Newspaper Page Text
South .i bcrlcai Affair*.fj
documents
Jftffii red to in the President's Message at
the colntorHcemcitt of the second session
cf the fifteenth Congress.
(Continued.)
The imports are computed to be about
equal to their export*. British tuanafac
iures form the principal mass, and they
are to he had in meat abundance. They
• n*iist of woolen and cotton goods of ev
ery description, route of them wrought
to iinitate the manufactures of the coun
try ; ironmongery, cutlery, hardware, sad
dlery, hats, porter, ale, and cheese, are a
iimng tlte remaining articles.
from the United States they receive
lumber of all kinds, and furniture of eve
ry description.'; coaches and carriages of
all sorts, codfish, mackerel, shad, and her
ring, leather, boots and shoes, powder and
munitions of war, and naval stores, shhips,
and vessels, particularly those calcinated
for their navy, or for privateers. *
From Brazils they receive sugar,coffee,
cotton, and rum. . ■
From th t north of Europe they
steel and ion ; and from France a Vi um
ber of artii ies of its manufacture. .
Their foreign commerce is principally
tarried on by British capitalists, though
there are some Americans, a few Frdift.li
uni other foreign merchants, also settled
at Boeii ll* Ayres: they are all placed, 1
believe, on the same looting of equality.
The revenue of the state may be esti
mated 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 mo
ney, 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 tneir tariff, as at first established, was
tmiue time since transmitted, 1 believe,.to
the Department of {State j in this the du
ties were generally specific and high. 1
understand they have been lately reduced
as their exorbitancy had occasioned much
smuggling.
Voluntary contributions from those
friendly to the revolution, and forcer!
loans I rum the old Spaniards, have consti
tuted another portion of their funds. To
shew tiie public capital adequate to all ex
igences, their different civil, military, and
naval establishments have been taken in
to view, and are comprised in the estimate
furnished, a thing unusual with us; but
they liaue omitted their public lauds,
which, if u pi udent use be made of them,
must, at no distant day, become a very
productive source of revenue to the
State.
The mines of Putosi, which, in all prob
ability, will very soon fall into their hands
again, may furnish them with a considera
ble supply of the precious metals. It is
stated, on n..pecta ..le authority, that so
lute as the year 1790, the amount ofgoid
and silver coined at Putosi in that year,
was calculated to have been 8299,846 in
gold, and £2,982,176 in silver. The state
of tneir army, and the condition of their
naw, will be seen by a reference to the
‘oriii’gal return presented. (Appendix F)
Their army is composed of regular
troops, Ciorcos, and militia. In one or
other of these classes, they arc educated
to the military art, and, as lar 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
aac estimated at nearly thirty thousand
men. They are composed of 1/296 artille
ry, 13,G93 infantry, and 14,718 cavalry;
of which 12,143 arc troops of the line,
7,041 are Ciorcoa, and 10,573 militia.—
These form the different armies of the
centre of Peru, of the Andes, Cordova,
and the auxiliary forces in the Kntre Rios.
.This statement, however, only includes
the militia of the province of Buenos
Ayres itself. Their supply of arms and
inuniUous of war is ample, as will be seen
by the statement annexed, on t.iat sub
ject.
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 stiict
regulations, agreeably to their prize code,
which is among the original papers pre
sented ami 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 remonstrata. Having taken an oppor
tunity of explai .ing to Mr. Tagle, the
sect etary of state, the proceedings of our
government relative to Amelia Island and
Galvezton, agreeably to their instructions,
the commissioners embraced a suitable oc
casion to urge the just cause of complaint,
whirh the malpractices of private armed
vessels, wearing the patriot colors, had
furnished our government; on both topics
they had long and interesting conversa
tions. With the conduct of the govern
ment respecting Amelia Island and Gal
▼ezton, Mr. Tagle expressed himself per
fectly satisfied, and he disclaimed for his
government any privity or participation
in the lodgments made at those places,by
* The document referred to i* no'/ent.
