II
Thus was accomplished one of the most heroic military feats in history. “The passage of the Andes by the Army of San Martin,” says Lord Bryce, “has been pronounced by military historians of authority to have been one of the most remarkable operations ever accomplished in mountain warfare. The forces which he led were no doubt small compared ... to those which Hannibal and Napoleon carried across the Alps. But ... the passes to be crossed were much higher.”
Lord Bryce also says that San Martin comes nearer than any one else to being “the George Washington of Spanish America.”
And San Martin has been called, “the Hannibal of the Andes.”
NOT FOR HIMSELF
Honours were showered on San Martin after the battle of Chacabuco. News of his successful crossing of the Andes and of his victory, reached Buenos Aires. All day long shouts sounded through the streets. Cannon roared from the fort and from the squadron in the roadstead. San Martin’s portrait was hung where all could see it, draped in flags captured from the enemy.
The Argentine Government decreed a sword and badge for San Martin, and struck medals for his soldiers. They voted a pension of six hundred dollars a year for his little daughter, Maria Mercedes. They also sent him a commission as Brigadier-General, the highest rank in the Argentine service.
San Martin accepted the pension for his little daughter, and laid the money aside for her education. But he refused the commission, asking only for more arms, money, and men, to carry on the campaign.
Meanwhile, the grateful Chilean Government offered to make him ruler of all Chile. But this honour, too, he declined. So his friend and companion-at-arms, Bernardo O’Higgins, in his stead, was elected Supreme Ruler of the country.
COCHRANE, EL DIABLO
“On to Lima! On to Lima!” was now the cry of the Argentine and Chilean soldiers. “Let us drive out the Spaniards! Let us expel them from Spanish America for ever!”
“On to Lima by sea,” was San Martin’s decision. Meanwhile, O’Higgins was busy equipping a fleet to carry the troops to Peru.
There was, at that time, in England a dauntless, dashing naval-officer, Lord Thomas Cochrane, who was famous for his extraordinary courage and adventures. He gladly accepted the invitation of San Martin and O’Higgins, to become Admiral of the Chilean Navy. And because excitement and danger were as meat and drink to him, he hastened to Chile.
He was welcomed with great rejoicings. His beautiful young wife became one of the belles of Santiago. English, Irish, and American officers, drawn by the fame of Lord Cochrane’s daring exploits, arrived in numbers offering their swords to Chile to help win her Freedom.
Then, with the single-star Flag of Chile nailed to his mastheads, Admiral Cochrane swept the Pacific clean of Spanish war-vessels. And so fiery were his attacks, that the Spaniards nicknamed him, “El Diablo.” “For the very Devil himself, he is,” said they.
OUR BROTHERS, YE SHALL BE FREE!
“The Peruvians are our brothers,” proclaimed San Martin to his soldiers.
“Remember that you are come not to conquer but to liberate a People!” he proclaimed as soon as the Liberating Army was landed in Peru. For Lord Cochrane had brought them safely thither aboard the Chilean fleet.
Then to the Peruvians, San Martin sent broadcast a proclamation:—
You shall be free and independent. You shall form your government and your laws according to the spontaneous wish of your own representatives. The soldiers of the Army of Liberation, your brothers, will exert no influences, military or civil, direct or indirect, in your social system. Whenever it suits you, dismiss the Army which marches to protect you. A military force should never occupy the territory of a Free People, unless invited by its legitimate magistrates.
This proclamation aroused the patriotism of many Peruvians, who brought quantities of food and supplies to the Army. While numbers of them joined the Army, including six hundred slaves, to whom San Martin promised their freedom.
Then San Martin prepared to invest Lima, with the help of Lord Cochrane’s fleet.
THE FALL OF THE CITY OF THE KINGS
Lima, “the City of the Kings,” stands not far from the sea on a plain near the foot of the Cordilleras.
When San Martin landed in Peru, Lima the proud, the rich, was the seat of the Spanish Viceroy’s Court with all its pomp and vices. She was shut in by walls above which rose her turrets and domes. Many of her people were slaves, Indians, or freedmen; the rest were haughty Spanish grandees and rich royalists. Lima was the civil, and military, despot of all Spanish America.
San Martin had now but one thought and aim—to drive the Spaniards from Lima, and make the city independent. He besieged her by sea and land. Through proclamations sent far and wide, he urged the Peruvians to rise up and help gain their own Freedom. Peruvian Colonists, Indians, and slaves flocked to his standard.
