HISTORICAL SKETCH. 225 



riages of different races. Questions thus 

 necessarily arise, which can scarcely be 

 justly appreciated in Europe, from the want 

 of any corresponding data upon which to 

 found an opinion, or of any feelings similar 

 to those which frequently actuate, with 

 some bitterness of hostility towards each 

 other, the various races, casts, half-casts, 

 &c. of such a mixed population. 



This may, in some measure, be exem- 

 plified, by quoting the 188th article, title 

 10th, of the Constitution of the Republic 

 of Colombia, which is to the following 

 effect : — Those laws shall be declared in 

 their force and vigour, which hitherto have 

 ruled all matters and points neither di- 

 rectly nor indirectly opposed to this Con- 

 stitution, nor to the decrees and laws 

 which the Congress may make." Thus, 

 with the exception of the machinery of 

 the constitution, and certain general enact- 



VOL. I. Q 



