APPENDIX. 



and population have by no means kept pace with them, for the 

 lower provinces have been almost entirely abandoned to the im- 

 mense herds of cattle which graze on their plains, and require 

 only the partial care of a comparatively few herdsmen; and the 

 inhabitants of Upper Peru have been engaged more generally in 

 the business of mining than was favorable to improvement or po- 

 pulation. Certain small districts, having peculiar advantages, are 

 said to be well cultivated, and very productive: but agriculture 

 has, in general, been very much neglected. It is, in a great degree, 

 confined to the vicinity of the towns and cities, and may be said 

 to limit its supplies to their demands. This state of things, com- 

 bined with the regulations of the former government, the influ- 

 ence of climate, and the force of example, has stamped the cha- 

 racter of indolence upon that class of society usually considered 

 as the laboring class. The same causes have not operated, at 

 least, not with the same force, upon the other inhabitants of the 

 country; hence, they are more industrious, and more active. 

 Their manners are social, friendly, and polite. In native talents 

 they are said to be inferior to no people; and they have given 

 proofs that they are capable of great and persevering efforts; that 

 they are ardently attached to their country, and warmly enlist- 

 ed in the cause of its independence. 



It is not necessary for me to enter into a detail of the causes 

 which led to the revolution in 1810. The most immediate, per- 

 haps, are to be found in the incidents connected with the two in- 

 vasions of the country by the British, in the years 1805 and 1806, 

 and in the subsequent events in Spain, as they have had a direct 

 tendency to show these people their own strength and the inca- 

 pacity of Spain to give them protection, or enforce obedience. 

 The groundwork was, however, laid in the jealous and oppressive 

 system adopted at a more early period by the kings of Spain, 

 whose policy it seemed to be, to keep within as narrow limits as 

 circumstances would permit, the intelligence, wealth, and popu- 

 lation of that part of America subject to their dominion, as the 

 surest means of preserving an empire, which they considered the 

 great source of their wealth and power. 



The revolution having been auspiciously commenced in the city 

 of Buenos Ayres, was warmly and zealously supported by the 

 great mass of the people descended from the Spaniards; but the 

 native Spaniards, as well those domesticated in the country, as 



