ARTES
LIBRARY
11837
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
T. PLURIBUS-UNUM
QUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOENAME
CIRCUMSPICE
THIS BOOK
FORMS PART OF THE
ORIGINAL LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
BOUGHT IN EUROPE
1838 TO 1839
BY
ASA GRAY
:
:
•
A
PHILOSOPHICAL AND POLITICAL
HISTORY
OF THE
2-92
SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
OF THE
EUROPEANS
IN THE
EAST AND WEST INDIES.
REVISED, AUGMENTED, AND PUBLISHED,
IN TEN VOLUMES,
BY THE ABBÉ RAYNAL.
NEWLY TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH,
BY J. O. JUSTAMOND, F. R. S.
WITH A
New Set of Maps adapted to the Work, and a copious Index.
IN SIX VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
SECOND EDITION.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR A. STRAHAN; AND T. CADELL, JUN. AND W. DAVIES,
(SUCCESSORS TO MR. CADELL), IN THE STRAND; AND
FOR J. MUNDELL & CO. EDINBURGH.
1798.
CONTENTS.
VOL. III.
BOOK VII.
CONQUEST of Peru by the Spaniards. Changes that have
happened in this Empire fince that Revolution,
Page.
Can the Conquefts of the Spaniards in the New World be ap-
proved of,
Extravagances and cruelties that mark the firſt ſteps of the
Spaniards in South America,
The Spaniards acquire the first notion of Peru,
Three Spaniards undertake the conqueft of Peru, without any
affiftance from government,
Manner in which Pizarro, the chief of the expedition, makes
himſelf maſter of the empire,
I
ib.
2
6
8
I2
Origin, religion, government, manners, and arts of Peru, at
the arrival of the Spaniards,
17
The fubjection of Peru is the epocha of the most bloody con-
teſts between its conquerors,
32
An aged prieſt at length puts an end to the effufion of Spaniſh
blood,
40
Notions concerning the province of Darien.
Inquiry whether
that country be of importance enough to excite divifions a-
mong the nations,
43
Extent, climate, foil, fortifications, harbour, population, man-
ners, and trade of Carthagena,
44
Cauſes of the oblivion into which the province of St. Martha
is fallen,
50
Firft events that happened at Venezuela,
52
The cocoa hath always fixed the attention of the Spaniards up-
on Venezuela,
53
The province of Venezuela is fubjected to a monopoly. Pro-
fperity of the Company,
55
The court of Madrid gives up Cumana to the care of Las Ca-
fas. Ineffectual attempts of this celebrated man to render
this district flourishing,
62
Of the river Oroonoko,
64
Former and prefent condition of the women on the banks of
the Oroonoko,
66
a ij
iv
CONTENTS.
Page.
Short defcription of the New kingdom of Grenada,
What the New kingdom of Grenada hath been, what it is,
State of the Spanish colony formed on the banks of the Oroo-
noko,
70
72
and what it may become,
73
Remarkable fingularities in the province of Quito,
77
Reaſons why the country of Quito is fo populous as it is. La-
bours of its inhabitants,
79
80
84
89
91
The bark comes from the province of Quito. Reflections up-
on this remedy,
Digreffion upon the formation of mountains,
Natural organization of Peru, properly fo called,
Circumſtances in which the mountains, plains, and valleys of
Peru differ from each other,
The few Peruvians who have efcaped the fword or tyranny of
the conquerors, are fallen into the mofl degraded and brutal
flate,
Prefent ftate of Peru,
Singularities refpecting the lama, the pacos, the guanaco, and
the vicuna,
Defcription of the mines of Peru, and particularly thoſe of
platina and quickfilver,
Subverfion and rebuilding of Lima. Manners of this capital.
of Peru,
96
98
106
112
126
Panama was for a long time the channel of communication.
between Peru and Spain. Manner in which this trade was
carried on,
133
138
145
The Spaniards have fubflituted the route through the Straits
of Magellan, and by Cape Horn, to that of Panama,
Is Peru as rich as it was formerly,
BOOK VIII.
Conquest of Chili and Paraguay by the Spaniards. Account of
the Events that have accompanied and followed the Invafion
of theſe Countries. Principles on which Spain regulates her
colonies,
142
Have the Europeans had right to found colonies in the New
World,
ib.
First irruptions of the Spaniards into Chili,
145
The Spaniards have been obliged to be continually engaged
in hoftilities with Chili. Manner in which their enemies
make war,
147
Settlements formed by the Spaniards at Chili,
Fertility of Chili, and its prefent ſtate,
Trade of Chili with the favages, with Peru, and with Para-
guay,
149
1
152
153
CONTENTS.
Fage.
The Spaniards difcover Paraguay.
conduct during two centuries,
Such of the Indians who will not fubmit to the yoke of Spain
Extravagance of their
158
take refuge at Chaco,
161
The Spaniards fucceed in founding three large provinces. Pe-
culiarities in each of them,
162
Of the capital of Paraguay, and of the difficulties which na-
vigators must furmount to get there,
guay,
Of the herb of Paraguay, the chief riches of the colony,
Connections of Paraguay with the neighbouring countries,
and with Spain,
A fortunate innovation, which muft improve the ftate of Para-
Principles on which the Jefuits founded their miffions in Para-
guay,
Reaſons that have prevented the increaſe of population in theſe
celebrated miffions,
Examination of the reproaches made to the Jefuits concern-
ing their miffions,
Whether the people were happy in thefe miffions; and whe-
ther they have regretted their legiſlators,
Preliminary steps taken by the court of Spain for the govern-
ment of theſe miſſions,
People who inhabit Spanish America, and firft of the Chape-
165
166
168
171
172
176
182
185
187
tons,
The Creoles,
188
189
The Meftees,
The Negroes,
Ancient and prefent ftate of the Indies,
Civil government eſtabliſhed by Spain in the New World,
Nature of the ecclefiaftical government adopted in America,
Distribution of the lands in the New World at the time of
the conqueft. Mode of acquiring thefe poffeffions at pre-
fent,
Regulations made at different periods for the working of the
mines,
Taxes eſtabliſhed in Spanish America,
Destructive principles upon which Spain first founded its con-
nections with the New World,
Reaſons why the court of Madrid perfevered in their errone-
ous fyllem,
Confequences with which the fatal combinations of the Spa-
nith miniftry were attended, even in the mother-country,
Calamities which the infatuation of the court of Spain hath
accumulated on its colonies,
190
ib.
195
203
204
206
208
210
215
216
218
227
Spain begins to recover from its lethargy,
233
Means that Spain ought to employ to hatten her profperity in
Europe and in America,
235
71
CONTENTS.
Page.
Inquiry whether the Spanish empire be founded upon à folid
bafis in the New World,
BOOK IX.
254
Settlement of the Portugueſe in the Brazils. The Wars they
have fuftained there. Produce and Riches of that Country, 263
Whether the Europeans have been well acquainted with the
art of founding colonies,
When, and by whom, Brazil was diſcovered,
Account of the first inhabitants conveyed by Portugal into
the Brazils,
ib.
Character and cuftoms of the people whom the Portugueſe
wifhed to fubdue,
265
267
Brazil divided between feveral noblemen by the court of Lif-
bon,
270
271
280
283
285
288
300
Afcendant of the miffionaries over the natives of Brazil, and
over the Portugueſe, at the firſt exiſtence of the colony,
Irruption of the French into the Brazils,
Conquefts of the Dutch in the Brazils,
Complaints of a Portugueſe preacher, upon the ſucceſs of a
heretic nation,
Situation of the Portugueſe in the Brazils, after they had ex-
pelled the Dutch,
Settlement of the Portugueſe on the river of the Amazons,
The Portugueſe wiſh to form fettlements on the river Plata.
Their difputes with Spain. Accommodations between the
two powers,
Portugal had fettled its connections with the Brazils upon a
bad plan; to which a fyftem of monopoly ftill more de-
ftructive, was fubftituted,
ib.
317
Civil, military, and religious government, eftablished in the
Brazils,
314
State of the government of Maragnan,
Prefent flate of the government of Para,
Former and prefent ftate of the Indians fubject to Portugal
in the Brazils,
317
321
325
State of the government of Fernambucca,
328
State of the government of Bahia,
339
State of the government of Rio Janeiro,
332
State of the three inland governments where the mines are
fituated,
337
Hiſtory of the gold mines found in the Brazils. Manner of
working them,
344
Hiftory of the diamond mines difcovered in the Brazils,
Remarks upon the nature of this ſtone,
345
348
Preſent ftate of Brazil.
349
357
CONTENTS.
VIL
Foreign connections of Brazil,
Page.
Portugal, and its diftant fettlements, are fallen into a ſtate of
358
the utmoſt degradation. Reaſons of this,
Is it reaſonably to be expected, that Portugal will improve its
ftate, and that of her colonies,
Whether the court of Lisbon ought to put a stop to their pro-
jects of reformation from the apprehenfion of a rupture
with England,
Means which the court of Lisbon ought to employ to extri-
cate the mother-country, and her colonies, from their lan-
guid flate,
35F
367
380
382
BOOK X.
Nature of the foil in the Caribbee islands. Vegetables found
Is it probable that the American iflands have been detached.
from the neighbouring continent,
Settlement of the European Nations in the great Archipelago of
America,
Confiderations upon the conduct of all the European Nations.
in the New World,
384
ib.
387
there before the invafion,
Is the climate of thefe iflands agreeable and wholeſome,
Ordinary phenomenon in the islands,
391
396
Cultoms of the Caribs, the ancient inhabitants of the Windward
Iflands,
399
The English and French fettled in the Windward Iſlands, on
the ruins of the Caribs,
403
The English conquer Jamaica,
The French take poffeflion of part of St. Domingo. Charac-
ter of theſe adventurers,
408
411
The Freebooters ravage the American feas. Origin, man-
ners, expeditions, and decline of theſe pirates,
Caufes that prevented the English and Dutch from making
any conqueft in America, during the war for the Spanish
fucceflion,
415
419
Remarkable activity that prevailed in the islands of America
445
after the peace of Utrecht,
The beginning of the war is unfavourable to the English,
The English are roufed from their lethargy, and ſeize the
French and Spaniſh iſlands. Account of the author of
theſe fucceffes,
The islands of America are the caufe of the war in 1739.
Events in that war, and the termination of it,
America was the caule of the war in 1755,
448
450
459
463
Advantages procured to Great Britain in the islands by the
467
peace,
The British miniftry did not extend their views as far as the
fituation of things permitted,
481
I
485
10
ગે
ME XI,
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By Tho Kitchin Sen”
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10
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55
A
PHILOSOPHICAL AND POLITICAL
HISTORY
OF THE
SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
OF THE
EUROPEAN S
IN THE
EAST AND WEST INDIES.
BOOK VII.
Conquest of Peru by the Spaniards. Changes that have
happened in this Empire fince that Revolution.
VII.
of the Spa-
the New
World be
IT has not been my intention to be the panegyrift of в O O K
the conquerors of the other hemifphere. I have not
fuffered my judgment to be fo far mifled by the bril- Can the
liancy of their fucceffes, as to be blind to their crimes conqueits
and acts of injuftice. My view is to write hiftory, and niards in
I almost always write it with my eyes bathed in tears.
Aftoniſhment hath fometimes fucceeded grief. I have approved
been furprifed that none of thefe favage warriors of?
fhould have preferred the more certain mode of mild-
nefs and humanity, and that they ſhould have rather
chofen to show themfelves as tyrants than as benefac-
tors. What ftrange infatuation-hath prevented them
from perceiving, that, while they deftroyed the coun-
tries which they feized upon, they were injuring them-
felves, and that their cruelties obliged them to give
up a more quiet and more lucrative poffeffion of them?
Vol. III.
A
2
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK It hath been afferted, that, in countries where man had
not yet appeared, the moft timid animals came near
him without fear. I can never be perfuaded, that, at
the first afpect of an European, the favage man can
have been more wild than the animals. It was un-
doubtedly a fatal experience which informed him of
the danger of fuch familiarity.
Extrava-
cruelties
What then! fhall nations be more cruel among
themſelves, than the moft oppreffive fovereigns are
towards their fubjects? One fociety must then de-
vour another! Man will be more fierce than the ty-
ger! Shall reafon have been given to him merely as
a fubftitute in him to every maleficent inftinct; and
ſhall his annals be nothing more than the annals of his
perverfeneſs? O God! why didst thou create man?
Thou certainly didft know, that, for one inſtant in
which thou fhould be able to look upon thy work
with complacency, thou ſhouldft turn thine eyes away
from it a hundred times! Thy prefcience certainly
forefaw the atrocious acts which the Spaniards were
to commit in the New World!
We are here going to diſplay fcenes ftill more terri-
ble than thofe which have fo often made us fhudder.
They will be uninterruptedly repeated in thofe im-
menfe regions which remain for us to go over. The
fword will never be blunted; and we fhall not fee it
ftop till it meets with no more victims to ftrike.
We fhall again begin our accounts with Columbus.
gances and This great man had diſcovered the continent of Ame.
that mark rica without ever landing upon it. It was not till af-
fers of the ter the ifland of San Domingo was firmly eſtabliſhed,
Spaniards that he thought proper to extend his enterpriſes. He
America. imagined, that beyond this continent there was ano-
the first
in South
ther ocean, which muft terminate at the Eaft Indies;
and that theſe two feas might have a communication
with each other. In order to diſcover it, he failed, in
1502, as clofe along the coaft as poffible. He touch-
ed at all places that were acceffible; and, contrary to
the cuſtom of other navigators who behaved in the
countries which they vifited in fuch a manner as if
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
3
VII.
they were never to return to them, he treated the in- B O O K
habitants with a degree of kindneſs that gained their
affection. The gulf of Darien particularly engaged
his obfervation. He thought that the rivers which
poured into it were the great canal he had been in
ſearch of through fo many imminent dangers and ex-
ceffive fatigues. Difappointed in thefe expectations,
he wifhed to leave a fmall colony upon the river Be-
lem, in the country of Veragua. The avidity, the
pride, and the barbariſm of his countrymen prevented
him from having the fatisfaction of forming the firſt
European establishment upon the continent of the
new hemifphere.
Some years clapfed after this, and ftill the Spaniards
had not fixed themſelves upon any ſpot. As theſe ad-
venturers only received from government the permif-
fion of making difcoveries, it never once entered their
minds to employ themfelves in agriculture or com-
merce. The profpect of diftant fortunes that might
have been made by theſe prudent means, was far above
the prejudices of thefe barbarous times. There was
nothing but the allurement of immediate gain that
could ftimulate men to enterprifes fo bold as thofe for
which this century was diftinguifhed. Gold alone at-
tracted them to the continent of America, and made
them brave dangers, difeafes, and death, which they
were expoſed to in the courſe of their voyage, at their
arrival, or on their return; and, by a terrible but just
vengeance, the cruelty of the Europeans, and their
luft of gold, exhaufted at once the two hemifpheres of
their inhabitants, and deftruction raged equally among
thoſe who were the plunderers and affaffins, as among
the plundered people.
It was not till the year 1509, that Ojeda and Ni-
quefla formed, though feparately, the defign of mak-
ing folid and lafting conquefts. To encourage them
in their refolution, Ferdinand gave to the firft the go-
vernment of the countries that begin at Cape de la
Vela, and terminate at the gulf of Darien; and to
the fecond, that of all the fpace extending from this
A ij
4
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK famous gulf to Cape Gracias à Dios. They were both
VII. of them to announce to the people, at their landing,
the tenets of the Chriftian religion, and to inform
them of the gift which the Roman pontiff had made
of their country to the king of Spain. If the favages
refuſed to fubmit quietly to this double yoke, the Spa-
niards were authoriſed to purſue them with fire and
fword, and to reduce whole nations to flavery.
Is it then the head of the moſt holy of all religions
who gives to another what does not belong to him?
And is it a Chriftian fovereign who accepts of the gift?
And are the conditions agreed upon between them,
fubmiffion to the European monarch, or flavery; bap-
tifm, or death? Upon the bare recital of a contract
fo unheard of, we fhudder with horror, and we pro-
nounce, that the man who does not partake of the
fame fenfation, is a ſtranger to every idea of morality,
to every ſentiment, and to every notion of juflice; a
man who is unworthy of being argued with. Abo-
minable pontiff! And if thefe countries of which
thou doft difpofe have a lawful proprietor, is it thy
advice that he fhould be fpoiled of them? If they
have a legitimate fovereign, is it thy advice that his
fubjects fhould break their allegiance? If they have
Gods, is it thy advice that they ſhould be impious?
And thou, ftupid prince, doft thou not perceive, that
the perfon who confers thefe rights upon thee, arro-
gates them to himſelf; and that, by accepting of them,
thou dost abandon thy country, thy fceptre, and thy
religion, to the mercy of an ambitious fophift, and of
the most dangerous fyftem of Machiaveliſm?
But it was a more eafy matter to grant theſe abſurd
and atrocious privileges, than to put the barbarous
and fuperftitious adventurers, who folicited fuch rights,
in poffeffion of them. The Indians rejected every
kind of intercourfe with a ſet of rapacious ftrangers,
who threatened equally their life and their liberty.
Arms were not more favourable to the Spaniards; than
their perfidious careffes. The people of the continent,
accuſtomed to carry on war with each other, received
}
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
5
1
VII.
them with a boldneſs unexperienced in the iſlands that в O O к
had been fo eafily fubdued. Poifoned arrows were
ſhowered upon them from all quarters; and not one
of thoſe that were wounded eſcaped a death more or
lefs dreadful. To the arrows of the enemy, other
cauſes of deftruction were foon joined: fhipwrecks
unavoidable in theſe unknown latitudes; an almoſt
continual want of fubfiftence upon a country totally
uncultivated; and difeafes peculiar to this climate,
which is the moſt unwholefome one in America. The
few Spaniards who had efcaped fo many calamities,
and who could not return to San Domingo, collected
themſelves at St. Mary's, in the province of Darien.
They lived there in a ſtate of anarchy, when Vafco
Nugnès de Balboa appeared among them. This man,
who was honoured by the companions of his crimes
with the furname of Hercules, had a robuſt conftitu-
tion, an intrepid courage, and a popular eloquence.
Thefe qualities made them chooſe him for their chief;
and all his actions proved that he was worthy to com-
mand the villains whofe fuffrage he had obtained.
Judging that more gold would be found in the inland
parts than upon the coafts, from whence it had been
fo repeatedly taken, he plunged himfelf among the
mountains. He found at firft in the country, it is faid,
fome of that fame fpecies of little white men, as are to
be met with in Africa, and in certain of the Afiatic
iflands. They are covered with a down of a glistening
white colour. They have no hair; their eyes are red ;
and they only fee well in the night-time. They are
feeble; and their faculties appear to be more circum-
fcribed than thofe of other men. Thefe favages, if it
be true that they exifted, were few in number; but
others were found of a different fpecies, brave and
hardy enough to defend their rights. They had a ve-
ry extraordinary cuftom among them, which was, that
the huſbands on the death of their wives, and the
wives on the death of their hufbands, ufed to cut off
the end of a finger; fo that by looking merely on
A iij
6
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK their hands, one might fee whether they were widow-
VII. ers or widows, and how often they had been fo.
The Spani-
the first no-
すね​。
Nothing has hitherto been, or will probably ever
be faid, that can fatisfactorily explain the various per-
verfions of reafon. If the women alone had been
obliged to practife this whimfical ceremony, it would
be natural to fufpect that it had been intended to pre-
vent the impofture of a widow, who might wish to
paſs for a virgin to her ſecond huſband. But this con-
jecture would lofe its force, when applied to the huf-
bands, whofe condition could never be a matter of
fuch confequence, as that it ſhould be carefully indi-
cated by indelible figns. This cuftom hath obtained
in other countries; but the following is peculiar to
Darien.
When a widow died, fuch of her children whofe
tender age rendered it impoffible for them to provide
for their own fubfiftence, were buried in the fame.
grave with her. As no one would take the charge of
theſe orphans, the nation deftroyed them, to prevent
their being ftarved to death. The charity of theſe
barbarians extended no further. This is the moſt atro-
cious act to which the deplorable ſtate of favage life
was ever able to impel mankind.
Notwithstanding thefe ferocious manners, Balboa,
ſupported by the obftinacy of his difpofition, ſpurred
on by the infatiable cupidity of his foldiers, and with
the affiftance of fome packs of thoſe blood-thirsty dogs
which had been of ſo much ſervice to the Spaniards in
all their conquefts, at length fucceeded in deſtroying
the inhabitants of Darien, and in difperfing or fubdu-
ing them.
One day, as the conquerors were difputing with
ardsacquire each other about gold, with a degree of warmth that
tion of Pc- feemed to threaten fome act of violence, a young Ca-
cique overturned the fcales in which they were weigh-
ing it. Why, faid he to them, with an air of diſdain,
why do you quarrel for fuch a trifle? If it be for this uſe-
lefs metal that you have quitted your country, and that
you
maſſacre fo many people, I will conduct you into a region
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
7
VIL
where it is fo common, that it is employed for the meanest в O O K
purpoſes. Being urged to explain himfelf more clear-
ly, he affured them, that, at a little diſtance from the
ocean which waſhed the country of Darien, there was
another ocean which led to this rich country. The
opinion immediately and univerfally prevailed, that
this was the fea which Columbus had fo earneſtly
fought after; and on the firſt of September 1513, one
hundred and ninety Spaniards, attended by a thouſand
Indians, who were to ferve them as guides, and to car-
ry their provifions and baggage, fet out to reconnoitre
it.
From the place whence this troop began their march,
to the one they were going to, there was no more than
fixty miles; but it was neceffary to climb ſo many ſteep
mountains, to pafs fuch large rivers, to traverſe fuch
deep moraffes, to penetrate into fuch thick forefts, and
to diſperſe, perfuade, or deſtroy fo many fierce nations;
that it was not till after a march of five-and-twenty
days, that men accustomed to dangers, fatigues, and
wants, arrived at the place of their expectations. With-
out a moment's delay, Balboa, armed at all points, in
the manner of the ancient chivalry, advanced fome
way into the South Sea. Spectators of both hemifpheres,
exclaimed this barbarian, I call you to witness that I take
poffeffion of this part of the universe for the crown of Caf-
tile. My fword fhall defend what my arm bath given to
it. Already was the cross planted upon the continent,
and the name of Ferdinand 'inferibed upon the bark of
fome of the trees.
Theſe ceremonies gave to the Europeans in thoſe
days the dominion of all the countries in the New
World, where they could introduce their fanguinary
fteps. Accordingly, the Spaniards thought they had
a right to exact from the neighbouring people a tri-
bute in pearls, metals, and provifions. Every tefti-
mony was united in confirming what had been at firft
faid of the riches of the empire that was called Peru,
and the robbers who meditated the conqueft of it, re-
pt
་
A iij
80
}
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK turned to Darien, where they were to collect the forces
neceffary for fo difficult an enterpriſe.
VII.
Three Spa-
dertake the
Balboa expected that he fhould be employed to con-
duct this great defign. His companions had placed
their confidence in him. He had thrown into the
public coffers more treaſure than any one of theſe ad-
venturers. In the opinion of the public, the diſcovery
he had juft made, had put him on a level with Co-
lumbus. But by an inftance of that injuftice and in-
gratitude fo common in courts, where merit cannot.
prevail againſt favour; where a great commander is
ſuperſeded in the midſt of his triumphs by an unfit
perfon; where a difipating and rapacious favourite.
difplaces an economical miniiter of finance; where the
general good, and fervices done, are equally forgotten;
and where revolutions in the great offices of flate often
become objects of mirth and pleaſantry; Pedrarias was
chofen in his ſtead. The new commander, as jealous
as he was cruel, had his predeceffor confined; he or-
dered him to take his trial, and afterwards caufed
him to be beheaded. His fubalterns, by his orders,
or with his confent, pillaged, burnt, and maflacred
on all fides, without any diftinction of allies or ene-
mies; and it was not till after they had deſtroyed to
the extent of three hundred leagues of the country,
that in 1518 he transferred the colony of St. Mary,
on the borders of the Pacific ocean, to a place that
received the name of Panama.
