SAN MARTIN. 



91 



are anxious for complete liberty ; and by dividing 

 the opinion of the people^ would diminish that 

 confidence in your decisions, which nothing but 

 complete independence can inspire. My presence 

 in Peru, considering the authority I lately pos- 

 sessed, and the power I should still retain, is in- 

 consistent with the moral existence of your sove- 

 reign body, and with my own opinions ; since no 

 prudence, nor forbearance, on my part, will keep 

 off the shafts of malevolence and calumny. 



" I have fulfilled the sacred promise which I 

 made to Peru : I have witnessed the assembly of 

 its representatives : the enemy's force threatens 

 the independence of no place that wishes to be 

 free, and possesses the means of being so. A nu- 

 merous army, under the direction of warlike chiefs, 

 is ready to march in a few days to put an end to 

 the war. Nothing is left for me to do, but to of- 

 fer you my sincerest thanks, and to promise, that 

 if the liberties of the Peruvians shall ever be at- 

 tacked, I shall claim the honour of accompanying 

 them, to defend their freedom like a citizen." 



The congress, who were either unwilling, or 

 affected to be unwilling, that San Martin should 



