308 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 



Transatlantic regions. It cannot well be doubted, 

 but that the sable hordes in the West Indies will 

 like to follow good example, whenever they shall 

 have it in their power to do so. 



Now with St. Domingo as an example before 

 them, how long will it be before they try to raise 

 themselves into independent states? And if they 

 should succeed in crushing us in these our last 

 remaining tenements, I would bet ten to one that 

 none of the new governments will put on mourn- 

 ing for our departure out of the new world. We 

 must well remember, that our own government 

 was taxed with injustice and oppression by the 

 United States during their great struggle; and 

 the British press for years past has, and is still 

 teeming with every kind of abuse and unbecoming 

 satire against Spain and Portugal for their con- 

 duct towards the now revolted colonies. 



France also comes in for her share of obloquy. 

 Now, this being the case, will not America at 

 large wish most devoutly for the day to come 

 when Europe shall have no more dominion over 

 her? WiU she not say to us, our new forms of 

 government are very different from your old 

 ones. We will trade with you, but we shall al- 

 ways be very suspicious of you as long as you 

 retain possession of the West Indies, which are, 

 as we may say, close to our door-steads. You 

 must be very cautious how you interfere in our 

 politics; for, if we find you meddling with them, 

 and by that means cause us to come to logger- 

 heads, we shall be obliged to send you back to 

 your own homes, three or four thousand miles 

 across the Atlantic; and then, with that great 



