and, like Cincinnatus, has withdrawn to retirement, but not with the
same view. This modesty is to captivate the crowd, who are to call
on him to convert the ploughshare _into an Imperial sceptre!_ I have
excellent information to this effect, having found means to obtain it
from behind the scenes of this political actor.

Great hopes are entertained, from the mission to Chili, that
the squadron will at least be withdrawn, and that when the sun of
Peru shall rise on the ocean, the star (the national emblem of Chili)
which has hitherto shone, will be for ever eclipsed! Some spots
have, however, appeared on the sun's surface. Two thousand men
have ceased to see its light at Pasco; and the Numantian regiment,
once dazzled by its splendour, are about to grope their way to their
native land.

As the attached and sincere friend of your Excellency, I hope you
will take into your serious consideration the propriety of at once
fixing the Chilian Government upon a base not to be shaken by the
fall of the present tyranny in Peru, of which there are not only
indications, but their result is inevitable; unless, indeed, the
mischievous counsels of vain and mercenary men can suffice to prop
up a fabric of the most barbarous political architecture, serving as
a screen from whence to dart their weapons against the heart of
liberty. Thank God, my hands are free from the stain of labouring
in any such work, and, having finished all which you gave me to do,
I may now rest till you shall command my further endeavours for
the honour and security of my adopted land.

The enemy's forces, since the destruction of the division at Pasco,
under Tristan, are superior to those of San Martin at Lima, and are