410 APPENDIX. 



had reanimated her children. Not content with retaining their own pro- 

 vince, they began to dream of conquests; and passing the Arroyo del Medio, 

 the boundary of their territory, they entered that of Santa Fe, which they 

 resolved to add to their jurisdiction. 



Expresses were sent to all the provinces, announcing the death of Carrera, 

 and the destruction of his division in the action of San Nicolas. The captain 

 who had been spy in our encampment was the person who bore the wel- 

 come news to Chile ; where his story seems to have been very gratifying, as 

 he was presented with eight hundred dollars, and admitted as an honorary 

 member of the distinguished legion of merit of Chile. Now, of what merit 

 may have entitled him to this distinction I am still unable to form any idea : 

 if a man who first betrays his own country, afterwards deceives and sells his 

 friends and companions, and who is pliant to change with times, circum- 

 stances, and interests, have any merit, then that distinguished order should 

 decorate every traitor's breast ; if riding 300 leagues with despatches in the 

 shortest time possible recommend a man so highly, why then we may sup- 

 pose that all couriers who distinguish themselves in that way, ought to be 

 admitted into this honourable and meritorious society of Chile. 



Lopez and his dragoons having united themselves to the remnant of our re- 

 giment, which was about 130 men, we retired to the Arroyo de Pabon, about 

 nine leagues from San Nicolas. Alvear was arrested by Lopez, who insisted 

 on shooting him, with the deputies of the enemy, as accessaries to our mis- 

 fortunes ; but Carrera would not permit it. He provided a boat for Alvear, 

 and assisted him to escape from the fury of the soldiers, telling him that he 

 could not suppose his late error to have proceeded from treachery ; that as 

 he had once been the friend of Carrera, so he should ever consider him, but 

 never again could admit him as a partner in his operations. — Alvear took a 

 last leave of the friend whom his indiscretion had ruined ; and, passing the 

 Parrana, travelled to Monte Video, where he was employed in his rank of 

 hrigadier-general in the service of the Portuguese. 



The Portenos, following up their advantage, had approached within four 

 leagues of our encampment at the Arroyo de Pabon. Dorego sent deputies 

 to Lopez privately, offering him peace, and a continuation in his government 

 in alliance with Buenos Ayres, if he would turn the arms of his province 

 against Carrera, and deliver him prisoner with his men to him. Lopez made 

 known these conditions to Lieutenant-Colonel Garcia, who was second in 

 command in the province of Santa Fe, and a particular friend of Carrera. 



