INTRODUCTION. 9 
ported from the new world. Hence the short-sighted policy of 
repressing all industry in the colonies, that was not directly applied 
to the procuring gold and silver, the jealous exclusion of com- 
merce, and the prohibitions of manufactures, excepting the very 
coarsest for home consumption. The misfortunes which attended 
the successors of Charles in some measure fell also on their foreign 
possessions ; and as the demand for treasure became more urgent, 
the circumstances of South America became such as to render the 
supply more difficult. The wars and the cruelties of the Spaniards 
had destroyed so many of the Indians, that there were scarcely any 
left to labour in the mines ; and though a bargain was made with the 
Dutch to supply African negroes for the purpose, the number of 
these, in Chile at least, was never great. The first viceroys and 
governors had been men of enterprise and talents ; and although the 
character of Valdivia is not free from the imputation of cruelty, yet 
the building of towns, establishing something like lawful tribunals, 
and a disposition to win over, if possible, the natives, which form the 
principal object both of his government and that of some of his imme- 
diate successors, were highly beneficial. But before the accession of 
Philip V. the wants of a needy court had set up the high offices of the 
Indies to sale. The viceroys no longer sought to distinguish them- 
selves by arms or policy ; and they jealously guarded commerce from 
the intrusion of strangers only that they themselves might become 
the sole monopolists. The instructions sent by the court of Ver- 
sailles to Marsin, the ambassador at Madrid, in 1701, contain the 
following observations :—‘“ The rights of the crown of the Western 
** Indies have been sacrificed to the avarice of viceroys, governors, and 
“ inferior officers.” And again, — “ The different councils of Madrid 
“ are full of abuses, and that of the Indies particularly so. In it, so far 
“ from punishing malversations, the guilty are supported in propor- 
“ tion to their bribes. The excesses of the viceroys and other officers 
“ remain unpunished. This impunity, and the immense property 
“‘ which they bring back, encourage their successors to follow the same 
“ example. On the contrary, if any one, from a principle of honour, 
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