The Sun.
London, England, 1824-02-21 00:00:00

SPAIN AND SOUTH AMERICA..
The following_ is a complete copy of FERDI-
NAND'S decree respecting South America, from
the Madrid Gazette of -the 12th instant. The
Etoile.from'which we yesterday copied the do-
cument, had omitted or misinterpreted a part of
the preamble
" By my Royal decree of the 3d and 20th of
October, published at Xeres and Seville, and by
my Royal resolution adopted with the advice of
the Supreme Council of the Indies, under date of
the 25th of December, 1823, I have ordained
the abolition of the regime called 'Constitu-
tional,' in my dominions beyond seas, and
established there my Government on the footing
on which it stood on the 7th of March, 1820, in
the same manner as'in the Peninsula.
" Although these deterMinations concerned
only the interior regime of these provinces, with-
out making any mention of trade and navigation,
which before and after the 7th of March, 1820,
existed nearly on the same footing as they do at
present, I have nevertheless been pleased, by my
Royal order of the 4th of January last, expressly
to order all the respective authorities to make no
change in this matter, and to preserve the direct
commercial relations with foreigners, which in
several places existed by the authority of the
local chiefs, and in others had been authorized
and permitted by me, in conformity with the ad-
vice of the Council of the Indies, before the year
1820.
'‘ In this state of things, and desirous that the
said order of the 4th of January should receive
all the necessary publicity, 1 have convoked a
Junta of Councillors of the Indies, under the
presidency of the Duke de Montemar, as well
as my Council of Ministers, to whom 1 have
joined two commissions, the one of the Council of
State, and the other of the Council of the Indies.
After hearing them, and conformable to their ad-
vice, I have thought proper to decree, and do de-
cree as follows :
" 1. A direct commerce shall be maintained in my American
dominions with foreigners, subjects of the Powers which are
the allies or friends of Spain ; and the merchant-vessels of these
Powers shall be admitted to traffic in these ports in the same
manner as they are in those of my dominions in Europe.
" 2. A decree of law shall be issued to regulate this coat-
coerce, and to determine the ports which shall be open, as well
in the Gulfof Mexico and the Islands, as in the Pacific Ocean.
There shall be established custom-houses, where duties on im-
portation and exportation shall be imposed, on the footing of
equality among the subjects of the said Powers.
" 3. There sall, in like manner, be determined by regula-
tions on this matter, what advantages, preferences, and fran-
chises, should be granted to Spanish trade, navigation, agri-•
culture, and industry.
" 4. Till the two foregoing articles can receive their perfect
execution, there shall be no innovation in the actual state.
of the commerce of America, and it shall be assimilated in
other points to what is practised with regard to the Island of
Cuba."
If
The American Spaniards will see in this resolution a fresh
proof of my strong desire to increase their prosperity; the
European Spaniards, the firm resolution to secure to them the
tranchises and privileges to which they have a right; the bee
fide traders of all countries, the intention of preserving and fa-
vouring existing mercantile relations, and the advantageous em.
ployment of their capitals ; and, lastly, friendly and allied
States and Sovereigns, a public testimony of the price I attach
to the preservation of the harmony and good understandii:g
which unite us.
(Signed) " FERDIN AND. •
(Countersigned) " Count OPALIA, Minister of State.
At the Palace, Feb. 9."