POLITICAL HISTORY OF PERU. 297 



soldier, on both sides, fought " upon his own hook," and continued the 

 battle as long as he chose, the officers having little or no control over 

 their men. Indeed, I heard it repeatedly said, that the troops com- 

 manded the officers, and not the officers the troops. If it had not been 

 so, many of the acts of cruelty and barbarity that are represented upon 

 good authority as having occurred, would not have taken place. 

 These I cannot but consider as destroying all the glory of the day to 

 the Chilians, whose avowed object in coming to Peru, was to make 

 war against Santa Cruz, and not against the Peruvians. 



Gamarrawas now established firmly in Peru, and the Confederation 

 broken up. Bulnes and his forces returned to Chili, where he has 

 since been elevated to the highest office of the republic (that of Presi- 

 dent). Thus ended the year 1839. 



In 1840, Bolivia, after the overthrow of Santa Cruz, became the 

 prey of rival factions, and Gamarra was invited to come with an 

 armed force and settle their disputes. No sooner, however, had he 

 reached Bolivia, than the rival chiefs, forgetting their own quarrels, 

 united, for their animosity against him exceeded their own little 

 jealousies. They attacked him at disadvantage, and completely routed 

 his forces ; he himself was killed in his flight from the field of battle. 

 The Bolivians in their turn now invaded Peru, but through the media- 

 tion of Chili, a peace was brought about, which left both Peru and 

 Bolivia in a state of great anarchy and confusion : all the men of any 

 note endeavouring to create parties for themselves. 



The above sketch of the history of Peru has been obtained partly 

 from persons long resident and eye-witnesses of many of the scenes, 

 and the few official documents that have been from time to time pub- 

 lished. 



To complete the history of the misgovernment of Peru, I will 

 now add short biographical sketches of the chiefs who have been the 

 principal actors in all these troubles and revolutions: these were 

 obtained from individuals w 7 ho were personally acquainted with most 

 of them. 



In the order of events, as they have occurred, Bolivar stands first ; 

 his history is, however, too well known to need any detail. He 

 undoubtedly had talents, and was probably at first an honest and 

 conscientious patriot. He split upon the rock that had already 

 wrecked so many before him. His desire of personal aggrandizement 

 caused him to forget that he set out to promote the welfare and happi- 

 ness of his country. He consequently fell a victim to his disappointed 

 ambition, and for many years previous to his death, accused his 



vol. i. 38 



