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DOCUMENT**. M1LLED&EV1LLE, G. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1818. SO U T11 - A M K U1 r A N \ K V A111S. uments referred tn in the Vresiih ut's message I the commencement of the second session ij tfifteenth Congress. Wash ugtnn City, 5th Nov. 1S18. Ir,—I have the honor to present the i t - j herewith enclosed, ngiealily to the d Inf Mr. Graham, who, on reflection, pet - [d submitting some additional remarks, epnrate paper. For this purpose two he dot uments referred to in the report hin in his possession—Dr. F ine's outlines pc events in the United Provinces, sin-e evolution, and the manifesto nfimiepiid- by the Congress of Turuinan. It a re the honor to he, with great respect, most obedient servant, C. A. RODNEY. j h. John Q Adams, Secretary ol' Stale. LVr. Rodney to the Secretary of State. r.—1 have now the honor to submit to [consideration my report on the subje-t le late mission to South- America, rul ing the information derived from the va- j sources within mj power, so far as I kn opportunity of improving the udvan- ! possessed. tli the history of the conquest of the sli possessions in America, you must liliar. They were principally, if nm |ively, achieved by private adventu- W lie'll completed, a most oppressive i Of government, or rather despotism, tablished by the parent country, tse exmisi ve'regions were origin all v Id by two vire-roys. The dominions ol |, in North-America, were under tin iment of the vice-roy of Mexico, and |r possessions in South-America wor- |t to the control of tlic vjcc-roy of Peru, i remoteness of some parts of the roim- »m the residence of the vice-roy at Li- Ecasimied, in trt9, the establishment other vii e-royalty at Santa Fe de Ho lii the kingdom of New-Givnada. In New-Grenada was divided, and a huin- the provinces composing that king- tere separated from it. These wore put [ the juridiction of a captain general csidrnt, w hose seat of government was faceas. |568, Chili was erected into a separate i generalship; in i;78, a new vice- was established at Buenos Ayres, Ihending ali the Spanisli possessions to It ol the Western Cordilleras am! to 1th of the river Marauon. immense empire seems according to i of the Indies, to have been ronsi- distinct kingdom of itself, though i Spain, and annexed to the t rown -if In this light it is viewed by Uaron Idt, in his essay on. New-Spain. 1 some slight shades of difference in stations establisiied in tliese govern- the prominent features of their poli- ■stitutions exhibit a striking resem- [ as the general system was the same, [commerce was confined to the par- Itry, and to Spanish vess#U exclu- Tliey were prohibited, under th Hesides all tliese there were stamp taxes, ta vern licenses, and stuns paid lor the sale of ■'dices, of titles of nobility, papal bulls, the imposition and ronlirmaliou of lands, with . number of others of an inferior grade. Under the Spanish minini-chs, who had i nrly obtained from the pope the cerlesiasti •al dominion, and thus had united in their coyal persons all civil and religious authorii the reins of government, and finally, in the year 1310, sent off the viceroy Cisneros, and hi3 principal adherents. Fora summary ol events subsequent to this period, until the time of my departure, 1 beg leave to refer to the outlines subjoined, (Appendix A) from the pe.i of De. Filin', drawn up, in part, at my request. Without vouching fur the per fect accuracy of the work, 1 think, froth the ■ oppressive hierarchy was established.[information 'received, it wit! 'probably be with its numerous train of itHces and orders, found to contain, in general, a correct and succeeded by the inquisition. impartial sketch of the prominent transac tin'posts of honor and profit, from the | tions and occurrences, highest to the lowest, were tilled almost ex- In perusing this interesting document, 1 i ..sively i> the. natives ot Old Spain. have to lament, that its pages are marked 1 ac principal code of law, thus maintain- [ with some cases of severity & cruelty, which mg the supremacy ol Spain over these dis- seem almost insrperable from great rerol ti tan .regions, almost locked up from the rest dons. It must ..owever be coiis.iliiig to ob- ■4 tlie work,, emanated from the council of serve, that they appear to have to'' Indies established by the king, in which j lie Was supposed to be always present. The royal rescrips, the recopitationes of the In- dies, and the partidas, furnished the general rule ot decision ; and when these were silent or doubtful, recourse was had to the opin ions of professional men. This system was generally executed by the vice roys, captains general, and by the tri bunals of justice, with a spirit corresponding: with the rigorous policy that produced it. To this form of government, the country had 1 for centuries submitted with implicit obedience, and -probably would have continued much longer, but lor events in this country and the changes in Europe. The sagacioiet minds of many able writers, penetrating into thc'fu- ture, had predicted, at some distant