SOUTH AMERICA. 



Spaniards and Portuguese^ and especially in this quar- 

 ter. So many depredations and murders, were com- 

 mitted by the idle and abandoned part, who formed 

 themselves into montonsy^ or bands, that, about the 

 year 1798, it was found necessary to establish a pro- 

 vincial corps, designated by the name of Blendingues, 

 for the purpose of scouring the country, and repress- 

 ing their lawless practices. At the earnest solicitation 

 of the father of Artigas, who saw in this a mode of 

 reclaiming his son, in which the government also found 

 its interest, Artigas then received a commission 

 and was pardoned, after having been nearly twenty 

 years an outlaw. According to the old adage, he jus- 

 tified their expectations; he so effectually pursued and 

 hunted down his old companions, that the country 

 was restored to comparative tranquillity and security. 

 At the commencement of the civil war between Mon- 

 te Video and Buenos Ayres, he had risen to the rank 

 of captain; but in the two invasions by the British, 

 he seems to have been no way distinguished, at least, 

 I have not been able to meet with his name in any of 

 the numerous printed documents and papers of tbat 

 time. 



The reader will recollect, that in 1810, a junta was 

 established by the patriots of Buenos Ayres, while the 

 Spanish autliority was triumphant at Monte Video. 

 Hostilities ensued. Artigas was still in the service of the 

 royalists^ but deserted them the year following, and 

 came to Buenos Ayres. The immediate cause of this 

 desertion, is stated to have been an insult offered him 

 by the governor of Colonia; who, after repeatedly re- 



* Hence the word montoneros. 



