SOUTH AMERICA. 



of which, the Portuguese withdrew from the territory 

 of Buenos Ayres. The truce which had been agreed 

 to with Elio, having been broken, it was resolved by 

 Buenos Ayres, a second time, to besiege Montevideo. 

 The new triumvirate, consisting of Sarratea, Chiclana, 

 and Passo*, sent Rondeau, with three thousand men, 

 to recommence hostilities. On the 31st of the month, 

 this general was attacked by Vigodet, who had suc- 

 ceeded Elio, and who, on this occasion, was repulsed 

 with considerable loss. Considerable reinforcements 

 were soon after sent from Buenos Ayres, and the town 

 regularly besieged under Sarratea, who superseded 

 Rondeau in the command, the services of this expe- 

 rienced officer being thought necessary in Peru. Great 

 complaints were made by Sarratea, of the insubor- 

 dination of Artigas and his guerillas. Artigas, at 

 length, entirely refused obedience, and withdrew his 

 people, declaring that unless Sarratea was recalled, 

 he would no longer co-operate with the forces of Bue- 

 nos Ayres.f The difficulty of managing this man 

 was now beginning to be felt, but his services were of 

 such importance, that it was thought necessary to sa- 

 crifice a good deal for the purpose of conciliating him. 

 I Men of this description are often indulged in a lati- 

 tude which would be thought entirely inadmissible in 



* Not Passos, who was exiled, and afterwards known in this 

 country, by a work on South America, which contains much useful 

 information. 



t There is a story of Sarratea having, by order of the trium- 

 virate, (Chiclana, &c.) attempted to have him assassinated; but I 

 place no reliance upon it. It was related to Mr. Rodney and my- 

 self, by a kind of army contractor of Artigas, who supplied him 

 with powder and ball in exchange for hides. 



