Star.
London, England, 1824-03-16 00:00:00

SPANISH SOUTH AMERICA.

The Marquis of LANSI)OWN, on the Order of the
Day having been read, rose, pursuant to the notice he
had given, to move an Address to his Majesty to give
directions for an immediate' recognition of the inde-
pendence of the provinces of South America. It was well
that this country was unfettered in the disctission of the
question; for although it would have betrayed a species
of incapacity and imbecility in his Majesty's .Nlinisters
to have committed this country by any scheme or sti-
pulation binding the fortunes of this country with
Spain, and although he should be most unwilling to
charge them with such misconduct and infatuation, still
be was happy to find that his Majesty-'s Ministers had
laid claim to, and asserted,„ that independent course of
action which this .country ought -always to pursue.
Such being the nature of the inlormatidd laid upon the
table of the House, it enabled him to come with infi-
nitely more advantage to the discussion of the question,
as authorising the adoption of the measute he was pro-
ceeding to propose to that House. And what, Le would
ask their Lordships, was the object in question, or the
country at stake? Here was before them, coteempla-
tivele, a fine country—from 37 deg:ves of Northern la-
titude to 4.1 degrees South—exceeding the whole extent
of Africa, greater than Russia, with a climate rich and
salubrious—a climate capable of producing all things
conducive to the comferts and enjements of man
coutory with 21,000,000 of inhabitants, who, although
composed of different races, were capable of forming
States, and producing for themselves a free community
of enjoyment. Such were the independent provinces of
South America; and it was respecting such a country
as he had 'described, so peopled and constituted, that
their Lordships were called on to decide the great alter-
native of recognition or rejection. He would het e pause,
in order to bring before their Lordships the two princi•
paLquestions, as bearing upon the whole. He would
inquire, in the first, whether their Lordships had any
right to act.? and, secondly, if it were discreet to exer-
cise the right ?. Here he wished first to examine the
question as it regarded their right to act; for, however
it might advantage us to. benefit by circumstances in
the affairs of nations, he never wetildstend up among
their Lordships to advocate the doctrine of expediency
at the expense of the practice of right; and this must
be accepted as his eicuse for detaining their Lordships
a little on the question of right. Now, in order to at--
live at some conclusion upon this point, it was sufficient
to inquire if the South Ametican States were; de fact'.
independent? Let their Lordships next inquire if, ad-
mitting the independence defacto of the South American
States, whether it was probable that Spain could, sup-
posing her so inclined, have any chance of tecoveting
them under her sway ? The third question for their
Lordships to ascertain was, assuming the indepenclem-e
of South America to be established, if these States wet e
actually in a condition to maintain the relations of amity.
and commerce with this country ? Now, after the ex-
perience of the last two years, he apprehended that no
question could be et:test:need as to the independence de
facto of South America with regard to,Spain. As to the
next question to be glanced at, whether Spain was I.kely
to reconquer her colonies? tleir Lot dships need only
advert to those States now independent of her, nod to
contrast their situation and their resources with tho.e of
Old Spain. He had here to remind their Lordships that
Mexico, which extended trim sea to sea, and contait2d
7,000,000 of inhabitants, had no Sparish force-in i:.
Guatimala and Colombia were equally free; and, since
the reduction of Puerto Cabello, them had existed no
Spanish force of any sot t in that quarter. With tespect
to the independent State of Buenos Ayres, it was re-
markable that'no attempt had been made by the Old
Government, for upwards of two years, to shade the in-
dependence of that country. During.that time, how-
ever, there had happened no less than three changes of
-Administration, or persons in pOwer, there; yet, even
under such circumstances, no disposition had ever been
shewn by the people to call for the interference of the
mother country. The same observation would apply to
Chile during a period of f,er years. With regard to
Peru, the circumstances were different; .and lie would
Loot conceal from their Lordships, that many of the in-
habitants were still attached to the Old Government of
Spain, perhaps to the amount of some thoeseuds„ with
a garrison of 71/0 men ; but the army was not.likely to
be assisted from gurope, .and, even if assisted, would
'tot venture to attack the
,independence of Sem)) egne.
rice. This, therefore, was the actual state and condo ion
the different provinces in South America ; and he
...void fairly ask their Lordships if, taking thew;thinge

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