“The Supreme Deputy, with the advice of the Privy Council, decrees—“1. There shall be established a central or principal school, according to the Lancasterian system, under the direction of Mr. Thomson.“2. The convent or college of St. Thomas shall be appropriated to this purpose. The friars at present residing in it shall remove to the large convent of St. Dominic, leaving only so many as are necessary for the service of the church attached to it.“3. In this establishment the elementary parts of education shall be taught, together with the modern languages. The teachers necessary for this purpose shall be appointed agreeably to the arrangements which will be pointed out in the plan for the National Institute of Peru.“4. At the expiration of six months all the public schools shall be shut, which are not conducted according to the system of mutual instruction.“5. All the masters of the public schools shall attend the central school with two of their most advanced pupils, in order to be instructed in the new system; and in studying it they shall attend to the method prescribed by the director of the establishment.“6. As soon as the director of the central school shall have instructed a sufficient number of teachers, these shall be employed, with competent salaries, in establishing public schools on the same principles in the capital city of each province of the state.“7. At the first public examination which shall take place in the central school, those masters who have been most attentive in learning the system, and shall have made such progress as to be able to conduct schools according to it, shall receive the reward of a gold medal, to be ordered for that purpose by the Minister of State.“8. For the preservation and extension of the new system the Patriotic Society of Lima is particularly requested and commissioned to take such measures as may be considered necessary for these purposes; and they are desired to make known to the government those things in which its co-operation may be required, in order effectually to carry forward this important object.“9. In order that the advantages of this system of education may be extended to the female sex, which the Spanish government has always treated with culpable neglect, it is particularly recommended to the Patriotic Society to take into consideration the most likely means for establishing a central school for the instruction of girls.“10. The salary of the director, and the other expenses necessary for this establishment, shall be defrayed by the government. The Minister of State is authorized to issue all the orders necessary for the punctual fulfilment of this decree.“Given in the government palace in Lima, 6th July, 1822.(Signed)“Truxillo.“By order of his Excellency, countersigned,“B. Monteagudo.”
“The Supreme Deputy, with the advice of the Privy Council, decrees—
“1. There shall be established a central or principal school, according to the Lancasterian system, under the direction of Mr. Thomson.
“2. The convent or college of St. Thomas shall be appropriated to this purpose. The friars at present residing in it shall remove to the large convent of St. Dominic, leaving only so many as are necessary for the service of the church attached to it.
“3. In this establishment the elementary parts of education shall be taught, together with the modern languages. The teachers necessary for this purpose shall be appointed agreeably to the arrangements which will be pointed out in the plan for the National Institute of Peru.
“4. At the expiration of six months all the public schools shall be shut, which are not conducted according to the system of mutual instruction.
“5. All the masters of the public schools shall attend the central school with two of their most advanced pupils, in order to be instructed in the new system; and in studying it they shall attend to the method prescribed by the director of the establishment.
“6. As soon as the director of the central school shall have instructed a sufficient number of teachers, these shall be employed, with competent salaries, in establishing public schools on the same principles in the capital city of each province of the state.
“7. At the first public examination which shall take place in the central school, those masters who have been most attentive in learning the system, and shall have made such progress as to be able to conduct schools according to it, shall receive the reward of a gold medal, to be ordered for that purpose by the Minister of State.
“8. For the preservation and extension of the new system the Patriotic Society of Lima is particularly requested and commissioned to take such measures as may be considered necessary for these purposes; and they are desired to make known to the government those things in which its co-operation may be required, in order effectually to carry forward this important object.
“9. In order that the advantages of this system of education may be extended to the female sex, which the Spanish government has always treated with culpable neglect, it is particularly recommended to the Patriotic Society to take into consideration the most likely means for establishing a central school for the instruction of girls.
“10. The salary of the director, and the other expenses necessary for this establishment, shall be defrayed by the government. The Minister of State is authorized to issue all the orders necessary for the punctual fulfilment of this decree.
“Given in the government palace in Lima, 6th July, 1822.
(Signed)
“Truxillo.
“By order of his Excellency, countersigned,
“B. Monteagudo.”
As we go on in our operations, I shall communicate to you the result.
Lima, 4th September, 1822.
Thefirstof September has returned, and has gone by. I have not, however, failed in seizing an opportunity of writing you according to our agreement. You know, I dare say, that we have not a post that leaves Lima every morning for England. A vessel goes now and then fromCallao to Valparaiso, and through these two places, and across the Andes, and through Buenos Aires, my letters to you are now obliged to travel. No vessel has sailed for Chile since the 1st current; but in a few days the French frigate lying here is to sail for Valparaiso.
I have now been upwards of two months in this city, and have all the while enjoyed my health very well. I am inclined to think this climate is better than I was led to expect from the accounts I had heard of it. The tertian ague, however, is a disease very common, especially during summer. Of the Englishmen I know here, three have had it since my arrival. The general opinion, I think, is, that with great regularity of living, this place is not unhealthy; but that the effects of irregularity in the general mode of living, is more hurtful here than in most other places. A good police would certainly contribute greatly to the healthiness of this city. This will be enjoyed, I believe, in due time; but the Government has so many things at present to do, that some time may elapse before that improvement takes place. This is the largest city I have yet seen in South America, and I believe there is none larger in it. I do not, of course, include Mexico, which is in North America. The houses here, and the general appearance of the city, have a more commanding and richer aspect than what is met with in Buenos Aires or Santiago de Chile. The general appearance ofthe population, however, I think, is considerably inferior to what is seen in these two places, particularly in the latter. One thing which contributes to this difference, is the considerable proportion of slaves here. In Buenos Aires, there are a good many of this class of our fellow-men, but fewer than in Lima and Santiago; and in Chile, in general, there are very few; and this is one thing which inclines me to prefer the general appearance of Santiago to the other two cities I have mentioned.
About three weeks after my arrival here, San Martin set out for Quito, to have an interview with Bolivar. They met in Guayaquil, as the President of Colombia had left Quito, and reached that place before San Martin landed. The interview was, I dare say, interesting, and I trust it will be productive of good effects for the two countries of which they are the Governors, and also for South America in general. A good understanding, I trust, will be kept up between the nations of this continent, and war in it I hope will be a thing as rare, and rarer than peace has been in Europe. San Martin returned a few days ago, and has since re-assumed the reins of Government, as “Protector of the liberty of Peru.” Every exertion is making here for the formation of a congress. The greater part of the representatives are already elected. All the liberated provinces elect their own members for congress freely; the right ofvoting is, I believe, much the same as in the United States. Representatives are chosen for those provinces still under the dominion of the Spanish army, from among the inhabitants of those places at present residing in Lima. A fair representation seems to be desired and sought for, and I hope will be attained in a considerable degree. All acts emanating from such a body will, of course, give more general satisfaction, than if the representation were partial. I do not trouble you with my views of governments, whether monarchical or republican. Certainly, on this subject, “much may be said on both sides.” Without fixing my mind for or against this or that form of government, I am strongly in the opinion of Pope, where he says, “Whate’er is best administered is best.” I do not think, however, that all are fools, (as he insinuates) who, “for forms of government contest.” The sum of the matter and the truth is, that honesty and uprightness are more required, and have been less found in all governments than any thing else. Wisdom, therefore, requires, that such measures should be taken in arranging the form of government, as may secure good conduct in governors, in the greatest possible degree.
