25^ 



A VOYAGE TO 



were found to be false and hollow. Not satisfied with 

 complete and entire independence, he made a demand 

 of the munitions of war, as well as of the vessels cap- 

 tured at Monte Video, in order that he might make 

 such disposition of them, for the good of the common 

 cause, as he should think proper. The correspondence 

 which took place on the occasion, was published by 

 Alvarez, and may be seen in the appendix to Mr. 

 Rodney's report. It satisfactorily proves, that Arti- 

 gas was actuated by the spirit of a despot, and that he 

 considered himself entitled to dispose of the fate and 

 fortunes of the country over which he ruled, according 

 to his mere will and pleasure. As it now became evi- 

 dent, that hostilities would have to be renewed with 

 Artis;as, a force under Dias Velis, was ordered to 

 march to Santa Fee, and general Belgrano soon after, 

 with reinforcements, took the command. Dias Velis 

 was deputed as an agent, to make another attempt at 

 negotiation. The hostile measures of Alvarez, ex- 

 cited the alarms of the weak, who were fearful of kind- 

 ling the ire of Artigas anew; it also, furnished a pre= 

 text for enemies and demagogues, to accuse the adminis* 

 tration of rashness and imprudence. A person of the 

 name of Cosmo Massiel, was deputed to meet him; 

 and singular as it may seem, the conditions proposed 

 on his part, and what is perhaps equally singular, 

 agreed to, was first, that general Belgrano should re^ 

 sign the command to Dias Velis; and secondly, that 

 the director Alvarez should resign his office. Stipu- 

 lations to this effect, were actually signed.* Alvarez, 



* It has been stated that Alvarez was disgracefully turned out! 

 I speak from the documents published in the newspapers of the 

 day. The vote of thanks from the congress, is also on the file ef 



