SOUTH AMERICA. 



301 



enemies were not able to subdue them, they would en- 

 deavor to ruin their character; and for this purpose, 

 they would seize and magnify every real, or alledged 

 error, or misconduct. La Rocca here drew an ani- 

 mated comparison between the state of things in Spain, 

 and in this country, highly favorable, as may be sup- 

 posed, to the latter. He told me, it was their intention 

 to establish a government as nearly resembling that 

 of the United States, as circumstances would permit. 

 He inquired, with a considerable earnestness, as to 

 the truth of a report, of our government having endea- 

 vored to obtain a cession of territory from the king of 

 Naples, and laid great stress on the circumstance of 

 our having no colonies, and from the nature of our 

 constitution, not being permitted to have any He 

 said, it was impossible for them to repose full confi- 

 dence in the friendship of nations holding colonies, 

 and they were sorry to see us deviating in the slightest 

 degree, from what they had understood was with us a 

 fundamental maxim. If we could have colonies in 

 Italy, we might have them in America, in Africa, and 

 in Asia. 



As the house stood upon ground somewhat more 

 elevated than the city, and not more than three hundred 

 yards from the river, there was a very extensive hori- 

 zon in every direction. In a clear day, Colonia, on 

 the opposite side of the river, is visible from this place; 

 but at present, as the atmosphere was somewhat ob- 

 scured, and a stiff north-easter blowing, no>thing was 

 presented to the eye but a vast expanse of water, the 

 Mosqueto fleet of sloops, and small coasting vessels, 

 tossing about below Us, and those of a larger kind an- 

 rhored in the outer roads; the whole having a very 



