ken part in the criminal proceedings; but, on the contrary, have acknowledged the council of regency, and taken the most efficacious measures to oppose the absurd idea of Caraccas declaring herself independent, without being possessed of the means of obtaining this independence! The regency hereby declares the province of Caraccas in a state of rigorous blockade," &c. "These resolutions

do not extend to the above-mentioned divisions, which, having refused to follow the pernicious example of Caraccas, have manifested their constant fidelity by opposing the plan of rebellion, which only originated in the unlimited ambition of some persons, and in the blind credulity of others, who suffered themselves to be hurried away by the ardent passions of their fellow countrymen. The regency has taken the most secure measures to extirpate these evils, and to punish the authors of them with all the rigour which the rights of sovereignty authorize it to use, unless there be a previous and voluntary submission, in which case the regency grants them a general pardon. The regency commands that these resolutions be circulated through all the Spanish dominions, that they may be carried into effect there as well as in foreign countries, and that they may act conformably to the measures taken for the blockade of the said coasts," &c.

If the causes which led to the revolution in the British colonies in America, were unlike those which occasioned the first movements of that in the Spanish colonies, the conduct of the two parent governments, occasioned by the first proceedings of the colonies, were very similar, and proceeded from the same feelings. The blockade of Caraccas, is a measure that compares very well with the Boston Port Bill, and other acts of Parliament, which instantly followed the news of the destruction of the tea; and although, perhaps, more violent, it was dictated by the same spirit, and justified on the same principles.

This decree of the regency was a declaration of war, and its authors, without inquiring into the causes which occasioned the measures pursued in the colonies, or making a single effort for conciliation, rashly plunged the two countries into all the horrors of civil war. The answer of the junta of Caraccas, to the Marquis de las Hermanzas, minister in Spain, containing an expose of the reasons which occasioned the establishment of the junta, and justifying the measure, instead of tending to allay the feelings of the regency, and the people of Spain, greatly inflamed them; and the intelligence, that other colonies were following the examples of Caraccas, excited their resentment to the highest pitch. The Cortes had been convened, and both the government and the people seemed ripe for war, and thirsting for vengeance. The severest invectives, reproaches, and sarcasms, against the Americans, were published in the Cadiz newspapers; and the most vioVOL. II.

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lent measures were adopted, not only calculated, but intended to enkindle the flames of civil war in America, and thus either coerce her into an acknowledgment of the authority of Spain, whatever it might be, or make her destroy herself. Agents or emissaries were sent to Porto Rico, Monte Video, Panama, and Mexico, for the purpose of arousing political and religious prejudices in favour of Spain, and against the new governments in America, and by making promises to some, and threatening others, to produce dissensions among the patriots, and thus destroy the new governments in the bud. But the principal reliance of the rulers of Spain was on the sword; and consequently, troops were sent to Monte Video, Vera Cruz, Coro, Santa Martha, and Panama, with a view to dragoon the Americans into submission; although at this time every soldier was wanted at home for the defence of the country. The rage, however, which prevailed against the invaders of their own country, violent as it was, did not equal that towards the rebellious Americans. The animosity of the Cortes against the colonists, corresponded with the feelings of the regency; and although some Americans, who happened at the time to be in the Isle of Leon, were chosen members of the Cortes, so strong were the feelings of that body, they scarcely dared to speak in favour of their countrymen.

Such was the spirit which animated the councils of Spain, and dictated the measures they adopted towards America; and their agents and officers in the colonies, exasperated by the loss of power, or alarmed from an apprehension of it, were fit instruments to execute measures of vengeance, to scatter the firebrands of civil dissensions, and carry on a vindictive and sanguinary war, the object of which was, either to subjugate the rebellious Americans, or to extirminate them. Those who possess supreme power, however acquired, regard the invasion of it as the greatest of crimes. The patriots of America were denounced as rebels and traitors, and the vengeance of the state, and the anathemas of the church were directed against them. That a contest commenced under such auspices should have become a war of extermination, and in its progress have exhibited horrid scenes of cruelty, desolation, and deliberate bloodshed; that all offers of accommodation should be repelled with insult or outrage; capitulations violated, public faith disregarded, prisoners of war cruelly massacred, and the inhabitants persecuted, imprisoned, and put to death, cannot occasion surprise. As violence and cruelty produce the bitter spirit of recrimination and revenge, the outrages of the Spaniards exasperated the Americans, and led to retaliation, which rendered the contest a war of death, as it was often called, characterised by a ferocious and savage spirit, scarcely surpassed by that of the Cortes and Pizarros, who first

desolated this fair portion of the earth, and drenched its mountains and plains with the blood of its innocent inhabitants. The events of the revolutionary struggle, which we have now commenced narrating, will fully justify us in what we have asserted as to the spirit and conduct of the Spanish chiefs and rulers; in charging them with the first disregard of the laws of war among civilized nations, and the first outrages against the rights of humanity. The violent measures of the Spanish rulers, and the furious and cruel conduct of their agents in America towards the patriots, produced an effect directly contrary from what was expected; but nevertheless, what was natural, and would have been foreseen, had they taken counsel from their understandings, instead of their mortified pride and exasperated feelings. The high-toned measures, enforced with rigour and cruelty, which it was expected would have intimidated the patriots, and stifled the spirit of independence, only served, like violent winds, acting on half extinguished coals, to enliven its latent sparks, and blow them into a flame. The authority of a state over its colonies, especially when at a great distance, cannot long be supported on any other basis than that of mutual affection and attachment between the inhabitants of the two countries. Spain, notwithstanding the example of Great Britain, from which she might have profited, seems to have entirely disregarded this maxim; and instead of attempting to allay the spirit of disaffection, which disclosed itself, and restore the mutual attachments and confidence between the two countries, by injustice and cruelty, alienated the affections of the colonists from the parent country; dissolved the ties of fraternity, and kindled, from a few sparks, a revolutionary flame, which spread through all her dominions. In consequence of the tyrannical and persecuting conduct of the Spanish rulers at home. and in America, so wide had the disaffection spread, and to such a degree were the people alienated from Spain, and irritated against their oppressors, that in one year they became ripe for a revolution and prepared to assume the responsibility of taking the reins of government into their own hands; of declaring to the world "that they were, and of right ought to be, free, sovereign, and independent," at the hazard of their lives and fortunes.

