394 APPENDIX. 
In this very unfavourable state of' affairs, the government recollected the 
services and abilities of Don Estanislao Soler, whom they had long neglected, 
and discarded from their notice; and who lived on his little farm in the 
country, unregarded and obscure. Soler had been a brigadier-general, and 
had merited and received the approbation of his country, in the campaign 
of the Banda Oriental, and siege of Monte Video. 
In times which did not promise so rich a harvest of honour, the candidates 
for power in Buenos Ayres were numerous ; but on this occasion the fear of 
danger seems to have completely superseded the love of glory. There was 
not a man who would offer himself for his country. Soler was summoned by 
the Congress, on which he immediately waited, and was solicited by them to 
receive the command of whatever force could be raised. With this request 
he complied, without insinuating or perhaps recollecting their former 
ingratitude. 
The opinion of the public in favour of Soler was so great in Buenos Ayres, 
that he was congratulated by every class of citizens, on his return into office. 
In a few days he raised about 3,000 men to accompany him to the field, and 
established his head-quarters at the Puente Marco, seven leagues from 
Buenos Ayres. The Federal army was encamped at Pilar, distant from 
Puente Marco eight leagues. An armistice was concluded for fourteen 
days; but before any further propositions should be made for peace, the 
Federalists required that the Congress should be dissolved; which order 
Soler intimated to them, and the town had the gratification to see that assem- 
bly dismissed. 
The provinces of ‘Tucuman, Salta, Santiago de! Estere, Catamarca 
Arioja, and San Luis, encouraged by the example of Cordova, and protected 
by the Federalists, declared themselves independent of Buenos Ayres. Du- 
puy was superseded, cast into prison, and brought to trial for the’ massacre 
of the Spaniards, and various cruelties and assassinations. He was entirely 
void of that resolution which he so often had. put to the proof in others; the 
crimes of which he was accused were committed under the eyes of the town, 
and even his judges were witnesses of his barbarity: he therefore could not do 
otherwise than acknowledge the crimes laid to his charge; but he alleged 
for his defence, that he was but a subaltern, and obliged to execute the orders 
of the captain-general of the province of Cuyo, Don Jose San Martin, who 
was his immediate chief. He produced the written orders of San Martin for 
the assassination of Rodriguez, Raposo, and Conde; these orders were very 
