Page images
PDF
EPUB

proof of loyalty or cooperation? Yet, both never attempted to improve these valuable sentiments, in proper time; nor had either, the courage or the energy, to staunch so many horrors, which issued from this first neglect. Early remedies, one would have thought advisable, if they had been for no other object, than as a means of wisely redeeming this first error.

Every measure, in short, hitherto, prescribed and adopted for American Spain, both by the Cadiz and London cabinets; seems rather to have been dictated by the enemies of both, than as emanating from either a consistency in reasoning, or sound wisdom in political systems. Hitherto, the promises of the one, have been as insincere, as the reproaches of their presses, have been unjust; and every step has helped to plunge European Spain into fresh difficulties, and fresh wants, by depriving her of all her Western sources of revenue. And, could the enemy have desired more? Was, not this, rendering her, a more easy prey to his base attempts? The conduct of the other, besides, aiding to produce the consequences just stated, has transfused an odium to the British name, which will become an hereditary feeling in the descendants of those families, who have suffered and lost so much; and from whose commercial intercourse, present and future, so much private opulence and public revenue, might have been derived. It is, also, in consequence of this odium, that our great and grounded hopes, on the unexplored resources of the Spanish American continent, will, hereafter, be frustrated. And, could the enemies of England, have desired more?

It was, early, evident, from the unjust conduct of the

Cadiz government (and I make this distinction, because the accusation includes not the nation at large) that if Spain was, ever, to restore her authority in the incensed sections of Spanish America, if England did not interfere, it could, only, be at the expence of blood, and at the point of the sword. Victory and terror, in short, were to precede every step of this subjection. And from whence were the armies to come, which were to be made the instruments of these victories and terror? The annals of our own transactions, and our attacks on the shores of Spanish America, might have taught us, that no effective Spanish force existed there, even to resist foreign invasion, much less, to stop the spread of popular commotions. Where the armies of the Peninsula then, whilst so requisite at home, to be sent across the Atlantic, to effect purposes, neither warranted by justice, or recommended by policy? The united exertions of England and Spain, were then engaged in a struggle, the duration of which, was not fixed, and whose sacrifices, could not, at that time, be numbered. Was economy, therefore, no object, in the general scale of consideration? In politics, as well as in mechanics, it is an unpardonable error, to raise a high superstructure, where the basis is not sound and well prepared, and where each corresponding and relative part, is not perfectly adjusted and mutually supported. If we rushed into a treaty with an entire monarchy, without defining or understanding the relative situation, one half bore to the other, what ex pectation could we have, of full and durable effect being given to that alliance; and if we beheld the most essential resources of Spain wasted away, without a struggle to improve, or preserve them, what eventual hopes couli

we have, of crowning our exertions with success, or of giving to that superstructure of friendship; sincerity, and cooperation, on which we had built the hopes of our alliance, any lasting and solid consequences?

[ocr errors]

The world beheld, with astonished wonder, the courageous and energetic manner, in which the people of Spain, rose in arms to repel the insidious invasion of a powerful enemy; and admired the persevering zeal, with which, they continued their enterprize, even amidst the most unheard of difficulties and "hardships. Every nation, has, also, seen, the incalculable good that has been derived from the patriotic display of the energies of a people, of themselves, neither possessed of armies or fleets (comparatively speaking) and who, in short, had little else, than patriotism for their guide and support. But, how much greater, would not have been the benefits and effects thence derived, if this people had only been led on, by a wise, liberal, and just government; and their energies had been seconded, by upright and provident councils? What different effects, would not, then have been produced? Spain has operated as a pivot, on which the great insurrections of the north of Europe, have, in great measure, turned; but how, different, would have been the results, particularly, on her own soil, if all her resources had been> condensed and kept united; if, anarchy, distrust, and open enmity, had been prevented; and if her European, as well as American strength, had been directed, in a straight line, towards the main object in view? Spain, should, unfortunately, fall, it will not have been from want of energy, and patriotism on the part of the people, so much, as in consequence of a want of pecuniary resources. It will, rather, have been owing to the

If

debility of her government, the increase of disunion and distrust, and finally, because care has not been - taken, to keep together, the most interesting elements of the state.

[ocr errors]

The more closely we examine the subject matter in view, the more plain and manifest it appears, that the transmarine provinces of Spain, at the period, when the whole monarchy was deprived of its sovereign, could be viewed in no other light, by the newly constituted authorities of Spain, than as forming a people, in every sense, equal with themselves, and entitled to the right of replacing the lost authority of the king, in the same way as had been done, in the Peninsula. The only bond of union, which existed between the two, was the person of the king; Spanish America to Spain, had no other legal relation, than that of belonging to the same sovereign, and forming part of the same nation. Yet, both the Juntas of Seville and Asturias, pretended a full sovereignty over the sections of America; each used every exertion to obtain it, not as it would appear, to confer happiness, to give redress, and to act with liberal justice; but, rather, to monopolize more resources, to obtain the produce of the mines, and to enjoy a more extended sphere of command. So great were those exertions made to - ensure control, and so well disposed, and habitually sub.. missive, were the Spanish Americans, that the Central Junta was, at one time, notwithstanding its manifest illegality, acknowledged by all the viceroys and captain-generals, tribunals, and cabildos, abroad;* not that this

Quito, was the only section, that opposed allegiance to the • Central -Junta; but this was a temporary occurrence, obedience being, soon, inforced by the troops of Lima and Santa Fet

*was an act, in which the people at large were implicated, for the constituted authorities, did it as a means to preserve their own power, and retain their offices. The cas bildos assented from European influence, but possessing, in themselves, scarcely the smallest shadow of popular representation, from the seats therein, being more purchasable than elective, they had, consequently, no right, of any kind, to transfer the sovereignty of the American people, to any isolated body of the Peninsula whatever. How could it, therefore, be expected, that a people, neither consulted nor represented, would willingly and permanently acknowledge a corporation, which, in the Peninsula itself, had only a provisional character, and, besides, being defective in its legal essence, was, also, divested of every efficient form.

The only fair and just manner, in which it is possible to interpret the unalienable and imprescriptible rights of a nation, and such as they are supposed to reside in every people, is, by fixing, as a basis, that all the divisions and members thereof, have an equal right to share in the national representation; the only fountain of civil liberty, and the only means of guarding against, and of correcting the abuses of that government and administration, which all have considered necessary, from a principle of general good. This principle of mutual benefit, founded on consent, constitutes the really true, and strong tie, which binds the willing obedience of society. These are rights, which, therefore, are considered, as never having been affected or lost, by any possible cir cumstances; and, they are of such a nature, that no generation can deprive their posterity of them. Conse quently, the rights of the Spanish Americans, could not

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »