POLITICAL HISTORY OF PERU. 289 



seized upon the government, and declared himself Supreme Chief. In 

 June, he issued a decree appointing a council of state, consisting of 

 twenty-four members, of which he was president, and began to exer- 

 cise the most despotic authority. Orbejoso had, in the mean time, 

 sent to demand aid of Santa Cruz to suppress the insurrection. The 

 council of government had, during the previous rebellion of Bermudez, 

 invested Orbejoso with extraordinary powers, especially authorizing 

 him to call upon Santa Cruz, President of Bolivia, for aid to quell the 

 insurrection in Peru ; but Bermudez had capitulated before Santa Cruz 

 was called upon to act. After the rebellion of Salaverry, Orbejoso 

 assumed those powers. In the mean time, Salaverry continued his 

 acts of cruelty and oppression. 



Gamarra, always on the watch, now made his appearance, in the 

 hopes of again raising himself to power. He had fled from Bolivia, 

 and had collected about fifteen hundred men, to make war upon 

 Orbejoso, when he issued a proclamation in May, 1835. Salaverry, 

 however, knowing that Gamarra was entirely influenced by interested 

 motives, declared him an outlaw, and prepared to march against him ; 

 but on learning that Santa Cruz was marching on Peru with three 

 thousand Bolivian troops, he immediately treated with Gamarra, and 

 they agreed to act together against Orbejoso and his new ally. Before 

 they could unite their forces, Santa Cruz attacked and completely 

 routed Gamarra's troops : he fled almost alone to Lima, where Sala- 

 verry soon after arrested him and sent him to Central America, 

 whence he proceeded to Chili, to carry on his intrigues to keep Peru 

 in a state of civil war. Salaverry now marched against Santa Cruz ; 

 they met near Arequipa, and the battle of Socabaya was fought, where 

 Salaverry was completely defeated, and taken prisoner while attempt- 

 ing to gain his vessels at Islay. He was immediately tried by a 

 military commission, and with his principal officers shot at Arequipa. 

 The career of Salaverry was short, but unexampled in Peru for its 

 activity and energy. His fate excited no sympathy, for he had 

 committed some of the most barbarous acts, executing persons 

 without trial, upon the slightest suspicion of being disaffected to his 

 authority. 



Orbejoso, on being reinstated by the aid of Santa Cruz, and the 

 levolt suppressed, called an assembly of the deputies at the town of 

 Sicuani, and set about punishing all who had taken part or served in 

 any manner during the rebellion of Salaverry. 



The nullification of the treaty with Chili is said to have been 

 brought about by the advice of Gavia del Rio, who was supposed to 

 be somewhat under the influence of Santa Cruz. He made use of the 



vol. i. z 37 



