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( 198 ) 



CHAP. XVIII. 



THE FREE POPULATION. 



nPHE insufficiency of the population of Por- 

 tugal to the almost unbounded plans of the 

 rulers of that kingdom, has, in all probability, 

 saved her South American possessions from the 

 dreadful contests which are to be apprehended 

 in the neighbouring Spanish colonies, between 

 the creole white inhabitants and those of colour. 

 The struggle yet rages with exterminating vio- 

 lence between the descendants of Europeans, 

 born in South America, and the natives of Old 

 Spain ; but when this is at an end, another 

 equally, if not more destructive, is to be looked 

 for between the former and their countrymen 

 of mixed casts. The appeal which the Creole 

 whites have made to the people, and the declara- 

 tions which they have publicly set forth, of di- 

 recting their proceedings by their voice j the 

 exposure of those abstract principles of govern- 

 ment which are so delightful in theory, but so 

 difficult of execution, will, most probably, bring 

 down upon their heads the destruction which 

 has thus been courted. In the Portuguese South 

 American dominions, circumstances have di- 



