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204

BISHOP OF CORDOVA.

and scientific superintendence of Dr. Segurola; who with the patience of a philosopher, and the influence of eloquent persuasion, supported by experimental operation, set himself about the arduous task of combating the prejudices of the people against a certain cure for a disease, which for centuries had been the scourge of their race. From at first being obliged to drag the parents and their children to the institution, he had the satisfaction to find them at length crowding the doors of it, till he was obliged to call in one assistant after another, in order to get through the work of the day. To the credit of the government be it said, that the persevering physician,* was ably, liberally, and zealously supported by the state.

The bishop of Cordova, Orellana, the inveterate old Spaniard, who had joined Liniers, and harangued his troops on to battle, openly joined the patriot cause, gave up his tithes of Cordova, and offered all the income connected with his mitre, as a free oblation to the Patria. This was a great step in advance; for a bishop in South America, as in some other places not quite so remote, is a person of high political influence.

* He was, in point of fact, however, a dignitary of the church.

GOYENECHE'S CHAGRIN.

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In Paraguay, matters were travelling to a crisis, especially as regarded their intercourse with Buenos Ayres. As related in our former work, Señor Herrera was there, as ambassador from Buenos Ayres; terms of a commercial and political treaty were discussed; but in the meantime the motley congress, as already pourtrayed, rejected all terms, proclaimed Francia first consul, agreed to all his jaundiced proposals, and sent off Mr. Herrera, with just sufficient protection to prevent his falling a prey to that jealousy which Francia had excited against him.

On the 21st of June, Belgrano entered Potosi at the head of the auxiliary troops; and a brisk affair took place on the island of Martin Garcia, which was carried, against a Spanish force of seventy men and three pieces of artillery, by Lieutenant Caparroz, who charged them with eighteen mounted dragoons.

In June of this year (1813) General Goyeneche, commander-in-chief for the Spaniards of their arms in Peru, disgusted with intrigue, disheartened by defeat, and in despair of permanent success, resigned the command into the hands of Hinostroso, appointed at Lima to succeed him.

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DEFEAT AT VILCAPUGIÒ.

As a counterpart, however, at once to the discouraging aspect of affairs for Spain in Peru and Chile, the Spanish frigate Prueba, soon afterwards followed by the ship of the line of the same nation the San Pablo, sailed into the harbour of Monte Video with a reinforcement against the patriots of two thousand men.

In Chile, the indefatigable Don Miguel Carrera besieged Chillan, but was forced to retire, and subsequently to raise the siege, even after a successful affair with the besieged.

This year was conspicuous for bringing out upon the stage of the revolution, the celebrated Chileno, General O'Higgins, then a colonel of the army, who with a force of two hundred men, repulsed, after a severe action, at Angeles, in his native country, five hundred of the enemy.

Once more things looked louring upon the patriot cause in Peru. Belgrano suffered a severe defeat at Vilcapugiò, which, as those things were generally managed, he first called a victory, then a doubtful action, and subsequently a disaster; till he at last confesses that the Spanish General Pezuela, had remained completely master of the field,—had gained, in short, a decided victory. Meantime, two

DEFEAT AT VILCAPUGIÒ.

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more revolutionary chiefs burst forth into notice, destined, at subsequent periods considerably to distinguish themselves. The one, La Madrid, at

tacked the enemy's outposts, amounting to thirty men; the other, Don Hilarion de la Quintana, with a few recruits, rushed in upon the Spaniards at Gualiguaychu, and drove five hundred men on board of their ships. This was part of an expedition which had sailed from Monte Video, with what object was never known, shortly after the arrival there of the two Spanish ships of war, transports, and troops. They landed on various parts of the coast; but were invariably repulsed with loss, and obliged to return to Monte Video, to tell their hapless tale.

The duties on imports were lowered this year to twenty-five per cent., ad valorem.

Yours, &c.

THE AUTHORS.

LETTER XXXV.

THE AUTHORS to GENERAL MILLER.

Intrepidity of the Porteños-The Director Posadas-The KetchCreation of a Naval Power-General San Martin, and Affairs of the Interior-General Alvear-A Jubilee in Buenos AyresGeneral Success of the Patriots-Admiral Brown-Capture of the Fleet of Monte Video-His Triumphant Entry into Buenos Ayres-Mr. White.

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London, 1842.

THIS year (1814) was one of the most stirring interest, bold enterprise, and well earned success 'per mare ac terram," which had hitherto distinguished the intrepidity, or stamped with the character of persevering gallantry, the energies of the Porteños, the natives of Buenos Ayres.

All the men employed on the stage of action were more or less men of talent. Posadas, the director, was of a stayed, reflecting, though a little too bending character. Herrera, his secretary, was shrewd, penetrating, quick, eloquent, and a complete homme d'affaires. Rondeau, as mander, was cautious, circumspect, and yet sufficiently daring; while Alvear, who superseded him

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