The Statesman. — London, England, 1818-12-28 00:00:00

.43IBRICAN AFFAIRS. DOCUM F NTS Iterimmtn TO TOE rassipswes IOrISAOE. AT TH% COMMTAitiMIt•T 41Ir TOE IlleCeirO 5044014 OT Ta Fir• TLENTR COTORNSS. mosimito (Crierieuert from our Paper of Saturday., " The Dottaration by Congress of that it'd/Tend. *ore which they had for many years previously main tained, inisct, was a (measure of the hierest import. once, and has been productive of en onenimity'a nd dec.sion before unknown. This summit of firtge wishes was only to be reached by slow and grodeoll progress. The public mind had to be illeasined on , the subject by their pulpits. their Praises; and public orations. The - People were to bbl 'prey, . for the event. When she season arrived, they c Ole ;. . knot which could not beentled. The Berierution of ' ,iollependeuce was adopted in the. Directorship of MeV roeyrredon, on the 9th day-of July, 1816: It Wan succeeded by enable ezpositioo of the causes that op, sorted it, to justify, to their fellear.citisens and to the world, the meant, they bad deliberately voted • support with their fortunes and their Heel. - , •." Believing the latter. Paper might be thought wov. .01 of perusal, a translation has bees mulcted. (Ape podia B.) .6 The salutary influence of this bold end decisive step was at once felt throughout the country. It gave new life and strength to the patriotic cause, and stability to the Government.. The victories of Cba. cabuco and Maipo, achieved by their., of Chili and bacons Appea l have produced and confirmed a similar declaration of independence by the People of which is also •nnezed—(Appendit C.)--and cemented the cordial union, rusting between the Confederate States. The consequence bee been, that, within these extensive territories, there is scarcely the vestige of a Royal army to be found, except on the borders of Peru. • " Having tires, in connection with the succinct ac , ement given by Dr.Funes, traced the principal events, .since the Revolution in Beenos Ayres, I shall pro • , coed to state the result of the information received, . according to the hest opinion I could form of the ex . teat, population, Government, ■nd resources of the United Provinces, with their productions, imports . and, exports, trade and commerce. " The late Vice-Royalty of Buenos Ayres, of which that city otis the metropolis, was by many considered the largest, as well as the most taluable _ of all the Spanish dominions in South America, es tending in a direct line, from its north to its south besudary, a distance of more than two thousand • stiles ; end from its eastern to its western not less than eleven hundred. " It was composed, at the commencement of the Revolution, of the nine provinces, or intendencies following :—Buenos Apes, Paraguay, Cordova, . (Selta, Potosi, La Plata, Cochabamba, La Paz, and : „,runo. ty , " Watered by the great River La Plata and its numerous tributary streams, which afford ■n easy gommunicction with countries of an immense extent, and furnishing an easy atcess to the treasures •f South America, it hes always been regarded by pain as one of her most precious acquisitions. En * joyiltx every vari4 of climate to be found between .t different and dlibint !attitudes, and blessed with a slugs portion of fertile soil, it is capable of pro. "ilucitig all that brio b • found in the Temperate or Torrid Zones. laa►euse herds of cantle and horses graze on its extensive plains, and constitute at this ' time their principal source of wealth. The mines of PotOsi are also iticluded within its boaudaries. There are no woods for a very considerable distance from Buenos Ayres. No forest trees are to be Beet, on the widely extended Pampas, except at intervals a soli ' tar) umboo. After passing the Saladildo, in a northerly direction, the woods begin, and proceeding ' in the upper prifvinces, the hills appear, and moun tains rise in scecession, interspersed with tallies. On the east side of the Rivers La Plata and Parana, tha ' country is said ►o be very fine. The Entre Rios is represented as capable of being made • garden spot ; and the l3anda Oriental presents hills and dales, rich bottoms, fine streams of water, and et a distance from the river, on the banks of the smaller streams, some excellent wood land. Between Maldonada and Monte Video, the east ridge of the Cordilleras ter . 