410 APPENDIX. 
had reanimated her children. Not content with retaining their own pro- 
vince, they began to dream of conquests; and passing the Arroyo del Medio, 
the boundary of their territory, they entered that of Santa Fé, which they 
resolved to add to their jurisdiction. 
Expresses were sent to all the provinces, announcing the death of Carrera, 
and the destruction of his division in the action of San Nicolas. The captain 
who had been spy in our encampment was the person who bore the wel- 
come news to Chile ; where his story seems to have been very gratifying, as 
he was presented with eight hundred dollars, and admitted as an honorary 
member of the distinguished legion of merit of Chile. Now, of what merit 
may have entitled him to this distinction I am still unable to form any idea : 
ifa man who first betrays his own country, afterwards deceives and sells his 
friends and companions, and who is pliant to change with times, circum- 
stances, and interests, have any merit, then that distinguished order should 
decorate every traitor’s breast; if riding 300 leagues with despatches in the 
shortest time possible recommend a man so highly, why then we may sup- 
pose that all couriers who distinguish themselves in that way, ought to be 
admitted into this honourable and meritorious society of Chile- 
Lopez and his dragoons having united themselves to the remnant of our re- 
giment, which was about 130 men, we retired to the Arroyo de Pabon, about 
nine leagues from San Nicolas. Alvear was arrested by Lopez, who insisted 
on shooting him, with the deputies of the enemy, as accessaries to our mis- 
fortunes; but Carrera would not permit it. He provided a boat for Alvear, 
and assisted him to escape from the fury of the soldiers, telling him that he 
could not suppose his late error to have proceeded from treachery ; that as 
he had once been the friend of Carrera, so he should ever consider him, but 
never again could admit him as a partner in his operations. — Alvear took a 
last leave of the friend whom his indiscretion had ruined ; and, passing the 
Parrana, travelled to Monte Video, where he was employed in his rank of 
brigadier-general in the service of the Portuguese. 
The Porteiios, following up their advantage, had approached within four 
leagues of our encampment at the Arroyo de Pabon. Dorego sent deputies 
to Lopez privately, offering him peace, and a continuation in his government 
in alliance with Buenos Ayres, if he would turn the arms of his province 
against Carrera, and deliver him prisoner with his men to him. Lopez made 
known these conditions to Lieutenant-Colonel Garcia, who was second in 
command in the province of Santa Fé, and a particular friend of Carrera. 
