The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-24
Providence Journal.
LIMA, November 4. 1919.


LIMA November 4, 1919.
Since my last-say on the 2lst February-another
attempt of most violent and dangerous nature
was made at n revolution. The President in
Callao with his family, residing in small private
house, enjoying the benefit of sea bathing. He had
long been aware that meetings of conspirators of
high rank were held in Lima, and at different coun-
try seats in the vicinity, and endeavored TO keep
himself informed of all their movements awaiting
some overt act which would justify him in the
adoption of strong measures. On the night OF
the 2ls February, he retired TO rest carly, slight
ly indisposed. Fortunately, his wife remained
in the parlor, accompanying some gentlemen who
were playing mallilla. AZ half past ten man.
closely cloaked, assembled the stairs and was pro-
ceeding TO the interior of the house, when be en-
countered a servant girl, with whom alteration
took place. This being observed by Mrs. Castillo,
she went into the hall to ascertain the cause of the
disturbance, of whom the man asked 70 see the
president Immediately. He was told that il was
impossible, as he unwell and asleep; but
Mrs. Castillo, ON being Informed that her hus-
bands life depended upon an audience being
granted instantaneously, awoke him, and intro
duced the cloaked man, who informed the general
that the conspirators all in Callao; that they
had Just broken up meeting held in private house
10 take their respective stations preparatory to act
ing; that the officer guard in the arsenal, where
there was battalion of 300 men, the officer of the
day, and the commander of the guard at the bar
racks at Bella Vista, where there was regiment OF
horse and battalion of infantry, were in the
spiracy; that the officer of the day had given the key
OF the back door Of the barracks TO the conspiraors
through which they were TO enter with the troops
from Caao, and seize upon the cavalry and infantry
of Bella Vista while asleep; that desperate Buenos
Ayres officer, at the head of % armed men, prepared
for the purpose, TO seize the president in his
house, aud II he resisted was 70 kill him; and n
ualy that eleven O'Clock was the hour for the ex-
plosion twas already three quarters past TEN and
no time 10 be lost. His escort asleep in the
arsenal, not soldier in his house, and but one aid
de-camp, who in bed, and time could not be
spared 10 call him. The President took a small
sword in his hand, and without any other arms,
and unaccompanied, went into the street, and took
bis course 10 the arsenal On passing the store OF
Messrs. johnson Richardson, he found Colonel
Of the army, whom he recognised, and another man,
unknown, stationed there, who suffered him TO pass
unmolcsted, the former saying TO the latter, " We
are lost, that is the president" when both imme-
diately ran. The General then entered the arsenal,
called the officer Of the guard out of the barracks
and arrested him woke up the colonel and ordered
him 10 arouse and parade his troops.
While this was in progress, he called up his es-
cort and ordered them 10 saddle their horses, gave
orders for numerous arrests in Callao, ordered
armed boats 90 be sent I'm the mole from the
steamer Rimac, and great was his impatience
that without waiting for bis escort, he started for
Bella Vista with his aid dc-camp, who had joined
him. He also called out Of the barracks the officer
Of the guard, and arrested him; took command Of
the guard, which he paraded under arms, and then
sent for the officer Of the day, demanded Of him the
key Of the back door Of the barracks, and was an
swcred that the officer of the day who preceded
him had kept IL. This reply cOrroborating still
further the information he had received from the
cloaked man. he arrested this officer, and ordered
all the troops under arms. The cavalry was sent
out in small parties to the country up to the
Lima gate, 20 apprehend the conspirators who
might escape from Callao.
The morning Of the 22d all was quiet, and in
Lima we were ignorant Of the affair until late in the
day. The arrests continued for several days, and
more than forty persons we're assembled IN the
prisons of the castle and ON board of hulks i'm the
bay Of Callao, amongst whom was grand mar
shall member Of the council Of State, five six
coonels several officers Of inferior rank and
private citizens The prisoners Of the lower orders
we're Immediately put on trial. The grand mar
shal and six Others were banished, and vessel
purchased and fitted out to take them 20 Brazil
The council OF State protested demanded that their
brother member should be brought to Lima and
placed their disposal and finally sent in the three
constitutional circumstances, in the latter OF which
they accused the executive Of infractions Of the
constitution. The president replied that he had
adopted his course from which he would not rccedc,
and would be answerablc for his conduct 20 thcsx
traordinary Congress, which he Immediately con
voked In the mean time the vessel with the seven
prisoners sailed, in which my son Washington (the
midshipman) embarked; but the commander turned
traitor took the vessel into Talcahuano, and hber
ated the prisoners Thus ended projected ira
gcdy, which, IL successful, would have deluged the
country IN blood
The extraordinary Congress assembled on the
9th July, under great public excitement pow
erful opposition party strove hard TO obtain the
tendency in Congress, with view to accuse the
executive, and eject its members from office. The
ministerial party was not idle. Some most violent
debates took place in the house upon incidental
questions and we were for many days living in the
greatest anxiety, no positive demonstrations being
made TO throw any light upon the probable results
We all out of doors threw our influence into the