VII REVOLUTION AT BUENOS AYRES 149 



the ports were laid under an embargo. I could not return to 

 my vessel, and as for going by land to the city, it was out of 

 the question. After a long conversation with the commandant, 

 I obtained permission to go the next day to General Rolor, who 

 commanded a division of the rebels on this side the capital. 

 In the morning I rode to the encampment. The general, 

 officers, and soldiers, all appeared, and I believe really were, 

 great villains. The general, the very evening before he left the 

 city, voluntarily went to the Governor, and with his hand to his 

 heart, pledged his word of honour that he at least would remain 

 faithful to the last. The general told me that the city was in 

 a state of close blockade, and that all he could do was to give 

 me a passport to the commander-in-chief of the rebels at 

 Quilmes. We had therefore to take a great sweep round the 

 city, and it was 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 Rio Plata earlier than it took place. Having 

 mentioned, however, General Rosas's obliging kindness to me 

 when at the Colorado, magic itself could not have altered cir- 

 cumstances 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 

 grievances : 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 Balcarce — to 

 the number of seventy left the city, and with the cry of Rosas 

 the whole country took arms. The city was then blockaded, no 

 provisions, cattle or horses, were allowed to enter ; besides this, 



