POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 223 
formidable opponents. All this created much discontent among many 
speculative politicians, who fancied they could establish a refined 
system of government over an uneducated and prejudiced mass of 
men like the Chilians ; a population that had but a few years emerged 
from a political state little different from that of Europe in the middle 
ages, whose predilections were deeply rooted, whose habits only 
change by an increasing intercourse with nations more enlightened 
than themselves, and who gradually and almost imperceptibly yield 
to such an influence. 
This government came into power after military rule had been 
in possession of authority almost ever since the nation became 
independent. It had been the custom to consult military men on 
every change of government ; the rivalry of generals consequently 
kept up a constant revolutionary propensity. A government, to 
establish civil rule supreme in the land, and in order to have its laws 
obeyed, would be obliged to exercise more severity with it than 
pre-existing circumstances had called for. Portales incurred the sole 
odium of this severity. His activity and energy were ever present 
and before the public. He had a difficult task to perform in recon- 
ciling jarring interests, and pushing out this system of reform, 
but he did it fearlessly. No selfish feeling seemed to actuate him. 
His enemies admit that his disinterestedness was extraordinary, and 
that neither himself nor his family were benefited by his public 
employment. The remains of that unqniet military spirit, the 
growth of revolution, would occasionally show itself, but the 
government instantly crushed it, and sent the offenders out of the 
country. A good understanding was sought with foreign powers. 
A treaty was effected with Mexico, and one with the United States ; 
and a mission to accomplish one with Peru, sent up by President 
Orbejoso, was met with confidence. Unfortunately, when the ratifi- 
cation of the latter was about being exchanged, a military revolt broke 
out in Peru, headed by a Colonel Salaverry, which succeeded in 
driving the legal government from Lima, and established one there 
of which Salaverry declared himself supreme chief. 
The Chilian government, too anxious to complete the treaty, which 
was advantageous to the two countries, sent it to Peru, and exchanged 
ratifications with Salaverry, who was at the time acknowledged to be 
the de facto ruler, as far as decrees and possession of the capital 
went, In this view of the case, Chili had an undoubted right to 
conclude the treaty, and to expect that it would be observed. The 
