94 



PEllU. 



The sovereign congress, thus left to themselves, 

 appointed a governing junta of three experienced 

 men. They also passed an immense number of 

 decrees to little or no purpose ; and everything 

 very soon went into utter confusion under their in- 

 experienced guidance. Indeed, the greater num- 

 ber of the deputies were men who knew little of 

 the science of legislation. In November 1822, 

 an expedition sailed from Lima for the south 

 coast ; but in January 1823, shortly after land- 

 ing, they were completely beaten. This disaster 

 was followed by general discontent, and in Febru- 

 ary, the sittings of the congress were suspended 

 by Rivaguero the President, who subsequently 

 dissolved them in a summary, and, as it was said, 

 a most unconstitutional manner. 



The Royal troops soon took advantage of the 

 imbecility of the Patriots, who were without a 

 leader : and in June 1823 General Canterac re- 

 entered Lima ; and, having driven the Patriots 

 into Callao, levied heavy contributions of money 

 and goods on the inhabitants, destroyed the mint, 

 and retired again to Upper Peru, after a stay of 

 only fourteen days. 



