lanced by the accession of new friends, Indians, and cholos; the latter were now kindly received by the besiegers, and not ill-treated, as before; although, in the event of any reverse of fortune, they were always suspected as enemies; and on one occasion, when a battle proved unfavourable to the besiegers, they put to death every cholo that was among them.

"In this posture of affairs, two letters were received from Sicasica, addressed to the leaders of the Indians who were besieging La Paz, informing them that the Indians of Sicasica had determined not to obey the orders of Catari, in whom they could not acknowledge either right or qualification to rule over them, he having assumed the name of Tupac Catari, the former leader of the Indians of Chayanta; they consequently advised them to raise the siege of La Paz, as they were also in imminent danger from Spanish troops, who had already arrived in Oruro, and were making great havoc among the Indians of the surrounding country.

"This intelligence being communicated to Catari, he immediately, with part of his force, marched against the Indians of Sicasica, leaving to his wife the command and control of the besiegers; but, on arriving at Hayohayo, he

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intercepted a document addressed to the true Tupac Catari, from his friend and confederate Gabriel Tupac Amaro the principal Indian insurgent; this contained a statement of the causes that had compelled him to rise in rebellion.

"Catari now returned to his former position, giving out that the said communication was addressed to him, and that, as the contents were highly satisfactory, he ordered three days of rejoicing, which was entered into by the Indians with all the enthusiasm so peculiar to these people in their feasts and merrimaking.

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Amidst this rejoicing, another letter was received, with intelligence that the Spaniards were approaching Sicasica, and putting all the Indians to the sword; in consequence of which Catari prepared a new expedition and marched to oppose them. He left, as on the former occasion, his wife in management of every thing during his absence, and she acquitted herself in such a manner that Catari was not in any degree missed. The siege was as closely pressed, although, soon after the departure of her husband, she sent him a reinforcement of a thousand men, infantry and cavalry. She held frequent consultations with the leaders, ministers, and officers of the several divisions of the be

sieging force, encouraged them to persevere in resistance to the last gasp of their lives, and constantly introduced the subject of the grievances, extortions, and imposts to which the Indians were subjected by the ministers of the King of Spain, whose tyranny they alleged had forced them into rebellion.

"Whilst things were going on in the manner above described, Mariano Morillo, who was charged with the management of the mountainguns, and who escaped being put to death, in consequence of the need the Indians had of his services as a gunner, was accidentally detected with a letter that had been conveyed to him from the city. The unhappy man was instantly dragged close to the entrenchment, and after having both arms chopped off at the elbows, was sent in that condition into the city, with the following letter, in mockery of his friends, the Governor and royalists, whom he had designed to serve.

"I HAVE received a letter written to Mariano, in which you give him particular directions where, and how to deliver us up, for which reason I send him to you, that he himself may direct every thing: and I farther inform you, that I fearlessly expect you at Potopoto, and I hope you will send me word that it is your intention to come. I learn, moreover, that the succours coming to you from Buenos

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Ayres, Chuquisaca, Potosi, and Oruro, have been destroyed by the Indians of Sicasica; therefore, I care not for your schemes. In the mean time, may God preserve your health many years.

"I, The LORD VICEROY TUPAC CATARI."

"At length, on the 21st of May, I succeeded in making my escape from the rebels and gained the city, to which it has been my ardent wish and constant endeavour to afford all possible information and relief; proving thereby my loyalty and devotion to my Sovereign, whose preservation, as well as that of your Excellency, is the constant object of my prayers.

(Signed)

"FREY MATHIAS DE LA BORDA.

"La Paz, 30th May, 1781."

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JOURNAL OF

CHAPTER V.

Continuation of the Journal of Don Sebastian de Segurola.

"WHEN the siege of the city was raised, a great number of Indians solicited pardon, which they readily obtained, but a much greater number continued in hostility. On the 2d of July, the wife of the pretended Tupac Catari, together with his chief courier' and secretary, fell into the hands of our party, and were conducted into the city, where the latter was immediately executed, and the vice-queen and her courier committed to prison. In the evening a detachment of the rebels appeared with a white flag, and sent a letter to me, offering in exchange for the wife of Catari a clergyman, whom they retained as prisoner, also proposing peace on terms which were entirely inadmissible. I, however, replied to the rebels, that the King our Lord did not desire the ruin of his people;