CHAPTER XIV.

RELATIONS WITH SOUTH AMERICAN STATES.

All Spanish America on Continent emancipated-Spain, Assyrian monarchy of modern times-Dismemberment awakens melancholy reflections-Writers too sanguine in regard to free governments— North American Revolution excited extravagant hopes-Difference between liberty and independence-England early had a project to emancipate South America--Miranda--Jesuits--Cooperation of United States sought-Letters of Miranda to Hamilton-Plan for emancipation—France, a similar scheme—1808, beginning of revolution-Oppressions of the colonies-Lord Wellington ordered to Spain instead of South America-Napoleon's designs on that continent-Instructions to his agent-Ignorance and apathy of the natives -Buenos Ayres made most rapid progress--Agents sent secretly by United States-Alarmed by movements of France and England— Transactions of this government with that continent―Agents from South America in this country-Not received-Tupac Amaru-Account of revolution in different provinces-Great vicissitudes as well as cruelties-Manifests of independence-Negotiations of colonies with mother country-Different motives in commencing revolution-Report of House of Representatives on negotiation-Ministers appointed-Obstacles to progress of revolution-Old Spaniards held all offices-All the capital-Nobility-Different races of men—Present state of republics-General boundaries-Spain protests feebly against recognition-Appeals to Holy Alliance-Declaration of EnglandTreaties with Colombia and Guatimala-Congress of Panama-Account and discussion of that important business-Never held-General remarks on intercourse with South America-Present state of diplomatic relations-Brazil-Diplomatic relations.

Or the kingdom of the Indies in this quarter of the globe there still exists entire but a small remnant, composed of the islands of Cuba, Porto Rico and a portion of St. Domingo.

On the main land, the vast possessions of Spain are now wholly emancipated ;-the Vice Royalties of Mexico, La Plata, Peru, and New Granada and the Captain Generalships of Chili, Caraccas and Guatimala have been merged or mouldered into the Republics of Peru, Chili, Mexico, Colombia, the United Provinces, and the federation of the centre of America.

This fatal dismemberment of the Assyrian monarchy of modern times cannot be viewed but, in some sort, with melancholy feelings. Whether the imagination is fascinated and bewildered by the splendid phraseology of the court of Castille and Arragon,--by the former extent of her possessions, spreading over the largest as well as the best portion of the globe, kingdoms constituting her colonies;—by the romantic enterprizes and achievements of Cortes in Mexico, of Pizarro in Peru, the first European adventurers, that penetrated, with success, into the Cordilleras of the new world, by the relation of the countless treasures, found in those countries;--by the expeditions, undertaken in search of the "golden region," a mysterious territory, placed in the midst of the Andes, and holding the same rank in the fabulous history of modern times as that of the golden fleece of antiquity;-or by a sort of uncertain, undefined impression, that has always existed concerning the wealth of the mines of South America;-at any rate, these considerations have imparted a charm and interest to this continent, all must have deeply felt.

Many writers, looking at the single relation of colony and metropole, have expressed surprise, that the independence. of the South American states should have been so long delayed, and have been betrayed into hasty and unreasonable complaints, that colonies, all over the world, did not immediately aspire to the distinction and privilege, long ago asserted and obtained by the northern portion of this hemisphere. There are, undoubtedly, certain accidents, or events that exercise a general, indirect influence, either in hastening, or retarding the developement of a great political change; but, after all, the revolution is substantially effected by the

character and condition of the people, concerned in the enterprize. In the modern (much less in the Spanish) sense of the term, the United States were never colonial, and the moment they discovered a disposition in the mother country to reduce them to this condition, to restrict their commerce in a harsh, jealous manner, they began, at once, a war of petitions, resolutions and town meetings, which ended, as all such things must do with a people of their character and of that of the mother country, in a conflict of a very different description; it was, in substance a war for commercial freedom, but in that circumstance may be discerned the germ and principle of all their rights. The anglo-Americans would not have endured for one brief month the insults, vexations and oppressions, to which the Spanish Americans have submitted for three hundred years. Their revolution, therefore, can serve as a model for other similar undertakings, only for the single consideration, that it led to a dismemberment. At least, it is quite evident, that the example of this portion of the continent exercised, during the last century, no sort of influence on the southern, where, the greatest part of the time, a discouraging apathy and hopeless lethargy prevailed. Even if there were discontents,* disaffection,

* There is a curious proof of the notice Miranda and his cause attracted in England, even at an early period, in the political Herald and Review for the year 1785.

