APPENDIX. 



84« 



portion to their numbers, greater perhaps, than those of almost any- 

 other people, and the duration, and the events of war, have strength- 

 ened the general determination never to submit to Spain. This 

 determination rests upon the recollection of former suiFerings and 

 deprivations; upon a consciousness of their ability to defend and 

 to govern themselves: and upon a conviction, that in case of sub- 

 mission, on any terms, they would sooner or later, be made to feel 

 the vengeance of the mother country. These considerations 

 doubtless have the most weight upon the minds of those, who have 

 taken a leading part. They of course use all their influence to 

 enforce them, and thus to keep up the spirit of the revolution. In 

 this they probably have had the less difficulty, as although the 

 suiFerings of the people have been great, particularly in military 

 service, and in raising the contributions necessary for that service; 

 yet the incubus of Spanish power being thrown off, and with it that 

 train of followers who filled up almost every avenue to wealth and 

 consequence, the higher classes have been awakened to a sense of 

 advantage they did not before enjoy. They have seen their com- 

 merce freed from legal restraints. Their articles of export be- 

 come more valuable, their supplies furnished at a lower rate, and 

 all the offices of government, or other employments, laid open to 

 them, as fair objects of competition. The lower classes have 

 found their labor more in demand and better paid for; and their 

 importance in society greater than it formerly was. 



They are yet, however, from their indolence, general want of 

 education, and the great mixture of "casts" among them, in a de- 

 graded state, but little felt in the affairs of the government. The 

 stimulus now given will operate to produce a change in them for 

 the better, and it is to be presumed will gradually have its effect, 

 as their docility, intelligence, and activity, when called into ser- 

 vice, give evidence that they are not deficient in natural, or phys- 

 ical powers. 



Labor, as it becomes more general, will become less irksome to 

 individuals, and the gradual acquisition of property, which must 

 necessarily result trom it in such a country, under a good govern- 

 ment, will doubtless produce the happy effects there which it has 

 uniformly produced elsewhere; and more especially in countries 

 where the population is small when compared to the extent of 

 territory. 



