Women and Independence in Latin America

Type of publication: Book

Title: Sixteen Years in Chile and Peru, From 1822 to 1839.

Year of publication: 1841

Place created: London

Language: English

Location of text: Published by Fisher, Son, and Co., Newgate Street London; Rue St. Honoré, Paris, 1841. in John Rylands Library

Abstract: An account of his time in Chile from 1822 to 1839, said to have been written in Ashton-Under-Line, 1841. (sic?)

Content:
Extracts

p.55 Meanwhile an act of state policy had been performed, which has in all countries been found of much importance ill conciliating those whose friendship or enmity depend upon trifles. This was the formation of a public institute entitled the Order of the Sun, for the purpose of rewarding civil and military merit, and composed of three different classes - Founders, Well deservers, and Associates or Fellows. The badge to he worn by the first class was a White ribbon pasting from the right shoulder to the left side, with two gold tassels and a gold medallion of the Order; the wearer to be addressed by the title of Honourable Lordship. That of the second was a gold medal, attached to a white ribbon suspended from the neck; the wearer to enjoy the title of Lordship. The third class was distinguished by a silver medal suspended from the left breast ; no title being attached to the dignity of its wearer. The medals, which were afterwards changed to golden suns, bore each the arms of the state, with appropriate inscriptions; (p.56) a pension was conferred upon the several members, all of whom, upon their admission, were sworn to defend the liberties of Peru, to maintain public order, to further the general welfare of America, and to devote to those ends both their lives and their properties, San Martin was nominated President of the Order, which at its first institution included within its list of members no fewer than two hundred and sixty six individuals. Females were also declared eligible to the dignity, and of that sex one hundred and twelve additional members were added.

All measures, however, were of no avail in effecting the object desired. The tide of popularity had turned against the protector, and no partial acts of this nature were sufficient to change its course. The disaffection of the citizens was now also spread to the army, and desertion, as a natural consequence, was every day diminishing its numbers. A feeling of jealousy had likewise been excited, owing to the partial conduct of the protector, between the Chilian and Puruvian soldiers; the latter of whom had been preferred in the service to the prejudice of the former, who regarded themselves as entitled to superior consideration, in consequence of having fought for Peru in the more magnanimous character of deliverers. This, combined with other subjects of complaint, had caused several officers to quit the service, and return to Chile; while the common soldiers, actuated by a similar feeling, chose to remedy and partly to avenge themselves by desertion. Partial evils have always a tendency to become general in their effects, and the protector, alarmed at the spread of this spirit throughout the army, issued strict orders for checking its tendency by severely punishing the offenders. To render their apprehension more certain, it was decreed that all persons who should be known to harbour or protect a deserter, were in: the first instance to suffer a general confiscation of their property, and, should the offence be repeated, to be condemned to perpetual exile. For this purpose, also, slaves were invited to inform against their .masters, with a promise of manumission upon the truth of their reports being proved.

During this troublesome period, the only military operation of importance which took place, was the march of a division of the Liberating Army, amounting to two thousand men, under the command of General Don Domingo Tristan, a native of Arequipa, to possess itself of, or rather to retain, the valleys of Pisco and Ica, by which a communication might be kept up with the provinces of Upper Peru, and the rich districts along the coast protected from the incursions of the enemy. A part of the royalist army, under the command of Generals Canterac and Caratala, at that time held possession of Huamanga and the parts bordering on the position of Tristan ; and having resolved to dislodge him, and reduce that district to its former obedience, they advanced on the night of the 7th of April, and surrounded his division without being resisted, or even perceived. Tristan, having thus allowed himself to be taken by surprise, was incapable of offering much resistance. By daybreak the whole of his troops, arms, ammunition, and baggage, together with a hundred thousand dollars, were in the hands of the enemy. He himself, with his staff, and a few of his officers, escaped to bear the tidings to Lima.

