GENERAL La Mar, president of Peru, had, throughout the shortlived power of Bolivar, remained in voluntary exile-unwilling to yield obedience to the Bolivian code, and anxious to avoid the proscription that had hitherto pursued those who had opposed the views of the Liberator. The Bolivian constitution having been rejected, and a new constitution adopted, tranquillity reigned throughout the country.

Apprehensions, however, existed that Bolivar, after settling the affairs of Colombia, would attempt to regain his lost authority, and it was deemed advisable to place the army on such a footing, as would prevent any encroachment from that quar

ter.

The standing army was, therefore, increased to 12,000 men, and every exertion made to provide against future exigencies.

At the commencement of the year 1828, a conspiracy which threatened serious consequences, was detected at Lima. It had for its object, the crowning of an In. dian Colonel, named Linavibca, and was fixed for the 25th of January. A number of members of congress were arrested as conspirators in this monarchical plot, and among others, Senores Vidaurre, and Perez Sudela. Vidaurre was president of the supreme court, and representative for Lima, and from his former course of conduct in manfully opposing the views of Bolivar, and resisting his attempts at usurpation, it can hardly be suspected that he was privy to a plot of this kind. The truth is, that shortly after the commencement of their session, congress had been divided between two parties headed by Vidaurre, on the one side, and Luna Pisarro, president of con

gress, on the other. These parties professed opposite principles, and their dissentions had been productive of great disorder. Vidaurre was a high-toned republican, and Luna Pisarro, an ultra aristocrat. Pisarro had endeavoured to insert in the constitution an article granting the right of citizenship to the Spaniards in general, which had been opposed successfully by Vidaurre, who spoke several times against the measure with great ve hemence, and finally succeeded in defeating it. He was now accused of having participated in the conspiracy, in the objects of which the party of Pisarro had been included, more with a view to give himself the political command, than to destroy the republic. The real fact seems to be, Vidaurre was in fa. vour of Santa Cruz, as President, and was therefore obnoxious to those in power.

He was at first thrown in prison, with the view of bringing him to trial, but having a formidable party in his favour, the government contented itself with banishing him to the United States, stipulating to maintain him with decency, and al. so obligating themselves to provide for his family, with the greatest

care.

General Santa Cruz was also banished, with the title of minister plenipotentiary to Chili.

On the 30th of March Peru was visited by one of those dreadful

earthquakes which sometimes occur in that part of the world, and which, had it continued for a few seconds longer, would inevitably have laid Lima in ruins. The shock was preceded and followed by several phenomena, equally strange and terrible.

On the 16th of March, the river Jayme of Ferrenafe, shot from its bed through the upper part of Lambayeque. Its currents were so strong, and so great the mass of its waters, that it entirely covered the place named the Other Banks, levelling in its progress all the houses and hamlets situated there. To this phenomenon was added an extraordinary torrent of rain, accompanied by violent thunder and lightning, all of which continued four days in succession. This calamity destroyed most of the streets, bending or inclining all the buildings from the centre. The inhabitants found an asylum in the hills and sand banks in the vicinity of the city. Such was the abun. dance of waters and the height which they attained, that the conductor of the post was forced to embark on a raft two miles above, and thus cross the city to the office. large river, formed by the rains, made its appearance in the desert of Sechurs, a place in which no water was ever seen before. The direction of this new river is across from the desert towards the point called Cabo Verde. Travellers

and of religious and benevolent establishments.

The constitution itself is to be inviolable for five years; and in July, 1833, a grand convention is to assemble, to examine and reform it, in whole, or in part; or on the occurrence of an extraordinary case, congress had the power to call a convention at an earlier period. The most striking provision, was the utter and absolute ANNIHILATION

OF SLAVERY.

The 152d article declares that "no person is born a slave in the republic; no slave can enter from abroad, without being free."

The constitution was not well received, on account of suspicions entertained of a design to increase the executive powers at the expense of popular rights.

But the country was now exposed to a more immediate danger; the prospect of an invasion from Colombia.