person* teting in the name of the patriots
us Month America. In reference to the
under the patriot flags, he
‘TftjU vgjMuhlc that great irregulari
ties tad atxfrelite his government
had done every thing in their power to
prevent them, aod were willing, if any in
stance of aggression were pointed out, to
direct an Inquiry into the case, and, if the
facts were established, to punish those
concerned and redress the injured indi
viduals. He professed his readiness to
adopt any measures that would more ef
fectually prevent a recurrence of such
acts, in which he expressed his belief that
die privateers of Buenos Ayres had rare
ly participated, though the character of
the government had suffered from the con
duct of others. He stated that they had,
on one occasion, sent out some of their
public vessels to examine all cruizers
wearing the Buenos Ayrean flag, to see
th t they were lawfully commissioned,and
to ascertain whether they had violated
their instructions.
Amongst the causes of dissatisfaction,
to which I have alluded, the preponder
ance of the capital ha-> been mentioned.
Its great weight in the scale of national
affairs is tube ascribed to its greater ex-
Itwtions in the national cauue. .These are
htvlfig to its comparative wealth, and to
its active, intelligent, and enterprising po
pulation. The armies that have been rai
sed in this city and the neighbouring
country, with the supplies in money and
munitions of w ar drawn from these sources
lirve been truly extraordinary.
It would be a difficult task to make an
exact calculation, or to form even a proba
ble estimate, but all seemed to concede
the superior merit claimed on account of
their exertions, when compared with their
wealth and population: and it is not unli
kely that Buenos Ayres lias, in conse
quence, assumed a higher tone, and acqui
red a controlling influence, which she has
sometimes abused.
Another source of discontent is the un
fortunate dispute between the Banda Ori
ental and Buenos Ayres, which had also
an influence oil the proceedings of the lat
ter towards the Portuguese.
The original cause of division may be
traced to a jealousy, long subsisting bet
ween the rival cities of Monte Vidhoand
Buenos Ayres. This has became habitual
and lias extended to the country. Private
interests and personal views have also in
creased their dissentions.
Gen. Artigas (who bears the character
of chief of the Orientals, as has been alrea
dy stated, and has else assumed that of
the Protector of the Entre ilios and Santa
Fee) was originally, iu the royal service, a
captain in a provincial corps. In t this he
continued for some time alter the revolu
tion had commenced at Buenos Ayres.-
But, iu the year 1811, taking offence, as it
is said, at some conduct ol the Spauis.
commandant ofColoniuJie abandoned the
royal cause, and entered into the service
*)l the patriots. early as the year 1813,
‘when acting against Monte Video lie be
came dissatisfied with Sarratea, the com
mander in chief from Bueuos Ayres. On
his removal from the head of the army, he
quarreled with Gen. Rondeau, who, it was
supposed, would have been acceptable to
him, and finally withdrew before the siege
of Monte Video was finished under Gen.
Alvear. For th s conduct. Posadas, when
lie succeeded to the government,’ treated
him as a deserter from their service. By
a proclamation, lie ottered a reward for his
apprehension, and set a price upon his
head: an act which Gen. Artigas neter
forgot or forgave.
During the subsequent directorship of
Alvear, he induced tiie Calbildo of Buenos
Ayres to issue a similar proclamation
against Gen. Artigas. When Alvear was
dismissed, the people of Buenos Ayres en
deavoured to atone for their conduct by
burning, w ith every mark of ignominy, the
degrading proclamation. They, also ad
dressed a conciliatory letter to the general
and received from him a corresponding
answer. These were preliminary to a
fruitless attempt jat reconciliation, made
by the director ad iuterm, Col. Alvares,
who succeeded Alvear, The correspon
dence on this occasion is annexed. (Ap
pendix H). Other endeavors to reconcile
him have failed, notwithstanding the chan
ges in the ollice of director at Buenos
Ayres. On one occasion, the, proposition
was made, that the Banda Oriental should
remain independent of Bueuos Ayres, and
merely send deputies to the general con
gress, to concert measures against the
common enemy. On another, when the
Portuguese army was approaching the
frontiers of the Banda Oriental, an effort
was ma le by Puejrredon te reconcile him
and to unite him in the common defeuce.