There were some suspicions, some time ago, and some flying words, which, if true, would have led one to suppose that San Martin wished to form Peru into a monarchy. Who was to be king according to these reports, I need not inform you,as I suppose you will find no difficulty in guessing it at the first trial. The prime minister was of course in the secret, if there was any such thing in hand. With this individual, on other grounds, there was a good deal of dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction openly broke out a few weeks ago, on account of his interfering in the election of representatives for this city. The consequence was, that a petition was presented to the Marquis of Truxillo, requesting that the minister might be immediately dismissed. This petition was signed by so many of the respectable and powerful inhabitants of the place, and presented with such firmness, that it had the desired effect. The minister resigned before the petitioners left the palace, and in a few days after, he was sent off by sea to Panama. All this took place in San Martin’s absence, and the leaders in it were the republican party. San Martin has very wisely fallen in with these measures since his return, and has confirmed the new minister in his situation. A republic, I think, is the general wish of the people, and as the form of government is to be determined by the Congress, I have little doubt of what the result will be.
You know, I dare say, that Colombia is free. The longest and severest struggle of South America has been in that quarter. The first news I heard on casting anchor in Callao, was that Quito had fallen into the hands of the patriots. I thinkBolivar, who has been the chief instrument in the Colombian contest, is a great man. I was not at the interview between him and San Martin, that I might take their comparative dimensions at one view; but I may observe, that the general opinion, from a view of the operations of both, is in favour of the Northern Chief. As far as my own information and knowledge of each extends, I fall in with this opinion. I do so, not from any dissatisfaction with San Martin. He is to me, and has been uniformly, more than I could have expected, and I may say, all I could wish. I believe both of these men are most sincerely desirous of the real welfare of the countries which they respectively govern, and of South America. There is no unholy alliance yet formed in this country, and I think there never will. On all hands, light and information are encouraged, sought after, and promoted. Knowledge, rich with the spoils of time, has just unrolled her ample page in this city, in a public library. This public institution is very respectably got up, and already possesses a number of the best works in the various branches of literature. It is inferior to the similar institution in Buenos Aires; but superior, if we consider the short reign of civil, literary, and religious freedom in Peru. Every individual is free to attend this library every week-day, from 8 to 1, and from 4 to 6, without expense; and every book in it is at his command during that time.This one view of the present state of things here, shows at once the immense advantages gained here by the revolution, and the blessings that tread in the steps of liberty. I shall add one thing more to confirm what I have just said. The Bible is now publicly sold at a short distance from the place where used to sit the dreadful Inquisition. Perish all unrighteousness from the earth! May the knowledge and love of God every where abound!
Lima, 9th Nov. 1822.
A considerable time has now elapsed since I last wrote you, and a much longer time has intervened since I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you. Although I have not communicated with you directly during this time, yet I suppose you are well acquainted with my various circumstances in this part of the world, through means of my letters sent from time to time to my friends in Edinburgh. Since my leaving my native country, I have experienced much of the gracious goodness of our heavenly Father, in directing my steps, in making darkness light before me, and crooked things straight. The encouragements I have met with in my endeavours to forward the Lord’s cause in South America, have been much greater than could have been expected before the trial wasmade. I think a door has been opened here which will never be shut, but which will, I trust, from one year to another, open wider and wider, until it become, in the Apostle’s language, “great and effectual.” Should I say, there are no adversaries, and that all goes on prosperously, without any difficulty or discouragement from any quarter,—should I say this, it would be nearly the same as telling you, that a great miracle had taken place here, and had changed the nature of man. You, of course, expect no such wonderful accounts. At the same time, it is a gratifying thing to be able to state, that far less opposition has been met with than was expected. Difficulties, I believe, of whatever kind, will grow fewer and weaker as Time runs on, bearing in his hand the torch of heavenly light; whilst, on the other hand, means and opportunities of doing good will greatly increase. It is surely a gratifying sight to see darkness fleeing away, and the light of heaven breaking forth. You know there is no fellowship, in any sense, between light and darkness, the one must give place to the other. Wherever, then, darkness prevails, let the people of God look to him who said, “Let there be light, and there was light;” and let them use those means which he has appointed, under the full assurance, that midnight shall give place to the dawning light, and that again to noon day. That a great and happy change is about to take place in our hitherto unfortunate,unhappy world, the Scriptures predict; and the days in which we live say, “Lift up your heads, for this happy period draweth nigh.” You who live in the land of Israel, whence the word of the Lord is sounding out on all sides, see these things better than I can do in this far distant country. From every corner of the earth messengers are daily landing on your happy shores with tidings of joy. One says, Babylon is fallen; another cries, the gods of the heathen are famished; whilst a third shouts aloud, Satan falls like lightning to the ground. I almost envy this felicity of yours; yet I would not exchange conditions with you. Solitary and alone as I am here, I would not wish myself elsewhere, because I believe I am placed where God would have me to be; and, I trust, his work, in one shape or another, is all my concern. I do, however, wish myself otherwise circumstanced. I should be glad to have with me one or more with whom I could always communicate in the ways and work of the Lord, and whose counsels and labours might prove a blessing to me and to many. You, my dear brother, who dwell in Mount Zion, have never experienced the disadvantage of beingthusalone. Should I come into your thoughts when you bow your knees unto the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg you to pray that grace, and mercy, and peace may be multiplied unto me,and that the Lord’s work may prosper in South America.
In my letters to Edinburgh since my arrival in this city, I have stated the favourable reception I met with here from San Martin, and from others in the government. Since that time, the state of affairs here, in regard to politics, has considerably changed. San Martin has resigned his authority in all its parts in this country, and is gone to Chile. The Congress was installed on the 20th September, into whose hands he delivered all the concerns of the government, and next morning, at four o’clock, he set off for Chile. When he took the reins of government into his own hands, under the title of “Protector of the Liberty of Peru,” he promised to resign his authority as soon as a general Congress could be assembled; and by his resignation at the time proposed, he justified his sincerity in the eyes of the world. During the time he was in power, reports were current that he was desirous to make himself king of Peru. His conduct, however, has shown, that these reports were without foundation. As far as my own affairs here are concerned, I should have been glad that he had remained longer in the country, and, if I am not mistaken, Peru would have been benefited by his stay. San Martin is an intelligent and liberal-minded man. He is very desirous of promoting the progress of South America in knowledge, andhe is free from those prejudices which hinder its advancement. The Congress has now been assembled for several weeks, and has been occupied with various concerns relative to the government of the country. From their own number they have chosen three to discharge the duties of the executive government. This triumvirate is to continue until a constitution be drawn up, and a new Congress assembled, composed of representatives chosen in every province of Peru. This complete representation of the country cannot be obtained whilst the Spaniards are in possession of a considerable part of it, as they actually are at this moment. At present there is great distress felt here by the government, for want of money to carry forward the operations of the war. This appears to be the chief obstacle in preventing the general independence of Peru. Troops are not wanting, as, in addition to those brought by San Martin, and those who have since been raised in the country, General Bolivar has sent about 2,000 well-experienced troops from Quito, as affairs in that part have now been brought to a favourable conclusion. The English merchants here have just given the government a loan of 70,000 dollars, by way of helping them out of their difficulties. An expedition sailed some weeks ago for Arica, and we anxiously look for the result. All that part of the country is in possession of the Spaniards, as well as nearly all the best provinces of the kingdom. Notwithstanding the possessionswhich Spain still holds in Peru, the independence of the country is not at all doubtful. It may, indeed, by the mismanagement of the Congress, or by some other misfortune, be retarded, but it must ere long completely prevail. I believe there are no remains of the Spanish arms now existing in America, except those in our neighbourhood, and about 1500 men in the isles of Chiloe. What a change, in this respect, has taken place within these few years past! And let not this revolution be considered as a small matter by the man of benevolence and the Christian. The interests of religion and of humanity are very closely connected with it. That once dreadful, now innoxious house, the Inquisition, reminds me, as I daily pass it, of the happy change which has taken place. True it is, that the Spaniards have now put down the Inquisition throughout their dominions; still, however, there are many inquisitorial things yet subsisting in Spain that do not exist in the independent states of South America. Every effort has been used by Spain to retard the progress of knowledge in America. These days, however, have now gone by, and light of every kind begins to dawn on these countries. My own opinion is, that the nations of South America in a few years will far outstrip many of the nations of Europe. The people here, to a certain extent, are conscious of their ignorance, and are desirous of wiping out that stain which Spain has left upon them.
