SOUTH AMERICA. 



255 



on receiving the despatches containing them, far from 

 giving vent to indignation at this insulting treatment, 

 proved that he ^vas willing to make any sacrifice that, 

 might conduce to the restoration of peace and harmony; 

 and at the same time to furnish a practical refutation of 

 the charge alleged against him in the treaty, he rati- 

 fied it without a moment's delay. Assembling at his 

 place of residence, the cabildo and the principal ma- 

 gistrates of the city, he read to them the despatch he 

 had just received, and after a few observations, in 

 which he modestly explained his conduct, he tendered 

 them his resignation. But as there was some doubt, 

 whether it could be accepted, according to an article 

 in the provisional statute, without the concurrence 

 of the junta of observation, they at first declined 

 to accept his oflPer.* The junta being called in, how- 

 ever, it was received, and they jointly proceeded to a 

 new election of a director, pro. tempore. The choice 

 fell upon general Antonio Balcarce; the conduct of Al- 

 varez on this occasion, drew forth a vote of thanks 

 from the national congress, then recently organised at 

 Tucuman. Alvarez resumed his place as colonel in 

 the service, and is still in the confidence both of the 

 government and the people. 

 General Antonio Balcarce being elected to fill the 



their proceedings, in my possession. I heard the same slanders 

 of him while at Buenos Ayres, but happened to inquire into the 

 character of his slanderers. From no one did every person belong- 

 ing to the mission, receive greater marks of civility, than from 

 Alvarez, during our stay at that place. 



* The paper contained, in its preamble, the following insulting 

 language respecting the director: "whereas, in order to put an end 

 to the civil war in which this province has been involved by the ar- 

 bitrary and despotic conduct of the director, Ignatio Alvarez, &c." 



