VALPARAISO. 285 



" T have been present at the declaration of the independence of 

 " the states of Chile and of Peru. The standard which Pizarro 

 " brought hither to enslave the empire of the Incas is in my power. 

 " I have ceased to be a public man : thus I am rewarded with usury 

 " for ten years of revolution and war. 



" My promises to the countries where I have made war are ful- 

 " filled, — to make them independent, and to leave them to the free 

 " choice of their government. 



" The presence of a fortunate soldier (however disinterested I may 

 " be) is terrible to newly constituted states ; and besides, I am 

 " shocked at hearing it said that I desire to make myself a sovereign. 

 " Nevertheless, I shall always be ready to make the last sacrifice for 

 " the liberty of the country ; but in the rank of a simple individual, 

 " and no other. 



" As to my public conduct, my countrymen, as in most things, 

 " will be divided in their opinions : their posterity will pronounce 

 " a true sentence. 



" Peruvians ! I leave you an established national representation : 

 " if you repose entire confidence in it, sing your song of triumph ; if 

 " not, anarchy will devour you. 



" May prudence preside over your destinies ; and may these crown 

 " you with happiness and peace ! 



" Jose de San Martin. 



" Pueblo Libro, Sept. 20th, 1822." 



If there be any thing real in this, if he really retires and troubles 

 the world no more, he will merit at least such praise as was be- 

 stowed on 



" The Roman, when his burning heart 



Was slaked with blood of Rome, 

 Threw down his dagger, dared depart 



In savage grandeur home : 

 He dared depart in utter scorn 

 Of men that such a yoke had borne." 



For indeed he has not " held his faculties meekly ;" but yet he has 

 done something for the good cause ; — and oh ! had the means been 



