1833.] REVOLUTION AT BUENOS AYRES. 133 



with much difficulty that we procured horses. My reception at 

 the encampment was quite civil, but I was told it was impossible 

 that I could be allowed to enter the city. I was very anxious 

 about this, as I anticipated the Beagle's departure from the Eio 

 Plata earlier than it took place. Having mentioned, however, 

 General Eosas's obliging kindness to me when at the Colorado, 

 magic itself could not have altered circumstances quicker than did 

 this conversation. I was instantly told that though they could not 

 give me a passport, if I chose to leave my guide and horses, I might 

 pass their sentinels. I was too glad to accept of this, and an officer 

 was sent with me to give directions that I should not be stopped 

 at the bridge. The road for the space of a league was quite 

 deserted. I met one party of soldiers, who were satisfied by gravely 

 looking at an old passport : and at length I was not a little pleased 

 to find myself within the city. 



This revolution was supported by scarcely any pretext of griev- 

 ances : but in a state which, in the course of nine months (from 

 February to October, 1820), underwent fifteen changes in its 

 government each governor, according to the constitution, being 

 elected for three years it would be very unreasonable to ask for 

 pretexts. In this case, a party of men who, being attached to 

 Rosas, were disgusted with the governor Balcarco to the number 

 of seventy left the city, and with the cry of Eosas the whole country 

 took arms. The city was then blockaded, no provisions, cattle or 

 horses, were allowed to enter; besides this, there was only a little 

 skirmishing, and a few men daily killed. The outside party well 

 knew that by stopping the supply of meat they would certainly be 

 victorious. General Eosas could not have known of this rising ; 

 but it appears to be quite consonant with the plans of his party. 

 A year ago he was elected governor, but he refused it, unless the 

 Sal a would also confer on him extraordinary powers. This was 

 refused, and since then his party have shown that no other governor 

 can keep his place. The warfare on both sides was avowedly pro- 

 tracted till it was possible to hear from Eosas. A note arrived a 

 few days after I left Buenos Ayres, which stated that the General 

 disapproved of peace having been broken, but that he thought the 

 outside party had justice on their side. On the bare reception of 

 this, the Governor, ministers, and part of the military, to the 

 number of some hundreds, fled from the city. The rebels entered, 

 elected a new governor, and were paid for their services to the 



