Star.
London, England, 1818-12-26 00:00:00

UNITED STATES,

Documents referred to in the President's Message,
commencement of the second Session of the,
\ Congress :
•.• .
RODNEY TO THE SUMMARY OF STATE:
Wasiektgton, November 6, 1818.
have the honour to present the Report herewith en-
agreeably to the desire of Mr. Graham, who, on ream-
preferred submitting some additional remarks, in a sepa-
lpet Fot this purpose, two of the Documents refereed
Report, remain in his possession—Dr. rune's Outlines
.ents in the United Provinces, sines the Revolution ; and
Manifesto of Independence itol:she Congress at Tucuman.--
ow honour to be, with greiecespect, your most obedient
" C. A. Ratter.

America

Quincey Adams, Esq."
RODtVEY TO THE SECRETARY OP STATE.
' SIR-I have now the honour to submit to your
Consideration, my Report on the. subject of the late
mission to South America, embracing the inform-
' derived from the various sources within my
er, so far as.! had an opportunity of improving
advantages possessed. With the history of the
-t of the Spanish possessions in America, you
familiar. They were principally, if not MO
, achieved by private adventurers. When
completed, a most oppressive system of Govern-'
rather deepedsm, was established by the
country. These ostensive regions were origin
rayed by two Viceroys. The dominions of
_ North America were under the government'
Viceroy of Mexico, and all her possessions in
America were subject to the controul of the
of- Peru. The remoteness of some parts of
country from the re..ideace of the Viceroy at'
occasioned, in 1718, the establishment of
Viceroyalty at Santa Fe de Bogota, in the ,
mof New Granada. In 1731, New Granada I
,vided, and a number of the Provinces corn-
, that Kingdom were separated from it. These
put under the jurisdiction of a Captain-General
President, whose scat of Government was at
Tau In 1588, Chili was erected into a separate
Captain:Generalship : in 1778, a new Viceroyalty
established at Buenos Ares, comprehending all
possessions to the east of the Western Cordilleras,
- the south of the river Maranon.
its immense empire seems, according to the
'the Indies to have been considered a distinct
of itself, though limited to Spain, and an-
, tha Crown of Castile. In this light it is
by Baron Humboldt. in his Essay on New
With some slight shades of difference in the
regulations established in these Governments, the
prominent features,of their political 'institutions ex-
hibit striking resemblance, as the general system
same. Their commerce was coofiued to the
country, and to. Spanish vessels exclusively.--
were prohibited, uncler the penalty of death, to
with foreigners. The natives of Old Spain
composed the body of their merchants. Though this
art of the system had, previously to the revolution.
relaxed, in some degree, particularly by the sta-
sf free commerce, as it is styled, the relief was
and the restrictions continued severe and op-
• All access to the Spanish settlements were
f• oreigners, and even the inhabitants of dif-
provinces were prohibited from intercourse
se another, unless under the strictest regula-
The various manufactures, that might inter-
those of Spain, were not permitted. They
prevented, under severe penalties, from raising
hemp, or saffron. In climates ,most congenia.
, the culture of the grape und the olive was
..nted. On account of the distance of Peru
Chili, and the difficulty of transporting oil and
those remote rdgions, they were permitted to
vines and olives;but were prohibited the cul-
' tobacco. At Buenos Ayres, by special indul-
- the Viceroys, they were allowed to cultivate
and olives, merely for the use of the table.—
were compelled to receive from the mother
articles of the first necessity:; and were thus
dependant on her for the conveniences of
well as luxuries. The Crown possessed the
monopoly of tobacco, salt, and gunpowder. To these
-csive regulations were added an odious sys-
taxation. From the Indians was exacted a
in the shape of a poll-tax, or a certain servi-
, the mines, called the mita. A tenth part of
produce of cultivated lands was taken, under the
denomination of tithes. The alcavalla, a tax varying
two and a half to five per cent. on every sale
_ resale of all things moveable, was rigidly ex-
acted—though, in some cases, a commutation was
Royal and municipal duties were laid on
, and on the tonnage, entrance, and clearance
,essels, under the different appellations of almox-
sea' '
alcavalla, cerso consulado,armada and
To these may be added the royal fifths
irecious metals, the most im(iortant tax in the
districts. Besides all these, ere were stamps
tavern licenses, and suns paid for the sale of
, of titles of nobility, papal bulls, the eomposi-
and confirmation of lands, with a 'number of
of an inferior &Tide.
;rider the Spanish Monarchs, who had early
obtained from the Pope the ecclesiastical dominion,
' thus had united in their royal persons all civil
religious authority, a most oppressive hierarchy.
established •rith its numerous train of offices and
succeeded by the Inquisition. The pists of
. and profit, from the highest to the lowest,
filled, almost exclusively, by natives of Old
The principal code of law, tints maintaining
ipremacy of Spain over those distant regions,
t locked up from the rest of the world, ema-
_ from the Council of the Indies, established by
King, in which he was supposed to be always
present. The Royal Rescripts, the recopitationes of
the Indies, and the pavidas, furnished the general
rules of decision ; and when these were silent or
doubtful, recourse w..s had to the opinions of profes-
lonal men. This system was generally executed by
-Viceroys, Captains-General, and by the Tribunals
restice, with a spirit correspondin& with the rigo-
- policy that produced it. To this form of Go-
vernment the country had for centuries submitted
tth implicit obedience, and probably would have
continued to submit much longer but for the events
country, and the changes in Europe. The
sagacious minds of many able writers, penetrating
the future, had predicted, at some distant date,
'volution in South America before that in North