Some years paffed away without this eſtabliſhment
niards un- having been able to fulfil the great and important
conqueft of purposes for which was deftined.
was deftined. At length, three
Peru with- inen of obfcure birth undertook, at their own expence,
to fubvert an empire that had fubfifted with glory for
feveral ages.
out any al-
fiftance
from go-
vernment.
Francis Pizarro, who is the moſt known among
them, was the natural fon of a gentleman of Eftra-
madura. His education had been fo neglected, that
he could not read. The tending of flocks, which was
his first employment, not being fuitable to his charac-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
9
VII.
ter, he embarked for the New World. His avarice в O O K
and ambition inſpired him with inconceivable activity.
He joined in every expedition, and fignalized himſelf
in moſt of them; and he acquired, in the ſeveral fitu-
ations in which he was employed, that knowledge of
men and things, which is indifpenfably neceffary to
advancement, but especially to thofe who by their
birth have every difficulty to contend with. The ufe
he had hitherto made of his natural and acquired abi-
lities, perfuaded him that nothing was above his ta-
lents; and he formed the plan of exerting them againſt
Peru.
To theſe deſigns he affociated Diego de Almagro,
whofe birth was equivocal, but whofe courage was prov-
ed. He had ever been found temperate, patient, and
indefatigable, in thoſe camps in which he had grown
old. In this fchool he had acquired a frankneſs which
is more frequently learnt here than in other fituations;
as well as that obduracy and cruelty which are but too
common.
The fortune of two foldiers, though confiderable,
being found infufficient for the conqueft they medi-
tated, they joined themſelves to Fernanda de Luques.
He was a mercenary prieft, who had amaffed prodigi-
ous wealth by all the methods which fuperftition ren-
ders eafy to his profeffion, and by fome means pecu-
liar to the manners of the age he livid in.
As the bafis of their affociation, the confederates
mutually agreed, that each fhould engage the whole
of his property in this enterprife; that the wealth ac-
cruing from it ſhould be equally fhared, and that they
fhould reciprocally obferve an inviolable fidelity. The
parts that each of them were to take in this great ſcene
were diftributed as the good of the common caufe re-
quired. Pizarro was to command the troops, Almagro
conduct the fuccours, and Luques prepare the means.
This plan of ambition, avarice, and ferocioufnefs, was
completed by fanaticifm. Luques publicly confecrat-
ed a hoft; part of which he ate, and divided the reft
between his two affociates; all three fwearing, by the
10
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK blood of God, that, to enrich themſelves, they would
VII. not ſpare the blood of man.
The expedition, commenced under theſe horrible
aufpices, towards the middle of November 1524, with
one veffel, one hundred and twelve men, and four
horſe, was not fortunate. It was feldom that Pizarro
was able to land; and in the few places where it was
poffible for him to come on fhore, he met with nothing
but plains deluged with water, impenetrable forefts,
and fome favages, little difpofed to treat with him.
Almagro, who brought him à reinforcement of feven-
ty men, did not meet with more encouraging adven-
tures; and he even loft an eye in a very ſharp engage-
ment he was obliged to fuftain against the Indians.
More than one half of theſe intrepid Spaniards had
periſhed by hunger, by the fword, or by the clmate;
when Los Rios, who had fucceeded to Pedrarias, fent
orders to thoſe who had eſcaped fo many calamities,
to return to the colony without delay. They all obey-
ed; all of them, except thirteen, who, faithful to their
chief, refolved to follow his fortune to the end. They
found it at firft more adverfe than it had hitherto been ;
for they were obliged to paſs fix whole months in the
ifland of Gorgon, the moſt unwholeſome, moſt barren,
and moſt dreadful ſpot there was perhaps upon the
globe. But at length their deſtiny grew milder: with a
very ſmall veffel, which had been ſent them merely from
motives of compaffion, to remove them from this place
of defolation, they continued their voyage, and landed
at Tumbez, no inconfiderable village of the empire
which they propofed one day to invade. From this
road, where every thing bore the marks of civiliza-
tion, Pizarro returned to Panama, where he arrived
at the latter end of the year 1527 with fome gold duſt,
fome vaſes of that precious metal, fome vicunas, and
three Peruvians, deftined, fooner or later, to ſerve as
interpreters.
Far from being difcouraged by the misfortunes that
had been experienced, the three affociates were inflam-
ed with a more ardent paffion for treaſures which were
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
II
VII.
now better known to them. But they were in want в O O K
of foldiers and of fubfiftence; and the colony denied
them both theſe fuccours. The miniftry, whoſe fup-
port Pizarro himſelf had come into Europe to folicit,
were more favourably inclined. They authorifed, with-
out reſerve, the levying of men, and the purchaſe of
provifions; and added to this indefinite liberty every
favour which drew nothing from the treaſury.
Nevertheleſs, the affociates, by combining all their
means, could not equip more than three ſmall veffels;
nor collect any more than one hundred and forty-four
infantry, and thirty-fix horfe. This was very little
for the great views that were to be fulfilled; but in
the New World the Spaniards expected every thing
from their arms and their courage; and Pizarro did
not heſitate to embark in the month of February 1531.
The knowledge he had acquired of thefe feas, made
him avoid the calamities that had thwarted his firſt
expedition; and he met with no other misfortune than
that of being obliged, by contrary winds, to land at
the diſtance of one hundred leagues from the harbour
where he had intended to difembark. The Spaniards
were therefore obliged to go to the place by land.
They followed the coaft with great difficulty, compel-
ling the inhabitants on their march to furnish them
with provifions, plundering them of the gold they pof-
fefled, and giving themfelves up to that fpirit of ra-
pine and cruelty which diftinguished the manners of
thoſe barbarous times. The island of Puna, which
defended the road, was taken by ftorm, and the troops.
entered victorious into Tumbez, where diforders of
every kind detained them for three whole months.
The arrival of two reinforcements, that came from
Nicaragua, afforded them fome confolation for the
anxiety they felt on account of this delay. Theſe
reinforcements, indeed, confifted only of thirty men
each; but they were commanded by Sebaſtian Benal-
cazar and by Ferdinand Soto, who had both of them
acquired a brilliant reputation. The Spaniards were
12
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Bo o K not diſturbed in their firft conqueft, and we muſt men-
VII. tion the reafon of it..
zarro, the
Manner in The empire of Peru, which, like moſt other domi-
which Pinions, had in its origin but little extent, had been fuc-
chi.f of the ceffively enlarged. It had in particular received a
expedition, confiderable aggrandizement from the eleventh empe-
felf maſter ror, Huyana Capac, who had poffeffed himſelf by force
of the em- of the vast territory of Quito, and who, to legitimate
pire.
makes him.
as much as poffible his ufurpation, had married the
fole heiress of the dethroned monarch. From this
union, reprobated equally by the laws and by preju-
dice, Atabalipa was born, who after the death of his
father claimed the inheritance of his mother. This
fucceffion was conteſted by his elder brother Huaſcar,
who was born of another bed, and whoſe birth had
no ſtain upon it. Two fuch powerful interefts indu-
ced the competitors to take up arms. One of them
had the people in his favour, and the cuftom imme-
morial of the indivifibility of the empire; but the
other had previoufly fecured the beft troops. The
one who had the troops on his fide was conqueror,
put his rival in chains, and becoming more powerful
than he had expected, was mafter of all the provinces.
Theſe troubles, which for the firſt time had agitated
Peru, were not entirely appeaſed when the Spaniards
appeared there. In the confufion in which the whole
kingdom was ftill involved, no one thought of mo-
lefting them on their march, and they arrived without
the leaſt obſtruction at Caxamalca. Atabalipa, whom
particular circumftances had conducted into the neigh-
bourhood of this imperial palace, immediately fent
them ſome fruits, corn, emeralds, and feveral vafes of
gold or filver. He did not however conceal from their
interpreter his defire that they fhould quit his terri-
tories; and he declared that he would go the next
morning to concert with their chief the proper mea-
fures for this retreat.
To put himſelf in readinefs for an engagement, with-
out fuffering the leaft preparation of war to be per-
ceived, was the only difpofition that Pizarro made
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
13
VII.
for the reception of the prince. He planted his ca- BOOK
valry in the gardens of the palace, where they could
not be ſeen the infantry was in the court; and his
artillery was pointed towards the gate where the em-
peror was to enter.
Atabalipa came without fufpicion to the place ap-
pointed. He was attended by about fifteen thoufand
men. He was carried on a throne of gold, and gold
glittered in the arms of his troops.
He turned to
the principal officers, and faid to them: Theſe ſtran-
gers are the meſſengers of the gods; be careful of offend-
ing them.
The proceffion was now drawing near the palace,
which was occupied by Pizarro, when a dominican,
named Vincent de Valverdo, with a crucifix in one
hand, and his breviary in the other, came up to the
emperor. He stopped the prince in his march, and
made him a long fpeech, in which he expounded to
him the Chriſtian religion, preffed him to embrace that
form of worſhip, and propoſed to him to fubmit to the
king of Spain, to whom the Pope had given Peru.
The emperor, who heard him with a great deal of
patience, replied, I am very willing to be the friend of
the king of Spain, but not his vaffal; the Pope muſt fure-
ly be a very extraordinary man, to give fo liberally what
does not belong to him. I fhall not change my religion for
another; and if the Chriftians adore a God who died up-
on a cross, I worſhip the fun, who never dies. He then
afked Vincent where he had learned all that he had
faid of God and the creation? In this book, replied the
monk, prefenting at the fame time his breviary to the
emperor. Atabalipa took the book, examined it on
all fides, fell a laughing, and, throwing away the bre-
viary, added, This book tells me nothing of all this. Vin-
cent then turned towards the Spaniards, crying out
with all his might, Vengeance, my friends, vengeance!
Chriſtians, do you not fee how he defpifes the gospel? Kill
thefe dogs, who trample under foot the law of God.
The Spaniards, who probably had with difficulty re-
14
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
}
BOOK ftrained that fury, and that thirſt of blood, which the
VII. fight of the gold and of the infidels had infpired them
with, inftantly obeyed the dominican. Let the reader
judge of the impreffion that muſt have been made on
the Peruvians by the fight of the horſes who trampled
upon them, and by the noife and effect of the cannon
and muſketry which beat them down. They fled with
fuch precipitation, that they fell one upon another.
A dreadful maffacre was made of them. Pizarro him-
felf advanced towards the emperor, made his infantry
put to the ſword all that furrounded his throne, took
the monarch prifoner, and purfued all the rest of the
day thoſe who had efcaped the fword of his foldiers.
A multitude of princes of the race of the Incas, the
minifters, the flower of the nobility, all that compofed
the court of Atabalipa, were maffacred. Even the
crowd of women, old men, and children, who were
come from all parts to fee their emperor, were not
fpared. While this carnage continued, Vincent ceaf-
ed not to animate the affaffins who were tired with
flaughter, exhorting them to uſe not the edge but the
point of their ſwords, to inflict deeper wounds. When
the Spaniards returned from this infamous maffacre,
they paffed the night in drunkenneſs, dancing, and all
the exceffes of debauchery.
The emperor, though cloſely guarded, foon difco-
vered the extreme paffion of his enemies for gold.
This circumftance determined him to offer them for
his ranfom as much of this metal as his priſon, which
was two-and-twenty feet in length, and fixteen in
breadth, could contain, and to as great a height as
the arm of a man could reach. His propofal was ac-
cepted. But while thofe of his minifters, in whom he
had moſt confidence, were employed in collecting what
was neceffary to enable him to fulfil his engagements,
he was informed that Huafcar had promiſed three
times as much to fome Spaniards who had found an
opportunity of converfing with him, if they would
confent to reinftate him upon the throne of his an-
+
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
15
*
VII.
ceſtors. He was alarmed at this incipient negotiation; в o о K
and his apprehenfions made him reſolve to ſtrangle a
rival who appeared fo dangerous.
In order to diffipate the fufpicions which fuch an
action muſt neceffarily excite in his keepers, Atabalipa
urged with freſh zeal the collecting of the metals fti-
pulated for the recovery of his liberty. They were
brought in from all fides as faſt as the diſtance of the
places, and the confufion that prevailed, would allow.
The whole would have been completed in a little time;
but theſe heaps of gold, inceffantly expofed to the greedy
eyes of the conquerors, fo inflamed their cupidity, that
it was impoffible to delay any longer the diftribution
of them. The fifth part of the whole, which the go-
vernment had referved to itſelf, was delivered to the
agents of the treafury. A hundred thouſand piaftres,
or 540,000 livres [22,500l.], were fet apart for the
body of troops Almagro had just brought up, and
which were ftill upon the coafts. Each of Pizarro's
cavalry received 43,200 livres [1800l.], and each of
his infantry 21,600 [8831. 6s. 8d.]. The general, and
the officers, had fums proportioned to their rank in the
army.
Theſe fortunes, the moſt extraordinary that have
ever been recorded in hiſtory, did not mitigate the
barbarity of the Spaniards. Atabalipa had given his
gold, and his name had ferved to keep the people in
fubjection it was now time, therefore, to put an end
to him. Vincent faid that he was a hardened prince,
who ought to be treated like Pharaoh. The interpret-
er Philippillo, who had a criminal intercourfe with one
of his women, might be disturbed in his pleafures. Al-
magro was apprehenſive, that, while he was fuffered to
live, the army of his colleague might be defirous of ap-
propriating all the booty to itſelf as part of the empe-
ror's ranfom. Pizarro had been defpifed by him, be-
cauſe, being lefs informed than the meaneft of the fol-
diers, he knew not how to read. Thefe circumftances,
even more perhaps than political reafons, occafioned
the emperor's death to be determined upon.
3
16
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
:
:
BOOK
VII.
The Spaniards had the effrontery to bring him to a
formal trial; and this atrocious farce was followed
with thofe horrid confequences that mult neceffarily
have been expected from it.
After this judicial affaffination, the murderers over-
ran Peru with that thirft of blood and plunder which
directed all their actions. Had they fhown fome de-
gree of moderation and humanity, they would proba-
bly have made themſelves maiters of this vaft empire
without drawing the fword. A people naturally mild,
accuſtomed for a long time paſt to the moſt blind ſub-
miflion, ever faithful to the matters it had pleafed Hea-
ven to give them, and aftonifhed at the terrible ſpec-
tacle they had juft been beholding; fuch a nation
would have fubmitted to the yoke without much re-
luctance. The plundering of their houfes and of their
temples, the outrages done to their wives and daugh-
ters; cruelties of all kinds fucceeding each other with-
out interruption: fuch a variety of calamities ftirred
up the people to revenge, and they found command-
ers to guide their refentment.
Numerous armies at firft obtained fome advantages
over a ſmall number of tyrants loft in theſe immenſe
regions; but even theſe trifling fucceffes were not du-
rable. Several of the adventurers, who had enriched
themſelves by the ranfom of Atabalipa, had quitted
their ftandards, that they might go elsewhere to enjoy,
in a more peaceable manner, a property fo rapidly ac-
quired. Their fortune inflamed the minds of men in
the Old and in the New World, and they haftened
from all quarters to this country of gold. The confe-
quence of this was, that the Spaniards multiplied in a
lefs time at Peru than in the other colonies. They
foon amounted to the number of five or fix thouſand;
and then all refiftance was at an end. Thofe of the
Indians who were the most attached to their liberty,
to their government, and to their religion, took refuge
at a diſtance among inacceffible mountains. Moft of
them fubmitted to the conqueror.
A revolution fo remarkable hath been a fubject of
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
17
VII.
aftoniſhment to all nations. Peru is a country very в O O K
difficult of accefs, where one muft continually climb
mountains, and perpetually march in narrow paffes
and defiles. Troops are there obliged to be inceffant-
ly paffing and repaffing torrents or rivers, the banks
of which are always fteep. Four or five thousand men,
with a moderate fhare of courage and ſkill, might de-
ftroy the beſt diſciplined armies. How then could it
poffibly happen that a great nation did not even ven-
ture to diſpute a territory, the nature of which was fo
well known to them, againſt a few plunderers, whom
the ocean had juft brought to theſe fhores?
This event took place for the fame reaſon that an
intrepid robber, with the piftol in his hand, fpoils with
impunity a body of men, who are either quietly reft-
ing by their fire-fides, or who, fhut up in a public
carriage, are going along the road without miftruft.
Though the robber be alone, and though he may have
only one or two piftols to fire, yet he ſtrikes the whole
company with awe, becauſe no one choofes to facrifice
himfelf for the reft. Defence implies a mutual agree-
ment, which is the more flowly formed, as the danger
is leaſt expected, as the fecurity is more complete, and
as it has lafted a longer time. This was exactly the
cafe with the Peruvians. They lived without unea-
finefs and without moleftation for feveral centuries.
Let us add to theſe confiderations, that fear is the off-
spring of ignorance and aſtoniſhment; that a diforder-
ly multitude cannot ftand againſt a ſmall number of
diſciplined forces; and that courage unarmed cannot
refift cannon-ſhot. Accordingly, Peru muft neceffari-
ly have been fubdued, if even the domeftic diffenfions.
which then fubverted it had not paved the way for its
fubjection.
ligion, go-
and arts of
It Peru, at
This empire, which, according to the Spanish hifto- Origin, re-
rians, had flouriſhed for four centuries paft, had been vernment,
founded by Manco Capac, and by his wife Mama manners,
Ocello, who were called Incas, or Lords of Peru.
has been conjectured that theſe two perfons might be
the defcendants of certain navigators of Europe, or the niards.
Vol. III.
B
the arrival
of the Spa-
1
18
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK Canaries, who had been ſhipwrecked on the coafts of
VII. Brazil.
To fupport this conjecture, it has been faid, that the
Peruvians divided the year, as we do, into three hun-
dred and fixty-five days, and that they had ſome no-
tion of aftronomy; that they were acquainted with
the points of the horizon, where the fun fets in the
fummer and winter folftice, and in the equinoxes;
marks which the Spaniards deftroyed, as being monu-
ments of Indian fuperftition. It has been afferted, that
the race of the Incas was whiter than that of the na-
tives of the country, and that feveral of the royal fa-
mily had beards; and it is a known fact, that there
are certain features, either ill formed, or regular, that
are preferved in fome families, though they do not
conftantly pafs from one generation to another. And
laftly, it has been faid, that it was a tradition generally
diffuſed throughout Peru, and tranfmitted from age to
age, that there would one day arrive by fea men with
beards, and of fuch fuperiority in arms, that nothing
could refift them.
If there ſhould be any of our readers difpoſed to
adopt ſo improbable an opinion, they muſt neceffarily
allow, that there must have elapfed a confiderable
fpace of time between the fhipwreck and the founda-
tion of the Peruvian empire. If this be not admitted,
we cannot explain why the legiflator fhould not have
given the favages, whom he collected together, fome
notions of writing, though he ſhould not himſelf have
been able to read? Or why he ſhould not have taught
them ſeveral of our arts and methods of doing things,
and inftructed them in certain tenets of his religion?
Either it was not an European who founded the
throne of the Incas, or we must neceffarily believe,
that the veffel of his anceſtors was wrecked on the
coaſt of America, at an era fo remote, that the fuc-
ceeding generations must have forgotten all the cuf
toms of the place from whence they fprang.
The legiflators announced themfelves to be chil-
dren, fent by their father to make men good and hap-
}
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
19
VII.
py. They certainly thought that this prejudice would в O O K
inflame the minds of the people whom they meant to
civilize, would elevate their courage, and infpire them
with greater love for their country, and with more
complete fubmiffion to the laws.
It was to a fet of naked and wandering men, with-
out agriculture, without induftry, without any of thoſe
moral ideas that are the firit ties of fociety, that their
difcourfes were addreffed. Some of thefe barbarians,
who were imitated by others, affembled round the le-
giflators in the mountainous country of Cuſco.
Manco taught his new fubjects to fertilize the earth,
to fow corn and pulfe, to wear clothes, and to provide
dwelling-places for themſelves. Ocello fhowed the
Indian women how to fpin, to weave cotton and wool;
and inftructed them in all the occupations fuitable to
their fex, and in all the arts of domeftic economy.
The ftar of fire, which difpels the darkneſs that co-
vers the earth, which draws the curtain of the night,
and fuddenly difplays to the eyes of aſtoniſhed man
the most extenfive, the moft auguft, and the moſt
pleafing of all fcenes; which is faluted at its rifing
by the cheerfulneſs of animals, by the melody of birds,
and by the hymn of the being that is endowed with
the faculty of thinking; which advances majestically
above all their heads; which, in its progrefs through
the regions of the ſky, traverſes an immenfity of ſpace;
which, when it fets, plunges the univerfe again into
filence and melancholy; which diftinguishes the fea-
fons and the climates; which collects and diflìpates
the ftorms; which lights up the thunder, and extin-
guiſhes it; which pours upon the fields the rains that
fertilize them, and upon the forefts thoſe that nouriſh
them; which animates every thing by its warmth,
embelliſhes every thing by its prefence, and the pri-
vation of which produces in all parts a ſtate of languor
and annihilation: the fun, in a word, was the god of
the Peruvians; and, indeed, what being is there in na-
ture more worthy of the homage of the ignorant man,
who is dazzled with its fplendour, or of the grateful
Bij
4
!
20
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK man, on whom its benefits are lavifhed? The worship
VII. of the fun was accordingly inftituted. Temples were
built to this deity, and human facrifices were abolish-
ed. The defcendants of the legiſlators were the only
priefts of the nation.
The laws pronounced the pain of death againſt
murder, theft, and adultery. Few other crimes were
treated with the fame feverity. Polygamy was pro-
hibited. No one was allowed to have concubines ex-
cept the emperor, and that becauſe the race of the fun
could not be too much multiplied. Thefe concubines
were felected from among the virgins confecrated to
the temple of Cuſco, who were all of his own race.
A most wife inftitution enjoined that a young man,
who fhould commit a fault, fhould be flightly puniſh..
ed; but that his father fhould be refponfible for him.
Thus it was that found morals were always inculcated
by a good education.
There was no indulgence for idlenefs, which was
confidered, with reafon, as the fource of all crimes.
Thoſe who, from age and infirmities, were rendered
unfit for labour, were maintained at the public charge,
but on condition that they ſhould preferve the culti-
vated lands from the birds. All the citizens were obli-
ged to make their own clothes, to raiſe their own
dwellings, and to fabricate their own inftruments of
agriculture. Every feparate family knew how to fup-
ply its own wants.
The Peruvians were enjoined to love one another,
and every circumſtance induced them to it. Thoſe
common labours, which were always enlivened by
agreeable fongs; the object itſelf of thefe labours,
which was to affift every one who had occafion for
fuccour; that apparel that was made by young wo-
men devoted to the worſhip of the fun, and diſtribut-
ed by the emperor's officers to the poor, to the aged,
and to orphans; that union which must neceffarily
reign in the decuries, where every one was mutually
infpired with refpect for the laws, and with the love of
virtue, becauſe the puniſhments that were inflicted for
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
21
VII.
the faults of one individual fell on the whole body; BO O K
that cuftom of regarding each other as members of
one fingle family, which was the empire: all theſe
circumſtances united, maintained among the Peruvi-
ans concord, benevolence, patriotifin, and a certain
public fpirit; and contributed, as much as poffible, to
fubftitute the moft fublime and amiable virtues in lieu
of perſonal intereft, of the ſpirit of property, and of
the uſual incentives employed by other legiflators.
Thefe virtues were rewarded with marks of diftinc-
tion, as much as if they had been fervices rendered to
the country. Thoſe who had fignalized themſelves by
an exemplary conduct, or by any diftinguiſhed actions
of advantage to the public good, wore, as a mark of
ornament, clothes wrought by the family of the Incas.
