INTRODUCTION. 



B7 



try was in their liands, as they carried on its trade 

 and commerce. From the narrow and restricted man- 

 ner in which all commercial business was transacted, 

 more perhaps, than from any contemptuous ideas of 

 commerce in general, the American Spaniards were 

 unwilling to engage in this pursuit. It has been said, 

 that this arose from a ridiculous pride; but we have 

 seen this contradicted by the fact, that as soon as 

 commerce came to be carried on more liberally, many 

 Creoles of the first respectability, sent their sons to En- 

 gland and the United States in order to learn its prin- 

 ciples. It was the policy of the Spanish government, 

 to distribute in the different governments of America^ 

 a class of people distinct in feelings, interest and 

 character from the native inhabitants, and besides at- 

 tached to old Spain. Yet even the European Span- 

 iard could not emigrate to America without a special 

 license; and no foreigner could obtain this permission 

 without paying a very considerable sum, besides being 

 of the catholic faith; the latter, an indispensible requi- 

 site. The greater part of these, although licensed to 

 stay only two years, contrive to remain in the country 

 much longer without becoming settled or marrying, 

 having in view the quitting it, as soon as their for- 

 tunes should be made. The proportion therefore, 

 finally settled in the country, and identified in its in- 

 terests by intermarriage, was by no means great. 

 Spain had thus nearly three hundred thousand men^ 

 distributed throughout her possessions in America, 

 devoted to her cause, having experience, activity and 

 intelligence, and possessing the reins of power. Great 



* This is the number estimated by Humboldt. 



