The Sun. — London, England, 1817-12-06 00:00:00

SPAIN AND HER COLONIES. e make no apology for resuming our Ex tr:lc!-s trom TwE QUARTERLY REVIEW, on this in- terf!t:ting topic, as the high character and general tnejzs of that Work may well permit it to spare its valuable contents to be diffused through other chatlnels, for the information and improvement of the poblic.thind. The following comparative of the rise arid progress of the lE3riii•di and Spanish Colonieq, is drawn with historical pre- cision, as %Nell is political sagacity, and is a neces srcy reparation for the different results on their reEpective characters, as well as for a due con sitteeation of the contests in which the latter are no w engaged with the mot het -country. (Continued from yesterday.) " The original settlers from England in North America were for the most part an austere, frugal, and indosttions people ; the hardships and pri vations of their early establishment were not en dured with the inspiring feelings of mlitary ad venturers, but borne wit the patience of religi ous submission; the purity of their morals, ting ed with no small portion of the fanaticism which caused their emieration, kept them front oroints cwois inteveortsse . with the female Indiaits : and hence •att oninixed- race was continued, among whom there was no distinction'of .cat or corn pie to introduce a (tiff', rence inpolitiCal rights, which, wherever it has occurred, has been the fruitful source of political contention. • As no great yof property, the principal cause of Voltical power, ekisted, their was no great in eytali of education among those born in the. country ; amid though none enjoyed . what in Euiope would be considered a liberal education, none were so destitute of knowledge as the mass of the labourers in most countries of 14:4tirope. The attention of the people was turned either to agriculture or comMerce; for as the profit to be . derived front the liberal professions was but in considerabk, in a country where no dignified clergy, no lucrative official vocations, and neither army nortravy existed, the inducement for youth to devote - themselves to those employments was very inconsiderable; and the settlers haviog for tunately soon, become convinced that no mines of gold ne silree.existed itt the country, t.ie specu lative, or rather the gambling business of mining never withdrew their attention front the surer roads to independence. - In agriculture, they were allowed the most perfect treedont ; there were no lands either in mortmain or under entail ; and they were at liberty to cultivate whatever pro shit:Lions the soil would yield, without taxes, without rent, and without tythes. Ihe extern rod as indeed restricted to the British do- minions ; but their internal commerce, as well as that with all the other provinces under the Go vernment of their SOvereign, was perfectly free, and the only imposts which they Oki were for the mere purposes of their local Government and Po lice. The great manufactory, that of ship-build ing, and that important branch of industry the fisheries, were totally unfettered. They enjoyed a free press, and though Most of their best books s‘ete imported from England, there was a stini cieney of elementary books and petiodical potr nali printed in the colonies for the diffusion or a considerable portion of knowledge. The la‘vs wete generally understood, (there foundation bi - ing the common law of England, much simplified itt piactice,) and, though this understaudiog be got a spirit of litigation, were purely and fairly administered. " ibis population, situated in a climate not the most salubrious, nor on a soil the most fer tile, increased in numbers and in wealth with un exampled rapidity; and as the whole country is intersected with navigable rivers, and the 5 ca skne welt furnished with commodious harbours, the inducements to commerce more than com pensated for the ungenial properties of the cli mate and soil: _ " That a population originating in republican principles. and , strengthened in them by all the institutions which were familiar to their observa tion, should wish to escape from the Government of the mother-country rather titan submit to taxa tion from it, is perluaps natural; and the con siderations of justice, of right, and of gratitude are not here in question. The habits of the coun try, their laws, their judges their religion, their customs, their manners and their property