land, imbibe sentiments of compassion, and feelings of personal interest, for the natives of Spanish America; which were gradually confirmed and strengthened,by the writings of Robertson and others, as well as by the line of policy some of our late ministers traced out, for their political conduct. Our illustrious Pitt, felt this just and rational sympathy, and clearly saw, that the improvement of so immense and diversified a continent, would not only redound to the advantage of Europe in general; but would,in a pre-eminent degree, contribute to the commercial prosperity of the nation, over which he presided. He was undoubtedly aware, that Spain, from her geographical position, from the debased state of her government, and her want o energy, industry, and firmness; could be considered, as little else than a province of France; who, by the sale of her goods, and by the exactions of her government, absorbed all the treasure that arrived from the settlements, of which Spain was scarcely more than the landing place. He evidently saw, that the resources of the continental war, were, thus considerably increased; and with a magnanimity and foresight peculiar to his character, he resolved to cut off this annual accession of wealth from our rival, and to give it a new channel. That same enlightened statesman, reasoning on the independence of Spanish America, and contemplating the wonderful changes, the discovery and possession of that immense and fruitful country, produced on the continent of Europe, nay, in the whole world, even when its resources were yet in embryo; naturally calculated the greater change that must ensue, from its separation, in its present comparatively ad vanced state; and that the benefits, thence to be derived, would, consequently, result

in favour of the country, that aided to effect so impor tant an event.

Forcibly urged by these strong and flattering convictions, Mr. Pitt, had ever present to his mind, a change so desirous and momentous, and for the furtherance of his views, and in conformity to his plans, natives of that country were encouraged and collected; some were placed in the charge of our government, and projects were formed. Unfortunately for England, as well as for Spanish America, with very few exceptions, the characters thus encouraged, were neither men of influence, information, or connections; they were, in general, mercenaries, rather intent on their own personal interest and aggrandizement, and if we may judge from the plans adopted in the subsequent ministry, and the complete darkness, in which the government has been kept with regard to Spanish America, and the manner in which it has been misled, they never knew the public sentiment of that continent, and I have the best founded reasons to add, they had neither abilities, nor principles, to aid in any cause, that was to be conducted on the basis of liberality and honour. When the services of such characters, are, still preferred to the sacrifices, approved zeal, and unrequited exertions, of our own subjects; no wonder that the Spanish Americans complain, that our ulteriour views towards them are dishonourable, and that we should, yet, know so little of this valuable portion of the globe, whose resources are so fast wasting from us.

The plans Mr. Pitt adopted for the Spanish settlements, appear to have been an absolute independence, and an entire separation from the mother country. Yet, this was a work of a very complicated and gigantic nature;

the means and persons employed, were not adequate ; nor were the settlements in a state of maturity, for such an, event, or, even disposed for its accomplishment. Posterior circumstances, have proved, in a manner the most evident, that, notwithstanding the wrongs of the Spanish government, a mere reform was wished; and, that the natives of those distant, and injured settlements, were not tired of the name of Spaniards. Perhaps, there is not an instance, when this question was popular in England, in which, both the public and the government, were more deceived, than in the one here alluded to. The fate of our own expeditions to South America, convinced us, that its natives were not debased enough to submit to conquest; and the stages at which the more recent insurrections yet stand, most clearly demonstrate, that the ties of the mother country, were too strong, to be easily shaken, much less so, by exteriour interference. Loyalty was never wanting in Spanish America, and the manner in which the natives have defended their own coasts,* the sacrifices they have, so long, made for the parent state, and their late antipathy to the French, unequivocally prove its existence. It has, only, been (as will, hereafter, be more fully evinced) since ingratitude has been thrown into the cup of the other ills, the settlements had to endure, that the people have been roused, that they have attempted open resistance; but, even yet, they have not generally expressed sentiments, coincident to independence; nay, they yet cling to the Spanish name, revere

* It is a fact, that prior to the expulsion of the Jesuits, no regular Spanish troops were on the American establishment. The unpopularity of this measure, made it requisite to be provided against insurrections of the Indians, which immediately followed, in 1780.

E

the same monarch; the Cadiz government, alone,is the dissentient point.

There are too many public testimonies, on record, for it to be doubted, that the British government was, at one time, busied in either plans of reform, or of separation, for the Spanish American settlements; but they do not appear to have been, publicly, and officially, announced and avowed to them, till June, 1797; notwithstanding the different neighbouring governors, had, long, been corresponding on the subject. About that period, General Picton, governor of Trinidad, by orders of Mr. Secretary Dundas, addressed and circulated a proclamation on all the contiguous main, which, from the express manner in which it acknowledges, the oppression and tyrannic system exercised there; as well, as from its containing the most ample and express proffers of friendship; besides actual assurances, of England being ever ready to give aid and support, whenever the inhabitants were disposed to make use of it; I have conceived highly illustrative of my present subject; and have, consequently, placed it in my Appendix, under the head of A; as its insertion in this place, would interfere, too much, with the body of my text. This, was a solemn and sacred pledge, then made to the people of Spanish America, that England felt for their debased situation; was sensible of their wrongs, and was, at all times, ready to redress them. This, was an act, as solemn and as binding, as our first engagements made with the Asturian and Sevilian deputies; and though it would have been inconsistent and dishonourable in England, in such moments as these, to have abetted the absolute independence of Spanish America, it was, however, a most sacred obligation and bounden duty, on her part, to see that the objects of her former promises, now attached to her by a new alliance,

were not butchered as ingrates, totally undeserving of her regard, Her former offers, added to the fresh bonds, she had just contracted with the whole Spanish monarchy, ought to have urged her, to apply those principles of truth and reason, as well as that manly promptitude, which, in general, have guided her cabinet, not only in objects of policy and legislation, but, also, in all foreign transactions, in order to hinder the destruction of the best portion of that same monarchy, that had, now, become our ally, and the common feelings of men, ought to have made us feel for a flagrant and crying injustice, of which we bore a proportionate blame, and of which, eventually, we shall experience the deepest consequences.

Such, as contained in document A. were the sentiments and professions, which the British government, by express command, caused to be manifested and circulated on all the Southern continent of America, and such the assurances which were never withdrawn. They are on public record, they are well remembered by the natives, to whom they were often individually repeated; and up to the time of the late Spanish revolution; and till a change of policy took place, similar sentiments were confirmed by all the governors of the contiguous islands. Thus, did England stand pledged; thus, did she acknowledge the oppression under which the Spanish Americans laboured; and after such a confession, after an offer so solemn and so voluntary; they had the best founded reasons to look up to her, as their future deliverer, from that same oppression, she had so often, and so explicitly deplored. They had substantial grounds to believe, that her sympathetic sentiments were real and sincere; that they had not been proposed as a snare, or under the guise of momentary interest. The least, they were, thence, autho