SAN MARTIN.

His proclamation to the army is still more extraordinary:--

Companions of the United Army,

Your brothers in the division of the south
have not been beaten--but they have been dispersed. To you it
belongs to revenge this insult. You are valiant, and have known
long ago the path to glory. Sharpen well your bayonets and your
swords. The campaign of Peru shall finish in this year. Your old
general assures it. Prepare to conquer!

SAN MARTIN.

To the inhabitants of the interior, proclamations of a still more
bombastic nature were despatched, in which they were assured that a
reverse of this kind "weighed nothing in the balance of destiny of Peru.
Providence protects us, and by this action will accelerate the ruin of
the enemies of Peru. Proud of their first victory, _they will spare us
part of our march in search of them_. Fear not! the army that _drove
them from the capital_ is ready to punish them a third time, and to
punish them for ever!"

The army, however, rightly dreaded another reverse, and what remained of
the Chilian force was discontented, as no promise to them had been
fulfilled. All gold and silver had disappeared, and paper money was
issued by the Government in its stead. Contributions from the already
drained inhabitants were increased, and had to be collected at the point