I have hitherto been speaking of the progress of knowledge in general in South America, and its probable results. I shall now say something of the progress making in the knowledge of religion. You know, of course, that the Roman Catholic religion is the only religion professed in this Continent—as it once was the only one in Great Britain. Many are beginning to see through this system, and to find out its inconsistencies. I wish I could also say, that all who see thus far, have attained to the knowledge of the true religion, as laid down in the New Testament. This, however, is not the case. On the contrary, I am sorry to say, that deistical principles are espoused by the greater part of those who get out of the trammels of popery. A good many in the higher ranks, particularly in the army, are of this way of thinking. This state of things need not surprise us. It is perhaps the natural result, or transition, in those places where no other religion is known than the one professed in this country. A man begins to see the absurdity of the Catholic system, and from his infancy all that is religion with him has been connected with it. In giving up this system, he gives up with religion itself, as considering popery and it the same thing. From these circumstances, I conceive this to be the most favourable time for introducing, as far as can be done, the holy religion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The present is the time for labouring in this field, by introducing the Scriptures,and by every other means which prudence may dictate. Prejudice is growing less every day, and this is the result of the revolution. There is even a perceptible difference between the different parts of this Continent in regard to the decrease of prejudice. In Chile there is less than in Lima, because it has been longer independent. Again, there is still less in Buenos Aires than in Chile, for the same reason. Having mentioned Buenos Aires, I cannot leave it without eulogizing it, in almost the highest degree, in regard to the progress it is making. One reform succeeds another in rapid succession. They are just about to put a stop to monachism, and to take the church property into their own hands, paying the clergy out of the public treasury. It is said also, that they are about to pass a law for religious toleration. In every respect Buenos Aires now holds the first rank among the cities and countries of South America. To have one place thus stepping forward by way of pattern to the rest is of immense advantage. There are several periodical works of a superior kind issuing from the presses in that city. In these every subject is freely discussed, prejudices attacked, and reforms proposed. The liberty of the press is enjoyed and acted upon there in the same manner as it is in England. The articles published in the Buenos Aires papers and magazines find their way gradually into the papers of Chile and Peru, and thus prepare the way in these placesalso for following up, ere long, the same reforms and arrangements that are now going forward in the pattern city I have mentioned. In this city, also, the liberty of the press is enjoyed to a considerable extent. This, however, only commenced about two or three months ago, upon the dethronement of the principal Secretary of State. This individual, though a great friend to reform himself, and from whom I met with every encouragement, wished to keep these things in his own hand, at least for some time, and to grant the freedom of the press by degrees. The plan of ecclesiastical reform published in Buenos Aires was also published in the public paper of this city. Various other things of a similar nature are thus indirectly brought under the consideration of the people of Peru; and coming from Buenos Aires, they are better received than they would be, coming from any part of Europe, especially from a Protestant country. We had also an attack upon the friars of Lima the other day, in one of the publications of this city, whose editor is one of the Secretaries of Congress. These things you will consider as the fruits of the revolution in South America; and the time fast approaches, when we shall see still more abundant fruits, and those too of the best kind. The Lord reigneth, let the earth be glad!
With respect to the climate of this place, you know, we are here fairly within the torrid zone, the latitude of this city being 12° 2′ 51″ S. A fewdays ago we had the sun vertical here, as he passed us on his way to the southward. Notwithstanding our proximity to the equator, we enjoy a very agreeable temperature. In the winter the sun but seldom makes his appearance; in spring he shows himself more frequently; and in summer he throws off reserve, and from his vertical throne looks down in all his magnificence. From ten o’clock till two, it is pretty hot, but about this hour a refreshing breeze springs up from the south, which is very agreeable. It is generally said, that it never rains in Lima. This, however, is not quite correct. It does rain a very little in the winter season; but the drops, when they can be recognised as such, seem to have passed through the finest rain sieve. It is, in short, rather a kind of mist than rain, although at times it may be called by the latter name; and when it is so, the people of Lima call it a heavy shower. Before I came here I frequently heard this climate denominated unhealthy. The tertian ague prevails a good deal, but on the whole I do not consider this an unhealthy place. For my own part, I never enjoyed better health than I have done since my coming to this city. Blessed be God for this precious blessing!—There is one thing of a rather terrifying nature to which this place is subject, I mean earthquakes. There is no place, I suppose, more subject to them than this city. We have had several shocks since I came to it; the greatest was on the 14th September.I was awaked at a quarter past three o’clock in the morning by amost dreadfulnoise. I was at no loss to know what this noise was, considering the part of the world I was in. This noise continued for a few seconds, and increased. The shock then followed, and made all the house shake, as if the whole were coming to the ground. A loud hollow noise followed this for a few seconds, and on its ceasing all was tranquil as before it commenced, and those who had fled out of their houses quietly returned. These phenomena are of frequent occurrence. There are, I believe, about thirty earthquakes here in the course of a year. Those, however, which throw down houses and produce other ravages are rare. Once in fifty years seems to be about the period of those terrible visitations, and with considerable regularity Lima has suffered severely at the return of this fatal period. The city of Quito to the north, and of Arequipa to the south, have also their periodical visitations.
Lima, 2d December, 1822.
