256 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



It remains to be yet learnt, whether this 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 forward 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 foundation, will they 

 quietly submit to see foreigners carrying away those 

 treasures which are absolutely part of their own soil, and 

 which necessity (necessity has no law) forced them to 

 barter away in their hour of need 1 ISTow, if it should 

 so happen that the masters of the country begin to re- 

 pent 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 probability, bring the specu- 

 lators into trouble and disappointment. 



Besides this consideration, there is another circum- 

 stance which ought not to be overlooked. I allude to 

 the change of masters throughout nearly the whole of 

 America. Tt 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, we are entitled to predict that, in 

 a very few years more, no European banner will be 