Ample supplies of arms, and munitions ol
war, were oilered, and some furnished; but
thin attempt also failed.
In order that a fuller view of this sub
ject may be had, I have subjoined a trans
lated copy of an animated letter from Uen.
Artigas to Mr. Pueyrredon. (Appendix I).
It is but justice, to add, that Uen. Artigas
is thought, by persons entitled to credit'to
be a firm friend to the independence of
the country. To express a decided opin
ion on this delicate question would scarce
ly be expected of me, an my position did
not command a view of the whole ground.
I had not the satisfaction to be derived
from a personal interview with Gen. Arti
gas, who i-, unquestionably, a man of rare
and singular talants. But if I were to
hazard a conjecture, I think it not impro
bable, that iu thin, as in most family dis
putes, there have been faults on buth sides.
U ia to be lamented that they arc in open
hostility. Tiie tvar has been prosecuted
with great animosity ; and, in two late en
gagements, the troops of Bueuos Ayres
have been defeated with great loss. By
some it was said that the inhabitants of
the eastern shore were anxious that a re
conciliation would take place, whilst the
people in the country preferred their pre
sent state.
. I must not omit to take a glance at the
situation of Paraguay. This province pre
sents a singular spectacle. It stands aloof
from the rest. The people, with the aid of
the few remaining royal troops, repulsed
an army, sent to compel them to join the
common standard. Very soon afterwards
they expelled the royalists, and set up for
themselves. Since tiiis period, they ap
pear to have adopted a partial non-inter
course system. But Bueuos Ayres, on one
occasion, succeeded iu obtaining ail under
standing with them. Some suspect that
they are secretly inimical to the existing
order of things, ami wish to keep them
selves within their shell, that, in case of a
change, they may profit by future events ;
others calculate with some confidence on
their ultimate union with lluenos Ayres,
with w hich, at present, they indulge a li
mited, and reluctant intercourse. Para
guay is under the immediate control of a
person tv ho style* himself
director of Paraguay.
From the domestic concerns of the pro
vinces, we naturally turn to their foreign
relations. Ou this subject the commission
ers were informed that they had nodiing
more than a friendly understanding with
any foreign nation. With the Portuguese
government they concluded an arrange
ment in ICI2, under the mediation, it is
said, qf the British, with respect to the
Banda Oriental. They have since had a
correspondence with them on the subject
of their entrance into that province, and
the forcible occupation by a Portuguese
army of the city of Monte Video, of which
a copy is annexed. (Appendix I.) This
will present the state cf affairs between
Buenos Ayres and the Brazils, which has
been the theme of much discussion. The
superior naval force of the Portuguese,
stationed in the river La Plata, could have
effectually blockaded all the ports of Bue
nos Ayres. By this means they would
have prevented supplies of arms and inani
tions of war, and entirely destroyed the
great source of revenue to the state, the
duties on imports and tonnage, at a season
when money was much wanted. For ab
out this period Buenos Ayres had a pow
erful army to contend with on the side of
Peru, and had taken the burthen of the re
newed contest of Chili with Spain. Gli
der such circumstances, they were in some
measure obliged to adopt a cautious and
moderate poliej. Their conduct in this
respect seems to have been coerced. T heir
unhappy state with the Orientals had also
an influence on their measures; they alleg
ed that the rcstlesi conduct of Artigas
had furnished the Portuguese a pretext
for the invasion ; but, it is probable that
they will ultimately break with the go
vernment of Brazils. ,
The British government has, through
their official agents, entered into commer
cial stipulations with general Artigas, as
the chief of the Orientals, on the subject of
their trade with the eastern shore. A co
py of this instrument will be found iu Ap
pendix K.