p.57 GENERAL TRISTAN DEFEATED, MONTEAGUDO DEPOSED AND EXILED.
Nothing could have been more unfortunate for the protector at so critical a moment, than the news of this defeat. His was truly an empire of opinion an empire pleasant to contemplate in theory, but totally unsuited to the disjointed and untoward circumstances of real life. So many such circumstances had of late been occurring, that the exercise of an agent very different from that of opinion, had been rendered necessary to the maintenance of tranquillity; and now that the charm of the army's invincibility was broken, the last prop of the protector's power might be said to be undermined. The news spread a general gloom over Lima; and what rendered the disaster still more disagreeable was, that it led to fresh acts of oppression towards the already too much persecuted Spaniards. On the night of the 4th of May, the houses of those unfortunate individuals were broken into by parties of soldiers despatched for the purpose, and the inmates, without distinction of rank or age, were dragged from their beds and driven down to Callao, where they were placed on board a vessel then lying in the harbour. Clergymen, military officers in short, all classes of Spaniards in the city, shared in common this act of unnecessary rigour. The greater number were not even allowed time to dress themselves; several were hurried off almost naked, and all were forced to travel upon foot from the city to the shore. After being placed on board, they were left during two days without provisions, and deprived of all communication with their wives and families, who crowded round the vessel in boats, and implored, with unavailing tears, to be allowed the consolation of a last interview. On the first night of their confinement, two aged gentlemen perished from want of clothing and of food. Passports were at length offered them for sale, with liberty to embark in neutral vessels, in order to leave the country; while those who were unable in this manner to purchase their freedom, were transported to Chile. Upon what grounds excepting a suspicion that these people could not regard with feelings of perfect cordiality the new government such proceedings were justified, remains yet to be explained.

Previous to the defeat of Tristan, San Martin had entered into correspondence with with the Liberator Bolivar, with a view to procure from Colombia a reinforcement of troops for the prosecution of the war in Peru, and had also, for that purpose, solicited a private interview with the liberator at Guayaquil. To this Bolivar assented, and San Martin, having delegated the supreme authority to the Marquis of Torre Tagle, and appointed General Alvarado commander in chief of the army in his absence, departed for the place of conference about the end of June, 1822.

The two chiefs met according to appointment at Guayaquil, and remained together for a few days , but of their conference no particulars were suffered to transpire. The result alone was explained to the people of Peru, by the return of San Martin without having effected any of the objects of his visit.

During his absence, Lima had been the scene of much popular commotion. His secretary, or prime minister, Monteagudo, who had been appointed to the office about a year previous, had from the first been an object of detestation among all classes in Peru. The late arbitrary decrees (p.58 ) and acts of cruelty enforced and sanctioned by the protector, were all traced to his contrivance and advice as to their first causes ; and in this opinion the citizens were fully confirmed by the intolerable conduct of Monteagudo immediately upon the departure of San Martin for Guayaquil. The secretary then entirely threw off the mask, and. using as his agent the supreme delegate Torre Tagle, who either wanted firmness or authority to control his actions, he confiscated the property and exiled the persons of the citizens upon the most trivial pretences, and, by his open cabals, and through the agency of his spies, whom he had distributed through every part of the city, he in a few days, according to the language used ill describing this period, converted Lima into a ‘mansion of the most afflicting torments.’ The inhabitants at last, goaded to desperation, assembled in a body, and demanded vengeance upon their oppressor. A meeting of the corporation was called, to examine into his conduct; at whose recommendation, the council of state, headed by the supreme delegate, deprived Monteagudo of his office, and placed him under an arrest A committee of the council of state was to have been appointed for bringing him to trial ; but so violent was the resentment of the people, and so great was their fear lest his influence with the Marquis of Torre Tagle should save him from punishment, that the corporation, to avert farther tumult, prevailed upon the council to convey him secretly on board a vessel, and decree his perpetual banishment from the country. Monteagudo was exiled accordingly, and the people dispersed in the quiet enjoyment of their triumph.*

Immediately after the termination of this affair, San Martin arrived in the harbour of Callao. Astonished at the sudden proscription of his secretary, And afraid lest the condition of the capital might be even more dangerous than report had represented, he judged it most safe to remain on board, until fully assured of the fidelity of the army. He then ventured on shore, and proceeded to Lima, where, upon his arrival, he expressed in strong terms his displeasure at the proceedings against Monteagudo, and threatened to recall and reinstate him in office. But perceiving that the respect and awe which he formerly inspired, had in a great measure subsided, and not daring to push matters to an extremity, he suffered the decree of the council to remain in force, and, leaving the Marquis of Torre Tagle still to administer the affairs of government, he retired to his country residence near Callao.

