Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-12-15

tains 10 the community. The hrst princl.
pie constantly inculcated is, "that all pow
er rightfully emana.es from the people.
This, and similar dogmas, form part OF
the education OF children, taught at the
same time with their catechism. 1t is ma.
tural, that the passion for tree government
should be continually increasing. A lact
may be mentioned TO show the solid ad-
vancement they have made, which is, that
the number of votes taken at their cleo
tons increases every year. Ia becoming
habituated 10 this peaceful and Orderly
mode of exercising their right of choosing
those who are to be invested with aulhor-
iy, the tumultuous aud irregular removal,
by kind of general oralory or aeclama-
ton, of those who have been chosen, will
gradually cease.
Rather than disturb the order OF soci-
ETY., they will endure with patience, until
the time arrives for ciEecting regular and
constitutional change. Siace the election
Of the present director, none OF these tn-
muIts, before so frequent, have occurred.
These tumults have seldom been attended
with bloodshed; yet they produce great
confusion and disorder, aud give rise 10
habits of characterization, at the same tiue
that they are riiaeus to the character Q!
a nation.
The vice-royalty of Buenos Ayres diff
fered from the rest in one important par
ticular. 1t contained no nobility, or, if
any, very few. This may be regarded as
a favourable circumstance in their society.
Another favourable feature, very neces-
sary to the successful administration of
their affairs, is The conduct Of many indi-
viduals who have filed the highest Office
Of state, in descending from that dignified
situation, to inferior posts, and discharging
their duties with alacrity. Thus We be
hold General A. Balcarce, who was for
merly director, acting as second in COM
mand to colonel San Martin. Colonel
Alvarez, also director at one period, now
serving in the staff under the chief of that
department. General Azcuenega, and
general Rondeau, once elected to the chair
Of state, is at present employed in minor
office. There are others who have occu
pied the same elevated post, who have
retired to the station Of private citizens.
The general capacities Of the United
Provinces for national defence are also
important in many respects. The nature
and extent of the country afford the in
habitants numerous advantages over an in
vaiing army. The ease with which their
herds of cattle may be driven to distant
places, beyond the reach of an enemy, and
the rapid movements which the troops of
the country can make from the ample sup
ply of horses and mules, are circumstan-
ces Of great consequence 10 a military
view. Even the towns not fortified, from
the manner i'll which they are built, and
from the construction of their houses, fur
nish powerful means of defence, as the
British army under general Whitlock ex-
perienced in their attack on Buenos
Ayres.
! am sensible that, in the course Of these
statements and remarks, some inaccuracies
and errors must have occurred, but they
have been unintentional. have only to
add, that the reception Of the Commission
ers at Buenos Ayres, by the chief magis-
trate, was friendly and Gattering.
From every class they met with cor
dial welcome. The people in general ap-
peared to be very much attached to the
American character, and to the govern
ment and citizens Of the United States.
Should any thing further occur, it shall
be made the subject Of future paper.
l have the honour to be, with great
respect, your most obedient servant,
C. A. RODNEY.