menced. England ought also to be proud and happy, in being now possessed of such a combination of means of relief, such as is rarely obtained by the most fortuitous circumstances, or the most strenuous of human exertions. And is she not answerable to the whole world, if she neglects them? I have endeavoured, in the course of this exposé, to lay before my readers, not only the nature of this warfare now carrying on, but also the extent of the havoc it has produced. I have further pointed out, in what particular stages, the interposition of the British government would have been effectual, and I will now ask, if all these ravages and horrors could have been foreseen, and if they could have been prevented, by merely giving offence to five illegal Regents, and creating in the Spanish people a temporary disgust, would the object not have been worth running the risk? It was a faction of monopolists we merely had to overcome; but would not the Spanish people at large, when they were fully enlightened on the subject, even have been grateful for our accomplishing a peace? As the Mexican letter already quoted, observes, would not even the Cortes have been reconciled, on receiving remittances of money and other aid from Spanish America, which could not be the case, as long as the war continued? Would not Ferdinand, now he is returned, if he is only actuated by those humane and just principles hitherto attributed to him, have felt more grateful to us, or finding his monarchy in peace and prosperity, than now divided by discord, and the best half in a state of ruins? Would he not have felt more satisfied, that the dictates of justice and equity had been followed, than that his unworthy agents and representatives, should now be charged with the murder

of a million and half of his meritorious and unoffending subjects? And would not England have felt more satisfaction in saving the lives of these, and in sparing their country from universal desolation, than in fawning to a faction, and being subservient to the policy of men, who were dissolving that very community they were placed to defend and consolidate? She could effect the nomination of Lord Wellington, as Generalissimo, as beforestated, a measure fifty times more objectionable; and when interest and humanity pleaded in behalf of the injured and oppressed, means were no longer within her reach. Viewing the matter on a smaller scale, the Govenor of Curacoa, as will be seen at the latter end of document I. was informed by General Bolivar, that the Spanish chief of Puerto Cavello, refused to exchange the few American prisoners he had, comprehended in a solemn capitulation, for 4000 Spaniards taken in action, and from the conduct pursuing, it was evident that the murder of all must soon result. Yet, as an agent of England, he could apply to the Americans for the release of those Spaniards, who had brought all these calamities on themselves, but he could not induce the latter to abide by a sacred capitulation, by which all he sought, would have been obtained. An active and energetic demonstration, on the part of the British Commanders in the West Indies, would have prevented those horrors detailed in document I. would have saved the lives of several thousand unfortunate victims, sacrificed in cold blood; in like manner that an early attention to the rising dissentions in Cadiz, would have been a barrier to all the disasters which have been generated therefrom. If so, individuals ought not to be ashamed, that on this, as well

as the other side of the water, they have zealously endea voured to anticipate all this to the Ministers at home, and to their agents abroad. But to wish well to Spanish America, even consistently with the honour and interest of both Spain and England, now appears to be a crime, when lately, large sums were expended on inconsistent expeditions to that country, and in exploring the foulest sources of information.

The menial, with equity on his side, when contending to escape oppression, is an object worthy of the respect of every one; and is not an entire nation, with whose sufferings and degradation we have so long sympathized whilst struggling against the most despotic and unjust acts, deserving of the regard of England? Can she be deaf to the calls of an interesting people, whilst the unfeeling arm of a dissolute soldiery, pours out, in torrents, their innocent blood, and carries fire and desolation amongst the peaceful dwellings of their unoffending clans? Can she behold, with unconcern, her ally, resorting only to measures inevitably tending to prolong a war, which already makes humanity shudder? Can she, any longer, divest herself of an anxious and watchful solicitude, for the welfare of a people, whom both interest and nature have made so deserving of her protection? After such carnage, havoc, and destruction, must not England be convinced, that the plan, so far, adopted by Spain, is wrong; and that the means employed to carry it into execution, are illegal, unwarrantable, and opposed to every sense of humanity and reason? Is it not now evident, that to recriminate, is not the way to reconcile; and that to rail at rebels, even if the Spanish Americans merited that name, is not the way to subdue them? To

carry on all these excesses, are not the most fundamental of the Spanish laws themselves, trampled to the ground? The most express statutes of the Indies, forbid the person of an Indian, even when taken in rebellion, and with arms in his hand, from being hurt, till brought before a legal authority; but, here, we see them wantonly murdered in thousands, even whilst kneeling for mercy. The distressed situation of Spanish America, and the horrid aggravations under which it daily increases, at this peculiar moment, presents a subject, highly deserving of the contemplation of the thinking part of our community; and it becomes a question, which every Briton ought to ask, whether the dawn which now brightens on the old world, ought not to remove the gloomy clouds which overhang the new one? The conduct of Spain to her ultramarine provinces, has been equally hostile to the maxims of reason and justice, as well as opposed to the common rights of mankind; and no policy whatever can warrant transactious which are flagrantly unjust. It is not only England, but the whole world, that is interested in the cessation of the horrors committing in Spanish America, though, as the ally of Spain, England is the most interested. If, by her treaty, she is withheld from this act of justice, it is an engagement, made contrary to the common feelings of mankind, and obvious policy, and it now operates as a league, against the most sacred rights of an unoffending people. But if this treaty was made with the Spanish monarchy, it is binding to all its parts; and all are equally deserving of a participation of the objects for which it was formed. If so, is not Spanish America entitled to some share of that sympathy, we have so long lavished on Spain? Yes,

and the impartial mind must be lead to conclude, that the dictates of humanity, and the imperious calls of justice, urge us, at this propitious moment, to labour in a most strenuous manner, to put an end to the bloody and unnatural warfare, with which, that unfortunate country is now desolated.

§ In the preceding division of my subject, I appealed to the good sense, humanity and justice of the British government, as well as to the generous and sympathetic feelings of the people of England, by laying before them, a brief sketch of the nature and extent of the horrors and enormities committing in Spanish Columbia, urging a mediatory interference, that might staunch so many wrongs, and put an end to such an useless and wanton waste of blood and treasure. It now remains for me, to bring forward those arguments of policy, which support my assumed premises, and to examine the grounds of expediency, which interest the minister, merchant, and politician.

In extending our views to the other side of the Atlantic, the mind is filled with pleasurable wonder and astonishment, on beholding the situation, extent, and varied resources of that immense continent, ranging from the Mississcippi to Cape Horn, and washed by two great oceans. Gifted with the choicest bounties of nature, if we examine its numerous and diversified productions, we shall discover luxuries which deceive the burden of life, substantial food and drugs, which support and prolong it; and if we refer to our imports, besides coin and bullion, we shall see we are indebted to it, for most of those manufacturing materials, which invigorate the springs of our national industry, and extend and animate