'biomes on the River La Pieta " Since the Revoletiei4 eve mere Provinces have beep erected, making Its all 14 - within the limits of • she ancient Vice-Royalty, via. Tucuman, taken from Sslta ; Mendoza or Cupo, taken from Cordova ; Corientes, Entre Rios, comprising the country be. weep the Uruguay and the Parana, and the Banda Oriental, or eastern shore of the River La Plata.— The two last were taken from the Province of Buenos Ayres, which was thus reduced to the terri tory on the south side of that river. The subordinate divisions of the country, with the principal towns, will be found in the Appendix to this Report, with an account of tbe - prodoce or manufactures of the different districll.—(Akendix D.) •• Of the 14 Provinces into which the ancient Vice-Royalty is now &Wed, five were, at my ale partner, principally occupied by the royal forces (which, in consequence of the victory of Maipo, •were expected soon to retreat to Lower Pera), or partially under their influence, sly. Potosi, La Plate, Cochabamba, La Paz, and Puno ; and the line fel• 'lowing independent de facto of Spain, were in the 'possession of the Patriots viz. Buenos Ayres, Para. gry, Mendoza, Salta, dorientes, Entre Kios, and 'Banda Oriental. But Paraguay anti the city of *nut - Fe act independent of Buenos Ayres, thoogb Pars •guay is not on onfricodly terms with them, ■nd it is -hoped by some will before long join the Union.— 'Entre Rios and the Banda Oriental, under General Arita:, in the character of the Chief of the Orientals, are in a state of hostility with Buenos 'Ayres. " Monte Video s the capital of the eastern shore, vas occupied by a Portuguese ainly, and a srprodren of ships war from the Brazifblockaded the ports of Colonia and :Weldor's; end prohibited the entrance f neural vessels, unless they paid them the same d u tios on their cargoes, that they were charged on the importation of their goods when landed in the country. " '!'he territory of ll.e United Provinces is con. pitted to contain I N.),000 squares leagues, theme' it prohslity eiceeds that quantity. The lands occupied in the country, remote front the Cities : are generally .:-. . • : 7 • * :Is • -• • . • 1 34! • • / 4 . c iemmsesemvmm ' _ON sdarlf • ik %.;:r -. : . - • -nns STATESMAN ; converted by their swain lato *stinks, or large grazing farms for cattle, and abaci*, or growing grain. The small farms ir qelotes, lathe nelghboor, hood of cities, ore in deeerder. Thoseeroued Buenos Ayres, which' tarnish their market with an ample 'apply of fruit sod vEletabki, are, by irrigation, is lase highest Mete of 'Myst,. "—Tim popelation, exclusive of the Indians, is now calculated at en* million three hundred lbws sand ; but, adding the civilized _lndians only, who `see pf great importance, it would in all probability itsc#6lt two "trillion's. " 'The whole population consists of natives of Old Spain, and their deseendsets, born in the country, or, as they style thesinelvelt, &oath Americans; of Indians civilized, or onreclajased,.with different costs,' or mixed blood .„.,• r ut A fricans, and their descendents, or negro., anCesulattoes. • N I Could nol ascertsiss,.. With satisfaction, the po pulation of the different Provinces t the Province of Buenos Ayres contains about one bendred and twenty Usound, whilst the population of Entre Rios and Banda Oriental is computed at fifty thousand. • IP The city of Buenos Ayres contains a population *rat,. thdesitsd. The inhabitants of this place ap pear tote amiable, and en interesting People. They are considered brace and beeline ; possessing ca pable. of great *VI liana. and perseverance, and manifesting n cheerful devotion to the cause of freedom and independence. " There is also a certain etedieerity and equality of fortune prevailing among them, extremely fa. vonrable to a union of the popular sentiment in sop port of the common weal. Many industrious me chanics and enterprising merchants are, however, Increasing their estates, and adding to the ?Nick of capital in the country. The People of the provineesf Buenos Ayres, re siding oat of the city, are, generally speaking, poor, and rather indolent; though a hardy race, and when excited to action, they become sealoos defenders of the liberties of their country. They are capable of great