suffer ed so little change by the transition from a co lonialto an independent existence, that the dif ference, had there been no war, would scarcely have been perceptible. Happily too for them, the change took place before the compendious CateChiStli of the rights of man had been promul gated : their patriots were not atheists, nor their lradets robbers ; their men of property, educa tion and morals took the lead, and the physical power of the poor and the profligate was not set op under the pretended character of the sovereign people, to plunder, 'to expatriate, or to murder their more respectable fellow-citizens: The mobs of the canxbourgs of Paris, the. Sans-culottes of Copeuhagen-house, or of Spa-fields, were not yet deemed the oracles of political science, nor ap pealed to as the voice of inspired wisdom. " In this picture of British American society many of the sbades must he varied, as we extend it to the southward. Fronf'Pens i lvania to Geol . , gia the number of slaves introduced from Africa produced a difference of character in the White r f,- ptilat ion ; but the different races were generally bept distinct, and when that was not the case, the mixed races, from the sinallness of their number, were nut distinguished by the laws if they were freetnen, though their rank or station in society, more regulated by manners than bylaw, was al ways inferior to that of the white inhabitants. It is n or Material to mark the discriminative features of the different cla , ses'of the republicans in the northern and southern parts of British America ; its Boston they were democratic, in Charlestown rather aristocratic ; hut their aristocracy and their tietnocracy were easily rcconeileable in a common cause. ‘.‘ CompAriug the population of Spanish with that of British America, we shall at every step be struck with the wonderful difference in origin, in progress, and in present situation. The conquer ors from Spain, instead of the frugal, laborions. and moral description of ouyEnglish settlers, pars took ottlie ferocity and superstition of an earlier and less enlightened period.-The warriors who had exterminatedthe Mahomedanism of Granada were readily induced to propagate their own religion by the sword, and that religion not a moral and self-denying faith, but a ritual compatible with the grossest debauchery, the most ferocious cruel, ty, and the most insatiate thirst for gold. Their pirrient endurance of hunger, fatigue, and hide . mem ,weather, was the hardihood of the soldier, combined with the zeal of the religious mission ary. As new or 110 women accompanied the first settlers, their intercourse with the native feinales produced a race of successors of a most anomalous character, and these in a few generations mixing with the slaves imported frotn Africa, still forther increased the different classes, who, in process of time, more by the Inks of socie t y than by the in flue ace of the laws, assumed a variety of ranks, "ac cording to their greater or less affinity to the white race. Flom this iniXture of colours and castes arose a degree of inequality. in property scarcely to be paralleled in any other country, which has continued to the present period. Some of the No bility .of Mexico enjoy revenues, derived from land and mines, of more than 100.0001. per ann. while thousands of the native Indians .are nearly destitute of clothing or habitations, and reduced to frequent want of even the coarsest food. So long as the white inh:thitants, of all tirades and descriptions. taken to g ether"; were ' the smaller number, as compared with the-native populleion, the distinction between those born in Spain am' those born America was scarcely noticed, both Europeans and Creoles uniting Jogether, from a regard to their coMmon safety ;, but in proportion as the Creoles have increased in their numbers, they have become objects of jealousy to the En, ropean SpauLrds, equally with the black, the In dian, and the. mixed. races, all of whorware ani mated moreover with unfriendly if not hostile 'fuel tigs to each other. " The education of the lower orders has been totally neglected, and though instructed in some of the ritual observances of their religion, this instruction is seldom carried beyond the adoration of the Virgin, and the making of the sign of the I t cross ; whilst in•the Indian villages their ancient idolatry is frequently indulged to them by their Caciques. Die education of the higher classes has been • somewhat better attended to, and in their univer sities a r e some professors . not inferior to the learn ed of the Peninsula. In Lima the mathematics ee been cultivated to a considefable extent : in, Santa lie Bogota, astronomy and botany were sttnlieo by Mitt is, the cmrespondent of Linnwus, and many of Iris pupils became distinguished for their attachtneut ro those sciences. 