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Writing Type: Diary
San Martín's entry into Lima and his reception by the Lima women.
Keywords: San Martín, Lima, women patriots
Publisher: Edward Moxon, London
Archive: John Rylands Library
Location Details: From Captain Basil Hall, Extracts from a Journal Written on the Coasts of Chili, Peru, and Mexico, in the years 1820,1821, 1822, part 1, Edward Moxon, Dover Street, London, 1840.
Text: CHAPTER XVII, pp.49-53.
Entry of General San Martin into Lima His Reception by the People Characteristic Scenes at the Marquis of
Montemira's.
THE 12th of July 1821 is memorable in the annals of Peru, from the entry of General San Martin into the capital. Whatever intermediate changes may take place in the fortunes of that country, its freedom must eventually be established: and it can never be forgotten. that the first impulse which led to so glorious a consummation, was due entirely to the genius of that great Patriot leader, who planned and executed the enterprise which first stimulated the Peruvians to think and act for themselves.
San Martin did not enter in state, as he was well entitled to have done, had he cared about forms and ceremonies instead of cordially despising them, but waited till the evening, and then rode in without guards, and accompanied only by a single aide de camp. Indeed, it was contrary to his original intention that he came into the city on this day ; for he was tired, and wished to go quietly to rest in a cottage about half a league off, and to enter the town before daybreak next morning. He had dismounted accordingly, and had just nestled himself into a corner, blessing his stars that he was out of the reach of business; when in came two friars, who by some means or other had discovered his retreat. Each of them made him a speech, to which his habitual good nature induced him to listen. One compared him to Caesar, the other to Lucullus. "Good Heavens! " exclaimed the general, when the fathers left the apartment,
“what are we to do? this will never answer.” “Oh! sir,” answered the aide de camp, “there are two more of the same stamp close at hand.” - Indeed! then saddle the horses again, and let us be off.”
Instead of going straight to the palace, San Martin called at the Marquis of Montemira's on his way, and the circumstance of his arrival becoming known in a moment, the house, the court, and the neighbouring streets, were soon filled. I happened to be at a house in the vicinity, and reached the audience room before the crowd became impassable. I was desirous of seeing how the General would carry through a scene of no ordinary difficulty ; and he certainly acquitted himself very well. There was, it may be supposed, a large allowance of enthusiasm, and high wrought expression, upon the occasion ; and to a man innately modest, and naturally averse to show or ostentation of any kind, it was not an easy matter to receive such praises without betraying impatience.
At the time I entered the room, a middle aged fine looking woman was presenting herself to the general: as he leaned forward to embrace her, she fell at his feet, clasped his knees, and looking up exclaimed, that she had three sons at his service, who, she hoped, would now become useful members of society, instead of being slaves as heretofore. San Martin, with much discretion, did not attempt to raise the lady from the ground, but allowed her to make her appeal in the situation she had chosen, and which of course she considered the best suited to give force to her eloquence : he stooped low to hear all she said, and when her first burst was over ' gently raised her: upon which she threw her arms round his neck, and concluded her speech while hanging on his breast. His reply was made with suitable earnestness; and the poor woman's heart seemed ready to burst with gratitude for his attention and affability.
He was next assailed by five ladies, all of whom wished to clasp his knees at once ; but as this could not be managed, two of them fastened themselves round his neck, and all five clamoured so loudly to gain his attention, and weighed so heavily upon him, that he had some difficulty in supporting himself. He soon satisfied each of them with a kind word or two, and then seeing a little girl of ten or twelve years of age belonging to this party, but who had been afraid to come forward before, he lifted up the astonished child, and kissing her cheek, set her down again in such esctacy, that the poor thing scarcely knew where she was.
His reception of the next person who came forward was quite different; a tall, raw boned, pale-faced friar ; a young man, with deep set dark blue eyes, and a cloud of care and disappointment wandering across his features. San Martin assumed a look of serious earnestness while he listened to the speech of the monk ; who applauded him for the peaceful and Christian like manner of his entrance into this great city conduct which, he trusted, was only a forerunner of the gentle character of his future government. The General’s answer was in a similar strain, only pitched a few notes higher ; and it was curious to observe how the formal cold manner of the priest became animated, under the influence of San Martin's eloquence; at last losing all recollection of his sedate character, the young man clapped his hands and shouted, "Viva! Viva! nuestro General" "Nay, nay," said the other, "do not say so ; but join with me in calling Viva la independencia del Peru!"
The Cabildo, or town council, hastily drawn together, next entered, and as many of them were natives of the place, and liberal men, they had enough to do to conceal their emotion, and to maintain the proper degree of stateliness belonging to so grave a body, when they came for the first time into the presence of their liberator.
Old men, and old women, and young women, crowded fast upon him: to every one he had something kind and appropriate to say; always going beyond the expectation of each person he addressed. During this scene I was near enough to watch him closely ; but I could not detect, either in his manner or in his expressions, the least affectation ; there was nothing assumed, or got up . nothing which seemed to refer to himself: I could not even discover the least trace of a self approving smile. But his manner, at the same time,, was the reverse of cold ; for he was sufficiently animated, although his satisfaction seemed to be caused solely by the pleasure reflected from others. While I was thus watching him, he happened to recognise me, and drawing me to him, embraced me in the Spanish fashion. I made way for a beautiful young woman, who, by great efforts, had got through the crowd. She threw herself into the General's arms, and lay there full half a minute without being able to utter more than "Oh mi General! mi General!" She then tried to disengage herself, but San Martin, who had been struck with her enthusiasm and beauty, drew her gently and respectfully back, and holding his head a little on one side, said with a smile, that he must be permitted to show his grateful sense of such good will, by one affectionate salute. This completely bewildered the blushing beauty, who, turning round, sought support in the arms of an officer standing near the General, who asked her if she were now content: Contenta! " she cried, "O Señor !" It is perhaps worthy of remark, that, during all this time, there were no tears shed, and that, oven in the most theatrical parts, there was nothing carried so far as to look ridiculous.
It is clear that the General would gladly have missed such a scene altogether ; and, had his own plan succeeded, he would have avoided it ; for he intended to have entered the city at four or five in the morning. His dislike of pomp and show was evinced in a similar manner when he returned to Buenos Ayres, after having conquered Chili from the Spaniards, in 1817. He there managed matters with more success than at Lima; for, although the inhabitants were prepared to give him a public reception, he contrived to enter that capital with out being discovered.
The ceremony [swearing of Independence] was rather imposing. San Martin’s manner was graceful and easy throughout, unaccompanied by anything theatrical or affected; but it was a business of show and effect, and therefore quite repugnant to his taste, and I sometimes thought there might be detected in his face a momentary expression of impatience or contempt of himself for engaging in such mummery ; but, if it really were so, he speedily resumed his wonted lack of attention, and of good-will to all around him.
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