APPENDIX. 393 
proclamation was more adapted to prepare the minds of the inhabitants to 
bear with a meek and Christian resignation the vicissitude under which they 
had fallen, than to rouse them to any new exertion for the defence of their 
capital. No immediate preparations were made by the government. No- 
thing but fear and consternation reigned in the town; they even had the 
absurdity to believe that the body of the Federal army could advance with 
the rapidity of a courier and enter the city that night. It is remarkable that 
this. was the first, and almost the only occasion on which the government of 
Buenos Ayres acknowledged a defeat of their forces; although their arms 
were attended only with a series of uninterrupted misfortunes, owing to the 
ignorance or cowardice of the commanders of their expeditions. Although 
they had lost all the Banda Oriental, Entre Rios, Santa Fé, and all the towns 
of High Peru; yet the gazettes were filled with fictitious and imaginary details 
of their victories, and plausible excuses for the necessity of sending such 
frequent reinforcements were given to the public. This last misfortune 
extorted from them not only a full, but an exaggerated description of their 
loss. 
However, two days afterwards an express arrived from San Nicolas with 
despatches from Balcarse. Their veteran infantry still existed! A proclam- 
ation was immediately published, in which the former report of Rondeau 
was flatly contradicted. It was true, indeed, that the Director and his aid- 
de-camp, with all the cavalry, were pursued five leagues ; nevertheless the 
army rallied afterwards; in fine, “ their fellow citizens and soldiers were 
covered with immortal laurels, and the enemy defeated.” 
The first confession was believed by the people to be genuine ; it was the 
only government news they had believed for a length of time. They, accus- 
tomed to hear nothing from their press but falsehood and deception, con- 
sequently found themselves under the necessity of learning to judge for 
themselves. It was known that the Federalists were advancing on the town ; 
and the inhabitants could not conceive how an enemy could receive such a 
defeat as the Congress would fain make it appear they had, and still continue 
to advance. : 
The object of this last proclamation was to raise a contribution to pay the 
civicos, in order to put them between the Congress and her danger. ‘The 
design did not succeed. The people had a right idea of their imbecile and 
corrupted governors; and looked forward with anxiety to the hour which 
would free them altogether of their oppressors. 
3E 