The government of Buenos Ari es have
a person in Europe, soliciting from Eng
land, and other powers, it is said, assis
tance of every kind, and a recognition of
their independence. England has a con
sul, who,, with her naval commander on
that station, appeared to conduct the con
fidential affairs of the British cabinet with
the government of Buenos Ayres.
(Mr Rodney’s Report to be continued.)
VERY LATE FROM EUROPE.
Arrived at Charleston ship Lady Galla
tin, Capt. Swain, 45 days from Belfast. By
this vessel, the Editors of the City Gazette
have received a full file of Belfast papers
to the 15th October, containing London
dates to the 9th of the same month.several
days later than before received.
From Belfast paper* to tli Lsth October* re.
cciv.?d by the ship I.inr Gillstix, Captuin
S-.vuin.
BELFAST, October 10.
Some of the London paper state, that the
late change in the Spanish Councils was to
be attributed to the intrigues of a party,
who contrived to obtain more influence
over Ferdinand than liU principal ministers.
The event, it is understood, had the eflcct
of putting a stop to.tlie discussions which
w ere carrying on in Baris, under mediation,
for adjusting the disputes between Spain
and Portugal.
The Emperor of Russia arrived at Aix
la-Cliapelleon the evening of the 28th ult.
The entry of his Imperial Majesty was an
nounced by the firing of artillery, and
other demonstrations of public respect.
The Euiperor of Austria had reached
Aix-la-Chapelle previously.
It has been rumored, but upon what foun
dation is not stated, that Spain has convey
ed the sovereignty of the Floridas to the
United States, for the sum of frive millions
of dollars. This would be a cheap and an
easy mode of settling the pretentions of the
latter to these provinces.
The statement, however, is not supported
by any authority.
London, October s.— Thf. Kino.—Sat
urday the Queen’s Council assembled at
Windsor, and agreed on the following
Bulletin, relating to His Majesty’s state.
which was exhibited yesterday at St.
James's Palace •
” Windsor Castle, October 3.—1 Us Ma
jesty coutinueb in a very tranquil state of
mind, and in good bodily health, but
without any diminution of his disor
der.”
The Archduchess Maria Louisa had
about two hundred thousand francs of
annuities inscribed iu the Great Book of
France. In consequence of the law of
1815, she was deprived of this inscription,
and it was transferred to the Treasury.—
It is said, that llarou S*. Vincent, the Aus
trian Minister,having entered into a nego
ciatiou on this subject, the inscription has
been replaced iu the name of the Arch
duchess.
London, Oct. G.— Markets — Co! I on —
The India descriptions of Cottons continue
exceedingly heavy ; the holders evince an
increasing eagerness to effect sales particu
larly since the declaration of another sale
by the Company the lOtii inst.j 5550bags
Bengal* are already specified, and it is ex
ficcted these declarations are only the pre
ude to another extensive sale. The pur
chasers of Cotton since our last report are
about 600 bags, viz—so Pernambuco, 2s.
1 l-2.d to 2s. 2d.; M 0 West India, 18 5-8
to 21 1-4 ; and for export, at a tiiflingdis
count on the last East India sale, 500 Ben
gals and 40 Surats.
Liverpool, Get. S. —Our Cotton market
has cont.uued throughout the week very
dull and most descriptions have declined
I-4d. to l-2d. per lb. Yesterday some sales
of Tennessee, Demerara and Surat Cot
tons, were brought forward ;ouly 800 bags
of the Dementias were sold, at 20 1-4d. to
24 l-4d. ordinary to good lair quality, be
ing a decline of about 3-4 per lb. and 10
Surats l. l r 3d. good fair quality : the re
mainder were withdrawn, the buyers not
being willing to give the prices expect
ed.
