394 APPENDIX. 



In this very unfavourable state of affairs, the government recollected the 

 services and abilities of Don Estanislao Soler, whom they had long neglected, 

 and discarded from their notice ; and who lived on his little farm in the 

 country, unregarded and obscure. Soler had been a brigadier-general, and 

 had merited and received the approbation of his country, in the campaign 

 of the Banda Oriental, and siege of Monte Video. 



In times which did not promise so rich a harvest of honour, the candidates 

 for power in Buenos Ayres were numerous ; but on this occasion the fear of 

 danger seems to have completely superseded the love of glory. There was 

 not a man who would offer himself for his country. Soler was summoned by 

 the Congress, on which he immediately waited, and was solicited by them to 

 receive the command of whatever force could be raised. With this request 

 he complied, without insinuating or perhaps recollecting their former 

 ingratitude. 



The opinion of the public in favour of Soler was so great in Buenos Ayres, 

 that he was congratulated by every class of citizens, on his return into office. 

 In a few days he raised about 3,000 men to accompany him to the field, and 

 established his head-quarters at the Puente Marco, seven leagues from 

 Buenos Ayres. The Federal army was encamped at Pilar, distant from 

 Puente Marco eight leagues. An armistice was concluded for fourteen 

 days ; but before any further propositions should be made for peace, the 

 Federalists required that the Congress should be dissolved ; which order 

 Soler intimated to them, and the town had the gratification to see that assem- 

 bly dismissed. 



The provinces of Tucuman, Salta, Santiago del Estere, Catamarca 

 Arioja, and San Luis, encouraged by the example of Cordova, and protected 

 by the Federalists, declared themselves independent of Buenos Ayres. Du- 

 puy was superseded, cast into prison, and brought to trial for the massacre 

 of the Spaniards, and various cruelties and assassinations. He was entirely 

 void of that resolution which he so often had put to the proof in others ; the 

 crimes of which he was accused were committed under the eyes of the town, 

 and even his judges were witnesses of his barbarity : he therefore could not do 

 otherwise than acknowledge the crimes laid to his charge ; but he alleged 

 for his defence, that he was but a subaltern, and obliged to execute the orders 

 of the captain-general of the province of Cuyo, Don Jose San Martin, who 

 was his immediate chief. He produced the written orders of San Martin for 

 the assassination of Rodriguez, Raposo, and Conde ; these orders were very 