..

-Frootthe peri"od of the
..anation of our own straggle, for inde-
-.ace, that of the inhabitants of the South has
men with more confidence foretold ; and there is
reason to believe it has been hastened by this fortu-
nate event. The conduct of Spain dining the war
of our revolution was calculated to *mice a lasting
impression on.her Colonies. This result was then
foreseen by intelligent politicians ; many were sur-
prised that she could be so blind to her own interests,
after she had on one occasion manifested the strong.
ect suspicion of Paraguay ; for to her scrupulous
jealousy of this power the expulsion of the Jesuits
from that country, in 175 G, is to be attributed. The
wars that arose from the French Revolution, have
produced in Europe changes of the greatest magni-
tude, which have had an immense influence on the
affairs of South America. When Spain joined France
against the combined Princes, she exposed her distant
possessions to British hostilities.' The great Naval
Power of England gave her ready access to the
American Colonies. Engaged in an arduous contest,
she was prompted by her feelings and interests to
retaliate on Spain the conduct she experienced from
her during the war of our independence. Encou-
raged, perhaps, by the counsels of her enemies, the
first symptoms of insurrection in the Continental
possessions of Spain were exhibited in the year 1797,
at Venezuela. These were succeeded by the attempti
of Miranda in the same quarter, which were accom-
panied or were followed, since the vascillating state
'of the Spanish Monarchy, by revolutionary move-
ments in Mexico, Grenada, Peru, Chili, and. Buenos,
Ayres ; and frcm which scarcely any part of the Spa-
nish dominions in America has been entirely exempt.
" The occurrences that led the way to the subse.
quent important events in the Provinces of La Plata,
were the invasion of the British, under Popham and
Beresford, in the year 1806, and their expulsion, a
few months afterwards, by the collected forces of the
country, .under Liniers and Pueyrtedon. These in-
cidents fortunately gave to the people a just idea of
their own strength ; and they afterwards repelled,
with a firmness and bravery that did them great
honour, the formidable attack of the British under
General Whitelock. The wretched state to which
Spain was reduced, by the policy, the power, and
the arts of Napoleon, the resignation of Charles IV.
in favour of Ferdinand VII. and the renunciation of
both in favOur of Napoleon, were productive of the
most important results. They threw the kingdom
into the greatest confusion. The alternate successes
and disasters of the French armies produced a new
era in Spain. The people, generally, revolted at the
idea of being governed by the brother of Napoleon, to
whom he had transferred_ the crown. Juntas were
established who acted in the name of Ferdinand, then
confined in France. These were substituted for the
ancient Cortes, and the regular Council of the Nation,
to which, in times of imminent danger, they ought
to have recurred agreeably to their usages. Confiic.-
ing authorities produced a distracted state of affairs.
—ln the scenes that ensued, the proper attention was
not paid to the American provinces. Their conduct
to them was versatile and inconsistent; they were
lost sight of or neglected, until it was too late. Con-
ceiving they were abandoned by the parent State,
they thought it justifiable to act for themselves. It
was not very long before the inhabitants of Buenos
Ayres, embracing the example of their brethren in
Spain, established a Junta, which assumed the reins
of Government, and finally, in the year 1810,-sent off
the Viceroy Cisneros, and his principal adherents.
—ln perusing this interesting documert, I have to
lament, that its pages are marked with some cases of
severity and cruelty, which went almost inseparable
from great revolutions. It must, however, be con-
soling to observe, that they appear. to have passed
through the state which might possibly have rendered
example necessary, and to have arrived, perhaps, at
that stage, when, the passions becoming less turbu-
lent, and the people more enlightened, a milder sys-
tem may be expected to prevail. Their dissentions
have produced most of their calamities. In such sea-
sons they were naturally to be expected. But their
disputes hare been principally healed by the prudent
and energetic measures of the Congress, which com-
menced its sittings in Tucuman in the year 181.5, and
adjourned in the year following from thence to
Buenos Ayres, where it remained in session, occu-
pied with the task of forming a permanent Constitu-
tion. This respectable Body, besides acting as a
Convention, or a Constituent Assembly,•exereises
temporarily legislative powers. Their sittings are
public, with a gallery of audience, for citizens and
strangers. The debates are frequently interesting, and
are conducted with ability and decorum ; they are pub-
lished every month for the information of the people.
—The dispute with Artigas, the Chief of the Ori-
entals, has Eot been adjusted, This, with a certain
jealousy of the superior influence of the City of Buenos
Ayres oni the general affairs of the Provinces; the
conduct of the Government of Buenos Ayres towards
the Portuguese, and the high tariff of duties, which,
4 understand, have been ante reduced, appeared to
[constitute the principal causes of disaffection at the
time of my departure. The Declaration by Congress
of that independence which they had for many years
previously maintained, in fact, was a measure of the
highest importance, and has been productive of an
unanimity and decision before unknown. This sum-
mit of their wishes was only to be reached by plow
and gradual progress. The public mind had to be
illumined on the subject by thew pulpits, zileir presses,
and their public orations. The people were to be
prepared for the event. When the season arrived,
they cut the knot which could not be untied. The
I Declaration of Independence was adopted in the Di-
rectorship of M. Pueyrredon, on the 9th day of July,
1816. It was succeeded by an able exposition of the
causes that extorted it, to justify, to their fellow-
citizens and to the world, the measure which they
had deliberately voted to support with their fortunes

