thought that the mere trading with a revolted colony, or province, was an offence; or that this would be good cause of capture; and if it be lawful to trade, is it not lawful to establish such understanding with the temporary, or local authorities, as may be necessary for the regulation of such trade? May we not have resident agents for this purpose? May we not receive theirs in turn, and may we not, if we think it adviseable, enter into verbal or written stipulations to regulate this intercourse? Whether such agents should be called consuls, or ministers, or commissioners; whether they enter into stipulations or treaties of amity and commerce or not, is of no importance.

Are there any of the American republics with which we can with safety enter into official relations, or form treaties of amity and commerce? The United Provinces of La Plata are undoubt edly such. For seven years they have had complete and undisturbed possession of their country-no attempt has been made, or is likely to be made, to subdue them; and after this lapse of time, if Spain were to attempt it, she could be considered in no other light than that of an invader. We look only to the government de facto; the maxim of Spain, once a colony always a colony, is one which she must settle with the colonies as well as she can; for us it is enough that there is in La Plata a complete expulsion of the Spanish authorities, and an existing government. It will not be pretended by the most extravagant advocates of Spain, that because she has revolted colonies elsewhere, which she is trying to subdue that those which she is too weak to attempt, ought to be regarded as connected with the rest. According to this reasoning, while Spain continues to hold a single inch of land in America, the colonies must still be considered in a state of revolt.

Consistently, therefore, with the strictest neutrality, we may acknowledge La Plata, at least, as an independent state. By this simple act we will ensure to ourselves the lasting friendship of all the patriots of South America, whose feelings must be in unison with their brethren of La Plata. It will inspire confidence in all who are engaged in the contest, it will animate every patriot with a new zeal, it will bestow a respectability upon the cause in their own eyes, which will cheerfully unite all hearts in support of their independence. Such was the feeling which the recognition of our independence produced. As the natural head of America, it will

instantly increase our importance in the eyes of the world. Spain may be induced at last to put a stop to the horrid effusion of human blood, and renounce an undertaking in which she never can prevail. An understanding with the patriot governments of South America, will also enable us to make such arrangements, as may put a stop to many practices and abuses, in which our character as a nation is deeply interested.*

I have thus, sir, taken a rapid glance at a subject, highly important to the present and future interests of this country. In common with my fellow-citizens, I give my warmest wishes for the success of the patriot cause, but at the same time, value too highly the real happiness of my country, to put it to hazard by rash and inconsiderate measures. Scarcely any period of our history ever called for a more wise and deliberate judgment and enlightened foresight, that the one now fast approaching. Happily for us there prevails at this juncture, a degree of harmony among our citizens on political subjects, much greater than at any period since the establishment of our constitution, and we have a WISE AND UPRIGHT STATESMAN AT THE HELM. It was given to our immortal Washington to achieve the independence of one half of America, and I most sincerely hope, it may be yours to acknowledge the independence of the other.

MANIFESTO,

DIRECTED TO ALL NATIONS,

By the General Constituent Congress of the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata.

Honorable fame is the jewel which mortals prize above existence itself, and which it is their duty to defend above every earthly good however great and valuable. The government of Spain has charged the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata, before the nations of the world, with perfidy and rebellion, and has denounced as perfidious and rebellious, the memorable declaration of independence of the 9th of July, 1816, by the national congress of Tucuman; imputing to them ideas of anarchy, and intentions to introduce sedi tious principles into other nations, at the very moment of soliciting their friendship, and the recognition of this memorable act, in order to be ranked among them. The first among the most sacred duties * The practice of fitting out vessels in our ports was here alluded to.

of the national congress is to do away so foul an imputation, and to justify the cause of their country, by publishing to the world the motives, and the cruelties which impelled to the declaration of independence. This is not a submission which concedes to any one, the right to dispose of a condition purchased by America with torrents of blood, and every species of sacrifice and endurance. It is a duty of imperious obligation which it owes to its wounded honor, and to the respect due to other nations.

We shall waive all discussion with respect to the right of con. quest, papal grants, and other titles by which the Spaniards have supported their authority: it is unnecessary for us to recur to principles which may give rise to theoretic disputes, or to questions which have found advocates. We appeal to facts, which form a lamentable contrast between the sufferings endured by us, and the tyranny of the Spaniards. We shall expose to view the frightful abyss, into which these provinces were about to be precipitated had not the wall of their emancipation been interposed. We shall give reasons, the soundness of which no rational being can ques tion, unless it be his aim to persuade a nation to renounce for ever all idea of felicity, and adopt for its system, ruin, opprobrium, and shameful acquiescence. We shall exhibit this picture to the world, that no one may contemplate it, without being deeply affected with the same feelings that belong to ourselves,

From the moment the Spaniards took possession of these countries, they thought only of securing their power of exterminating, and degrading. Their systems of devastation were immediately set on foot, and were continued without intermission for three hundred years. They began by assassinating the incas of Peru, and they afterwards practised the same upon the other chiefs who fell into their power. The inhabitants of the country, attempting to repel these ferocious invaders, became victims to fire and sword, by reason of the inferiority of their arms; while their cities and villages were consigned to the flames, every where applied without pity or discrimination.

