306 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 



It remains to be yet learnt, wlietlier tliis portion 

 of Guiana be worth looking after, with respect 

 to its supposed mines. The mining speculations 

 at present are flowing down another channel. 

 The rage in England for working the mines of 

 other states has now risen to such a pitch, that 

 it would require a considerable degree of caution 

 in a mere wanderer of the woods, in stepping for- 

 ward to say anything that might tend to raise or 

 depress the spirits of the speculators. 



A question or two, however, might be asked. 

 When the revolted colonies shall have repaired in 

 some measure the ravages of war, and settled 

 their own political economy upon a firm founda- 

 tion, will they quietly submit to see foreigners 

 carrying away those treasures which are abso- 

 lutely part of their own soil, and which necessity 

 (necessity has no law) forced them to barter away 

 in their hour of need? Now, if it should so happen 

 that the masters of the country begin to repent of 

 their bargain, and become envious of the riches 

 which foreigners carry off, many a teasing law 

 might be made, and many a vexatious enaction 

 might be put in force, that would, in all proba- 

 bility, bring the speculators into trouble and 

 disappointment. 



Besides this consideration, there is another 

 circumstance which ought not to be overlooked. 

 I allude to the change of masters nearly through- 

 out the whole of America. It is a curious subject 

 for the European philosopher to moralize upon, 

 and for the politician to examine. The more they 

 consider it, the more they will be astonished. If 

 we may judge by what has already taken place, 



