inseparable from colonies, has hitherto prevented these improvements from being carried on extensively. The change produced by the cultivation of forests, or even of orchards of smaller trees, is immense; these fertile plains might be made to support a population equal to any country of the same extent, in the world; and instead of being, as they are at present, only occupied by immense herds of horned cattle, droves of wild horses, vast numbers of wild dogs, deer, ostrich, hares, armadillas, and a variety of other animals, would be filled with towns and villages, supported by agriculture. If in the hands of our countrymen, I entertain no doubt that this would be effected; that it should not have been the case heretofore, is not at all surprising, when the inhabitants of the country had no certainty of being able to dispose of their surplus produce. Exact surveys and good maps will be the first thing to be executed, when the Americans, shall have firmly fixed their independence; and from its extent of territory and capacity, I sincerely believe, that the province of Buenos Ayres alone, in the course of half a century, would become a very considerable nation. We have yet only seen these people in a war for their existence; it is therefore, premature to form an opinion of them. The welcome reception of strangers will, in time, free them from a thousand difficulties under which they labour at present; it is idle to talk of their not being able to settle down in a sober and rational

and philosopher of the highest repute, agrees with me in opinion, in relation to the cultivation of forest trees upon those plains. With respect to the quality of the soil, as far as I have had an opportunity of observing, it is a'deep and rich alluvial, and by no means interrupted, (as you have suggested,) by any stratum of indurated clay of the consistence of brick."

government, suited to their situations and exigencies, although it may not be exactly like ours.

Before I proceed to speak of the province of Buenos Ayres, I shall make some observations on Patagonia. This vast track of country, the greater part of which resembles the climate of our own, was dependant on the viceroyalty; and is properly to be considered a part of it. For two hundred years after the establishment of the frontier by Garray, who rebuilt the city, the line remained nearly stationary; but since the revolution, has been extended upwards of a hundred miles. The Seminario, as early as 1802, recommended the extension (as far as the Rio Negro; which could be defended with more ease than even the present line, by seizing and fortifying the passes through which the southern Indians make their way into the pampas, for the purpose of stealing cattle. The writer states the number of Indians to the southward, to be much less than is generally supposed; and that since the treaty of 1784, the settlements have been but little disturbed by them. This frontier would include a large track of country between the Colorado and the Rio Negro; which is but little known, but is probably, in some degree, free from the defects of the naked pampas. Beyond the last mentioned river, the country is entirly unknown; but it appears to be the opinion of those who are best informed, that it by no means deserves the character usually bestowed upon it. It may be both well supplied with water and wood, and its climate has been defended by Molina, with learning and ingenuity, from the common imputation; he satisfactorily proves, that the fact related by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander, does not warrant the inference usually drawn from it, although as a phoenomenon, it is not easily accounted for It

would certainly be very extraordinary that so sudden a change should take place in the climate, from the fortieth degree of south latitude, (which is well known to agree with thirty-five of North America,) to the fifty-fifth, as to be as cold as Norway. It is probable, that where the continent suddenly narrows, and in the neighbourhood of very high mountains, the country may be subject to occasional snow storms at all seasons, without extending a very considerable distance to the north.

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. I have already said something of the province of Buenos Ayres. Previous to the revolution, the city, beside being the capital of the new viceroyalty, was the seat of government of an intendency, of which Monte Video, Santa Fee, Corrientes, &c. were subordinate districts; but it is now, as the reader will have perceived, confined to the immediate jurisdiction ef its own cabildo. The population is variously estimated, from one hundred and five to one hundred and twenty thousand souls; of whom, about one half reside in the city. It contributed formerly, as well as Santa Fee and Cordova, to supply the upper provinces with mules, but has been somewhat more agricultural; and the inhabitants of the country in the neighbourhood, are, probably, better informed than those of the interior, from their greater opportunities. There are many small land holders and cultivators, rents are hardly known, and the produce of their fields has generally increased in value. They are greatly devoted to the cause of independence, and no people seemed to me more national. Industry is increasing with the introduction of a variety of artificial wants, and the desire of imitating those who are settled among them. A serious evil is, however, complained of in the want of inclósures, and the consequent exposure of their crops to be de

stroyed by the cattle. The raising of stock has hitherto occupied their chief attention, to the neglect of culture. Nothing can surpass the fertility of the soil, and there is no kind of doubt but that cotton and sugar can be cultivated here, as well as on the banks of the Mississippi; these would at once, be sources of great agricultural wealth. Some emigration has already taken place to this country from Europe; every encouragement is held out; the sober, industrious German, especially, would do well here.

The town of Santa Fee is, in many respects, favourably situated for trade, but it is too high up to be the emporium of the countries situated on the river, and its branches; the trade of the Parana, is carried on by the means of small sloops; but the difficulty of ascending the river, is much less than is experienced in the Mississippi. The principal trade at present, is in the herb of Paraguay; which is brought to this place in order to be transported to the interior, on account of merchants in Buenos Ayres. The products. also of Cordova, and some of the interior districts, are brought here and carried down to Buenos Ayres, to be exported. Its situation is somewhat remarkable; between two rivers that fall into the Parana; and, besides, fortified by art. The troops of the congress, although in possession of the adjacent country, and the whole of the district, as well as the village on the opposite side of the river, have not been able to take possession of the town. The real cause of dissention between this city and the others, is stated by Funes, to be a desire of independence from the colo

By the recent treaty, the troops of the United Provinces are to be withdrawn.

nial government, to which it was subject, as well as from the king of Spain; a kind of anarchy much dreaded, and which has done more than any thing else to retard the revolution. The same reasoning which justified independence from the king of Spain, was made use of by the local demagogues to produce a dissolution of every tie. What would be the effect, we may readily conceive, by supposing every county, town, or village, to have set up for itself in our country, during our struggle for independence. To satisfy by reasoning, that such a course was wrong, was not easy, when in opposition to what was so flattering to their pride. Here is the great obstacle the patriots have uniformly encountered, and must continue to encounter; and which arises, not from the character of the people, or the want of disposition to join in the cause, but from the nature of the colonial system. If Spain could have foreseen the effect of these little independent sovereignties, she would have augmented them, for they have been of more service to her than all her armies: if she ever conquers America, it must be by piece-meal, by breaking up and dividing the viceroyalties, intendencies, and the subordinate districts.

For nearly two hundred miles before the Parana enters the bay, or river La Plata, it is separated into several channels, forming large islands, which are covered with wood, and said to be overflown in the season of the floods; but excepting on some of the low grounds, the banks of the river are above their reach. The entrance of the Uruguay is more spacious, and was mistaken by Solis for the main river. From the city to the mouth of the southern entrance, which is, properly, the Parana, the ground is tolerably high. The villages of San Isidro, and Las Conchas, are a