432 THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



for such violent measures, and the people, always ready for a 

 holyday, threw up their caps and shouted 

 " Long live King Richard !" 



On the field of Cuenca, or Portete, La Mar commanded in 

 person, and Gamarra had charge of the body of reserve. For- 

 tune frowned that day on the standard of Peru. While La Mar 

 was sustaining a murderous fire from a thicket which surround- 

 ed him on all sides, he ordered Gamarra to charge with his 

 whole force, instead of which he ignominiously beat a quick 

 retreat, and galloped off' the field !* The battle was lost, and 

 in a few hours afterwards. La Mar was made prisoner by order 

 of Gamarra, hurried on board of a little vessel, and sent to the 

 mortiferous climate of Costa Rica, where, borne down with 

 chagrin, and the ingratitude of him whom he thought his friend, ; 

 he shortly died.t 



Such was the plan of Gamarra, to elevate himself to the pre- 

 sidential chair. He knew that La Mar's popularity, which 

 was already diminished, would vanish if the battle of Cuenca 

 were lost; and he therefore was careful to bring about the ca- 

 tastrophe by his own base desertion. 



Peace was afterwards negotiated. Gamarra became the sub- 

 ject of popular acclamation, and, consequently, president. To 

 reward La Fuente for his assistance, he made him vice-presi- 

 dent. The self-election of these men was confirmed by Con- 

 gress, and their parasites were installed in office with the usual 

 oath. 



In the spring of 1831, while Gamarra was on the frontier, 

 threatening Bolivia, La Fuente fell under his patron's suspi- 

 cions. Soldiers were sent at night to seize him in his own 

 dwelling. He fled over the house top, and the officer pursuing 

 him was shot in mistake, by one of his own party. La Fuente 

 sought an asylum on board of the U. S. Ship St. Louis, then 

 at Callao, and soon after retired an exile to Chile. 



* El Telegrafo de Lima. 



■j- Soon after his election (1833,) General Orbegoso submitted a resolution 

 to the National Convention, to remove the remains of La Mar to Peru, agree* 

 ably to his dying request. 