The siege began to tell on Lima. Her pride was humbled to the dust. Her food was exhausted. Fresh supplies were cut off by the blockade. The poor suffered dreadful want. The rich were deprived of their luxuries. Rich and poor alike lived in terror of their lives. To add to the miseries of the unhappy city, her officials, who should have protected her, fell to quarrelling among themselves.
On the Fifth of July, universal terror reigned. The Spanish Viceroy had announced that he was about to abandon the city to her fate. Every one believed that San Martin’s troops would fall upon her to pillage and burn. At dawn the Viceroy marched out with his troops.
There was one mad rush to escape to Callao, the port of Lima, several miles away. All the people who could, hastened to leave. Crowds of fugitives hurried along the highways, people on foot, in carts, on horseback; men, women, and children, with bundles and household goods, with horses and mules, and with slaves bending under heavy burdens of baggage and treasure.
Inside the city, there was pandemonium. Women were seen fleeing toward the convents. The narrow streets were choked with loaded wagons and mounted horsemen.
By midday, scarcely a person was to be seen. Those who had been forced to remain, had barred their doors and closed their shutters, and were waiting with fear and trembling for San Martin’s troops to fall upon the city.
In the midst of this confusion, the few officials who had not fled, gathered together to consult as to what should be done. They feared an uprising of the slaves or an attack by a mob. But greater still was their fear of the multitude of San Martin’s armed Indians, savage and undisciplined, who were surrounding the city. For though the Indians were under the command of San Martin’s officers, they seemed likely at any moment, to break loose from restraint and massacre the helpless people of Lima. The Indians were so near that they could plainly be seen, perched on the heights that overhung the city.
The officials, in great terror of mind, wrote a letter to San Martin, entreating him to enter Lima and protect her. The letter was despatched by a messenger.
All night long, a profound silence brooded over the city.
The next morning San Martin’s answer came.
It was brief. He would enter the city, he said, only if it was the real wish of the People of Lima to declare their Independence. He had no desire to enter as a conqueror, he declared, but would come only if invited by the People.
And added he, that the People, in the meanwhile, might give whatever orders they desired to his troops surrounding the city; and the orders should be obeyed.
His answer stunned the officials. They could not believe that a conquering general could be so humane to a helpless foe. They thought that San Martin was mocking them. But to put the matter to the test, they sent an order to a commanding officer of a regiment stationed near the city gate, asking him to withdraw his men to a spot a league away. The officer immediately withdrew them.
The good news flew through the city. People went almost mad with joy. Confidence was restored; and parties of picked soldiers were invited in to guard the city.
In a day or two everything was as before. The shops were opened again. Women were seen stealing from the convents. Men ventured into the square to smoke their cigars. The streets were lined with refugees returning to their homes, bringing back bundles, trunks, and treasures. The street criers were bawling their wares; and the city was restored to its usual noise and bustle.
Then a deputation of citizens waited upon San Martin to invite him to enter Lima and proclaim her Independence.
Captain Basil Hall (Retold)
SAN MARTIN THE CONQUEROR
A Retreat
The people watched eagerly to see San Martin enter in state as a conquering general should. The day passed, and he did not come. When it began to grow dark, he rode in through the gate attended by a single aide-de-camp.
And he would not have come then, if he could have helped it. It was his plan to slip unobserved into the city early in the morning before people were up.
But the reason why he had to enter at evening, was this:—
He was tired, and he had just settled down for the night in the corner of a little cottage outside the walls. He was blessing his stars that he was well out of the reach of business, when in came two Friars, who had discovered his hiding place.
Each one made him a long tedious speech; one likened him to Cæsar and the other to Lucullus.
“Good heavens!” exclaimed San Martin, when the Friars had left. “What are we to do? This will never answer!”
“O sir,” replied the aide-de-camp, “there are two more of the same stamp close at hand.”
“Indeed! Then saddle the horses again, and let us be off!” exclaimed San Martin.
So it happened that the conquering General was forced to retreat, and enter Lima before people were asleep.
The Mother and her Three Sons
When he entered the city, instead of going directly to the palace where he was to lodge, he stopped to call on the Governor.
In a moment, the news of his arrival sped through the city. People came thronging into the Governor’s house, and even filled the court and street.
San Martin was forced to stand in the audience-chamber and receive the crowds. Old people and young people pressed fast upon him. But though he was so modest and heartily disliked any show or pretension, he received their praises patiently and kindly.
A handsome middle-aged woman approached him, and as he leaned forward to greet her, she threw herself at his feet. There, clinging to his knees, she looked up into his face, and exclaimed that she had three sons at his service, who, she hoped, would become useful citizens.
