he supreme congress, into whose hands the pro due, that the constituted authorities have been suphad confided their safety, had just been instal-ported in despite of the boldest innovators; to this at Tucuman. Those who were called upon to am I to attribute the reconciliation of those who be legislators of their country, and to fix its fore regarded themselves as having reason to be my estiny, by the wisdom of their councils, were com- enemics: to this, to say all in a word, it is due that elled more than once to exert their courage, and obedience to the lawful authorities, and the love of orencounter, with intrepidity, the dangers which der, constitute at present the prevailing temper of hreatened to profane this last asylum that remain-the provinces over whose destinies I have the honor to d to our country in its misfortunes. The pru preside as chief magistrate. It were a presumptuence, the integrity, the fortitude of this august ous folly to assert, that this has been established on ody, presented to the provinces the delightful foundations that are proof against every attempt; pectacle of an authority which captivated their the present age offers but two many examples of ubmission, not less by the just title of its elevated how fallible, in these particulars, are all political rigin, than by the animated zeal, and the vigorous institutions; but how disgraceful ought we to consienergy which it displayed in the first steps of its der the conduct of those who meditate a repetition of llustrious march. The boldest passions were com- these mournful scenes, in our country: it is proper pelled to renounce their extravagant designs; and to hope, that, in future, restless spirits will be inore if in some districts they had the temerity to attempt easily repressed than in the earlier part of the prenew excesses, the celerity with which they were sent administration. Then it was that the extin suppressed, scarcely allowed time to their authors guishment of anarchy claimed our first attention; yet to sue for mercy. The seditious, notwithstanding, we were by no means free from other assailants, whom still harbored the design of putting vigilance to it was necessary to oppose with our utmost efforts. sleep, in order that they might snatch the opportu. The interior provinces were threatened by the near nity of insulting whatever was most respectable. approach of the enemy, with a more numerous and It was at this crisis that the supreme representa-effective force than they had ever brought into the tion deigned to invest me with the honorable, but field; to concentrate our own was impossible, from awful, distinction of supreme director of the state. the want of means to transport them hundreds of This was not the first time I had been clothed with authority, and that I had already experienced the bitter mortification attendant upon it, was too well known not to regard my acceptance as a sacrifice. At that time a member of the supreme body, I knew well the mass of evils that would weigh up. on me; but even these, in the midst of anxiety and fears, urged my submission to the supreme will. leagues, and from their already occupying posts from which they could not be spared--Moreover I experienced the most painful embarrassment of mind, when compelled to choose between two extremes equally perilous: to abandon the districts of the interior, and the army which covered them, to the utmost hazard or to desist from the attempt to re-conquer Chili, exposing the province of Cuyo to I had no right to expect that my elevation would subjugation. I at length adopted the course inspirmeet the approbation of every one; and the calami-ed by courage, baffling the plans of the enemy's ty of the times caused me to fear that my election generals, La Serma, and Marco. The patriot army, might give rise to new disturbances. The result against which that of Lima was intended to operate, did not disappoint my anticipations. I saw myself was rapidly reinforced, the discipline and subordi compelled to subdue the hearts of my personal ene-nation, which had been lost during the period of mies; but now considered my person as exclusive- our reverses, were in a short time restored.ly devoted to the public cause. Invested with the Its present strength, respectability, and efficiency chief magistracy, I set off from the bosom of the is known to you, in common with the rest of our supreme congress, for the province of Salta, and fellow-citizens; and more would you have seen, if had the good fortune to compose the loud dissen- the enemy who now flies before us, beaten and humtions which had set at variance the citizens and the bled had not encountered a rampart of loyalty and soldiers; and, having prepared the elements which valour in the province of Salta. afterwards procured for the Saltinians their well The army of Cuyo, far from giving way to that of earned fame, I proceeded to the army, examined Peru, maintained its ground, until regiments were its situation, inspected the fortifications, and, giv. marched from that capital to its reinforcement; ing such orders as the occasion might require, I new regiments were created with a rapidity almost returned to Tucuman, where I had the proud satis incredible, through the noble devotedness and ge faction of hastening, by my influence, the memora- nerous liberality of that province, in order to acceble act and solemn declaration of our independence. lerate the final