I 



that the Spanish Americans are by no 

 means in so favorable a position as the 

 inhabitants of the United States, prepared 

 for independance by the long enjoyment of 

 constitutional liberty. Internal dissensions 

 are chiefly to be dreaded in regions, where 

 civilization is but slightly rooted; and where, 

 from the influence of climate, the forests 

 may soon regain their empire over cleared 

 lands, if their culture be abandoned. It 

 is also to be apprehended, that, during a 

 long series of years, no foreign traveller 

 will be enabled to traverse the whole of the 

 countries, which I have visited. This cir- 

 cumstance may perhaps add to the interest 

 of a work, that portrays the state of the 

 greater part of the Spanish colonies at the 

 beginning of the 19th century. I may 

 even indulge the hope, under the influence 

 of more soothing ideas, that this work will 

 be thought worthy of attention, when the 

 passions shall be hushed into peace ; and 

 when, under the influence of a new social 

 order, those countries shall have made a 

 rapid progress towards public welfare. If 

 then some pages of my book are snatched 



