[440] ejerciendo, by exercising.
[441] Manzanares, river in Spain, on the banks of which Madrid is located; here synonymous with Spain.
[442] Congreso, reference to the Congress of Tucumán, in 1816, which declared the independence of Argentina. Cf. 222.
[443] El rumbo... estrella, The course was pointed toward the best star, i.e., democracy.
[444] su modo de ser definitivo, its established form of government.
[445] Salta, province of Argentina, and its capital. Güemes used to refer to Salta as mi provincia.
[446] sea que..., sea que, whether... or.
[447] país accidentado. Salta and Jujuy, as can be seen from the map, are in a mountainous region.
[448] la resistencia de la población en masa. While San Martín was conquering Chile in 1817 and invading Peru in 1821, the Spaniards were trying to fight their way down from Peru into Argentina. Güemes’ efforts were most important in holding the Spanish forces back until San Martín struck at the heart of their power, Lima.
[449] dirección más inteligente, i.e., de San Martín.