APPENDIX. S19 



part of the Spanish dominions in America has been entirely ex- 

 empt. 



The occurrences that led the way to the subsequent important 

 events in the provinces of La Plata, were the invasion of the Bri- 

 tish under Popham and Berresford in the year 1806, and their ex- 

 pulsion a few months afterwards, by the collected forces of the 

 country under Leniers and Pueyrredon. These incidents fortu- 

 nately gave to the people a just idea of their own strength, and 

 they afterwards repelled with a firmness and bravery, that did 

 them great honor, the formidable attack of the British under 

 general Whitlocke, 



The wretched state to which Spain was reduced by the policy, 

 the power, and the arts of Napoleon, the resignation of Charles 

 IV. in favor of Ferdinand VII. and the renunciation by both 

 in favor of Napoleon, were productive of the most important re- 

 sults. They threw the kingdom into the greatest confusion. 

 The alternate success and disasters of the French armies, pro- 

 duced a new era in Spain. The people generally, revolted at the 

 idea of being governed by the brother of Napoleon, to whom he had 

 transferred the crown. Juntas were established, who acted in the 

 name of Ferninand, then confined in France. These were sub- 

 stituted for the ancient cortes, and the regular council of the na- 

 tion, to which in times of imminent danger, they ought to have re- 

 curred agreeably to their usages. Conflicting authorities, pro- 

 duced a distracted state of affairs. In the scenes that ensued, the 

 proper attention was not paid to the American provinces. Their 

 conduct towards them, was versatile and inconsistent; they were 

 lost sight of or neglected, until it was too late. Conceiving they 

 were abandoned by the parent state, they thought it justifiable 

 to act for themselves. It was not very long before the inhabit- 

 ants of Buenos Ayres, embracing the example of their brethren 

 in Spain, established a junta, which assumed the reins of go- 

 vernment; and, finally, in the year 1810, sent off the viceroy, 

 Cisneros, and his principal adherents. For a summary of events' 

 subsequent to this period, until the time of mv departure, I beg 

 leave to refer to the outline subjoined, (Appendix A.) from the 

 pen of Dr. Funes, drawn up, in part, at my request. Without 

 vouching for the perfect accuracy of the work, I think, from the 

 information received, it will probably be found to contain, in ge^ 



