With some exceptions, and particularly of that palladium of our rights, which is unknown to the civil law, the trial by jury, the provisional constitution will be found, on an attentive perusal, to contain a distinct recognition, of many of the vital principles of free government. A church establishment also, that of the catholic faith, is contrary to our ideas of religious freedom; though a measure adopted from necessity, perhaps, by them.

It declares that all power, legislative, judicial, and executive, resides in the nation. The congress are to be chosen by electors, who are to be voted for by the people in the primary assemblies. The cabildos, or municipalities, are to be elected immediately by the citizens. It recognises the independence of the judiciary, and declares the tenure of office, with respect to the superior judges, to be held during good behavior. It provides for the election of a chief magistrate by congress, removeable when they choose to appoint a successor, and responsible for the execution of the duties of his office, which are defined and limited. In the oath of office, he is sworn to preserve the integrity and independence of the country.

The three great departments of state, of the treasury, and of war, are distinctly marked out, and their respective powers and duties assigned.

On some subjects, it enters more into detail than is usual with us, particularly in those of their army, navy, and militia. But this perhaps, in their situation, was necessary.

It provides that no citizen shall accept a title of nobility, without forfeiting the character of citizenship.

It provides also, against general warrants, and the arrest of individuals, unless on probable proof of guilt.

It contains a salutary provision that a judge, having original jurisdiction, before taking cognizance of a cause, shall use all possible means of reconciling the parties. This constitution is but temporary; the congress are engaged in the task of forming a permanent one. In the mean time, no alteration can be made in the present, unless with the consent of two-thirds of the members. In this manner, some alterations have been adopted.

The subject of a permanent constitution was before a committee of sixteen members of congress. There was a difference of opinion prevailing amongst them, on the point of a confederated or a consolidated government. If they should adopt the former, they

will frame the constitution, in all probability, 'nearly after the model of that of the United States. Should they decide on the latter, it is highly probable they will incorporate the leading features of our system into their form of government. They seem to concur in the proposition, to have a chief magistrate elected for a term of years, and a representative legislature to consist of two branches. A senate, to constitute the most permanent body, and a house of representaves, whose term of service will be of shorter duration.

Perhaps it would be better for them to delay the completion of this all-important task, after the example of the United States, until a period of peace. Their present provisional statute, is an improvement on those which preceded it; and we may expect their proposed constitution will be still more perfect, as they advance in the knowledge of those principles on which republican govern

ments are constituted.

But however free in theory, this provisional statute may be, it is undoubtedly true, that unless administered agreeably to its letter and spirit, it will not afford security to the citizen. Whether any infractions have occurred since the date of its existence, I cannot pretend to determine, not being in full possession of the facts.

When we recollect that they have the benefit of our example, it may reasonably be expected, that they will, in general, adhere to their written constitution. They have also the fatal result of the French revolution, warning them of the dangers of its excesses, of which they appear to be sensible.

The productions and the manufactures of the different provinces, will be found in Appendix D.; but I was unable to procure any satisfactory estimates of the probable value or amount in each province. There is, however, a considerable internal trade carried on in the interchange of various articles, between the several provinces; cattle, horses, and mules, furnish a considerable source of barter; with the latter, Peru is usually supplied: the Paraguay tea is a great article of trade throughout the country; the brandy, wine, raisins, and figs of Mendoza and San Juan, àre becoming important; the hides of oxen, the skins of the vacuna, and granaco, with a number of fine furs, afford valuable articles of exchange. These, with the foreign goods, transported in every direction from Buenos Ayres, very readily, by oxen and mules,

which also furnish the means of carrying their native productions to their sea ports, form a branch of trade of great magnitude, considering the population of the country.

Their exports are calculated with some degree of accuracy, at ten millions of dollars. These consist, principally, of ox hides, jerk beef, and tallow, the present great staples of the country. A variety of furs and peltry, some grain, copper, mostly brought from Chili; with gold and silver in bullion, and in coin, chiefly from the mines of Potosi.

The imports are computed to be about equal to their exports. British manufactures form the principal mass, and they are to be had in great abundance. They consist of woollen and cotton goods of every description; some of them wrought to imitate the manufactures of the country, ironmongery, cutlery, hardware, saddlery, hats, porter, ale, and cheese, are among the remaining articles.

From the United States they receive lumber of all kinds, and furniture of every description, coaches and carriages of all sorts, codfish, mackerel, shad and herring, leather, boots and shoes, pow der and munitions of war, and naval stores, ships and vessels, particularly those calculated for their navy or for privateers.