preparations, for setting on foot the I pursued my journey to the capital of Cordova, stupendous design, which had been formed, of scal where, according to previous arrangement, I was ing the Andes; whose successful issue will afford expected by general St. Martin, in order to settle to other nations some means of estimating the rethe plans for rescuing Chili from the power of the spectability of our power, as it has struck terror inSpaniards. From Cordova, with what painful in- to the minds of our enemies; has kindled gratitude quietude did I stretch my view towards the agitat-in the hearts of our brethern of Chili, and erected ed population of Buenos Ayres! I appeal to you the most splendid monuments of the power and fellow citizens, as the witnesses of the well-founded glory of our country. causes of my fears; and permit me, passing by the The army of this capital was organized at the perils of my transit, to fix your attention on the first same time, with those of the Andes and of the intedays of my arrival in this capital. What violence rior: the regular force has been nearly doubled; the of passions! How many jarring interests! My reso- militia has made great progress in military discipline; lution was taken. Ihastened to fulfil the obliga- our slave population has been formed into battalions, tions of my oath. I announced to the people that and taught the military art as far as is consistent the past should be forgotten, that those who de- with their condition. The capital is under no apserved well of their country should be rewarded.prehension, that an army of ten thousand men can Fellow citizens, I have not failed in my promises, shake its liberties, and should the Peninsularians nor shall I ever have reason to repent me of my send against us thrice that number, ample provision conduct. To this course, and to your virtues, it is has been made to receive them. Our navy has been fostered in all its branches; The people, moreover, have been relieved from the scarcity of means under which we labored un-many burdens, which, being partial or confintil now has not prevented us from undertaking very ed to particular classes, had occasioned vexa considerable operations, with respect to the nation- tion and disgust. Other vexations, scarcely less al vessels; all of them have been repaired, and grievous, will by degrees be also suppressed, avoid. others have been purchased and armed, for the de- ing as far as possible a recurrence to loans, which fnce of our coasts and rivers; provisions have have drawn after them the most fatal consequences been made, should necessity require it, for arming to states. Should we, however, be compelled to remany more, so that the enemy will not find himself sort to such expedients, the lenders will not see secure from our reprisal even upon the ocean. themselves ir danger of losing their advances. To Our military force, at every point which it occu- shew these practical results is to make the best re pies, seems to be animated by the same spirit: its ply to censure; if it be the intention to do justice tactics are uniform, and have undergone a rapid im to the zeal and intelligence of public officers, the provement from the science and experience which inconveniences and difficulties must be weighed it has borrowed from warlike nations. Our arsenals with the good that has been effected. It is an have been replenished with arms, and a sufficient idle vanity to seek for perfection in the labors of store of cannon and munitions of war has been pro-men. tunes. vided to maintain the contest for many years; and One of the mischiefs attendant on the administrathis, after having supplied articles of every description of the national treasury, was the existence of tion to those districts which have not as yet come many superfluous offices; with respect to this, the into the union, but whose connection with us has proper reformations have been made, especially in been only intercepted by reason of our past misfor-respect to the armories and public works. The attention of the government is continually alive in this branch of its duties, and it is not without hopes of being able to see abundance restored, even in the midst of the unceasing attention required by war, and of the many undertakings that have been set on foot for the advancement of the general pros perity. Our legions daily receive considerable augmentations from new levies; all our preparations have been made, as though we were about to enter upon the contest anew. Until now, the vastness of our resources were unknown to us, and our enemies may contemplate, with deep mortification and despair, the present flourishing state of those provinces after so many devastations. Such has been the extension of our southern frontier, over plains and deserts well adapted to the The office of major general has been re-establish- formation of wealthy settlements; a project, whose ed, for the purpose of giving an uniform direction to accomplishment was not within the reach of former our armies, in order to foster the militia in all its governments, in spite of repeated attempts to subdetails, and to regulate the system of military eco due obstacles which the present administration has nomy. The general officers, and those of a lower had the good fortune to surmount. The unfortu grade, occupied in those duties, will lighten the la-nate inhabitants of our plains have not only been bors of the government, at