326 



APPENDIX. 



will frame the constitution, in all probability, "^nearly after the 

 model of that of the United States. Should they decide on the 

 latter, it is highly probable they will incorporate the leading fea- 

 tures of our system into their form of government. They seem 

 to concur in the proposition, to have a chief magistrate elected for 

 a term of years, and a representative legislature to consist of two 

 branches. A senate, to constitute the most permanent body, and 

 a house of representaves, whose term of service will be of shorter 

 duration. 



Perhaps it would be better for them to delay the completion of 

 this all-important task, after the example of the United States, un- 

 til a period of peace. Their present provisional statute, is an im- 

 provement on those which preceded it; and we may expect their 

 proposed constitution will be still more perfect, as they advance 

 in the knowledge of those principles on which republican govern- 

 ments ^e constituted. 



But however free in theory, this provisional statute may be, it 

 is undoubtedly true, that unless administered agreeably to its let- 

 ter and spirit, it will not afford security to the citizen. Whether 

 any infractions have occurred since the date of its existence, I 

 cannot pretend to determine, not being in full possession of the 

 facts. 



When we recollect that they have the benefit of our example, 

 it may reasonably be expected, that they will, in general, adhere to 

 their written constitution. They have also the fatal result of the 

 French revolution, warning them of the dangers of its excesses, 

 of which they appear to be sensible. 



The productions and the manufactures of the different provin- 

 ces, will be found in Appendix D.; but I was unable to procure any 

 satisfactory estimates of the probable value or amount in each pro- 

 vince. There is, however, a considerable internal trade carried on 

 in the interchange of various articles, between the several provin- 

 ces; cattle, horses, and mules, furnish a considerable source of 

 barter; with the latter, Peru is usually supplied: the Paraguay tea 

 is a great article of trade throughout the country; the brandy, 

 wine, raisins, and figs of Mendoza and San Juan, are becoming 

 important; the hides of oxen, the skins of the vacuna, and gra- 

 naco, with a number of fine furs, afford valuable articles of ex- 

 change. These, with the foreign goods, transported in every di- 

 rection from Buenos Ayres, very readily, by oxen and mules. 