BELFAST, Oct. 12
A private letter from Aix-la-Chapclle,
datep October 3, says— •* The allied troops
are to leave France in the course of tiie
present month, or early in the beginning
ol next, at such intervals and bv such
routes as may be afterwards determined
to be most convenient for all parties. The
allieJ powers are perfectly satisfied with
the present state of France, and the secu
rities which she offers, in her internal con
dition, for the preservation of the general
tranquillity. They arc likewise satisfied
with the proposed guarantees for the pay
ment of the contributions. These contri
butions are all to be discharged in.the
course of nine mouths from the signature of
the treaty. The first instalment is to be
25 percent, upon the whole sum ;and the
reinaiuder is to be paid by equal instal
ments at the end of every two months.—
The first payment of 25 per cent, will take
place on the 29th of December of the pre
sent year. The house of Baring jj* Cos.
supported by their friends of the other
banking houses of Europe, is the security.
Mr* Baring was yesterday called to a con
ference, and presented satisfactory guaran
tees. The distribution of the sums tube
contributed I have not ye't been able mi
nutely to ascertain, but the following are
the portions allotted ,to the greater pow
ers :
Russia will receive 48 millions of francs
England 48 ditto.
Austria about 40 ditto.
Prussia about 40 ditto.
The Netherlands 22 ditto.
Bavaria 10 ditto.
The remainder will be devided among the
other States, in proportion to their magni
tude, their sacrifices, or exertions in the
common cause.”
BELFAST, October 13.
Two mils are due by Donaghadee, but
we have received the London papers of
Friday’s date, (9th) via Dublin.
The most interesting intelligence which
they bring,’ relates to the proceedings of
the Congress at Aix-la-ChapcMc. It is
annoinced that the anny of occupation is
to be immediately withdrawn from France,
and a messenger has been dispatched to
Paris with this intelligence. Whatever
heart burnings, therefore, existed in that
country, on account of the residence of
foreign troops, must now subside. Europe,
itis to be, hoped, will, iu all its Kingdoms
and States know no other rivalship now
than in the cultivation of the arts of peace.
Already have their •* quarrels filled the
world with widows and with orphans.
It is not known vvliat other business will
engage the attention of the Sovereigns,but
itis to be expected that the recent change
in the Ministry of Ferdinand, being inti
mately connected with the affairs of South-
Amcrica, will draw their attention.
It is said’that the three Sovereigns now
at Aix-la-Chapel!c, will shortly leave it,
but that Ministers representing the differ
ent Powers, will remain some time longer,
to concert various arrangments for the
peace of the world. The commercial in
intercourse of nations will no doubt meat
with the deliberation wieh its importance
peserves.
London. October 9.— -The Queen.— -The
following are the Bulletins for the two last
davs: • ‘
r l*he Queen has had a good night. Her
Majesty remains in the same state as yes
terday.
The Queen has again rested well, and
feels herself refreshed and comfortable this
morning.
TIIE CONGRESS.
A private letter from Aix-la-Chapelle, of
sth October, says— ** The question of fbc
evacuation of France is now talked of in
all societies, as decided. As yet the for
mal act has nut been signed, \ine senti
ments ot the Sovereigns and ti iC Ministers
concur in the measure, whiiii only now
awaits their oficial sanction. The Great
est difficulty in.the ulterior airniiGciucHts,
and iu the settlement''of these unties, will
arise itis said, on the part ofPrusia. This
Power, it wiii be remembered, shewed
the greatest (■.ssatisraction at die dclavs
that occurred in the affair of the priva'te
reclamations, and probably dreads similar
inconveuiencit s in the payment of the con
tributions, unlc.-s the guarantees shall be
altogether unexceptionable. * The Duke of
Kent arrived at Aix-la-Chapelle on the sd,
and was present at inntl vr g ral) ,| dinner
given by the King >f Prussia to hi* royal
guesr, <jC. Ino party bejau to arrive at
hall past one, and the dinner was over be
fore four.”
The sanction to the evacuation of France
by the foreign troops, was given, we un
derstand, ou Fsiday last ; and Count do
t araioaii was immediate) y dispatched wit'i
tile important news to Paris, where he ar
rived in the night of the 4th. The troops,
arc to be withdrawn in a month fteni the
date of the signature of the important doc
ument. The first instalment on the con
tributions, a fourth of the whole, is to
be paid on the slli of December. The im
portant intelligence was known at Parik
ou the sth. Courier.
