SAN MARTIN'^S answer. 



formed a semicircle round the northern side of 

 the city, ready to march in at a moment's warn- 

 ing. 



The most profound stiUness reigned over the 

 capital during the night ; and next morning the 

 same party assembled at the Governor''s as on 

 the preceding day, in order to receive San Mar- 

 tin's answer. It was brief, but admirably in point, 

 stating merely the terms upon which he was will- 

 ing to enter the city with his army, should it be 

 the real wish of the inhabitants to declare their 

 independence. He had no desire, he told them, to 

 enter the capital as a conqueror, and would not 

 come unless expressly invited by the people them- 

 selves. In the meanwhile, however, to prevent 

 any disturbance in the city, and to give the inha- 

 bitants leisure to consider in security the terms he 

 now put to them, he added, that orders had been 

 sent to the troops surrounding Lima to obey im- 

 plicitly the directions of the Governor, who might 

 dispose of all or any part of the forces as he pleas- 

 ed, without reference to himself. 



This conduct, it may be said, was evidently the 

 most judicious, on every account, that could have 