It is very probable that thofe ftatues, which the Spa-
niards pretended that they found in the temples of the
fun, and which they took for idols, were the ftatues of
men, who, by the greatneſs of their talents, or by a
life replete with illuftrious actions, had merited the
homage or love of their fellow-citizens.
Theſe great men were alfo ufually the fubjects of
poems compoſed by the family of the Incas for the
inftruction of the people.
There was another fpecies of poetry conducive to
morality. At Cufco, and in all the other towns of
Peru, tragedies and comedies were performed. The
firft were leſſons of duty to the priests, warriors, judges,
and perfons of diftinction, and reprefented to them
models of public virtue. Comedies ferved for inftruc-
tion to perfons of inferior rank, and taught them the
exercife of private virtues, and even of domeftic eco-
nomy.
The whole ftate was diftributed into decuries, with
an officer that was appointed to fuperintend ten fami-
lies that were intrufted to him. A fuperior officer had
the fame inſpection over fifty families; others over a
hundred, five hundred, and a thouſand.
The decurions, and the other fuperintending offi-
cers, up to the fuperintendant of a thoufand. were
Biij
22
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
B. O O K obliged to give an account to the latter of all actions
whether good or bad, to folicit punishments and re-
wards for each, and to give information if there were
any want of provifions, clothes, or corn, for the year.
The fuperintendant of a thouſand made his report to
the minifter of the Inca.
He had ſeldom any cauſe of complaint againſt the
part of the nation intruſted to his care.
In a country
where all the laws were thought to be preſcribed by
the fun, and where the leaft infringement of them was
confidered as a facrilege, thefe tranfgreffions muft have
been very uncommon. When fuch a misfortune hap-
pened, the guilty perfons went of their own accord to
reveal their moft fecret faults, and to folicit permiffion
to expiate them. Theſe people told the Spaniards that
there never had been one man of the family of the In-
cas who deferved puniſhment.
The lands of the kingdom, that were fufceptible of
cultivation, were divided into three parts; one appro-
priated to the fun, another to the Inca, and a third to
the people. The first were cultivated in common, as
were likewiſe the lands of orphans, cf widows, of old
men, of the infirm, and of the foldiers who were with
the army. Theſe were cultivated immediately after
the lands appropriated to the fun, and before thofe of
the emperor. The ſeaſon of this labour was announ-
ced by feſtivals: it was begun and continued with the
found of mufical inftruments, and the chanting of
hymns.
The emperor levied no tribute; and exacted no-
thing from his fubjects, but that they ſhould cultivate
his lands; the whole produce of which, being depofit-
ed in public magazines, was fufficient to defray all the
expences of the empire.
The lands dedicated to the fun provided for the
maintenance of the prieſts, the fupport of the temples,
and of every thing that concerned public worship.
They were partly cultivated by princes of the royal
family, clad in their richeſt habits.
With regard to the lands that were in the poffeffion
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
23
VII.
of individuals, they were neither hereditary, nor even e o O K
eftates for life the divifion of them was continually
varying, and was regulated with ſtrict equity accord-
ing to the number of perfons which compofed every
family. There was no other wealth but what arofe
from the produce of the fields, the temporary enjoy-
ment of which was all that was granted by the ſtate.
This cuftom of moveable poffeffions has been uni-
verfally cenfured by men of underſtanding. It has
been their general opinion, that a nation would never
rife to any degree of power or greatnefs, but by fixed,
and even hereditary property. If it were not for the
firſt of theſe, we thould fee on the globe only wander-
ing and naked favages, miferably fubfifting on fuch
fruits and vegetables as are the fole and fcanty pro-
duction of rude nature. If it were not for the fecond,
every individual would live only for himſelf; man-
kind would be deprived of every permanent advan-
tage, which paternal affection, the love of a family
name, and the inexpreffible delight we feel in acting
for the good of pofterity, urge us to purfue. The fyf-
tem of fome bold fpeculators, who have regarded pro-
perty, and particularly that ſpecies of it which is here-
ditary, as an ufurpation of fome members of fociety
over others, is refuted by the fate of all thofe inftitu-
tions in which their principles have been reduced to
practice. Thefe ftates have all fallen to ruin, after
having languiſhed for fome time in a flate of depopu-
lation and anarchy.
If Peru hath not ſhared the fame fate, it is probably
becauſe the Incas, not knowing the uſe of impofts, and
having only commodities in kind to fupply the necef-
fities of government, mutt have been obliged to ſtudy
how to multiply them. They were affifted in the ex-
ecution of this project by their minifters, by inferior
officers, and by the foldiers themſelves, who received
nothing but the fruits of the earth for their fubfiftence
and the fupport of their rank. Hence arofe a conti-
nual folicitude to increaſe theſe productions. This
attention might have for its principal object the intro-
B iiij
24
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
B O O K duction of plenty into the lands of the fovereign; but
his patrimony was fo mixed and confounded with that
of his fubjects, that it was not poffible to fertilize the
one without fertilizing the other. The people, encou-
raged by theſe advantages, which left little fcope to
their induſtry, applied themſelves to labours, which
the nature of their foil, of their climate, and of their
conſumptions, rendered very eafy. But notwithſtand-
ing all thefe advantages; notwithſtanding the ever
active vigilance of the magiftrate; notwithſtanding
the certainty that their harvefts would never be rava-
ged by a turbulent neighbour; the Peruvians never
enjoyed any thing more than the mere neceffaries of
life. We may venture to affert, that they would have
acquired the means of diverfifying and extending their
enjoyments, if their talents had been excited by the
introduction of rented, transferable, and hereditary
property.
The Peruvians, though at the very fource of gold
and filver, knew not the uſe of coin. They had not,
properly ſpeaking, any kind of commerce; and the
more minute arts, which owe their exiftence to the
immediate wants of focial life, were in a very imper-
fect ſtate among them. All their ſcience confifted in
memory, all their induſtry in example. They learned
their religion and their history by hymns, and their
duties and profeffions by labour and imitation.
Their legiſlation was undoubtedly very imperfect
and limited, fince it fuppofed the prince always juft
and infallible, and the magiftrates poffeffed of as much
integrity as the prince; fince not only the monarch,
but his deputies, a fuperintendant of ten, of a hun-
dred, or of a thouſand, might change at pleaſure the
deſtination of puniſhments and rewards. Among fuch
a people, deprived of the ineftimable advantage of
writing, the wifeft laws, being deftitute of every prin-
ciple of ftability, muft infenfibly be corrupted, with-
out there being any method of reftoring them to their
primitive character.
The counterpoife of thefe dangers was found in
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
25
VII.
their abſolute ignorance of gold and filver coin; an в O O K
ignorance which, in a Peruvian defpot, rendered the
fatal paffion of amaffing riches impoffible. It was
found in the conftitution of the empire, which had
fixed the amount of the fovereign's revenue, by ſet-
tling the portion of lands that belonged to him. It
was found in the extremely fmall number and mode-
rate nature of the wants of the people, which, being
eaſily gratified, rendered them happy and attached to
the government. It was found in the influence of
their religious opinions, which made the obfervation
of the laws a matter of confcience. Thus was the
defpotiſm of the Incas founded on a mutual confi-
dence between the fovereign and the people; a con-
fidence which refulted from the beneficence of the
prince, from the conftant protection he granted to all
his fubjects, and from the evident intereft they had to
continue in obedience to him.
A ſpirit of pyrrhonifm, which hath fucceeded to a
blind credulity, and hath been fometimes carried to
unjuſtifiable lengths, hath for fome time endeavoured
to raiſe objections to what has been juſt related of the
laws, manners, and happineſs of ancient Peru. This
account hath appeared to fome philofophers as chime-
rical, and formed only by the naturally romantic ima-
gination of a few Spaniards. But among the deſtroy-
ers of this diſtinguiſhed part of the New World, was
there a ſingle ruffian fufficiently enlightened to invent
a fable fo confiftent in all its parts? Was there any one
among them humane enough to wish to do it, had he
even been equal to the taſk? Would he not rather
have been restrained by the fear of increafing that
hatred, which fo many cruelties had brought on his
country throughout the whole world? Would not the
fable have been contradicted by a multitude of wit-
neffes, who would have feen the contrary of what was
published with fo much pomp? The unanimous tef-
timony of cotemporary writers, and of their imme-
diate fucceffors, ought to be regarded as the ſtrongeſt
hiſtorical demonftration that can poffibly be defired,
26
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
1
VII.
Let us therefore no longer confider, as the offspring
of a wild imagination, this account of a fucceffion of
wife fovereigns, and of a ſeries of generations among
mankind exiſting without reproach. Let us rather
deplore the fate of thefe people, and not envy them
the fad remembrance of this honour. It is enough
to have deprived them of the advantages which they
enjoyed, without adding the baſeneſs of calumny to
the meanneſs of avarice, the outrages of ambition,
and the rage of fanaticiſm. It is to be wiſhed that
this beautiful era may be renewed, fooner or later, in
fome quarter of the globe.
We ſhall not juſtify, with the fame confidence, thoſe
accounts which the conquerors of Peru publiſhed con-
cerning the grandeur and magnificence of the monu-
ments of all kinds that they had found there. The
defire of adding greater luftre to the glory of their
triumphs might poffibly miſlead them. Perhaps, with-
out being convinced themſelves, they ftudied to im-
pofe on their own country and on foreign nations.
The firft teftimonies, and thofe even were contradic-
tory, have been invalidated by fucceeding accounts,
and at length totally deftroyed, when men of en-
lightened underſtandings had vifited this celebrated
part of the New Hemiſphere.
We muft, therefore, confider as fabulous the report
of that prodigious multitude of towns built with fo
much labour and expence. If there were fo many
fuperb cities in Peru, why do none exift except Cufco
and Quito, befide thoſe the conqueror built? Whence
comes it that we fcarce find anywhere, except in the
valleys of Capillas and of Pachacamac, the ruins of
thofe of which fuch exaggerated defcriptions have
been publiſhed? The people must therefore have been
diſperſed over the country; and indeed it was impof-
fible it ſhould have been otherwiſe in a region where
there were neither tenants, nor artifts, nor merchants,
nor great proprietors, and where tillage was the fole
or the principal occupation of all men.
We must confider as fabulous the account of thoſe
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
27
VII.
majeſtic palaces, deftined for the accommodation ofв o o K
the Incas, in the place of their refidence and on their
travels. As far as it is poffible to judge through thoſe
heaps of ruins which have been ftirred up fuch an in-
finite number of times by the hand of avarice, in ex-
pectation of finding treaſures among them, the royal
manfions had neither majefty nor ornament. They
differed only in extent and thickneſs from the ordi-
nary buildings, which were conftructed with reeds,
with wood, with compacted earth, and with rough
ftones without any cement, according to the nature of
the climate, or the vicinity of the materials.
It is
We muſt confider as fabulous the relation of thoſe
fortified places which defended the frontiers of the
empire. There were undoubtedly fome of thefe. The
Lower Peru ftill preſents us with the ruins of two of
them fituated upon mountains, the one conftructed
with earth, the other with the trunks of trees.
ſuppoſed that they were furniſhed with ditches, and
with three walls, one commanding the other. This
was fufficient to contain the conquered people, and to
check the incurfions of neighbours that were not very
formidable. But thefe means of defence could be of
no avail againſt the valour and the arms of the Eu-
ropeans. Neither were the fortreffes of the Upper
Peru, though built of ſtone, better calculated for this
purpoſe. M. de la Condamine, who vifited, with that
fcrupulous attention that diſtinguiſhed him, the fort of
· Cannar, which is the beſt preſerved, and the moſt con-
fiderable after that of Cufco, found it to be of very
ſmall extent, and only ten feet high. A people who
had nothing but their arms to affift them in carrying
or dragging the moſt bulky materials, and who were
ignorant of the ufe of levers and pulleys, could not
poffibly execute any greater defigns.
*
We must confider as fabulous the hiftory of thoſe
aqueducts and refervoirs that are faid to have been
comparable to the most magnificent monuments of
the fame kind tranfmitted to us from the ancients,
28
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK Neceffity had taught the Peruvians to dig trenches
round the mountains, and upon the flopes of hills,
and canals and ditches in the valleys, in order to make
their lands fruitful which were not fertilized by the
rains, and to bring water for their own uſe, when
they had never thought of conſtructing wells for this
purpoſe: but theſe works of earth or dry ftone had
nothing remarkable in them; nothing that could im-
ply the flighteſt knowledge of hydraulics.
We muſt alfo confider as fabulous the difplay of
thoſe fuperb roads which rendered communication fo
eaſy. The great roads of Peru were nothing more
than two rows of ſtakes difpofed in a line, and in-
tended for no other purpoſe but to point out the way
to travellers. There was no road of any confequence,
except that which bore the name of the Incas, and
which traverſed the whole empire. This, which was
the moſt beautiful monument of Peru, was entirely
deſtroyed during the civil wars of the conquerors.
We muſt alſo confider as fabulous what has been
faid of thoſe bridges which are fo much boaſted of.
How could the Peruvians, who were ignorant of the
method of conftructing arches, and knew not the uſe
of lime, raiſe ftone bridges? It is certain, however,
that the traveller was continually ftopped in his paf-
fage by a great number of torrents he met with among
thefe regions. To overcome this great obftacle, it was
contrived to put together feven or eight cables, or even
a greater number, made of ofier, to faften them with
other ſmaller cords, to cover them with the branches
of trees and with earth; and to fix them firongly to
the oppofite banks. Rivers that were larger and lefs
rapid, were croffed in fmall failing-boats which tacked
about with celerity.
We muſt alſo confider as fabulous, the wonders re-
lated of the quipos, which were, among the Peruvians,
a fubftitute to the art of writing that was unknown
to them. Theſe were, as it hath been faid, regiſters
made of cords, in which different kinds of knots and
various colours, pointed out the facts, the remem-
IN THÉ ÉAST AND WEST INDIES.
29
VII.
brance of which it was either important or agreeable в O O
to preſerve; theſe records were kept by depofitaries
of confidence appointed by public authority. It might
perhaps be raſh in us to affirm, that theſe kinds of hie-
roglyphics, of which we have never had any but ob-
fcure deſcriptions, could not poffibly throw any light
upon paſt events. But, when we obferve the many
errors that infinuate themſelves into our hiftories, not-
withſtanding the great facility of avoiding them, we
fhall ſcarce be inclined to think, that annals of fo
fingular a nature as thofe we have been mentioning,
could ever merit much confidence.
The Spaniards do not deſerve more credit, when
they tell us of thoſe baths that were made of filver
and gold, as well as the pipes that fupplied them; of
thoſe gardens full of trees, the flowers of which were
of filver, and the fruit of gold, and where the eye,
being deceived, miftook art for nature; of thoſe fields
of maize, the ftems of which were of filver, and the
ears of gold; of thoſe baffo-relievos, in which the herbs
and plants were ſo admirably exhibited, that whoever
faw was tempted to gather them; of thofe dreffes co-
vered over with grains of gold more delicate than the
feed of pearl, and the workmanſhip of which the ableſt
artists of Europe could not have equalled. We ſhall
not fay, that theſe works were not worthy to be pre-
ferved, becauſe they never have been. If the Greek
ftatuaries in their compofitions had only employed pre-
cious metals, it is probable that few of the capital pro-
ductions of Greece could have reached us. But, if we
may judge of what hath periſhed by what ftill remains,
we may be certain that the Peruvians had made no
progrefs in drawing. The vafes, which have efcaped
the ravages of time, may ſerve as a fignal proof of
the patience of the Indians; but they will never be
confidered as monuments of their genius. Some fi-
gures of animals, and of infects, in maffive gold, which
were long preferved in the treafury of Quito, were not
more perfect. We cannot any longer judge of them;
for they were melted down in 1740, in order to furniſh
30.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
i
VII.
BOOK fuccours for Carthagena, that was then befieged by the
Engliſh; and there was not found in all Peru a Spa-
niard curious enough to purchaſe a fingle piece at the
bare weight.
From what hath been faid, it appears clearly, that
the Peruvians had made fcarce any advances in the
abſtract ſciences. Most of them depend on the pro-
grefs of the arts, and theſe again on accidents which
nature produces only in a courfe of feveral centuries,
and of which the greatest part are loft among people
who have no intercourfe with enlightened nations.
If we reduce all thefe accounts to the fimple truth,
we fhall find that the Peruvians had arrived at the art
of fufing gold and filver, and of working them. With
theſe metals they made ornaments, moft of which were
very thin, for the arms, for the neck, for the noſe, and
for the ears; and hollow ftatues, all of one piece, which,
whether they were carved or caft in a mould, had no
greater degree of thicknefs. Vafes are feldom made.
of theſe rich materials. Their ordinary vafes were of
very fine clay, eafily wrought, and of the fize and fi-
gure adapted to the purpoſes for which they were def
tined. Weights were not known among them, and ſcales
are diſcovered from time to time, the bafons of which
are of filver, and which are in the ſhape of an inverted
cone. Two kinds of ftone were ufed as looking-glaffes;
the one was foft, the other hard; one was entirely
opaque, the other had a ſmall degree of tranſparency;
one was black, the other of a lead colour: it had been
contrived to give them a fufficient poliſh to reflect ob-
jects. Wool, cotton, and the barks of trees, were wo-
ven by theſe people into a cloth more or lefs compact,
and more or lefs coarfe, which was uſed for wearing-
apparel, and of which houſehold furniture was even
made. Thefe ftuffs and cloths were dyed black, blue,
and red, by means of the arnotto, by different plants,
and by a kind of wild bean that grows in the moun-
tains. Their emeralds were cut in all forts of forms.
Thofe that have been often taken out of the tombs,
moſt of which are in elevated fituations, where citi-
2
ז
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
31
VII:
zens of diſtinction were buried with whatever they в o O K
poffeffed that was rare, prove that theſe precious ſtones
were more perfect here than they have been found to
be anywhere elſe. Sometimes, by fortunate chance,
pieces of workmanſhip are diſcovered in red and yel-
low copper, and others which partake of both colours;
from whence it hath been concluded, that the Peru-
vians were acquainted with the art of mixing metals.
One more important matter is, that this copper never
rufts, and never collects any verdigrife; which feems
to prove, that the Indians mixed fomething in the pre-
paring of it, which had the property of preferving it
from theſe fatal inconveniences. It is to be regretted
that the uſeful art of tempering it in this manner has
been loft, either from want of encouraging the natives
of the country, or from the contempt which the con-
querors had for every thing that had no concern with
their paffion for riches.
'
But with what inftruments were thefe works exe-
cuted, among a people who were unacquainted with
iron, which is looked upon with reafon as the founda-
tion of all the arts? Nothing has been preſerved in
the private houſes, nor hath any thing been diſcover-
ed among the public monuments, or in the tombs,
which can give information fufficient to folve this pro-
blem. Perhaps the hammers and mallets that were
uſed were made of ſome ſubſtance that time may have
either deſtroyed or disfigured. If we will not admit
of this conjecture, we muſt conclude, that all the
workmanſhip was executed with thofe hatchets of cop-
per, which alſo ferved the people for arms in battle.
In this cafe, labour, time, and patience, muſt have
fupplied among the Peruvians the deficiency of tools.
It was alfo, perhaps, with hatchets of copper or
flint, and by inceffant friction, that they contrived to
cut ftones, to fquare them, to make them anſwer to
each other, to give them the fame height, and to join
them without cement. Unfortunately thefe inftru-
ments had not the fame effect on wood as they had
upon ftone. Thus it happened that the fame men
32
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
VII.
BOOK who ſhaped the granite, and who drilled the emerald,
never knew how to join timber by mortifes, tenons,
and pins; it was faftened to the walls only by ruſhes.
The moſt remarkable buildings had only a covering of
thatch, fupported by poles, like the tents of our armies.
They had but one floor, and no light except by the
entrance, and they confifted only of detached apart-
ments, that had no communication with each other.
The fub-
Peru is the
the moſt
teſts be-
tween its
conquerors.
But whatever were the arts which the Spaniards
jection of found in the country of Peru, theſe barbarians were
epocha of no fooner maſters of this vaft empire, than they dif-
bloody con- puted the fpoils of it with all the rage which their
firft exploits announced. The feeds of thefe divifions
had been fown by Pizarro himſelf, who, when he
went into Europe to prepare for a fecond expedition
into the South Seas, had prevailed upon the miniſtry
to give him a great fuperiority over Almagro. The
facrifice of what he had obtained from a temporary
favour, had contributed to reconcile him with his col-
league, who had been justly incenfed at this perfidy;
but the divifion of Atabalipa's ranfom irritated again
theſe two haughty and rapacious robbers. A difpute,
which arofe concerning the limits of their reſpective
governments, completed their animofity, and this ex-
treme hatred was attended with the moft deplorable
confequences.
Civil wars uſually originate in tyranny and anarchy.
In a ſtate of anarchy the people divide themſelves into
fmall parties. Each petty faction hath its demagogue;
each hath its pretenfions, be they wife or extravagant,
unanimous or contradictory, without their being known.
A number of confuſed clamours arife. The firft ftroke
is followed by a thouſand others; and the people de-
froy each other without liftening to reafon. Private
intereſts and perſonal animofities prolong the duration
of the public troubles; and men do not come to expla-
nations till after they are tired with carnage. Under
the influence of tyranny, there are ſcarce ever more
than three parties, that of the court, that of the op-
pofition, and that of indifferent perfons: theſe are in-
3
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
33
VII.
deed lukewarm citizens, but fometimes of great fer- B O O K
vice by their impartiality, and by the ridicule they
caft upon the other two parties. In a ftate of anarchy,
when tranquillity is reftored, the life of every indivi-
dual is fafe; under that of tyranny, tranquillity is fol-
lowed by the death of ſeveral individuals, or of one
only.
Though the interefts which divided the chiefs of the
Spaniards were not of fuch importance, yet their ef
fects were equally terrible. After fome negotiations,
diſhoneſt at leaſt on one part, and confequently uſeleſs,
recourſe was had to the fword, in order to determine
which of the two competitors fhould govern the whole
of Peru. On the 6th of April 1538, in the plains of
Salines, not far from Cufco, fate decided againſt Al-
magro, who was taken prifoner and beheaded.
Thofe of his partifans who had efcaped the carnage,
would willingly have reconciled themſelves with the
conquering party. But whether Pizarro did not chooſe
to truft the foldiers of his rival, or whether he could
not overcome a refentment that was too deeply rooted,
it is certain that he always fhowed a remarkable aver-
fion for them. They were not only excluded from all
the favours that were profufely lavifhed upon the ac-
quifition of a great empire; but they were alſo ftrip-
ped of the rewards formerly granted for their fervices;
they were perfecuted, and expofed to continual mor-
tifications.
This treatment brought a great number of them to
Lima. There, in the houfe of the fon of their gene-
ral, they concerted in filence the deftruction of their
oppreffor. Nineteen of the most intrepid went out,
fword in hand, on the 26th of June 1541, in the mid-
dle of the day, which in hot countries is the time de-
voted to reft. They penetrated, without oppofition,
into the palace of Pizarro; and the conqueror of fo
many vaft kingdoms was quietly maffacred in the cen-
tre of a town that he had founded, and the inhabi-
tants of which were compofed of his creatures, his fer-
vants, his relations, his friends, or his foldiers.
Vol. III.
G:
3.44
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VII.
Thoſe who were judged moft likely to revenge his
death, were murdered after him: the fury of the af
faffins ſpread itſelf, and every one who ventured to ap-
pear in the ſtreets and in the fquares was regarded as
an enemy, and put to the fword. Inftantly the houſes
and temples were filled with flaughter, and prefented
nothing but mangled carcafes. The fpirit of avarice,
which induced them to confider the rich merely as
partiſans of the old government, was ftill more furious
than that of hatred, and rendered it more active, more
fufpicious, and more implacable. The reprefentation
of a place taken by affault by a barbarous nation,
would communicate but an imperfect idea of that
fpectacle of horror which theſe ruffians now exhibited,
who wreſted from their accomplices the booty of which
they had fruftrated them.
