people of this country, to Europeans who were disposed to emigrate; that lands were offered gratis, with oxen and the implements of husbandry, to those who wish to cultivate the earth. In reply, I told them, that there was little or no emigration to the United States during our revolutionary war, and even for some time afterwards, in consequence of the country being engaged in a war for national existence, the success of which was doubtful; and even after it was no longer so, our enemies persisted in believing that we could not establish a government. I told them that if they could satisfy the world on these two points, as we had done, they would have as many emigrants as they could desire, as thei. soil and climate held out even greater inducements than ours.

On the Monday after our arrival, it was determined, on the part of the commissioners, that I should wait on Mr. Tagle, the secretary of state, and request an interview on their behalf.

I accordingly went in company with our consul, Mr. Halcey. We found at the entrance of the fort, a centinel, and a guard of a few men; although every person is permitted to pass without being questioned. To me, as an American, the circumstance of seeing bayonets stationed every where, was far from being agreeable. In our happy country we stand in no need of such barbarous usages. This military show about the director's residence and the offices of government is, however, but a remnant of the pageantry of the viceroys. There is, indeed, much more of it displayed, as I have myself frequently witnessed, by the Spanish or Portuguese governor of some trifling dis trict.

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In going to the office of the secretary of state, we had to pass through several others, in which a number of clerks were engaged; the appearance of system and regularity, which prevailed, would not lose by a comparison with ours. We found the secretary emersed in business, at his desk. I stated to him the occasion of my visit, and at the same time, presented a newspaper containing the president's message, in which the objects of the mission were succinctly set forth, I stated to him, that the commissioners were desirous of waiting on him, and wished to be informed at what time it would be convenient for him to receive them. He replied, in the style of Spanish politeness, that he was always at their disposal, and insisted upon my naming the time at which he might be honored with their visit; the Wednesday following was therefore named by me. He is a small well set man, about forty years of age, of a dark complexion, with a keen penetrating eye. He has the reputation of considerable abilities; he is considered a very able and eloquent lawyer, and has been a judge of the chamber of appeals. Judging from his physiognomy, I should say that he possesses great native sagacity, and quickness of discernment. He came into office under Alvarez, and has continued in it ever since. His private character is not free from imputation, with what justice, I. shall not take upon me to say.

Our arrival produced a great sensation through the city in all classes of people; it was every where the subject of conversation, and gave rise to much surmise; for some days, it in fact, engrossed all the public attention. A small incident will sometimes speak

more than things of a thousand times greater importance. In passing by the pyramid, in the great square, I observed that some preparations had been making for an approaching illumination, on account of the declaration of independence by Chili; I asked a little boy, who was playing about it, what was the meaning of these preparations? "Por la funcion;" "que funeion?" "La funcion de los diputados," said he pettishly; as if surprised at my ignorance "de los diputados que han llegado de la America del norte."* I have no doubt the government and the people, will make the most of the mission; and it will certainly have a most powerful moral influence on the cause of South America. And what is this moral effect? History and experience sufficiently shew that it is great, whatever may be the cause. Man is a moral agent, governed by intelligence, and urged forward by the impulse of his feelings and passions. This is the fountain and secret of his strength and power. All the worth and value of man, in society, is made up of honor, character, estimation and opinion.

Some may be disposed to ask, what this moral effect can be? I am surprised that any one should not be able to conceive it, and it is one of those things that we feel impatience in analysing. None but saints and savages, are absolutely beyond the sphere of this moral influence. In being noticed by a respectable nation, these people are led to think that their arduous contest is at last drawing to a close, and that the world

* «For the celebration;" "What celebration?” “The celebration of the deputies—the deputies who have arrived from North Ame rica."

begins to look upon their cause as just. And in the language of Shakespeare,

"Thrice is he armed, who hath his quarrel just."

In a word, it tends to rouse the despondent, to fix the wavering, and dispose all to contribute more cheerfully, to the preservation of that which has been thus enhanced in value. They will be more proud of what they have done, they will be more watchful of the character of their country, and they will make infinitely greater sacrifices and exertions for its future preservation. Such is the importance which these people attach to the simple acknowledgment of their government, that I sincerely believe, that there is hardly a man among them, who would not give half he is worth, that it should take place. And yet, unaccompanied by aid and assistance, one would suppose it would do them but little good; but they think otherwise; they think it places them upon higher ground, and strengthens their cause; that opinion itself, is strength.

The commissioners, on the day appointed, paid their respects to the secretary of state; and Mr. Rodney, after stating the objects of the mission, expressed the wishes of himself and associates, to wait on the supreme director. The secretary stated, that the government was highly gratified by this notice, from a nation of so high a character as ours; and he offered his services to accompany the commissioners, on their visit to the chief magistrate.

Accordingly, the next day, about noon, we set off to pay this visit of ceremony. On approaching the fort, we found several hundred of the most respecta

ble citizens drawn together by the interest of the occasion, their dress, appearance, and demeanor, was like that of persons of the same rank of society in the United States. Nothing I had yet seen, gave me so high an opinion of the population. We found also, considerable numbers inside the fort, and crowding the entrance to the director's apartments. I can give no idea of the pleasure which seemed to be depicted in their countenances. They all bowed to us as we passed, and said more by their smiles and their looks, than they could have done if each one had pronounced an oration. In passing through the different offices, to that of the secretary of state, we saw a great number of civil officers, and functionaries, drawn together by what appeared to be no common holiday, and who showed us the same marks of respect. The secretary now joined us, and led us up stairs, to the apartments occupied by the director. We passed through a large hall, where we saw fifty or sixty officers, of the regular and civic troops, all in splendid uniforms. They arose as we entered, forming a line on each side, through which we passed. In the adjoining apartment we were met by the director, who, with the ease and affability of a polished gentleman, advanced to meet us, and requested us to be seated. He seemed to be upwards of forty years of age, his stature about the middle size, a little inclining to corpulency, and upon the whole, his appearance commanding and dignified. His address and manners, were those of a person accustomed to the best society, equally removed from coarseness and affectation. It was easily discoverable, that he was a man, who had been long accustomed to act a distinguished part in life. He