216 



PERU. 



its sentiments, I shall give them the opportunity 

 of doing so in safety. It was in sure expectation 

 of this moment that I have heretofore deferred 

 advancing ; and to those who know the full ex- 

 tent of the means which have been put in action, 

 a sufficient explanation is afforded of all the de- 

 lays that have taken place. I have been gaining, 

 indeed, day by day, fresh allies in the hearts of 

 the people. In the secondary point of military 

 strength, I have been, from the same causes, 

 equally successful in augmenting and improving 

 the liberating army ; while that of the Spaniards 

 has been wasted by want and desertion. The 

 country has now become sensible of its own inte- 

 rest, and it is right the inhabitants should have 

 the means of expressing what they think. Public 

 opinion is an engine newly introduced into this 

 country ; the Spaniards, incapable of directing it, 

 have prohibited its use ; but they shall now expe- 

 rience its strength and importance.'^ 



On another occasion I heard San Martin ex- 

 plain the peculiar necessity there was for acting 

 in this cautious, and, as it were, tardy manner, in 

 jrevolutionizing Peru. Its geographical situation 



