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and embodied by Pueyrredon, consisting of the neigh bouring peasants, and such of the citizens as had escaped from the city. The British were attacked, and after an obstinate resistance, compelled to surrender at discretion.

This was the first immediate impulse given to the revolution, by an event apparently no way connected with it. The urgent necessity of their situation, cast upon them the duty of self-defence, and this disclosed to them the secret of their capacity and strength. That the revolutionary movement would stop here, was not in the nature of things. It is besides well known that there was no inconsiderable state of preparation among the better informed classes of society, arising from their contemplation of the revolutions of the United States, and of France. Liniers was acknowledged their deliverer, and the people, now abandoned to themselves, by the desertion of Sobre Monte, and being thus self-rescued, conceived they had a right to make choice of their ruler. A general meeting of the citizens was called, and it was resolved to invest Liniers with the power and dignity of viceroy. Although no other change was effected in any department of the government, this cannot but be regarded as the first step towards their emancipation.

This single but important exercise of power, was the principle from which a multitude of important reasonings were deduced. It was in its nature and manner, an act of the people, inasmuch as there were no orders of nobility, or ancient families claiming hereditary influence. The audiencia, which, according to the Spanish American constitution, is the counterpoise to the power of the viceroy, was on this occasion passive; the lead was taken by the principal citizens, and by the municipality, with some interference on the part of the higher

of their country; and they know that in a few years, they will be the men who will fix its destinies. Every thing concurs to impress this idea on their minds. Their education is the special care of the state; in the presence of its highest authorities, they are already called upon to act a part; and in celebrating the praises of the nation, its independence, and its achivements, they have acquired an importance before unfelt. The words liberty and country are connected with all that is dear to the heart. A gentleman related to me an anecdote, which shows how powerfully these feelings have seized upon their youthful affections. Passing along the street, he observed a crowd of boys round two of their companions who were fighting: "How is this," said he, "are you not ashamed to fight with each other? If you must fight, has the country no enemies?" This simple appeal had an electric effect-the boys embraced, and joined with their companions in shouts of viva la patria! Such sentiments impressed on the honest and generous minds of infancy, must naturally constitute the darling illusions of the future man. These boys already engage in the political discussions of the day, and are much more free and bold in their opinions than their parents or teachers. Even in private life, there is no longer that arbitrary and despotic authority exercised over them, which in a monarchy seems to partake of the very nature of the government.

Upon the mass of society, it is natural to suppose that the long protracted contest must have been productive of great effects; the variety of interesting occurrences which have passed before their eyes, since the invasion of the British, down to the present day, have changed the face of society. They are no longer the insipid automatons of despotism, but anxious about events

to which they never before elevated their minds, and are continually inquiring for news. Man needs this excitement to call forth his latent virtues, and to bring his faculties into employment. They have followed the good and bad fortune of their country, until their affections are completely enlisted. The history of the varied scene of the last ten years, furnishes even the commonest peasant with inexhaustible subjects of thought and conversation. The news of a battle, a victory, or defeat, is felt as if it individually benefitted or injured them. I might almost venture to say, that from the moment they expelled the British, they ceased to be fit for colonists-a national spirit was formed. The defence of Louisiana did more to Americanize the people of that state, than the diffusion of information for the preceding ten years. In a few years more, there will scarcely be a trace remaining of despotism. I have no hesitation in saying, that in point of national feeling, these people are already far advanced; and a progress more rapid has been made in this respect than even in Louisiana. That country for nearly ten years after its annexation, slumbered in a state of quiescence, while Buenos Ayres for the same period, was thrown upon its own energies, and was compelled to encounter every vicissitude of fortune. There are few who have not in some way or other, been actors in the scenes that transpired; all their talents have been called into requisition; the whole community has frequently experienced that wholesome agitation, which produces health and purity. They have been compelled to study the nature of government. They have been continually acquiring importance in their own opinion. Their national songs, and their printed papers every where distributed, have kept the public attention continually awake; and the common stock of ideas, has been proVOL. II.

digiously augmented. It is only necessary to clear the fountain, and the stream will soon run pure. This is an enlightened age-open the windows and the light will burst in. I may be mistaken as to the real policy of those in power, but as to the progress which the people have made in the acquirement of information, I cannot be.

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CHAPTER IV.

The Principal Occurrences at Buenos. Ayres since the commencement of their Revolution.

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THE revolution at Buenos Ayres, may be dated as far back as the first invasion by the British under Beresford, in June, 1806. The country was at that time almost in a state of abandonment on the part of Spain. She had a few wretched troops at Buenos Ayres and Monte Video; and an indifferent naval force, chiefly stationed at the latter of these places, which from the circumstances of being nearer the ocean, and having a better harbour, was the naval depot. While Napoleon was preying on the Spanish monarchy in Europe, the feeble and defenceless state of the Spanish American colonies, held out strong temptations to the avarice of England. Sobre Monte, at this time the viceroy of La Plata, seems to have been totally devoid of energy and talents; and when the British expedition, under Beresford and Sir Home Popham, appeared, the city of Buenos Ayres fell an easy conquest. The Spaniards had neither soldiers nor arms; the inha bitants far from being accustomed to rally round the standard of their country, in times of danger, had not even been permitted to think they had a country. From a people entirely excluded from any participation in national or political affairs, indifference and apathy were to be expected. An idle shew of resistance, it is true, was made by Sobre Monte, a few arms were distributed

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