114 



COLOMBIA. 



the Spaniards, that they were stupid and incapa- 

 ble of understanding such subjects ; was a cruel 

 mockery upon men who had been from all time 

 denied the smallest opportunity of making any 

 useful exertion. Now, fortunately, it is far other- 

 wise : the people have acquired a knowledge of 

 their own consequence and power ; and, instead 

 of submitting quietly, as heretofore, to be cheat- 

 ed at every turn, and letting all things pass un- 

 regarded, from utter hopelessness of ameliora- 

 tion; they take a deep and active interest in 

 whatever affects their fortunes in the slightest 

 degree. This spirit, which, in the hands of per- 

 sons but partially acquainted with the subject, at 

 first leads to many errors in practice, will, ere 

 long, undoubtedly produce the best effects, by 

 enriching that great field of commerce, which 

 wants nothing but the fertilizing influence of 

 freedom, to render it in the highest degree pro- 

 ductive. 



The most remarkable practical error which the 

 Guayaquilenians have committed, and under which 

 they were suffering at the time of our visit ; was 

 the exclusion of foreigners from their commercial 



