DEFEAT OF THE ROYALISTS. 399 



Junta of Chili to send some troops to the 

 assistance of Buenos-Ayres. Balcarce, who 

 Gommanded a force from Buenos-Ayres, de- 

 feated the royalists under General Cordova, 

 at Santiago, Cotagaitaya, and at Tupiza : 

 Cordova was taken prisoner and shot, to- 

 gether with Nieto, who was the president of 

 the Audiencia of Chuquisaca. 



In the mean time, Don F. X. Elio had 

 been appointed by the Regency of Spain 

 captain-general of the provinces of Rio de 

 la Plata, and his authority was recognized 

 in that of Monte Video : Don J. x^rtigas, 

 however, a native of Monte Video, and cap- 

 tain in the service of the royalists, having 

 come to an understanding with the govern- 

 ment of Buenos-Ayres, the latter supplied 

 arms and ammunition, and some troops, 

 under the command of Rondeau, for the 

 purpose of exciting revolt in the provinces 

 of Monte Video. Artigas and Rondeau, 

 after obtaining several advantages over the 



