XC. Causes of dence. BOOK phere infected with mercury. Had it not been for the changes that took place in Europe subsequent to the French revolution, the same system might have still continued. indepen- Spain by following the fortunes of France laid open her colonies to the invasion of the English. The successes of the colonists during the war which they carried on against that people, made them think more favourably of their strength and resources. The victories of Napoleon, the abdication of Charles IV. and the imprisonment of his son, roused the Americans from their long lethargy. A sedition broke out at Venezuela so early as the year 1797, and not long afterwards many of the provinces revolted. The authority of Buonaparte or his brother, the king of Spain, was never recognised. The South Americans refused to obey their new masters. Thus the rapid conquests of an individual in the one hemisphere were the means of securing the freedom of the other. The successful termination of a war, which the British colonists in North America had carried on in maintaining their independence, animated and encouraged their neighbours in the south. Switzerland freed herself from the Austrian yoke; Spain lost her possessions in the low countries; because the inhabitants did not choose to submit to a better and more liberal policy than that by which the Americans had been governed. Many brave men in South America united at last in resisting tyranny, and their example enlisted thousands in the same cause. The independence of the state was declared by Congress assembled in Tucuman, in the year 1816. But the country was in reality free before that time; from the year 1810, a war had been carried 'on against Spain in Peru, Paraguay and Monte Video. Although it was conducted on both sides with various success, fortune seemed to favour the arms of the Americans. It was difficult to resist men engaged in so sacred a cause, eager for liberty, and impelled by enthusiasm. Independ ence of South America In 1818 an army consisting of the veteran and best * Manifesto of the Congress of the United Provinces in South America. XC. forces of Spain, was annihilated by San Martin on the BOOK plains of Maipo. The freedom of South America has been dated from that memorable victory. The rights of the people have been purchased by their blood, by sacrificing their wealth to the common cause, by braving the greatest dangers, by submitting to the severest hardships. The name of Spanish America was abolished by a decree of Congress. The republic of Colombia was afterwards formed,* it comprises the ancient viceroyalty of New Grenada, and the captiancy general of Caraccas. We cannot offer many remarks either on the improvements that have taken place in these countries, or on the nature of their government, without extending our work beyond the limits prescribed to it. It may however be observed that none of their political institutions have as yet been tried by the test of experience, that some of them are of a temporary nature, that others have been given up or not found to answer the purposes for which they were intended. It was deemed strange and inconsistent that there should Slavery. be slaves amongst men who had done so much in the cause of freedom. They determined therefore that slavery should be abolished, whenever so great a change could be effected without endangering the safety of the state; and a law was passed by Congress on the first day of its sitting, by which all the children of slaves were declared to be free. The same assembly distinguished itself by putting an end to the mita and tribute money; these measures, besides the lasting benefits that accrued from them, had the good effect of conciliating the Indians to the independent party. the Press. A decree in favour of a free press was passed on the 26th Liberty of of October 1811; but the exigence of affairs required that this liberty should not be abused, and the press has been hitherto encumbered with too many restrictions. The South Public inAmericans are fully aware that the instruction and moral struction. improvement of the lower orders are the best means not *In the year 1321. XC. BOOK only of securing but of adding to their present advantages; no people has done so much in so short a time for promoting education among every class of the community. The corporations of the principal towns superintend the management of the public schools. In the town of Buenos Ayres thirteen schools have been established, five of which are set apart for the benefit of the poor. The system of parochial instruction was not only adopted, but a portion of the tithes has of late been applied to that useful purpose. A great many works were prohibited by the Spaniards; every book may now be freely circulated. Among others a New Testament in Spanish has lately appeared; thus the people have only had an opportunity of instructing themselves in religion since the time of their independence. Improve ments. Govern ments. During the government of the Spaniards, it was lawful to arrest and imprison any of the colonists without