improvement, and, ender the influence of a good example, when a change takes place in their habits and manner of lilting, duty bid fair to become useful and industrious citizens. " The inhabitants of Cordova are said to be more superstitious, and more industrious, but less patrio. tic. This is principally attributed to the loss of the trade with Peru, occasioned by the revelationary war. " Tucuman, .I was informed, possessed an excel lent population. " The People of Mendou, or Cup, are moral, industrious, and patriotic. They base sacrificed largely at the shrine of independence, supporting with zeal sod confidence the cause of their country, whilst the citizens of Santa Fe are represented as ins. moral and insubordinate, and manifestiugon most or. casions, ao estreme jealousy of their neighbours. 66 The population of Entre Rios and Banda Oriental is perhaps not 'inferior in valour to that of Buenos Ayres. Nor is it deficient to military skill, particularly in carrying on a partisan warfare, for which its troops are admirably tdepted. Task other good qualities have been probably somewhat impair ed by the system pursued in that quarter, where they have been compelled to give up every thing Alt civil avocations, and to continua without any regular kind of Government, under the absolute commit of a Chief, who, whatever may be its polka* prin. ci pies or professions, in practice concentrates all power—legislative, judicisl, and isecutive, in himself. " The General Congress of the United Provinces, assembled at Buenos Ayrea r en the 3d of December, of 1817, established,, , lat ji Provisional Statute s a tempurary form of Goutoo'W, which will be found in Appendix marked E. " This Congress is comprised of Deputies from the different provinces. It actually consists of .26 Members. But, as a Representative is allowed for every 15,000 citizens, it would be numerous, if all the provinces bad seat delegates in that ratio of po pulation. 66 With some exceptions, sod particularly of that palladium of oar rights, which is unknown to the Civil Law, the Trial by Jury, the Provisional Consti tution will be found, on an attentive perusal, to contain a distinct recognition of many of the vital principles of (lee Government. A church establith meet also, that of the Catholic faith, is contrary to our ideas of religious freedom ; though a measure, adopted from necessity, perhaps, by them. 6 6 It , declares, that all power, legislative, judicial, and executive, resides in the nation. The Congress are to be chosen by electors, who are are .to ba voted for by the people in the Primary Assemblies., The cabildos, or municipalities, are to be elected los. mediately by the citizens. It recognizes the inde pendence of the judiciary, and dedlares the tenure of office, with respect to the superior Judges, Lobe dur ing good behaviour. It provides for the Election of a Chief Magistrate by Coogrest, removeable when they choOse to appoint a successor, and responsible for the elocution of the duties of his office, which are defined and limited. In the Oath of office, he is' sworn to preserve the ibtegrity iseo iedepandence of , the smoky. "The three great depa o tit, of tbelrea. sury, and of War, art distinctly marked oat and their respective powers and duties itasigued. " On some subjects it enters sore into detail than is usual with es,particularly in those ,1 their army, navy, and militia. Bat this, perhaps, is their situation, was necessary. " It provides that no citizen 1.11, II accept a title of oobilityesithoifforfeiting the *tractor of citizen. ship. • 66 It provides, also, whist ,goneral warrants, and tbs siruat of individuals,• lawless on probable proof of guilt: " It contains a salutary provision, that a Judge, having original jurisdictien, before taking cognisance of the cause, shall use all possible means of reconcil- I jog the parties. 