POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 217 



dent 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 reconciling 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 bene- 

 fited by his public employment The remains of that unquiet 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 w r as 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 ratification of 

 the treaty by Salaverry was followed by his sending a minister to 

 Chili, although the ambassador of the former government (Orbejoso's) 

 was still there. This was the germ from which grew the misunder- 

 standing that occurred on the restoration of Orbejoso's government, 

 which was effected through the intervention of the President of Bolivia, 

 General Santa Cruz, who had been called upon by Orbejoso for 

 assistance. This resulted in the defeat of Salaverry, the establishment 

 of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, and the naming of Santa Cruz 

 as Supreme Protector, for life, by assemblies convoked by him, and 

 the appointment of Orbejoso as President of North Peru. 



While these matters, however, were in progress, Orbejoso, who had 

 returned to Lima after the battle of Socabaya, immediately on his 

 arrival annulled the treaty with Chili, with no other notice to the 

 latter government than the public decree, by which she was informed 



VOL. I. T 28 



