86 Bogota'. 



press; every political point is discussed 

 with much animation and gesture ; but no- 

 thing unpleasant arises from this freedom of 

 debate, where every man expresses his sen- 

 timents without offence, for they have a 

 mild temper naturally, and too much good 

 sense to quarrel for difference of opinion. 

 To me it was a spectacle highly gratifying, 

 to see the lately-oppressed and subjugated 

 native, now boldly and fearlessl}^ assuming 

 his right, as a man and a citizen, to discuss 

 the conduct and intentions of the governors 

 of the state, and the general policy pursued 

 towards other countries : it is by such means 

 as these alone, that a pure and upright go- 

 vernment can be preserved in any state, 

 when every man has his claim to impartial 

 discussion acknowledged and allowed. How 

 different is this from the government whose 

 yoke these high-spirited men have so lately 

 shaken off ! Under that influence, the man 

 who dared to impeach their conduct, or 



