SYSTEM OF SUBJECTION. 265 



These exceptions, however, were com- 

 paratively few ; and a system, under which 

 the most enlightened natives of Spanish 

 America, although descended from Spani- 

 ards, were considered inferior to the mean- 

 est individual born in Spain, could not 

 but engender a discontent, which would 

 of course be augmented as the population 

 increased. Such was the fact ; and the Spa- 

 nish government discovered too late (though 

 perhaps it is not yet convinced of the fact), 

 that a population of thirteen millions, in- 

 cluding a great number of men of talent 

 and enlightened individuals, would not con- 

 tinue to be subjected to that oppressive 

 sway which had been compulsorily sub- 

 mitted to by a smaller number. 



To shew the character of the bondage 

 in which the Spanish Americans were held, 

 it will be sufficient to quote a few of the 

 grievances of which they complained : — 



