Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-11-27
on sotYH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.


MR.. RODNEY TO THE SECRETARY or STATE.
WASHINGTON, 9TH NOV. 1918.
SIR-I have the honor to present the report
her with enclosed, agreeabiy TO the desire OF
submitting some additional remarks, in a Sc
parate paper. For this purpose, two of the
documents referred TO in the report remain in
his possession-Dr. Fuucs outlines Of events
IN tao United Provinces, since The resolution,
and the manifesto OF independence by the Con-
gress at TucumaD.
nave the honor to be, with great respect,
''1' "'''' '' &. A. RODNEY.
Hon. toHN q. ADAMS. Secretary at State.
mR. RODNEY 10 THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
SiE-I have now the honor to submit TO
yonr co sideration my report ON the suiyect OF
the lat, mission to South Amarica, embracing
the Information derived from various sources
within my power, so far as had an opportuni-
y o. Improving the advantages possessed.
Vita shp history OF the conquest OF the spa
nish pos> .ssions in America, you must be iani.
lar. They were principally, IL not exclusively,
achieved by private advemturers. When com-
pieted, most oppressive system OF govern
m at, or rather despotism, was established by
the pa.ent county.
These extensive regions were originally
swayc1 Nv iwo vicero,s. The dominiens OF
Spain, IN Sor'h America, were under the 60
vernncnt Of the vicersy of Mexico, aud all her
possessions in South America were subject TO
tie control Of the siceroy OF Peru.
The rcmoteness of some parts OF tile country
from there iience OF the viceroy at Lima &c
casontd IN l7lS, the establishment OF another
wee royalty at santa Fe de Bogota, in the
kingdom ~ New Grenada. In 1881 New Gre
NADIA was divided. and number of the pro-
yirces composing that Kingdom were separat-
ed iiom 1t. hese wefeput undert the lrris,'ic
ton OF a ca9ta,D general and president, whose
sell vi government was AT Caracas.
In 1903, Cb,t Mas erected into Il separate
caata,n echcralshiD; in i77S, a new vice royal.
twas established at Buenos ayrcs, compre-
hen ling al! tile Spanish possessions to the east
oil the Western cOrIilleias aud to the south OF
thu river IaranGu
This immense empire seems, according TO
the laws oi the indies, 10 have hssn CONSIDER
ed distinct Ain- dem OF Itself, though united
TO Spain, aud annexed tO the crown of CASTLE.
In tins L Iht IL Is viewed by Baron Humboldt,
in his essay on New Spain
Wi,I some sigh. shades of difference in the
regulations established III these governments,
III. prominent features Of their political iusti-
tNii0us exhibit d striking resemblance, rs the
seHetal syst IN was the some
Their commerce was cCnhned TO the parent
country. aud TO Spanish vessels exclusively.
TIL we're prohibited, under the penalty of
death 10 trade with foreigners. The natives
ofoid Spain composed The body OF their aer-
chants. Though this part of the system had
previously 10 the revolution, besn relaxed, in
SOME degree, particularly BY the statute offree
commerce as il is STYLED, the relief was par
nal, and the eStrictions continued sesere.aDd
oppressive.
All access to the Spanish settlements was
closed to foreigners, and even the Inhabitants
OF different provinces were prohibited from
inter ourse with one another unless under the
strictest regulations.
The various manu- iactures. that might inter
fere with those of Spaiu, were not permitted.
They were prevented, under severe penalties,
from raising flax, hemp. or saffron. Ia climates
most cOngenal Ia them, the culture of the
grape AID the olive was prohibited. On
account of tho distance of Peru and Chilli,
aftI he al fnrt ~ of md
wine Ia these remote regions, they were per-
miited to plant vines aud olives, but were pro-
hlbited the culture OF tobacco. AT BueuOS
Ayres, by special indulgence OF the vieeroys,
they were allowed 10 cultivate g;apes and
olives, merely for The use cfthe table.
They We're compelled 10 procure Il onl the
mother conutry ARTICLES of the first necessity
a'd were thu rendered dependant on her for
the concentrates of life, as well as ln<uries.
The crown possessed tie monopoly of tobacco,
salt aud eunpowder.
To these oppressive regulations and restric-
tions was added an odious system of taxation.
FROM the Indians vas exacted tribute in the
shape OF poll TAX or IA certain servitude in the
mines, called The mira. "A tenth part OF the
produce of cultivated lands was taken, under
tie denoniaal iou Of tithes. The aicava!a, ia
tx varHing from Two aud a half 10 five per
rent. on every sale and resale of all things mo-
vable and iinm0vaUle, was rigidly exacted,
though, IN some cases. communication was al
lowed. Royal q municipal duties were laid on
clearance of vessels, underline different appel
latpuS Of ai,uo Narifasgo, sea, aicavaiia, cerso,
ronsuiado, armada and armadiila. To these
may he added the royal ftths OF the precious
metals. The most important tax III the mining
districts, Besides all these. there were stamp
faxes, tavern licences aud sums paid for The
safe o. Offices, titles of mobility, sapa bulls,
the compositions aud confirmation oiiands, with
a Duint"r Of others of an inferior grade.
Under tile Spanish monarchs, Who had early
oh; aimed from tie pope tie ecclesiastical Do
DiInIou, and thus had uuii d III their royal
persons al civil and reiigio0sauthoriiy, most
oppressive hierarchy was established, with its
numerous train ofotices aud orders, succeed
I'd by the iuqnisItiOn.
The posts OF honor and profit, from the hipli-
est TO HE lnwest. were filed almost exclusive
ly by natives OF old Spain.
The principal cole 81 law, thus maintaining
tie supremacy Of spain over those distant re
gions, almost locked up from the rest of tie
world, emauatCd from the council of the IT.
dies established by the King, in which, he was
supposed 70 be alwaHs present. The royal
rescriptS. the recOpitAtiGnes of The Indies. aud
ti,e parii'iiIs, furnished the general rnles of
deci ion and when these were silent on doubt
fn!, r. course wes had to the opiuionS OF profess
soma men
This sys'em was generally executed by the
viceroys captains general and by the tribunals
ofjustice, with spirit corresponding with the
rigorous policy HAT produced IL. To this form
OF gCyerum snt The couOtry had for centuries
submitted with implicit obedience, and proba
bly, wonld have continued to submit much
longer, but fcr the events in this couatry and
the changes in Europe. The sasacious minds
of many able writer's, penetrating into tue
future. had predicted, at some distant date,
revolution in South America, before that in
North America had commenced. From the
period OF the successful termination of our
own struggle fer Independence, that of the
int stapts OF the south has been with more
confidcice foretoid and there IS reason to
believe il has been has,ened by this fortunate
event. TIE conduct Of Spain, during the war
of our revelation, was calculated 10 make
lasting impression on her colonies. Thisresnlt
was then ttTeseeD by intelligent politicians
mary were surprised that she could be 80
bird 10 her own Interests, after she had. Oh