Oct. 1833. 



BUENOS AYRES. 



165 



will have to learn^ like every other South American state, 

 that a republic cannot succeed, till it contains a certain body 

 of men imbued with the principles of justice and honour. 



October 20th. — Being arrived at the mouth of the 

 Parana, and as I was very anxious to reach Buenos Ayres, 

 I went on shore at Las Conchas, with the intention of riding 

 there. Upon landing, I found to my great surprise, that 

 I was to a certain degree a prisoner. A violent revolution 

 having broken out, all the ports were laid under an embargo. 

 I could not return to my vessel, and as for going by land to 

 the city, it was out of the question. After a long conversa- 

 tion with the Commandant, I obtained permission to go, the 

 next day, to General Rolor, who commanded a division of 

 the rebels, on this side of the capital. In the morning I rode 

 to the encampment. The general, officers, and soldiers, all 

 appeared, and I believe really were, great villains. The 

 general the very evening before he left the city, voluntarily 

 went to the governor, and with his hand to his heart, pledged 

 his word of honour, that he would remain faithful to the last. 

 The general told me, that the city was in a state of close 

 blockade, and that all he could do was to give me a passport 

 to the commander-in-chief of the rebels at Quilmes. We 

 had, therefore, to take a great sweep round the cit}^, and it 

 was with much difficulty that we procured horses. My re- 

 ception at the encampment was quite civil, but I was told it 

 was impossible that I could be allowed to enter the city. I 

 was very anxious about this, as I anticipated the Beagle^s 

 departure from the Rio Plata, earlier than it took place. 

 Having mentioned, however. General Rosas 's obliging kind- 

 ness to me when at the Colorado, magic itself could not 

 have altered circumstances quicker than did this conver- 

 sation. I was instantly told that though they could not 

 give me a passport, if I chose to leave my guide and horses, 

 I might pass their sentinels. I was too glad to accept of 

 this, and an officer was sent with me to give directions, that 

 I might not be stopped at the bridge. The road for the 

 space of a league was quite deserted. I met one party of 



