Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-06-03

RICHMOND, JUNE 5.
SOUTH AMERICA.

BLESSED with every variety of produce,
and with the most genial climate, South
America shows MS, of how little avail are
all these blessings, unless accompanied
and aided by the light of the mind.
Read Dupont's Picture Of Venezuela
Humboldrs Memoirs of Mexico-Read
the descriptions. which travellers have gil
ven of Chill and Buenos Ayres, and what
advantage seems to be denied 10 their
respective inhabitants Tile cane, the
cotton, e.erv variety Of breadsiun, of
yet these blessings were nearly thrown "a
way, because it was the region of dark
ness and of despotis,n.
Most unfortunately for them, these
provinces became the property of two of
the most sipcrsiit:ouS and cnslaved states
Of the Old World They were Spanish
and Portuguese Colonies The slaves Of
countries, which were themselves the
slaves 10 the most odious despotisms,
both IN state and church, which ever cur
sell mankind
The No,lh.Ame,icaa Colonies had some
OF The show and tie substance OF free
dom. We had legislatures of our own, to
annoni,ce our wrongs-somc branches of
commerce with other parts of the world,
besides the mother couniry--we eniOyed
some OF the rights ofconscience-Bu But ev
en- we We're unable withstand the weight
of despotism, which was laid upon our
backs. AT the first serious.attcmpi that
was made te violate our chartered rights,
and to levy taxes without our consent, we
flew TO arms; solemnly declared our
selves independent, announcing III the
face off tile universe, the :. right" of every
suffering people Z" 10 alter or to abolish
form OF government which " brcomes
destructive" Of the rights of the people.
But five had wrongs TO complain of, what
may not our brethren OF the South say
Ii zee had right TO abolish our govern
menf, what reasons may they not assign
for such resolution?
Without one ray of freedom to cheer
them, without provincial legislature 10
asset Their rights, ruled byvicefoys, who
Cypress without responsibility, aud tax
them without measure--dcnied even the
use oftbe scriptures, but governed by
set of priests, who labour to fashion them
to their own purposes their commerce
exclusively nonopOlized Gy the parent
country, or transferred to some purchaser
for her own emolument-who can blame
their attempts 10 throw off the yoke q
Who does not sympatliise with them, for
their effort TO clear the country of tytants,
has lavished upon them! Don Onis NAV
denounce them: the philosophic C0rrea
de Sierra, may labour To extinguish in his
own naturally generous mind a glow of
sensibility for the struggling patriots of
PcrnambucO. II Is the vocation OF these
two ministers they owe their bread and
their rank, 20 the Offices witch they hold
under crowned heads; but can any high
minded man complain Of the Patriots of
the South! Can .ve, who see fhcm fol-
lowing III our steps, with wrongs infinite
Is greater, can we see them struggling
without wishing them success, and al
! most resolving 10 lend them an arm 10
assist them mo: we cannot have for
gotten our own cause, our own struggles,
our own success: We cannot be insensi-
bic 10 the fruits which we reap. We
should be the last people in the world
TO be indifferent 10 the cause of the ma
lives of NeneZuela and Pernambuco-
and with all our souls not to wish them
success.
What course will be taken by the Bri-
fish government, is vel to be seen /: bur
runiour has been lately very busy with
this subject. The principle which now
rules in her cabinet, is thai Of a rank and
unfeelng despoiism--It delights in OPP
pressing its own people, and it would gl0-
ry in the subjugation of the revolted
colonies" Nor is this new feeling. As
far back as 81, Deputies from South
America laid before Lord Chatham, their
wishes to throw off the yoke, and propo-
sitious TO obtain the aid Of the British
cabinet. How were they treated Chat
ham was unwilling 10 trust the secret 10
all his colleagues but breathed it ONLY
to one % them, and they Jointly commu-
nicated il to tie king. In few days,
the whole plan was communicated 10 the
Spanish court, With the names of the a.
gents, &c. 10 the establishment of Chat
nam. His colirague, to whom he had
impaired it, pledged his honour that he
had not betrayed them--and =" there is
bat one another man." Continued Lord
Chatham, who was informed Of the So
cret." We have this anectio,e from gem
tleman, who had it from Lord Chatham
him eff.
If this spirit were now left 10 itself,
it would no doubt soon manifest lis pur-
poses iii the same opposition to the wish
es and emancipation Of the Colonies But
it is combatted by another spirit that of
interest which wOuldbe exceedingly gra-
iilird by having The trade of SOutII-A-
merha thrown open. Mr.. BrOugham's
speech shows theiimporiance, 81 almost ne
cesslty of this measure, III the present de-
cayed state of British trade.-It is posi-
bile, that this may induce ministers 10 do
nothing against the colonists unless the
Spanish Court can contrive to purchase
their assistance by giving them sop.
MINISTER'S OF THE GOSPEL.
In the late speech OF Governor W olcott. there
are many things To admire, particularly his
suggestions respecting the equalization Of tax
es, the independence of the judiciary. Sc.
Ijnt the hints he has brown ont " in regard 10