more disciplined troops. Every thing seemed to favour the cause of the new government of Buenos Ayres, and to promise the termination of the war in its favour.

Before, however, Lopez could be brought to action, Lavalle was recalled to defend the capital, whose safety was threatened by a hostile army near its walls; while it was far from being united and tranquil within. Even before the departure of Lavalle on his expedition to Santa Fe, some symptoms of disaffection were manifested. The press had been subjected to severe surveillance, and Colonel A. Pacheco, one of Lavalle's own officers, had been arrested for stating that Dorrego was captured by means of treachery. Other alarming indications of insubordi. nation were given. On the 24th of February, a conspiracy was detected, having in view the subversion of the existing provincial government. Many influential men, and some holding high official stations, were implicated in this plot, and much excitement was оссаsioned by its discovery. The in. dividuals concerned in it were all banished, part to Monte Video and the remainder to Patagonia.

This state of feeling in the capi. tal, rendered it necessary for La. valle to watch carefully the situation of affairs at home. Although this circumstance contributed, still the immediate cause of his return

was the defeat of what was de. nominated the southern army. About the time he left Buenos Ayres to invade Santa Fe, Colonel Estomba proceeded at the head of some troops to suppress some insurrectionary movements in the south. After some unimportant skirmishes, this detachment was cut off, on the 28th of March, by its opponents who were called Monteneros. Having entire command the country, and their force having been augmented by the Indians,they advanced towards the capital, under the command of General Rosa, the minister of war in Dorrego's administration, and filled its inhabitants with consternation. Such was the extremity, that Admiral Brown issued an order closing all the shops except those of the butchers and bakers, and required the foreigners to take arms in defence of the place. A portion of the exiles, 200 in number, about the same time escaped from their place of banishment, and joined their friends in the field.

Lavalle, therefore, was obliged for the present to relinquish his designs upon Santa Fe, and to return for the protection of Buenos Ayres. Lopez immediately followed him, and forming a junction with Rosa's army, brought him to action on the 27th of April. Lavalle lost most of his horses in this conflict, and was compelled to take refuge in the town, where

he was besieged by the confede. rate forces. Occasional skirmishes took place between the combatants-the Monteneros sometimes dashing into the suburbs of the city, armed with lassos, and after killing and plundering unarmed individuals, retiring upon the gallop; but nothing of importance occurred until the middle of May, when Lopez was compelled to draw off with his forces to protect Santa Fe from a detachment of about 600 men, sent by water from Buenos Ayres, with the view of effecting a diversion in favour of the besieged. A reverse was also suffered by the federal party in Cordova, where one of Lavalle's adherents, General La Paz, deposed Boostus, the governor of the province, and as. sumed the power in his stead. This, however, did not relieve Buenos Ayres from the presence of a hostile army. Rosa still kept the field, and cut off all intercourse with the interior.

Business was suspended, and to aggravate the distress, the government was brought into a collision with the French Consul General which threatened the most disast. rous results.

When Admiral Brown issued his decree, requiring foreigners to perform military duty in defence of the town, the representatives of the United States and Great Britain remonstrated, and obtained an exemption for their countrymen. The

French Consul General, also claimed the same exemption for the French resident merchants. The government refused to recognise any right on the part of the consul to make any diplomatic communications, and informed him that all Frenchmen who enjoyed the protection of the laws of the country, must be subjected to all the obligations imposed by those laws.

The consul then issued a circu. lar to his countrymen, declaring that all who yielded obedience to that requisition, would lose their national character.

The government insisting that all foreigners who refused to serve, should quit the country within twenty-four hours, the Consul Gene. ral, on the 2d of May, demanded his passports, and embarked on board of the French squadron in the harbour.

Governor Brown now began to find, that his nautical education had not qualified him for controlling what is figuratively called the helm of state; and on the 9th of May, he resigned his office as provisional governor of the province, on ac. count of his incapacity, "finding himself out of the sphere of his talents." He was succeeded by General Martin Rodrigues.

The difficulty, however, into which he had brought the government, was not so easily termina. ted, for on the 21st of May, the French Admiral took possession of

the Buenos Ayrean squadron, consisting of the brigs Cacique, Gene. ral Rondea, schooners Rio Bamba, and 11th June, and burnt the brig Argentina.

This brought on a negotiation, which resulted in the government's yielding its pretension to compel Frenchmen to perform militia duty, and the squadron was delivered up, with the crews, &c. The insults to the French flag, and the indemnities due to Frenchmen aggrieved by the measures of Buenos Ayres, were points reserved for subsequent negotiation. Nothing of importance occurred from this period, but trivial skirmishes, productive of no result, until the middle of June, when both parties, finding themselves growing weaker, and with but little prospect of effecting any thing decisive, opened a negotiation with the view of terminating hostilities. On the 24th of that month, the pre

liminaries of peace were agreed upon, declaring hostilities at an end, and that the intercourse between the town and the interior, should be renewed. Representatives were to be elected according to the existing laws. General Rosa was to make arrangements to restore order in the country districts, and after the permanent government was established, both Rosa and Lavalle were to place their troops at its disposal.

This treaty, however, was scarcely signed, ere it was set aside, and the war broke out, and for a short time, seemed to threaten a continuation of that anarchy which had so long prevailed in this republic.The difficulties were temporarily adjusted; but the history of this negotiation belongs to a period subsequent to that, which is embraced by this volume.

6

Alexander Macomb, May 24th, 1828, major general, vice Jacob Brown, deceased.

Washington, 31st December, 1827. Promotions and appointments in the army of the United States, since the 11th July, 1827.

Third Regiment of Artillery. Brevet 2d lieutenant Theophilus B. Brown, to be 2d lieutenant, (company D') 1st July, 1826, vice Smith, deceased. Fourth Regiment of Artillery.

2d lieutenant John B. Scott, to be 1st lieutenant, (H) 31st July, 1827, vice Alberti, resigned.

2d lieutenant Horace Bliss, to be first lieutenant (B) 31st December, 1827, vice Willard, resigned.

Brevet 2d lieutenant Maskell C. Ew

ing, to be 2d lieutenant, ('I') 1st July, 1826, vice Scott, promoted.

Brevet 2d lieutenant Danforth H. Tufts, to be 2d lieutenant, ('I') 1st July, 1826, vice Bliss, promoted.

Second Regiment of Infantry.

1st lieutenant James Young, brevet captain, to be captain ( I') 31st December, 1827, vice Wilkins, resigned.

2d lieutenant Samuel L. Russell, to be 1st lieutenant, (C) 31st December, 1827, vice Young, promoted.

Brevet 2d lieutenant Amos B. Eaton, to be 2d lieutenant, (K) 1st July, 1826, vice Russell, promoted.

Third Regiment of Infantry.

1st lieutenant Thomas J. Harrison, to be captain, (F) 23d September, 1827, vice Browning, resigned.