Some weeks ago a Committee of the Congress was entrusted to draw up theoutlinesof a political constitution for the country. This has been accomplished, has been presented to Congress, and ordered to be printed. The Congress is just now engaged in discussing it, article by article. A gooddeal of interest is thus excited and kept up regarding the subject, and, in consequence, the Congress-hall is daily well attended by all classes. The discussion of the article on the form of government, and that on religion, have excited the most attention. The form of government has been unanimously declared to be republican, agreeably to what I hinted to you in one of my late letters.—In “the outlines,” the article on religion runs thus: “The religion of the state is the Catholic Apostolic Church of Rome.” One of the members of the committee wished to add the wordonlyorexclusive, but the rest not agreeing to it, he entered his protest. On this account, as well as from the general interest of the subject, the matter was keenly discussed. I went, as you may well suppose, to hear what should be said on both sides, and to see the result. The first who ascended the tribune to speak was a clergyman, carrying in his hand a book about the size of a New Testament. He began by stating, that it was his sincere desire that all men might be of the Roman Catholic church. He then stated that the only proper way, in his opinion, of bringing men into the church was, not by force, nor by persecution in any shape, but solely by persuasion, by the force of reason. After speaking a few minutes to this effect, he went on to treat of the article as stated in the “outlines.” He regretted the divisions among Christians, and the distinctive names one body and another had taken.He then opened the book he had in his hand, which I now found to be one of the Bible Society’s New Testaments, in Spanish. He read the 12th and 13th verses of the first chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, and proceeded to make some remarks upon the passage, and to apply it to the article in question. It appeared to him, he said, very like the divisions censured by the Apostle Paul, to see the article stated in the words,Roman,Catholic,Apostolic. Having done this, he proposed that the article should be stated in this manner:—“The religion of Jesus Christ, is the religion of the state.” He then made some observations upon the propriety of stating it in this way, in preference to the way in which it stands in the outlines, and so concluded. As might have been expected, this alteration or amendment was opposed. My memory is not so faithful as to give you the various speeches upon the subject, but a great deal was said on both sides of the question. In particular, the member of the Committee who had protested, defended what he had done in a long speech, in which he paid but little respect and fewer compliments to us foreigners. He concluded his long story by saying, that he was so full of matter upon this subject, and felt so much interest in it, that he could still speak four whole days upon it. Another speaker got up with a volume of the Bible in his hand. He turned to two passages in the law of Moses, where the children of Israel were admonishedto deal kindly towards strangers and foreigners, and concluded by a short comment upon the passages in reference to the subject in hand. In a country like this, where all the natives are of the Roman Catholic Church, every thing that is said upon toleration has a direct reference to foreigners, for it is never for a moment supposed that any of the natives will leave the Roman Catholic Church to become Protestants. The introduction of foreigners into the country, and the consequent advantages and disadvantages of it, entered deeply into the debate. I shall refer only to one speech more upon the subject. An aged member, and a clergyman, rose up and said, “Gentlemen, this is the first time I have risen to speak in this house, and it is not my intention to detain you long. I understand,” said he, “that the grand and principal features of our religion are these two:—To love the Lord with all our heart and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. We must then take care,” continued he, “that our zeal for thefirstof these two commandments does not make us overlook thesecond. Now I ask, whether foreigners residing among us are to be considered our neighbours or not. If they are, then we ought to love them. Gentlemen, I have nothing further to add.” After being fully discussed, the votes were taken. First, whether the article should stand as stated in the outlines, or be altered. It was carried that it should remain as stated. Thenext question was, if the word exclusive should be added, and it was unfortunately carried in the affirmative. The article now stands thus:—“The Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion is the religion of the state, and the exercise of every other is excluded.”
We are not to be surprised that the matter has ended in this manner; perhaps we should rather wonder that there was any one of the members of the Congress disposed to speak, or even to think on the side of toleration. The members who are friendly to religious liberty, may amount to one third of the whole, or, perhaps, somewhat more than one third, and they are men of influence and respect in the country. These made a less vigorous stand for toleration at the present time, from the consideration that what is done now in regard to the sanctioning of the basis of the constitution, is only provisional. The Spaniards, at present, possess many of the best provinces of Peru, and these provinces have, strictly speaking, no representatives in the Congress. The manner of proceeding, in reference to these provinces, was this:—The natives of each province, residing in Lima, met and chose members from among themselves to represent the province, until such time as the enemy be dislodged, and they have freedom to choose their own representatives. As soon then as the country is free, the present Congress will dissolve itself, and a general Congress will be immediately elected, and theoutlines now under consideration will be presented to the new Congress to be examined, and, if judged necessary, altered. There is, therefore, still some hope, that toleration may have a place in the Peruvian constitution. During the interval, the press may forward the good cause, as there is perfect freedom for speaking and printing any thing upon the subject, on both sides of the question. We may, indeed, call this freedom of speaking and writing upon the subject, a kind of toleration; at all events, it is a prelude to it.
Pamphlets of every shape, size, and name, are issued from the press. In these every subject is handled, and abuses and prejudices are attacked with freedom and courage. The poor friars are not overlooked in these; almost every body is against them, and none seems to rise up in their defence. One of the members of Congress has made a motion for the reformation of the Convents. The bill he is about to bring in, contains four articles. The first is to allow all those to leave the Convents who wish to do so. The second is to allow no one in future to become a friar. The third is, that the government should take possession of all their property, and allow them out of it what is necessary for their support. The fourth article is, to make them all live inoneconvent, instead of occupyingfourteen, as they now do. This you see is a bold proposition, and, if carried into effect, will be a great step in reformation.
At the time the article on religion was under consideration, a certain individual went about with a paper containing a petition to Congress, praying that the Roman Catholic religion might be the religion of the state,and the only one tolerated in the country. The last part of the petition was the object he had in view. He obtained a number of signatures to the petition, and without loss of time laid it before the Congress. It was, however, not allowed to be read, and several were for calling this individual to account for his officiousness. This medical gentleman (for he is of that profession) has been sadly handled in the pamphlets of the day for this conduct; so much so, I think, as to keep him from being forward to engage a second time in such an undertaking. I have already mentioned how freely all matters are discussed in these pamphlets. One of them has just begun to give a history of the Popes. From the specimens already published, this history promises not to be very honourable to the personal character of the Popes, neither does it appear intended to strengthen their pontifical authority and influence, but quite the contrary. There was a monthly magazine published in London, during the despotic reign of the present Ferdinand. In this work there was given a history of the Popes, and I believe what is publishing here just now is copied from the work I have mentioned. This magazine was called El Español Constitucional. It was written by one ofthose who had fled from Ferdinand’s despotic hands. He was a liberal man, and writing in London he felt himself under no restraint in speaking of the abuse of the Church of Rome. There was another periodical work in the Spanish language, published some years before it, called El Español. This was also printed in London, and was written with the same liberality and spirit. Both these works have reached South America, and have been a good deal read; and, as you may suppose, they have served considerably to enlighten the people of these countries.
I have mentioned, in some of my late letters, the very gratifying circumstances of the rapid sale in this city of 500 Spanish Bibles, and 500 New Testaments. These were all sold off intwo days, and as many more could have been sold in the two days following, but there were no more, and thus many were disappointed. From this cheering circumstance, I am daily looking with great anxiety for a considerable number of both Bibles and Testaments, expected from the Bible Society. The above-mentioned circumstance is truly encouraging, as no desire at all comparable to it, has yet been manifested in any other part of South America for the Holy Scriptures. From this, and some other occurrences, I am led to anticipate that the word of God will, indeed, have free course in this place, and let us pray that it may not be circulated only, but that it may be glorified also. I have anotherthing to relate to you, perhaps more cheering still. It is this: the nearly confident expectation of getting the New Testament introduced throughout Peru as a school book. I trust this expectation will not be disappointed, but verified in due time. Every thing promises fair at present for its accomplishment.