The Bolivian code had disappointed the inhabitants of Bolivia itself, and an insurrection had taken place in Upper Peru, having for its object the destruction of that constitution, and the expulsion of the Colombians. Although General Sucré had been chosen President of Bolivia by the spontaneous voice of congress, and although he had accepted the appointment for two years, on the condition that 2000 Colombian troops should remain

with him for that period, which preposal was assented to by congress; yet the pride of the Bolivians was mortified, and they were determi ned to free themselves of their al, lies. The Peruvian government were invited to co-operate with the revolutionary party, and a force was accordingly sent, under Colonel Gamarra, with whose aid Sucré, after a gallant resistance, was deposed, and taken prisoner.

Bolivar saw, in this step, the progress of the party opposed to his ambitious designs. The constitution which had been forced upon Peru, had been rejected; and not contented with that domestic triumph, the leaders of that revolution had undertaken to aid their compatriots in Upper Peru, in shaking off the shackles so artfully imposed upon them in the hour of unsuspecting gratitude, under the guise of a constitution.

Their sentiments even infected the soldiers left to retain Peru in subjection, and the army of Colombia, so far from being willing to forge fetters for the Peruvians, had shown themselves more ready to sever those, which were preparing for their own countrymen. This difference in their political princi. ples, almost rendered it impossible for the two parties to remain in peace, until after a full trial of strength. But there were other motives to the war of a national

character. The Peruvians were indebted to Colombia, $3,595,000, for the expenses of the liberating army, which they did not find it convenient to pay. They were charged, too, with being actuated by a desire to possess themselves of Guayaquil, and of the province of Jaën, and part of Mainas. Insults, too, had been offered to Colombian officers by the Peruvian authorities, and the troops seduced to revolt against their own country. Such were the grounds upon which Bolivar justified the war, and actuated by these reasons, and probably not a little exasperated at the opposition to his ambitious projects, and at the extinction of his hopes of fame as a legislator, by the destruction of the code of his political faith, he immediately issued the following address, declaring war against Peru:

Fellow citizens and soldiers!

The perfidy of the people of Peru has removed all limits, and overturned all rights, of their neighbours of Bolivia and Colombia. Notwithstanding a thousand outrages, borne with heroic patience, we have found ourselves at length obliged to repel injustice by force. The Peruvian forces have entered into the heart of Bolivia, without a previous declaration of war, and without any cause for it. Such abominable conduct lets us know what we have to hope for from a government which does not know, either the laws of nations, or those of gratitude; nor will follow the courtesy due to friendly people and brothers. Let us refer to the list of the crimes of the government of Peru, and your suffering cannot discover itself without a terrible cry of vengeance. But I do not wish to excite your indignation, nor re-open your painful wounds.

I only call you to be on your guard the soil of our daughter, and who attempt against those wretches who have violated now to profane the bosom of the mother of heroes. Arm yourselves, Colombians of the south! Fly to the frontiers of Peru, and hope for the hour of revenge. signal for battle. My presence among you shall be the (Signed) BOLIVAR. Bogota, July 3, 1828.

A manifesto, setting forth the justifying causes of the war, followed, which will be found among the public documents in the second part of this volume. The Peruvians, on their part, also declared war against the Colombians, and denounced the ambitious projects of Bolivar, and his attempts to reduce their republic to a state of dependence and slavery. General La Mar, in answer to Bolivar, issued the following proclamation:

Soldiers!

I come to place myself at your head, to share the dangers and the glory of the campaign to which you are provoked. The sworn enemy of Peruvian independence the violator of our national rights he who cannot hear you called virtuous without being furious with anger-the only man who proclaims despotism in the continent of AmericaGeneral Bolivar, has dared to declare war against us-his presence on the frontiers being to serve as a signal for the combat. You will conquer the arrogant slaves who accompany him in so fratricidal an enterprise: you will revenge the outrages offered to your honour, the insults heaped upon the republic, and wil! build the prosperity of two friendly and sister nations.

Soldiers! Such are your sublime destinies in you the country places these precious hopes; show yourselves worthy of so great a trust; comply with the wishes of your fellow citizens, which are the expression of the law and the measure of your duty.