CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY. 
93 
language was not spoken in any of the Argentine Provinces. 
The system of government adopted in Paraguay was completely 
at variance with that followed in all the Argentine Provinces, 
where the rule was based upon the more democratic model of 
the North American States, which enjoined the annual election 
of the municipal officers, whose executive power was always sup- 
posed to be controlled by a representative and legislative assem- 
bly triennially chosen by universal suffrage. The Paraguayans, 
however, preferred their own system, and were so fully confident 
in the talents and integrity of Dr. Francia, and so well satisfied 
with his rule, that he was soon afterwards, by universal consent, 
elected perpetual Dictator, with the most ample powers to act 
as he judged best for the interests of the country. His govern- 
ment was quite patriarchal ; he required no large standing army 
to overawe the people, who were only too willing to follow his 
injunctions ; his military force was not larger than was necessary 
to form a sort of custom-house guard round the coast, as well 
as to prevent the ingress of the many adventurers and partisans 
from the adjoining provinces who sought to disturb the system 
he had established. He had previously followed the legal pro- 
fession, and, as a civilian educated under the Jesuits, his policy 
was based on a desire for peaceful quiet ; and in all his measures 
he sought to prevent the contagion of that military turbulence 
which agitated the surrounding states, and which kept them in 
a constant state of anarchy. Paraguay, when under the Spanish 
rule, had been dependent upon those states for most of the neces- 
saries of life, which they exchanged for its Yerba and its tobacco ; 
and Francia’s earliest efforts were directed so as to render the 
country independent of this foreign supply and to produce what- 
ever was essential for its own requirements. The only persons who 
strove to thwart his measures were the old Spaniards, who clung 
to the hope of seeing the power of Spain restored, and also the 
many emissaries clandestinely sent from the neighbouring states 
to allure the people into another policy, and to restore the former 
state of trade on which they had depended. Against these emis- 
saries, acting in concert with General Artigas, Governor of Enti’e- 
rios, who invaded Paraguay and laid waste parts of the country, 
the most stringent measures were employed : they were threatened 
with the extreme penalty of the law, if caught in their intrigues ; 
and several daring adventurers, though forewarned of the con- 
sequences, were taken, and suffered the punishment of death as 
examples to others. The many tales raised against Francia for 
cruelty and murder are solely traceable to these severe measures, 
which he considered just and necessary. Towards the natives 
no such severity was required ; for his administration of the law 
was simple, firm, and just : had it been otherwise, it would have 