As soon as the Bibles got into circulation as above-mentioned, there was some ferment excited from reports that it was not fairly printed from the Spanish version of Scio, as indicated in the title page. This report was raised, or at least increased, by the discovery of a typographical error or two. An honest priest actually burned the Bible he had bought on the discovery of one of these oversights in the printing. The consequence of this stir was an examination of the Bible Society’s edition, by comparing it with the edition printed in Spain. The result of this examination was highly satisfactory, as the London edition was found to be an exact reprint from the latest Spanish edition, with the exception of some slight oversights in passing through the press. About the time this matter was under consideration, the deputy Archbishop (for there is no Archbishop here at present) having learned that a certain priest was likely to say something from the pulpit against the reading of the Bibles from London, sent a message to him, telling him “not to preach any thing against thereading of the English Bibles.” By English Bibles he meant Bibles from England, for the Bibles were in theSpanishlanguage.
A curious little piece, in the poetic form, appeared about a fortnight ago in one of the newspapers of this city. There is a great deal of truth and force in it, and as it is but short, and will not occupy much room, I shall give you a translation of it. To do it justice it should be put in poetic dress, but as you know I am neither poet nor rhymester, you will please accept of it in plain prose. “Simon possessed a fishing bark, and just a fishing bark, nothing more he left to his sons. They however were great fishers; they caught much and grew rich, and could no longer be content with their small bark, but got a larger one. This bark afterwards became a brig, and then a ship. At last it grew into a man-of-war, and frightened the world with its cannon. How wonderfully is this ship of war now changed! how different now to what it was in former times! This great ship is now grown old, and, shattered by the storms it has encountered, it now lies rotting in the harbour. A thousand times has it been repaired, but at last it must be laid aside altogether, and its owners must once more be content withSimon’s fishing bark.” You will find no difficulty, I dare say, in applying this little piece, and, I believe, you will join with me in wishing that the concluding part maybe verified as exactly as the preceding parts have.
There is a great revolution going forward in South America. I speak not of the revolt from under the Spanish yoke, for that in the present day may be said not to be going forward, but accomplished. The revolution I speak of, is a moral one. Those who have eyes to see this goodly prospect, and those who have ears to hear the harmony of this moral change, meet on every hand with indications of its approach. You will not understand me as saying, that South America has become like the land of Eden, like the garden of God. No. But a change has been begun, a happy change. Let us put our hand to this work. Let us bear it onward, and God Almighty will consummate it in due time.
Lima, 28th January, 1823.
A good while has elapsed since I mentioned to you any particulars of my affairs in reference to the schools. During this time, however, I have more than once thrown out hints, signifying that matters went on but slowly. I had too much reason for these complaints. The truth is, I was once and again on the point of leaving this place. My affairs here have been such, since my arrival, that I may truly say, my hopes and prospects in South America never were so high, and never wereso low as they have been, at different times, in Lima. I formerly stated to you the very favourable reception I met with from San Martin, and from the first Secretary of State, Monteagudo. Both of these left this place a good while ago, although under different circumstances. To me their loss was severely felt. I never mentioned a wish to San Martin, or to Monteagudo, that was not granted, and granted immediately in the most obliging manner. After their going away, I scarcely mentioned any thing I wished done that was not refused. I should not, perhaps, say refused, for I was not actually denied; I was told that the things I stated would be done, but these promises were never fulfilled. Had I been plainly refused, there is every probability that I should have left this place long ago. After experiencing a number of delays, and when my little stock of patience was all gone, I asked for my passport. The same individual, however, who had so often put me off with fair promises, contrived to put off my passport also, and kept me waiting days together, with every thing nailed up for my departure. It was then agreed on between us, that since the school plan we had in view could not be carried into effect from want of funds, I should stop three or four weeks to instruct some individuals in the Lancasterian system. About twelve came, in consequence of this, to my lodgings once a day, for the instructions referred to. At the close of thetime mentioned, these individuals were much pleased with the new plan, and some of them represented the matter to the minister, who gladly entered into it, and it was agreed that I should stop, and that what was wanting should be granted. I did think him for this time sincere, and I believe he was so; but I was again subjected to be put off from week to week, until I found that I was circumstanced exactly as before. I petitioned anew for my passport, and in the mean time wrote a letter to the Congress, detailing all that had happened from the time of my arrival in Lima, and concluded by stating, that I intended to leave this place by the first vessel that sailed, but that I would return or send some person instructed in the plan of the schools, if a desire should be expressed by the Congress to that effect. The result of this communication was far beyond my expectation. Upon my letter being read, a great deal of interest was taken in this matter, and it was unanimously agreed to that the school should be commenced as soon as possible. An order was accordingly issued, that every thing I wanted to set it agoing should be immediately granted. When I wrote to the Congress, I had little thought that they would be disposed to carry this object forward at the time, having not long before resolved to use the utmost economy with the public money, and to carry nothing forward that was not of an urgent nature. This resolution was very necessary from the lowstate of the public funds, owing to their limited resources, and the great expenses of the war. In consequence of the decree of the Congress in our favour, I at once gave up thoughts of leaving this place, and we have been since that time getting on as fast as can be expected. There is another circumstance of considerable importance, which has arisen out of this. The person who brought together those twelve individuals to be instructed in the system, as above mentioned, is a very respectable clergyman. This gentleman has interested himself much in the matter, and has been named by the Congress to take an active part in all the arrangements necessary until a School Society be formed. I have had much intercourse with this individual, and have good reason to esteem him highly. We go hand in hand in our affairs most comfortably. As this gentleman’s name is now connected with the schools, and being a clergyman, many prejudices are thereby removed. This is a matter of no little importance, as there was a strong idea, (whether well or ill founded, I cannot tell,) that the late Secretary, of whom I spoke, was atheistical in his views. Perhaps his atheism consisted in his making free with the convents and other church affairs. However that may be, my being favoured by him probably excited some prejudices, in addition to those arising from my being a Protestant. The counteracting influence, therefore, of my connexion with my present clerical friend will, I haveno doubt, be greatly advantageous. When I add to this, that it is through this respectable individual that I expect the New Testament to be introduced into the schools, of which I formerly wrote, you will see that I have great cause for thanksgiving for the circumstances in which we now stand; and I am even inclined to believe, from what I have seen, that our present encouraging prospects have not been too dearly purchased by all the harassing delays that we have experienced. We are very short sighted in all things, and can seldom tell what string of circumstances may end most favourably. Hence it is that we are often joyous, when we have not much real cause for being so; and on the other hand, we are often sad, when every thing is going on in the most prosperous manner. How consoling is the thought, that we are permitted to cast all our cares upon God; upon him who knows the end from the beginning, and in whose hands, sooner or later, every thing must turn out well.
I think I have perceived, during the time I have been in this place, a greater desire to study the English language than I have met with in any other part of South America. I have uniformly encouraged this desire as much as possible, being fully persuaded that the knowledge of our language, and of the excellent works it contains, will contribute in no inconsiderable degree to the progress of this country in every point of view. Want of books suitable for beginners in this language hasformed a considerable obstacle, as well as the want of suitable teachers. In order to remove these difficulties to a certain degree, and to carry forward this useful object, I some time ago set to work to prepare, in Spanish, a grammar of the English language. This is now finished, and nearly all printed. I have at the same time been getting ready a small book, consisting of extracts from various authors in our language, for something of this kind was equally necessary. This little work is also pretty far advanced in the printing. In the next place, in order to carry this object into immediate effect, I lately published my intention of giving instructions in the English language, and I now have twenty-three studying it with me, two of whom are members of Congress.
