SOUTH AMERICA. 



305 



people of this country, to Europeans who were dis- 

 posed to emigrate; that lands were offered gratis, with 

 oxen and the implements of husbandry, to those who 

 wish to cultivate the earth. In reply, I told them^ 

 that there was little or no emigration to the United 

 States during our revolutionary war, and even for some 

 time afterwards, in consequence of the country being 

 engaged in a war for national existence, the success 

 of which was doubtful; and even after it was no 

 longer so, our enemies f>ersisted in believing that we 

 could not establish a government. I told them that if 

 they could satisfy the world on these two points, as 

 we had done, they would have as many emigrants as 

 they could desire, as their soil and climate held out 

 even greater inducements than ours. • 



On the Monday after our arrival, it was determined^ 

 on the part of the commissioners, that I should wait 

 on Mr. Tagle, the secretary of state, and request aij 

 interview on their behalf. 



I accordingly went in company with our consul^ 

 Mr. Halcey, We found at the entrance of the fort, 

 a centinel, and a guard of a few men; although 

 every person is permitted to pass without being ques- 

 tioned. To me, as an American, the circumstance of 

 seeing bayonets stationed every where, was far from 

 being agreeable. In our happy country we stand in 

 no need of such barbarous usages. This military show 

 about the director's residence and the offices of govern- 

 ment is, however, but a remnant of the pageantry of the 

 viceroys. There is, indeed, much more of it display- 

 ed, as I have myself frequently witnessed, by the 

 Spanish or Portuguese governor of some trifling dis« 

 trict. 



VOL. I. 39 