Caraccas took the lead, and a congress of the several provinces in Venezuela was convened, which on the 5th of July, 1811, in imitation of the American congress, just thirty-five years before, published a declaration of independence; containing the reasons which impelled them to the separation, and pledging their lives, fortunes, and the sacred tie of national honour, to maintain it.

The noble example of Venezuela was followed by Carthagena, Socorro, Tunja, Pamplona, Antioquia, and the other provinces forming the confederation of New Granada, and likewise by Mexi

co, which published similar declarations; and at a later period Buenos Ayres, also, promulged a declaration of independence.

The proceedings in America opened the eyes of the Cortes of Spain to the tendency of their conduct, and perceiving that they were driving the Americans to a separation, they became alarmed, and had recourse, after it was too late, to conciliatory measures. The members of the Cortes, who belonged to America, had submitted a plan for the accommodation of the differences existing between Spain and her colonies, but the Cortes had refused even to consider it; yet in January, 1811, their project, containing eleven propositions, was discussed; and, notwithstanding the apprehensions of the Cortes, arising from the movements in America, they remained not only deaf to the calls of justice, but insensible to the dictates of expediency. The project was rejected, three propositions only being approved. As these propositions reflect light on the dispute between America and Spain, and at the same time, tend to show the restrictions and oppressions, under which the colonies have suffered for ages, it deserves a place in the history of the revolution which separated the two countries. "1st. In conformity to the decree of the central junta, dated the 15th of October, 1809, which declared the inhabitants of Spanish America equal in rights to those of the peninsula, the national representation of every part of Spanish America, the Spanish West Indies, and the Philippine Islands, including every class of their inhabitants, shall be the same in form, manner, and without distinction, as in the kingdom and islands of European Spain.

"2dly. The free natives and inhabitants of Spanish America shall be allowed to plant and cultivate whatever their climate will produce; with license to encourage industry, and to promote manufactures and arts in their fullest extent.

"3dly. Spanish America shall enjoy the liberty of exporting her own natural and manufactured productions to the peninsula, as well as to the allies, and to neutral nations; and of importing whatever she may want. All her ports are consequently to be opened." This and the preceding demand were agreed to, but the order to carry them into execution was never published.

"4thly. There shall be a free trade between Spanish America and the Spanish settlements in Asia. Every thing militating against this freedom to be abolished.

"5thly. Freedom of trade to be granted from all the ports in Spanish America and the Philippine Islands to other parts of Asia. Any law existing contrary to such freedom to be annulled.

"6thly. All estancos or monopolies in favour of the public treasury, or of the king, shall be suppressed; but the public treasury shall be indemnified for the loss of profit arising from such monopoly by new duties on the same articles.

"7thly. The working of the quicksilver mines shall be free in Spanish America, but the administration of the produce shall remain in charge of the officers of the minery department, independent of the viceroys and captain-general, and officers of the real hacienda." This was granted, and orders were published for carrying it into execution in the provinces under the Spaniards.

"Sthly. All Spanish Americans shall be eligible equally with. Spaniards to all appointments of rank or emolument, whether at court or in any part of the monarchy, either in political, military, or ecclesiastical departments.

9thly. Consulting the natural protection of each kingdom in Spanish America, half of the public appointments shall be filled by Spanish subjects born in America.

10thly. That the above stipulations may be punctually adhered to, a consultive junta shall be formed in each capital, to the intent that it may propose persons suited to fill each vacancy."

It is curious to notice the fluctuating policy of both France and England, as to the dispute between Spain and her colonies. After the occurrences at Bayonne, France attempted to acquire dominion over America as an appendage of Spain, and wished to maintain the dependence of the former on the latter. But they soon became satisfied from the extreme repugnance manifested by the Americans to their dominion, that whatever might be the event of the war as to old Spain, the colonies would never acknowledge or submit to the sway of France. The Bonapartes, therefore, changed their views, and became the abettors of the independence of America, for the purpose of cutting off from Spain the pecuniary resources she derived from her colonies, as well as to weaken her by involving her in a civil war. Thus, whilst all the different governments in the Spanish peninsula, maintaining the rights of Ferdinand, were opposing the independence of America, Joseph Bonaparte, claiming the throne of Spain, against whose sovereignty the Americans had shown so much hostility, was attempting to promote it. He despatched agents to America for the purpose of exciting and encouraging the revolution. there; giving them full and minute instructions, embracing even the motto to be inscribed on the revolutionary banners, which was, Long live the catholic, apostolic, and Roman religion, and perish the bad government.” These instructions were given to M. Desmolard, of Baltimore, who was the principal agent of Joseph Bonaparte, and to other emissaries sent into the colonies.

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A copy of these instructions was found in Caraccas in the office of the secretary of the junta, and forwarded to the admiral of the Barbadoes station, as a caution against the intrigues of the Bonapartes.* The French agents penetrated into different parts * See Outline of the Revolution, p. 55.