312 POLITICAL HISTORY OF PERU. 
countrymen) he is far in advance of them in his knowledge and 
appreciation of the institutions of other countries. He is indefati- 
gable in his labours, and always exacts the attention of others to 
their duties. His passions are strong and his temper unforgiving. 
Mercenary in his disposition, and economical in his habits, he has 
always been lavish of the public treasure to promote his own views. 
From his liberal cast of mind, he always manifested a strong desire 
to forward the introduction of improvements, and adopt such mea- 
sures as would tend to improve the state and its people. His 
measures undertaken for this purpose, were sometimes arbitrary, 
and by them, and his desire to engross all the power in his own 
person, he lost much popularity. Foreigners esteemed him as one 
of the most efficient chief magistrates that have ever presided over 
this unfortunate country. 
For the purpose of elucidating the character of the proceedings of 
the chiefs in this country, I will end by giving a translation of one of 
the decrees, establishing the government of South Peru, by Santa 
Cruz. 
Considerando. 
1. That the government of South Peru remains incomplete by the 
death and absence of some of the persons composing it. 
2. That the necessity exists, that that government should have an 
organization more simple than it has yet enjoyed. 
It is decreed. 
Article 1. That the government of South Peru be composed of a 
Provisionary President, and a Secretary-General, who shall transact 
all the ordinary affairs of the Interior and Hacienda, agreeably to the 
law T s, orders, and existing decrees. 
Article 2. The Provisional President will place his rubric to all the 
resolutions and official papers, and sign, with the Secretary-General, 
the decrees which he may issue. 
Article 3. The Provisional President and Secretary are responsible 
for all the acts of his administration. 
Article 4. There shall be two Secretaries, one for the Interior, the 
other for the Hacienda, with the necessary subordinates. 
Article 5. The Provisional President will fill all the vacant places, 
and displace any from bad conduct, or the neglectful performance of 
his duties, or transfer them to other posts, as he may deem best for 
the public benefit. 
