that it was not English arms, but the English constitution, that conquered Ireland. This it was, that made her the great and flourishing country she now is, and instead, of a disgrace and a burden, she thus became our principal strength and most glorious ornament. To produce the same results in Spanish America, owing to distance, and a variety of other reasons already explained, were impossible, unless a monarch, or some other corresponding power, equally resided there. For the king of Spain, to have two beings, is, also, alike impossible. But yet Ferdinand has brothers, and there is likewise his uncle Don Antonio. Spanish America, might be divided into two great empires, New Spain ranging as far as the isthmus of Panamá, and the rest incorporated under one sceptre, as far as Cape Horn. Let branches of the royal family of Spain reign there, in a permanent manner, let them only be attached to the soil. Let their title be king, or viceking, the name is indifferent, as long as they have a congress, or parliament, as a check and support; the form is nothing, as long as the establishment is lasting. Let a new confederation be created between Spain and these two new empires; such a one, as shall at all times, be more profitable to the mother-country, than a state of degradation and dependence; such a one, in short, as will give her both additional strength and increasing riches. Let the relative footing and duties of cach, be well defined and mutually guaranteed, and let England be the promoter and protector of this confeder

* The Infante Don Francisco de Paula, has been excluded from the succession, by the old Cortes, on the vague report of his being the son of Godoy. He is, indeed, extremely like him, but the fact was never established judicially.

ation. Would it not be a more noble and more honourable boast, than the late one of the Rhine? What minister would not consider this, as the fairest title to glory, and the most deserving of the veneration of posterity? When the beneficial results of such a confederation, were experienced, would not this be a means of binding both European and American Spain, to our interests for ever? Nay, I will ask, under every circumstance, is there any other way of raising the latter from degradation; or creating an adequate establishment that may provide for the comforts and prosperity of an interesting people, consistently with the dignity of the parties most immediately concerned, and the interests of the rest of the world?

Self interest, and the safe and sober measures taken by the individual for his own aggrandizement, constitute the chief impulse which directs the industry and views of every branch of the community; and in general, a regular adhesion to these principles and to this guide, will, most effectually, promote and secure the advantages of society at large. The individual, beholds with dread, the prospect of a great and desirable gain, wrenched from him; and with equal regret, ought a whole nation to see the means of its own elevation lost. It ought to feel an instinctive alarm, at the marring of a bright and lasting dawn, serenely opening on its most valuable branches of enterprize. Yet nothing can realize this prospect, but a restoration of peace; and nothing can retain it, but systems of a liberal and permanent nature. After the experience of the past, let us look to the future. Whilst the daring spirit of the British merchant, has extended our commercial relations to both extremi

ties of the globe, Spanish America is the only country with which we have no regular connection; let us, at least, in an honourable and dignified manner, secure this rich harvest to our posterity, on whom we have entailed so many burdens. Let us ensure to them and to ourselves, the good will of a distant continent, on whose friendship we may, in future, rely. In promoting the happiness, let us be ambitious of the gratitude of seventeen millions of people. We have the means in our hands, let them be improved. Let us aim at a confederation, to which we are urged, both by interest and glory.

In our superabundant population, and in the great decline of the means of subsistence, from the increasing dearth of provisions, many families are scarcely able to maintain themselves, and either from these motives, urged by the views of speculation, or under the influence of political or religious opinions, leave their native country, in order to seek a new sphere for their exertions. Others, again, seek an asylum from misfortune, and many of the Northern inhabitants of the continent of Europe, fly from the turbulence of war. The United States, have hitherto been the receptacle of all these classes of persons, and it is an undoubted fact, that they have there greatly helped to the increase of population. We find it impossible to hinder emigration from Ireland, and would it not be better for them to go in search of homes, to a country, allied to us as would be Spanish America, under the project I propose, where their de scendants may be our friends, instead of our enemies; where they may be occupied in the cultivation of those articles, we require for our manufactures; where they

may aid to their consumption, and where in short, if we lose them out of our own bosom, we are at least sure, that they are not gone to augment the number of those, who at one time or another, may grow to our dread, and prosper to our disadvantage. This is not a country, that requires the aid of slaves to till it and make it flourish; it asks not the African inured to a scorching sun, but it possesses regions, suited to the labour of the European in general. There, the soft and effeminate Italian, may find a congenial climate, as well as the hardy highlander of Scotland. How easy would it be for England, to collect and convey there, the sober and industrious overflowings of the population of Europe; those, who when the strength and fury of conflicting passions have been spent; those who when appalled by surrounding slaughter, and tired of scenes of horror, may wish to go in search of the peaceful abodes of industry, quiet, and repose. Then, may they have these regions to receive them, with open arms; then, may they add to the glory of these new empires, and whilst war wages on the continent, whilst distress and dismay stare its inhabitants in the face, the ocean and this great portion of the globe, may be declared inviolable, and enthroned on the watery element, England may stretch her immortal trident, and there, at least, bid the tempest be still.

§ If therefore, an over delicacy on the part of England, has been the cause of a prolongation of the horrors already sketched; if from a want of energy, and by a tame subserviency to Spain, the calls of humanity, prudence, and interest, have been unheard; is it not time, to ponder on the distressed situation of Spanish America, and as a compensation for our past neglect, nay, as a re

turn for the unprovoked aggravations we ourselves once brought on the heads of its inhabitants, and also to retrieve our honour, is it not time to fix the principles and basis, essential to the restoration of peace? As before inculcated, Spain is a party, under irritated and partial feelings, and consequently, cannot be her own umpire. By her conduct, and by the hostile, cruel, nay inhuman, instead of conciliatory measures, pursued, she has hurled the arrow of defiance at every hope of reconciliation, by her own means; and oppression and narrow-minded policy, have completed that baneful structure, of which political hatred, the clashing of interests, and the deadly spirit of monopoly, first laid the foundation. As before clearly proved, for Spain to affiance her sway in the manner she now seeks, it must be on the ruin or degradation of a forsaken, but unoffending people. Yet still, her object is not secure. She may, for a while, rivet and prolong the chains of despotism; from her fortified places, the illusion may yet be maintained, and harrassing expeditions may be fitted out to carry discord and havoc amongst the persevering natives. Spain may, yet, use further exertions, and send out more troops, till the whole country is wrapped in a wider, and still more bloody waste of anarchy and slaughter; but in all, or either of these cases, does not the philanthropic mind stand appalled ; does not human nature shudder at such devastations, murders, and enormities; and does not the united voice of humanity and of policy, call aloud for the cessation of such multiplied evils?

The Spanish Americans, also, who have beheld all their efforts of redress, treated with disdain; who see the sacred rights they have inherited from their forefathers,