APPENDIX. 397 



Carrera had various solicitations from the most respectable citizens of 

 Buenos Ayres to accept of that government. Ramirez also told him that it 

 was impossible to place any confidence in a people who were so long their 

 enemies, whilst a Portefio ruled them ; and advised him to become governor, 

 strengthen himself with troops worthy his confidence, and revenge the indig- 

 nities and wrongs he had sustained. Had Carrera directed his views to am- 

 bition, and not to the good of his country, it cannot be denied that he had 

 then an excellent opportunity of aggrandising himself: but he aspired not to 

 an unbounded or extensive authority over his countrymen ; his exertions were 

 directed only to Chile, and for her welfare, — he had not a wish beyond her 

 narrow precincts. 



He hoped to see established a most liberal form of representative govern- 

 ment, and waited with impatience the assembling of the Congress at San 

 Lorenzo, where his eloquence, his abilities, and the uprightness of his conduct, 

 would have opened for him the most effectual and direct road to redress his 

 wrongs, and punish those who had endeavoured to defame his character and 

 oppress his country. Had the Congress met, it was supposed that they would 

 have furnished Carrera with every thing necessary for his expedition to Chile, 

 which (after its regeneration) would have been united to the confederacy. 



America, thus united, under any chief capable of conducting her operations, 

 would very soon have changed her aspect of anarchy : the political chaos 

 would have been superseded by an organised and regular government, which 

 (though it could not be supposed to have been perfect in the moment of its 

 formation) would at least have had the most flattering form, and in all pro- 

 bability would have been the foundation of future greatness to America. 



Balcarse having procured transports at San Nicolas embarked his troops, and 

 came down the river to Buenos Ayres. It was late in the evening when he 

 landed ; and marching immediately to the Plaza he formed his corps, collect- 

 ing all the field-officers and captains to the centre, where he began to ha- 

 rangue them on the vile submission to which their once glorious city and 

 its territory were reduced ; protesting that he was still ready to rescue them 

 with his force from the hands of their enemies, and restore them to their 

 former greatness. 



Soler, French, Pagola, and several others of the officers of the new go- 

 vernment, were present ; but they did not consider the time or place well 

 adapted for entering into a defence of the late measures, or discussing the 

 merits or failings which might be attached to them : they retired as soon as 