Accounts have reached us, that on the 19th November last, a severe earthquake was experienced in Chile. The first shock was felt about 11 o’clock at night, and was preceded by a frightful noise. During the night, and for several succeeding days, a number of shocks were felt, less destructive, I believe, but sufficiently alarming. We have not yet had full information as to the extent of country over which these shocks have been experienced, but from what reports have reached us, it seems to have extended over the greater part of Chile. The greatest damage, we understand, has been done in Valparaiso. In that place several houses have been thrown down, and all the churches have beenseverely injured. Accounts say that more than two hundred people have perished in Valparaiso alone. Many are the blessings which Providence has poured out on Chile, and one would almost think that earthquakes have been added, by way of giving to it its due proportion of evil. The same may be said of this country, which has suffered still more from this cause than Chile has done. We do not knowthe momentwe may be visited in this city, by one of these dreadful calamities which have laid Lima nearly in ruins at different times. To remind us of our danger, as it were, we are visited by small shocks from time to time; a month rarely elapses without one, and about a week ago we had two in one day. One would naturally think that the being continually exposed to these catastrophes would be productive of some happy moral effects upon the inhabitants of this place. I am sorry to say there are no appearances of these good results. If a comparison were to be instituted between the people of this place, and those of other parts of South America, in regard to morals, I am afraid Lima would appear in the back ground. The most imminent danger, the most signal judgments, seem somehow or other to be productive of nothing but momentary effects on mankind. Wherever this danger or these judgments are, there the words of Jesus are verified; “If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would they be persuaded though one should arise from the dead.” I questionmuch if we should, in one sense, find fault with this disposition of mankind; or shall I say rather with this arrangement of Providence. It points out to us, I think, how much happier and more solid effects may be produced by the wielding of the word of God, than by wielding the mountains, and casting them into the sea.The word of Godis afire, and is ahammer, and nothing shall be able to stand before it; every thing that opposeth shall be reduced into ashes or into dust; and these shall be blown away by the winds, to be seen no more for ever.
Lima, 3d March, 1823.
I have more than once, my dear friend, within these few days past, heard the exclamation, “happy are the countries that enjoy a settled and secure government.” The truth is, we have just experienced one of those occurrences which frequently happen in revolutionary times. I wrote you formerly, that three individuals of the members of Congress were exercising the executive power in this place. From events which have lately occurred, a general dissatisfaction towards this triumvirate was felt by the army in the neighbourhood of this city. The consequence of this was, that the troops drew near to the walls and shut the gates, sending at the same time a message to the Congress, requesting,or rather ordering, a change in the government. After a good deal of deliberation, the triumvirate was removed by the Congress. Another step was yet necessary, as a certain individual was pointed out as the only person capable of filling the vacant situation. There was no alternative in this more than in the other proposition, as a part of the troops kept their station, as before mentioned, whilst the rest or the greater part came into the great square in the centre of the city. Indeed the public opinion, not of the army only, but also of the great majority of the people, seemed clearly expressed in favour of the person proposed. The individual in question was accordingly appointed by the Congress as “President of the Republic of Peru.” This was done on the first current. The troops have retired, and there seems to be a general satisfaction with this appointment. Our President’s name is Don José de la Riva Aguera.
You will naturally wish to know how our new President is likely to act regarding the schools, and other such matters. Respecting what his conduct will be in these things, I have great confidence. I have known him, and visited him occasionally since my arrival in Lima, in consequence of a letter of introduction to him, with which I was favoured on my leaving Chile. I have uniformly found him very obliging, and much interested in our concerns. In short, he is the very individualI should have named, had I been asked what person I wished to have in this high station. I called on him this afternoon in company with my clerical friend, whom I formerly mentioned to you. We were well received, and encouraged to go forward in our work, with the assurance of his protection and support.
I forgot to mention to you in my last quarterly letter, that I had about that time got one added to the number of my friends. This person is a very respectable clergyman, and a member of the Congress. We have had several conversations together, in a very open and friendly manner. I have been much pleased with his candour and frankness. He told me that when he first heard of my having come to Lima, he resolved to oppose me, but that when he learned that I was not an opposer of religion, but a friend to it, he changed his mind, and resolved to befriend me as far as lay in his power. There is a kind of idea among several of those who are the most religious in this country, that many or most foreigners who arrive here are deists or atheists, or at least men no way friendly to religion. Grounds have, no doubt, been given for forming this opinion, although I think it is generalized among the class of people I mentioned, with some degree of illiberality, as is, indeed, commonly the case. The books which come here in favour of deism and atheism strengthen the opinion. Most of these are printed in France, but some of them,I am sorry to say it, are printed in England. From all I have seen here, both in the Congress, and out of it, I am strongly inclined to think that those who oppose toleration, or at least many of them, do so with a view to prevent the influx into the country of such as oppose or scoff at religion. As a proof of this, I refer to the member of Congress, of whom I have just been speaking. This man opposed toleration when it was discussed in the Congress, and spoke publicly against it; yet when conversing with him upon the subject, he told me that he was not opposed to the toleration of Protestants in the country. I have taken occasion at different times to point out to some of the members, in private conversation, that their law prohibiting the public religious exercises of those who differ from the Catholic church, does not hinder atheists and deists from settling in the country, as these have no form of religion they wish to practise; and that this law serves only to prevent the coming of those men who are sincerely religious and moral, and who, as they themselves admit, would be of great use in the country, by bringing into it many branches of the arts and manufactures. I think I have observed some good effects arising from these conversations, and I wish it may so appear when, the subject comes before Congress a second time.
Lima, 26th May, 1823.
A considerable time has now elapsed since I last wrote you. I confess I have acted wrong in delaying so long; but I know that yourself and the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society are ready to forgive. The truth is, I have had no heart to write you; I have had nothing encouraging to communicate; and I am never fond of being a messenger of evil tidings. I have been bandied about these many months past, without being able to make any progress in those highly important affairs in which you feel so deeply interested. I have been more than once on the eve of leaving this part of South America, but one little encouragement or another called me back just as I was going to embark, and flattered me into a belief that all would go on well. I shall not detain you with a long list of grievances, but shall pass at once to the more pleasing task of calling on you to join with me in thanksgiving unto Him who comforteth those that are cast down, and who hath turned my darkness into light. Blessed be his name, the prospects of something being done in this place brighten daily, and I hope yet to communicate to you something gladdening from the land of the Incas.
We have, at length, got our school fairly begun, and under very favourable auspices. I formerly mentioned to you that the government had givenus for our schools, the College belonging to the Dominican Friars. The whole of the edifice is at our disposal for school objects. We have fitted up for our present school-room, a large apartment, formerly the college dining-room, which will contain 300 children. The number attending at present is upwards of a hundred; and we intend to increase it gradually rather than rapidly, as we might do were we inclined. The experience I have had has taught me the necessity of this. It is an easy matter to tell what the system is, and to say things are to be managed in such and such a way; but the great difficulty consists in reducing it to practice, in training the children to method.
