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MISCELLANEOUS. 



be the fruitful origin of its supreme felicity, so long as you, 

 gentlemen, and all the other noble citizens, may please to 

 make an honourable muster of a6tive and laborious individuals, 

 composing the illustrious Economical Society of the Friends of 

 the Country. Can it be doubted, but that you, and the other 

 sages and nobles of Quito, possessing a well known intelli- 

 gence and aaivity, may succeed in obtaining a knowledge of 

 the political maladies. which have laid this kingdom prostrate ; 

 in investigating the causes whence they have originated ; and 

 in finding, by the dint of observation and study, the most ef- 

 fectual means of re-establishmerit ? Can it perchance be 

 doubted, but that each of you, gentlemen, through the im- 

 pulse of his patriotism, will be very ready to sacrifice a part 

 of his property, by hazarding some such proofs as may 

 verify, at a small expence, the solidity of these reflections ? 



" For my part, I offer to contribute all the resources of 

 money and books which depend on me. The economical so- 

 cieties of our Old Spain (and truly they are and have been a 

 fertile mine of felicity) liave without exception been supported, 

 and are augmented daily, by the constant application of the 

 learned nobility, and by the royal prote6lion of our august so- 

 vereign, and that of his enlightened ministry. Both causes, 

 or sources, exist in Quito. If we look to the royal prote6tion, 

 it is secured to us by the warranty and engagement of our il- 

 lustrious president, as well as by the supplications he promises 

 to dire6l to the throne ; and with respe6l to the learned and 

 patriotic nobility, can it be doubted, but that, in ingenuity, 

 and adtivity of mind, the nobles of Quito are on a par with 

 those of the other provinces ? 



The sole causes which can impede the progress of our 



Society, 