This cruel maffacre was followed by enormities of
another kind. The foul of young Almagro ſeems to
have been formed for tyranny. Every one who had
been in employment under the adverfary of his fami-
ly was inhumanly profcribed. The ancient magiftrates
were depofed. The troops were put under the com-
mand of new officers. The royal treafury, and the
wealth of thoſe who periſhed or were abfent, were feiz-
ed upon by the ufurper. His accomplices, attached to
his fortune by being partakers of his crimes, were for-
ced to give their fupport to undertakings which filled
them with horror. Thofe among them who fuffered
their uneafineſs at theſe proceedings to tranfpire, were
either put to death in private, or perifhed on a ſcaffold.
During the confufion, in which a revolution fo unex-
pected had plunged Peru, feveral provinces fubmitted
to this monfter, who cauſed himſelf to be proclaimed
governor in the capital: and he marched into the heart
of the empire, to complete the reduction of every place
that oppofed, or heſitated to acknowledge him.
A multitude of ruffians joined him on his march.
His army breathed nothing but vengeance and plun-
der: every thing gave way before it. If the military
talents of the general had equalled the ardour of his
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
35
VII.
troops, the war had ended here. Unhappily for Al-в O O K
magro, he had loft his conductor, John de Herrada.
His inexperience made him fall into the fnares that
were laid for him by Pedro Alvares, who had put him-
ſelf at the head of the oppofite party. He loft, in at-
tempting to unravel his rival's plots, that time which
he ought to have employed in fighting. In theſe cir-
cumſtances, an event, which no one could have fore-
feen, happened to change the face of affairs.
The licentiate Vafco di Caftro, who had been fent
from Europe to try the murderers of old Almagro, ar-
rived at Peru. As he was appointed to affume the go-
vernment in cafe Pizarro was no more, all who had not
fold themſelves to the tyrant, haftened to acknowledge
him. Uncertainty and jealoufy, which had for too
long a time kept them difperfed, were no longer an
obftacle to their re-union. Caftro, who was as refolute
as if he had grown old in the fervice, did not fuffer
their impatience to languiſh, but inftantly led them
againſt the enemy. The two armies engaged at Chapas
on the 16th of September 1542, and fought with in-
expreffible obftinacy. Victory, after having wavered
a long time, at the cloſe of the day decided in favour
of the government party. Thoſe among the rebels
who were moſt guilty, dreading to languiſh under dif-
graceful tortures, provoked the conquerors to murder
them, crying out, like men in deſpair, It was I who
killed Pizarro. Their chief was taken prifoner, and
died on the ſcaffold.
Thefe fcenes of horror were just concluded, when
Blafco Nunnez Vela arrived in 1544 at Peru, with the
title and powers of viceroy. The court had thought
to inveft their reprefentative with a folemn dignity,
and with very extenfive authority, in order that the
decrees he was commiffioned to eftablifh, fhould meet
with lefs oppofition. Thefe decrees were intended to
leffen the oppreffion under which the Indians were
funk, and more particularly to render theſe immenſe
conqueſts uſeful to the crown: let us examine whe-
the: they were judiciously contrived for this purpofe.
Cij
36
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VII.
They declared that fome of the Peruvians ſhould
be free from that moment, and the reft at the death of
their oppreffors: that, for the future, they fhould not
be compelled to bury themſelves in the mines; and
that no kind of labour fhould be exacted from them
without payment: that their public labours and tri-
butes fhould be regulated: that the Spaniards who
travelled through the provinces on foot, fhould no
longer have three of theſe wretched people to carry
their baggage; nor five when they went on horſe-
back that the Caciques fhould be freed from the ob-
ligation of providing the traveller and his fuite with
food.
By the fame regulations, all the departments or
commanderies of the governors, of the officers of juf
tice, of the agents of the treaſury, of the biſhops, of
the monafteries, of the hofpitals, and of all perfons
who had been concerned in the public troubles, were
to be annexed to the domains of the ftate.
lands that might belong to other proprietors, were to
be ſubject to the fame law, after the prefent poffeffors
had ended their days, let their life be long or ſhort;
and their heirs, their wives, or their children, were to
have no claim upon any part of them.
The few
Before fo great a revolution had been attempted,
would it not have been more proper to have ſoftened
the ferocious manners of thefe people, to have gradu-
ally bent to the yoke men who had always lived in a
ftate of independence, to have brought back to prin-
ciples of equity injuftice itſelf, to have connected to
the general intereft thoſe who had been hitherto in-
fluenced by private interefts only, to have made citi-
zens of adventurers, who had, as it were, forgotten the
country from whence they ſprang; to have eſtabliſhed
properties where the law of the ſtrongeſt had before
univerfally prevailed; to have made order arife from
the midft of confufion; and, by a ftriking contraft to
the evils which had juſt been occafioned by anarchy,
to have conciliated attachment and reverence to a
well-regulated government? But without any of thefe
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
37
VII.
preliminary ſteps, how could the court of Madrid ex- в O O K
pect fuddenly to attain the end they propoſed?
Even fuppofing the matter public, did they employ
a proper agent to effect it? At any rate, it would
have been a work of patience, and of a conciliatory
difpofition which would have required all the talents
of the moſt confummate negotiator. Did Nunnez
poffefs any of thefe advantages? Nature had only
given him integrity, courage, and firmnefs; and he
had added nothing to her gifts. With thefe virtues,
which were almoft defects in his fituation, he began to
fulfil his commiffion, without any regard to place, to
perfons, or to circumftances. To the aftoniſhment
with which the people were at firſt ſeized, fucceeded
indignation, murmurs, and fedition.
Civil wars affume the character that diftinguiſhes
the cauſes from whence they ſpring. When an ab-
horrence of tyranny, and the natural love of liberty,
ftimulate a brave people to take up arms, if they prove
victorious, the tranquillity that follows this tranfitory
calamity is an era of the greateſt happineſs. The vi-
gour which hath been excited in the foul of every in-
dividual, manifefts itſelf in his manners. The ſmall
number of citizens who have been witneffes and in-
ftruments of fuch troubles, poffefs more moral ftrength
than the most populous nations. Abilities and power
are united; and every man is aftoniſhed to find that
he occupies that very place which nature had marked
eut for him.
But when diffenfions proceed from a corrupt fource;
when flaves fight about the choice of a tyrant; when
the ambitious contend, in order to opprefs, and rob-
bers quarrel for the fake of fpoil; the peace which ter-
minates thefe horrors is fcarcely preferable to the war
which gave them birth. Criminals affume the place
of the judges who had difgraced them, and become
the oracles of thofe laws which they had infulted.
Men ruined by their extravagances and debaucheries,
infult, with an overbearing pomp, thofe virtuous citi-
zens whoſe patrimony they have invaded. In this
C iij
38
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK ftate of utter confufion, the paffions only are attended
to. Avarice feeks to grow rich without any trouble,
vengeance to gratify its refentments without fear, li-
centiouſneſs to throw off every reftraint, and diſcon-
tent to occafion a total fubverfion of affairs. The
frenzy of carnage is fucceeded by that of debauchery.
The facred bed of innocence or of marriage is polluted
with blood, adultery, and brutal violence. The fury
of the multitude rejoices in deftroying every thing it
cannot enjoy; and thus, in a few hours, perish the
monuments of many centuries.
If fatigue, an entire laffitude, or fome fortunate ac-
cidents, fufpend theſe calamities, the habit of wicked-
nefs and murder, and the contempt of laws, which ne-
ceffarily fubfifts after fo much confufion, is a leaven
ever ready to ferment. Generals who no longer have
any command, licentious foldiers without pay, and the
people, fond of novelty, in hopes of changing their
flate for a better; this fituation of things, and theſe
means of confufion, are always in readineſs for the firſt
factious perſon who knows how to avail himſelf of
them.
Such was the difpofition of the Spaniards in Peru,
when Nunnez attempted to carry into execution the
orders he had received from the old hemifphere. He
was immediately degraded, put in irons, and banished
to a defert ifland, where he was to remain till he was
conveyed to the mother-country.
Gonzales Pizarro was then returned from a hazard-
ous expedition, which had carried him as far as the
river of the Amazons, and had employed him long
enough to prevent him from taking a part in thoſe re-
volutions which had fo rapidly fucceeded each other.
The anarchy he found prevailing at his return, inſpired
him with the idea of feizing the fupreme authority.
His fame and his forces made it impoffible that this
fhould be refufed him; but his ufurpation was marked
with fo many enormities, that Nunnez was regretted.
He was recalled from exile, and foon collected a fuffi-
cient number of forces to enable him to take the field,
+
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
39
VII.
Civil commotions were then renewed with extreme в o O K
fury by both parties. No quarter was afked or given
on either fide. The Indians were forced to take part
in this, as they had done in the preceding wars; fome
ranged themſelves under the ftandard of the viceroy,
others under the banners of Gonzales. They dragged
up the artillery, levelled the roads, and carried the
baggage. After a variety of advantages for a long
time alternately obtained, fortune at length favoured
the rebellion under the walls of Quito, in the month
of January in the year 1545. Nunnez, and the great-
eft part of his men, were maffacred on that day.
Pizarro took the road of Lima, where they were de-
liberating on the ceremonies with which they thould
receive him. Some officers wifhed that a canopy
fhould be carried for him to march under, after the
manner of kings. Others, with adulation ftill more
extravagant, pretended that part of the walls of the
town, and even fome houſes, muſt be pulled down;
as was the cuſtom at Rome, when a general obtained
the honours of a triumph. Gonzales contented him-
felf with making his entrance on horſeback, preceded
by his lieutenants, who marched on foot. Four bi-
fhops accompanied him; and he was followed by the
magiftrates. The ftreets were ftrewn with flowers,
and the air refounded with the noiſe of bells and vari-
ous mufical inftruments. This homage totally turned
the head of a man naturally haughty, and of confined
ideas. He ſpoke and acted in the moſt defpotic man-
ner.
Had Gonzales poffeffed judgment, and the appear-
ance of moderation, it would have been poffible for
him to render himſelf independent. The principal
perfons of his party wifhed it. The majority would
have viewed this event with indifference, and the reft
would have been obliged to confent to it. Blind cru-
elties, infatiable avarice, and unbounded pride, altered
thefe difpofitions. Even the perfons whofe interefts
were more connected with thofe of the tyrant, wifhed
for a deliverer.
C iiij
4.0
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
!
BOOK
VII.
An aged
Such a deliverer arrived from Europe in the perfon
of Pedro de la Gafca. He was a prieft advanced in
years, but prudent, difintereſted, firm, and eſpecially
prieſt at endowed with an acute difcernment. He brought no
length puts
an end to troops along with him; but he had been intrufted
the effufion with unlimited powers. The firft ufe he allowed him-
of Spanish felf to make of them, was, to publifh a general am-
blood.
nefty without diſtinction of perſons or crimes, and to
revoke the fevere laws that had rendered the preced-
ing adminiſtration odious. This ftep alone fecured to
him the fleet, and the mountainous provinces. If Pi-
zarro, to whom the amnesty had been particularly of-
fered with every teftimony of diftinction, had accepted
of it, as he was adviſed to do by the most enlightened
of his partifans, the troubles would have been at an
end. The habit of commanding would not fuffer him.
to defcend to a private ftation; and he had recourfe
to arms, in hopes of perpetuating his memory. With-
out lofing a moment, he advanced towards Cuſco,
where La Gafca was affembling his forces. On the 9th
of April 1548, the battle was begun at the diſtance of
four leagues from this place, in the plains of Saeſa-
huana. One of the rebel general's lieutenants, ſeeing
him abandoned at the firft charge by his beſt foldiers,
adviſed him, but in vain, to throw himſelf into the
enemy's battalions, and periſh like a Roman; but this
weak head of a party chofe rather to furrender, and
end his life on a ſcaffold. Nine or ten of his officers
were hanged round him. A more difgraceful fentence
was pronounced againſt Carvajal.
This confidant of Pizarro, who, in all the accounts,
is accuſed of having maffacred with his own hand four
hundred men, of having facrificed, by means of his
agents, more than a thouſand Spaniards, and of hav-
ing deftroyed more than twenty thoufand Indians
through exceſs of labour, was one of the moſt aſto-
niſhing men ever recorded in hiftory. At a time when
the minds of all men were elevated, he diſplayed a de-
gree of courage which could never admit of a compa-
rifon. He remained always faithful to the cauſe he
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
41
VII.
had engaged in, although the custom of changing в O O K
ftandards according to circumftances was then univer-
fally prevalent. He never forgot the moſt trifling fer-
vice that had been rendered him; while thoſe who
had once conferred an obligation upon him, might af-
terwards affront him with impunity. His cruelty was
become a proverb; and in the moft horrid executions
he ordered, he never loft any thing of his mirth.
Strongly addicted to raillery, he was appeafed with a
jeft; while he infulted the cry of pain, which appear-
ed to him the exclamation of cowardice or weakneſs.
His iron heart made a fport of every thing. He took
away or preferved life for a nothing, becauſe life was
a nothing in his eftimation. His paffion for wine did
not prevent the uncommon ftrength of his body, and
the dreadful vigour of his foul, from maintaining them-
felves to the most advanced time of life. In extreme
old age, he was ftill the firſt foldier, and the firſt com-
mander in the army. His death was conformable to
his life. At the age of eighty-four, he was quartered,
without ſhowing any remorfe for what was past, or any
uneafinels for the future.
Such was the laft fcene of a tragedy, every act of
which hath been marked with blood. Civil wars have
always been cruel in all countries and in all ages; but
at Peru they were deftined to have a peculiar charac-
ter of ferocity. Thoſe who excited them, and thoſe
who engaged in them, were most of them adventurers
without education, and of mean birth. Avarice,
which had brought them into the New World, was
joined to other paffions which render domeſtic diffen-
fions fo lafting and fo violent. All of them, without
exception, confidered the chief whom they had chofen
merely as a partner in their fortune, whofe influence
was only to extend to the guidance of their hoftilities.
None of them accepted any pay. As plunder and
confifcation were to be the fruits of victory, no quar-
ter was ever given in action. After the engagement
was over, every rich man was expoſed to informations;
and there were nearly as many citizens who periſhed
42
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK by the hands of the executioner, as by thoſe of the
foldiers in battle. The gold that had been acquired
by ſuch enormities, was foon exhauſted by the meaneſt
kind of intemperance, and the moſt extravagant luxu-
ry; and the people returned again to all the exceffes
of military licence that knows no reſtraint.
Fortunately for this opulent part of the New He-
mifphere, the moſt feditious of the conquerors, and of
thoſe who followed their ſteps, had periſhed miferably
in the feveral events that had fo frequently fubverted
it. Few of them had furvived the troubles, except
thoſe who had conftantly preferred peaceable occupa-
tions to the tumult and dangers of great revolutions.
What ſtill remained of that commotion that had been
raiſed in their minds, infenfibly fank into a calm, like
the agitation of waves after a long and furious tem-
peft. Then, and then only, the Catholic kings might
with truth ftyle themſelves the fovereigns of the Spa-
niards fixed in Peru. But there was one Inca ftill re-
maining.
This legitimate heir of fo many vaft dominions, liv-
ed in the midft of the mountains in a ftate of inde-
pendence. Some princeffes of his family, who had
fubmitted to the conquerors, abuſed his inexperience
and youth, and prevailed upon him to come to Lima.
The ufurpers of his rights carried their infolence ſo far
as to fend him letters of grace, and affigned to him
only a very moderate domain for his fubfiftence. He
went to hide his fhame and his regret in the valley of
Yucay, where, at the expiration of three years, death,
though ſtill too tardy, put an end to his unfortunate
career. An only daughter, who furvived him, married
Loyola; and from this union are fprung the houſes of
Oropeſa and Alcannizas. Thus was the conqueft of
Perù completed towards the year 1560.
When the Caftilians had firft made their appearance
in this empire, it had an extent of more than fifteen
thousand miles of coaft upon the South Sea; and in
its depth, it was bounded only by the higheſt of the
Cordeleirias mountains, In less than half a century,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
43
VII.
thefe turbulent men puſhed on their conquefts eaft- в O O K
ward from Panama to the river Plata, and weftward
from the Chagre to the Oroonoko. Although the
new acquifitions were most of them feparated from
Peru by terrible deferts, or by people who obftinately
defended their liberty, yet they were all incorporated
with it, and fubmitted to the fame law, even down to
theſe latter times. Let us take a review of thoſe which
have preſerved or acquired fome degree of importance;
and we fhall begin with the Darien.
the pro-
Darien.
that coun-
try be of
This narrow flip of land, which joins South and Notions
North America together, is fortified by a chain of high concerning
mountains, fufficiently folid to refift the attacks of the vince of
two oppofite feas. The country is fo barren, fo rainy, Inquiry
fo unwholeſome, and fo full of infects, that the Spa- whether
niards, in all probability, would never have thought of
fixing there, had they not found at Porto-Bello, and importance
at Panama, harbours well calculated for eſtabliſhing excite divi-
an eafy communication between the Atlantic and the lions a-
Southern Ocean. The rest of the ifthmus had fo little nations?
attraction for them, that the fettlements of Saint Ma-
ry and of Nombre de Dios, which had at firſt been
formed there, were foon annihilated.
This neglect determined, in 1698, twelve hundred
Scotch to go there. The Company, united for this
enterprife, intended to gain the confidence of the few
favages whom the fword had not deftroyed; to arm
them against a people whofe ferocity they had expe-
rienced; to work the mines, which were thought more
valuable than they are; to intercept the galleons by
cruifes fkilfully conducted; and to unite their forces
with thofe of Jamaica, with fufficient management to
acquire the fway in this part of the New World.
A project fo alarming difpleafed the court of Ma-
drid, which feemed determined to confifcate the ef
fects of all the Engliſh, who traded with fo much ad-
vantage in their dominions. It difpleafed Louis XIV.
who offered to a power already too much exhauſted,
a fleet fufficient to fruftrate the defign: it diſpleaſed
the Dutch, who were afraid that this new company
enough to
mong the
44
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK would one day divide with them the fmuggling trade
VII. which they monopolized in theſe latitudes: it was even
diſpleaſing to the Britiſh miniftry, who forefaw that
Scotland, growing rich, would wish to emerge from
that kind of dependence to which its poverty had hi-
therto reduced it. This violent and univerfal oppofi-
tion determined king William to revoke a permiffion
which his favourites had extorted from him. It then
became neceffary to evacuate the golden iſland upon
which this colony had been placed.
Extent, cli-
fortifica-
But the mere apprehenfion the Spaniards had felt
of having fuch a neighbour, determined them to pay
more attention themſelves to a country which they had
always hitherto difdained. Their miffionaries fucceed-
ed in forming nine or ten villages, each of which con-
tained from one hundred and fifty to two hundred fa-
vages. Whether from the unfettled difpofition of the
Indians, or from the oppreffion of their guides, thefe
rifing fettlements began to fall off in 1716; and in
our days, there are no more than three of them re-
maining, defended by four fmall forts and by a hun-
dred foldiers.
The province of Carthagena is bordered on the
mate, foil, Weſt by the river Darien, and on the Eaft by that
tions, har- of Magdalena. The extent of its coaft is fifty-three
bour, popu- leagues, and of the inland countries eighty-five. The
Ders, and arid and extremely high mountains that occupy the
lation,man-
trade of
Cartha-
gena.
greateſt part of this vaft ſpace, are ſeparated by large
valleys, well watered and fertile. The dampnefs and
exceſſive heat of the climate prevent, indeed, the corn,
the oils, the wines, and the fruits of Europe from thriv-
ing there but rice, caffava, maize, cacao, fugar, and
all the productions peculiar to America, are very com-
mon. But cotton is the only article cultivated for ex-
portation; and even the wool of this is fo long, and
fo difficult in working, that it is only fold for the low-
eſt price in our markets, and is rejected by moft of the
manufactures.
Baſtidas was the first European, who, in 1502, ap-
peared in theſe unknown latitudes. La Cofa, Guerra,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
45
VII.
Ojeda, Vefputius, and Oviedo, landed there after him: B 0 0 K
but the people whom theſe plunderers meant to en-
flave oppoſed them with fuch firmneſs, that they were
obliged to give up all thoughts of forming a fettlement
there. At length Pedro de Heridia appeared in 1527,
with a force fufficient to reduce them. He built and
peopled Carthagena.
In 1544, fome French pirates pillaged the new town.
Forty-one years after, it was burnt by the celebrated
Drake. Pointis, one of the admirals of Louis XIV.
took it in 1697; but, by his cruel rapacity, he dif
graced the arms which his ambitious maſter wiſhed to
render illuftrious. The English were difgracefully
obliged, in 1741, to raiſe the fiege of it, though they
had undertaken it with twenty-five fhips of the line,
fix fire-fhips, two bomb-ketches, and as many land
forces as were fufficient to conquer a great part of
America. The miſunderſtanding between Vernon and
Wentworth; the cabals which divided the army and
the fleet; a want of experience in moſt of the com-
manders, and of fubordination in the fubalterns all
theſe cauſes united to deprive the nation of the glory
and advantage it had flattered itſelf with, from one of
the moſt brilliant armaments that had ever been dif-
patched from the Britiſh ports.
After ſo many revolutions, Carthagena now fubſiſts
in fplendour in a peninfula of fand, which is joined to
the continent only by two narrow necks of land, the
broadeft of which is not thirty-five toifes. Its fortifi-
cations are regular. Nature has placed, at a little di-
ſtance, a hill of a tolerable height, on which the cita-
del of St. Lazarus hath been built. Thefe works are
defended by a garrifon, more or lefs numerous, as cir-
cumſtances require. The town is one of the best built,
the moſt regular, and beſt diſpoſed, of any in the New
World. It may contain twenty-five thoufand fouls.
Of this number the Spaniards form the fixth part; the
Indians, the Negroes, and feveral races compoſed of
mixtures of an infinite variety, make up the remainder.
Theſe mixtures are more common at Carthagena
46
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOO K than in moſt of the other Spanish colonies. A multi-
tude of vagabonds without employment, without for-
tune, and without recommendations, are continually
reforting to this place. In a country where they are
totally unknown, no citizen can venture to repoſe any
confidence in their fervices; they are deftined to fub-
fift wretchedly on the alms of the convents, and to lie
in the corner of a fquare, or under the portico of fome
church. If the afflictions they experience in this mi-
ferable ftate fhould bring fome violent difeaſe upon
them, they are commonly affifted by the free negro
women, whoſe care and kindneſs they requite by mar-
rying them. Thoſe who have not the happineſs of
being in a fituation dreadful enough to excite the
compaffion of the women, are obliged to take refuge
in the country, and to devote themſelves to fatiguing
labours, which a certain national pride, and ancient
cuſtoms, render equally infupportable. Indolence is
carried fo far in this country, that men and women
who are wealthy feldom quit their hammocks, and that
but for a little time.
The climate must be one of the principal caufes of
this inactivity. The heat is exceffive, and almoſt con-
tinual, at Carthagena. The torrents of water, which
are inceffantly pouring down from the month of May
to November, have this peculiarity, that they never
cool the air, which, however, is fometimes a little tem-
pered by the north-eaft winds in the dry feafon. The
night is as hot as the day. An habitual perfpiration
gives the inhabitants the pale and livid colour of fick-
ly perfons. Even when they are in perfect health,
their motions partake of the foftneſs of the climate,
which evidently relaxes their fibres. This indolence
manifefts itſelf even in their words, which are always
uttered flowly, and with a low voice. Thoſe who
come hither from Europe preferve their fresh com-
plexions and plumpnefs three or four months; but
they afterwards lofe both.