the same time rendering gratuitously supplied with suitable lands, on which more practical the progress and improvement of to fix their habitations, but have been furnished which the military force is susceptible, thus forming with the means of cultivating them to advantage. by degrees a body of expert soldiery, who will at Such has been the re-establishment of the college once be an honor to their country, and serve as its heretofore named San Carlos, but hereafter to be firmest pillars in times of danger. called the Union of the South, as a point designat Whilst thus occupied in providing for our safety ed for the dissemination of learning to the youth within, and preparing for assaults from without, of every part of the state, on the most extensive other objects of solid interest have not been ne-scale; for the attainment of which object the govern. glected, and which hitherto were thought to op- ment is at the present moment engaged in putting pose insurmountable obstacles. in practice every possible diligence. It will not be Our system of finance had hitherto been on a foot-long before these nurseries will flourish, in which ing entirely inadeqate to the unfailing supply of our wants, and still more to the liquidation of the immense debt which had been contracted in former years. An unremitted application to this object has enabled me to create the means of satisfying the Such has been the establishment of a military decreditors of the state, who had already abandoned pot on our frontier, with its capacious magazine, their debts as lost, as well as to devise a fixed mode, necessary measure to guard us from future dangers, by which the taxes may be made to fall equally and a work which does more honor to the prudent foreindirectly, on the whole mass of our population; it sight of our country, as it was undertaken in the is not the least merit of this operation, that it has moment of its prosperous fortunes; a measure which been effected in despite of the writings by which it must give more occasion for reflection to our ene was attacked and which are but little creditable to mies, than they can impose upon us by their boast the intelligence and good intentions of their authorsings. -The resuit has been, that their now circulates in This exposition is not made with a view to enhance the hands of the capitalists a sum equivalent in its the value of those services of which our country has value to one million of dollars, which was deficient a right to demand as a debt, but to offer an irrefra before the adoption of the measures by which it was produced. To the same measures are we indebted for the receipt of two hundred and sixty eight thou sand dollars in the treasury of the custom house, in the short time which has elapsed since my decree of the 29th of March. At no other period have the public exigencies been so punctually supplied, nor have more important works been under taken the liberal and exact sciences will be cultivated, in which the hearts of those young men will be form. ed, who are destined at some future day to add new splendor to our country. gible proof to the people, that prudence and circumspection are the virtues which are required to secure the fruits of their heroic efforts. For the rest, reflecting minds, calculating the labors of the government by the immense disparity between the present state of our affairs, and what they were fif teen months ago, will do justice to the zeal which has effected changes so important. They will no less give credit for many other acts, of a nature to ifest themselves less fully to the public. I have Spain should be willing to divest herself of a terriady mentioned the difficulties which embarras- tory which is not only of no advantage, but an inme, in respect to our exterior relations, and, cumbrance to her; and however willing our governhad opposed less firmness in resisting the vio- ment might be to obtain on reasonable terms this ce of party, a breach with the neighboring nation country, continually infested as it is by wandering uld be the inevitable consequence. The course tribes of runaways and outlaws, who hold the neigh. sued by me, in this particular, leaves unimpaired boring country in terrror of their ruffian violence; - right to the invaded territory, convinced that aud however certain it is that this country must, at cific measures, so long as the honor of the coun- no distant day, enure to the United States-we are requires no other, will be productive of more sa-pretty confident the rumor we have alluded to is ary effects, than a resort to violence, without nepremature; and, so far from any treaty or compact having been concluded for the cession of that counsily. A period there has been, you well remember, fel-try by Spain to the United States, we are under the v-citizens, in which the provinces were threaten-impression that no official cornmunications have paswith seeing the nascent order and tranquilised between the two governments on the subject. subverted under pretexts of the most injurious Florida. spicions against the constituted authorities. It Memoranda on the geography, population, &c. of East as that period which occasioned more trouble to With two exceptions, viz. Suarez and Fernandez, y mind, than any other during my administration. will cheerfully renounce my claims to the public who have American wives and families, speaking ratitude, for the sleepless nights spent in watching