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

Ia Plata. were the invasion Of the British
under Popham aud Beresforsi, IN the year 1890
! and their expulsion, a few months afterwards
by the collected forces OF The country andeI
LsDisrs and Pueyrredon. These incidents
Fortunately gave TO the people just idea vi
their own strength and they afterwards re
PEELED, with trmnesS aud bravery that did
them great honor, the formidable attack 9th.
British under Gen. Whit.ocse.
The wretched state TO which Spain was
reduced by the policy, the power. aud the arts
OF Napoleon, the resignation OF Charles the 9TH
i'm favor OF Ferdinand The 9Th, and the rennii-
citation OF both in favor of Napoleon, were pro-
ductive Of the NEST important results. They
threw the kingdom into the greatest confusion.
The alternate successes and disasters ct the
Freacb armies produced n new era in Spgin.-
The people, generally, tevolted al the idea OF
being governed by the bI other Of Napoleon,
To whom he had transferred the crown. Juntas
were established who acted in the name Of
Ferdinand, then confined in France. These
were substituted for the ancient Coites, and
the regular council of the nation, TO which, ,n
times OF imminent danger, they ought TO nave
REQUIRED agreeah!y to their nsages. COniiict
ins authorities produced "a distracted state OF
affairs. In the scenes that ensned, The proper
attention was not paid to the American provlii-
ces. Their conduct towards them was versa
tile aud inconsistent; they were lost sight OF
or neg lected. until IL was too late. Conceiviny
they were abandoned 10y the parent state, they
thought itjustiiiable TO act Tor themselves. Ii
was .ot very lon. before the. inhabitants vi
Bucnos Ayres, embracing the example OF their
brethren in Spain, establishes junta, which
assumed the reins OF government, and finally,
IN the year 1910, sent of the yiceroy Cisneros,
and his principal adherents. For summary
of events subsequent to this period, until the
time OF my departure, L beg leave'to refer TO
the outline snbjcined (APpendix Al from the
pen OF DIR. Fumes, drawn up, in part, at my re-
quest. Without voucliin; Tor the perfect accu-
racy OF the work, ,hiuk from the information
receiy ed. II will probably be found to contain,
IN general, correct and impartial sketch OF
the prominent transactions and occurrences.
In perusing this interesting document,
haNe TO lament that its pages are marked with
sene cases Of severity anu cruelty, which seem
almost inseparabie from great revolutions. IL
must, however. be consOlins TO observe, that
they appear 10 have passed through the state,
which might possibly have rendered examples
necessary, and To have arrived. perhaps, al
that stage, when the passions becoming less
turbulent, ami the people more enlightened,
a mud, + system may bc expected TO prevail.
Their dlssentions have produced most of
Their caianitles. In such seasons they were
naturally to be expected But their disputes
have been principally healed, by the prudent
ava energetic measures of the Congress, which
commenced its sittings in Tucuman IN lie
year 1915, and adjourned i'll the year following
from thence TO Buenos AyreS, where it re-
manned in session, occupied with the task of
forming permanent constitution. This res
peciabic body, besides acting as a convention,
or constituent assembly, exercises iemporari-
~ Legislative powers. Their sittinss are
public, with gallery of audience, tor citizens
and strangers The debates are frequently in
teresting, and are conducted with ability and
decornm they are published every month for
the information of the people.
The dispute with Artigas the Chief of the
Orlentals, has not been adjusted. This, with
q certain Jealousy of the superior Influence OF
the city OF Buenos Ayres on the general at
fairs OF the provinces the conduct OF the
arn q n NINA fAlp A IL, 81,
Portuguese and the high tariff of duties, which
understand have been since reduced, appear
eu 10 constitute the principal causes of dissa-
tstaciion at the time of my departure.
Inc declaration by Congress of that indie
pendence, which they had for many years
previously maintained in fact, was measure
OF the highest Importance, and has been pro-
duct,e of an unanimity and Adhesion before
unknown. This summit OF their wishes, was on
~ to be reached by slow and gradual progress
The psblic mind had TO be ilumined ON the
subject by their pulpits, their presses, and their
public oratonS. The people were to be pre-
pared for the event. When the season arrived
they cut the knot which could not be united.
Il lie declaration independence was adopte9in
the dire ctorship of Mr.. Pueyrredon ON the ninth
day OF July, 1916. II was succeeded By an
able ext ositon of the causes that exiorted il ,
toJnstify, to their fellow citizens and to the
world, The measures they had deliberately voted
TO support with their fortunes and their lives.
Believing the latter paper might be thought
worthy of perusal, a Translation has been an
neXed (Appendix b.
Inc sautary influence of this bold aud deci-
SiVe step, was at once felt throughout the
country. Ii gave new life and strength TO the
patriotic cause, and stability to the govern
ment. The victories OF Chacahuco and Mapu,
achieved by the arms of Chill and BRenos
AyFes, have produced and confirmed similar
declaration of independence by the people of
chill, which is also annexed, (Appendix c. and
ceneDted the cordial Union, existing between
the confederate states. The consequence has
been, that, within these extensive territories,
there Is scarcely the vestige OF royal army
10 be found, except on the borders of Peru.
Having thus, in connection with the succinct
account given by DIR. Fumes. traced the princi.
pale vents, since the reyolutionin BuenOs AyTes,
s!a'l proceed 10 state the esIlt OF the inferna
iloD received, according to the best opinion
couid form OF the extent, population, govern
nett and resources of the United Provinces,
WIN their productions, imports, and exports,
trade and commerce.
The late vice royalty of Buenos Ayres, of
which that city was the metropolis, WAS BY
many considered the largest as well as the
n ost valuable OF all the Spanish dominOns in
SOnt!i America, extending in direct line,
rom its north 10 its south boandli y, a DIS
lance of more than two thsusand mics and
from its eastern TO its western, not less Than
eleven hundred. '-.
IL was composed, at the commencement of
the revolution, of the nine provinces, or inten.
dorcies following: Buenos Ayres, Paraguay.
% do,a, Sata, Potosi, La Plata, Chochaba BAN ba,
La Paz aud PHnO
Waiered by the great river La Plata and lis
numerous tributary streams, which afford
easy communication with countries of AN inn
nIemse extent, aud furnishing an easy access to
the treasures OF South America. ia has always
been regarded by Spain. as one OF her most
precious acquisitions. Enjoying every variety
Of innate to be found between different aud
distant latitndes, and blessed with large por-
ton offertle soil, il is capable of producing
all that's to be found in the temperate or tor
rid zones. Immense nerds of'cattle and hors-
es Craze on its extensive plains. and constitute
al this time their principal source Uf wealth.
The mines of Poiosi are also included within
its boundaries. There are no woods for d very
considerable distance from Buenos Ayres.
No forest trees are TO be seen on the widely
Cd int. anli