VII 
REVOLUTION AT BUENOS AYRES 
149 
the ports were laid under an embargo. I could not return to 
my vessel, and as for going by land to the city, it was out of 
the question. After a long conversation with the commandant, 
I obtained permission to go the next day to General Rolor, who 
commanded a division of the rebels on this side the capital. 
In the morning I rode to the encampment. The general, 
officers, and soldiers, all appeared, and I believe really were, 
great villains. The general, the very evening before he left the 
city, voluntarily went to the Governor, and with his hand to his 
heart, pledged his word of honour that he at least would remain 
faithful to the last. The general told me that the city was in 
a state of close blockade, and that all he could do was to give 
me a passport to the commander-in-chief of the rebels at 
Quilmes. We had therefore to take a great sweep round the 
city, and it was with much difficulty that we procured horses. 
My reception at the encampment was quite civil, but I was told 
it was impossible that I could be allowed to enter the city. I 
was very anxious about this, as I anticipated the Beagle s 
departure from the Rio Plata earlier than it took place. Having 
mentioned, however, General Rosas’s obliging kindness to me 
when at the Colorado, magic itself could not have altered cir¬ 
cumstances quicker than did this conversation. I was instantly 
told that though they could not give me a passport, if I chose 
to leave my guide and horses, I might pass their sentinels. I 
was too glad to accept of this, and an officer was sent with me 
to give directions that I should not be stopped at the bridge. 
The road for the space of a league was quite deserted. I met 
one party of soldiers, who were satisfied by gravely looking at 
an old passport: and at length I was not a little pleased to 
find myself within the city. 
This revolution was supported by scarcely any pretext of 
grievances : but in a state which, in the course of nine months 
(from February to October 1820), underwent fifteen changes in 
its government—each governor, according to the constitution, 
being elected for three years—it would be very unreasonable to 
ask for pretexts. In this case, a party of men—who, being 
attached to Rosas, were disgusted with the governor Balcarce—to 
the number of seventy left the city, and with the cry of Rosas 
the whole country took arms. The city was then blockaded, no 
provisions, cattle or horses, were allowed to enter ; besides this, 
