Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-11-27
RICHMOND. NOVEMBER %.
SOUTH AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS

SOUTH AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS
The reports Of Messrs. Rodney and
Graham are now i'm print-tl,at Of MIR.
Bland is not yet handed in.-We shall
lay them before our readers with as mnci,
rapidify Us possible; but as their anxiety
may outstrip our speed, we shall seize
the most interesting points in The papers,
and present them at once TO the reader |:
(a) MIR. X. states The late vicrroyally
| OF Buenos Ayres, at more than 1000
miles from n. to S. and from f. 10 w.
| not less than 100. Ii was composed of
0 provinces, viz. -Buenos Ayres, Para
| quay, Cordova, Saits, Poiosi, La Plata,
ChociIabamba, La Paz and Pi,no. Since
| the revolution, more have been carved
| out, making III all IA. 10 wit: Tucuman,
| taken of from Salta Mendoza or Cuyo,
taken from Cordova; COrricmtes Enire
Rios. comprising the country between
the Uruguay and the Parana and the
| Banda Oriental, or eastern shore of the
river La Plata. OF these Is, the follow
ing 9 are independent de taeto of Spain,
( and in possession of the Patriots, viz.
Buenos Ayres, Paraguay, Mendoza, Sal
| la, Corientes. Entire Rios, and Banda
Oriental. Paraguay is independent of
| Buenos Ayres, but on good terms with
her. Entre Rios. &S The Banda Oriental,
| are under Arigas, and at war with B.
| Ayres.-Ihe remaining s were wholly or
partially controlled by The Royal troops !;
| though the victory of Maypu MAS calcu-
| lated 10 drive them from these provinces
| into lower Peru
! ~ The territory of the United Provii,-
ces is computed at l50. C0e square leagues.
| (c) The population, exclusive of I'm
| dams, about 800, OO0-but adding the
| civilized Indians, may exceed 1000, 900.
| The Province of BuenOs Ayres, about
1900 that of Entire Rios and Banda
| Oriental at O,OO0.-The city ofB. Ayres
| alone, 6O.C00.
! (d) The army Of the United Provinces,
| well trained, nearly 80, 0OO-composed of
regular troops, ciorcos and milltia-l2. lf3
are troops of The line. This statement
however includes only the militia OF the
| province of Duenos Ayres.-Ihe supply
oil arms and ammunition, ample.
! (e1 The fevenue, about S 5000, GEO an
nuall y--but their system Of finance very
imperfect, and their credit low, though
their debt is small. They have no bank
| -rsr have issued paper money.
| O)The general capacities for national
| defence, important in many respects
The nature and extent of the country, the
number of their cavalry, give them nu-
merous advantages over an invading
army.
(g) The General Congress, in 1917,
established provisional constitution
This Congress is composed of deputies
from the different provinces. Ii now con-
sists OF 26 members but all the provin-
ces have not sent deputies in the ratio
allowed, viz. I 10 every $1,000 SOULS
I Reports oftheir proceedings are publish
ed monthly. Their sessions public.
(h) The present constitution provides
for the election Of chief magistrate by
the Congress, removable al their pleasure,
and responsible for the execution Of his
duties.-ln most other respects, il con-
iains distinct recognition of MANY of
the vital principles of free governm emf.
But MIR. K. does not pretend TO determine,
whether any infractions have occurred
since the date of lis existence he, not
being in full possession of The facts
The subject OF permanent constitution
| was then before committee of Is mem
bcrs of Congress-but there were two
parties one for consolidated govern
ment, another for confederaied one like
ours. Mr.. r. seems 10 hope, in either
event, for good regulations
i) The state of trade, agriculture, &c.
greatly improved since the revolution.
The spirit of Improvement may be
seen in every thing" a new impulse
given TO the minds Of the people. The
long slumberiag genius of The country is
awakened. Great attention is paid 10
schools. Next 10 the establishment of
their Independence by arms, the educa-
ton of the iryontb appears to be the great
object. No books prohibited. Three
weekly newspapers all which advocate
the principles of liberty. Several book
stores, whose profits are rapidly increas.
ing
| ~ Anigas is thought by persons en-
titled 10 credit, 10 be a iirm friend 10 The
independence of The country" Mr.. h.
waves any decided opinion on this point.
He is, unguesiionabIy, a man OF rare
aud singular talents" Attempts have
been made by b. A. to conciliate and
unite with him; but have failea.-Ihe
consequences OF this warfare are serious
ly lamented.-Tl Portuguese, being al.
so a, war with ArtIgas, and masters oil
The navigation OF La Plata, have induced
and compelled b. A. 10 adopt cautious
and moderate policy towards them-but
Mr.. II. thinks, she will ultimately break
with the government of the Bazils.
(e) No foreign power has ever yet re
cognlZed Buenos Ayres. With none, has
she more than friendly understanding
MIR. Graham concurs with Mr.. X. in :
variety OF points; but on others give.
different Information and results. Severa
shades OF opinion may be traced, bu
which we cannot specify in this very &c
neral sketch. We omit several thing,
which concur with the above and shall
only seize very few great points which
are either new or different, or slrongl,
corroborated.
(c) The population official state
H. euts given in our comtn;sg;o,ara .,.,t