English entirely, all the other inhabitants of East ver its safety, if it will appreciate the sacrifice Florida, who live in that portion of country siave made, the pain it has given to my heart, to tuated between the waters of the river St. Mary's ave been compelled to adopt the rude and violent and St. Johns, within forty miles of the sea, are easures, which at that crisis saved the state from Americans, with a small mixture of British, or uin. But the necessity and justice of my proceed- French, or German; but all domiciliated citizens of ngs, and the happy consequences which have attend-the United States. Beyond that extent the country is either vacant, or occupied by hunting parties of ed them, leave me no room to repent. Under the same circumstances, my conduct shall Indians, without settlement on the Atlantic side; be the same. I will extinguish all the natural feel- chiefly Alachauays under Bowlegs, who now reside ings of my heart, sooner than consent to the repe near the mouth of Sawanee alias San Juan, on the tition of scenes which weaken our power, and sink bay of Apalache; and, together with runaway and plundered negroes, extend along the sea shore and our national glory to the lowest degradation. Fellow citizens, we owe our unhappy reverses islands down southerly as far as Tampa bay. After passing the aforesaid settlement on the wa and calamities to the depraving system of our an cient metropolis, which in condemning us to the ters of St. Johns, few inhabitants are found except, obscurity and opprobium of the most degraded desing those immediately round Augustine, which they tiny, has sown with thorns the path that conducts consider as their residence. They are poor peo us to liberty. Tell that metropolis that even she ple, chiefly Minorcians or originals from the Baleamay glory in your works! Already have you clearedric Isles, and supply Augustine market with vegetaall the rocks, escaped every danger, and conducted bles. Passing on the southward of Augustine, you these provinces to the flourishing condition in which find several inhabitants and some negroes about we now behold them. Let the enemies of your Matanzas, but only one cotton plantation; this is name contemplate with despair the energies of your 20 miles south. virtues, and let the nations acknowledge that you already appertain to their illustrious rank. Let us felicitate ourselves on the blessings we have already obtained, and let us shew to the world that we have learned to profit by the experience of our past misfortunes. JUAN MARTIN DE PUEYRREDON. East Florida. FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, At Mosquito, which is 60 miles south, you find four or five cotton plantations, and a good many negroes. Two or three more settlements, of little consequence, are about cape Florida. All these southern settlements are chiefly from Providence, Bahamas; but, being exposed to various depredations and uncertainties, they, as well as all the inhabitants of Augustine, two thirds of whom, as well as Fernandez, have English for their mother tongue, eagerly desiring, and would make any sacrifice to obtain, security and a protective government. The number of white families dwelling between It has fallen within our power to satisfy some of the waters of St. Mary's and St. John's, may be some. the queries proposed a few days ago by a corres- where about one hundred and fifty, mustering somepondent in our columns. The subjoined article, on where about three hundred and sixty militia, divid East Florida, is from a source entitled to the highed into three districts, each of which has a captain est credit, and as the reader will perceive, from its and lieutenant, &c. elected by the people of their unadorned matter of fict character, was made with respective districts, together with a judge or jusout any view to publication. Having derived con- tice of the peace, who tries all causes by an siderable instruction from a perusal of it ourselves, arbitration or jury of twelve men. They have the we obtained permission, from the friend to whom power of punishing in minor cases; but, when they it was addressed, to make use of it for the infor-convict capitally, the prisoner, together with the proceedings, are remitted to St. Augustine, for apmation of the public. The particulars of the state of East Florida, thus probation and execution. No military commander obtained, are the most acceptable at this moment, or other servant of the government, has power to when a rumor is abroad, and stated with a confidence, arrest any inhabitant beyond the lines of his garrialmost amounting to certainty, that our govern son, who must be prosecuted and tried by the aument has obtained, or has an assurance of obtaining, thorities of his own district. by negociation, a cession of that country from Spain. Howevor reasonable and probable it app ears, that The inhabitants are not bound to do any military duty, to muster, nor ta pay taxes; nor observe any 1 such regulations except as they make for their tants consequently go free of duties, as the Spa That of the three regular districts, including the waters of St. John All others out of Augustine Whole colored country population, exclusive of Indians, runaways, &c. Colored women and children, or slaves, in Augustine not included in the above estimate, may be about The town of Fernandina is situated on a peninsu500 la or neck of land, the narrowest part of which may be about