The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-12-08


state Of hostility with the other provinces, ana
held out against them although the population
of the districts he commands is but $4,000, ana
that of his opposers 100000. This fact taken
into consideration with another here stated, VIZ.
that Paragua and the city Of Santa Fee are III
hostility with Buenos Avres, All of them aiec1-
ing TO the Patriots, prov B. tF nix, tlaL eheis
is too much rebellion, -nt ancert, ana lnue-
cision in these republics provinces, TO author
Use our government in acknc Lodging their inde-
pendence. Gen. Artig a deserteF from
the Royalists in 1911. ia hg was BRANDED
as deserter by the Patfot lnder Posadas VINO
offered a reward for his hraa, hlch nsutt ne
has never forgiven the a-t9sss and pfooaoy
never will.
The extent Of the ea Uoya ty OF Buenos
Ayres, is stated by Mr.. r. to be more than 2Ooo
miles from North TO South, and 400 from East 70
West. The territory of the Provinces contains
10000 square leagues--the Population exclu-
siye Of indians is SOC, O0.-The city OF Buenos
Ayres 60,000
There are in the whole Ia provinces, i've OF
which are in possession of the Royahsts, ana 10
the territory holden by the Royalists, are the
valuable mines of Potosi.
Their army is composed Of regular troops, I'll
orcos, and militia, Of which, IL, 143 are troops OF
the line, 7,04f of Ciorcos, and iO,57O militia
Feeble indeed must have been the forces that
Spain sent against them--ifthey have been sub
dued by such an apparently incomplete army
The form of government or Constitution, was
established Dec. 8, 1917. The Congress now
consists of &c members; although member is
allowed for every $4,000 citizens. BY this Con-
stitution they have no trial by Jury, but some
thing called Courts of Justice holden by men
who are the sole arbters in all cases OF litigation
it provides for the establish d Catholic religion
Now,we do not mean to alledge aught against
this form of religion, but as it has been taught
and practised in the old world, and If has al
ways been regarded il these provinces f; quere,
can there be any real vital Independence connect
ed with it !? This single point We humbly consid-
er, conclusive against their permanent success
in their conflict for independence.
Their exports are reckoned at ten millions, con-
ssting principally Of OK hides, jerk beef and tai
low; and the imports are about equal In amount.
The Revenue Of that state is estimated at three
millions, being three tenths of the amount OF ell
Their the imports or exports. Very light taxes IN
deed Their imports are principally from Great
tjritain and the United States. From US they re-
ceive furniture, fish, manufactures, and PODder,
naanitioas Of cGr and .NaraL stores. And so we
complain OF the violation OF our rights on the part
of Spain and yet suffer contraband articles to be
sent and used against her. Is this equal and ex-
act justice.
The Patriot navy is stated to be small, aud
some Of their vessels lai1 up in ordinary yet do
the vessels bearing the d. A. flag, swarm upon
the Atlantic, and miest the lawful commerce OF
our country Mr.. X. then proceeds to the Anne
liza Island question, and it appears that Mr. Eagle
the Patriot Secretary Of State, disclaims any con-
nexion between the s. A. provinces and the A.
melia and Galvezton gentlemen, and expresses
himself perfectly satisfied with the conduct OF
the u S. in that affair."
lie then goes into a long explanation ofthe dis
sessions now existing among the provinces; ne
does not explain that there are any reasons 70
prevent a continuance Of this internal dIssenslon,
but only hopes that they may be got over al some
future time.
The rest Of this letter consists in speculatlons
upon the Il era.ure, religion and prospects OF this
new Republic-that there are three newspapers
printed among them, aud that none OF the good
people read them--that some OF them 60 to
church, and others have no great superabundance
of religion that there are here and there few
school books printed-but that nobody reads
them, are other matters, whi may be gather
ed from Mr.. Rodney's letter.
We have hastily sketched the substance ofthe
long report.-lf this is to be taken the fair
statement of the present position Of these provin
ces, we verify believe that all true Americans,
will coincide in opinion with MIR. Monroe, that
we ought not at present to intermeddle with the
affairs Of Spain and her colonies.
tiis said that the other commissioners differ with
Mr.. Rodney. We shall give an abstract Of MIR.
Graham's letter III our next. Judge Bland it is
expected will be more thorough in his Report,
he was longer in the country, and no doubt has
taken more pains TO examine the merits Of the
case,