AFvllEST OF AN OLD SPANIARD. ^5 



the attack was made on Lima, he had, in vain, 

 exerted all his influence to prevail upon the go- 

 vernment to open the port to free trade, which 

 measure he promised would not only win the con- 

 fidence and hearty support of the people, but would 

 supply the treasury with means of resisting the 

 enemy, should an invasion be threatened. His 

 advice, however, was overruled by the body of 

 merchants, who possessed a close monopoly of the 

 commerce of Peru, and who could not be induced 

 by any considerations to yield the smallest por- 

 tion of their exclusive privileges. It signified no- 

 thing to prove to them that, without commerce, 

 there could be no receipt of duties, and without 

 receipts, the treasury must remain in a state ina- 

 dequate to provide means of resistance, when the 

 contest should arise. All such patriotic views were 

 absorbed in the selfishness of a monopoly, which 

 could bear no modification : the united influence 

 of these merchants prevailed, and the measure pro- 

 posed by this sagacious individual was not adopt- 

 ed till long after it was too late — till Lord Coch- 

 rane had blockaded the port, and put an end to 

 commerce in that quarter, and San Martin had 



10 