two hundred and fifty yards, defended by a strong picket and two block houses, which enclose the whole town. On the side next the harbor, is a fort well picketed, mounting 8 guns, which commands the anchorage, and reach as far as the middle line of the waters or boundary of the United States. All the inhabitants, even the Spaniards, are tired of living without a government, and of all others would prefer that of the United States, as past cir cumstances plainly prove; among which may be noticed the simultaneuos effort of all the people in 1812 to annex the country to the United States, and also the active part they took to drive back the English in 1814, at St. Mary's, where they had one As the inhabitants are afraid to indulge too sanman killed and one wounded, and beat back seven-guine expectations of coming immediately under teen boats filled with British troops. Under these the government of the United States, they consider circumstances, they think themselves (as far as is it the wisest plan to increase the number of inhabiconsistent with policy) entitled to the protection of tants by all possible means, so as to protect themthe United States, so far as to keep them from selves by their own force, and confirm their indebeing plundered or imposed upon by any foreign pendence; which, by lowering the value of the probanditti who may take advantage of their present vince as a Spanish colony, would induce that nation helpless condition, until they can gather strength to part with it on easier terms. But, as the governby increasing their population, which they are now ment of the United States is the ultimate object of endeavoring to accomplish by inviting emigrations the people, they hope that their past conduct has from the United States. To accomplish this the so far merited the good opinion of the United States smallest indirect hint given to the commandant of as to induce that government to go as far towards the vessels or troops of the United States at St Ma- protecting them in their liberties and properties, ry's would suffice, by shewing any symptom of fa as policy and the nature of circumstances will alvor to their endeavors for self preservation. low. It now remains to shew what intrinsic value be- Before I drop the subject of East Florida, it longs to this territory, bordered on all sides by the would be well to mention the Indians, who, taking Atlantic, or intersected by navigable waters, con- advantage of the absence of the inhabitants then nected with those of the United States. First, the employed in besieging St. Augustine, came in from timber, which far exceeds in quality any that grows the westward and killed and plundered all they northerly, consists of forests of live oak, cedar, met with, taking off the negroes to a large amount, cypress and pine, all of inexhaustible extent. Se for which outrage they have never made the smal condly, may be mentioned the fertile lands, which lest satisfaction, but persist in retaining all they from the climate derive qualities not elsewhere to took, and granting protection to all runaway slaves be found: amongst which are, a large tract near from the United States or Florida, whose frontier Augustine and St. John's, called 12 Mile Swamp, inhabitants are daily falling a sacrifice to their recontaining 14,000 acres; another extending to Mos- sentment, which seems indiscriminately directed quito, 60 miles long; another between Bowleg's and against all the white inhabitants, with whom they Tampa, 60 miles long, supposed to contain some never visit nor have friendly intercourse. Their hundred thousand acres. The whole interior above head quarters at present is about the mouth of SaAlatehawa, for several days ride, is excellent Ive oak and hickory land. The interior of the country is unexplored by white people, but said to be fer tile and healthy, full of pleasant orange groves, aud plentifully stocked with wild cattle. wanee river called San Juan de Amajura in the old charts, into which river vessels are admitted from New-Providence, who supply them with arms and ammunition in exchange for skins, &c. A certain cap ain Woodbine has been with them, and was lately; he is a British officer, and acquired their confidence during the war, by commanding at the British fort of Apalachicola under colonel Ni chois. It has been observed that the inhabitants pay no taxes: by this is meant direct taxes. All foreign goods arriving at Amelia or Augustine pay duties. (gricultural machines or implements of husbandry excepted.) But, as there is no custom house o Previous to the blowing up of this fort a great Spanish post on the Main, which has free communi- many runaway negroes, who composed part of its cation with the 4ited States, by means of the wagarrison, doubtful of the event of the siege, desertters and channels of St. Mary's fives, these inhabi-fed from it, and after its destruction went to the 1 south east along the shore of Sawanee; where they pear to give the lie to the character he has received joined the other banditti under Bowlegs, and now in the newspapers. The fact makes it probable, csmpose part of those negroes who, together with that the calumnies respecting him, are the coinage the barbarous Seminolians, have been robbing and of the Jacobinists which are established in the old murdering the frontier inhabitants both of Georgia and new world.