San Martin listened to her with respect. As he gently raised her from the floor, she flung her arms around his neck and finished her speech. He replied to her with great earnestness; and the poor woman’s heart seemed bursting with gratitude for his attention and kindness.
The Little Girl Who Was Bashful
San Martin then seeing a little girl about ten or twelve years old, who was too bashful to come forward, lifted the astonished child and kissed her cheek. When he set her down again, the little thing was in such ecstasy that she scarcely knew what to do.
Another Little Girl
San Martin established his headquarters a little beyond the city-wall. There he was completely surrounded by business. But every man coming out of San Martin’s presence, seemed pleased whether he had succeeded in his petition or not.
Among others, an old man came into headquarters holding a little girl in his arms. He had just one request, would the great General please kiss his child? San Martin good-naturedly kissed her, and the father went away radiantly happy.
The Best Cigar
San Martin lived on the friendliest terms with his officers.
One day, at his own table, he opened his pouch and took out a cigar, rounder and firmer than the rest. He gave it a look of unconscious satisfaction. Just then a voice called:—
“My General!”
San Martin started from his revery, and raised his head.
“Who spoke?” he said.
“It was I,” said an officer who had been watching him. “I merely wished to beg the favour of one cigar from you.”
“Ah ha!” said San Martin smiling good-naturedly with an assumed look of reproach. And at once he tossed his chosen cigar to the officer.
Duty Before the General
At another time, San Martin was entertaining a visitor on board a schooner. While they were walking up and down, the sailors began to swab the deck.
“What a plague it is,” said San Martin, “that these fellows will insist on washing their decks at this rate.” Then turning to one of the men, he said, “I wish, my friend, you would not wet us here, but go to the other side.”
The sailor, who had his duty to perform and who was too well accustomed to the General’s gentle manner, went on with his work, and soundly splashed him and his guest.
“I am afraid,” cried San Martin, “we must go below, although our cabin is but a miserable hole! For really there is no persuading these fellows to go out of their usual way.”
Captain Basil Hall and Other Sources (Retold)
LIMA’S GREATEST DAY
July 28, 1821, Peru’s Independence Day
It was Lima’s greatest day. It was the 28th of July. It was her Independence Day.
Flowers and perfumes were being showered down from palace-windows and balconies. They fell on the heads of San Martin and many officers, clergy, and officials who were marching through cheering crowds.
They marched to the great square, and mounted a platform. The troops were drawn up in the square.
The Declaration of Independence of Peru was read aloud.
Then San Martin, standing on the platform, unfurled the new flag of the Republic of Peru. As he shook out its scarlet and white folds on which was the face of the Sun rising over the Andes with a tranquil river at their base, he called in a loud voice:—
“From this moment Peru is free and independent by the common wish of the People, and by the justice of her cause, which God defend!”
Then waving the flag on high, he shouted:—
“Long live the Fatherland! Long live Liberty! Long live Independence!”
“Long live the Fatherland!” shouted the crowds, as they caught up his words and passed them along from the square to the streets beyond.
The bells of the city rang out a joyous peal. Cannon were fired. And such a roar of voices went up as was never heard before in Lima.
Then from the platform silver medals were rained down on the crowds. On each was inscribed:—
Lima, being liberated, swore its Independence on the 28th of July, 1821, under the protection of the Liberating Army of Peru, commanded by San Martin.
San Martin adopted the title of “Protector of Peru.” He took upon himself the temporary government of the country until its Independence should be assured.
“I do not want military renown,” said San Martin, “I have no ambition to be the conqueror of Peru. I want solely to liberate the country from oppression.”
HAIL! NEIGHBOUR REPUBLICS!
San Martin continued to wage his successful campaign against the Spaniards. Now, let us leave him and Peru for a moment.
Let us turn to the United States and see what we were doing about all this.
We recognized our sister Republics for the first time on March 8, 1822.
On that day President Monroe sent a special message to Congress saying, “the Provinces belonging to this hemisphere are our neighbours.” He recommended that Congress should recognize as independent Nations, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Argentina, then called La Plata.
Brazil had already acknowledged them; so the United States was the second Power to hold out the hand of fellowship to our neighbours. England followed soon after.
This acknowledgment of a brave People’s struggle for freedom, came after more than twenty years of terrible warfare.