Orders had previously been issued for the convocation of the congress and upon the 20th of September, 1822, the deputies from the various provinces assembled accordingly. An individual of their body, named Xavier de Luna Pizarro, was elected president, and after the necessary forms of instalment were gone through, a vote of thanks was unanimously passed, and

(* In 1825. Monteagudo ventured again to appear in Lima, under the protection of Bolivar, by whom he expected to be reinstated in the ministry. But the recollection of his former crimes was still fresh in the minds of the citizens, and on the night of the 28th of February, some daring avenger of his country's wrongs, terminated the career of this obnoxious individual by assassination.)

(p.59) forwarded to San Martin, expressive of the deep gratitude which, as the representatives of the Peruvian nation, they felt for his services, and honouring him with the title of author of their political existence, arid first soldier of their liberty. A deputation of members was at the same time appointed to wait upon his excellency, and solicit his acceptance of the supreme command of the army; but this honour he declined, as being incompatible with that perfect independence which he knew to be the general wish of the people. "I am resolved", says be, in his answer to the president, and after expressing his gratitude for the honour intended him.

"I am resolved not to betray my own feelings, and the great interests of the nation. Permit me, therefore, to observe, that long and painful experience has induced me to say, that the distinguished rank to which your sovereignty has deigned to elevate me, so far from being useful to the nation, should I fill it, would only oppose your just designs, by alarming the jealousy of those who desire a positive liberty; it would divide the opinions of the people, and decrease the confidence which you alone ought to inspire in the absolute independence of your decisions. My presence, sire, in Peru, considering that power which I have left, and the force which I should possess, is inconsistent with the morale of the sovereign body, and with my own opinion ; because no forbearance on my own part would defend me from the shafts of malediction and calumny. Sire, I have fulfilled the sacred promise that I made to Peru ; I have seen her representatives assembled ; the force of the enemy does not menace the independence of a people determined to be free, and who possess the means of being so. A numerous army, under the direction of chiefs inured to war, is ready to march in a few days to terminate the contest for ever. Nothing remains but to offer to your sovereignty the expression of my most sincere gratitude, and the firm assurance, that if at any time the liberty of the Peruvians should be threatened, I will dispute the honour of accompanying them as a citizen, to defend their freedom on the field of battle."

San Martin had already adopted the resolution of retiring from the country; and on the same day on which the above communication was delivered to Congress, the following farewell address to the people of Peru was published and put into circulation:

"PERUVIANS! I have witnessed the declaration of the independence of the states of Chile and Peru. I hold in my possession the standard which Pizarro brought to enslave the empire of the Incas, and I have ceased to be a public man ; thus I am more than rewarded for ten years spent in revolution and warfare. My promises to the countries in which I warred are fulfilled; to make them independent, and leave to their will the election of their governments.

The presence of a fortunate soldier, however disinterested he may. be, is dangerous to newly constituted states. I am also disgusted with hearing that I wish to make myself a sovereign. Nevertheless, I shall always be ready to make the last sacrifice for the liberty of the country but in the capacity of a private individual, and no other.

With respect to my public conduct, my compatriots (as is generally the (p.60) case) will be divided in their opinions; their children will pronounce the true verdict.

Peruvians! I leave your national representation established: if you repose implicit confidence in it, you will triumph; if not, anarchy will swallow you up.

“May success preside over your destinies, and may they be crowned with felicity and peace!
Pueblo libre, September, 20 de 1820."
(Signed) "SAN MARTIN."

Having thus wholly resigned his power into the hands of the congress, San Martin prepared immediately for his departure. His exit from the territory which he had visited to emancipate, differed widely in splendour from his entrance. The former resembled a sun rise in a clear sky; the latter, a sun set amid clouds and storms. The protector of Peru embarked and departed like a private individual, amid silence which sprung from other causes than regret and affection, and landed at Valparaiso on the month of October, 1822. His sudden appearance excited much surprise in Chile, where no one had entertained the slightest suspicion of his abandoning, at so critical a juncture, the state of Peru. An escort shortly afterwards arrived, to conduct him to Santiago, in which city he remained until the latter part of December, when, owing to the unsettled state of the Chilian government at that period, he crossed the Andes, and once more took up his residence in the town of Mendoza.

