310 POLITICAL HISTORY OF PERU. 
in landing at Callao, while on his way to join La Mar, at the same 
time uniting in intrigues with Gamarra, whom he succeeded in getting 
nominated as President, and himself as Vice-President. These two 
chiefs appear to have understood each other, and to avoid collision in 
the division of the spoils, agreed that each should pursue his leading 
passion. Gamarra accordingly conferred honours and rewards, whilst 
Lafuente indulged his mercenary propensity to accumulate wealth. 
The latter has grown rich, by robbing the people and by farming out 
the resources of the state to his agents and friends. Although 
certainly not the only chief magistrate who has plundered the state, 
he is, perhaps, the only one in Peru who has hoarded his ill-gotten 
wealth, and obtained affluence whilst his country was impoverished. 
He is still living, and was acting as chief during our visit to Lima. 
Orbejoso served in the patriot army during the revolution, and at 
the close of the war retired to his estate near Truxillo, with but little 
reputation. There he remained until elected to the presidency, in 
1831. Without talents as a statesman or courage as a soldier, he 
acquired more popularity than any other of his contemporaries in 
Peru. He undoubtedly sold his country to Santa Cruz, receiving as 
the price of it, the appointment of President of North Peru, or rather 
that of one of his lieutenants. At the moment of a threatened invasion 
from Chili, he renounced the Confederation in order to gain indepen- 
dent command, and regained much of his lost popularity by a show 
of patriotism and gallantry in opposing the invading force. His 
imbecility and want of knowledge, together with the conduct of 
General Nieto, lost him the battle, under the walls of Lima, with 
the possession of the city, and all his troops. Soon afterwards he 
was found in retirement at Guayaquil, where he has been constantly 
occupied in forming plans for his reinstatement to power. 
Salaverry served as a cadet in the last year of the revolution, and 
was esteemed an enterprising and gallant officer. He was, however, 
of a reckless disposition, and it is related that he threatened to shoot 
his mother, who had opposed one of his youthful freaks. Others, 
however, bear testimony to his good conduct in all his domestic 
relations, and to his kindness and generosity. When he usurped the 
supreme authority, he had no more than about two hundred men 
at his command, yet in less than three months the whole country 
had recognised his authority and government. In his short public 
career he certainly showed violent passions, and evinced cruelty in 
many of his acts, but he seems at times to have had impulses of 
