Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-11-14

of experiencing a reaction, whose conse-
| qnences would have proved radically de-
structive TO the character and existence
| of La Plata. Anarchy, i'm Il word. had
ighied up an universal conhagration.
Nor was this all; when now il might have
been supposed, that the measure of our
aifiiciions had been full, the troops of
Portugal made their appearance on the
northern borders of this river, awaiting
themselves OF our dIscords for these un-
happily, unknown 10 ourselves, had but
too we'll seconded the interests of the
neighboriDg court. New dangers here
presented themselves, new occasions TO
SOW discords, and new impulse was gi-
ven TO the torrent of personal enmities.
rendering even loyalty suspicious. II is
no easy task, fellow citizens, to draw
just picture of our misadventures. or To-
ennmerate the perils rwIIichy o,irtirm-
ness lias happily triumpIled. You all re-
member that the evils which thus assaiIod
us, began to diminish at the very moment
when We had yielded TO despair The
Supreme Congress. into whose hands the
people had confided their safety; had lust
been installed al Tueuman Those who
were called upon TO be Legislators of their
country, and 10 fix lis destiny. by The
wisdom of their councils, were compelled
more Than once TO exert their courage.
ana 10 encounter, with intrepidiiy, the
dangers which threatened TO proiaue this
last asylum that remained 10 our country
IN lis misfortunes. The prudence. The
integrity, the tortiiude of Ibis august bo-
dy, presented to the provinces the de-
liShtiul spectacle of an authority WHICH
captivated their submission, not less by
the inst lille OF lis elevated origin than by,
the animated zeal and the vigorous ener.
gy which il displayed in the first steps of
lis iilustrious march. The bold, st pas
sions were compelled TO ren0unce their
extravagant designs and if, in some dis
tlicts they had tie temerity to attempt
new excuses, the celebrity with which
they were suppressed, scarcely allowed
lime to thcir authors TO sue for mercy.
The sediilCus, Notwithstanding, still bar-
bored the design of putting vigilance to
sleep, In order that they nigh snatch the
opportunity OF insulting whatever was
most respectable. 1t was at this crisis
That the Supreme Representation deigned
TO invest me with the honorable, but aw-
inl, distinction, of Supreme Director of
the State. This snot the first time +
had been clothed with authority. and
that had already experienced the bitter
mortlhcati0n attendant upon ii, was too
well known, not 10 regard my acceptance
as a sacrifice. AT that time a member of
tie Supreme Body, knew well tl.e mass
oil evils that would weigh upon me; bat
even these, IN The midst of anxieiy and
FEARS, urged my submission TO The SUI
preme Will.
had no right to expect that nv eleva-
ton would meet the appreciation of eve
ry one; aud the calamity of the times
caused me 10 fear that my election might
give Ilseto new disturbances The re-
sun dld not disappoint my anticipations.
saw myself compelled to subdue the
hearts OF my personal enemies; but I
now considered my person AS exclusive
ly devoted 10 the public cause. invest
ed with the Chief Magistracy, | set off
from the bosom of the Supreme Con-
gress, for the province of Salia, and had
the good fortune to compose The loud
dlsseniions which had set at variance The
citizens and the soldiers ; and having
prepared the clements which afterwards
procured for the Satinians their we'll
earned fame, proceeded 10 the army,
eNamin lis situation, inspected The for
tIfIcations, and, giving such orders as the
occasion might require, | returned 10
Iucuman, where had the proud salts
faction of Fastening, by my influence.
the memorable act and solemn declarafi-
on of our independence. | pursued nv
journey 10 the capital of Cordova, where,
according 10 previous arrangement, i
was expected by General ST. Martin, i'm
order to settle the plans for rescuing
Chill from the power of the Spaniards.--
From Cordova, with what painful inquiet-
ude did stretch my view towards the
agliated population OF Buenos Ayres =
] appeal 10 you, fellow citizens, as the
Witnesses of the weli-founded causes of
my fcars and permit me, passing by the
perlls ofniy transit, TO fix your attention
on the tirst days OF my arrival in this ca
plial. What violence of passions -
flow maBy Earring interests Ny reso-
luton was taken. FASTENED 10 fulfil
the obligations of my oath. amour
ced to the people that the past should
be forgotten, that those who deserved
well OF their country should be rewarded.
Fellow-citizen5, have moi failed in NV
promises, nor shall ever have reason 10
repent me OF my conduct. i'0 this course,
and TO NOnr virtues, II IS due, that the
constituted authorities have been support
cd III despite OF the DCldest innovations
TO this am ! 10 attribute the reconciIlati-
on OF those who before regarded Them
selves as having reason 10 be NV enc
hhcS 10 lbiSs w say al li NOtu, " IS
due That obedience TO The lawful au,hori-
ties, and the love of order, constitute at
present the prevailing temper nf the pro-
yinces over whose des;inies ! have the
honor to preside as ciliet magistrate. IL
were presumptuohs folly TO assert, that
this has been established on foundations
that are proof against every attempt ; the
present age offers but too many examples
Of bow iallible, IN these particulars, are
all political institutions but how dis
| graceful ought we to consider The conduct
OF those vino mediate a repetition of