EXCLUSION OF AMERICANS. 



289 



ments, belonged exclusively to Spaniards ; and 

 although Americans were equally called to them 

 by the laws, they were appointed only in rare in^ 

 stances, and even then, not until they had sa- 

 tiated the cupidity of the court by enormous 

 sums of money. Of one hundred and seventy 

 Viceroys that have governed this country, only 

 four have been Americans ; and of six hundred 

 and ten captain-generals and governors, all but 

 fourteen have been Spaniards. The same took 

 place in every other post of importance ; and 

 even amongst the common clerks of office, it was 

 rare to meet with Americans.*'' This was a most 

 grievous oppression ; but the chief evil which re- 

 sulted from it consisted not so much in the abso- 

 lute loss sustained by them, in consequence of 

 their exclusion from stations of profit and honour, 

 as in the moral degradation consequent upon the 

 absence of all motive to generous exertion, and 

 the utter hopelessness that any merit could lead 

 to useful distinction. 



This exclusion did not stop with official prefer- 

 ment, but pervaded every branch of the state : 

 the Spanish government, not content with tying 



VOL, I. T 



