Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-01

| 3262
| This army was composed of oil the regular
soldiers tseS could spare from Lima, who we're
united, atTalcaguna, TO The royalforces LETT ian
~. By The hattie VI Mairn Il has ceased to
| ,Aist. The probable effects in Peru, and other
| parts of Sputh America, may be conjectured,
bur cannot be affirmed The same gentleman
who has been mentioned, and who is CONVEX
| SAINT ~ Peruvian affairs, spprehended that i'm.
| pOrtant changes would result
canno, conclude this paper, without draw
lag your attention 10 rapid survey OF the ie-
tornis and improvement in the province of
buepos Ayres, produced by the revolution, and
its influence OH knowledge, society and inaii-
ners.
The effects'of the revolution are visible in
the changes produced in the state of society.
| The difference in the freedom OF acting and
thinking, which preceded the revelation must
necessarily be great. The freedom of cora
merce must Ia, given spring 10 eXeriions Of
native enterprise and intelligence, while the
active scores CT war and politics. for the last
ten years, have awakened the genius of the
country, which had so long slumbered. The
generation now on the Stage may almost be-
SAID to have been reared under siew order of
things. The common stock of ijcs- ainGn, The
people has been greatly augmented rthp naiu.
raj consequence of the important political
events winch daily traIsliie. and ia which
levety man Ike the citizen OF lIens, feels an n-
tereSt. HE newspapers are every wherecircu-
lated, together with the naniiesioes OF goveriI-
NNl'u ~ OUilvtU 10 cONIl
ofpublic opinion OH all measures ofnlomen,. 1t
is not very unusual for the same coguiryman,
who, few years ago. never troubled himself
about any thing beyond the narrow circle OF
his domestic concerns, TO purchase nevspa
per on coming 10 town as a matter of course,
and, 1t unable TO read, to request the first one
he meets to do him that favor. The country
\ cnrates are, moreover, eWoined 20 read the
newspapers ard manifeStoes regularly 10 their
locks. The spirit of improvement may be seen
IN every thing. Even some OF those who are
| under the influence OfstrOng rrriudices against
| the revolution. frequently remark the changes.
for better which have taken place. Their
habit, manners, dress, aud mode of living,
have been improved by intercourse with stran.
gers, and the free introduction of foreign
customs, particularly English. American and
French. Great prejudiees prevail against
whatever is Spanish. IL is even offensive TO
them to be called by this name; they prefer 10
be identified with the aboiigines oitie country.
The appellation which they have assumed, and
| III which they take pride, is that of South
Americans.
| a powerful stimulus must necessarily have
| been given 10 their industry, by two importan,
| circums tances, the dimunition i'm prices Of
| foreign merchandise, aud the great increase in
value OF tile products of the country, with the
consequent rise of property. Though the
grounds in the neighhourhood of cities are
highly improved, as | have already stated,
| agriculture, comparatively speaking, is III a
| low condition. IL general the lands are badly
iiiied. The plough is rarelyused, and the sub
siitute is very Indifferent one. But, notwitb.
indlng the disadvantages of The present
method OF culture, was Informed by reputable
| persons that the average crop OF wheat is moi
less than 90 bushels per acre i'll good seasons.
] On the subject OF religion. especially. the
change in the public mind has been very
great. The catholic faith is established as that
| of the state, but there are many advocates,
| both In conversation and writing OF universal
federation. Some members Of congress are
| strongly in favor of il, bat eigno rant and
supersii;ious part OF the people, together with
| the regular clergy, would not be satisfied with
! sHch measure-wiiile the lberality prevail.
| lug among tue better informed classes is sue n
| as To secure IA virtuons liberation for the pre-
| sent Besides, from the circumstance OF there
being no sects in the country, such provision
| may wait the progress of liberaIiIy in public
| opinion. In fact, the human mind has been
| set free, OF all matters Of a general abstract
| nature, although the liberty of the press is
| circumscribed III some degree with respect 10
structures on public measures and men aud III Q
established religion but there is neither in
QUESTION nor previous license. They ackuow-
| ledge the pope, as n spiritual head meTeIy and
| do not think him entitled to amy authority to
interfere in their temporal concerns. His hnll
| IN favor of the king ofSpain against The colo.
nlstS, which may he almost ree aided as an ex.
communication, producedlittIe orno sensation.
| The number of monks and nuns never were
! very great III Bnenos Ayres, when compared
! with other portions of the Spanish domnioiIs
| They have diminished since the revolution.
| There was AT one time positive law passed
| l0rbidding any one to becOme monk or
| nun bat they we're Obliged TO repeal it, aud il
| was afterwards passed with some modiica.
| lions. The restrictions substituted, aided by
| Pnbllc opinion, have nearly produced the de-
4 sired effect. Few of the Youth OF the country
| apply themselves to the study of theOiOgy +,
since other occupations, mach more tempting
| 10 their ambition, have been open to their
| GlIoice. Formerly, the priesthood was the
| chef aim of yOnng nicu of The best families
| " no we're DESTROYS Of distinction as, in fact
it constituted almost the only profession, to
Iv bich these who had received liberal educa
ton could devote them.elyes: which will rea-
dis account for the circumstance of so tnsuy
of the secular clergy directing their attention,
| at present, almost exclusively 10 politics. The
| regular clergy, who are not permitted by the
nature OF tier profession. 20 take part IN the
business Of the world, or 10 hold secular Of.
fees, are many Of them Europeans but those
of them who are natives, take the same lively
iBterest ia passing events, with the other class.
eS of the community.
| They have gone cautiously 10 work in re-
forms in the different branches Of their mnui-
cpal laws, and the administration Ut them.
The number OF Offices has been considerably
diminished, and responsibility rendered more
direct aud severe. The Judiciary system has
undergone many improvements, smd nearly
all The leading features Of the law, which did
not harmOBize with the principles OF tree go
vernmeBt, have been expunged, though some
of the former evils still remain. The barba
rous impOsitions on the abOrigiues have been
{ abolished. The odious aIcavala, and othci
obnoxious taxes, modified, so as 10 he no long
or vexatious-slavery and the slave trade
l. forbidden IN future-aDd all titles ct noblit
o prohibited under the pain Of the loss Oi csti
4 lcnsiiip. The Law OF prim0geniiurc IS ais
= expunged from their System. Ia the prov