The Congress and the Government here are decidedly in favour of education. Their object is not merely the education of the few, but the education of the many, namely, of every individual in Peru. The attention of the Congress is, at present, engaged in drawing up a constitution for the nation. One of the articles already sanctioned is, that no one can vote for a member of Congress unless he can read and write. From the consideration, however, of the shameful neglect of the Spaniards in promoting education in the country, these literary qualifications are not to be exacted until the year 1840. Time is thus given for every individual to qualify himself in these matters; and the anxious desire of the Congress is, I am fully persuaded, tocarry forward education with all possible rapidity.
You are aware, I suppose, that the inhabitants of Peru do not all speak the Spanish language. The descendants of the ancient Peruvians are very numerous, and most of them speak the language of their ancestors. In some parts of the country they have assumed the manners and the language of their conquerors and oppressors; but in other parts, and these by far the most populous, their ancient tongue is their only medium of communication. I have long had my eye on this interesting part of the population of this country. I have, at length, obtained a fair prospect of being able to plant schools among them, and also to hand to them the word of God in their native tongue. An officer belonging to a regiment, called the Peruvian Legion, and who thoroughly understands theQuichua, or Peruvian, language, has taken a great liking to our system, and is extremely desirous of benefiting his countrymen by communicating instruction to them. He is, at present, attending our school for this purpose, and I entertain a pleasing hope regarding the future results of his operations.
I beg you to express to your Committee my sincere respect and gratitude for the very obliging manner in which they have come forward in aid of the great work of education in South America.
Truxillo, 15th July, 1823.
When I wrote my last letter to Mr. S. I little thought my next letter would be written in this place. Such, however, is the case, and I proceed to mention the circumstances that have brought me here. It is probable that what has lately taken place in Lima will reach your ears some days before this comes into your hand. The Spanish army entered that city on the 18th ultimo, the Government, the Congress, and a great number of the inhabitants having left it on the preceding day. You will wonder at this, I dare say, after the favourable account of our affairs in my last letter. It has also been a subject of wonder unto us all, and of consternation to not a few. I mentioned in my last, that the Spaniards had collected a considerable force in Jauja. They had left Arequipa, and collected in Jauja with the intention of coming down upon Lima. They had made this movement when the independent army was sadly crippled, and when there was no efficient force to oppose their taking possession of the capital. When, however, reinforcements had arrived from Colombia, and an expedition had been sent off to Arequipa, we little thought they would persevere in their intention of attacking Lima. On the contrary, we thought they would immediately retrace their steps with all speed towards Arequipa or Cuzco, to secure to themselvesthe possession of these valuable provinces. The event, however, has turned out otherwise, and we now understand that they were badly informed as to the real state of their opponents. The Spaniards crossed the Andes, and came down towards Lima in a very rapid and unexpected manner, with a force of seven thousand well disciplined men. Upon their presenting themselves in the neighbourhood of the city, they were reconnoitred by the Independent Generals, and as soon as the number and discipline of the Spanish army were known, it was judged imprudent to risk a battle with them, as the patriot army is but about five thousand strong, and many of them recruits. The independent army considered it most advisable not only to avoid a general battle, but also to avoid defending Lima, and chose to retire to the forts in Callao. The Government and the Congress, together with a great number of the principal inhabitants, retired at the same time to Callao. A few days after, the President and Congress judged it most suitable to remove from the scene of military operations, and to take up a temporary residence in this city. They accordingly sailed for this place, and arrived about a fortnight ago.
We were going on with our schools in a prosperous way on the 16th (June) when the reports of the rapid approach of the enemy, and the general confusion throughout the city, induced us to suspendour operations on that day for a week, till we should see what would take place. It was on that day quite uncertain whether the city would be defended, (for it is surrounded by a good wall,) or whether the army would retire from the city to Callao. On the following day, however, all doubt on these points was removed, as it was agreed in a council of war to abandon the city, and the army accordingly left it on the same day. At three o’clock I left Lima and went down to Callao, being assured that the enemy would enter the city that night, or at all events on the following day. I slept that night (the 17th) on board of an English vessel, lying in the harbour. It was my intention to return to Lima in four or five days, in which time I supposed the Spaniards would be in quiet possession of the place, and that order would be again restored, so that as an Englishman I might pass to Lima with a passport from the English Commodore on the station. I accordingly remained some days, on board the vessel, but there was no possibility of passing from Callao to Lima with any safety during that time. On the 20th the vessel I was in cleared out for the port of Casma, about 200 miles to the north of Lima, and I conceived it most advisable to go along with her, as there was no prospect of re-entering Lima for some time. I therefore supplied myself with some dollars from a friend, as I had left Lima without money, and with scarcely any other clothes than those I had on. Intwo days we arrived safely in the port of Casma, and on the day after our arrival I went up to the village, which is about 8 miles distant. I was accompanied from Callao by an old friend, a priest, and a prebendary of the cathedral of Lima. We made ourselves acquainted with the Vicar, and were most hospitably lodged in his house. Here we staid a week. During this time the accounts from Lima continued as unfavourable as before, and numbers of people who had fled from it were arriving at Casma, and others coming on towards it. I resolved, therefore, to come on to this city, where I arrived safely after four days travel through roads of burning sand, which were very fatiguing to our horses and to ourselves. The roads all along the coast of Peru are of this description. Here and there, at distances of from twenty to forty miles, there is a river, and in the valley through which it runs, vegetation of every kind shoots out luxuriantly, and nothing is wanting but hands of industry to raise cotton, sugar, coffee, and all the tropical fruits. My friend, the prebendary, remained in Casma, but I was accompanied to this place by two other emigrants from Lima, and on our arrival here we found not less than a thousand people of all conditions under similar circumstances with ourselves. Numbers have since arrived, and reports say that nearly ten thousand have left Lima, some having gone to one place and some to another. Notwithstanding these unfavourablecircumstances, we expect all to return to the capital before long; it may, however, be three or four months.
From what has been stated, you may perhaps think that the cause of independence here is losing ground fast, or that it is in a hopeless condition. This, however, is not the case. The Spaniards will, I believe, be under the necessity of leaving Lima in the course of a very few months; and in the mean time they have lost the valuable province of Arequipa, as there are accounts of the safe arrival of the expedition which sailed some time ago for that quarter, and of some advantages they have already gained, and also of the speedy prospect of taking possession of all that place, the Spanish force there being but small. The independent army will probably march on towards Cuzco, where the Viceroy is stationed with a force of about 3,000 men, and the ancient capital of the Incas may very soon become the scene of the contest for liberty—the contest of truth and freedom, with ignorance and oppression; and may the righteous cause prevail.
I have long had a great desire of visiting some of the interior parts of this country, and present circumstances offer a favourable opportunity. I intend, in a day or two, to leave this city for Caxamarca, and from thence I purpose to go to Jaen de Bracamoros. If the accounts I there obtain are favourable, I shall go down the great riverMarañon or Amazon, as far as the mouth of the Huallága or the Ucayáli. I may then perhaps ascend some of the rivers which fall into the Marañon from the north, and go on in this way towards Quito. If I should be able to get on so far, I shall then descend from Quito to Guayaquil, and from thence by sea to Callao. I have got leave of absence for four months, and have obtained a letter of recommendation from the President to the governors of those places through which I intend to pass. I trust this journey is undertaken with the same views which induced me to leave my native country. I trust the Lord will protect me from every evil, will surround me with his almighty arm, and will guide and comfort me by his Spirit.