-Instead of being the sanguinary and Florida indiscriminately, and are still continu tyrant, we see him an Angel of mercy; and giving ing it. These are the main enemies the people of pardons to those rebels, who under the garb of Florida have to fear, and against them they desire patrotism, would have subverted the government assistance. This is the grand cause which impedes established for ages and brought him to the scaftheir growth and hinders them from becoming in fold, as they did his relative, Louis 16th-all who dependent. The Indians are incorrigible in their were implicated in the foolish conspiracy of Lacy, cruelties. They are naturally enemies to a civiliz have recently received his clemency."-London pu London Oct. 4 Letters from a central part of ed state of society, as it destroys their independence. They resemble wolves, who would rather Spain mention, that the troops destined for South America, after a descent down to Cadiz and other be exterminated than domesticated. parts of Andalusia, had been recalled into Estremadura, the government not having the means to subsist and pay them in the districts in which they were first ordered to assemble. Foreign Articles. ENGLAND, &c. A Spanish vessel, captured by a patriot privateer, has been carried by the prize master into Dingle, in Ireland. The Spanish ambassador reclaimed her. But the British cabinet had not, as yet, either complied with his demand or refused it. It was supposed it would become a subject for discussion in the admiralty court. The London Courier says, it is understood to have been signified, that any British officer who enters the service of the Spanish insurgents will be struck off the half pay list. British 3 per cent. consols, Oct. 7, 82 7-9. don. Some of the British editors think that 1,000,000 bbls. of flour have been imported into the United Kingdoms from the United States, within the last 12 months-they say also that we have sent large quantities to France, Spain, Portugal, &c. On the 1st of Oct. the entire military force in Ireland consisted of seven regiments of cavalry, and 25 regiments of infantry, exclusive of artillery. Cowes, Sept. 27.-The keel of the Portland, 60, was laid down last week at Plymouth, to be built upon the plan of the largest American frigates. FRANCE. The national guard at Paris consists of 37,095 men, of whom 30,111 are effective. Crimes in France appear to have greatly increased in number and atrocity since the late war. The French papers now rival those of England in their accounts of trials for capital offences, some of which have been of an unprecedented character. The French government are said to have made liberal offers to any British coachmakers, who will establish themselves in France. We understand that Spain is making an effort to pestore its naval and military force, and that a very considerable order for naval and artillery stores has been lately received in this country, to be shipped for Spain. SWEDEN. So terribly afraid of something is the "legitimate" Bernadotte, the "old French sergeant," that every stranger was required to wait at the frontiers of Swe den until he received a passport from Stockholm. The English duke of Devonshire on his way to St. Petersburg, to attend the marriage of the grand duke Nicholas, was compelled to submit to this system. Mr. Hughes has obtained a relaxation of the rule in favor of the Americans, who may pass and repass on passports granted by our own consuls. It is said this privilege is not granted to the people of any other country. BARBARY POWERS. It is reported that Hamburg is willing to purchase the protection of England against the Barbary powers, at the rate of 300,000 marks banco, per ann. WEST INDIES. The import of foreign wheat flour is prohibited at Martinique-rice and Indian corn will be received on payment of the former duties, which were latterly suspended. "SPANISH AMERICA," &c. France is bearded by every body. A general disposition is manifested to reclaim of her the whole amount of Napoleon's requisitions, &c. A demand is made for some houses he caused to be pulled We have a variety of royal accounts from Caradown when he ordered Erfurth to be fortified-pay cas, &c. in which it is affected that the royalists have is demanded for wood which served to construct gained some partial advantages over the patriots. Our accounts about Mina are not to be relied the bridge at Hamburg, &c. &c. The amount of such claims, up to June last, was 1,800,000,000 | upon-but we incline to the belief that he is makfrancs-about 74 millions of pounds sterling, or up-ing a great stír in Mexico-it is said that he was wards of 325 millions of dollars. If these are satis-within a short distance of the capital. fied, twice as large an amount will be preferred- The Aurora says-Despatches have been receiv for it is supposed that payment will be claimed for ed from gen. Mina, dated in August, from the inall sorts of private property taken or destroyed. terior of Mexico: he had been joined by the revoitionary force under Padre Torre, and his disciThe following is one of that description of paraplined force already amounts to 6000 men. Details graphs for which the London editors receive from of his operations, and on the general circumstances half a guinea, to ten guneas a piece, according to of Mexico, bad reached Natchitoches, and translathe magnitude of the falsehood that they are made tions were making for the gazette published on, to father-"All the actions of the Spanish King ap- Red river. SPAIN. |