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COLONIAL SYSTEM. 



CHAPTER VII. 



VIEW OF THE STATE OF THE SPANISH COLONIES BEFORE 

 THE REVOLUTION. 



The interest inspired by the present political 

 state of South America has thrown its former 

 condition somewhat into the shade. It will be 

 useful, however, now that we have witnessed the 

 last struggle for power made by the Spaniards, to 

 take a general view of the colonial system, which 

 the Revolution has abolished ; that it may be 

 seen what the grievances really are from which 

 the inhabitants have been relieved. Every writer 

 who has treated of South America furnishes num- 

 berless details of the monstrous abuses which af- 

 fected those countries : but the following sketch 

 is confined chiefly to a general view of the most 

 prominent features of the old administration, il- 



