xlix 



specting several objects, of which I treat 

 in the narrative of in y journey. 



Since 1 left America, one of those great 

 revolutions, which at certain periods agitate 

 the human race, has burst forth in the 

 Spanish colonies, and seems to prepare 

 new destinies for a population of fourteen 

 millions of inhabitants; spreading itself 

 from the southern to the northern hemi- 

 sphere, from the shores of Rio La Plata 

 and Chili to the remotest part of Mexico. 

 Deep resentments, excited by colonial legis- 

 lation, and fostered by mistrustful policy, 

 have stained with blood those countries, 

 which had enjoyed during the last three 

 ages what I will not call happiness, but 

 uninterrupted peace. Already at Quito 

 the most virtuous and enlightened citizens 

 have perished victims of devotion to their 

 country. While 1 am giving the descrip- 

 tion of regions, the remembrance of which 

 is so dear to me, I meet at every step with 

 places, which recall to my mind the loss of 

 a friend 



When we reflect on the great political 

 agitations of the new world, we observe, 

 vol. i. e 