This decay is the forerunner of an evil ftill more
dreadful, but the nature of which is little known. It
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
47
VII.
is conjectured that fome perfons are affected with it в O O K
from catching cold, others from indigeftion. It ma-
nifefts itſelf by vomitings, accompanied with ſo vio-
lent a delirium, that the patient muſt be confined, to
prevent him from tearing himſelf to pieces. He often
expires in the midſt of theſe agitations, which ſeldom
laſt above three or four days. A lemonade made of
the juice of the opuntium, or Indian fig, is, according
to Godin, the beſt ſpecific that has been found againſt
fo fatal a diſeaſe. Thoſe who have eſcaped this dan-
ger at firſt, run no riſk for the future. We are affured
from the teſtimony of men of underſtanding, that, even
upon their return to Carthagena, after a long abfence,
they have nothing to fear.
The town and its territory exhibit the fpectacle of a
hideous leprofy, which indifcriminately attacks both
the inhabitants and ftrangers. The philofophers who
have attempted to aſcribe this calamity to the eating
of pork, have not confidered that nothing of a fimilar
kind is feen in the other parts of the New World,
where this kind of food is not lefs common. To pre-
vent the progrefs of this diftemper, an hoſpital has been
founded in the country. Perfons who are fuppofed to
be attacked with it, are fhut up here, without diftinc-
tion of fex, rank, or age. The benefit of fo wife an
eſtabliſhment is loft through the avarice of the gover-
nors, who, without being deterred by the danger of
spreading the diſeaſe, fuffer the poor to go in and out
to beg. Thus it is that the number of the fick is fo
great, that the encloſure of the dwelling is of an im-
menfe extent. Every one there enjoys a little ſpot of
ground that is marked out for him on his admiffion.
There he builds an abode fuitable to his fortune,
where he lives in tranquillity to the end of his days,
which are often long, though unhappy. This diſorder
fo powerfully excites that paffion which is the ſtrong-
eft of all others, that it has been judged neceffary to
permit marriage to fuch as are afflicted with it. This
is, perhaps, increafing the paffion, by increafing the
means of fatisfying it. Thefe defires appear to be ir-
3
48
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
BOOK ritated by the very gratification of them; they in-
VII. creaſe by their very remedies, and are reproduced by
each other. The inconvenience of beholding this ar-
dent difeafe, which infects the blood, perpetuated in
the children, hath given way to the dread of other dif
orders, that are, perhaps, chimerical.
Let us be allowed to form a conjecture. There are
fome people in Africa that are fituated nearly under
the fame latitude, who have a cuſtom of rubbing the
body with an oil that is expreffed from the fruit of a
tree refembling the palm. This oil is of a difagreeable
fmell: but befide the property it has of keeping off
infects which are very troubleſome under this burning
fky, it ferves to make the ſkin pliable, and to preſerve,
or reſtore to that organ fo effential to life, the free ex-
ercife of the office for which nature has defigned it;
it alfo quiets the irritation which drynefs and aridity
muſt bring on upon the fkin, which then becomes fo
hard, that all kind of perſpiration is intercepted. If a
fimilar method were tried at Carthagena, and if the
cleanlinefs which the climate requires were added to
it, perhaps this leprofy might be reftrained, or even
totally abolished.
Notwithſtanding this diſguſting distemper, the vari-
ous defects of an inconvenient and dangerous climate,
and many other difagreeable circumſtances, Spain hath
always fhown a great predilection for Carthagena, on
account of its harbour, one of the beft that is known.
It is two leagues in extent, and hath a deep and ex-
cellent bottom. There is not more agitation there.
than on the moft calm river. There are two channels
that lead up to it. That which is called Bocca Grande,
and which is from feven to eight hundred toifes in
breadth, had formerly fo little depth, that the ſmalleſt
canoe could with difficulty paſs through it. The ocean
hath gradually increafed its depth fo much, that in
fome parts twelve feet of water may be found. If the
revolutions of time fhould bring about greater altera-
tions, the place would be expofed. Accordingly, the
attention of the court of Madrid is ferioufly engaged
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST İNDİES.
49
VII.
in confidering the means of preventing fo great an в о о K
evil. Perhaps, after much reflection, no fimpler or
more certain expedient will be found, than to oppoſe
to the enemy's fleets a dyke formed of old fhips filled
with ftones and funk in the fea. The channel of Boc-
ca Chica hath been hitherto the only one practicable.
This is fo narrow, that only one veffel can enter at
once. The Engliſh, in 1741, having deftroyed the
fortifications that defended this paffage, they have
been fince reſtored with greater ſkill. They were no
longer placed at the entrance of the gullet, but further
up the channel, where they will fecure a better de-
fence.
At the time that theſe countries were fupplied with
provifions, by the well known method of the galleons,
the veffels which fet out from Spain all together, fail-
ed to Carthagena before they went to Porto Bello,
and viſited it again on their return to Europe. In the
firſt voyage, they depofited the merchandiſe that was
neceffary for the ſupply of the interior provinces, and
received the price of them in the ſecond. When fin-
gle fhips were fubftituted to theſe monftrous arma-
ments, the city ſerved for the fame kind of ſtaple. It
was always the point of communication between the
Old Hemiſphere and great part of the New. From
the year 1748 to 1753, this ftaple was only vifited
with twenty-feven fhips from Spain: thefe, in ex-
change for the merchandiſe they had brought, receiv-
ed every year 9,357,806 livres [389,9081. 11s. 8d.] in
gold, 4,729,498 livres [197,0721. 8s. 4d.] in filver, and
851,765 livres [35,490l. 14s. 2d.] in the produce of
the country; in all, 14,939,069 livres [622,4611. 13s.
4d.].
The article of the produce of the country was com-
poſed of four thoufand eight hundred and fourfcore
quintals of cacao, the value of which in Europe was
509,760 livres [21,240l. 10s.]; of five hundred and
eighty quintals of bark, of the value of 200,880 livres
[83701.]; of feventeen quintals of vicuna wool, of the
value of 12,474 livres [5191. 15s.]; of one quintal and
Jol. III.
D
1
+
The
50
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK a half of vanilla, of the value of 11,988 livres [4991.
Ios.]; of ſeven quintals of tortoife-fhell, of the va-
lue of 4698 livres [1951. 15s.]; of fifteen quintals
of mother-of-pearl, of the value of 1701 livres [71].
7s. 6d.]; of fixteen quintals of balfam, of the value of
18,900 livres [7871. 10s.]; of two thouſand and thirty
quintals of a fpecies of Brafil wood, of the value of
29,295 livres [1220l. 12s. 6d.]; of two thouſand one
hundred fkins, with the hair on, of the value of
34,020 livres [14171. 10s.]; of forty-two quintals of
dragon's blood, of the value of 2389 livres [991. 10s.
Iod.]; of fix quintals of balfam of capivi, of the value
of 2700 livres [1131]; of feven quintals of farfaparil-
la, of the value of 972 livres [401. 9s.]; of one quintal
of ivory, of the value of 388 livres [161. 3s. 4d.]; and
laftly, of one hundred and eighty-eight quintals of
cotton, of the value of 21,600 livres [900l. ros.].
Cauſes of
the oblivion
the pro-
vince of
len.
In theſe returns, where there was nothing for go-
vernment, and where all was for trade, the territory
of Carthagena furniſhed only to the amount of 93,241
livres [38851. 1od.]. That of Saint Martha was ſtill
lefs profitable.
This province, the extent of which, from eaft to
into which weft, is eighty leagues, and one hundred and thirty
from north to fouth, was unfortunately diſcovered, as
Saint Mar- were all the neighbouring regions, at the difaftrous pe-
tha is fal- riod when the kings of Spain, folely intent upon their
aggrandizement in Europe, required only from thoſe
of their fubjects, who went into the New World, the
fifth part of the gold which they collected in their
plunders. Upon this condition, thefe robbers, who
were ftimulated by the love of novelty, by an inordi-
nate paffion for wealth, and even by the hopes of me-
riting heaven, were left to be the fole arbiters of their
actions. Without dread of puniſhment or of cenfure,
they might wander about from one country to ano-
ther, preferve or abandon a conqueft, improve a terri-
tory, or deſtroy it, and maffacre the people, or treat
them with humanity, as they thought proper. Every
thing fuited the court of Madrid; provided they were
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
51
fupplied with plenty of riches, the fource from which в o o K
they came always appeared honeft and pure.
Ravages and cruelties, that cannot be expreffed,
were the neceffary confequence of theſe abominable
principles; and univerfal defolation prevailed. The
fatal veftiges of it are ſtill to be traced in all parts, but
more eſpecially at Saint Martha. After thefe deſtroy-
ers had ſpoiled the colonies of the gold which they
had picked up in their rivers, and of the pearls which
they had fifhed upon their coafts, they diſappeared.
The few among them who fettled themſelves there,
raiſed one or two towns, and fome villages, which re-
mained without intercourfe with each other, till it was
opened by fome indefatigable Capuchin miffionaries,
who, in our days, have contrived to collect, in eight
hamlets, three thouſand one hundred and ninety-one
Motilones, or Evagiras, the moft ferocious of the fa-
vages who oppoſed it. Here their deſpicable pofterity
vegetates, fed and waited upon by fome Indians or
Negroes. The mother-country hath never ſent one
fingle veſſel into this diſtrict, and hath never received
any kind of production from it. The induftry and ac-
tivity of this place confifts only in a fraudulent trade
of cattle, and eſpecially mules, carried on with the
Dutch, or with the other cultivators of the neighbour-
ing iſlands, who give in exchange clothing, and fome
other objects of little value. Superftition keeps up
this fatal indolence. It prevents the people from dif-
cerning that it is not by ceremonies, by flagellations,
or by autos da fé, that the divinity is to be honoured;
but by the fweat of man's brow, by the clearing of
land, and by uſeful labours. Thefe proud men per-
fuade themſelves that they are greater in a church, or
at the feet of a monk, than in the fields or the work-
thop. The tyranny of their priests hath kept away
from them that knowledge which might have unde-
ceived them. Even this work, written purpoſely to
enlighten them, they will never be acquainted with.
If fome fortunate event fhould put it into their hands,
they would have an abhorrence of it, and would con-
VII.
}
Dij
52
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
B O O K fider it as a criminal production, the author of which
VII. would deferve to be burnt.
Firſt events
Alphonfo Ojeda was the firft who reconnoitred, in
that hap 1499, the country called Venezuela, or Little Venice,
pened at
Venezuela. a name that was given to it, becauſe ſome huts were
feen there, fixed upon frakes, to raiſe them above the
ftagnant waters that covered the plain. Neither this
adventurer, nor his immediate fucceffors, thought of
forming any fettlements there. Their ambition was
only to make flaves, that they might convey them to
the islands which their ferocity had depopulated. It
was not till 1527 that John d'Ampuez fixed a colony
upon this coaft, and promifed to his court a region
abounding in metals. This promife gave rife, in the
following year, to an arrangement fingular enough to
attract our attention.
Charles V. who had united fuch a number of crowns
upon his head, and concentrated fo much power in
himfelf, was engaged, by his ambition, or by the jea-
loufy of his neighbours, in endleſs difputes, the ex-
pences of which exceeded his refources. In his necef-
fities, he had borrowed confiderable fums of the Wel-
fers of Augsbourg, who were then the richeſt mer-
chants in Europe. That prince offered them in pay-
ment the province of Venezuela, and they accepted it
as a fief of Caftile.
It was to be fuppofed that merchants, who had ac-
quired their fortune by the buying and felling of ter-
itorial productions, would eftabliſh plantations in their
domains. It was to be fuppoſed that Germans, who
had been brought up in the midft of mines, would
work thofe which were upon the fpot that was grant-
ed to them. But thefe expectations were entirely
fruftrated. The Welfers only fent into the New
World four or five hundred of thoſe fierce foldiers,
whom their country began to fell to whoever would
and could pay for their blood. Theſe baſe hirelings
carried along with them beyond the feas that propen-
fity for pillaging which they had contracted in the
different wars in which they had ferved. Under the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
53
VII.
guidance of their chiefs, Alfinger and Sailler, they в O O K
overran an immenſe tract of country, putting the fa-
vages to the torture, and ripping them open, to extort
from them where the gold was to be found. Some
Indians, dragged along, and laden with provifions, who
were put to death as foon as they fank under the laffi-
tude, followed this favage band. Hunger, fatigue, and
poiſoned arrows, fortunately delivered the earth of this
odious burden. The Spaniards refamed poffeffion of
a foil which the Welfers would no longer have any
concern with; and their conduct was not very diffe-
rent from that which had juft excited fo much horror.
Their commander Carvajal, indeed, forfeited his life
for theſe enormities: but this puniſhment did not re-
cal from the grave the victims that had been precipi-
tated into it. From their afhes arofe, in proceſs of
time, a few productions, of which the cacao was the
principal.
gene- The cacao
hath always
The fixed the at-
and tention of
the Spani-
The cacao tree, which is of a middling fize,
rally throws out five or fix trunks from its root.
wood of it is brittle and white; its root reddish,
rather rugged. As it grows up it throws off fome in- ards upon
clined branches, which do not fpread far. Its leaves Venezuela
are alternate, oval, and terminated in a point. The
largeſt of them are from eight to nine feet in length,
and three in breadth. They are all fixed upon fhort
petals, flattened, and furniſhed at their bafis with two
membranes or ftipule. The flowers arife in fmall
bunches along the ftems and the branches. Their
calix is greenith, and hath five deep divifions. The
five petals that compofe the corolla are fmall, yellow,
inflated at their bafe, lengthened out into a kind of
ftrap, which is folded up in a circular form, and widen-
ed at its extremity. Thefe petals are fixed to a fpa-
tha, formed by the affemblage of ten threads, five of
which bear ftamina. The five other intermediate ones
are longer, and in the fhape of a tongue. The piftil,
which is placed in the centre, and furmounted with
one ftyle only, becomes an oviform capfula, almoſt of
a ligneous texture, fix or ſeven inches in length, and
D iij
54
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOO K two in breadth; uneven upon its furface, marked with
ten coſtæ, and feparated internally by membranous
partitions into five cells. The kernels which it con-
tains, to the number of thirty, or more, are covered
with a brittle ſhell, and furrounded with a whitiſh pulp.
Theſe kernels are the bafis of the chocolate, the
goodneſs of which depends upon the oily part they
contain, and confequently upon their perfect maturity.
The capfula is gathered, when, after having changed
fucceffively from green to yellow, it acquires a dark
mufk colour. It is flit with a knife, and all the ker-
nels, furrounded with their pulp, are taken out and
heaped up in a tub, in order that they may ferment.
This operation deſtroys the principle of vegetation,
and removes the fuperfluous moisture from the ker-
nels, which are afterwards expofed to the fun upon
hurdles, in order to complete the drying of them. The
cacao, thus prepared, keeps for a confiderable time,
provided it be in a dry place; but it is not proper to
keep it too long, becauſe it loſes, with age, part of its
oil and of its properties.
The cacao tree grows readily, from feeds that are
fown in holes ranged in a flraight line, and at the di-
ftance of five or fix feet from each other. Thefe feeds,
which must be fresh, foon vegetate. The tree grows
up tolerably faft, and begins to reward the labours of
the cultivator at the end of two years. Two crops
are gathered every year, which are equal in quality
and quantity. This tree requires a rich and moiſt foil,
which hath not been employed for any other kind of
culture. If it fhould want water, it would produce
no fruit, wither, and die. A fhade, to ſhelter it con-
tinually from the heat of the fun, is not lefs necef-
fary to it. The fields in which the cacao trees are
planted, are alfo liable to be deftroyed by the hurri-
canes, unleſs care be taken to ſkirt them with ſtronger
trees. The culture which the tree further requires is
neither laborious nor expenfive. It is fufficient to pull
up the weeds that grow round it, and which would de-
prive it of its nouriſhment.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
55
The cacao tree is cultivated in feveral parts of the в
New World; in ſome of them it even grows naturally.
Nevertheleſs, its fruit is nowhere fo plentiful as at
Venezuela; and nowhere of fo good a quality, if we
except Soconufco.
But for the ſpace of two centuries, the labours of
the colony did not turn out to the profit of the mo-
ther-country. The national trade was fo much over-
burdened with taxes, and fo much embarraffed with
formalities, that the province found a confiderable ad-
vantage in receiving from the hands of the Dutch of
Curaçoa all the merchandiſe they wanted, and in giv-
ing them for payment the produce of their foil, which
theſe indefatigable neighbours fold for an immenſe
profit to part of Europe, and even to the nation that
was proprietor of the territory in which it was collect-
ed. This fmuggling intercourfe was fo brifk and fo
conftant, that from the year 1700 to the end of 1727,
only five ſhips were fent out from the ports of Spain
to Venezuela, and they, all of them without excep-
tion, made a voyage more or lefs ruinous.
O O K
VII.
vince of
poly. Pro-
the Com-
pany.
Such was the fituation of affairs, when fome mer- The pro-
chants of the province of Guipufcoa imagined, in 1728, Venezuela
that it would be advantageous to them to unite in a is fubjected
body in order to undertake this navigation. Their to a mono-
views were approved and encouraged by government. fperity of
The principal conditions of the grant were, that the
Company ſhould pay for every thing they might chooſe
to ſend out, and for every thing they might receive,
the taxes that were already fettled, and that they
ſhould entertain, at their own expence, a fufficient
number of guarda coftas, to prevent the inhabitants
from fmuggling.
Some alterations were fucceffively made in the ad-
miniſtration of this fociety. At first they were only
permitted to fit out two fhips every year; but in 1734
they obtained leave to fend as many as they thought
proper.
In the beginning, the Company had not the privi-
lege of an exclufive charter. The government grant-
Diiij
56
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK ed it to them in 1742, for the department of Caraccas,
VII. and ten years after for that of Maracaibo, two terri-
tories, the union of which forms the province of Ve-
nezuela, extending four hundred miles along the coaft.
Till the year 1744, the fhips, on their return from
the New World, were all to depoſit their whole cargo
in the port of Cadiz. After this period, they were on-
ly obliged to carry there the cacao neceffary for the
fupply of Andalufia and of the neighbouring diftricts.
They were allowed to difembark the reft at Saint Se-
baftian, the place of the rife of the Company.
It was in this town that the general meeting of the
proprietors was originally holden. In 1751, it was
transferred to the capital of the empire, where fome
one of the moft efteemed members of the council of
the Indies prefides over it every two years.
The merchandiſe was at firft delivered to the high-
eft bidder. The Court was then informed that a ge-
neral diſcontent prevailed; that a ſmall number of rich
affociates fhould monopolize the cacao, which is con-
fidered in Spain as an article of primary neceffity, and
fhould afterwards fell it at what price they choſe.
Theſe murmurs occafioned, in 1752, a regulation, that
without fuppreffing the magazines at Saint Sebaftian,
at Cadiz, and at Madrid, new ones fhould be eſtabliſh-
ed at Corunna, at Alicant, and at Barcelona; and that
in all of them the cacao fhould be retailed to the in-
habitants at the price fettled by the miniftry.
The Company obtained, in 1753, that their fhares
fhould be confidered as a real eftate, that they might
be perpetually entailed, and formed into thofe unali-
enable and indivifible majorajcos, or inheritances fet-
tled upon the eldeſt heir, which are in general fo flat-
tering to the pride of the Spaniards.
It was decreed, in 1761, that the Company fhould
advance, to the members who might with for it, the
value of fixteen fhares; that thefe fhares fhould be
put in trun, and that they might be fold, if after a
lipulated period the proprietor did not withdraw them.
The intent of this prudent arrangement, was to fuc.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
57
VII.
cour fuch of the proprietors whofe affairs might be в O O K
fomewhat embarraffed, and to maintain the credit of
the Company by honeft means.
According to regulations made in 1776, the ope-
rations of the Company are to extend to Cumana, to
the Oroonoko, to the iflands of the Trinity and St.
Margaret. Thefe countries, indeed, have not been
fubjected to its monopoly: but the favours it has re-
ceived are equivalent to an exclufive privilege.
During theſe changes, the number of freemen and
of flaves were increafing at Venezuela. The feven
hundred and fifty-nine plantations, diftributed in fix-
ty-one villages, were emerging from their languid ftate,
and others were forming. The former cultures were
improved, and new ones eſtabliſhed. The cattle pe-
netrated more and more into the inland parts of the
country. But it was chiefly in the district of Caraccas
that the improvements were moft confpicuous. The
town which bears this name, contained four and twen-
ty thousand inhabitants, moft of them in eafy circum-
ftances. The Guayra which ferved for the purpoſe of
its navigation, though it afforded nothing more than
an indifferent anchorage, furrounded with a fmall num-
ber of huts, was gradually becoming a confiderable co-
lony, and even a tolerable harbour, by means of a large
pier conftructed with fkill.
At Puerto Cabello, which had been entirely aban-
doned, though one of the beſt ports of America, three
hundred houfes were raiſed. Let us endeavour to in-
veftigate the caufes of this fingular profperity, under
the fhackles of a monopoly.
This
The Company underflood from the firft, that their
fuccefs was infeparable from that of the colony; and
they therefore advanced to the inhabitants as far as
3,240,000 livres [135,cool.], without intereft.
debt was to be difcharged in commodities; and thofe
who did not fulfil their engagements were fummoned
to the tribunal of the king's reprefentative, whofe pro-
vince it was folely to judge, whether the cauſes of de-
lay were, or were not, reafonable.
58
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK The magazines of the Company were conftantly
fupplied with every thing that might be of ufe to the
country, and always open to receive every thing the
country could pour into them. By this method, the
labours were never languid for want of means, or of a
market.
f
The value of what the Company were to fell, or
to buy, was not left to the rapacity of their agents.
The government of the province always fixed the price
of what came from Europe; and a meeting compofed
of the directors, coloniſts, and factors, always regulat-
ed the price of the productions of the foil.
Such of the inhabitants of the New World as were
not fatisfied with thefe regulations, were allowed to
fend into the Old one, upon their own account, the
fixth part of their crops, and to receive the value in
merchandise; but theſe affairs were always to be tranf-
acted by the fhips of the Company,
By theſe arrangements the cultivator was better re-
warded for his labours, than he had been at the time
of the contraband trade. The new difpofition of
things was in reality fatal only to a few fcheming,
turbulent, and adventurous men, who collected in
their hands, at a low price, the productions of the
country, in order to deliver them afterwards to fo-
reign navigators of the fame character as themſelves.
The new kingdom of Grenada, Mexico, ſome of
the American iflands, and the Canaries, were in the
habit of drawing from Venezuela part of the cacao
confumed by their inhabitants. Thefe colonies con-
tinued to enjoy this right without reſtraint. They
even purſued it with greater advantage, becauſe the
production which they wanted to procure, became
more plentiful, and was obtained at a cheaper rate.
Formerly Venezuela furniſhed nothing to the trade
of the mother-country. The Company, fince their
eſtabliſhment, have always fupplied it with produc-
tions, the quantity of which hath fucceffively increaf-
ed. From the year 1748 to 1753, the Company
conveyed annually into the colony to the value of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
59
VII.
3,197,327 livres [132,2211. 19s. 2d.], in merchandiſe. в o O K
They drew from thence annually to the amount of
239,144 livres [99641. 6s. 8d.], in filver; thirty-fe-
ven thouſand quintals of cacao, which they fold for
5,332,000 livres [222,1661. 13s. 4d.]; two thouſand
five hundred quintals of tobacco, fold for 178,200 livres
[74251.]; one hundred and fifty-feven quintals of indigo
fold for 198,990 livres [82911. 5s.]; twenty thousand
fkins, with the hair on, fold for 356,400 livres [14,850l.];
and fome dividi, fold for 27,000 livres [11251.]; ſo that
their returns amounted to 6,821,734 livres [284,6461.
Is. 8d.]. The apparent profit was therefore, 3,634,407
livres [151,4331. 12s. 6d.]. We call it apparent, be-
cauſe the expences and the cuſtoms abforbed 1,932,500
livres [80,590l. 16s. 8d.] of this fum; fo that the real
profit of the Company was only 1,701,897 livres
[70,9221. 7s. 6d.].
