The National Register.
London, England, 1817-09-01 00:00:00

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Our tting, eott6titution anb 3taiv6.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1817,

as rebels; but, being, as they are, fitted out in foreign
ports,. and manned with foreign seamen, they become
of a still blacker description—they become pirates, and
as such should be treated by every maritime state. Tu
this extent we think our interference ought to be cur-
ried, for the example of these lawless plunderers is
calculated to produce the most dreadful effects. On
this point, the writer of a tract entitled, " Amerits
Espanola," noticed in our last Number, very justly ob•
serves—.

" Were these vessel, armedand equipped in the Spa-
nish Colonies themselves, and bcloaging really to
Governments permanently established with the object of
forming independency, they would respect foreign flags,
and nbstain front- doing any thing to excite the indigna-
tion of States which are able to occasion them much
injury: In like manner, such Governments would
endeavour, by moderation, to obtain the good will of
foreign States, in artier to attain, it not a positive aid,
at least a neutrality on their part, that they might not
be impeded in the accomplishment of the design pro-
posed. But in what way do we find these principles
followed in the insurgent provinces, or observed by the
privateers ? These latter hate, by their scandalous
depredations, finally rendered Spanish vessels so
careful, as to sail almost always under convoy of ships
of war; and thus, not having opportunities to exercise
their depraved desire of pillage, by the capture of Spa.
nish ships, they have turned their fury. up...install flags,
plundering and robbing, without reserve, every vmel
they fall in with, to whatever nation itmay belong.
If any one doubt the truth of this, let him take the
trouble to consult the ship news which is daily published
in London ; he will there see, that hardly a day passes
that some advices are not received of depredations com-
mitted by these pirates. And with the evidence of
these facts, can it be maintained that such privateers
have been arn.ed and manned to promote time indepen-
dence of South America?"

In another place this writer contends, that, by the
powers of Europe interfering to. crush this piratical
warfare, they would not only serve their own mari-
time interests, but would materially contribute to-
wards the ultimate triumph of Spain over her rebellions
subjects ; for, says Le---
" Were it not for the assistance which the insurgents
have derived from the privateers, were it not from the
protection and asylum they have received in certain
foreign islands and establishments, there would now
have been scarcely a trace of insurrection in the
Northern America. The main has been two or three
times sulatned by the Spanish troops, and as often have
we seen the insurrection renewed; but ve arc not to
believe that order and tranquillity have in this man-
ner been overturned by means of efforts made in the
centre of the county by the,ialiabitants themselves. If
this had been the case, if these people had really been
determined upon establishing their independence, they
would have succeeded, as we lerie already said. The
eNpcilitions that have disembarked on the main, always
led by same adventurers. have been in every instance
fitted out and arranged in a foreign port, for the lead-
ers did not find in the country itself sufficient aid to
neruit. It is not surprising that, favoured by the
ascendancy which the privateers have gained in
those seas, they have succeeded in disembarking on
some points cf the roast of that vast continent, and
obtaining advantages, apparently, tlumgh but tin- a
short while, muipposeil by any thing; but before they
could succeed in raising the reale. and establishing
anv order of things, they have :trews been sought out
and attacked by the ,Spanish trots's, And compelled to
fly, often finding in Ci6ht the 41.siger which they en-
deavoured to avoid. The liparrioh Government, there-
fine, ought not to search far the remedy of this evil so
much in the interior of those countries, as in the ex-
tinction of the anivateers, whose aid keeps up, and will
keep up, the spirit of insubordination en some print o.
other of thvsoest.".