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line of defence along the river Uruguay; and published a law for organizing a national army of 7599 men, and apportioning the levies among the several provinces. But neither the finances nor the political condition of the republic, sanction the war in which it is now involved. We appreciate the feelings of sympathy for the Orientalists, which induced the government to take their part, and endeavor to rescue them, from the odious dominion of Brazil. But, considering how greatly the contest retards the moral advancement of the people, the consolidation of their government, the settlement and cultivation of the country, we hope it may be speedily terminated by the mediation of those powers, whose commerce it interrupts.

CHILI Continues in an unsettled state, although, at the close of the last year, a prospect of better things opened. In February, 1825, great excitement was produced by the discovery of an attempt to assassinate two deputies, D. Joaquim Camfino, and-D. Bernardo Vera; and, on investigating the matter, several other deputies were found to be involved in a plot to commit the murder.

In July, the director, D. Ramon Freire, summoned a meeting of a constituent congress, to be holden at Santiago, in September.

Two popular commotions occur

red in the autumn, which threatened to end in civil war, but were at length suppressed. One of them was at Valparaiso, arising out of opposition to some of the measures of the minister of finance, which made it necessary for the director to call out the troops. At Santiago, about the same time, the representatives of that province attempted to assume the whole authority of the government; designing, it was said, to remove Freire, and reappoint the ex-director O'Higgins. A majority of the inhabitants, and also of the troops, together with the liberal party in the congress, adhering to Freire, he dissolved the congress, and banished eleven of the persons who had been most active in the factious designs.

Most of the misfortunes of Chili, were caused by the embarrassed state of her finances, burdened with immense debts, and managed by unskilful or corrupt men. But, notwithstanding all the unfavorable circumstances, in her condition, she succeeded, this year, in completing her liberation from Spain. Chiloe, which, like Callao, and St. Juan de Ullua, held out against the patriots, long after any beneficial purpose could be answered by it, surrendered, by capitulation, January 15th, 1826. It was stipulated, that the province of Chiloe, should be incorporated with the republic of Chili, as an integral part thereof;

and that its inhabitants should participate in all the privileges of Chilians. The staff and troops of the Spanish army, might remain in Chili, subject to its laws, or go elsewhere, as they saw fit; and the prisoners, on both sides, were set at liberty.

The constituent congress was installed July 4th, and immediately decreed to adopt the federal system as the basis of its constitution of government. Meanwhile the director, Freire, transmitted a message to the congress, requesting to be relieved from the executive functions; in consequence of which, admiral Blanco, was temporarily elected to the office of president. At the last accounts, the congress was proceeding with much unanimity and steadiness of purpose, in the political organization of the nation. The committee on the constitution, were pursuing their labors, and ere long, the result of them was to be presented to congress, in a form, more or less consonant to the constitution of the United States.

Chiloe, also, which, subsequent to its capture from the royalists, had revolted in favor of the ex-director, O'Higgins, was recovered, and the insurrection of the troops effectually suppressed and punished. It was universally said in Chili, that the revolt was instigated by exiled Chilians, at Lima, acting under the advice of Bolivar, for the alleged purpose of substituting a strong

consolidated government, like that of Bolivia, described hereafter, as a remedy for the anarchy, to which a more liberal government subjected the Chilians. the Chilians. Most of the troops

were blacks, from Peru, and many of the officers Peruvians, whose influence in Chili, created a party professedly for O'Higgins. Hence, a strong jealousy of Bolivar existed in Chili, long before the development of the revolution, of which we shall give a history in the ensuing chapter.

The territory of Chili, has been divided, by congress, into eight provinces, as the probable members of the future confederacy, namely, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Santiago, Colchagua, Maule, Conception, Valdivia, and Chiloe.

Of the independent province of PARAGUAY, whose modern history, is not less singular than its ancient, we have little to record. Under the administration of Dr. Francia, peculiar as his maxims of state policy appear to be, it has, at least, enjoyed domestic tranquillity, exempt alike from dissensions within, and warfare without.

But, this extraordinary man, can hardly be charged with motives of personal ambition. In July last, he assembled the representatives, and chiefs of the municipalities, and signified to them his resignation of the supreme power; but they refused to accept it. Alleging

however, that by reason, of the state of his health, he needed repose from labor, he retired to the town of Pilar, to reside among some of his friends. The administration of affairs would, in the regular course, have devolved upon general Guarrany, the commander in chief of the military forces. But he being absent from Ascension, the direction of the government was confided to Sr. Zapidas. When Francia withdrew to Pilar, he addressed a proclamation to the inhabitants of Paraguay, explaining the reasons of his retirement; and exhorting them to continue in the observance of those political principles, which hitherto had preserved the country from war and commotion.

The latest accounts from Paraguay, represent the inhabitants as being dissatisfied with the seclusion of Francia, and the successor he had nominated, to whom most of the authorities refused to make oath. Although numerous addresses were presented to him, urging him to resume the reins of government, he still declined it.

For an account of the congress of Panama, whose sessions are now transferred to Tacubaya, in the neighborhood of the city of Mexico, an assembly which seems destined to have important influence upon the affairs of the new American republic-we refer the reader to the appropriate place, in the history of the United States.

CHAPTER VIII.

COLOMBIA in 1825.—Bolivar President-Recognized by the United States and England-Rumored Invasion of Cuba-Santander Congress. PERU.-Battle of Ayacucho-Olaneta-Castles of Callao-Congress-Bolivar-Upper Peru. Constitution of BOLIVIA.State of Peru in 1826—Insurrection of Paez-Views of the Government-Proceedings in Venezuela-In Quito- Views of Bolivar-Warlike operations in Venezuela-Bolivar arrives at Bogota--Reforms--Bolivar in Venezuela--Tranquillity restored.

Circumstances have transpired, within the two last years, which place Colombia and the new sovereignties of Peru and Bolivia, alike under the absolute control of one fortunate man. Whether his acts are dictated by the pure patriotism, which the world demands of him, it is for events to show. Those countries, thus far, have afforded much for the pen of history to record; and the sequel, we venture not to predict. Peru and Bolivia are just emancipated from the Spanish yoke; and the republic of Colombia has, unhappily, been agitated by dangerous intestine discords. Dissatisfaction at the operation of the central system on some of the provinces, augmented by local causes, and acting the more effectually, on account of the absence of Bolivar in Peru ;-

such have been, at least, the visible causes of disturbance, which still seems to have a deeper foundation.

During the year 1825, few events occurred in COLOMBIA of great historical importance. Conformably to the constitution, the congress assembled January 2d, 1825; the vice-president, Francisco de Paula Santander exercising the executive functions, in place of the president. The session closed the beginning of May; and although many useful laws were passed by congress, it was charged with relying too implicitly in the integrity of the executive.

At the end of the preceding year, Bolivar was unanimously reelected president. He signified to the senate his wish to renounce the presidency; his determination, he said,always having been to withdraw

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