Such was the departure of San Martin; an event which will in all likelihood prove a lasting subject of inquiry among the speculative part of posterity. Yet that inquiry, however ingenious, will end as all such inquiries must, the premises of which are founded upon human character. That is a book which, like the oracles of the Sibyl, is susceptible of many interpretations; and while one writer assumes as a position founded on fact, that San Martin owed only to unavoidable misfortunes the questionable light in which his patriotism was eventually placed, another may with equal plausibility assert, that those misfortunes alone prevented him from thoroughly establishing his character as a tyrant. So much for decisions drawn from the secret motives of human conduct. When we reflect how much even our highest virtues are indebted for their operation, if not for their existence, to causes directly at variance with their nature bow often charity is the result of self love, religion of superstitious terror, apparent liberality of a secret wish the more surely to accomplish by that mean some object of oppression; in short, when we reflect how much all men are given to conceal their true motives until their tendency has become irresistible, we will be inclined to regard only the ulterior consequences of conduct as affording safe ground for final decisions respecting it.

Yet, in the case of San Martin, we are not left entirely without other and more certain grounds of opinion. His public proceedings while in Peru, however involved and contradictory, furnish a clue by which we may, with considerable precision, trace the progress of his dereliction from that fair and manly system which he originally followed, to that chaos of arbitrary (p.61) measures into which, as if by unavoidable destiny, he latterly was so deeply plunged as to be capable of extricating himself only by a precipitate retreat from the scene of confusion. It has been the misfortune of every public benefactor, to have his character vituperated and his actions misrepresented, by that portion of the community whose interests are identified with the abuses which he has tasked himself to reform by those whose ignorance or prejudices prevent them from perceiving and entering into his extended views, and by those whose envy is excited by the presence and triumphs of superior merit. Of such enemies San Martin found a host in Peru. Instead of a people unanimous in sentiment, he found himself in the midst of factions that were severally eager to profit by his services, yet slow to reward him with their gratitude. He also shortly discovered himself to be an object of secret aspersion, and the disgust which he consequently felt, and the contempt which he must necessarily have entertained for the national character, so much more degraded than that of the other free states of South America, might naturally inspire him with the idea, that it m as only with a high hand that the regeneration of the country could be effected. He appears, accordingly, from that period to have acted upon the specious but false reasoning so common in such cues that the ultimate object would justify the means which might be used to accomplish it; and had he proved successful, perhaps the world, as it has frequently done by others, might, by its applause, have borne him out in the truth of his opinion.

General San Martin met with but a cool reception in Chile; but on his way to Buenos Arras he passed a few days with General O'Higgins, at his country seat, where he was received with every demonstration of friendship and respect. The worthy director could do no more; for he also had to contend with various factions, who, as each obstacle to the independence of Chile had been removed, the freedom of Peru nearly established, and a loan of one million sterling contracted in London in order to consolidate the liberation of both the supreme director of the republic of Chile became an object of envy: and he who had steered the vessel for nearly six years through a tempestuous sea , was, when she arrived in a tranquil haven, ungratefully dismissed from his well earned dignity, by the crew whose lives and liberties he had preserved. --
"Oh incultum vulgus!"

p.62 PERUVIAN GRATITUDE. Such had been the exertions and intrigues of the malcontents, that in the short space of three months, those champions of liberty, San Martin, O'Higgins, and Cochrane, had ceased to command: thus Chile and Lima became the prey of contending factions.

The legislature of Lima, considering that they were indebted for the freedom of that department to the efforts of Generals San Martin and O'Higgins, invested the first with the title of Generalissimo of the Forces of Peru; the second, Captain General of Peru; and forwarded the following decrees to the general and admiral of the liberating expedition.

"DECREE.
The sovereign constituent congress has resolved that his excellency the Generalissimo of the forces of Peru, Don José de San Martin, be distinguished with the title of "Founder of the Liberty of Peru"; that he retain the privilege of wearing the "bicolor cordon", which was the insignia of the supreme chief of the state ; that in every part of the territories of the nation he paid to him the same honours as to the executive power ; that, on the conclusion of the war, a statue be raised, on the pedestal of which to be engraved an appropriate inscription ; in the mean time, his bust to be placed in the national library; that he shall enjoy his former pay; and that a pension for life, in imitation of that to Washington, shall be granted, in conformity to the decision of the committee.