'ln Mexico, M ineralogy and chemistry have made considerable progress. But these universities, though contain ing the rudiments of science, diffused thens over a very 'milted surface ; as learning led to no dis .tinction where the simple circumstance of not be ing born in Spain was sufficient to exclude from promotion. In a country where the lucrative offices of the Government were : more abundant than in any other in the world, the exclusion of nai;ves front tho3e offices must have operated as a check to industrious talent and aspiiing genius. Agriculture and commerce were placed under se vere and unnatural restrictions. The soil and cli mate are well adapted for the coltivatiou 'of the vine, the olive, and the sugar-cane; but these plants wet e forbidden to be cultivated to the east ward of the Andes, for the purposes of making oil, wine, and runt, lest the trade of the mother , comitry should be disappointed of • a market, .or ! meet rivals in ,he colonies. Commerce was re ssricted to a few ports in America, and to a very few in Spain ; the intercourse between the differ ! ear American provinces was expressly forbidden (with some few and trifling exceptions), and the inhabitants even prohibited from passing from one to the other without' special permission from the Government, which was rarely granted. " Mining was an inviting subject for the spe culative and enterprising spirits, and consequently considerable numbers were attracted to that spe cies,of industry ; by which sometimes enormous fortunes were acquired, but a much more nume rous hay of isdventurers were reduced to Toils. Even it this branch of industry the most impoli tic aid ridiculous restriction's tended to check the spirit-of cuterprize. The mines of iron were for bidden to be worked, lest they should injure those of the Peninsula ; and quicksilver was not allowed to be obtained in Mexico, and only in a small quantity in Peru, though the .quantity ot silver which the mines would produce W3S only limited by the quantity of quicksilver which could be ob tained for working them. . " The freedom of the press was utterly un kn"wn, and the press itself only permitted in a few of the larger cities, where, under the inspec tion of a rigid officer, a Gazette, a few Almauacks, and tire Bandos or Proclamations of the Govern ment were printed. The laws in the compilation entitled ' La Recopilation de las Indias ' were sufficiently just and simple, but the application of them by the Courts of Justice, called the Audi ences, was exceedingly corrupt, and the bribery of the judges so notorious, that it was scarcely affected to be concealed. The power of theVice rays, of the Audiencias, and even of the Subdele gados, was unlimited over the individuals under their authority, and imprisonment without in quiry and without trial could be inflicted at the arbitraty.seill of any of those officers, and pro longed till, by bribery or influence, the prisoner could obtain his release. " Nor are all the dominions of Spaih in Ame rica by any means so circumstanced as to present" great facilities for external commerce ; their prin cipal settlements, Mexico and Peru, are destitute of navigable rivers and secure harbours, and being very mountainous countries, with scarcely any roads, the obstacles to internal intercourse . are with difficulty surmounted. But the want of the facilities for commerce js compensated to the in habitants by the most prolific soil, yielding, with little khour, all that the wants or enjoyments of man require ; and hence, under a most impolitic amid tinwise Government., their popnlation has in creased, not indeed with the rapidity of the Eng lisp settlements, but faster than in any other coun try with which we arc acquainted. ".:This contrast between the two description, of American Colonists is the more worthy of oh-- s•rrvation, because we•are satisfied that nulling has 1,41 to so confOsed and . inaccurate a view of die affairs in South Nmerica as the habit of ar guing from the- United' States to -the Spanish Co lonies. "The