INTRODUCTION. 



tributed into the inexperienced bands of tbe cabildos. 

 Each district of a cabildo became a republic, inde- 

 pendent of the republic in its vicinity. Tbis pro- 

 visionary government, presented during a year tbat 

 it existed, a complete picture of cbaos and confusion." 

 He farther informs us, tbat tbe cabildos sent a deputy 

 to the king, with instructions to make a number of 

 very important requests; one of which was, tbat in 

 case of tbe death of tbe governor, and before tbe ap- 

 pointment of a successor, the government might be 

 placed in their bands; the greater part of their requests 

 were granted. Tbe consequence of tbis increase of 

 power, was several very serious collisions with the 

 other branches of the government; particularly in the 

 year 17^5? when the cabildo of Caraccas deposed the 

 governor Portalis, and threw him into prison. This 

 finally led to a change in the policy of establishing new 

 cabildos, and occasioned the powers of those already 

 established to be curtailed. 



The cabildo, however, is far from being a popular 

 assembly according to our ideas. It is not properly 

 elective; popular elections having ceased in Spain 

 before tbe introduction of these corporations into 

 America. But they are connected in interest with the 

 people, from the nature of their composition; none but 

 native Americans, or Spaniards long settled in the 

 country, being eligible. Tbe places of regidor are 

 sold by the king, but under the conditions before spe- 

 cified. Tbe regidors annually elect the two alcaldes, 

 de primer and segundo voto, who are very important 

 magistrates in the local administration. This is the 

 only semblance of election under tbe Spanish system 

 in America. The number of the regidors varied ia 



