neral, that whoever has advised you to commence your Protectorship
with devices unworthy of San Martin, is either a thoughtless
or a wicked man, whom you should for ever banish from your
counsels.

My dear General, look to the flattering addresses presented by
the servile of all countries to the most base in power. Think not
that it is to the person of San Martin that the public are attached.
Believe not, that without a straight and dignified course you can
obtain the admiration or love of mankind. So far yet you have
succeeded, and, thank God, it is in your power to succeed yet
farther. Flatterers are more dangerous than the most venomous
serpents, and next to them are men of knowledge, if they have not
the integrity or courage to oppose bad measures, when formally
discussed, or even when casually spoken of.

What political necessity existed for any temporary concealment
of the sentiments of Government in regard to the fate of the
Spaniards in Peru? Were not the army and the people ready to
support your measures, and did not the latter call aloud for their
expulsion? Believe me, my dear General, that after your
declaration, even the seizing on Spanish property belonging to
those who remain, is an act which ought not to be resorted to without
crime on their part subsequently committed.

In the feelings of my breast no man can deceive me. Of the sentiments
of others, I judge by my own, and I tell you what they are
as an honest man and a friend.

I could say much to you, my dear General, on other subjects of
little inferior importance, but as the foregoing are the only acts
immediately contemplated of which I have acquired a knowledge,
and which are, in their consequences, ruinous, I shall, at present,
only add, that had kings and princes but one man in their
dominions who would, on all occasions, utter the naked truth,
multifarious errors would be avoided, and the mischief to mankind
would be infinitely less.

You will plainly perceive that I have no personal interests in
these, or any other points, at variance with yours; but, on the
contrary, if I were base and interested, I have now taken a decisive
and irrevocable step to ruin my prospects; having no other security
for such not being the consequence of my candour save my good
opinion of your judgment and your heart.

Believe me, under all circu