date, a revolution in South America, before that in North America had commenced. From the period of the successful termination of our own struggle for independence, tiiat of the inhabitants of the south lias been with more ■onfidenre foretold ; anil there is reason to believe it has been hastened liv this fortunate; event. The conduct of Spain, during the war of our revolution, was calculated to make a lasting impression on her colonics. This result was tlienforescch by intelligent po- iitii ians: main were surprised that she could hr so blind to her own interest, after she had, mi one occasion, manifested the strongest suspicion of Paraguay ; for to her scrupu lous jealousy of this power the expulsion of the jesuits from that country, in 1750, is to be attributed. The wars that arose from the Frew h rev olution have prodm ed, in Europe, changes of [lie greatest magnitude, which have had an immense influence on the affairs of South America. When Spain joined France a- gaikst the combined prim es, she exposed her distant possessions to British hostilities. The great naval power c:f England gave her ready access to the American colonies. Engaged in an arduous contest, she was prompted, by her feelings and interest, to re taliate on Spain the conduct she experienced from her during the war of our independ ence. Encouraged, perhaps, by the coun sels of her enemies, the first symptoms ol insurrection, in the continental possessions of Spain, were exhibited in the passed through the state, whi< li might possibly hav rendered examples necessary, and to hav arrived, perhaps, at that stage, when, the passions becoming less turbulent, and the people more enlightened, a milder system may be expected to prevail. Their dissensions have produced most of their calain ities. In such seasons they were naturally to he expected. But their dis putes have been principally healed, by the prudent and energetic measures of the Con gress, which roinmeneedTts sittings in Tu- cuman in the year 1815, and adjourned in the year following from thence to Buenos Ayres, where it remained in session, occu pied with the task of forming a permanent constitution. This 1'espectabie body, besides acting as a convention, or a constituent as sembly, exercises temporarily legislative powers. Their sittings are publi', with a gallery of audience, lor citizens and stran gers. ’l'he debates are frequently inti rest ing, and arc condui ted with ability and de corum ; they are published every month for the information of the people. The dispute xvir.li Artigas, the chief of the Orientals, has not been adjusted. This, every variety ol climate to befoun d betweerj, different and distant latitudes, and biesscil with a large portion of fertile soil, ,it is capa ble of producing all that is to be found in tho temperate or torrid /.ones. Immense herds of cattle and horses graze on its extensive plains, and constitute at tiiis time tfieir prin cipal source of wealth. The mines of Poto- si are also included within its boundaries.—. There are no woods for a very considerable distance from Buenos Ayres. No forest trees arc to be seen on the widely extended pampas, except at intervals a solitary um- boo. After passing the Saladildo, in a nor therly direction, the woods begin, and pro ceeding in the upper provinces, the hills ap pear, and mountains rise in succession, inter spersed with vallieS. On the east side of tho rivers Ea Plata anil Parana, the country is said to be very fine. The Elitre Rios is rep resented as capaoie of being made a garden spot; and the Banda Oriental presents hills and dales, rich bottoms, line streams of wa ter, and at. a distance from the great river, ■ m the banks of the smaller streams, some excellent woodland. Between Malii muda and .vlonte V iden, the cast ridge of cue Uor- dilleras irr.itiuat: s on the river La Plata. Since tiie rev dution, five more provinces have been crei ieu, making in all fourteen within the limits of the ancient vice royalty p viz. Tueumau, taken from Salta ; Mendoza or Cuvo, taken from Cordova; Uorrientos, Jtiiitre Rios, comprising the country between the Uruguay, and the Parana, and the Ban da Oriental, or eastern shore of the river La Plata. The two last were taken from tbo province ol Buenos Ayres, which was tims reduced to the toi ritory on the. south sid" of mat river. The subordinate divisions of the country, with the 'principal towns, will m found in tiie appendix to tiiis report, wim an account of the produce, or manufactures of tiie diflerent districts. ,( Appendix D.) Ot the fourteen provinces into wniih i.us ancient vice royalty is u.,w divided, live were, w ith a certain jealously of the superior influ- ‘ l tmy departure, principally on upicd by the ence of the city of Buenos Ay res on the gen- j *'oy al lori es, (which, in consequence ot tho oral affairs of the provinces 5 the conduct I v * c tory of Maipu, were expected soon t > rr- V eneznela. These were succeeded by f death, to trade with fur- igncrs. i the attempls of Miranda in the same quae res of Old Spain composed the body i which were accompanied; or were'fid