All thefe branches of commerce have been increaf
ed except that of the dividi, which it hath been ne-
ceffary to give up, fince it hath been found that it
was not fit to be ſubſtituted to the Aleppo nut in dye-
ing, as it hath been rather inconfiderately imagined.
The extenfion would have been ftill greater, had it
been poffible to put an end to fmuggling. But not-
withſtanding the vigilance of ten cruizers, with eighty-
fix guns, one hundred and ninety-two fwivels, and
five hundred and eighteen men on board; notwith-
ſtanding twelve pofts, with ten or twelve foldiers in
each, eſtabliſhed along the coaft, and notwithſtanding
the annual expence of 1,400,000 livres [58,3331. 6s.
8d.], the contraband trade hath not been entirely era-
dicated; and it is chiefly at Coro that it is carried
on.
The nation has profited equally by the eſtabliſh-
ment of the Company. It does not pay them for the
cacao more than half the price which the Dutch uſed
to charge. The quintal, which is now bought in
Spain for 160 livres [61. 13s. 4d.], ufed formerly to
coft 320 [131. 6s. 8d.].
The advantages which accrue to the government
60
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK from the eſtabliſhment of the Company are not lefs
evident. Before this period, the revenues of the crown
at Venezuela, were never fufficient to defray the ex-
pences of fovereignty. They have fince increaſed con-
fiderably, not only becauſe the citadel of Puerto Ca-
bello has been conftructed, which hath coft 1,620,000
livres [67,500l.], but alfo, becaufe a greater number of
regular troops are maintained in the country. The
treafury, however, hath fome fuperfluous cafh, which
it diftributes at Cumana, at St. Margaret's, at Tri-
nity ifland, and on the Oroonoko. This is not the
whole. In Europe, the productions of the country
pay annually to the ftate more than 1,600,000 [66,6661.
13s. 4d.], and the navigation they give rife to forms
fifteen hundred failors for it, or keeps them in conftant
employment.
But hath the Company itself been equally profper-
ous? There was every reafon to doubt, in the begin-
ning, whether it would maintain itfelf. Although the
coloniſts were allured to become members of it, they
refuſed at first to deliver their productions to it. In
Spain, where a commercial affociation was a novelty,
no great eagernefs was fhown to become a member
of it, notwithſtanding the example fet by the monarch,
by the queen, by the infant Don Lewis, and by the
province of Guipufcoa. It was neceffary to reduce.
the number of flares to fifteen hundred, which it had
been refolved to carry on to three thoufand; and the
capital, intended to be fix millions [250,000l.], was
reduced to three [125,000l.]. Thele difficulties did
not prevent confiderable dividends from being paid
to the proprictors, even in the very firft years. The
fums in eferve were, however, fufficient, in 1752, to
double the original funds, and in 1766 to treble them,
with a regular interest of five per cent, exclufive of the
extraordinary dividends. On the first of January 1772,
the Company's debts, even including the value of the
fhares, which had risen to 1,000,000 livres [375,000l.],
amounted to no more than 15,198,618 livres 12 fols
[633,2751. 158. 6d.], and they were in poffeffion of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
6t
O O
VII.
21,153,760 livres 4 fols [881,4071. 3s. 6d.]. Confe- в о о K
quently, they had 5,955,141 livres 12 fols [248,150l.
18s.] above what they owed.
The improper fpirit that generally prevails in ex-
cluſive ſocieties, hath not affected that of Caraccas fo
much as others. It hath never been led aftray from
its ſyſtem by abfurd enterprifes. Its integrity hath
preſerved it from every kind of law, and even from
the flighteft conteft. That its deftiny might not be
expoſed to the caprices of the ocean, or to the riſks
of war, its cargoes have been all of them infured. Its
engagements have been fulfilled with inviolable fide-
lity. And lastly, in a country where moft of the land-
ed eſtates are entailed, and where there are few good
vents for money, the Company hath obtained all that
it wanted, at two and a half per cent.
In order to conciliate to itſelf the good wiſhes of
the nation, which are generally denied in all parts to
a monopoly, the Company hath always been defirous
of appearing animated with a public fpirit. From the
year 1735, it took upon itſelf the care of the manu-
factures of Placentia, which ſcarce ufed to furnish eight
thouſand firelocks per annum; and which, at prefent,
without reckoning fome other kinds of arms that have
begun to be fabricated there, fupplies fourteen thou-
fand four hundred, with the fcutcheons of their locks,
which it was before neceffary to bring from Liege.
Though during the ſhort war of 1762, tix of the Com-
pany's veffels, richly laden, fell into the hands of the
Engliſh, it ſtill devoted to government all the credit
and influence it poffeffed. Wood for the building of
fhips was perishing in the province of Navarre, fo that
it became neceffary to cut it down. Roads were alfo
to be made to bring it down to the borders of the Vi-
daffoa, and this uncertain river was to be put in a ſtate
fit to carry this wood to its mouth, after which it was
to be conducted to the important harbour of Ferrol.
Since the year 1766, all theſe things are executed by
the Company to the great advantage of the military
branch of the navy.
?
62
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VII.
The Court
gives up
Las Cafas.
This Company ſtill continues to announce other en-
terpriſes uſeful to the ftate; but it is a matter of doubt
whether it will be allowed time to execute them. The
refolution which the Court of Madrid feems to have
taken, to open its ports of the New World to all its
fubjects of the Old, muft neceffarily excite a prefump-
tion that the province of Venezuela will, fooner or
later, ceaſe to be under the reſtraints of a monopoly.
It is however a problem, whether the diffolution of the
Company will be productive of good or evil; and it
can only be folved by the nature of the meaſures that
fhall be adopted by the Spaniſh miniſtry.
The coaft of Cumana was diſcovered in 1498 by
of Madrid Columbus. Ojeda, who had embarked with this great
Cumana to navigator, landed there the next year, and even made
the care of fome exchanges peaceably with the favages. It ap-
Ineffectual peared more convenient to the adventurers who fuc-
ceeded him, to ftrip theſe feeble men of their gold or
brated man of their pearls; and this kind of robbery was as com-
this diftrict mon in this region as in the other parts of America,
flourishing. when Las Cafas undertook to put a ſtop to it.
attempts of
this cele-
to render
This man, fo famous in the annals of the New
World, had accompanied his father at the time of
the firft diſcovery. The mildneſs and fimplicity of
the Indians affected him fo ftrongly, that he made
himſelf an ecclefiaftic, in order to devote his labours
to their converfion. But this foon became the leaſt
of his attentions. Being more a man than a priest,
he felt more for the cruelties exerciſed againſt them
than for their ridiculous fuperftitions. He was con-
tinually hurrying from one hemifphere to the other,
in order to comfort thofe for whom he had conceived
fuch an attachment, or to foften their tyrants. The
inutility of his efforts convinced him, that he ſhould
never do any good in fettlements that were already
formed; and he propofed to himſelf to eſtabliſh a co.
lony upon a new foundation.
His colonists were all to be planters, artificers, or
miffionaries. No one was to be allowed to mix with
them without his confent. A particular drefs, orna-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
63
VII.
mented with a crofs, was to prevent them from being в O O K
thought to belong to that race of Spaniards which
had rendered itſelf fo odious. He reckoned, that
with theſe kinds of knights, he ſhould be able, with-
out war, violence, or flavery, to civilize the Indians,
to convert them, to accuftom them to labour, and
even to employ them in working the mines. He afk-
ed no affiſtance from the treaſury at firſt, and he was
afterwards ſatisfied with the twelfth of the tributes
which he ſhould fooner or later bring into it.
The ambitious, who govern empires, confider the
people as mere objects of trade, and treat as chimeri-
cal every thing that tends to the improvement and
happineſs of the human fpecies. Such was at firſt the
impreffion which the fyftem of Las Cafas made upon
the Spaniſh miniftry. He was not diſcouraged by de-
nials, and at length fucceeded in having the diftrict of
Cumana ceded to him, to put his theory in practice.
This man of ardent genius immediately went through
all the provinces of Caftile, in order to collect men ac-
customed to the labours of the field, and to thofe of
manufactures. But theſe peaceful citizens had not fo
eager a deſire to leave their country as foldiers or fail-
ors have. Scarce could he prevail upon two hundred
of them to follow him. With thefe he fet fail for
America, and landed at Porto-Rico in 1519, after a
fortunate voyage.
Although Las Cafas had only quitted the New He-
miſphere two years before, yet he found a total alter-
ation in it at his return. The entire deftruction of the
Indians in the islands fubject to Spain, had excited the
reſolution of going to the continent in ſearch of flaves,
to replace the unfortunate men who had periſhed from
oppreffion. This cruelty difgufted the independent
minds of the favages. In the height of their refent-
ment, they maffacred as many of the Spaniards as fell
into their hands by chance; and two miflionaries, who
probably came to Cumana with a laudable defign,
were the victims of thefe juft retaliations. Ocampo
3
2
64
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK immediately went from St. Domingo, to puniſh an
outrage committed, as it was faid, againſt Heaven it-
ſelf; and after having deſtroyed all by fire and fword,
he built a village upon the fpot, which he called To-
ledo.
It was within theſe weak palifades that Las Cafas
was obliged to place the ſmall number of his compa-
nions who had refifted the intemperance of the cli-
mate, and the attempts made to feduce them from
him. Their refidence was not long here. Moſt of
them were pierced with the darts of an implacable
enemy; and thoſe who eſcaped, were forced, in 1521,
to feek an afylum fomewhere elſe.
Some Spaniards have fince fettled at Cumana; but
the population of this diftrict hath always been much
confined, and hath never extended to any diſtance
from the coafts. During the courfe of two centuries,
the mother-country had not any direct intercourfe
with this fpot. It is but lately, that one or two ſmall
ſhips have been fent there annually, which, in ex-
change for the liquors and merchandiſe of Europe, re-
ceive cocoa and fome other productions.
Of the river It was Columbus, who, in 1498, firft diſcovered the
Oroonoko. Oroonoko, the borders of which have fince been nam-
ed Spaniſh Guiana. This great river takes its fource.
among the Cordeleirias mountains, and diſcharges it-
felf into the ocean by forty openings, after it hath
been increaſed throughout an immenfe track by the
afflux of a prodigious number of rivers more or lefs
confiderable. Such is its impetuofity, that it ſtems
the ſtrongeſt tides, and preferves the freſhneſs of its
waters to the diftance of twelve leagues from that vaſt
and deep channel within which it was confined. Its
rapidity, however, is not always the fame, which is
owing to a circumftance perhaps entirely peculiar.
The Oroonoko, which begins to fwell in April, conti-
nues rifing for five months, and during the fixth re-
mains at its greateft height. From October, it begins
gradually to fubfide till the month of March, through-
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
65
VII.
out the whole of which it remains in the fixed ſtate of в о о K
its greateſt diminution. Theſe alternate changes are
regular, and even invariable.
This phenomenon feems to depend much more on
the fea than on the land. In the fix months that the
river is rifing, the hemifphere of the New World pre-
fents nothing but feas, at leaft but little land, to the
perpendicular action of the rays of the fun. In the
fix months of its fall, America exhibits nothing but
dry land to the planet by which it is illuminated. The
fea at this time is lefs fubject to the influence of the
fun, or, at leaſt, its current towards the eaſtern ſhore
is more balanced, more broken by the land, and muft
therefore leave a freer courfe to the rivers, which not
being then fo ftrongly confined by the ſea, cannot be
fwelled but by rains, or by the melting of the fnows
from the Cordeleirias. Perhaps, indeed, the riſing of
the waters of the Oroonoko may depend entirely on
the rainy ſeaſon. But to be thoroughly acquainted
with the cauſes of ſo fingular a phenomenon, it would
be neceffary to confider the connection between the
courſe of this river, and that of the Amazons by Rio
Negro, and to know the track and direction both of
the one and the other. From the difference of their
pofition, their fource, and their opening into the ſea,
it is not improbable that the caufe of fo remarkable a
difference in the periods of their flux and reflux might
be diſcovered. All things are connected in this world
by fyftem. The courfes of the rivers depend either
on the diurnal or annual revolutions of the earth.
Whenever enlightened men fhall have vifited the
banks of the Oroonoko, they will diſcover, or at leaſt
they will attempt to diſcover, the cauſes of theſe phe-
nomena: but their endeavours will be attended with
difficulties. This river is not fo navigable as it might
be prefumed from its magnitude; its bed is in many
places filled up with rocks, which oblige the naviga-
tor, at times, to carry both his boats and the merchan-
dife they are laden with.
Vol. III.
E
66
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
condition of
Before the arrival of the Europeans, the people who
VII. border on this river, but little diſtant from the burn-
Former and ing equator, knew not the uſe of clothes, nor the re-
prefent ftraints of police; neither had they any form of go-
the women vernment. Free under the yoke of poverty, they lived
on the chiefly by hunting and fishing, and on wild fruits.
Oroonoko. But little of their time or labour could be ſpent on
agriculture, where they had nothing but a ſtick to
plough with, and hatchets made of ſtone to cut down
trees; which, after being burned or rotted, left the
foil in a proper ftate for bearing.
banks of the
The women lived in a ftate of oppreffion on the
Oroonoko, as they do in all barbarous regions. The
favage, whoſe wants engage his whole attention, is em-
ployed only in providing for his fafety and his fubfift-
ence. He hath no other allurement to partake of the
pleaſures of love, than that mere natural inftinct which
attends to the perpetuity of the fpecies. The inter-
courſe between the two fexes, which is generally ca-
fual, would ſcarce ever be followed by any permanent
confequences, if paternal and maternal tenderneſs did
not attach the parents to their offspring. But before
the first child can provide for itſelf, others are born,
which call for the fame care. At length the inſtant
arrives, when this focial reafon exifts no more: but
then the power of long habit, the comfort of ſeeing
ourfelves furrounded by a family more or leſs nume-
rous, the hopes of being affifted in our latter years by
our pofterity; all theſe circumftances expel the idea
and the wifh of a feparation. The men are the per-
fons who reap the greateſt advantages from this coha-
bitation. Among people who hold nothing in eftima-
tion but ſtrength and courage, tyranny is always exer-
cifed over weaknefs, in return for the protection that
is afforded it. The women live in a ſtate of diſgrace.
Labours, confidered as the moſt abject, are their por-
tion. Men, whofe hands are accuſtomed to the hand-
ling of arms, and to the management of the oar, would
think themſelves degraded, if they employed them in
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
69
VII.
fedentary occupations, or even in the labours of agri- в o o K
culture.
Among a people of fhepherds, who having a more
certain exiſtence, can beftow rather more attention
upon making it agreeable, the women are leſs wretch-
ed. In the eafe and leifure which they enjoy, theſe
people can form to themſelves an idea of beauty; they
can indulge their taſte in the object of their affections;
and, to the idea of natural pleaſure, can add that of a
more noble ſenſation.
The connections between the two fexes are ftill fur-
ther improved, as foon as the lands begin to be culti-
vated. Property, which had no exiſtence among ſa-
vages, and was of little confequence among a people
of fhepherds, begins to acquire a degree of importance
among a people engaged in agriculture. The inequa-
lity which foon introduces itſelf among the fortunes of
men, muft occafion fome in the confideration they
hold. The ties of marriage are then no longer formed
by chance, but according to conditions in life that are
fuitable to each other. A man, in order to be accept-
ed, muſt make himſelf agreeable; and this neceflity
brings on attentions to the women, and gives them a
degree of dignity.
They receive additional importance from the eſta-
bliſhment of the arts and of commerce. Buſineſs is
then increaſed, and connections are complicated.
Men, who are often obliged, from more extenſive af-
fairs, to quit their manufactures and their home, are
under the neceffity of adding to their talents the vigi-
lance of their wives. As the habit of gallantry, luxu-
ry, and diffipation, hath not yet entirely diſguſted
them of ſolitary or ferious occupations, they devote
themſelves, without referve, and with fuccefs, to func-
tions with which they think themfelves honoured.
The retirement which this kind of life requires, ren-
ders the practice of all the domeftic virtues dear and
familiar to them. The influence, the refpect, and the
attachment of all thofe that are about them, are the
reward of a conduct fo estimable.
E ij
68
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
}
BOOK At length the time comes, when men grow diſguſt-
VII. ed of labour, from the increaſe of their fortunes.
Their principal care is to prevent time from hanging
heavy on their hands, to multiply their amuſements,
and to extend their enjoyments. At this period, the
women are eagerly fought after, both on account of
the amiable qualities they hold from nature, and of
thoſe they have received from education. Their con-
nections become more extenfive, fo that they are no
longer fuited for a retired life, but required to ſhine in
a more brilliant fcene. When introduced upon the
ftage of the world, they become the foul of every
pleaſure, and the primum mobile of the moſt impor-
tant affairs. Supreme happiness confifts in making
one's felf agreeable to them; and it is the height of
ambition to obtain fome diftinction from them. Then
it is, that the freedom which exifts between the two
fexes in a ſtate of nature is revived, with this remark-
able difference, that, in poliſhed cities, the huſband is
often lefs attached to his wife, and the wife to her huf-
band, than in the midſt of the forefts; that their off-
spring, trufted, at the inftant of their birth, to the
hands of mercenaries, are no longer a tie; and that
infidelity, which would be attended with no fatal con-
fequences among moſt ſavage people, affects domeſtic
tranquillity and happineſs among civilized nations,
where it is one of the principal ſymptoms of general
corruption, and of the extinction of all decent affec-
tions.
The tyranny exerciſed againſt the women upon the
banks of the Oroonoko, ftill more than in the reſt of
the New World, muft be one of the principal caufes
of the depopulation of theſe countries that are ſo much
favoured by nature. Mothers have contracted the
cuſtom of deſtroying the daughters they bring forth,
by cutting the umbilical cord fo cloſe to the body,
that the children die of an hæmorrhage. Chriftianity
itſelf hath not even been able to put a stop to this
abominable practice. The fact is confirmed by the
Jefuit Gumilla; who being informed that one of his
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
69
VII.
converts had been guilty of fuch a murder, went to в O O K
her, in order to reproach her of her crime in the ſtrong-
eft terms. The woman liftened to the emiffary, with-
out ſhowing the leaſt figns of emotion. When he had
finiſhed his remonftrance, ſhe deſired leave to anſwer
him, which ſhe did in the following manner:
"Would to God, O Father! Would to God, that,
"at the inſtant of my birth, my mother had ſhowed
love and compaffion enough for her child, to ſpare
"me all the evils I have endured, and thoſe I fhall
"ftill fuffer, to the end of my life! Had my mother
"deſtroyed me at my birth, I ſhould have died, but
"I ſhould not have been fenfible of my death; and
"ſhould have efcaped the moſt miferable of condi-
"tions. How much have I already ſuffered; and who
"knows what I have ftill to undergo!
(6
Repreſent to thy felf, O Father, the troubles that
are reſerved for an Indian woman among theſe In-
"dians. They accompany us into the fields with
"their bow and arrows; while we go there, laden
"with an infant, whom we carry in a baſket, and an-
other, who hangs at our breaſt. They go to kill
birds, or to catch fish; while we are employed in
digging the ground, and after having gone through
"all the labours of the culture, are obliged alfo to
"bear thoſe of the harveſt. They return in the even-
ing without any burthen; and we bring them roots
"for their food, and maize for their drink.
66
<<
As foon
as they come home, they go and amuſe themſelves
"with their friends; while we are fetching wood and
"water to prepare for their fupper. When they have
"eaten, they fall aſleep; and we pafs almoft the
"whole night in grinding the maize, and in preparing
"the chica for them. And what reward have we for
"theſe labours? They drink; and when they are in-
toxicated, they drag us by the hair, and trample us
"under foot.
O Father, would to God that my mother had de-
ftroyed me at the inſtant of my birth! Thou know-
"eft thyfelf that our complaints are juft; thou haft
1
E iij
70
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK" daily inftances before thine eyes of the truth of my
"affertions. But the greateſt misfortune we labour
"under it is impoffible thou fhouldft know. It is a
melancholy circumftance for a poor Indian woman
"to ferve her huſband as a flave in the fields, oppreff-
"ed with fatigue, and at home deprived of tranquil-
lity but it is a dreadful thing, when twenty years
are elapfed, to fee him take another woman, whoſe
judgment is not formed. He attaches himſelf to
"her. She beats our children; fhe commands us,
and treats us as her fervants; and, if the leaſt mur-
mur eſcape us, a ſtick raiſed. .
State of the
:
Spanish co-
banks of
noko.
แ
GL
66
Oh! Fa-
"ther, how is it poffible that we fhould bear this con-
dition? What can an Indian woman do better than
"to prevent her child from living in a ftate of flavery
66
infinitely worſe than death? Would to God, O Fa-
"ther! I repeat it, that my mother had conceived af-
"fection enough for me to bury me when I was born!
My heart would not have been thus afflicted, nor
"would mine eyes have been accuftomed to tears."
The Spaniards, who could not pay attention to all
lony form- the regions they diſcovered, loft fight of the Oroono-
ed on the ko. They did not attempt to fail up this river again
the Oroo- till the year 1535, when, not having found there the
mines they were in fearch of, they neglected it. Ne-
vertheless, the few who had been thrown upon this
ſpot, devoted themſelves with fo much affiduity to the
culture of tobacco, that they delivered a few cargoes.
of it every year to the foreign veffels which came to
purchaſe it. This contraband trade was prohibited by
the mother-country; and this weak fettlement was
twice plundered by enterprifing pirates. Theſe difaf-
ters occafioned it to be forgotten. It was recalled to
mind again in 1753. The commodore Nicholas de
Yturiaga was fent there. This prudent man eſtabliſh-
ed a regular ſyſtem of government in the colony that
had formed itſelf infenfibly in this part of the New
World.
In 1771, thirteen villages were ſeen upon the banks
of the Oroonoko, which contained four thousand two
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
71
VII.
hundred and nineteen Spaniards, Meftees, Mulattoes, B O O K
or Negroes; four hundred and thirty-one plantations;
and twelve thoufand eight hundred and fifty-four
oxen, mules, or horſes.
At the fame period, the Indians, who had been pre-
vailed upon to quit their favage life, were diftributed
in forty-nine hamlets.
The five of theſe which had been under the direc-
tion of the Jefuits, computed fourteen hundred and
twenty-fix inhabitants, three hundred and forty-four
plantations, and nine hundred and fifty heads of cattle.
Eleven of them, which are under the direction of
the Franciſcan Friars, reckoned nineteen hundred and
thirty-four inhabitants, three hundred and five planta-
tions, and nine hundred and fifty heads of cattle.
Eleven others, which are under the direction of the
Capuchins of Arragon, computed two thouſand two
hundred and eleven inhabitants, four hundred and fe-
venty plantations, and five hundred and feven heads
of cattle.
The two and twenty which are under the direction
of the Capuchins of Catalonia, reckoned fix thouſand
eight hundred and thirty inhabitants, fifteen hundred
and ninety-two plantations, and forty-fix thouſand
heads of cattle.
This amounted in the whole to fixty-two colonies,
fixteen thousand fix hundred and twenty inhabitants,
three thouſand one hundred and forty-two plantations,
and ſeventy-two thouſand three hundred and forty-
one heads of cattle.
Till theſe laſt mentioned times, the Dutch of Cu-
raçao were the only perſons who traded with this fet-
tlement. They fupplied its wants, and were paid with
tobacco, hides, and cattle. The bargains were all con-
cluded at St. Thomas, the capital of the colony. The
Negroes and the Europeans managed their own af
fairs; but they were the miffionaries alone who treat-
ed for their converts. The fame arrangement of things
ſtill fubfifts, although for fome years paft the competi-
E iiij
72
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BO O K tion of the Spaniſh ſhips hath begun to keep away the
fmuggling veffels.
VII.
Short de-
ſcription of
the New
Grenada.