Sept 22d, 1822. Signed, &c."
"Vote of Thanks from the Peruvian Congress to Lord Cochrane.
The sovereign constituent Congress of Peru contemplating how much the liberty of Peru owes to the Right Honourable Lord Cochrane, by whose talents, valour, and constancy the Pacific has been freed from our most inveterate enemies, and the standard of liberty has been displayed on the coasts of Peru, resolves that the Junta of Government, in the name of the Peruvian nation, do present Lord Cochrane, admiral of the squadron of Chile, expressions of our most sincere gratitude for his achievements in favour of this country, once tyrannized over by powerful enemies, now the arbiter of its own fate. The Junta of Government, obeying this, will command its fulfilment, and order it to be printed, published, and circulated.
Sept. 27th, 1822. Signed, &c."

p.63 LORD COCHRANE RETIRES. A pension of 20,000 dollars per annum was decreed to General San Martin; one of the finest sugar estates in Peru, (Montalban,) settled oil General O’Higgins ; and the amount of 500,000 dollars (confiscated property) was distributed amongst twenty general and field officers; but those of the Chilian squadron, whose daring prowess had freed the Pacific, and enabled the Liberating army to enter and invade Peru, were not only excluded from being participators of the Peruvian bounty, but had the mortification of being denied the prize money that was due to them; and on their return to port, were paid their arrears in notes issued by a Spanish speculator,* or in tobacco; by which they had to suffer a considerable discount, or sell the latter at an enormous loss: such treatment, and other flagrant acts of injustice, from the ministers, who were personal enemies of Lord Cochrane, caused him, and a few of his brave followers, to abandon Chile in disgust, rather than suffer a repetition of such indignities, or embroil themselves with the malcontents, whose chief had forwarded the following invitation to the admiral, which I now publish with a few other documents, that will throw a considerable light upon the subject of the revolution by which General O´Higgins was deposed. [...]

*Don Antonio Arcos.

p. 76 CHARACTER OF THE LIMANIANS.
General O'Higgins very kindly took me with him to repay visits, and to private parties, which gave me an excellent opportunity of being introduced to many of the first families in Lima; and, as far as I could observe, their manner and habits, &c. were far superior to what I had been led to expect; from what I had read and heard repecting the Limanians, I confess I had imbibed no small stock of prejudice. This, however, wore away as I became better acquainted with them; and, with the exception of a few peculiarities, such as the "saya", and "manta", "capa", and "sombrero"; "segar", and mode of riding on horseback, I found them the identical people I had met with in all the Spanish colonies I had hitherto Visited; and I am confident, that, had the ladies of Lima the benefit of professional teachers, they have talent and vivacity enough, combined with a proper education, to compete with many of our European belles. The multitude of works that have been published in Europe during the grandeur and decadence of this once opulent metropolis, must have given such as have perused them a strange idea of its inhabitants; but many of these authors have only portrayed the characters of the black sambo, mulatto, and mixed population; in their description of the manners and customs of the Limanians, they have only "observed the dark side of the shield," and forgotten that there are good and bad in London, Paris, and Madrid. Why not such in Lima?

p.108 MARCH TO SANTIAGO.
We marched from La Serena on the 29th, for our preparations had detained us longer than was expected. The second squadron remained under the command of Major Latus: and Commandant Boyle accompanied us; we were two troops of 100 men each, and about as many women accompanied them, most of whom were obliged to walk. Each soldier in Chile has a wife, or companion, most of whom are Chinas," (half Indians). These are very useful, generally preceding the corps when on a march, and having a comfortable meal ready, and often a small shed erected for the weary soldier at his journey's end. They are hardy and indefatigable women; and I have seen them ford deep and rapid torrents, and make their way through apparently impassable sloughs.

p. 110 VISIT TO THE PLAINS OF MAIPU.
Chile ought only to date its freedom from the battles of Chacabuco and Maipu, for, although the first popular commotion occurred in 1810, when the President Carrasco, was deposed by the inhabitants of Santiago, and a provisional government, or junta was elected, their title was only that of "Preservers of the rights of the king during his captivity". This new order of affairs caused a series of revolutions; and, as those who were denominated patriots, were contending, factions, the Spaniards and their adherents got hold of the reins of government again. Generals O'Higgins and Carrera were, after a gallant defence, and sanguinary conflict of thirty six hours, defeated at Rancagua; and, with the rest of the patriots, men, women, and children, forced to fly across the Cordillera de los Andes, and, as many had to leave on foot, the hardships and sufferings they had to undergo are not to be described ; whilst the Spanish generals, Osorio and Ordonez, on the 9th of October, 1814, made their entry, and were received by the inhabitants of Santiago with every possible demonstration of joy and gladness (con cuantas demostraciones pueden hacerse de jubilio y alegria.*)

* Gurman's History of Chile.

p.193
Chillan was once a large and populous town, but it was greatly injured by an earthquake; and afterwards it suffered severely by the ravages of war.