In w- merchants. Though tiiis part of the I ?d, since the Vacillating state of the Spun- jiad, previously to tlie'revolution, Been in some degree, particularly by the [f free commerce, as it is styled, the ns partial, and the restrictions coh- Ivere and oppressive, l ess to the Spanisli settlements was } foreigners, and even the inhabitants cut provinces were prohibited from se with one another, unless under e'st regulations. irious manufactures, that might in- litli those of Spain, were not permit- ley were prevented, under severe ffrom raising flax, hemp, or saffron, tea most congenial to them, the cul- V grape and the olive was prohibit- kccount of the distance of Peru and |d tiie difficulty of transporting oil [to tliese remote regions, they were to plant vines and olives, but were 1 the. culturo of tobarco. At Bue- , by special indulgence of the vice were allowed to cultivate grapes 1 merely for the use of the‘table, ierc compelled to 'procure from the [mitry articles of tiie first necessity: thus rendered dependant on her yvenienres of life, as well as luxti 1 crown possessed the monopoly of lilt, and gunpowder. oppressive regulations and re- fcvas added an odious system oftax- pm the Indians was exacted a tri- 1 shape of a poll tax, or a certain 1 the mines, called the mita. A B'f the produce of cultivated lands under tiie denomination of tithes, tla, tax varying from two and a [per cent, on every sale and resal moveable and immovable, was tted, though in some cases a com- 1 allowed. Royal and munici- vere laid on imports and on the jitrahre and clearance of vessels, jlfferent appellation:! of almoxari- [alcavala, ccrso, consulado, arnia- nadilla. To these may be added His of the precious metals, the Itant tax in tho mining districts. ish monarchy, liy revolutionary imiveuients in Mexico, Grenada, Peru, Chili, and Buen os Ayres '; and from which scarcely any part erf the Spanish dominions in America lias been entirely exempt. The occurrences that led the way tn the subsequent important events in the provinc es of La Plata, were the invasion of the British, under Pnpham and Bereaford, in the year 1806, atul their expulsion, a few months afterwards. By the collected forces uf the country under Leniers and Puey rredon. These incidents fortunately gave to the peo ple a just idea of their own strength they afterwards repelled, with a firmness t honor, tin h under Gen and lira very Tli at did them great honor, tin form id able attack of the Britis AYliitlocke. The wretched state to which Spain was reduced, By the policy, the power*, and the arts of Napoleaii, the resignation of Charles the 4tli in favor of Ferdinand the 7th, and the renunciation of both in favor of Napo- lean, were productive of the most important results. They threw the Kingdom into tli greatest confusion. The alternate successes and disasters of the French armies produc ed a new era in Spain. The people, gener ally, revolted at the idea of being governed by the brother of Napolcan, to wiiotn lie had transferred the crown. Juntas were established, who acted in tho name of Fer dinand, then confined in France. Tliese were substituted for the ancient Cortes, anil the regular council of the nation, to which, in times of eminent danger, they ought to have recurred agreeably to their usages. Conflicting authorities produced a distract- cdstate of affairs. In the scenes that endued the proper attention was not paid to the A- merican provinces. Their conduct towards them was versatile and inconsistent 5 they were lost sight of or neglected, until it was too late. Conceiving they wet e abandoned by the parent state, they thought it justifia ble to act for themselves. It was not very- long before the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres, embracing tiie example of their brethren in Spain, established a junta, which assumed of the government of Buenos Ayres, to wards tli;* Portuguese, and the high tariff" of duties, which I understand have been since reduced, appeared tn constitute tiie princi pal causes of dissatisfaction at tiie time of my departure. The declaration by Congress of that in dependence, which they had for many years previously maintained in fact, was a meas ure of the highest importance, and lias been productive of an unanimity and a decision before unknown. This summit of their wishes, was only to be readied by slow and gradual progress. The public mind had to be illumined on the subject by their pulpits, their presses and'thrir public orations. The people were to be prepared for the event. V In n the season arrived, they cut the. knot whid; could not be untied. The dedara- lionof independence was adopted in the di rectorship of Mr. Fury rredon. 