It is pleafing to entertain a hope that theſe vaft and
fertile regions will at length emerge from the ftate of
obfcurity into which they are plunged, and that the
feeds which have been fown there will produce, foon-
er or later, abundant fruits. Between a favage life
and a ſtate of ſociety, there is an immenfe defert to
paſs; but from the infancy of civilization to the full
vigour of trade, there are but a few ſteps to take.
Time, as it increaſes ſtrength, ſhortens diſtances. The
advantage that might be obtained from the labour of
theſe new colonies, by procuring them conveniences,
would bring riches to Spain.
Behind theſe very extenfive coafts of which we have
been ſpeaking, and in the inland part of the country,
kingdom of is found what the Spaniards call the New kingdom of
Grenada. Its extent is prodigious. Its climate is more
or lefs damp, more or lefs cold, more or lefs hot, and
more or leſs temperate, according to the direction of
the branches of the Cordeleirias mountains, which in-
terfect the different parts of it. Few of thefe moun-
tains are ſuſceptible of cultivation but most of the
plains and valleys that feparate them exhibit a fertile
foil.
Even before the conqueft the country was very lit-
tle inhabited. In the midſt of the favages that wan-
dered over it, a nation had, however, been formed,
which had a religion, a form of government, and which
practifed cultivation. This nation, though inferior to
the Mexicans and Peruvians, had raiſed itſelf much
above the other people of America. Neither hiftory
nor tradition inform us in what manner this ftate had
been created; but we muſt ſuppoſe that it hath exift-
ed, although there be no traces remaining of its civili-
zation.
This kingdom, if we may be allowed to call it ſo,
was called Bogota. Benalcazar, who commanded at
Quito, attacked it in 1526, on the fouth fide; and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
73
Quefada, who had landed at Saint Martha, attacked в
it on the north. It was to be fuppofed that men,
united among themſelves, accuftomed to fight toge-
ther, and led on by an abfolute chief, would make
fome refiſtance. This they accordingly did; but were
at length obliged to yield to the valour, the arms, and
the diſcipline of the Europeans. The two Spaniſh
captains had the glory, fince it is one, of adding one
large poffeffion to thofe with which their fovereigns
had fuffered themſelves to be overloaded in this New
Hemiſphere. In procefs of time, the provinces more
or lefs diftant from this central point were partly ſub-
jected. We fay partly, becaufe fuch is the natural
difpofition of the country, that it was never poffible
to fubdue all its inhabitants; and that thofe among
them who had ſubmitted to the yoke, broke it as ſoon
as they had the courage to determine refolutely about
it. It is not even improbable that moſt of them would
have taken this refolution, had they been employed in
thoſe deſtructive labours which have cauſed ſuch ra-
vages in the other parts of the New World.
о O к
VII.
been, what
become.
Some writers have fpoken with almoft unexampled What the
enthuſiaſm of the riches which were at firft derived domofGre-
New king-
from this new kingdom. They make them amount nada hath
to a fum capable of aſtoniſhing the minds of thofe who it is, and
are moſt eager of the marvellous. Never, perhaps, was what it may
exaggeration carried fo far. If the reality had only
approached near to the fabulous accounts, this remark-
able profperity would have been recorded in the pub-
lic regiſters, as well as the ſtate of all the colonies that
are really important. Other monuments could have
perpetuated the remembrance of it. Theſe treaſures
have never, therefore, exiſted at any time, except un-
der the pen of a few writers, naturally credulous, or
who fuffered themſelves to be feduced by the hope of
adding to the ſplendour with which their country al-
ready fhone.
The New kingdom furniſhes at preſent the emerald,
a precious ftone, which is tranfparent, and of a green
4
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK colour, and which hath no greater degree of hardness
VII. than the rock cryſtal.
Some countries of Europe furniſh emeralds; but
they are of a very imperfect kind, and in little eſtima-
tion.
It was for a long time believed that emeralds of a
bright green came from the Eaft Indies, and it is on
this account that they have been called oriental. This
opinion hath been rejected, fince thoſe who ſupported
it have not been able to name the places where they
were found. It is now certain that Afia hath never
fold us any of theſe jewels, except what the herſelf
had received from the New Hemiſphere.
Theſe beautiful emeralds, therefore, belong certain-
ly to America alone. The first conquerors of Peru.
found a great quantity of them, which they broke on
anvils, from an opinion which theſe adventurers en-
tertained, that they would not break if they were fine.
This lofs became the more fenfibly felt through the
impoffibility of diſcovering the mine from whence the
Incas had drawn them. The kingdom of New Gre-
nada foon ſupplied this deficiency. This diſtrict ſends
at preſent a leſs quantity of theſe jewels, whether it be
that they are become more fcarce, or that they are
lefs in faſhion in our climate than they were. But
gold comes from thence in greater plenty, and it is
fupplied by the provinces of Popayan and Chaco. It
is obtained without much risk, and at no confiderable
expence.
This precious metal, which in other parts muſt be
digged out of the entrails of rocks, mountains, and
precipices, is here found almoft at the furface of the
earth. It is mixed with it, but eafily feparated by
waſhings, more or lefs frequently repeated. The ne-
groes, who are never employed in mines of any depth,
becauſe experience hath fhown that the cold in theſe
mines deftroyed them very faft, are the only perſons
burdened with theſe troubleſome labours. The cuf
tom is, that the flaves ſhould bring to their maſters a
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
75
VII.
certain quantity of gold. All they can collect above в o o K
this quantity belongs to themſelves, as alſo what they
find upon the days confecrated to reft by religion, but
under the exprefs condition that they fhall provide for
their ſubſiſtence during theſe holidays. By theſe ar-
rangements, the moſt laborious, the moft frugal, and
the moſt fortunate among them, are able, ſooner or
later, to purchaſe their liberty. Then they raiſe their
eyes towards the Spaniards; then they mix their blood
with that of thefe proud conquerors.
The court of Madrid was diffatisfied that a region,
the natural advantages of which were continually ex-
tolled, fhould furnish fo few articles, and fo little of
each. The diſtance of this immenfe country from the
centre of authority, eſtabliſhed at Lima for the govern.
ment of all South America, muft have been one of the
principal causes of this inactivity. A more immediate
fuperintendance was accordingly given to it, in order
to communicate more motion to it, and to make that
motion more regular. The vice-royalty of Peru was
divided into two parts. That which was eſtabliſhed
in 1718, in the New kingdom of Grenada, was form-
ed upon the North Sea, of all that ſpace that extends
from the frontiers of Mexico to the Oroonoko; and
upon the South Sea of that ſpace which begins at Ve-
ragua and ends at Tombez. In the inland parts of the
country Quito was alfo incorporated in it.
This new arrangement, though prudent and necef-
fary, did not at firit produce the great advantages that
were expected from it. Much time is required to form
good directors; and more ftill, perhaps, to eſtabliſh or-
der, and to restore to labour whole generations, ener-
vated by continuing for two centuries in a ftate of
idleneſs and libertinifm. The revolution hath, how-
ever, begun to take place; and Spain already receives
fome benefit from it.
Half of the gold collected in the colony was ſmug-
gled to foreigners; and it was chiefly by the rivers
Atrato and de la Hache that this clandeftine trade was
carried on. The government have made themfelves
76
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK mafters of the courſe of theſe rivers, by forts proper-
VII. ly fituated. Notwithſtanding thefe precautions, the
fmuggling will ftill continue, as long as the Spaniards
and their neighbours ſhall find their intereft in it; but
it will diminiſh. The harbours of the mother-country
will ſend a greater quantity of merchandiſe, and will
receive more metals.
The communication between one province, one city,
and even one village and another, was difficult or im-
practicable. Every traveller was more or leſs expoſed
to be plundered or maffacred by the independent In-
dians. Theſe enemies, who were formerly implacable,
yield, by degrees, to the invitations of the miffionaries
who have the courage to go in ſearch of them, and to
the marks of benevolence which have at length fuc-
ceeded to the cruelties fo generally practifed in the
New World. If this mild fpirit fhould be continued,
the favages of this region may one day become all ci-
vilized, and have a fixed refidence.
Notwithſtanding the known goodneſs of great part
of the territory, feveral of the provinces forming the
New kingdom uſed to draw their fubfiftence from Eu-
rope or from North America. At length the govern-
ment have been able to prohibit the importation of
foreign flour throughout the extent of the vice-royal-
ty, and even to furniſh Cuba with fome. When the
means fhall no longer be wanting, private plantations
will be eſtabliſhed in the New World along the coaſts;
but the difficulty and the dearneſs of tranſport will ne-
ver allow the inland parts of their country to extend
their harveſts beyond what is required for local con-
fumption. The chief wiſh of the people who inhabit
theſe parts is generally confined to the extenſion of
the mines.
Every thing announces that theſe mines are in a
manner innumerable in the New kingdom. The qua-
lity of the foil points them out. The almoft daily
earthquakes that happen there are owing to them. It
is from them that the gold muft flow, which the rivers
habitually carry along with them; and it is from them
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
77
VII.
that the gold came, which the Spaniards, at their firſt в O O K
arrival in the New World, took from the favages on
the coafts in fuch great quantities. Theſe are not
mere conjectures at Maraquita, at Mufo, at Pampe-
luna, at Tacayma, and at Canaverales. The great
mines that are found there are going to be opened;
and it is hoped they will not be lefs abundant than
thoſe of the valley of Neyva, which for ſome time
paſt have been worked with ſo much fuccefs. Theſe
new treaſures will all unite themſelves to thoſe of Cha-
co and Popayan in Santa Fè de Bogota, the capital of
the vice-royalty.
The city is fituated at the foot of a ſteep and cold
mountain, at the entrance of a vaſt and ſuperb plain.
In 1774, it contained ſeventeen hundred and feventy
houſes, three thouſand two hundred and forty-fix fa-
milies, and fixteen thousand two hundred and thirty-
three inhabitants. Population muſt neceffarily increaſe
there, fince it is the feat of government, the place
where the coin is ftricken, the ftaple of trade; and
laftly, fince it is the refidence of an archbiſhop, whoſe
immediate jurifdiction extends over thirty-one Spaniſh
villages, which are called towns; over one hundred
and ninety-five Indian colonies, anciently fubdued;
and over eight and twenty miffions, eſtabliſhed in mo-
dern times. This archbishop hath likewife, as metro-
politan, a fort of inſpection over the diocefes of Quito,
of Panama, of Caraccas, of Saint Martha, and of Car-
thagena. It is by this laft place, though at the di-
ftance of one hundred leagues, and by the river Mag-
dalena, that Santa Fè keeps up its communication
with Europe. The fame route ferves for Quito.
larities in
This province is of immenfe extent; but the great- Remark-
eft part of this vaft ſpace is full of foreſts, moraffes, and able fingu-
deferts, in which we meet with nothing but a few wan- the pro-
dering favages, at great intervals of diſtance. The on- vince of
ly part that can properly be faid to be occupied, and
governed by the Spaniards, is a valley of fourfcore
leagues in length, and fifteen in breadth, formed by
two branches of the Cordeleirias.
Quito.
78
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воок
VII.
This is one of the fineſt countries in the world.
Even in the centre of the torrid zone fpring here is
perpetual. Nature hath combined, under the line
that covers fo many feas and fo little land, every cir-
cumftance that could moderate the ardent heat of that
beneficent conftellation which is the caufe of univerfal
fertility: theſe are, the elevation of the globe in this
fummit of its ſphere; the vicinity of mountains of im-
menfe height and extent, and always covered with
fnows; and continual winds which refresh the coun-
try the whole year, by interrupting the force of the
perpendicular rays of heat. Nevertheleſs, after a
morning which is uſually delightful, vapours begin to
arife about one or two o'clock in the forenoon. The
fky is covered with gloomy clouds, which are changed
into ftorms. Then the whole atmoſphere is illuminat-
ed, and appears to be fet on fire by lightning; and
the thunder makes the mountains refound with a ter-
rible noiſe. To theſe dreadful earthquakes are fome-
times added at other times, rain or funfhine prevails
without intermiffion for fifteen days together; and
then there is an univerfal confternation. The exceſs
of moiſture spoils what is fown, and drought produces
dangerous diſeaſes.
But, if we except theſe unhappy accidents, which
are extremely rare, the climate is one of the moſt
wholeſome. The air is fo pure, that thofe naufeous
infects are there unknown which infeſt almoft the
whole of America. Though licentioufnefs and ne-
glect render venereal complaints here almoft general,
the people fuffer very little from them. Thoſe who
have inherited this contagious diftemper, or who have
acquired it, grow old equally without danger and with-
out inconvenience.
The moisture and the action of the fun being con-
tinual, and always fufficient to unfold and ftrengthen
the ſhoots, the agreeable picture of the three moft
beautiful feaſons of the year is continually prefented
to the eye of the inhabitants. In proportion as the
grafs withers, freſh grafs fprings up; and the enamel
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
79
VII.
of the meadows is hardly paft, but it appears afreſh. в o o K
The trees are inceffantly covered with green leaves,
adorned with odoriferous flowers, and always laden.
with fruit; the colour, form, and beauty of which are
continually varying in all their feveral progreffive ftates,
from their first appearance to their maturity. The corn
advances in the fame progreffion of fertility that is al-
ways renewing. At one view one may behold the
new-fown feed ſpringing up, fome that is grown larger
and ſpiked with ears, fome turning yellow, and ſome
under the reaper's fcythe. The whole year is paffed
in ſowing and reaping, within the compafs of the fame
horizon. This conftant variety depends on the diver-
fity of the expofures.
country of
it is. La-
Accordingly, this is the most populous part of the Reafons
continent of America. There are ten or twelve thou- why the
fand inhabitants at St. Michael d'Ibarra. Eighteen or Quito is fo
twenty thousand at Otabalo. Ten or twelve thoufand populous as
at Latacunga. Eighteen or twenty thouſand at Rio- bours of its
bamba. Eight or ten thouſand at Hambato. From
five-and-twenty to thirty thoufand at Cuença. Ten
thousand at Loxa, and fix thoufand at Zaruma. The
country places do not afford a lefs number of men than
the towns,
Population would certainly be leſs confiderable, if,
as in many other places, the people had been buried
in the mines. Numberlefs writers have blamed the
inhabitants of this diſtrict for not having continued to
work the mines that were opened at the time of the
conqueft, and for having neglected thofe that have
been fucceffively difcovered. This reproach appears
to be ill-founded to enlighten perfons, who have an
opportunity of examining nearly into thefe matters.
Their opinion in general is, that the mines of this di-
ſtrict are not fufficiently plentiful to defray the necef-
fary expences of working them. We ſhall not pre-
tend to decide upon this diſpute. Nevertheless, if we
do but juft confider the paffion which the Spaniards
have always ſhown for the kind of wealth, which,
without any labour on their parts, cofts nothing more
inhabitants.
3
80
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK than the blood of their flaves, we fhall be induced to
think, that nothing but a total impoflibility, evinced
by repeated experience, can have determined them to
reſiſt their natural propenfity, and the urgent folici-
tations of the mother-country.
The bark
the pro-
In the country of Quito, the manufactures keep
thoſe perfons employed, who in other parts are ener-
vated by the mines. Many hats, cottons, and coarſe
woollen cloths, are fabricated there. With the pro-
duce of the quantity of theſe articles, confumed in
the different countries of South America, Quito paid
for the wines, brandy, and oils which it was not al-
lowed to procure from its own foil; for the dried and falt
fiſh that came from the coafts; for the foap, made of
goats greaſe, that was fupplied by Piura and Truſcillo;
for the crude or wrought iron that was wanted for its
manufactures; and for the fmall quantity that it was
poffible it ſhould confume of the merchandiſe of our
hemifphere. Theſe reſources have been confiderably
leffened, fince manufactures of the fame kind have
been eſtabliſhed in the neighbouring provinces; and
eſpecially fince the fuperior cheapnefs of the Euro-
pean cottons and linens hath extended the uſe of them
in a fingular manner. Accordingly, the country is
fallen into the moft extreme ftate of mifery.
It will never emerge from this fituation by its pro-
vifions. Not but that its fields are in general covered
with fugar-canes, with all forts of corn, with delicious
fruits, and with numerous flocks. It would be difficult
to find a foil fo fertile, and cultivated with fo little ex-
pence; but nothing that it furniſhes can ſupply fo-
reign markets. Its natural riches muft be confumed
upon the fame territory that hath produced them.
The bark is its only production which it has hitherto
been poffible to export.
The tree which yields this precious remedy hath a
comes from ſtraight ftem, and rifes to a confiderable height when
vince of left to itſelf. Its trunk and its branches are propor-
Quito. Re- tioned to its height. The leaves, which are oppofite,
upon this and connected at their bafe by an intermediary mem-
remedy.
flections
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
81
brane or ftipula, are of an oval figure, fpread out at
the lower part, and acute at their apex; they are very
fmooth and of a beautiful green.
From the axillæ of
the upper leaves, which are fmaller, arife cluſters of
flowers, reſembling, at firft fight, thofe of the lavendar.
Their calix, which is fhort, hath five divifions. The
corolla forms an elongated tube, bluish on the outfide,
and red within; it is filled with five ftamina, ſpread
out at the upper part, and divided into five lobes fine-
ly dentated. It bears upon a piftil, which being fur-
mounted with a ſingle ſtyle occupies the fundus of the
calix, and becomes with it a dry fruit, truncated at
the upper extremity, and divided longitudinally into
two half-pods full of feeds, and lined with a mem-
branous expanfion.
This tree grows upon the flope of mountains. The
only precious part of it is the bark, known by its fe-
brifuge qualities, and which requires no other prepa-
ration than that of drying. The thickest was prefer-
red, till repeated analyſes and experiments had ſhown,
that the thinneft poffeffed moft virtue.
The inhabitants diftinguiſh three fpecies, or rather
three varieties of bark. The yellow and the red,
which are in equal eſtimation, and differ only in the
depth of their colour; and the white, which being of
a much inferior quality, is not in great requeſt. It is
diſtinguiſhed by its leaf being leſs ſmooth and rounder,
its flower whiter, its feed larger, and its bark white on
the outfide. The bark of the good ſpecies is general-
ly brown, brittle, and rough on its furface, with cracks
upon it.
Upon the borders of the river Maragnon, the coun-
try of Jaën furniſhes a great deal of white bark: but
it was imagined, for a long time, that the yellow and
the red were found nowhere but upon the territory of
Loxa, a town founded in 1546 by Captain Alonzo de
Mercadillo. The moſt efteemed was that which grew
at the diſtance of two leagues from this place, upon
the mountain of Cajanuma; and no longer than fifty
years ago, the merchants ufed to endeavour to prove
Vol. III.
F
в о о K
O O
VII.
82
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
28
BOOK by certificates, that the bark which they fold came
VII. from that celebrated fpot. In endeavouring to in-
creaſe the quantity collected, the old trees were de-
ſtroyed, and the new ones were not fuffered to come
to their complete growth; ſo that the talleſt of them
are at preſent ſcarce three toiſes high. This ſcarcity
occafioned the trees to be fearched for in other places.
At length the fame tree was diſcovered at Riobamba,
at Cuença, in the neighbourhood of Loxa, and ſtill
more recently at Bogota in the New Kingdom.
The bark was known at Rome in 1639. The Je-
fuits, who had brought it there, diftributed it gratis to
the poor, and fold it at an exorbitant price to the
rich. The year following, John de Vega, phyſician
to a vice-queen of Peru, who had experienced the fa-
lutary effects of it, eſtabliſhed it in Spain at a hun-
dred crowns a pound [12l. 10s.]. This remedy foon
acquired great reputation, which it maintained till the
inhabitants of Loxa, not being able to ſupply the de-
mands that were made on them, thought of mixing
other barks with that for which there was fo much de-
mand. This fraud diminiſhed the confidence that had
been placed in the bark. The meaſures taken by the
court of Madrid to remedy fo dangerous an impofition,
were not entirely fuccefsful. The late difcoveries have
been more effectual than authority, in putting a ſtop
to this adulteration. Accordingly, the ufe of the reme-
dy hath become more general, eſpecially in England.
It is a generally received opinion, that the natives
of the country were very anciently acquainted with
the bark, and that they had recourſe to its virtues in
intermittent fevers. It was fimply infuſed in water,
and the liquor given to the patient to drink, free of the
refiduum. M. Jofeph de Juffieu taught them to make
the extract from it, the uſe of which is much prefer-
able to that of the bark in kind.
This botaniſt, the moft intelligent of thofe whom
their zeal for the improvement of natural hiſtory hath
carried into the Spaniſh poffeffions in the New World,
had formed a much more extenfive plan. He went
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
83
.00
VII.
over moſt of the mountains of South America with в o O K
incredible fatigues, and was juſt going to enrich Eu-
rope with the valuable diſcoveries he had made, when
his papers were ftolen from him. An excellent me-
mory might partly have repaired this misfortune; but
he was alfo deprived of this refource. There was
great want of a phyſician and an engineer in Peru.
M. de Juffieu poffeffed all the knowledge which theſe
two profeffions required, and the government of the
country called upon him to employ his talents in this
double capacity. Theſe new employments were ac-
companied with fo many contradictions, fo much dif-
gut and ingratitude, that this excellent man could not
bear up againit them. His mind was totally deranged,
when, in 1771, he was embarked, without fortune, for
a country which he had quitted fix-and-thirty years.
Neither the government which had fent him to the
other hemifphere, nor that which had detained him
there, condefcended to take any care of his future
deſtiny; which would indeed have been deplorable,
had it not been for the tendernefs of a brother, as
reſpectable for his virtues as celebrated for his know-
ledge. The worthy nephews of M. Bernard de Juf-
fieu have inherited their uncle's attention to this un-
fortunate traveller, who died in 1779. May this con-
duct of a family, whofe name is illuftrious in the fci-
ences, ferve as a model to all thofe who, either for
their happineſs or their misfortune, apply themſelves
to the cultivation of literature!
M. Jofeph de Juffieu, who found that the people
had received with docility the inftructions he had giv-
en them reſpecting the bark, endeavoured alfo to per-
fuade them to improve, by conftant and regular atten-
tion, the wild cochineal which the country itfelf fup-
plied their manufactures with, and the coarſe cinna-
mon which they drew from Quixos and Macas: but
his advice hath hitherto had no effect, whether it be
that theſe productions have not been found fufceptible
of any improvement, or whether no pains have been
taken to bring it about.
Fij
84
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VII.
Digreffion
upon the
formation
of moun-
tains.
The laſt conjecture will appear the moſt probable to
thoſe who have a proper idea of the mafters of the
country. Still more generally than the other Spaniſh
Americans, they live in a ſtate of idleneſs from which
nothing can rouſe them, and in debaucheries which no
motive can interrupt. Theſe manners are more par-
ticularly the manners of the perſons, whoſe refidence,
from birth, employments, or fortune, is fixed in the
city of Quito, the capital of the province, and very
agreeably built upon the declivity of the celebrated
mountain of Pitchincha. Fifty thouſand Meftees, In-
dians, or negroes, allured by theſe feducing examples,
alfo infeft this ſpot with their vices, and in particular
carry their paffion for rum, and for gaming, to an ex-
cefs that is unknown in the other great cities of the
New World.
But, in order to relieve our imagination from fuch
a number of diftreffing pictures, which, perhaps, have
too much engaged our attention, let us for a moment
quit theſe bloody fcenes, and let us enter into Peru,
fixing our contemplation upon thoſe frightful moun-
tains, where learned and bold aftronomers went to
meaſure the figure of the earth. Let us indulge our-
felves in thoſe fenfations which they undoubtedly ex-
perienced, and which every traveller, learned or ig-
norant, muſt experience, wherever nature prefents him
with fuch a ſcene. Let us even be allowed to throw
out fome general conjectures reſpecting the formation
of mountains.