giving them previous notice of their offence; such proceedings are now illegal. The letters of individuals can no longer be opened, a man's house afforded him formerly but little protection, "it is now declared to be inviolable." Monopolies are abolished, and the trial by jury is likely to be established. Strangers may be easily naturalized, but it is worthy of remark, that no Spaniard can enjoy the right of suffrage, or be eligible to any office in the state, until the independence of South America be acknowledged by Spain. The electors are chosen by the people, and the members of Congress are taken from the electoral assemblies. In some states the number of electors is to that of the whole population in the ratio of one to five thousand; it has likewise been enacted, that every deputy shall at least represent fifteen thousand souls; so that the number in Congress must depend upon that of the inhabitants. But these states are still engaged in the task of forming a permanent constitution; in the mean time no alteration can * Rodney's Report, &c. + Col. Hall's Colombia. XC. be made in the present one without the consent of two-thirds BOOK of the members in Congress. Several improvements have in this manner been already effected. The government of Colombia, as it was fixed in 1821, consists of a senate and house of representatives. The senate is made up of thirtytwo senators, or of four for each of the eight departments in the republic. The legislative authority is vested in the senate. The house of representatives is composed of members, who are returned for four years by each province, and their number is in the proportion of one to thirty thousand inhabitants. Director. These states had of late not only to contend against the Supreme Spaniards, but were exposed to great danger from dissensions at home; on this account it was thought necessary to appoint a supreme director or magistrate not unlike the dictator of the Romans; but it is to be feared that such a power may be incompatible with the nature of a free community. This officer is commander in chief of all the forces in the country; he governs the navy, and is styled liberador or protector of civil liberty, a title nearly the same as that assumed by Cromwell. He represents his nation in its treaties with foreign powers, and has the privilege of declaring war after having submitted to Congress the causes which render it necessary. His superintendence extends over all the branches of the revenue; he nominates the secretaries of war and of the treasury. The exigencies of the times may call for such an office; but if it continue after tranquillity is restored, the commonwealth must be either nominal or cease to exist. The geographical divisions of these republics, and their population according to the latest accounts are marked in the tables at the end of this chapter. colonists. It has been asked if Spanish America possesses the Independmeans of maintaining its independence? Nature appears ence of the to have decided this question. Where can we find countries so well defended against invasion as the greater part XC. BOOK of the Spanish colonies? A vast extent of territory interspersed with hills and valleys extends beyond a chain of mountains higher and steeper than the Alps; and this elevated region is bounded on two sides by arid and burning deserts or by low plains covered with impenetrable forests and barren sands. This district, suspended as it were in the air, is a little Europe surrounded with an African belt. Health reigns throughout it, while fever and death dwell around it. If the American armies defend the ascent, where every position is in their favour, the battalions of Europe must perish without a battle. A few years ago Europeans invaded the plains of New Grenada, but at that time there were neither experienced leaders nor organized troops among the colonists; what, however, was the fate of the vanquished? They took refuge in the uncultivated and sultry plains of the Oronoco, harassed the Spaniards, and reconquered at last the strong holds of Caraccas, now the bulwark of Colombia. The river Plate, which seems to open an easy entrance into the country, might prove dangerous by its sand-banks and rapid currents to the invaders of Paraguay and Tucuman. The Mexican coast, towards Europe, is inaccessible to ships of war; and to land at Acapulco it is necessary to circumnavigate the greater part of the globe. The High Table Land is not a continuous level of easy communication between its different parts. Upper Peru is a barrier betwixt Lima and Buenos Ayres; the defiles which separate Quito from Bogota are so many precipices or footpaths in the midst of snow, and the burning isthmus of Costa Rica divides Colombia from Guatimala. It has been supposed that the people cannot make use of these natural advantages. The Indians, it is true, retain their wonted apathy; the offspring of that despotism introduced by Incas and native princes, which, by a just law of retribution, facilitated the conquest and ruin of their country. A native cannot as yet be excited by any sentiments |