76 



PERU. 



landed with his army to instigate the oppressed 

 population to assert their right to the advantages 

 enjoyed by every other part of South America. 

 Thus these bigotted and obstinate people, by act- 

 ing under the influence of deep-rooted prejudices, 

 and narrow views of the real principles of com- 

 merce, not only paved the way for the conquest of 

 the colony, but in the end brought total ruin up- 

 on themselves. 



But although this able and enlightened Span- 

 iard'^s influence was unequal to the task of success- 

 fully opposing the monopolists, and of affording 

 government the pecuniary means of defending the 

 country, it will easily be understood that a man 

 of his extensive views, talents, knowledge, and 

 wealth, must have possessed great consequence in 

 a society like that of Lima. His influence, in- 

 deed, extended from the palace to the lowest ran- 

 cha : he was the companion and the counsellor 

 of the highest ; the comforter and protector of the 

 most wretched ; and he was the friend of all 

 strangers, to whom his hospitable doors were al- 

 ways open. Not a mortal in Lima could act 

 without his advice ; a word or two with him was 