During the time that General Carrera besieged the Spaniards, who were shut up here, the friars, among other inventions, made the image of the Virgin open and shut her eyes, and nod her head; and on General Sanchez presenting his baton, she received it, and returned it to him; this being pronounced a miracle, animated the beseiged; the priests also strove by various illusions to terrify the besiegers; but General McKenna* soon exposed their tricks; and by taking some of them, who went out at night, with the intention of alarming the outposts, he made the rest desist.

Sanchez, in order to reward and gain proselytes, made several of the ladies of Chillan colonels, lieutenant-colonels, majors, &c.; some of these, with whom I became acquainted, have shown me their badges.

p.317 WANDERINGS ON HALF PAY.
On my return I visited Melipilla, the capital of the department, which is a neat and middle-sized town, its population is about thirty thousand three hundred souls. This is one of the most fertile districts in the province of Santiago. I also visited Doña Zabiera Carrera, at San Miguel; she was accompanied by her daughter, Doña Domitilla, and sons, Don Santos and Don Pedro Valdes; the latter is a lieutenant in the U.S. navy, on furlough. This lady may be classed amongst the heroines of South America; having played a conspicuous part; she has consequently suffered much from the persecutions of her enemies, and the untimely end of her unfortunate brothers, Don Jose Miguel, Don Juan Jose, and Don Luis Carrera. Her faithful friend El Doctor Tollo resided with her; and as he condoled with her in her troubles, and accompanied her on her emigrations, he may some day publish her history.

The following is an extract from the the Dumfries Magazine of 1825.

"The three Carreras, who acted so conspicuous a part in the first revolution of Chile, have ceased to be spoken of since their escape to Buenos Ayres, along with (p.318) O’Higgins and others, from the vengeance of the successful Ossorio. General Carrera, on returning early in 1817, from his visit to the United States, with a few American officers, and a small supply of arms, was astonished to find his two brothers at Buenos Ayres upon their parole of honour, and also to learn that they had not been permitted to join the army of Independence in Chile. He himself shortly afterwards became an object of suspicion, and was seized, and sent prisoner on board a brig belonging to the government. Alarmed at this proceeding, his brother, Don Louis, fled from the city upon the 19th of July, and was followed by Don Juan Jose upon the 8th of the ensuing month; their intention being to effect their escape into Chile. But being pursued, and taken near Mendoza on the 17th, they were thrown into prison, and afterwards brought to trial by Monteagudo. On the morning of the 8th of April, 1819, they were sentenced to be shot; at three o'clock of the afternoon, the unfortunate brothers were informed of the fate which awaited them; and at six o'clock on the same evening the sentence was carried into execution. Meanwhile their brother, Don Jose Miguel, had eluded either the justice or the vengeance of Puyerredon, by escaping from the brig in which he had been confined at Buenos Ayres, and flying for refuge to Monte Video."

I have extracted the following from a work, entitled "Five Years’ Residence in Buenes Ayres, by an Englishman." The execution of his two brothers, Don Louis and Juan Jose, in Mendoza, and other political affairs, had made him vow eternal enmity to the government of Buenos Ayres; particularly to San Martin, whom he much disliked. In his vengeance, he had raised the Indians to assist him. This act lost him many friends.

(p.319) He was betrayed into the hands of his enemies, in the city of Mendoza, and immediately put to death; which it is almost needless to observe, he underwent with courage, and was buried, it is said, in the same grave with the brothers he so dearly loved.

"Carrera was in the prime of life, tall, and elegantly formed; his desperation and courage rank him as one of Lord Byron's heroes, though not exactly, ‘with one virtue linked to a thousand crimes.’

His widow, who was a fine woman, and infant family, I afterwards saw at Buenos Ayres. One of the latter, a little girl not five years of age, was imprudently asked, in my presence, what had become of her father? ‘Murdered by the Mendoceans,’ she quickly replied!"

