I 



SOUTH AMERICA. S53 



view Artigas m a different light, as he grew powerful 

 and dangerous; they laid the whole blame upon their 

 government, for measures which had only been adopt- 

 ed in obedience to the public voice, and were disposed 

 to do any thing for the sake of reconciliation.* Al- 

 vear, in the midst of the general distraction, made a 

 jnilitary flourish, issued proclamations calling the peo- 

 ple to arms, and marched with two thousand men for 

 Santa Fee, which was then in the possession of Arti- 

 gas. A revolution took place in Buenos A^ut-s, the 

 former government was dissolved, and Alvear, aban- 

 doned by his army, was compelled to fly. 



The government haviug devolved upon the cabildo, 

 they immediately proceeded to take such meas^ires, as 

 they thought would satisfy the chief of the Orientals, 

 and bring about a reconciliation. They not only con- 

 demned and reprobated every thing which had offend- 

 ed Artigas, but publicly burned the odious proclama- 

 tions in the public square, by the hands of the execu- 

 tioner. These proceedings were announced to him in 

 a formal address, to which he returned a gracious re- 

 ply, declaring himself perfectly satisfied, and joining 

 them in reprobating as traitors to their country, all 

 those who had before offended him, and coinciding 

 perfectly in the idea, that he himself was the only true 

 patriot. He further declared, that his enmity was only 

 personally directed against the individuals, who had 

 heretofore managed the affairs of state, and not against 

 the people of Buenos Ayres. In virtue of this dispo- 

 sition, a negotiation was set on foot by Alvarez, but 

 proved to be fruitless; his professions of reconciliation 



* This reminds one of the fable of the sheep sacrificing their 

 dogs, for the sake of a reconciliation with the wolves. 