The Spaniards then placed a barrier to the increase of the popu lation of the country; they prohibited by vigorous laws the entrance of strangers into it, and in latter times they opened it to the immoral, and to convicts cast out of the peninsula. Neither the vast but beautiful deserts, formed here by exterminating the natives; nor

the benefit which might accrue to Spain herself, by the cultivation of plains, fertile as they are extensive; nor the existence of minerals, the richest, and most abundant of the globe; nor the attraction of innumerable productions, some until then unknown, others precious from their intrinsic value, and capable of animating industry, and enlivening commerce, carrying the one to its highest pitch, and the other to the utmost extent of opulence; nor, in fine, the unceasing exertions necessary to keep the fairest regions of the earth submerged in wretchedness, had sufficient influence to change the dark, and portentous policy of the court of Madrid. From one city to another of this country, there are hundreds of leagues lying waste and uninhabited. Entire nations have disappeared, buried under the ruins of mines, or perishing in an atmosphere poisoned with antimony, under the diabolical institution of the mitas. Neither the lamentations of all Peru, nor the energetic representations of the most zealous ministers, have been sufficient to put a stop to this relentless extermination.

The science of working mines, regarded with indifference and neglect, has remained without undergoing those improvements common to other nations in an enlightened age: thus rudely wrought, the richest have disappeared, either by the dilapidation of excavated hills, or by the influx of water. Other rare and valuable productions of the country, have remained in the great storehouse of nature, without having excited the attention and zeal of the government; and if at any time an enlightened individual presumed to publish these advantages, he was sure to be reprehended by the court, and compelled to be silent, lest, possibly, a diminution of the demand for some of the productions of Spain might

ensue.

It was forbidden to teach us the liberal sciences; we were only permitted to learn the Latin grammar, the philosophy of the schools, civil and ecclesiastical jurisprudence. The viceroy Don Joaquin Pino, gave much offence by permitting a nautical school at Buenos Ayres, and in compliance with a mandate of the court, it was ordered to be shut; while at the same time, it was strictly prohibited to send our youth to Paris for the purpose of studying the science of chemistry, in order to teach it on their return.

Commerce was ever a monopoly in the hands of the merchants of the peninsula, and of the consignees, sent by them to America.

All public offices, and employments belonged exclusively to Spaniards, and although Americans were equally called to them by the laws, they were appointed only in rare instances, and even then, not without satiating the cupidity of the court by enormous sums of money; of one hundred and seventy viceroys that have governed in this country, but four of them have been Americans; and of six hundred and ten captains-general, and governors, all but fourteen have been Spaniards. The same took place in every other post of importance, and even amongst the common clerks of offices, it was rare to meet with Americans.

Every thing was disposed on the part of Spain, in America, to effect the degradation of her sons. It did not suit the policy of Spain that sages should rise up amongst us, fearful lest men of genius should bethink them of advancing the condition of their country, and of improving the morals, or the excellent capacities, with which its sons have been gifted by their Creator. It was her policy incessantly to diminish, and depress our population, lest, one day, we should imagine aught against her dominion, guarded by a force, contemptible for regions so various and vast. Commerce was exclusively confined to herself, from a mean suspicion, that opulence would make us proud, and render us capable of aspiring to free ourselves from so many vexations. The growth of industry was checked, in order that the means of escaping from our wretchedness, and poverty, might be denied us; and we were excluded from all participation in public employments, in order that the natives of the peninsula might have entire influence over the country, in order to form the inclinations and habits necessary for retaining us in a state of dependence that would neither permit us to think, nor to act, but in comformity to the modes dictated by the Spaniards.

This system was acted upon with the utmost rigor, by the viceroys: each of whom was invested with the authority of a vizier. Their power was sufficient to annihilate all those who dared to displease them; however great the vexations they practised, we had to bear them with patience, while these were compared by their statelites, and worshippers to the effects of divine wrath. The complaints which were addressed to the throne, were either lost in the distance of many thousand leagues, over which they had to pass, or they were smothered in the offices at Madrid, by the pro