was a brave man, possessing great resources of mind, and at first undoubtedly a good patriot, but the dreadful conflict of parties disappointed ambition, and a deep sense of personal injury having sacrificed a large estate, and lost two brothers in the civil wars, rendered him perfectly desperate, and equally regardless of the maxims of political justice, and the dictates of self-pre

servation.

Whilst Buenos Ayres, in conjunction with the other provinces, was exerting itself to bring to a close the civil war, it was not inattentive to its political situation. Don Bernadino Rivadavia was appointed secretary of state, and Don Manuel Jose Garcia placed at the head of the treasury; the departments of state and treasury having previously been united. These two enlightened ministers, possessing much experience in public affairs, improved by a residence at foreigr. courts, and enjoying an unusual share of public confidence, undertook a general reformation in the different departments of the government. The principal opposition to a reformation was from the military men, and the partisans of Pueyredon, who opposing the new ministers, attempted to overthrow the government. The first object of the government was to restore peace, and conciliate the disaffected, thus securing to the state the services of all its citizens. For this purpose, after the defeat of Ramirez and Carrera, an act of general amnesty was passed by the legislative junta, and also a decree by the executive, which, with the exception of nine persons, permitted all who had been exiled in the successive revolutions, or who had fled for their own safety, to return to the bosom of their country.

The revenue had been delapidated by a most extensive practice of smuggling, which the new ministers boldly attacked, by removing Don Fernando Calderon, the head of the custom house department; who had, without disguise, encouraged smuggling, and introduced corruptions into every branch of the revenue. A new system of tariff was established, and duties levied on the ad valorem principle; some of the government loans were reimbursed in a gold currency, which, with the reform in the revenue, contributed to restore public credit, so long entirely prostrate. Among other objects of reform, was privateering, which had become little short of a general system of piracy. Mr. J. M. Forbes, agent for the United States at Buenos Ayres, had very earnestly pressed this subject on the attention of government, which finally produced a decree, passed on the 6th of October, 1821, ordering all persons having commissions from any of the governments which had existed at Buenos Ayres, to surrender them to the minister of marine within a given time, after which, if they neglected to do it, they were to be treated as pirates. The

decree also provided, that in future, no commission of privateering should be granted without a previous declaration on the part of the government, stating the causes which compelled it to grant such commission.

Whilst zealously engaged in reforming this existing government, the ministers were not insensible of the paramount importance of a union, and general confederation of all the provinces. Notwithstanding the disorders and contests which had so long distracted the country, a disposition for a federal union was manifested in many of the provinces, and availing themselves of these favourable circumstances, the several provincial governments, united in assembling a congress, which was installed in Cordova in September, 1821. To forward the great object of a union of the provinces of La Plata, on a federative plan, the government of Buenos Ayres published a project containing the basis of a system of federation, which was accompanied by a manifesto of the executive, unfolding more fully the views of the government on this momentous question. But such were the existing difficulties, and sectional jealousies, that all the influence of the government was not sufficient to induce the congress to adopt any plan of union.

The commencement of the year 1822 found the affairs of the United Provinces in a more prosperous condition; the internal enemies of the republic had been destroyed or driven out of the country; the voice of faction was silenced; the government had acquired energy and respect, and was engaged in works of improvement, in forming schools, and establishing libraries, calcu lated to prepare the people for the appreciation and enjoyment of liberty. The papers discussed freely, and often ably, important political questions connected with their new situation. A splendid edifice was erected for a congressional hall on the same spot, where, in 1780, was reared the dungeons of Oruro, in which were immured those accused of promoting the independence of Peru. Peace was also restored with the provinces of Entre Rios and Corientes, a convention having been concluded between them and the province of Buenos Ayres and the city of Santa Fe, on the 14th of January, whereby the parties stipulated to be at peace, and make common cause against external and internal enemies, and mutually to defend and assist each other. The Portuguese or Brazilians maintained possession of the city of Monte Video, and the province of Banda Oriental. The public mind became more and more tranquilized, and the government acquired energy and the confidence of the people. The disaffected, however, were not entirely removed or conciliated, as a conspiracy was discovered at the capital on the 23d of August, said to be headed by Tagle, secretary of state, during

Pueyredon's administration; and a number of persons were arrested. It did not, however, occasion any commotion, and the public tranquillity continued undisturbed during the remainder of the year.

On the 4th of July, 1823, a convention or a preliminary treaty of peace was concluded between Buenos Ayres and Spain by commissioners appointed by the Spanish government, under the direction, of the Cortes and Rivadavia, secretary of state for Buenos Ayres. It was stipulated that hostilities should cease for eighteen months, that the relations of commerce should be renewed between the two countries, and that within the time the two governments should negotiate a definite treaty of peace and friendship. The congress authorized the executive to ratify the convention, and resolved that on its being ratified by Spain, and a definitive treaty of peace concluded, twenty millions of dollars should be voted to Spain, to maintain her independence on the representative system, provided she should be invaded by France, that sum being the amount which the chambers of Paris had granted the king for the prosecution of hostilities in Spain. Notwithstanding this liberal conduct of the congress, the convention was rejected by the Spanish government.

