WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 329 



With regard to the AVest India Islands, they may be 

 considered as the mere outposts of this mammoth domain. 

 St. Domingo has ah^eady shaken off her old masters, and 

 become a star of observation to the rest of the sable 

 brethren. The anti-slavery associations of England, full 

 of benevolence and activity, have opened a tremendous 

 battery upon the last remaining forts, which the lords of 

 the old continent still hold in the new world ; and, in 

 all probability, will not cease firing till they shall have 

 caused the last flag to be struck, of Europe's late mighty 

 empire in the 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 mourning 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 

 conduct 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 ? Will 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 always be 

 very suspicious of you as long as you retain possession of 

 the West Indies, which are, as we may say. close to our 



