APPENDIX. 



331 



colonel Alvares, who succeeded Alvear. The correspondence on 

 this occasion is annexed. (Appendix H.) Other endeavors to 

 reconcile him have failed, notwithstanding the changes in the of- 

 fice of director at Buenos Ayres. On one occasion, the proposi- 

 tion was made, that the Banda Oriental, should remain indepen- 

 dent of Buenos Ayres, and merely send deputies to the general 

 congress, to concert measures against the common enemy. On 

 another, when the Portuguese army was approaching the frontiers 

 of the Banda Oriental, an effort was made by Pueyrredon to recon- 

 cile him, and to unite him in the common defence. Ample sup- 

 plies of arms, and munitions of war, were offered, and some fur- 

 nished; but this attempt also failed. 



In order that a fuller view of this subject may be had, 1 have 

 subjoined a translated copy of an animated letter from general 

 Artigas, to Mr. Pueyrredon. (Appendix I.) It is but justice to 

 add, that general Artigas, is thought by persons entitled to credit, 

 to be a firm friend to the independence of the country. To ex- 

 press a decided opinion on this delicate question, would scarcely 

 be expected of me, as my position did not command a view of the 

 whole ground. I had not the satisfaction to be derived from a per- 

 sonal interview with general Artigas, who is, unquestionably, a 

 man of rare and singular talents. But if I were to hazard a con- 

 jecture, I think it not improbable, that in this, as in most family 

 disputes, there have been faults on both sides. It is to be lament- 

 ed, that they are in open hostility. The war has been prosecuted 

 with great animosity, and in two late engagements, the troops of 

 Buenos Ayres have been defeated with great loss. By some it 

 was said, that the inhabitants of the eastern shore were anxious 

 that a reconciliation would take place, whilst the people in the 

 country, preferred their present state. 



I must not omit to take a glance at the situation of Paraguay. 

 This province presents a singular spectacle. It stands aloof from 

 the rest. The people with the aid of the few remaining royal 

 troops, repulsed an army, sent to compel them to join the common 

 standard. Very soon afterwards, they expelled the royalists, and 

 set up for themselves. Since this period, they appear to have 

 adopted a partial non-intercourse system. But Buenos Ayres, on 

 one occasion, succeeded in obtaining an understanding with them^ 

 Some, suspect that they are secretly inimical to the existing order 

 of things, and wish to keep themselves within their shell in case of 



