more, who had so frequently turned his thoughts towards South America, had led him to contemplate the propriety of establishing military posts there, or the co-operating only with those who would gladly have followed the example of North America, and availed themselves of our assistance in establishing their independence, I have no means of knowing; but experience has shown, that any other course of proceeding than that last mentioned, even if most success-, ful, and almost in proportion to success, must have had the effect of placing us at a greater distance than even, from our ultimate objects, those of friendly intercourse and trade with the country.

"It is supposed in my instructions, that after effecting my first object, I might safely part with a proportion of the force under my command, and retain only about eight thousand; which, it was supposed, must, in any case, in addition to such troops as I might raise in the country, be amply sufficient to conquer and keep possession of the country; for such had been the misrepresentations to government upon this subject, that it was supposed that a considerable force of this description might with safety be established. I was directed, as the court will have observed, to use precaution as to the raising of this local force; and, particularly, to take care that one-third of each rank of officers, should be British, and to select the description and classes out of which it was to be framed; but, subject to these precautions, it was conceived and so stated in my instructions, that much aid might be derived from this source towards securing his majesty's possessions in that quarter, and avoiding, at the same time, the necessity of too large a demand on

the regular forces of this country, (I use the very words of the instructions,) such, as the court will have seen, was the impression in this country, on my appointment to the command. What was the actual situation of the country on my arrival?

"I naturally resorted to the very able and experienced officer who commanded at Monte Video, and who had diligently employed himself in acquiring every possible information upon this subject. I found that in the course of his operations against Monte Video, and after its capture, he had every reason to believe that the people were, without exception, inimical to us; that previous to the surrender of Monte Video, he could place no confidence in any information he received; and that, after its capture, a sullen silence pervaded every rank. But he also found reason to believe, that however inimical they were to us, they were still more so to their present government; for upon reports arriving at Monte Video, which afterwards proved false, of the abolition of the court of audiencia, the setting aside of the king's authority, and not hoisting the Spanish colors; those who had appeared hostile and inveterate, now pressed him to advance a corps to Buenos Ayres, and assured him that if he would acknowledge their independence, and promise them the protection of the English government, the place would submit.

"The party in power were mostly all natives of Spain, in the principal offices of church and state, and devoted to the Spanish government. The second party consisted of natives of the country, with some Spaniards settled in it. The disposition of the mother country had made them most anxious to shake

off the Spanish yoke; and though, from their ignorance, their want of morals, and the barbarity of their dispositions, they were totally unfit to govern themselves, they aimed at following the steps of the North Americans, and erecting an independent state. If we would promise them independence, they would instantly revolt against the government, and join us with the great mass of the inhabitants. The next consideration was, our giving up the footing we had in South America. On this subject many important considerations presented themselves. First: The situation of the country, and the nature of our instructions. It was supposed, from the information received by government, that the country would be conquered and kept in subjection by eight thousand troops, which was considered as a large force; but the information received by government upon this subject, must have been founded in ignorance of the true state of the country. I found on my arrival, that the resistance we should have to contend with, far exceeded every calculation; not a single friend had we in the country, on the contrary, every inhabitant was determined to exert his individual strength. Upon this subject, I rely upon the experience of sir Samuel Achmuty, who stated that double the number of troops I have mentioned, would be required to conquer and keep possession of the country."

M. Poinsett is of opinion, that the expedition under general Whitlock, assisted by the disposition of the people, might have secured the emancipation of these colonies, but was not adequate to transfer the dominion to the crown of Great Britain. An interesting question naturally suggests itself; has the policy of Eng

land undergone a change as to the emancipation of these countries from Spain? That she can have no hope of obtaining any direct dominion over them, is certain; but, can Spain give any thing like an equivalent to what England would gain by the emancipation of the colonies? Wherever the standard of revolution is raised, Englishmen are crowding in, and introducing their manufactures; and they calculate on obtaining in this way, almost as strong a hold upon them, as the Spaniards. Thousands of English families will emigrate to South America and become connected with the natives, by this means introducing English habits and predilections. The hope of accomplishing this, is a permanent advantage of too much importance. to be slighted. I must confess, I cannot see that any thing has occurred to change their policy, although it may now be necessary to conceal it with a deeper dissimulation.

Some apparent confusion exists in the political divisions of the United Provinces; a few explanatory remarks, may not be unnecessary. This confusion arises from the mistake of confounding some of the smaller subdivisions or jurisdictions, with those which properly come under the denomination of provinces, and considered members of the union, governed in the manner prescribed by the provisional statute. It must be borne in mind, that the viceroyalty was divided into two audiencias, four intendencies included in each; four in the lower country, and the like number in Upper Peru. Each of the eight intendencies, had their subordinate jurisdictions, with lieutenantgovernors and sub-delegadoes.

In the audiencia of Buenos Ayres, the term, in

tendency, is no longer used, that of province, having taken its place; and at the same time, the number of provinces were increased in 1814, after the capture of Monte Video, by the division of some of the intendencies. For instance, Cuyo and Tucuman were taken from Cordova; Santa Fee, Monte Video and Corrientes, were taken from Buenos Ayres.

Five new provinces were therefore laid off; making the present number nine, (including Paraguay,) instead of four. They are Salta, Tucuman, Cordova, Cuyo, Buenos Ayres, Paraguay, Santa Fee, Corrientes, and Monte Video.

They are called free provinces, because the Spanish authorities have ceased to exist, although, during the contest, Salta and Tucuman were, for a short time, the seats of war; but for the last three or four years, the Spanish arms have been confined to Upper Peru.

The Portuguese, in their war with Artigas, have taken possession of part of the province of Monte Video, but with the avowed intention of refraining from hostilities against those provinces which are at present united.

Of the nine provinces, all are united except Paraguay, Santa Fee, Corrientes, and Monte Video. The first entered into an amicable arrangement with Buenos Ayres, at the commencement of the revolution, but has since resolved to keep aloof from all parties; and is, therefore, to be regarded as a neutral, excepting so far as respects Spain. Since Santa Fee has withdrawn itself, the town and immediate vicinity, only, have been free from the jurisdiction of Buenos Ayres, as all the rest of the province has been subjected to the control of the general government. Part of the