contempt for the policy of the viceroy, who, at least, controlled a larger military force than San Martin, and was better protected. In January, 1821, the leading generals of the royalist army, distrusting the purposes of the viceroy and dissatisfied with existing conditions, demanded his abdication, and raised General La Serna to the supreme command. General Pezuela retired to Europe with his family. After his abdication more than a hundred royalist officers and soldiers joined San Martin’s army, among others, Colonel Gamarra, who became president of Peru later; and Colonel Eléspuru, who organized the first exclusively Peruvian battalion in the Liberator’s army. General La Serna, no more courageous than Pezuela, did not believe that he could offer sufficient resistance to the advance of the patriot army on Lima, and retired to the interior, General San Martin entering the capital on the 12th of July, 1821. On the 28th of July, the date celebrated throughout the republic of Peru as “Independence Day,” the proclamation of independence took place in the Plaza Mayor, in front of the government palace; after the memorable words: “From this moment Peru is free and independent by the will of the people and by the justice of their cause which God defends!” the standard was unfolded and the shouts of a joyous people voiced the sentiment of an emancipated country in _Viva la Patria! Viva la Libertad! Viva la Independencia!_ The Protector, as San Martin was called, began at once the organization of a provisional government. He appointed his cabinet, naming as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don Juan Garcia del Rio; Minister of War and Marine, Don Bernardo Monteagudo; and Minister of Finance, Don Hipólito Unánue. The patriot Riva-Agüero was appointed President of the Department of Lima. Among the first political acts of the Protector was the abolition of slavery and of the _mita_. He also proclaimed liberty of the press and reform in the administration of justice and finance. At this time Lord Cochrane insisted that his soldiers were impatient to be paid; and, in order to meet their demands, he went to Ancón where he seized a cargo of silver ready for shipment, amounting, it is said, to four hundred thousand dollars. His action was disapproved by San Martin, and he retired from Peru. Meantime, the royalists were defeated in an attempt, made under General Canterac, to get reinforcements to the garrison in the fortress of Callao, which had been left in charge of General La Mar when La Serna withdrew from the capital. The garrison was forced to capitulate and General La Mar entered the army of the Independence. The final triumph of the patriots depended on the capture of the royalist army, still encamped in the sierra, and the troops of the Protector were growing impatient over the delay; the political leaders were occupied with the preparations for the forthcoming national Congress, which was to meet the following year to promulgate the