At the moment when Colonel Miller was about to advance into the interior, having disciplined a number of recruits from different parts of the adjoining provinces, and when everything promised a general revolt in favour of the cause of independence, he transmitted to Lord Cochrane the original communication which he had received from the governor of Arequipa, announcing a cessation of hostilities for twenty days, from the date of the receipt of the communication. This armistice was ratified by General San Martin and the Viceroy La Serna on the twenty-third of May, and sent express by the latter to Ovalle, the governor of Arequipa.
The armistice had been personally formed by the contending chiefs, who met at Punchauca, and agreed on appointing new deputies for the purpose of conciliation; they were to hold their conferences on board of a neutral ship in the bay of Callao, for which purpose the Cleopatra was chosen.
Such was the state of Lima at this period, that the cabildo addressed the following official note to the Viceroy La Serna:
"Most Excellent Sir,—No title is more glorious, nor more amiable, than that of a Pacificator. Augustus, when stifling the volcano of civil war among the Romans, and giving peace to the universe, was the greatest of mortals, and almost a God upon earth. It is the duty of every prince to imitate this example, if he be desirous of, and interested in the health and prosperity of the people committed to his guardianship. Whoever knows the great advantages and feels what it is to reign over grateful hearts, will find more charms than in the most fortunate and prosperous warfare.
"Your Excellency, placed at the head of the junta of Pacification of Peru, has gained the love, the veneration, and the confidence of this city. The hope of this great felicity has caused us to suffer with resignation, losses and privations of every class. The end of the armistice is fast approaching, and we do not yet perceive one ray of this celestial gift. Why is it so long retarded, while Lima suffers such a train of evils that fill her with consternation?
"To the distance of twenty-five leagues round the city, the most frightful devastation every where reigns. Our cattle, our grain, and our fruits are the victims of military fury. The richest and most opulent of our provinces have succumbed to the prepotent force of the enemy, and the rest are threatened with the same fate; while this suffering capital experiences the horrible effects of a rigorous blockade, hunger, robberies, and death. Our own soldiers pay no respect to the last remains of our property, even our oxen, indispensably necessary for the cultivation of the land, are slain. If this plague continue, what will be our lot—our miserable condition!
"The soldier must be supported as well as the citizen, but not to the injury of the latter: they must both be guided by the same laws, and must both be equal. Both compose the state, and the support of both is necessary; founded on the same right of nature and of society. But let us abandon these melancholy relations, and confine ourselves entirely to those of peace.
"Peace is the general wish of the people: they have laboured since the year 1815 under the grievances of war, and have not force to support it any longer. Without the money, without the provisions, without the desire, and without the means of supporting an opposition, the people flock to the standard of General San Martin; hundreds of men leave our walls, that they may not die of hunger. A swarm of robbers infest our roads and intercept our provisions, insult us, and plunder our houses. The public speak loudly against our apathy and silence, and evils worse than those usually produced by war must soon be the result. The happiness of the capital and of the kingdom depends on peace, and this depends on the "yes" of your excellency. The corporation of Lima hopes to see it established, and promises to your excellency the constant and everlasting gratitude of the people. God preserve your excellency many years. Hall of the corporation of Lima, June 7th, 1821. (Signed) The Count of San Isidro, and all the members of the body corporate."
To this note the Viceroy gave the following answer: