swarming with marquises, counts, viscounts, and other titles of
monarchy, to which consummation all expected the Protector to aspire;
the more so, as the only unfettered portion of the press was that which
saluted him under the title of Emperor. (_See Appendix, Ode of "The
Dove," sung in celebration, of our Protector and Emperor of Peru!_)

The strength of a State so constituted did not keep pace with the
brilliancy of its court. On the 7th of April, General Cantarac had
fallen upon a division of the liberating army, and cut up or made
prisoners of the whole, capturing 5,000 muskets, the military chest,
containing 100,000 dollars, and all their ammunition and baggage. It
would have been thought that so serious a disaster occurring amongst a
justly-exasperated people would have caused some embarrassment to the
Government, but the Gazette of the 13th of April almost turned it into
matter for congratulation.

LIMEÑOS,

The division of the south, _without having been beaten_, has
been surprised and dispersed. In a long campaign all cannot be
prosperity. You know _my_ character, and you know that _I_ have
always spoken the truth! I do not mean to search for consolation
in conflicts, notwithstanding, I dare to assure you, that the iniquitous
and tyrannical empire of the Spaniards in Peru will cease in the
year 1823. I will make an ingenuous confession to you. It was
my intention to go in search of repose after so many years of agitation,
but I believed your independence was not secured. Some
trifling danger now presents itself, and so long as there remains the
least appearance of it, till you are free you shall not be left by your
faithful friend,