Our neighbour Republics—recognized in 1822,—have the honour of having won their own Liberty without the aid of foreign Allies. For though they had the sympathy of all free Peoples, and the moral support of both the English and the United States Governments, and though hundreds of foreign young men—whole legions of them—volunteered in the Patriot Armies and shed their blood for Spanish-American Independence, yet the Patriots of the Southern Republics had to stand up alone and unaided by any Government.
They won their Independence by patient endurance of every conceivable suffering, by rising above momentary defeats, and by courageously persisting to the end under the command of their devoted Liberators.
In the language of San Martin, “God granted them success.”
AMERICA FOR THE AMERICANS
So at last, the Spanish-American Republics were recognized. Their Freedom was practically won.
But the Kings of Continental Europe felt their thrones tottering and their crowns loosened.
After the wars of Napoleon, the whole of Europe was in political ferment. So it always happens after long wars.
The Peoples of Continental Europe, who for generations had been down-trodden by Kings and Emperors, had learned from the United States and France, of such things as Liberty, Constitutions, and the right of Peoples to a voice in their own government. Everywhere the Peoples of Europe were preparing to demand constitutional governments. Then, too, a wave of infidelity was sweeping through the world, the result of the terrible French Revolution.
Then, in 1815, the three Kings of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, formed a league called the Holy Alliance.
Its original purpose was lofty. It was at first, a very pious affair.
The Holy Allies agreed to take under their Christian protection the Kingdoms of Europe, and to govern their three Peoples as one People by the dictates of the Holy Religion of Christ. They pledged themselves to bring about a reign of charity, justice, and peace for Europe. The Holy Allies claimed to be divinely appointed to do all this. Spain, France, Naples, and Sardinia joined them. England did not become a member for though she has a monarch, she has a Constitutional Government.
It was not long before this Holy Alliance became a hotbed of European intrigue, and developed into a subtle political league to destroy the awakening liberties of the World.
The Holy Allies conspired to put down all democratic principles, and stamp out all representative government from Europe. They also conspired to prevent the formation of any new Republics in other parts of the World, and to chain the liberty of the Press, which is the Voice of the People. Thus these Holy Allies joined forces to uphold the divine right of Kings and the tyranny of absolute monarchies.
Their next move was to promise Spain to help destroy the Spanish-American Republics, and thus restore to her her lost Colonies.
This was after we had acknowledged the Independence of those Republics.
The Holy Allies planned to invade America with their Army.
When this news reached the United States, there was a furore. And, when added to this news, it was announced that Russia was laying plans to colonize the Pacific coast of North America, there was great indignation in this country.
It was then, that President Monroe, on December 2, 1823, gave to the World the famous Monroe Doctrine, which is this:—
To the defense of our own [Government], which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure ... and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole Nation is devoted.
That the American continents, by the free and independent conditions which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European Powers....
We should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and safety. ...
But with the Governments (the Spanish American Republics) who have declared their Independence and maintained it, and whose Independence we have ... acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny by any European Power, in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States. ...
This is the Monroe Doctrine.
America for the Americans, American Independence, is what it means.
WHAT ONE AMERICAN DID
October 9, 1820
Now, to return to South America and its struggle:
“That was bravely and cleverly done!” exclaimed Joseph Villamil.
Villamil was an American, a citizen of the United States, who had cast in his lot with the Spanish-American Patriots. At his house in Guayaquil (a city now a part of Ecuador) the local Patriots met to discuss plans.
The Province and city of Guayaquil lay on the northern border of Peru. They were still under Spanish rule. They were garrisoned by 1500 Spanish soldiers.
The Patriots decided to capture the garrison. So while San Martin was preparing to besiege Lima, they set out from Villamil’s house, led by a Venezuelan officer. Villamil accompanied them with a band of Englishmen and North Americans, who were eager to help in the attack.
They took the garrison in double-quick time, and with very little bloodshed at that, for scarcely eight men were killed.
“That was bravely and cleverly done!” said Villamil.
And that he himself had fought bravely and cleverly during the attack, was soon proven, for the Provisional Government of Guayaquil despatched him aboard a schooner to carry the good news to Lord Cochrane and San Martin.
Some time after, there took place at Guayaquil one of the most amazing meetings the world has ever seen.
THE AMAZING MEETING
This amazing meeting at Guayaquil, was like the dramatic climax of an exciting story.
There was a mystery in it.
It happened a few months after the freeing of Guayaquil. The people of the city, dressed in their gayest clothes, were crowding along the streets, and craning their necks to watch for a procession.
Triumphal arches spanned the streets. On each arch was inscribed:—