'I his.o Destitution is bet temporary. The Congress are engaged' in the task of forming a permanent one. In the mean time, no Wiliam** tau be made in the present, unless with the consent or two-thirds of the Members. In this maossit 1001010 alterations have been adopted. • . The subject of a permanent Constitutiow wee before's Committee of sixteen Members of Convemi. There was a difference of ispleist, !NW* them on the point of a cosdedert* . kedowelliktviall Gorernateut. IT they should - edit** forser o thej • 1 4.7 • will frame the Constitotiott, in all probability, near. ly offer the mode of that of the United States. Should they decide on the latter, it is highly probable they will incorporate the leading features of our system into their fens of Government. They seem to con cur In the preposition to have a Chief Magistrate elected for "term of years, and a Representative Le &Weary, to consist of two branches. A Senate, to constitute the most permanent body, and a House of Representatives, whose term of service shall be of shorter duration. "Perhaps it would be better for them to delay the completion of this all important task, after the example of the United States, until a period of peace. Their present Provisional Statute is an improvement nn those which preceded it; and we may expect their pro posed Constitetioo will be still more perfect, as they advance is the knowledge of those principles on which Republican Governmeots are constituted. " Bat, however free in theory this Provisional Sta tute may be, it is undoubtedly true, that unless ad ministered agreeably to its letter and spirit, it will not afford security to the citizen. Whether any in fractions hate warred since the date of its existence, I cannot pretend to determine, not being in full pos session of the facts. 46 When we recollect that they have the benefit of our example, it mey reasonably be expected that they will, in general, adhere to the Constitution.— They have also the fatal result of the French Revo lution. waning them of the dangers of its excesses, of which they appear to be sensible. " The productions arid• the. iseeefacteres of the different provinces, will be foiad its Appendix D.; but I was unable to procure any satisfactory esti mates of the probable vales or amount in each pro vince; Then is, however, considerable internal trade carried on in the interchange of various articles between the several provinces; cattle, bones, and mules, furnish a considerable source of barter ; with the latter, Peru is sepplied ; the Paraguay tea is a great article of trade throughout the country. The brandy, wine, raisins, aed figs of Mendoza and Sao Juan, are becoming important ; the hides of oxen, the skins of the vaccine and granaco, with a number of bee fors,. afford Moab). articles of exchange.— These, with the foreign pods transported in every direction from Buenos .very rapidly, by oxen and moles, which also/arnisb the means of carrying their native productions to their sea-ports, form a branch of trade of great magnitude, considering the population of the country. " Their exports are calculated with some degree of accuracy, at ten millions of dollars. These con sist, principally, of oz-hides, jerk beef, and tallow, the preieot great staples of the country. A variety of furs end peltties, some grain, copper, mostly brought 'from Chili, nith gold and silver in bullion and cola, chiefly from the miees of Potosi. 4 "fhe imports are computed to be about equal to their exports. British manufactures form the prin cipal mass, and they are to be bad in abundance.— They consist of woollen and collon goods of every description, some of them wrought to imitate the manufactures of the country—ironmongery, cutlery, hardware, saddlery, hatr, porter, ale, and cheese, are among 'the remaining articles. 46 From the United States they receive Walser of all kinds, and furniture of every description ; coaches and carriages of all sorts; cod-fish, mackeret,sheds, and herring; leather, hoots and shoes ; powder end monitioni of seer, end naval stores, ships, and ea sets, particularly those calculated for their navy or for privateers. " From Brazils they nicolv‘lnsfar, coffee, cotton;' and rem. " From the north of Earopethey receive steel and iron and from France a nember of articles of its manufacture. Their foreign commerce is principally carried on by British capitalists, though there are some Ame ricans, a few French and other foreign merchants, also settled at Buenos Ayres; VW are all placad, I believe, on the same foothit attplutalitt." • EXPECTED ARRIVAL or RENNET. It is said that the arrival of this delinquent in Eng. land, may be expected in the course of the present week. An 'order, suck as is usually sent to foreign Powers, claiming persons who have committed felony in Great Britain, was dispatched on the 10th inst. to 'Bamberg% for the Oldenburgh authorities, and Mr. ii .Horsley is in expectation hourly of the arrival of the Prisoner. Had Mr. Horsley been able to have re- mained tor any continued length at Bremen, Reny/eft aftiold have been, in all probability, brought to trial there; but Kennett, when he found Mr. H. would' ant consent to his . being released, expressed his wish to be brought to England to take his trial, for the law there he found more severe than in England.— At Bremen a child-stealer convicted, is sentenced to it yeare's bard labour in fetters; and in England, though child-stealing is a capital felony, yet the Act of Parliament reduces the punishment to trenspotta lion for the term of seven years. The child, now happily restored to its parents, continues in good issoldo, and has bees visited by great numbers of persons, who were allowed the gratification of seeing it. Should Bennett arrive daring the week, he will be tried next Old Bailey Sessions. his friends have already retained Counsel to conduct his defence. Roastates.—The imprudent practice of whole families goieg•frem their residences on visiting par ties, or for other purposes, end leaving no person to watch their houses or protect their property, is fully exemplified in the following instances of robbery, which took platoon the evening of Christmas day : The house of Mt. Norris, I'leassnt•place, Lambeth, was entered by means of skeleton keys, and robbed, dering.the absence of the family, of a largenoantity of wearing apparel and table linen.—The noose of Mrs. Booth, 31, Wellington street, Blackfriare roid, was entered by the same means, and under sinillav *commences, and plundered of a watch and 'several nib:lf:owl plate and linen.—The residence of Mr. Houghton, Pitt.strert, Southusik, was also entered by means of skeleton keys, and rifled, dur ing the time the family were out, of 'vitro, articles of plate of considerable value, and a large quantity of wearing apparel belonging to the females of the family. The letter robbery was committed by two mew, who teshed out on the lo3tetet that M►. H.'n ditaihtete entered the deer. in. 7 :1140. p . CORONERS' INQUESTS. Three Inqoests were held on Saturday, on bodies of persons who had been accidentally der.,. 7 rh,, in the late fogs: one, on the body of Charlet !teed of Woodbridge; at the Duke of Slarlbounsgh:ll Head, Catharine's•stairs; another, on the b u l l , of John Thomson, at the sign of the hit India Dock, house; and a third, on the body of John It chard Arbett, et the sign of the'Old Rose, way. The verdict on all of them was-4cdiental Deuth by drowning. An Inquest was on Saterday held at the GI the, i o Ilungerford-market, on the body of &meet &ell e ,. ten years old, in consequence of its having been re . I ported that he had died of en improper applkati eo o f medicine. The mother of the child swore; Area se. coo(' Doctor, who had been called in, bad rven it as his opiniou that mercury had been improperly ed. ministered ; bet this was positively cootradisted b y the Gentlemen alluded to, who reprnsented the 'mother as having'beett in a plate of intolicaton. It was also proved by another Physician who hid heed called is after the death, tlist the ow mast hav e jiied of a putrid fever, sad that the medicines arigi. natty administered were calculated to restore the child if the complaint admitted of a core. Them,. doct of the apothecary was therefore held to be LiAh. ly judicious and perfectly correct, and the verdict accordingly was—Oied by Ike visitation of Ga. PO LIG& M A NS I ON-notres.r—Oa Saturday Frederick Coaled, a young man of colour, was filially examined,charged under the 34,(1 Geo. M. or False Character Acr, with attempting to impose epos Mr. Hent, o f Mark lane, wine -merchant, by two docatnems to character, purporting to be written by Dr. Brine, at Spring-gardens. Dr. Brine now attended, and dec i ter. ed that the two documents were forgeries ; butadmit. ted that the Prisoner had lived in his service for a few months, about three years since. He did not, how ever, thee, or since, give hint a character, oar did he ever mein to do so. The Prisoaer, who had, upon his first examination, solicited time to bring up •itueneo with whom he bad lived since he