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

embracing the information derived from the
various sources within my power, so far as
I had an opportunity Of improving the ad-
vantsges possessed.
With the history of the conquest of the
Spanish possessions in America, you must
be familiar. They were principally, it not
exclusively, achieved by private advehtu-
rers. when completed, most oppressive
system of government, or rather despotism,
was established by the parent country.
These extensive regions were originally
swayed by two vice.roys. The dominions
of Spain, in North America, were under
the government of the vice-roy of Mexico,
and all her possessions in South America
were subject TO the control OF the vIcetroy
Of Peru.
The remoteness Of some parts Of the
country from the residence OF the vice-roy
at Lima occasioned, in 1918, the establish
ment OF another vice royalty at Santa Fe de
Bogota, in the kingdom Of New Grenada.
In 1881, New Grenada was divided, and a
number of the provinces composing that
kingdom were separated from it. These
were put under the jurisdiction OF captain
general and president, whose seat Of go
vernment was at Caracas.
In 1868, Chill was erected into sepa-
rate captain generalship; in 1878, new
vice royalty was established at Buenos
Ayres, comprehending all The Spanish pos
sessions to the east of the Western Cordil-
leras and TO the south Of the river Maranon.
This immense empire seems, according
to the laws Of the Indies, to have been con-
.idered distinct kingdom Of ITSELF though
united to Spain, and annexed TO the crown
of CASTLE. In this light it is viewed by Ba-
ron Humboldt, in his essay on New Spain.
With some slight shades Of difference in
the regulations established in these govern
men.s, the prominent features OF their po-
litical institutions exhibit striking resem-
blance, as the general system was the same.
Their commerce was confined TO the pa
rent country, aid 10 Spanish vessels exclu-
sively. They were prohibited, under the
penalty of death, to trade with foreigners.
The natives of old Spain composed the
body OF their merchants. Though this part
of the system had, previously TO the revo-
luton, been relaxed, in some degree, par
ticularly by the statute OF free commerce, as
it is styled, the relief was partial, and the
restrictions continued severe and Cypress
i've.
All access to the Spanish settlements was
closed to foreigners, and even the inhabi-
tants Of different provinces were prohibited
from intercourse with one another, unless
under the slrctest regulations.
The various manufactures, that might in
terfcre with those OF Spain, were not per-
mitted. They were pre-, ented, under Sc
we're penalties, from raising flax, hemp, or
saffron. In climates most congenial TO them,
the culture of the olive and the grape was
prohibited. On account Of the distance 81
Peru and Chill, and The difficulty of trans
porting oil and wine to these remote re-
gions, they were permitted to plant vines
and olives, but were prohibited the culture
of tobacco. At Buenos Ayres, by special
indulgence of the vice roys, they were al
lowed to cultivate grapes and olives, mere
ly for the use Of the table.
They were compelled TO procure from
the mother country, articles Of the first ne
cessity: and were thus rendered depen-
dant on her for the convenencies of life, as
well as luxuries. The crown possessed the
monopoly oftobacco, salt, and gunpowder.
To these oppressive regulations and re-
strctions was added an odious system OF
taxation. From the Indians was exacted a
tribute in the shape Of a poll tax, or GER
tain servitude in the mines, called the mita
| A tenth part of the produce of cultivated
lands was taken, under The denomination
of tithes. The alcavala, tax varying from
two and half to five per cent. on every
sale and resale of all things movable and
in.novable, was rigidly exacted, though,
in some cases, a communication was allowed.
Royal and municipal duties were laid on
imports and on the tonnage, entrance and
clearance of vessels, under the different APP
pellations OF almoxarifasgo, sea, alcayalla,
cerso, consulado, armada, and armadilla
To these may be added the royal fifths oil
the precious metals, the most important Ia,
in the mining districts. Besides all these