and their lives.
" The salutary influence of this bold and decisive
step was at once felt throughout the countryr it gave
new life and strength to the Patriotic cause, and sta-
bility to the Government. The victories of Chaca-
buco and Maipo, achieved by the arms of Chili and
Buenos Ayres, have produced and confirmed a simi-
lar declaration of independence by the people of
Chili, and cemented the cordial union existing be-
tween the Confederate States. The consequence has
been, that within these extensive territories there is
scarcely the vestige of a Royal Army to be found,
except on the borders of Peru.--(To be coßtinued.)

AFRICAN PRINCES.

'From the Tell Tale ; or, Anecdotes expressive of the Mara:men
of Perions orninert for Rank, Learning, Vit, or Humour♦
2 vols. London, I;3e. Vol. I. p. 1574

" Captain CLARICE, trafficking on the Coast of
Africa, went up the country, where he was introduced
to a Moorish King, who, being taken with the polite
behaviour of the Captain, put such.confidence in him
as to entrust him with his son, about 18 years of age,
and another sprightly youth of quality, to be brought
up in England. The Captain received them with
great civility, but basely sold them for slaves. Shortly
after, he died, and on the ship's returning home, the
Officers related the`wl.ole affair, on which the Go-
vernment sent to pay their ransom, and they were
brought to England. and put under the care of the
Right Hon. the Earl of HALIFAX, First Commissioner
of Trade and Plantations, who gave orders for c:oth-
ing and educating them in a very genteel manner,
after which they were introduced to his MAJESTY,
richly dressed, who received them graciously, and
made them handsome presents. On the Ist of
February, 1749, they went to Covent Garden Theatre
to see the Tragedy of Oroonoko, when, on seeing per-
sons, of their own colour on the stage, apparently in
the same distress from which they had been so lately
delivered, the tender interview between Irnoinda and
Oroonoko, who was betrayed by the treachery of a
Captain, his account of his sufferings, and the repeated
abuse of his placability aucl confidence, so strongly
affected the young Prince, that he was forced to re-
tire et the end of the fourth Act. His companion staid,
but wept the whole time, which attracted the eyes
of the whole addience:

