humanity. These elucidations were necessary, to a fair view of the question; and I will now proceed to prove the necessity, nay, the bounden duty, in which both Spain and England stand, of allaying these feuds, by the ra tionalmeans of mediation, and not by a continuation of horrors. It will also appear, that from the commanding attitude of the latter, as well as to enhance the general triumphs of peace, she is particularly called upon, at the present moment, to use her most strenuous exertions, to stop the ravages of civil war in a country, bound to her by a sacred alliance, and formerly, the object of her repeated offers and warm assurances. That it is time to put an end to devastations, which have already spread widely in this fair portion of the globe, which have converted the seat of quiet, improvement, and riches, into scenes of carnage, anarchy, and destruction; and have, besides, reduced the inhabitants to the greatest distress. I shall found my arguments on the grounds of humanity and justice, and then support them, by collateral consi derations of policy and expediency.

It cannot but afford rational and sincere satisfaction to the benevolent mind, that in Europe, a period has been put to a long and arduous contest; that the great effusion of human blood is stopped, and that a more splendid scene opens on the view, which, like another morning-star, promises the brighter era of a new day. England had long risked her existence, for the preservation of her station in the scale of empires, and has, at last, by rescuing millions from the hand of oppression, laid the foundation, it is to be hoped, of a great and lasting peace. Arrived at the close of this anxious struggle for the liberties of mankind, she cannot but look around and feel

regret, that in any other quarter of the world, however distant, the same horrors yet continue; and having already extended the olive branch over convulsed Europe, she must naturally reason, that it will not be less honourable and less just, to spread the blessings of peace and regeneration, over Spanish America, There, as lately in Europe, the ocean has been ruffled by a long and tremendous hurricane, and it is impossible for the waves to subside on its agitated expanse, unless the discordant winds are first lulled into harmony and quiet. Whilst in this quarter of the globe, all is harmony and peace, in the West, war yet rages, under the most savage form. And can England, loaded with the blessings of all Europe, be unmindful of these horrid scenes, in Spanish America?

Spain, also, by this time, having gained her object, and succeeded in freeing her territory from invasion, is particularly called upon, at the present hour, to feel towards her sister provinces of America, that sympathy for their distressed condition, with which she lately sought to inspire England, and the rest of the world. Warned by a superiour voice, it now becomes her, with calm judg ment and impartial feelings, to review the causes of these unfortunate dissentions, of which, if the grounds are found on her side, and emanating from a want of liberality and just redress, it is her duty and her interest, to relinquish a war now carrying on for an object, unjust and inconsistent; and which, even if attained, can only be preserved, with great difficulty and expence. Above all, it is an obligation both sacred and pressing, to exchange the sword for the olive-branch, and instead of incurring fresh expences, in prosecuting hostilities, both unnatural and

ruinous, she is bound to look to her own reform, to organize her own government, to retrieve her own credit, and especially, to remove that anarchy and confusion, with which she is secretly devouring within herself. The great body of the Spanish people, is fatigued and worn out by complicated calamities, experienced during their long and harassing invasion; and instead of weakening herself by those fresh equipments her papers already announce, and the monopolists of Cadiz so intemperately urge, Spain is called upon to use measures of conciliation, and on a solid and lasting basis, to re-establish those brotherly and amicable relations, which reciprocal interests, and a mutual bond, produce between kindred states, who by a fair and equal interchange of good offices and sincere fellowship, seek to promote the happiness, prosperity and security of each other. The situation of the Spanish monarchy, and the experience of the past, require, that the various parts of the empire, should have their respective interests, so justly defined and appreciated, that justice may be rendered to all. In ascertaining the various rights of each, the supreme authority ought to be enabled to apportion out the respective share of burdens, which public exigence may require, and that quantum of free enterprise, whereby the interests of one portion of the community, may not be sacrificed to those of the other. Spanish America, standing on an equal footing with the mother country, is entitled to the fair reward of industry and personal sacrifice, and to such a governing system, as may promote her happiness. This requital, she has a right to demand, and she ought to obtain it, in defiance of private influence or arbitrary power. The very essence of every political compact, is, the reciprocity of

advantage, conferred and received, by each part of the united body. The advantages Spain receives from her union with Spanish America, are great and manifold; the latter, is conquently, entitled to a full requital. As an integral part of the empire, and equal in every sense, the inhabitants of the ultramarine provinces of Spain, have a right to sue for all those privileges and enjoyments, which those of the Peninsula can boast, and considering that the due administration of government, is the strongest cement of all communities, it belongs to them to insist on receiving such a one, as may raise them from their late abject condition, promote personal freedom, and invigorate all the operations of agriculture and commerce. Scattered on an extensive surface of country, with an intervening ocean, the inhabitants of Spanish America, are possessed of the right of having within themselves, the means of redress and appeal, and particularly, a check on arbitrary power; since from the bad administration of government, more detriment results of the people governed, than if the plan was in itself defective. If therefore, the present cruel and rash hostility of Spain, is intended to prevent this reasonable and just restoration of rights, it is an iniquitous league against liberty and justice, and the high minded generosity of the British character, can never ap plaud it, or continue to behold it with cold indifference.

It may, perhaps, by some, be thought too late to enquire into the justice of the grounds and principles, on which the war waging against Spanish America, commenced; or to take this general review of the subject. It certainly is, if Spain will no longer listen to reason, and if England refuses to embrace the opportunity now before her, of putting an end to scenes, which the mind cannot contemplate, without emotion. The war carrying

on by Spain against her offspring, is like the arbitrary and imperious interference of a father, attempting to meddle and dictate in the private affairs of a son, who has long ago, laid aside the trammels of minority and de pendence, and who has already grown to man's estate.→ The people of Spanish America, may at least, rest their justification in the assurance, that through their deputies in the Cortes, as well as by the repeated offers of their in surrectional chiefs, they have made every effort for some rational and equitable compromise, and that if these horrors still continue, it is not they who are to blame In the complication of distress, to which Spanish America has been reduced, mutual sacrifices must be made on all sides; a disposition to lay aside jealousy and ill-will, must be manifested, and a liberal basis of perfect reciprocity, must be established. This is the moment for the establishment of just and equal principles, and whilst England contemplates with satisfaction, the benefits which the close of a tremendous revolution in Europe, insures to the world, she cannot, without an impeachment of her justice and humanity, consent to the prosecution of an unjust war, accompanied by horrors, equal to those of the tomahawk and scalping knife, which stained the contest with North America. If also, peace is not restored between Spain and Spanish America, in an honourable and consistent manner, it is much to be feared, that the rich harvest of success, and the means of national felicity, which the former has obtained through the perseverance and exertions of England, will be blasted and rendered abortive. And what is the state of warfare, which does not admit of explanation and adjustment, if the parties are only cordial?

After the hostilities which have now been carrying on