impotencv of the mother-country to sub due may, as we have said, be in this, as in the former instance, established ; because the effect of the shaft depends upon the strength of the arm which draws, the bow, and because distance naturally enfeebles the force, and IlistraCts theft int ; hut that the Spanish colonies, if, like those of North America, they escape subjugation, must therefore necessarily like them start up into vigorous, steady • and mature states, is a proposition which no man will very confidently maintain, who recollects an other more recent - example of colonial revolution in St, Domingo. Far be it from us to anticipate . such a consummation of the present struggle ; though there can be no doubt, we NA ~in which of the two prototypes, that of North America, or of Sr. Domingo, the elements of society were compounded in the manner more nearly resem bling the South American 'colonies of Spain. " But we insist upon the uncertainty of the issue of this revolution (even atter subjugation by Spain shall have been put out of the question) the more strongly, because we are persuaded t hat among the enthusiasts who would arm' this country against Spain, on behalf of her resisting colonies, the greater part do, honestly and implicitly believe that, if the pressure or the Spanish Monarchy were removed from South America, a new and beauti ful order of things would instantaneously spring into existence : a . nd the question as to the expe diency (we will not say the justice or the right) of this country's inter ference in the quarrel cannot be fairly examined while coloured by such a de lusion. • (To be continued.) TO CORRESPONDENTS. An Article very interesting to CERTIFICATED CONVEYANCERS will appear in TILE SUN of Monday next. An OLD CHURCLIMAN shall appear on the same day. THEATRICAL REGISTER. Pc:rfornied Last Night. THEATRE ROYAL, Dautr-LANE.--King Richard the Third: Duke of Gloucester, Mr. Fisher; Lady Anne, Miss Boyce. After which, Raising the Wind. THEATRE ROYAL, COYENT-GARDEN.—The Jealous Wife: Mr. Oakley, Mr. Young ; Mrs. Oakley, Miss O'Neill. After which, Mora's Lore. To which was added, Husbands and . Wives. MAILS. ARRIVED-2 France, 1 Hamburg!), I Flanders, I Holland, 1 Dublin, 1 Waterford. DUE-1 Lisbon, 2 Gotteuburgli, 3 Hamburg'', Guernsey and Jersey, 1 Waterford. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT TWELVE o'EL,,CK. Bank Stock Bank L. Ann...... ! 1-16th 8 per Cent. Red . S 2 83 ; India Bonds— . ... 90s. pr. A per Cent. Cures.... shut Exch. 8i115...—. 17s. 41 s. pr. 4 per Cents. ...........9944 I Cons. for Acc0unt........ HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-MORROW. Morning - , 19 minutes after 1. Evening; 44 minutes after 12. THE SUN. SOLEM (XIS DICEItE FAISUM .AuDEAT LONDON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1817. We received this morning four days' Paris Papers, to Wednesday last inclusive. The follow. ing are extracts : " CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. " SITTING 0F NOVEMBER 29. " The MitAster of War presented the following Projet, relative to the recruitment 61 the At " FIRST TITLE.— Voluntary Enlistment ART. I. ']'be Royal Guards, the Cavalry, Artillery, and Engineers, shall be recruited by voluntary enlistment. " The Departmental Legions shall be recruited by si►uilar enlistment, and in case of insufficient numbers, by means of the appvls (ballot), made accot ding to prescribed arrangements. " 2. Any Frenchman - may be allowed to con tract a voluntary engagement, on proving that he is of the age of 18, that be is in the enjoyment of his civil rights, and that he can be admitted into the corps for which be offers himself. " Vagrants, &c. are excluded. " 3. The duration of the voluntary enlistment shall be six years in the Departmental Legions, and eight years in other corps. " There shall not be in the French tfoops either bounty, in money, or any price whatsoever for enlistment. The other conditions shall be determined upon by the King and published. " 4. The engagements of voluntary enlistment to be made before a Civil Officer, and the terms stated and signed. " SECOND TlTLE.—Appets. " 5. The Peace complement of the Depart mental Legions, including Officers and Sub-offi cers, is fixed at 150,000 men. " The annual appels (Ballot) not to exceed 40;000 men. " If a greater number is wanted, provision is to be made by a new law. " 6, and remai*g Articles, prescribes the making ant the lids in the Departments, the ar raogements of the Ballot for the persons to serve in 1., e Departmental Legin, , s, the ,ature nt the exemptions, and ti.e re,uktions with regard t‘ finding substitutes. BIRD TITLII.