86 



PERU. 



dice and selfishness, and comes to us at such ir- 

 regular intervals, that it is almost out of the ques- 

 tion for any one, not on the spot, to acquire ade- 

 quate means of forming a correct judgment of 

 what is passing in South America. 



In August 1821, as has been stated, San Mar- 

 tin became self-elected Protector of Peru. After 

 this he proceeded steadily in recruiting and disci- 

 plining his army ; in reforming the local abuses 

 in the administration of affairs ; in preparing and 

 promulgating a provisional statute by which the 

 government was to be administered, until the per- 

 manent constitution of the state should be esta- 

 blished. Having business to transact at Truxil- 

 lo, a sea-port town to the northward of Lima, he 

 appointed the Marquis of Torre Tagle as su- 

 preme delegate in his absence. The person, 

 however, essentially charged with the executive 

 administration was Don Bernardo Monteagudo, 

 a very able man and a most zealous Patriot ; but 

 who, besides being unpopular in his manners, was 

 a bitter enemy to the whole race of old Spaniards. 

 After a short absence San Martin returned, yet 

 he did not ostensibly resume the reins of govern- 



