Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-11-25

sent. The royal rescripts, the recopita-
TONES Of the Indies, and the partidas. fur
nished the general rules Of decision; and
when these were silent or doubtful, recourse
\ was had to the opinions Of professional men.
This system was generally executed ny
the vice roys, captains general, and by the
tribunals of justice, with a spirit cores
| ponding with the rigorous policy that pro-
duced it. To this form of government, the
country had for centuries submitted with
implicit obedience, and probably would
have continued to submit much longer, but
for events in this country and the changes
in Europe. The sagacious minds OF many
able writers, penetrating into the future,
had predicted, at some distant date, re-
volution in South America, before that in
North America had commenced. From the
period of the successful termination Of our
own struggle for independence, that OF The
inhabitants Of the south has been with more
confidence foretold and there is reason to
believe it has been fastened 10y this fortu-
nate event. The conduct oiSpain, during
the war of our revolution, was calculated
TO make lasting impression upon her Colo
MES. This result was then foreseen by in
telligent politicians many were surprised
that she could he so blind 10 her own inte-
rests, after she had, on one occasion, ma
nifestedthe strongest suspicion Of Paraguay;
for to her scrupulous Jealousy Of this power
the expulsion of the Jesuits from that coua.
try, in 1850, is to be attributed.
The wars that arose from the French re-
voIution have produced, in Europe, changes
of the greatest magnitude, which have had
an immense influence on the affairs OF South
America. When Spain joined France "a
gainst the combined princes, she exposed
her distant possessions to British hostilities.
The great naval power of Eng land gave her
ready access to the American colonies
Engaged in an arduous contest, she was
prompted, by her feelings and interest, to
reta!iate upon Spain the conduct she expe-
renced from her during the war Of our in
dependence. Encouraged, perhaps, by the
counsels Of her enemies, the first symptom:
OF Instruction, in the continental posses
sons of Spain, were exhibited in the year
1897, in Venezuela. These were succeed
ed by the attempts Of Miranda in the same
quarter, which were accompanied, or were
followed, since the vascillating state OF The
Spanish monarchy, By revolutionary move
ments in Mexico, Grenada, Peru, Chill and
Buenos Ayres and from which scarcely
any part OF the Spanish dominions in Ame-
RIGA has been entirely exempt.
The occurrences that led the way to the
subsequent important events in The proyin-
ces of La Plata, were the invasion Of the
British, under Popham and Beresford, in
the year 1906, and their expulsion, few
months afterwards, by the collected force.
OF the country, under Lenier and Pueyrre-
don. These incidents fortunately gave to
the people just idea Of their own strength;
ana they afterwards repealed, with firm.
ness and bravery that did them great no.
nor, the formidable attack Of the British I'm.
der general Whitlocke.
The wretched state to which Spain was
reduced, by the power, the policy, and the
arts of Napoleon, the resignation Of Charles
the 4th in favor Of Ferdinand the 7tb, and
the remuneration of both in favor Of Napo.
leon, were productive Of the most impor-
tant results. They threw the kingdom into
the greatest confusion. The alternate sue
cesses and disasters of the French armies
produced new era in Spain. Tine people,
: generally, fevolted at the idea Of being 60
verned by the brother Of Napoleon, to
whom be had transferred the crown. Jun
tas were established, who acted in the name
of Ferdinand, then confined in France
These were substituted for the ancient Cor
ties, and the regular council of the nation,
10 which, in times of imminent danger, they
ought TO have required agreeably to their
usages. Conflicting authorities produced a
distracted state Of affairs. In the scenes
that ensued, the proper attention was not
paid to the American provinces. Their
conduct towards them was versatile and in
consistent they were lost sight Of or ne
elected, until it was too late. Conceiving
+ they were abandoned by the parent state,
they thought it justi6sble to act for them
selves. 1t was not very long before the in.