-lle- inlishnent. "Two Articles prescribe mode of re-insist' ment, wbic is to be for the sittne period a s et( first engagement, and entil to Cie ,arty to an increase of pay, and Admi,sion into tilt Gendarmerie or Veterans of the line. " Foy RTH TITIA.- Veteran Legkoharies. " Two Articles -there is w be a Company 0 1 Veter.to Legionaries in each Ca , iton, to consist d sub-officers and soldiers who have returned to theil homes after finishing their terms of service, include ing those now discharged front actual service. The Legionaties not to be compellabl€ to serve out. d their department in peace, or out of their mititarl division in time of war. " The Filth Title enacts penalties, and the Sixtb regulates promotion. " The Projet was ordered to be printed, and to be diieussed in the Bureaux on Thursday next. DEC. 2.—Yesterday and to-day, the Centro) Committee, in - the Pi °jet regarding the Liberty of the Press, here occupied in training their Report , The slay of the public sitting for receiving it II not yet hied. , " The respective 13ureaux have appointed tltS tollowing Central Committee for the examiaad tion of the Concordat :- -1. Bureau -M. de Trinquelague. 2. M. ttiriere. ' • 3. - M. Verneilli de Puira.zeau. 4. - M. Bore! de Bretizei. 5. M. Drspatys. G. M. Froc de la Boulaye... 7. - M. Voysin de Gartempe. 8.- - Tile Count de Marcella'. • •g, M " ROYAL ORDONN:ANCE. "..Louis, &c. " Nlarshal the Duke of Ragusa, Peer of France, one of the Major-Generals of our Guard, is ar pointed Mitkter of State. " Dated Nov. SO, 1817. PARIS, DEC. 3.—Yesierday, before Mass, ti f Count de Gallatin, Envoy Extraordinary 'surd Minister Plenipotentiary front the King of Wirt' teniburgh, was introduced La the accustomed iota to t'ft King, and presented his credentials. ".Acording to the last census, the present amount of the poimilatiou of France is 29,045,099• We learn ►runt Copenhagen, the 181 that the Russian squadron had set sail from Got' tenburgh for Catbz. " Private intelligence from Stutg4rd states thaS the Queen of Win'temburh is pregnant." The Budget, it is believed), will be prcsentd to the Chamber of Depwiss on the 15 , 1) instaut. " The Vic-Ars-General of the Diocese of Paris• have published a Alaudentent, re,:onimending tlO use of Vaccine Inoculation. 46 FIVR PER CENTS. " Saturday " Mon. t ay 63 f. 95c. " Tuesday 63 f. SO c." We • can now confidently assure our Readers/ that the report of the intend( d resignation of th 4 Duke of YORK is wholly unfounded. Having brought the British Army to a state of excellenco iir every point that relates to military dignitY' and efficiency, the people might welt indeed regret to s'ee his Royal Hittbness retit o from a situation, which he Las supported so mud to his own honour and the advantage of the Ed? Fire. Nor do we conceive that the state of affair o ou tire Continent would justify our parting uitlt so admit able a Commander-in-Chiet now, as ' l4 is difficult to conjecture what events may arise, 0 France in the hands of a Revolutionary '1 at this period, who wait anxiously for the motnea when they can safely throw*,,fithe mask of loyalty , and again involve their country and all Europe i 0 confusion and horror. We hare the satisfaction to learn that Lo 11 : 1 SlDdOliTil has found himself justified, by the 10 6 proved state of the Country, in making a furthe r draft from the number of STATE PRISONERS custody, and has issued his warrants for the die charge of fourteen of them, upon entering into re cognizances for their future appearance, if re cptired.—Such is the benignit y of that Governmeori which Party Writers charged with harshness sa d b vverity, because they brought a very few traitor g to justice, and treated all of them with a degre e of mildness which' they lead no reason to expec t ' and which they would certainly nor have exe rienced in any other country upon earth. As the admirable Letter of LANFRANC, in o ur Paper of yesterday, adverted to The British Pres s ' it was natural to expect that some notice of would be taken this day. But as The Press e/ ( ‘' presses opinions . , rather titan advances argumesl ii we have little to say in reply. The Press says, il l reference to the desire of the PAPIST. for politic° F c t