On the 16th of November, 1823, Cæsar A. Rodney, minister from the United States, arrived at Buenos Ayres, and in a few days presented his credentials. He being the first envoy ever received from any foreign power, it was deemed important by the government that his recognition should be public in the hall of the government house, attended with a solemnity and splendour of ceremonies corresponding with the importance of the occasion. But the state of Mr. Rodney's health would not admit of this at that time. On the 27th of December, his health having been restored,. the ceremony of presentation took place. He was conveyed to the government house, by the minister of foreign relations, in a coach of state, attended with military display and every mark of honour, and conducted by a deputation of the government into the hall, through an immense concourse of citizens, where he was presented to the governor, by the minister of foreign relations. Mr. Rodney delivered an address in his own language, which was interpreted; and having concluded, he presented his credentials. Rodriguez, who was deeply affected, made a suitable reply. The interesting relations thus established between the government of Buenos Ayres, and the first minister from any foreign power, was destined to be of short continuance. Mr. Rodney's health was not re-established, and he continued to languish until the 10th of June, 1824, when he expired. The government passed a decree expressing their grief at the event, directing his bu

rial, with public funeral honours, and providing for the erection of

a monument.

During the year 1824, the political and internal affairs of the United Provinces continued tranquil and prosperous, and the governments being relieved from the horrors of anarchy, and in a great measure, from the evils of war, were engaged in consolidating the republic, and in improving its condition. It is an evidence of the stability of the public mind, that an election of a new chief magistrate for Buenos Ayres took place in a peaceable manner, and without occasioning any disturbance, which is the first instance in which there had been a change in the executive without a revolution, or the employment of military force. Attempts were made for a re-union of all the provinces of Rio de la Plata, and the establishment of a general congress; and a more favourable disposition, both in the capital and in the provinces was manifested for this desirable object.

In October, 1824, general Alvear arrived in the United States, from the United Provinces, as resident minister near our government; and on the 11th of the month he was presented to the president by the secretary of state. In his address on the occasion, he says that he was charged in the name of all the provinces of Rio de la Plata, to express to the government of the United States the regard, friendship, and gratitude they entertain for the magnanimous expression with which they had been honoured in the solemn recognition of their independence. He adds, that the letters which he has to present to the president, will unfold more fully the solicitude and sincere desire which his government feels for an intimate union. The envoy of the United Provinces, however, scarcely entered on the duties of his office, before he returned to his country, the government having appointed him to the chief command of the army destined against the royalists in Upper Peru, where the Spaniards still maintained their authority over some of the provinces; as the government of Buenos Ayres, in consequence of the dissensions and civil wars which had prevailed for several years, had made but little effort in prosecuting the war against the Spaniards of Peru.

A congress of the United Provinces convened in December, 1824, at Buenos Ayres, and on the 15th of the month the executive delivered a message, which unfolds the present condition of the republic. He speaks of the efforts which he had made to secure the friendship of the American states engaged in the same cause, and says, he has appointed ministers to Colombia, and also to Peru. "The empire of Brazil," he remarks," forms a contrast to the noble republic of the United States, and a deplorable exception to the general policy of the American nations." Hé

complains of the base and low artifices by which the province of Monte Video has been separated from the union, and retained in subjection by force of arms. Every effort, he adds, has been made with the court of Rio Janeiro, to induce it to abandon its usurpations and listen to the dictates of reason and justice, which might prevent the terrible necessity of war, but without success. The executive, however, does not despair of effecting an accommodation; he speaks in high terms of the conduct of Great Britain, and says, that the principles she has adopted towards the American nations, must soon result in a recognition of their independence.

The Brazilians still had possession of the province of the Banda Oriental on the east side of the river; but in April, 1825, a revolution took place in the Banda Oriental, which liberated it from the authority of Brazil. Lavalleja, Oribe, and several other officers and inhabitants of the Banda Oriental, on the 27th of April, left Buenos Ayres, and crossed to the opposite side of the river, where they expected to have found 200 men assembled, who had collected, accordingly, but had taken fright and dispersed. Having discovered that about forty of the Brazilian troops, and thirty of the inhabitants who had been pressed into their service, were at Arenal Grande, Lavalleja and his party appeared before them, and they joined and followed him. Being also joined by a number of the inhabitants, he entered Sariano, and re-organizing the government of the place, marched to the Gallinas, where he destroyed about 200 Brazilian troops who guarded it. Here Lavalleja found plenty of horses and provisions, and was joined by the militia in the neighbourhood, and even by many of the Brazilians. Re-passing the Negro, he marched towards the Perdido, and by stratagem, took possession of the person of Fructus Rivero, the Brazilian military commander of the country, and his escort, all of whom, except the officers, joined the party of Lavalleja. Rivero himself afterwards joined the revolutionary cause, and publicly burnt his imperial uniform in the streets of Santa Lucia. He also summoned the commander of Monte Video to surrender that place. More recent intelligence represents that the revolution has extended throughout the province, the whole population being engaged in it; that a provisional government had been established, which had sent deputies to the general congress of the United Provinces, soliciting their assistance and co-operation in expelling the Brazilians from Monte Video. In pursuance of the solicitation of deputies sent to the government of Buenos Ayres, the congress passed a resolution, authorizing the executive to guard the territory of the United Provinces from the dangers which might arise in the present state of the Banda Oriental, and to re-enforce the line of the Uruguay.