P.S.—21st July, 1823.——On the day after writing the above, some accounts reached this place that the Spanish army was beginning to retreat from Lima. In consequence of this, I deferred my journey until certain accounts upon this subject should arrive. These accounts have now been fully confirmed. The Spaniards began their retreat on the 8th current, and the last division of their army was to leave Lima on the evening of the 16th, or on the day following.
As Lima is now open, from the retiring of the Spaniards, I have given up for the present myjourney to the river Amazon, and to-morrow I set out for Lima overland.
The day before yesterday the Congress was dissolved here, and a Senate has been appointed in its stead.
Lima, 8th August, 1823.
My last letter to you was dated 9th November last, and which I hope came safely into your hands. Though the interval between my letters to you be considerable, yet I always suppose you acquainted with what occurs to me here during these intervals, through my letters to our mutual friends in Edinburgh. I therefore consider it unnecessary to go over all that has happened here since I last wrote to you, and shall confine myself to what is going forward at the present time. I am sorry that I have so much to say that may be called of an unfavourable nature. In my letter to Mr. H. from Truxillo, I stated the cause of my removal to that city, and also the favourable change which had induced me to return. I arrived safely in this place on the 2d instant, after an absence of nearly seven weeks. I found, on my return, all that I had left behind safe, nothing had been touched. The Spanish army continued in possession of Lima just twenty-eight days, during which they did considerable injury to the place, by levying contributions, confiscating property,&c. The amount of the loss sustained, in one shape and another, is reckoned at two millions of dollars. All the property belonging to the English merchants, which was in their own warehouses, was respected, and no loss was sustained thereon. What goods they had in the Custom-house they were allowed to withdraw, upon paying a duty of forty per-cent. The other goods in the Custom-house, belonging to the natives of the country, were confiscated and sold on the spot. The favour thus experienced by the English, was owing to the intervention of the British Naval Commander in this place. The Spanish General, however, intimated to the English merchants that although he had respected their property at this time, yet in future he would not do so, but would confiscate all that belonged to them, should he return again to Lima, and that thus they might consider themselves as warned beforehand, of what they might expect. I had heard in Truxillo that the Spaniards had destroyed the palace, the mint, and some other public buildings. This, however, I am happy to find, was incorrect: they have destroyed no buildings. The machinery of the mint was destroyed; and they have carried off or destroyed all the printing-presses and types they could lay their hands on. The government printing-presses and types have escaped, as they had been removed to Callao in good time. One or two presses also, belonging to private individuals, have likewise been saved, having been hidat the time the rest were carried off. I suppose you have read (and correctly too,) in the descriptions of this city, that the churches are immensely rich in silver. This, however, is not the case at present, I assure you. They are now completely stripped of all their former grandeur in that respect. The independent government at different times ordered considerable quantities of the silver in the churches to be taken to the mint, which was accordingly done. Upon their retreat from the city on the approach of the enemy, a few weeks ago, nearly every thing of silver that could be well spared from the churches, was carried to the castle in Callao, to prevent its falling into the hands of the Spaniards. This proved a proper foresight, for the enemy took almost every thing that had been left in the churches, and thus thoroughly stripped them. A priest observed to me the other day, that it should seem the time is now come when God chooses to be served with less splendour, and with more humility. The observation was good; and I wish the time were indeed come when the supporters of this system would lay aside their own riches and righteousness in every respect, and would clothe themselves with the righteousness of Christ, and with true humility. That period is, I trust, advancing, although perhaps not so fast as we could wish. The Lord, however, will bring it about in due time. The way we generally wish to do things, in our impatience, is to jump to our object; or in other words, to gainour benevolent ends all at once. This, however, is not the way the Almighty has established matters in the depth of his wisdom. The end, he tells us, may be gained, yea, and shall be gained, but it can be gained only by the use of the appointed means, and by patient continuance in well doing.
The Spanish army has marched towards Arequipa along the coast. The first division under General Valdes is already at some distance, but the second division, under Canterác the Commander in chief, is only about 100 miles to the south of us. There is, however, I believe, little danger at present of his returning to Lima, as the main object of the Spaniards is to attack as early as possible the patriot army in Arequipa. That army is now of considerable strength, and much better equipped every way than the former one in that place, which was so completely defeated by the Spaniards at Moquegua. I wish the result may be favourable to the independent cause, as much certainly depends on the result.
I mentioned in my letter to Mr. H. that the Congress had been dissolved in Truxillo, and that a Senate had been appointed in its place. This was the single act of the President, and it was certainly a very bold and imprudent step, not to say any thing of its injustice. The President has not yet returned to Lima, and in the mean time a strong opposition has been stirred up against him here for having dissolved the Congress. Therepresentatives now in Lima have solemnly protested against this measure, have re-installed themselves as the supreme council and government of the nation, and have elected the Marquis of Truxillo to exercise the executive power. What will be the result of these operations I know not. It is probable, I think, that Riva Aguera, the President, will give in, and be banished from the country for some time, it is certainly a very unfavourable time for internal disputes. A short time, I hope, will make all things wear a more smiling aspect, and may the Lord who reigneth in the earth, grant that this may indeed be our case. All things are in his hand. He ever reigneth, although his benignant hand may at times be invisible to us.
During the time I was at Truxillo, I formed the plan of visiting some of the aboriginal inhabitants of America, on the banks of the river Amazon. I had calculated that the Spaniards would keep possession of this city for about three months, and I supposed, that time would about suffice me for my intended tour. I had bought a number of glittering buttons, needles, scissors, knives, fish-hooks, ribbons, &c., for presents to the natives. I had also taken out my passport, and was arranging for setting out, when accounts reached Truxillo, that a part of the Spanish army had evacuated this city. In consequence of this, I put off my intended journey, though with regret, in order to return to myduties in this place. I have long had a desire to visit those parts, and though I have not been able to effect my object at this time, my purpose is not laid aside, but only postponed until a more favourable opportunity occur; and in the mean time I will go on collecting all the information I can, regarding those quarters. I have a considerable desire to spend the greater part of my remaining days on the banks of that great river, or on the borders of some of its tributary streams. In the Mercurio Peruano, a work of which I dare say you have heard, there are some very interesting accounts of the entrance of the Jesuits and of the Franciscan Friars into that part of the country. Their success was various. Numbers of the missionaries lost their lives in prosecution of their object, through the cruel hands of those whom they went to instruct. At length the missions in those parts made some progress, but they never were very flourishing; and even in their best state, missions under such a system were open to many objections. One single Moravian village in the midst of some wilderness would be a more gratifying sight than all the Jesuit missions put together. Though we may thus condemn their system, because truth requires it, yet the Missionaries themselves, generally speaking, in point of zeal and devotion to their object, are worthy of great commendation, and in many instances their conduct forcibly attracts our admiration. The accounts they have published areextremely interesting. In another point of view, also, the Missionaries have done a great service, by their study of the original languages, and by the grammars and dictionaries of these which they published. The whole of these works are by the Jesuits, and not a volume has been published since their fall. These grammars and dictionaries are now extremely scarce in this place. It has cost me a great deal of labour to obtain some of them, and others I have not yet been able to procure, but hope in time to get a copy of all their writings on those subjects, as well as of the geographical works they have published.