( U ) 



the suppression of immorality, defeats its own end ; it is like the 

 unskilful practice of a physician, which, directed solely against the 

 external symptoms, aggravates instead of removing the disease. 

 Thus, while open profligacy is discountenanced in Buenos x\yres, 

 libertinism of a more dangerous kind is connived at, if not tole- 

 rated ; the peace of the most respectable private families is liable 

 to be destroyed by votaries of seduction, who respect neither the 

 purity of female virtue, nor the sacred rights of matrimony. This 

 evil pervades all classes of society, and is the source of domestic 

 disputes, which often lead to serious consequences. 



In thus attempting to describe the state of Buenos Ayres as I 

 found it in the year 1807j I have purposely avoided all discussions 

 of a political nature, and have declined entering into a detail of 

 the events which led to the present struggles of the people for 

 independence. Circumstanced as I then was, I had no means of 

 procuring correct and impartial information on the subject, but 

 since my return I have been favoured with a communication, con- 

 taining a brief history of the Revolution, by a gentleman whose 

 official situation at Buenos Ayres afforded him the amplest oppor- 

 tunities of observing its rise and progress. This communication in- 

 terested me so much that I solicited and obtained permission to 

 annex it to this work in a detached form, and I submit it to the 

 public under the impression that Its authentic character, and the 

 spirit of moderation which it breathes, will ensure to it a candid 

 and favourable reception*. 



* See Appendix A. 



I 