011 the ninth day of Jnly, 1816, It. was succeeded by ■nr 1797. an able exposition of the causes that extort ed it, tojustify, to their fi llow-citizens and to the world, the measur * they had deliber ately voted to support with their fortunes and their lives. Believing the latter paper might be thought worthy of perusal, a translation has been annexed (Appendix B.) The salutary influence of this bold and derisive step, was at once felt throughout the country. It gave new life and strength to the patriotic cause, and stability to the government. The victories of Chacabiieo if ml Maipu, achieved hv the arms of Chili and B uen >s Ayres, have produced and con firmed a similar declaration of independ ence by the people of Chili, which, is also annexed, (Appendix C) and cemented the and cordial union, existing between the confed erate states. The consequence has he n, that, within these extensive teriutori-s, tuerc is scarcely the vestige of a royal army to he found, except on tin* borders of IVru. Having thus, in connection with the suc cinct account given by Dr. Funo, traced the principal events, since tho revolution in Buenos Ayres, I shall proceed to state the result of the information received, accord ing to the best opinion 1 could form of the ex tent, population, government and resources of the United Provinces, with their produr-. thins, imports, and exports, trade and com merce. The late vice royalty of .Buenos Ayres, of which that city was the metropolis, was by many considered the largest, as well :r- the most valuable of all the Spanish dominions in South, America, extending in a direct line, from its north to its soutli boundary, a dis tance of more than two thousand miles ; and from its eastern to its western, not loss than eleven hundred. It was composed, at tie commencement of the revolution, of the nine provinces, or intendencies following : Buenos Ayres, Par aguay, Cordova, Salta, Potosi, La Plata, Chncli&bambn, I,a Paz ami Puno, Watered by the great river La Flata and its numerous tributary streams, which afford in easy communication with countries of an immense extent, and furnishing an easy ac cess to the treasures of Soutli America, if has always been regarded by Spain as one ot treat to Lower Peru) or partially under their influence, viz, Potosi, La Plata, Curb ....ri ba, La Paz, and Puno : and toe nine l-dluwv ing, independent de facto of Spain, were in the possession of the Patriots, viz. Buenos Ay res, Paraguay, Mendoza, Salta, Corieh- tes, Elitre Rios, and Banda Oriental. But Paraguay and the city of Santa Fee act in dependently’ of Bin 11 is Ayres, thougn Para guay is not on unfriendly terms with tli in, and it is hoped by Some will before long 1 ;iu the union. Entre Rios and the Banda (ori ental, under general Artigas in the character uf chief of the Orientals, are 111 a state of hostility with Buenos Ayres. Monte V ided, the capital of the eastern shore, was occupied by a Portuguese army, and a squadron of ships of war from Brazil bioi kaued the ports of Colonia and Maldo nado, and prohibited flic entrance of neutral 1 csscls, unless liicy paid them tl.-a same du ties on their cargoes, tuat they were charged on the importation of the goods whcfe'lanucii 111 the country. The territory, ol the United Provinces is computed to contain one 1 undred and fil'iyr thousand square leagues, lhong, 1 ii probably exceeds that quantity. The lands occupied in toe country, remote from the cities, are generally converted by their owners, in. . s- taniua, or large grazing farms for 1 ut< 1 ami clnp ras for gr.isviii.., grain. Tln-sinaii .us, or quintas, in the igiiborlmod of , i,i: s, are in line order. Those around Buenos Ay 1 es, which furnish their market. With an a.opio supply of fruit aitd veg ‘table's, are, by irri gation, in the highest s ate of culture. The population, exrf -ove of the Indians, is now calculated at about one, million force hundred thousand : but, adding the c.vilizei Indians only, who are of great inqiortaiu e„ it would in ail probably exceed two millions. TI10 whole population consists of natives, of old Spain, and their d srendauts bun in the country, or, as they style fheinsilves, Soutli Americans ; >f In iims civilized, or unreclaimed, with ditt" rent •* casts,” or mix ed blood ; of Africans, and their descend ants, or negroes and r. uluttoes. I could not ascertain, with satisfaction, the population of the different provinces: tho province of Buenos Ayres contains about one hundred and twenty thousand, whilst tluv population of Entre Rios and Banda Orien tal is computed at fifty thousand. The city of Buenos Ayres contains a pop ulation of sixty thousand. The inhabitants of this place appear to lie amiable, and an interesting people. They are considered brave and humane ; possessing intelligence, capable of great exertions uni perseverance, and manifesting a cheerful devotion to tho cause of freedom and independence; There is also a certain mediocrity and c- quality of fortune prevailing Among them, extremely favorable to an union of the pop. dar sentiment in support of the rommoii weal. Many industrious mechanics, and en terprising merchants, are, however, increas ing their estates, and adding to the stoc k of capital in the country. The people of the province of Buenos Ayres, residing out of tiie city, ai'e, general ly speaking poor, and rather indolent: tho’ 1 hardy race, ami when excited to action, iter most precious acquisitions. Enjoying they become zealous defenders of the liber-