424 APPENDIX. 
grateful enough to acknowledge the merit of such a sacrifice. But even that 
could not have saved them ; their destiny was inevitable ! 
In Rodriguez’s very eloquent proclamation, particular descriptions of our 
imputed cruelties in Salta were given to the public: Carrera was accused of 
sacrilege; and Rodriguez, as champion of the church, bound himself under a 
most solemn vow to the saints and Virgin who had been so vilely treated, to 
avenge their indignities on.the head of the impious barbarian who had in- 
flicted them. He called on the citizens and soldiers to aid him in the per- 
formance of his sacred promise ; and hoped the matrons, virgins, and holy 
people would fast and pray for the success of his most laudable enterprise. 
He had little difficulty in raising a strong expedition ; for as the honour of 
their saints and their religion had suffered in Salta, their votaries flew to their 
banners, confident of success from the holiness of their cause. 
Rodriguez is no doubt a very good Christian whilst there are no motives 
to be otherwise; but, whether his piety and veneration for the saints would 
be sufficient to triumph over the temptation held out by the appearance of 
the glittering chalices, vases, and candlesticks consecrated to them, or not, 
the inhabitants of Chuguisaca and their churches could determine without 
much hesitation, 
As Rodriguez was familiarised with sacrilege, it is not strange that it should 
be the uppermost of his inflammatory inventions against his enemies: men 
frequently judge of the vices and weaknesses of others by a knowledge of 
their own, but he fabricated his charges against Carrera merely to answer 
his own purposes; and by a retrospect over his own former actions, he was 
furnished with all those crimes which he wished to attribute to us: and from 
the same source, so long as his memory aids him, he can always draw an 
abundant fund of invectives. 
We continued our march into the interior ; and Rodriguez followed us, but 
at avery respectful distance, not less than fifty leagues in our rear. The 
Portefios saw that it was inconsistent with their safety to march too far into 
the Pampas, as (in case of being attacked) their flight would avail them 
nothing, when at such an immense distance from their own province. They 
therefore encamped at the Laguna de Floras, and Rodriguez, leaving La 
Madrid in command of the army, returned to Buenos Ayres; from whence 
he sent to the encampment a quantity of cloth, beads, bridles, toys, &c. as 
presents for the Indians of Nicolas (who were in their favour), or any others 
who might become proselytes to the interests of Buenos Ayres. 
