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 THE RE VOL UTIONAR Y PERIOD 1 55 security ; it was sufficient to cause a revolution in San- tiago and their deposition. In the critical condition of affairs, however, it was agreed by both parties that the junta was too large a governing body, and upon its deposition, Colonel Francisco de Lastra, governor of Valparaiso, was invested with the executive author- ity and given the title of supreme-director, in imita- tion of the same office which had been created in Buenos Ayres, March 7th. Colonel Lastra, having the respect of all parties and conscious of the danger which menaced the indepen- dent cause, was disposed to consider favorably propo- sitions for a compromise which were brought from the viceroy of Lima by Captain Hilliar of the British fri- gate "Phoebe," the latter offering to act as mediator. We may state here that England at this stage of the revolution in South America, was disposed to mediate between Spain and her colonies, because of the atti- tude of France toward the former. At first it had been to English interests to have the ports of South Amer- ica opened to her commerce, and, under Spanish rule the ports were nearly closed ; but it was now of greater importance that Spain should not be completely crushed. Lastra called a meeting of the principal cit- izens of the capital, and submitted Captain Hilliar's propositions; the decision arrived at was that the di- rector should propose terms to Gainza. This he did, appointing commissioners to proceed to Talca with Captain Hilliar, and the result was a cap- itulation, and an agreement entered into at Lircay on the 3rd of May, 1814. General Gainza was to embark with his troops for Peru within two months and leave all fortified places as they were ; the government of Chile agreed to exercise its authority in allegiance to Spain ; the viceroy of Peru should acknowledge the