]
[Footnote 2: Tuberculosis.]
Then an event occurred which almost destroyed all of Bolivar's well-made
plans. Some troops sent from the River Plata started a rebellion in Callao,
and, before anything could be done to correct the situation, the Spanish
flag was hoisted over the fortress and messages had been sent to the
viceroy offering to deliver the city. Laserna sent General Rodil,
appointing him governor and military commander of the province of Lima, and
placing him in full command of the fortress and the treacherous soldiers.
This was a severe loss for the Republican cause. Congress at once suspended
the constitution and the law and appointed Bolivar dictator, for it
realized that he was the only man to cope with the situation. The royalist
army had 18,000 men, 12,000 to fight Bolivar, who was then in the city
of Trujillo, and 6,000 to keep Upper Peru (now Bolivia) and the southern
coast, subject to Spain. Bolivar had from 4,000 to 6,000 Colombians and
about 4,000 Peruvians, all in poor condition. He gathered all the resources
available in Lima, but desertion and treachery had left very little of use.
At that time, to be disloyal was a fashionable thing for the insurgents of
Lima. However, Bolivar would not despair. In a letter written at that time,
he said:
"This year will not come to a close without our having gained Potosi."
His chief hope had been in the army of Colombia; but, while in Trujillo,
he learned that the government of Colombia would not send any troops or
resources without express authorization from Congress, which meant a long
delay.
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