INTRODUCTION. 87 
of battle. The brave General Las Heras and Lord Cochrane were 
on horseback, with some hundreds of officers and private gentlemen, 
eager to come to action; the enemy’s force was small compared to 
the protector’s army, and the general himself, as he called to the 
two officers above-mentioned, seemed really animated with a sincere 
desire of action, and a determination to engage; but he gradually 
cooled, wasted the morning in unimportant gossip, went to his 
customary siesta, and then ordered the soldiers to go to dinner. 
They however were resolved to exercise their sabres, and accordingly 
charged a flock of sheep, killed them, and then obeyed the General’s 
latest orders, while the enemy, unmolested, proceeded to enter 
Callao. It was on this occasion that Las Heras, after having in vain 
urged the advantages of attacking Canterac, broke his sword, and 
vowed never again to wear the habit of that disgraceful day.* The 
admiral, (it was the last interview he ever had with San Martin,) also 
urged him, even at the last minute, and pointed out the way still left 
to preserve his own honour and that of the army; when he answered, 
“‘ T alone am responsible for the liberty of Peru,” and retired. This 
scene was followed up on the 15th by one equally disgraceful to the 
general. Canterac’s army retired from Callao, carrying with it the 
treasure, and all the military accoutrements, without even an attempt 
being made to stop them. 
Meantime Lord Cochrane and San Martin had both been endea- 
vouring to negotiate for the surrender of Callao, with La Mar the 
governor. Lord Cochrane, intending to fulfil his promises, offered 
to give safe conduct and personal protection to all, on condition of 
delivering the forts to the fleet, giving up one-third of the Spanish 
property, and paying passage money or freight to such ships as he 
should provide, to transport them to any country. San Martin, 
however, who had no intention of keeping his word, offered un- 
limited and unconditional protection, both to persons and pro- 
* He kept his word, and retired to Chile, where he lived in retirement till San Martin 
fled thither in Oct. 1823, when Las Heras retired to Buenos Ayres. 