During the government of General Pinto in 1828, their remains were translated to the capital of Chile, when I witnessed the honourable manner in which they were laid in state in La Compania; their obsequies and interment were attended by the public authorities and principal inhabitants of Santiago. The faithful friend of the family, El Doctor Don Louis B. Tollo, pronounced a short but pathetic funeral oration to their memory.

Doña Zabiera occupied herself in her garden, which is handsomely laid out in the English style, and in attending and assisting the poor in her neighbourhood. The kind treatment visitors generally receive in San Miguel, leaves a lasting impression on such as have experienced the polite attention of this worthy lady and her amiable family. I next visited La Calera, in the department De la Victoria. This estate belongs to the late president of the republic, Don Francisco Ruis Tagle, where I was stationed during his government. It is extensive, well laid out and cultivated; a deal of hemp is (p.320) grown, and there is also a quantity of cordage manufactured. The houses are substantial and commodious, as is .also the church. The gardens and pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out; and there is an artificial lake, with water works attached. I have visited this estate frequently, and enjoyed the hospitality of Don Francisco and his amiable lady Doña Rosaria Larrayn. This hacienda formerly belonged to the Jesuits, and some of their rules and ceremonies are still observed by its proprietor, who generally gives two or more "corridos de exercicios" annually.

These are held yearly on many of the large haciendas, .which have a series of chambers, almost contiguous to their chapel, in order that those who attend may be comfortably lodged, called Casa de Exercicios; and, some .have been endowed by the former proprietors, with a yearly stipend for this purpose. When there is to be a meeting, notice is generally given, and a number of tickets are issued to the men or women on the estate, according to those who take the. lead, for each has nine days of penitential praying; and the sermons of the most celebrated preachers that can be procured, must be heard, before they can be shrived; and then they consider themselves as beginning the world again. Although they are provided with plenty of good and substantial food, their nine days' residence is no sinecure, for they are not allowed to converse with each other, and generally have a handkerchief tied on their heads, that nearly covers their eyes. They are early and late at their prayers and distributions; and, for the seven first nights they have to flagellate themselves, with a discipline, with which they are provided, or a strop, during the period a priest sings the penitential prayer. I frequently have heard (p.321) them at this work, and wondered how they could stand such a self flogging, but one animates the other. Their poor backs get sorely lacerated, and the walls show that they have been unmerciful, even to themselves; others mortify themselves by wearing a belt of bristles or pointed wires, called "cilicios". It is the interest of the landed proprietors, to have these exercicios, for they keep their "inquilinos" in order; many a restoration of stolen property and remuneration follows, as well as marriages. The friars and other priests are well paid and fed, and are extremely fond of following up the rules of San Ygnatio Loyola. There are several houses of this kind in the capital, other towns and haciendas, where the poor of both classes are admitted gratis. On some estates where there is no house of exercicios, they have missions, that are attended only during the morning and evening service, and nearly the same ceremonies, especially that of flagellation, are performed. On leaving La Calera, I rode over to Serro Negro, the estate of General Don Jose Manuel Borgoño; he and his family had retired from the capital ever since the pseudo patriots had deprived him of his rank and pay. General Don Francisco Antonio Pinto was his neighbour; he also had been cashiered, but both managed to live respected, and bring up their families, by imitating Cincinnatus ; and turning their attention to agricultural pursuits. I next visited the hacienda of El S'or Xara; here is a fine garden, and his lady, Doña Transita, has bestowed extraordinary pains in adorning and keeping it in order; she is of the Carrera family, and the hospitality of Santa Rita is proverbial in the province. On my return to Angostura, the family of Don Juan Francisco Larrayn were preparing to leave for the capital, and I accepted the invitation (p.322) of a neighbouring gentleman, Don Justo Salinas, who had been suddenly bereft of his lady, Doña Ana Maria Cotapos, who had been alarmed during the period that Pincheyra was in the neighbourhood, with a report of fire arms ; she received a fall that occasioned her death. Don Justo was left with seven children; (the lady's first husband was the unfortunate General Carrera, of whom mention has been made.)

Texts written by Thomas Sutcliffe:
1841 - Sixteen Years in Chile and Peru, From 1822 to 1839.