Among the number of strangers whom
the Congress has ultracted to Air.-la-Cha
pelle, is the celebrated Mr. Owen,of New
Lanark, who has come from Frankfurt on
the Maine. Hu repaired to that city to
pros.'itt a memorial to the Diet, offering to
produce a plan, by wich “ riches may be
created in such abundance, that the wants
and desires of every human being may bo
ever satisfied, nnu by which the rising gen
eration, without force or punishment of
any kind, may Le trained by circumstances
so as to exclude any defect except what
may arise from the inexperience of the
parties who execute its details, or be owing
to qualities uncontrolable by human
means.” This, it will readily be seen, is
the general result which he draws from his
plan of the villages of mutual co-operation,
that made such a noise last year iu the
London papers. This memotial lie is come
to present to the Allied Soverigns and
Ministers. It is printed in three different
languages,in English for Lord Castlerergh,
and in French and German for the other
great Personages of Congress. He left the
Diet discussing the military organization
of Germany, without receiving any answer
to Ilia project, or being called upon to ex
plain its details. “Whether the Sovereign*
will not pretend to divine ; though our
opinion is, ihat'Mr.OwenAvill not succeed
better at Aix-la-Chapelle, in proselytising
their Majesties, than the Quakeress did
who went to Rome to convert the Pope.
Itis rumort-d that the Marquis of Hast
ings will obtain from the Prince Regent
the rank of Field Marshal. His Lordship
stands nearly at the head of genera! offi
cers in the set vice, and the less jealousy
would therefore’ attach upon the above
splendid tribute to the magnitude of his
achievements in the East
A Flanders mail arrived this morning
with papers from Brussels to the 7ih inst.
The journal of East and West Flanders,
has been suspended, and the iditoris kept
in secret imprisonment. This is the paper
prosecuted for a libel on tticduke of Wel
lington.
There is a rumor afloat that the Emper
or Alexander has come to an understand
.ng with the French Government respect
ing the disposal of tire materiel of Itis ar
my to France, lie intends, it is said, to
re-convpy the men to Russia by sea, leav
ing the horses with their full mountings,
and his guns, &s. France, where they are
much wanted. With all these he is am
ply provided at home; and'bshe receives
a good price for what he disposes of to
the French, and the conveyance of his
troops by sea will be less expensive than
marching them over land, the advantage it
considered to be for the advantage of both
parties. *
The Rose, Captain Anderson having
Lord Cochrane, Ike. on board, arrived
at Madeira on the 17th of Ang. and sailed
the same day for Colombo river.
Abraham Thornton, who was lately tri
ed for the murder of Mary Ashton, has ar
rived at Liverpool, for the purpose of .emi
grating to America.
The Marquis of Hastings ha* appointed
Mr. Gerald Wellesley to be British Resi
dent at the Court of llolknr.
On Thursday the Dutch frigate Dolphin,
from the Texei, bound to the coast of Af
rica, arrived tn the Downs. She has or
board 50 slaves, which are to be returned
to their native home, by order of thn
Dutch Government, after which she will
proceed to the Dutch islands in the West
Indie*.
On Saturday three superb portable
rooms were shipped at the Custom-house,
for Aix-la-Chapelle. They are for the use.
of Sir Thomas Lawrence, while taking
the portraits of the Sovereigns.—Lord Cas
tlereagh has allow ed the use of his garden
for their erection. The large room is 50
feet by 18, and the others 20 bv 18, and
18 by 12. ‘ •
We have been told that a steam ve*sel
is now building at Greenock, to carry pas
sengers between Dublin and Belfast.
A peasant in East Gothland, being em
ployed in fishing in the river Staring, drew
out an eel which had fast entwined itself
round a gold crown richly set with jewels.
This crown sos ancient workmanship,
and it is supposed that it belonged to
King Sigismund, and that it was Inst in the
river on the retreat after the battle qf Sta-