left. Dr. Utioe, stow said, that he had sent to two of the mosteratapectable of these individuals, but they had disappointed him, contrary to their promise of cominetorward. Ile had only therefore to admit that he wrote the pre. tended character himself, but that he was driven ink by severe want, and declared that he had sever been charged with an offence before. A man, whom be called his uncle, gave him a character. The I.9an Malmo said he had not accounted, as insktuald s for the manner in which he spent theleit three yews; and from good information be had received, there was reason to believe that his conduct was not very I correct. Under all the circumstances, he wits deter. mieed to press the punishment, and directed the Pri. soner to pay a fine of 201., or in default he must commit him. The attempt confidential emplo false character wr punishment. The a farthing : and ordered him to be rection for three A boy who , tempting to pass 'tame the person' fusing to do so he *its colies)ttiirte . ••• Gon.nosuz..--Sateeday 'J. oh e t ili ,charge‘l with attemptiug to steal a piece wr Meeteee front the warehouse of Messrs. Bousfield s, I Co. in Al. dermanbury. He had put his arm throrrib a broken ,pane of glass, and was seized ; betAlsete.being no , proof of his having removed the goods, the Aldescosot thought it did not amount to felony • and Messrs, IS. and Co. not being desirous of proseeislog, tile Prisopec was committed te bard tabour for one mou th , 114 a rope and pilfeioe. - '. •`'lllairtox-aiiitatit. Satordiy Elizabeth Watts Was `cbaisod bi.ber hit:amyl, with having brokers the locks 44 hii apartments, opened letters ad dressed to him, and with threatening to stab him.— The MAGISTRATZ advised him to file a bill agailist her before the Grand Jury, or to exhibit articles of the peace against her.—The Defendant, addressing the Magistrate by the style of " Please your Ma jesty," was anaious to be heard in her defence : however, be ordered the parties to leave the office. Soon after the husband returned, accompanied by a constable, who stated that the pefendant had run after the besband and given him a blow in the neck. The MAGISTRATE ordered her to find bail fur (bets. 'melt, and in defaolt to be committed. Quees-soosee.—Saterday W. kfflach, J. lif•kh , Irak P. Lynch, J. Lynch, and w e AN,,,,, were finally examined on a charge of highway rubbery. — &mob Priestley was going through ,Pyv-atreet last Tuesday se'nnight, and was knocked down by a gang, and robbed of /I. and 6d. , She,swore pod iively the Prisoners were of Ike .purty. Another female stated, that she was knOcked down and robbed at the same time slid place, bet she could not swear to the Prisoners.—Fully.committed. J. Baker and J. Wilkinson were remanded on a charge of breekingthe shop window of Mr. Wheatly, watchmaker, in Hammersmith, on 'Wednesdey night, and stealing a cushion of gold shirt pins, about 60 is number. MstaknOROUCU-STIMIT.— Saturday, T Crane was charged by T. D'Oyley, shopmsn to Mr. Craw, of 17, Oiford-road, with being ao accomplice itt thiev ing two pieces of cotton. A barrow -wetness, who aeli.,, fruit opposite to Mr. Gregge's, 60 ml, Alai on Wed nesday afternoon she saw three persona lurking about the shop door. One of them at length took too 'pieces of cotton atoll, which he hancli , ;i to.another, .and they all ran off. She gave the alarm sod the •shopman pursued anti seised the Prisoner, who had one of the pieces in his pbssession.—Folly COSllmitted. I , 4 ) . • . Saturday eveaing, about five o'clack, a genteel looking youegman called for dinner et din White hie" , Botcher.hall-lane t Neogate-street, but abstondett without paying the reckoning, and also took with bins a silver spoon. . . SIRTII. On the 23d of December, Mn.a Hcor7 Brook; Of 110 1 5' 81 " 64. of a daleg'ver. L N IMIN7 ST4IEIIII vi Nikkisited by D. Lo VV .• • I ° galiebtry :cour I, ( .1 1 ••: • .i . I. F~ • T. ardfy • eft itts malty iirmitnott A rbe attempt to get imp the house awl , loyment of an indit4eal by ennui of us, a serious effence, g i nd deserver! e Prisoner Bait:rho - Was earo t alkto 1 4 r the Lout) MAYOIg; rit4)llo4llll6Ce g be committed **5.41.1tme..0 .CorA p month.. bad been been d,pe t ted injitts set of et. is a forged It. note, . ; las urged be from whom he received it t aod,re. lie vas coiondtled to o^.