"The flame kindled in North America," says the writer in that work, as was foreseen, has made its way into the American dominions of Spain. That jealousy, which confined the appointments of government in Spanish America to native Spaniards, and established other distinctions between these and their descendants on the other side the Atlantic, has been a two edged sword and cut two ways. If it has hitherto preserved the sovereignty of Spain in those parts, it has sown the seeds of a deep resentment among the people. Conferences are held, combinations are formed in secret among a race of men whom we shall distinguish by the appellation of Spanish Provincials. The example of North America is the great subject of discourse and the grand object of imitation. In London, we are well assured, there is, at this moment, a Spanish American of great consequence and possessed of the confidence of his fellow-citizens, who aspires to the glory of being the deliverer of his country.”

and occasionally obscure plots, briefly and easily stifled with the blood of a few unfortunate victims, the people, at large, neither sought for liberty, nor possessed any accurate notions respecting their situation.

But the position of the Spanish colonies on the main early attracted the attention of some European statesmen, actuated, probably, by any other motive than a desire to fashion them into republics. The object was either political or commercial, though, we think it likely, the revolution of the United States and the part, one of the leading powers of Europe acted on that occasion, may have suggested the magnificent project of accomplishing the independence of Spanish America. The British ministry seriously entered upon this business in the year 1790, at the time of the difficulties with Spain, respecting Nootka Sound. No government was better acquainted with the difficulty of subduing rebellious colonists, or would be less grieved, that a similar calamity, from which they themselves still suffered both loss and mortification, should befall Spain. It is possible that General Miranda, who has figured in so many revolutions, may have been the author of the scheme, though the British government, from the experience they possessed, needed very little prompting in regard to that matter. Several of the Jesuits, expelled from the Spanish settlements and who had sought refuge in Italy, were invited to London by Mr. Pitt, both to give information, and take a part in the operation. Though an accommodation was shortly after effected with Spain, assurances were given to Miranda and the Jesuits, of whom the Spaniard, Don Pablo Gusman was one, that the liberation of South America would still be kept in view by the ministry.

In 1792 the republican rulers in France, who spared no continent in their projects for fraternity and emancipation, entered, with zeal and vivacity, into an engagement to accomplish the same object we have just mentioned, though urged to undertake the enterprize by different motives. The proposition was originally communicated by Brissot to Dumourier (commanding the French armies in the Neth

erlands, with whom Miranda was serving) in the following terms; Spain is ripe for liberty, her government is resuming its preparations. We must, therefore, undertake our own to naturalize liberty there. This revolution should be commenced both in European and American Spain. The fate of this last revolution depends on a single man; you revere and esteem him; it is Miranda. He will soon bring to reason the turbulent whites in the colonies, and will become the idol of the men of colour. How easy to excite a rebellion in Spain and Spanish America. How easy, with twelve thousand troops of the line, now at St. Domingo, and with ten or fifteen thousand brave mulattoes, to invade the Spanish colonies. The name of Miranda is worth an army." This enterprize was also abandoned on account of the discouraging views presented by Miranda, himself, and the pressure of other affairs. In 1797 the aid of Great Britain was, a second time, invoked for the accomplishment of this great work and, as it would appear, in quite a grave and imposing manner; proposals being formally made by a number of emissaries from Mexico and other Spanish provinces, assembled at Paris, the substance of which is contained in the following abstract :

"The first article states, that the Hispano-American colonies, having, for the most part, resolved to proclaim their independence, were induced to address themselves to the government of Great Britain, in the confidence, she would not refuse them that assistance, which Spain, herself, in the midst of peace had not declined extending to the British colonies in America;—

"The second article stipulates the sum of thirty millions sterling, which South America would pay to Great Britain for the assistance required;

"The third article states, the amount of the British force which was deemed requisite ;

"The fourth article it is proper to present in the words of the document itself. A defensive alliance formed between Great Britain, the United States and South America is so recommended by the nature of things, by the geographical situation of the three countries, by the productions, wants, character, habits and manners