a constant state of civil war ever since 

 tlie War of Independence. 



G 



