532 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1818. 



for themselves. It was not very 

 long before the inliabitants of 

 Buenos Ayres, embracing the 

 example of their brethren in 

 Spain, established a junta, which 

 assumed the reins of government, 

 and finally in the year 1810, sent 

 off the Viceroy Cisneros, and his 

 principal adherents. For a sum- 

 mary of events subsequent to this 

 period, until the time of my 

 departure, I beg leave to refer to 

 " An Historical Sketch of the 

 Revolution of the United Pro- 

 vinces of South America," &c. 

 from the pen of Dr. Funes, drawn 

 up, in part, at my request. With- 

 out vouching for the perfect 

 accuracy of the work, I think, 

 from the information received, it 

 will probably be found to contain, 

 in general, a correct and impartial 

 sketch of the prominent trans- 

 actions and occurrences. 



In perusing this interesting 

 document, I have to lament, that 

 its pages are marked with some 

 cases of severity and cruelty, 

 which seem almost inseparable 

 from great revolutions. It must, 

 however, be consoling to observe, 

 that they appear to have passed 

 through the state which might 

 possibly have rendered examples 

 necessary, and to have 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 dissentions have produced 

 most of their calamities. In such 

 seasons they were naturally to be 

 expected. Biit their disputes 

 have been principally healed by 

 the prudent and energetic mea- 

 sures of the Congress, which 

 commenced its sittings ia Tucu- 



man in the year 1815, and ad- 

 journed in the year following 

 from thence to Buenos Ayres, 

 where it remained in session, 

 occupied with the task of forming 

 a permanent constitution. This 

 respectable body, besides acting 

 as a convention, or a constituent 

 assembly, exercises temporarily 

 legislative powers. Their sittings 

 are public, with a gallery of au- 

 dience for citizens and strangers. 

 The debates are frequently in- 

 teresting, and are conducted with 

 ability and decorum : they are 

 published every month for the 

 information of the people. 



The dispute with Artigas, the 

 chief of the Orientals, has not 

 been adjusted. This, with a cer- 

 tain jealousy of the superior 

 influence of the city of Buenos 

 Ayres on tlie general affairs of 

 the provinces; the conduct of 

 the government of Buenos Ayres 

 towards the Portuguese, and the 

 high tariff of duties, which I 

 understand have been since re- 

 duced, appeared to constitute the 

 principal causes of dissatisfaction 

 at the time of my departure. 



The declaration by Congress 

 of that independence which they 

 had for many years previously 

 maintained in fact, was a measure 

 of the highest importance, and 

 has been productive of an una- 

 nimity and a decision before 

 unknown. This summit of their 

 wishes was only to be reached 

 by slow and gradual progress. 

 The public mind had to be illu- 

 mined on the subject by their 

 pulpits, their presses, and their 

 public orations. The people were 

 to be prepared for the event. 

 When the season arrived, they 

 cut the knot which could not be 



untied. 



