A quasi-royal guard was established, consisting of the leading youth of the city, who formed the Protector’s escort in public; a precaution which, notwithstanding that the exasperated Limenos were weaponless, was not altogether unnecessary.  The Solar nobility were permitted to place their armorial bearings in front of their houses, with the sun blazoned in the centre, which was certainly an addition to, if not an improvement on all previous orders of nobility.  In short, the Limenos had a Republic swarming with marquises, counts, viscounts, and other titles of monarchy, to which consummation all expected the Protector to aspire; the more so, as the only unfettered portion of the press was that which saluted him under the title of Emperor. (See Appendix, Ode of “The Dove,” sung in celebration, of our Protector and Emperor of Peru!)

The strength of a State so constituted did not keep pace with the brilliancy of its court.  On the 7th of April, General Cantarac had fallen upon a division of the liberating army, and cut up or made prisoners of the whole, capturing 5,000 muskets, the military chest, containing 100,000 dollars, and all their ammunition and baggage.  It would have been thought that so serious a disaster occurring amongst a justly-exasperated people would have caused some embarrassment to the Government, but the Gazette of the 13th of April almost turned it into matter for congratulation.

   LIMENOS,

The division of the south, without having been beaten, has been surprised and dispersed.  In a long campaign all cannot be prosperity.  You know my character, and you know that I have always spoken the truth!  I do not mean to search for consolation in conflicts, notwithstanding, I dare to assure you, that the iniquitous and tyrannical empire of the Spaniards in Peru will cease in the year 1823.  I will make an ingenuous confession to you.  It was my intention to go in search of repose after so many years of agitation, but I believed your independence was not secured.  Some trifling danger now presents itself, and so long as there remains the least appearance of it, till you are free you shall not be left by your faithful friend,

   SAN MARTIN.

His proclamation to the army is still more extraordinary:—­

   Companions of the United Army,

Your brothers in the division of the south have not been beaten—­but they have been dispersed.  To you it belongs to revenge this insult.  You are valiant, and have known long ago the path to glory.  Sharpen well your bayonets and your swords.  The campaign of Peru shall finish in this year.  Your old general assures it.  Prepare to conquer!

   SAN MARTIN.

To the inhabitants of the interior, proclamations of a still more bombastic nature were despatched, in which they were assured that a reverse of this kind “weighed nothing in the balance of destiny of Peru.  Providence protects us, and by this action will accelerate the ruin of the enemies of Peru.  Proud of their first victory, they will spare us part of our march in search of them.  Fear not! the army that drove them from the capital is ready to punish them a third time, and to punish them for ever!”