From Brazils, they receive sugar, coffee, cotton, and rum. From the north of Europe they receive steel and iron, and from France a number of articles of its manufacture.

Their foreign commerce is principally carried on by British capitalists, though there are some Americans, a few French, and other foreign merchants, also settled at Buenos Ayres; they are all placed, I believe, on the same footing of equality.

The revenue of the state may be estimated at about three millions of dollars annually; but their system of finance is very imperfect, and although their debt is small, their credit is low; they have hitherto avoided the issuing of paper money, and they have established no bank; but they have sometimes anticipated their revenue, by giving due bills, receivable in payment for duties, or goods imported, or articles exported; the impost furnishes the principal part of the revenue. A copy of their tariff, as at first established, was some time since transmitted, I believe, to the department of state. In this, the duties were generally specific and high. I understand they have been lately reduced, as their exorbitancy had occasioned much smuggling.

Voluntary contributions from those friendly to the revolution, and forced loans from the old Spaniards, have constituted another portion of their funds. To show the public capital adequate to all exigencies, their different civil, military, and naval establishments have been taken into view, and are comprised in the estimate furnished; a thing unusual with us; but they have omitted their public lands, which, if a prudent use is made of them, must, at no distant day, become a very productive source of revenue to the state.

The mines of Potosi, which, in all probability, will very soon fall into their hands again, may furnish them with a considerable supply of the precious metals. It is stated on respectable authority, that so late as the year 1790, the amount of gold and silver coined at Potosi, in that year, was calculated to have been $299, 846 in gold, and $2,983,176 in silver.

The state of their army, and the condition of their navy, will be seen by a reference to the original return presented. (Appendix F.)

Their army is composed of regular troops, civicos, and militia. In one or other of these classes, they are educated to the military art, and as far as I had an opportunity, and was capable of judging, they appeared to be well acquainted with the elements of their profession. Their forces, according to the paper furnished, are estimated at nearly thirty thousand men. They are composed of one thousand two hundred and ninety-six artillery, thirteen thousand six hundred and ninety-three infantry, and fourteen thousand seven hundred and eighteen cavalry; of which, twelve thousand one hundred and forty three are troops of the line, seven thousand and forty-one are civicos, and ten thousand five hundred and seventy-three are militia. These form the different armies of the centre, of Peru, of the Andes, of Cordova, and the auxiliforces in the Entre Rios. This statement, however, only includes the militia of the province of Buenos Ayres itself. Their supply of arms and munitions of war is ample, as will be seen by the statement annexed, on that subject.

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Their navy is small, and some of their vessels are laid up in ordinary. A list of them, as well as of their privateers, will be found in Appendix F. Their private armed vessels are subjected to very strict regulations, agreeably to their prize code, which is among the original papers presented and herewith delivered. It

may be proper, in this place to introduce the subject of the irregular conduct of the privateers under the patriot flag, against which, the commissioners were directed to remonstrate. Having taken an opportunity of explaining to Mr. Tagle, the secretary of state, the proceedings of our government relative to Amelia island and Galveztown, agreeably to their instructions, the commissioners embraced a suitable occasion, to urge the just cause of complaint, which the malpractices of private armed vessels, wearing the patriot colors, had furnished our government. On both topics, they had long and interesting conversations. With the conduct of the government respecting Amelia island and Galveztown, Mr. Tagle expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and he disclaimed for his government, any privity or participation in the lodgments made at those places, by persons acting in the name of the patriots of South America. In reference to the acts of cruizers under the patriot flags, he said he was sensible that great irregularities had occurred, though his government had done every thing in their power to prevent them, and were willing, if any instance of aggression were pointed out, to direct an inquiry into the case, and if the facts were established, to punish those concérned, and redress the injured individuals. He professed his readiness to adopt any measures that would more effectually prevent a recurrence of such acts, in which, he expressed his belief, that the privateers of Buenos Ayres, had rarely participated, though the character of the government had suffered from the conduct of others. He stated that they had, on one occasion, sent out some of their public vessels to examine all cruisers wearing the Buenos Ayrean flag, to see that they were lawfully commissioned, and to ascertain whether they had violated their instructions.

Among the causes of dissatisfaction, to which I have alluded, the preponderance of the capital has been mentioned. Its great weight in the scale of national affairs, is to be ascribed to its greater exertions in the national cause. These are owing to its comparative wealth, and to its active, intelligent, and enterprising population. The armies that have been raised in this city and the neighboring country, with the supplies in money and munitions of war, drawn from these sources, have been truly extraordinary.