70 



PERU. 



perhaps, not have yet been heard in South Ame- 

 rica. 



It may be remembered, that, when we left Pe- 

 ru on the 10th of August, General San Martin 

 had entered Lima and declared himself Protector ; 

 but that Callao still held out, and, as long as this 

 was the case, the Independent cause remained in 

 imminent hazard. San Martin, therefore, employ- 

 ed every means of intrigue to reduce the castle, 

 as he had no military force competent to its regu- 

 lar investment. It was supposed, that, in process 

 of time, he would have succeeded in starving the 

 garrison into terms ; but, on the 10th of Septem- 

 ber, to the surprise of every one, a large Spanish 

 force from the interior marched past Lima and 

 entered Callao. San Martin drew up his army in 

 front of the capital as the enemy passed, but did 

 not choose to risk an engagement. The Spaniards 

 remained but a few days in Callao, and then re- 

 tired to the interior for want of provisions, carry- 

 ing off the treasure which had been deposited in 

 the castle. As they repassed Lima another op- 

 portunity was afforded for attacking them, but 

 San Martin still declined to take advantage of 



