POSTSCRIPT. 369 
“ destined for its defence, and made us responsible. On perceiving 
“ that without establishing a central junta, the chief, who called him- 
“self the general.of a province independent de facto, transported 
“ thither the troops of Santiago ; on observing that officers were re- 
** moved, and others named, without consulting the junta, and even 
“ against its will ; — it made such representations as appeared suitable 
“ to its duty and its dignity. The ministers of state will lay before 
“you the correspondence that took place between General Freire 
“ and the various public offices: in it you will find that the General 
“had declared solemnly and formally, that neither he nor the army 
“ are sulyect to the junta; and that he does not acknowledge in it any 
“ authority whatever over the military, the sole, independent, and 
“ exclusive command of which belongs to himself: in it you- will 
“also observe, that on this account the preparations for sending 
“troops to the immediate assistance of Peru were suspended; an 
‘evil which, among the many existing, has not been the least that 
*“‘ has harassed the better days of our gluniniseeatiot. 
« If the junta has not been able to preserve strict harmony with 
** General Freire, we strongly recommend to you, Gentlemen, to en- 
«¢ deavour to accomplish that desirable end: do not forget that he is 
‘the only man who can save the country, — and rely on his disin- 
“ terestedness. Call him to your bosom, and may you be happier 
“than we, in inspiring him with confidence, and erasing impres- 
* sions which savour of provincialism and dangerous principles! Let 
“‘ not the evil-minded, or those who are led by persenal interest, or 
“‘ the giddy and the weak, triumph, and tear away the laurels of peace 
“ destined for the citizen who shall restore his country, oppressed 
« by internal grievances, to prosperity. 
“If General Freire, by keeping the independent corinand of the 
“ army, sought to avoid the horrors of civil war, the necessary con- 
“ sequence of anarchy ; if his object was to prevent the dissolution of 
“ the army; if, with all the forces of the republic at his disposal, he 
« sought to preserve his influence and dignity, only in order that he 
‘ might place himself in a situation to procure the immeasurable be- 
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