Star.
London, England, 1816-12-18 00:00:00

been found, by notable ekperinacei beneficial to the 1
Adeantebsent of trade, and itbprovement of lands,
by good husbandry. with many other conaiderable
advantages to this nation, especially the reducing of
it to a nearer proportion with foreign States, with whom
*we traffic : and whereas in past memory, the like
fall from eight to six in £lOO, by a like constant
practice, bath found the like success to the :aural
contentment of this nation.-Be it enacted," &c. It is
lalso generally admitted by the writers of the period
in which the reduction took place from six to five per
cent. that the consequences were highly beneficial...-
110 r did the Public Funds fall in price..
If such have been the consequences that flowed
from former reductions of legal interest, When the
State owed little or no debt, the question is certainly
worthy of consideration now. It is obvious on the
first view that such a measure would be virtually an
4nnihilation of at least one-fifth part of our immense
&Ist ; and that, in consequence, a proportionate re-
duction of taxes could instantly be effected. Who
can properly estimate the activity, vigour, health,
that would be given to the Agriculture, the Manu-
factures, and the Public Revenue of the Country,
by ceasing instantly the withdrawing of so large a
sum annually from the industry of the community,
and thus restoring to it its proper reproductive power ?
This question, however, involves many others, and is
in itself so important, that it ought not to be hastily
decided on. It should first be examined whether by
such a measure any degree of injustice would accrue
to any class ?—On this we shall take an early uppor-
unity to offer some observations.

A supply of German Papers reached us this morn-
ing. The chief article they contain relates to the
affairs of Turkey: it is dated from Buyukdere, near
Constantinople, and confirms the intelligence conveyed
by the French Papers received yesterday, that the
Turkish Government was seriously disposed to re.
form the abuses in its external dependencies—such as
Algiers, Tunis, &c. A general change seems to be
in contemplation of all the petty Provincial Govern-
ments throughout the Turkish Empire. This is a
revolution which augurs most favqurably for Europe,
and indeed for the stability of the Turkish Govern-
ment itself.

SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
From a supply of New-York Papers to the 28th
November, which we received to-day, we make the
following extracts. The affairs of the Independents
in South America go on most prosperously, accord-
ing to these accounts
FROM THE BOSTON GAZETTE,, NOVEMBER St.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER !RON BUENOS AYRES, DATED
SEPTEMUR 7.
" The Portuguese expedition landed at St. Sebas-
tian's, and have reached San Roque without moles-
tation. They will obtain possession of Montevideo
without trouble ; but after that they will meet with
more opposition than they are aware of. It is a matter
of doubt whether they will attempt this side ;—but,
even if they should have that intention, they will not
be able to do any thing for at least twelve months to
come."
Captain Gar niss, from Buenos Ayres, informs that
a large Spanish ship, from Cadiz, bound to Lima,
a prize to the privateer Hawk, bad arrived at Buenos
Ayres : also a brig and a schooner from Navin:Dahl,
laden with sugar, prize to the El Congrees.
FROM THE NEW YORK GAZETTE, NOVEMBER ES
" NEW ORLEANS, NOVEMBER 19.
6, The following articles have been handed us for
publication by a Gentleman recently from Mata-
gorda they were originally written in Spanish, and
the translation having been made hastily may be
deficient in precision of style, but is literally accurate.

" DECREE.

" Citizen Joseph Manuel de Herrera Deputy of the Mexican
Republic,--131 virtue of the powers and instructions given to me,
by the Mexican Congress, I order and command, that until the
said Congress shall sanction a fop in of Government more condu-
cive to the welfare and happiness of this province of Texas, the
following articles, relative to the establishment of Matagorda
and Galveston, shall be observed. The Constitutional Decree
respecting settlements and villages in the rest of the Province,
remains in fuU force."
PROCLAMATION.
" JOSEPH MANUEL DI MUMMA, in the name of the
Mexican Republic.
'" Matagorda is our's. The extensive and healthy
province ot Texas is free—its inhabitants, filled with
enthusiasm, fly to the standard of independence.—
The Constitution of the Mexican Republic has super-
ceded the despotism of the Spanish Monarchy. The
oppressors dy before us—there is no obstacle to retard
our march into the interior of the other provinces.—
A commodious and safe harbour—a respectable land
and naval force—magazines well supplied with arms'
and ammunition—a soil fertile in all the necessaiie
of life—We want nothing but to exterminate our
enemies, and drill the miserable remnant into the
ocean. The troops of the Republic advance in every
direction. The hands of the Tyrant West the pto-
vinces of Vera Cruz, and Taxaca will soon be de-
feated and driven out. In a short tkme the flag of
Spain will float no longer on the GuTh of Mexico.
• 6' Countrymen, you may now accumulate the va-
loable productions of our soil if you wish to exchange
them for the fruits of foreign industry. Our com-
merce shall be open to all the world under a system
founded on a principle of equity.
6' Inhabitants of Texas, be proud that you have
been taken under the protection of the Constitution
dif the Republic. Shew yourselves worthy of' the
rank to which you have been elevated. Fan. the sa-
cred flame of liberty just kindled in the bosom of our
hitherto unfortunate brethren jtist emancipated from
the chains of despottsie. Such conduct will be
crowned with the blessings. of ilzavete. Obey the
laws, comply faithfully and exactly with your con-
tracts, display to the world the honour, humanity,l
and generosity of your character.
se Cultivate with the utmost care a brotherly inter-
course and friendship with the Republic of the North :
abstpin from all illegal commerce, especially with
the 'United States; every violation ot the laws shell