APPENDIX. 435 
race of Peru, they will certainly appear to be large men; but are by no means 
larger than the generality of English and Germans. ‘They live in a con- 
tinual state of war, or preparation for war, among their own tribes, and against 
the Christians. | Carrera succeeded in reconciling to each other all the rival 
chiefs; but such reconciliation cannot be of long duration. 
The Indians are imperious and resentful; vehement in all their passions ; 
jealous of their freedom and rights, and bold in maintaining them: they are 
exceedingly brave, but extremely cruel and fond of revenge; distrustful 
of those whom they know not; hospitable and faithful to those whom they 
recognise as friends ; inveterate to their foes, neither forgiving an enemy or 
forgetting an injury. ; 
During our residence in the country of the Indians various causes com- 
bined to render our soldiers insubordinate and mutinous ; viz. their inactivity, 
want of pay, &c.; however we continued to punish them severely for every 
fault or disrespect, not overlooking the most trivial. In consequence of 
this, they projected a most villainous mutiny against the General and offi- 
cers, and only waited the arrival of a party which was out on duty to effect 
their designs. — A soldier named San Martin was appointed general by the 
soldiers; the other officers necessary for the squadron were all selected from 
among themselves. Our division was formed of the prisoners taken in the 
battle of Maypu; and as they had all served under the Spanish government, 
they still retained an occult allegiance to Fernando. Their plan was, that 
after putting to death the General and officers, they would ‘pass to the south 
of Chile, conducteg by an Indian, and there join Benevides, who was fighting 
for the Spaniards. , 
Fortunately our soldiers were not all unfaithful. There were some of 
them who gave us exact information of the revolution, and swore to stand or 
fall with their officers; these were in the quickest time possible formed into 
one troop, and amounted to 40. With this troop and the officers we did not 
despair of suppressing the conspirators. The General affected to be ignorant 
of the conspiracy. The ammunition was secured by us, and the principal 
leaders of the conspirators were sent on duty to the toldos of different 
caciques who lived distant, and who had orders not to permit the soldiers to 
return without a second order from the General. 
Having secured the ammunition, separated the conspirators and their prin- 
cipal leaders, and prepared ourselves to oppose whatever resistance might be 
offered, the General called the sergeants to his quarters, and made known to 
3x 2 