PUNCTUATION.-401111111 SCALIGER, who died at
Leyden in 1609, says—,, The use of commas and
semicolons was in my time invented by Mat:onus,
and entirely unknown to the ancients." Fashionable
people tardy use any stops whatever; and in this
practice they are countenanced by Acts of Parlia-
ment and Deeds, in which no stops are ever inserted.
For the latter there is a reason (which it is not fair
to expect in the writings of the forme6, and it is,
that the Courts of Law, in construing them, may
read them with such stops as will give effect to the
whole.—See 4. Term Rep. Doe and Martin.
SenucrtoN.,---About a fortnight since, a most'
beautiful and accomplished girl, 18 years of age, the
only daughter of a respectable tradesman at Bath,
eloped from her parents' protection with a Captain'
of the Army, and who it seems is already married.
The afflicted father of the young Lady lost no time
in pursuing them, but it was not until Wednesday
that, after a most difficult search, he Succeeded in
discovering that they bad taken apartments in Manor
Place, in the King's Road, Chelsea ; and having made
application at Bow-street, he procured Smith and
two other officers to accompany him to the residence
of the lovers. On inquiry, finding they were gone
out, but expected home to dinner, the father and
officers placed themselves in ambush at a public-
house nearly opposite, where, after having waited
upwards of three hours, they saw them pass on the
opposite side of the road: The•father with the offi-
cers immediately pursued, and overtook them just as
they were entering the house where they resided.—
The anxious father directly seized his child, who, in
all the agony of surprise and terror, clung to her
lover for protection, who vowed no earthly forte
should part them; and it was not without the ut-
most difficulty (the lover being of a most powerful
and athletic make).that they could be separated. In
the struggle the Gentleman's coat was literally torn
to pieces. The fatherand daughter, with the officers,
proceeded to the public-house, followed by the dis-
consolate Captain in tatters, when a scene ensued that
baffles description ; the father entreating his child to,
return to the arms, and ease the anguish of her
almost broken-hearted mother—the lover imploring
her, with tea-s, not to forsake him, This having
taken place in a public tap-room, filled with specta-
, 'tors, the father, daughter, and discomfited lover,
, with the officers, retired to a private room, and at
length the two former, still accompanied by the offi-
cers, drove off in a hackney coach, leaving- the Ca/i-
-t tain vociferating that he would immediately follow
them to Bath, and assuring the weeping fair one The
'should soon be restored to him.
Two men, about 26 years of age each, the one
calling himself John Clarke, the other John Horse-
man, alias Drake, who have' been attending the late
fairs in Yorkshire, &c. for the purpose, as is supposed,
of passing forged Bank of England notes, and bad
bills, have been taken into custody in Manchester,
and lodged in the New Bailey ptison.—Three horses,
and property to a considerable amount, supposed to
have been stolen, was found in their possession:
among which were ten 51. Darlington Bank notes;
five 5/. notes of the Stockton Commercial Bank;
several Blackburn and Craven notes of 11. each ;
and silver watches, kc.

DOCUiller
at the corm
Fifteenth CI
MR. Rot
" &a—l ;u
closed, Weer
tine, prelerre
rate :vet 1
to in the Reps
of Events In I
the Manifesto
I have the ho
servant,
" To Quin
MR. ROl
• SIR-1
consideratic
. mission to
tion 'derive
power, so
the advant
1 conquest of
must be far
elusively a
completed,
meat, or'
- parent cow
:tally sway,
Spain in N
of the Vice
South Ame
Viceroy of
the counti
Lima, °cc
another Vi
kingdom c
was divide
tha
were put u
ar.d Presii
Caraccas.
Captain:o
was estahli
the possess
and to the
44 This i
lims of dm
kingdom
flexed to
viewed be,
Spain.
I regulation
I • prominent
hibit a sti
was the sa
p -.rent cou
They were
trade wit
composed
part of the
been relax
cute of fie
partial, an
pressive.
closed to I
ferent prc
with one o
tions. TI
fere with
were prey
flux hemi
to them, t
prohibiter
and Chili,
wine to t 1
plant vine
• tore of to
gence of
grapes an
IL
They we
country
rendered
life, as w
monopol)
oppressiv
tem of t:
tribute in
tude in tl
the prods
denornim
from twi
and resat
acted—tl
allowed.
Imports,
of vessels
arifasgo,
arreadill:
of the pi
mining ed
taxes, ta
offices, o
tion and
• others of
i " Um
obtained
and thin
16 and relit
was esta
orders,
honours
„., were fill
, •4 .
Spain.
f the supr
almost 1
r.ated fr
the Kinl
present.
the Indi
rules of
doubtfti
sional tr
theVicci
of Justi:
rous pol
vernmel
with irn
sontinue
I in this c
sagacioi
into the
a revolt