434 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



act of the constitution of 1828, for the purpose of reviewing 

 and correcting the fundamental law of the government. Its 

 sessions were for some time irregular. The presidential elec- 

 tion was about taking place, and it is alleged, that Gamarra, 

 though constantly expressing his wish and determination to 

 resign, did every thing in his power to thwart the assembling 

 of congress, that the election might not take place. He found 

 that his popularity was fast dwindling away, and every news- 

 paper in the country teemed with articles against his tyranny 

 and injustice. Revolts occurred in several places north and 

 south, and having appointed Camporedondo to administer af- 

 fairs during his absence, Gamarra went south to quell a revo- 

 lution, which had broken out in the neighborhood of Aya- 

 cucho. 



The term of his administration expired on the 20th of De- 

 cember; on the 19th, he sent in his resignation to the national 

 convention, and in an address to the people, declared, that the 

 long wished for day had arrived when he could retire into pri- 

 vate life, where he should remain, unless his sword should be 

 required in the service of his country. 



On the 22d, General Don Luis Jose Orbegoso was elected 

 provisional president, until an election should take place. The 

 convention continued its sessions from day to day, till, on the 

 18th of January 1834, they were dispersed at the point of the 

 bayonet by Gamarra and his satellite Bermudez ! It was a 

 bloody day, and many lost their lives. Gamarra, however, 

 reckoned without his host, for he was driven from Lima, and 

 at the latest dates was almost alone in Arequipa, and his wife 

 had sailed for Chile. 



Gamarra, who is a native of Cuzco, served in the Spanish 

 army in Upper Peru, and rose from the grade of serjeant to that 

 of colonel. He was placed at the head of a regiment at Cuzco, 

 destined as a reinforcement of the Spanish forces at Lima; 

 before reaching there, however, he, with many distinguished 

 officers, joined the Liberating army, on the 24th of January 

 1821. He was attached to the Division Libertadora," under 

 the command of General Arenales, by San Martin, but during 

 the whole campaign behaved in the most indecorous manner, 



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