]18 



COMMERCE. 



pra6lised, may have been momentarily benefited by the cheap- 

 ness of the merchandizes, they have been deprived of the con- 

 stant advantages of the competition. 



If this criminal procedure cannot be suspe6led in the com- 

 panies of which we have spoken, on account of the patriotic 

 zeal with which they have concurred towards the national fe- 

 licity, their having entered into the common traffic of the 

 kingdom without any distindl: privileges, and without any 

 variation either of the cargoes or duties, is a security against 

 any apprehension of their fatal preponderance. 



SECTION III. 



" Those by whom we are governed," observes a profound 

 politician, '* have merely the time to govern us:" thus im- 

 plying, that their attention being drawn to the immense and 

 complicated obje6ls of rule and authority, it is not possible 

 that it should be extended to the different relations and circum- 

 stances which enter into the organization of each particular 

 province. Notwithstanding, therefore, the destru6live prin- 

 ciples which have hastened the decline of Peru, may be con- 

 fidently disclosed, and pointed out with certainty^ it is not sur- 

 prizing that, having been introduced under the description of 

 public benefits, they have, on that specious pretext, been 

 continued without remission. 



As a meet remedy for the present abje£t state of Peru, and 

 as the true source of an infallible prosperity, the encourage- 

 ment of agriculture, and the most vigilant endeavours to aug- 

 ment the produ6tions of the soil, have been strenuously re- 

 commended. This proposition, repeated by inexperience, 



and 