At the fight of thoſe enormous maffes, which riſe
to fuch prodigious heights above the humble ſurface
of the earth, where almoft all mankind have fixed
their refidence; of thofe maffes, which on one ſpot
are crowned with impenetrable and ancient foreſts,
that have never refounded with the ftroke of the
hatchet, and which preſent, on another, nothing more
than a barren and dreary ſurface; which in one coun-
try reign in fedate and filent majefty, that ſtops the
cloud in its courſe, and breaks the impetuofity of the
wind; while in another, they keep the traveller at a
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
85
VII.
diſtance from their fummits by ramparts of ice that в O O K
furround them, from the centre of which volleys of
flame iffue forth; or frighten him who attempts to af-
cend them, with horrid and concealed caverns digged
on each fide: maffes, feveral of which give vent to
impetuous torrents defcending with dreadful noiſe from
their open fides, or to rivers, ftreams, fountains, and
boiling Springs; all of them fpreading their refreſhing
fhade over the plains that furround them, and afford-
ing them a fucceffive fhelter againſt the heat of the
fun, from the moment that luminary gilds their tops
at the time of its rifing, till that of its fetting: at this
aſpect, I ſay, every man is fixt with aſtoniſhment, and
the inquirer into nature is led into reflections.
He aſks himſelf, who it is that hath given birth here
to Vefuvius, to Ætna, to the Appenines, and here to
the Cordeleirias? Theſe mountains, are they as old as
the world, have they been produced in an inftant, or
is the ftony particle that is detached from them more
ancient than they are? Can they be the bones of a
ſkeleton, of which the other terreſtrial ſubſtances are
the fleſh? Are they diftinct maffes; or do they hold
together by one great common trunk, of which they
are fo many branches, and which ferves as a founda-
tion to themſelves, and as a bafis for every thing that
covers them?
66
66
If we agree with one philofopher: "The centre of
"the earth being occupied by an immenſe reſervoir of
waters, the ſubſtance that contained them ſuddenly
burft. The cataracts of the fky were immediately
opened, and the whole globe was confounded and
funk under water. The fabulous account of chaos
was renewed; and the earth did not begin to extri-
"cate itſelf from this ftate, till the time when the dif-
"ferent materials precipitated, according to the laws
of gravity, by which they were fucceffively impel-
led; the layers of theſe ſeveral heterogeneous ſub-
"ſtances were heaped one upon another, and raiſed
their fummits above the furface of the waters, which
went to dig a bed for themſelves in the plains."
(6
F iij
86
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VII.
Another philofopher obferves: "That theſe cauſes
"are infufficient to explain this phenomenon, without
"the intervention and approach of a comet, which he
"calls forth from the vaft regions of fpace where
"theſe bodies loſe themſelves. The column of wa-
"ters, he fays, which this comet drew along with it,
was joined by thoſe which rofe from the fubterra-
nean abyſs, and thoſe which defcended from the at-
moſphere. The action of the comet made them riſe
above the highest mountains, which were already
exifting; and from the fediment of this deluge they
were reproduced."
66
"L
66
A third writer treats all theſe opinions as idle
dreams, and fays: "Let us caft our eyes around us,
"and we fhall fee the mountains rifing from the very
"element that deftroys them. It is fire which hardens
"the foft layers of the earth; it is that which, affift-
"ed in its expanfion by air and by water, throws
"them up, and drives their fummits into the clouds;
"it is that which burfts them, and forms their im-
"menfe caldrons. Every mountain is a volcano,
"which is either preparing, or hath ceaſed."
t
Thefe opinions are again contradicted by a moſt
eloquent modern writer, the charms of whofe lan-
guage, while I liften to it, ſcarce leave me at liberty
to judge of his opinion. He fays: "In the beginning
"there were no mountains. The furface of the globe
was uniformly covered with waters, which were not,
however, in a ſtate of reft. The action of the fatel-
"lite that accompanies the earth agitated them, even
"to their greateſt depth, with the motion of ebb and
" flow which we now fee impreffed upon them. At
each oſcillatory motion, theſe waters dragged along
"with them a portion of fediment, which they depo-
"fited upon a preceding portion. It is upon theſe de-
،
66
pofits, continued through a long ſeries of ages, that
"the layers of the earth have been formed; and the
"enormous maffes that aftoniſh us, are thefe layers
"accumulated. Time is nothing to nature; and the
દર
flighteſt cauſe, acting uninterruptedly, is capable of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
87
16
66
tr
VII.
producing the greateſt effects. The imperceptible B O O K
"and continued action of the waters hath therefore
"formed the mountains; and it is the ftill more im-
perceptible, and not lefs continued, action of a va-
pour that foftens them, and of a wind that dries
"them up, which lowers them from day to day, and
"will at length reduce them to a level with the
plains. Then the waters will again be ſpread uni-
formly over the equal furface of the earth. Then
"the firſt phenomenon will be renewed; and who
"knows how often the mountains have been deſtroy-
"ed and reproduced?"
<<
(C
66
At theſe words the obſerver Lehmann ſmiles, and,
preſenting to me the book of the Jewiſh Legiſlator,
together with his own, fays to me: Reſpect this
“book, and condeſcend to caſt thine eyes upon mine."
Lehmann hath explained, in his third volume of his
Art of Mines, his ideas upon the formation of the lay-
ers of the earth, and upon the productions of moun-
tains. His fyftem is founded on conftant and repeated
obfervations made by himſelf, with a very uncommon
degree of fagacity, and with a labour, the affiduity of
which we can fcarce conceive. They comprehend
the ſpace from the frontiers of Poland to the borders
of the Rhine. The analogy which renders them ap-
plicable to feveral other regions, recommends the
knowledge of them to men who are ftudious of natu-
ral hiſtory; and although he attributes the formation
of the layers of the earth to a deluge, the facts with
which he fupports his arguments are not the lefs cer-
tain, nor his diſcoveries the lefs intereſting.
He diſtinguiſhes three kinds of mountains. The
antediluvian, or primitive; the poftdiluvian, and the
modern. The firft, which are of different elevation,
are the higheſt. They are feldom found diftinct, but
are ufually formed into chains. The declivity of them
is fteep. They are furrounded on all fides by the poit-
diluvian mountains, or fuch as are compofed of layers.
The fubftance of them is more homogeneous; the
portions of them lefs different; their beds are always,
F iiij
88
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK perpendicular, and thicker. Their roots deſcend to a
depth which is ftill unknown. The ores they contain
run in the longitudinal direction of the mountain.
Thoſe in the poftdiluvian mountains are difpofed in
layers, which are formed of different ſubſtances. The
laſt of theſe, or that which is at the bafis, is always of
coal. The firft, or that which is nearest the fummit,
always furniſhes falt fprings. The mountains never
fail to terminate in the former. They fupply copper,
lead, quickfilver, iron, and even filver, but in leaves,
and capillaceous. But they would deceive our avidi-
ty, if we expected to find gold in them. The moun-
tains which produce this metal are the work of a de-
luge.
The modern mountains, produced by fire, by wa-
ter, and by an infinite number of various and recent
accidents, exhibit, in their internal parts, nothing but
broken layers, a confuſed mixture of all kinds of ſub-
ftances, and all the marks of fubverfion and diforder.
It is in vain that nature had concealed the precious
metals in the midft of theſe hard and moſt compact
maffes our cupidity hath broken them. This cir-
cumftance, however, would not call for our cenfure, if
we could fay of the men employed in theſe dreadful
labours, what we read of them in Caffiodorus: "They
go down poor into the mines, and come out of them
wealthy. They enjoy a kind of riches which no
man dares to take away from them. They are the
"only perfons whofe fortune is neither fullied by ra-
"pine or meannefs."
(6
""
Europeans, reflect upon what this judicious writer
adds: "To acquire gold by facrificing men, is a crime.
"To go in fearch of it acroſs the perils of the ſea, is
"a folly. To amafs it by corruption and vices, is
"bafe. The only profits that are juſt and honeft, are
"thofe that are acquired without injury to any per-
fon; and we never can poffefs, without remorſe,
"what we have obtained at the expence of other
men's happineſs."
(6
And you, in order to have gold, you have gone
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
89
VII.
acroſs the ſeas. In order to have gold, you have in- в O O K
vaded other countries. In order to have gold, you
have maffacred the greateſt part of the inhabitants.
In order to have gold, you have precipitated into the
bowels of the earth thoſe whom your daggers had
fpared. In order to have gold, you have introduced
upon the earth the infamous trade of mankind and
flavery. In order to have gold, you repeat the fame
crimes every day. May the chimerical idea of Lazar-
ro Moro be realized; and may fubterraneous flames
fet on fire at once all thofe mountains of which you
have made fo many dungeons, where innocence ex-
pires, for feveral ages paft!
of Peru,
called.
This curfe would firft fall upon the Cordeleirias, or Natural or-
Andes, which cut almoft the whole of America ganization
through its length, and the different branches of properly f
which extend themſelves irregularly in its breadth. It
is particularly under the Line, and at Peru, that theſe
mountains awe us by their majeftic appearance.
Through the enormous heaps of fnow that cover the
moft confiderable of them, it may eaſily be difcerned
that they formerly were volcanos. The clouds of
fmoke, and gufts of flame, which ſtill iffue from fome
of them, cannot allow us to have the leaſt doubt re-
fpecting the eruptions. Chimboraco, the higheſt of
them, and which is near three thouſand two hundred
and twenty toifes above the level of the fea, is more
than one third higher than the Peak of Teneriff, the
loftieft mountain of the ancient hemifphere. The Pit-
chincha and the Caraçon, which have principally ferv-
ed for taking the obfervations upon the figure of the
earth, have only two thouſand four hundred and thir-
ty, and two thouſand four hundred and feventy toiſes;
and it is, however, at this height, that the moſt intre-
pid travellers have been obliged to ſtop. Eternal ſnows
have hitherto rendered fummits of greater height in-
acceffible.
A plain, which is from thirty to fifty leagues in
breadth, and is raiſed one thouſand nine hundred and
forty-nine toifes above the level of the ocean, ferves
go
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK as the bafis to theſe aftoniſhing mountains. Part of
VII. this vaft ſpace is occupied by lakes more or less confi-
derable. That of Titicaca, which receives ten or
twelve large rivers, and ſeveral ſmall ones, is ſeventy
toiſes in depth, and fourſcore leagues in circumference.
In the midst of it there riſes an iſland, where the le-
giflators of Peru pretended to have received their birth.
They owed it, as they faid, to the Sun, who had pre-
fcribed to them to eſtabliſh his worſhip, to raiſe man-
kind from a ftate of barbarifm, and to give them be-
neficent laws. This fable rendered the ſpot venerable;
and one of the moſt auguft temples in the empire was
conftructed upon it. Pilgrims reſorted to it in crowds
from the provinces, with offerings of gold, filver, and
jewels. It is a tradition generally received in the
country, that, at the arrival of the Spaniards, the prieſts
and the inhabitants threw all theſe riches into the wa-
ters, as they had before done at Cuſco, in another lake,
fix leagues to the ſouth of that celebrated capital,
From most of the lakes there are torrents iffuing;
which, in procefs of time, have digged ravines of a tre-
mendous depth. At the fummit of them the mines
are uſually found in a foil generally arid. It is a little
below this that the corn grows, and the cattle feed:
in the bottom, the fugar, the fruits, and the maize, are
cultivated.
The coaft, which is of an immenſe length, and from
eight to twenty leagues in breadth, which extends
from the plain we have been ſpeaking of to the ſea,
and which is known to us by the name of the Valleys,
is nothing but a heap of fand. Solitude and eternal
barrenneſs ſeem as if they were intended to belong to
this ungrateful foil.
Nature varies, and in a very remarkable manner, in
this uneven territory. The moſt elevated places are
perpetually covered with fnow. After this come the
rocks and naked fands. Beneath thefe fome moffes
begin to show themſelves. Lower down is the Icho,
a plant which they burn, fomewhat refembling ruſhes ;
and which grows longer and ſtronger in proportion as
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
GI
VII.
one defcends. At length the trees make their appear- в O O K
ance, to the number of three fpecies, particular to
thefe mountains; and which, all of them, announce,
in their ſtructure and their foliage, the ſeverity of the
climate that produces them. The moſt uſeful of theſe
trees is the caffis. It is weighty, hath ſome ſubſtance,
and is laſting; and theſe qualities have occafioned it
to be deftined to the labours of the mines. Theſe
large vegetable productions are not to be met with
under a milder ſky, and they are only replaced by a
ſmall number of others of a different quality. There
would not even be any one fpecies in the valleys, if
fome had not been conveyed there, which have be-
come naturalized.
which the
valleys of
In this region, the air hath an evident influence up- Circum-
on the conftitution of the inhabitants. Thofe of the flances in
moſt elevated diftricts are fubject to afthmas, pleurifies, mountains,
to pulmonary complaints, and to rheumatifms, Thefe plains, and
diſeaſes, which are dangerous to all individuals that Feru differ
are feized with them, are commonly mortal to any one other.
that hath contracted venereal maladies, or is addicted
to ftrong liquors; and this is unfortunately the uſual
ftate of thoſe who are born in theſe climates, or have
been led into them by avarice.
Theſe calamities do not affect the inferior moun-
tains; but other fcourges, ftill more fatal, are ſubſti-
tuted to them. Putrid and intermittent fevers, un-
known in the countries we have been mentioning, are
habitual there. They are fo eafily caught, that tra-
vellers are afraid to come near the places that are in-
fected with them. They are frequently fo contagious,
that not a fingle man would efcape the infection, if
the inhabitants did not abandon their villages, in order
to return to them again when a freſh ſeaſon hath pu
rified them. It was not thus in the time of the Incas.
But fince the Spaniards have introduced the fugar
canes into the narrow gorges of the mountains, where
the air circulates with difficulty, there arife, from the
moistened foil which this cultivation requires, infec-
from each
92
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воок
BOO K tious vapours, which, being heated by the rays of the
VII. burning fun, become fatal.
The tertian, and other intermittent fevers, are ſcarce
leſs common or leſs obftinate in the valleys than in the
gorges of the mountains: but they are infinitely leſs
dangerous: they are feldom attended with fatal con-
fequences, except in the country places where no helps
are to be had, and where precautions are neglected.
Another general malady in this part of the New
World, is the ſmall-pox, which was brought there in
1588. It is not habitual, as in Europe; but it occa-
fions, at intervals, inexpreffible ravages. It attacks,
indifferently, the white men, the Negroes, the Indi-
ans, and the mixed races. It is equally deſtructive in
all the climates. Much advantage is to be expected
from the practice of inoculation, introduced two years
fince at Lima, and which will undoubtedly foon be-
come general.
There is another fcourge prevailing here, againſt
which human invention will never find a remedy.
Earthquakes, which in other countries are fo rare,
that whole generations frequently fucceed each other
without beholding one, are fo common in Peru, that
they have there contracted an habit of reckoning them
as a ſeries of epochas, fo much the more memorable,
as their frequent return does not diminiſh their vio-
lence.
This phenomenon, which is ever irregular in its
fudden returns, is, however, announced by very per-
ceptible omens. When the fhock is confiderable, it is
preceded by a murmur in the air, the noife of which
is like that of heavy rain falling from a cloud that
fuddenly burfts and diſcharges its waters. This noife
feems to be the effect of a vibration of the air, which
is agitated in different directions. The birds are then
obferved to dart in their flight. Neither their tails
nor their wings ferve them any longer as oars and
helm to ſwim in the fluid of the fkies. They dafh
themſelves in pieces againſt the walls, the trees, and
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
93
VII.
the rocks; whether it be that this vertigo of nature в O O K
dazzles and confuſes them, or that the vapours of the
earth take away their ftrength and power to command
their movements.
To this tumult in the air is added the rumbling of
the earth, the cavities and deep receffes of which re-
echo each other's noifes. The dogs anſwer theſe pre-
vious tokens of a general diforder of nature, by howl-
ing in an extraordinary manner. The animals ſtop,
and, by a natural inftinct, fpread out their legs that
they may not fall. Upon theſe indications, the inha-
bitants inftantly run out of their houſes, and fly to
ſearch, in the encloſures of public places, or in the
fields, an afylum from the fall of their roofs. The
cries of children, the lamentations of women, the fud-
den darkneſs of an unexpected night; every thing
combines to aggravate the too real evils of a dire ca-
lamity, which fubverts every thing, by the excruciat-
ing tortures of the imagination, which is diftreffed and
confounded, and lofes, in the contemplation of this
diforder, the thought and courage to remedy it.
The diverfity of afpects under which volcanos have
preſented themſelves to one of our moſt indefatigable
and intelligent obfervers, hath pointed out to him dif-
ferent periods, ſeparated from each other by intervals
of time fo confiderable, that the firft formation of our
planet is thrown back by them to a degree of antiqui-
ty at which our imagination is ſtartled. At the firſt
of theſe periods, the volcanos throw out from their
fummits fire, fmoke, and afhes, and pour out torrents
of lava from their fides that are laid open. At the fe-
cond, they are all of them extinguifhed, and exhibit
nothing but an immenfe caldron. At the third, the
air, the rain, the wind, the cold, and the lime, have
deſtroyed the caldron, or crater, and nothing but a
hillock remains. At the fourth period, this hillock,
deprived of its covering, difcovers a kind of nidus,
which, being deftroyed by time, leaves nothing but
the place where the mountain and volcano have exiſt-
ed; and this ftate conftitutes a fifth period. From the
94
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BO O K centre of this place cauſeways of lava are extended tò
a diſtance; and theſe cauſeways, whether entire or
broken, or reduced into feparate fragments, are ſtill
as many other periods, between each of which we
may infert as many years, as many ages, or as many
thouſands of ages as we choofe. One thing, however,
is certain, that one of theſe periods, whichever of
them we may chooſe, is not connected, in the memory
of man, with that which fucceeds it in the courſe of
nature. The principle, therefore, that from nothing
nothing can be produced; and the deſtruction of be-
ings, which, by being changed into others, ſhow us
that nothing is annihilated, ſeem to announce an eter-
nity which hath preceded, an eternity which will fol-
low, and the co-exiſtence of the Great Architect with
his wonderful work.
The climate exhibits fome very remarkable fingula-
rities in the Upper Peru. The inhabitants experience
on the fame day, fometimes in the fame hour, and al-
ways in a very ſhort ſpace of time, the temperature of
the two oppofite zones. Thoſe who come there from
the valleys, are pierced on their arrival with fevere
cold, which they cannot get the better of either by
fire, by motion, or by adding to their clothing; but
the impreffion of which ceaſes to be difagreeable, af-
ter a refidence of a month or three weeks. The voy-
agers who come there for the firſt time, are tormented
with the fymptoms of fea fickneſs, with more or leſs
violence, in proportion as they have fuffered from it
on the ocean. But, whatever may be the reafon of it,
men are not expoſed to this accident in all parts; for
not one of the aftronomers who meaſured the figure of
the earth upon the mountains of Quito, were attacked
with it.
Our aftoniſhment is equally, if not more, excited in
the valleys. This country, though very near the equa-
tor, enjoys a delicious temperature. The four feaions
of the year are evidently marked, and yet neither of
them can be called troublefome. The winter feafon
is the moft fenfibly felt. This hath been attempted to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
95
VIL
be accounted for from the winds of the fouth pole, в ò O K
which carry the effects of the fnows and ice over which
they have paffed. They preferve it only in part, be-
cauſe they blow under the influence of a thick fog,
which at that time covers the earth. Theſe grofs va-
pours do not indeed rife regularly till about noon;
but it is feldom they are diffipated. The fun gene-
rally remains fo much clouded, that its rays, which
fometimes make their appearance, can only mitigate
the cold in a very flight degree.
Whatever may be the cauſe of ſo conftant a winter
under the torrid zone, it is certain that it never rains,
or that it rains only every two or three years, in the
Lower Peru.
Natural philofophy hath exerted its efforts to difco-
ver the cauſe of a phenomenon fo extraordinary. May
it not be attributed to the fouth-weft wind, which pre-
vails there the greateſt part of the year; and to the
prodigious height of the mountains, the fummit of
which is covered with eternal ice?
The country fituated between both, being continu-
ally cooled on one fide, and continually heated on the
other, maintains fo equal a temperature, that the clouds
which rife can never be condenfed fo far as to be dif-
folved into water.
Rains, however, and even daily rains, would be ne-
ceffary to communicate fome degree of fertility to the
coafts which extend from Tumbez to Lima, that is,
throughout a ſpace of two hundred and fixty-four
leagues. The fands are in general fo barren, that there
is not a ſingle herb to be ſeen, except in parts which
it is poffible to water, and thefe do not often occur.
There is not a fingle fpring throughout the whole of
Lower Peru; rivers are not frequent there; and thoſe
which we do meet with have, for the moft part, water
in them only for fix or feven months in the year.
They are torrents ifluing from the lakes, of greater or
lefs magnitude, that are formed in the Cordeleirias,
which only flow over a ſmall ſpace, and are dried up
during the fummer. In the times of the Incas, theſe
s
96
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BO O K precious waters were carefully collected, and, by the
affiftance of feveral canals, difperfed over a large fur-
face, which they fertilized. The Spaniards have avail-
ed themſelves of thefe labours. Their villages and
towns have been erected on the places where the huts
for the Indians were, which, perhaps for this reafon,
were leſs numerous in the Lower Peru than on the
mountains. The valleys which lead from the capital
of the empire to Chili, have a great reſemblance with
thoſe we have ſpoken of; but they are in fome places
more fufceptible of cultivation.
The few
Peruvians
fword or
the con-
querors, are
the moſt
degraded
and brutal
Notwithſtanding thefe defects of natural organiza-
who have tion, the region we have been deſcribing hath ſeen a
efcaped the flouriſhing empire arife in the midft of it. Its popula-
tyranny of tion cannot reaſonably be called in queſtion, when we
behold felf-evident proofs that this happy people had
fallen into Covered with their colonies all the provinces that they
had conquered; when we attend to the aſtoniſhing
number of men engaged in the ſervice of government,
and deriving their fubfiftence from the ftate. Such a
variety of hands and levers employed in moving the
political machine, neceffarily imply a confiderable de-
gree of population, that may be enabled to maintain,
with the productions of the earth, a very numerous
clafs of the inhabitants, who are not themſelves con-
cerned in agriculture.
ftate.
By what fatality, then, hath it happened that Peru
is now fuch a defert? By tracing things to their ori-
gin, we find that thoſe who conquered the coaſt of the
South Sea, being ruffians, without birth, education,
and principle, originally committed greater enormities
than the conquerors of Mexico. The mother-country
was a longer time before the checked their ferocity,
which was continually fomented by thofe long and
cruel civil wars that fucceeded the conqueft. A more
heavy and regular fyftem of oppreffion was afterwards
eſtabliſhed than had prevailed in the other countries
of the New World lefs diftant from Europe.
Univerſal diſcouragement was the neceffary confe-
quence of this abominable conduct. Accordingly, the
2
IN THÉ EAST AND WEST INDIES.
gj
VII.
natives of the country grew difgufted of the ftate of B o oK
fociety, and of the fatigues it brings along with it.
They continue in the fame diſagreeable difpofitions,
and would not even give themſelves the leaſt trouble
to cultivate fubfiftence for themſelves, were they not
compelled to it by the government. This compulfion
influences their behaviour. All the inhabitants of one
community, men, women, and children, unite them-
felves to till and fow a field. Theſe labours, which
are interrupted every inftant by dancing and feafting,
are carried on by the found of various inftruments.
The harveſt of the maize, and of the other grain, is
gathered with the fame careleſſneſs, and accompanied
with the fame pleafures. Theſe people are not more
anxious to procure themſelves clothes. In vain hath
it been attempted to infpire them with better difpofi-
tions, and more fuitable to the good of the empire.
Authority hath been unavailing againft cuſtoms which
its tyranny had given rife to, and which were kept up
by its injuftice.
The Peruvians, all of them without exception, are
an inſtance of that profound ftupidity into which it is
in the power of tyranny to plunge men. They are
fallen into a liftlefs and univerfal indifference. Can it
be poffible that theſe people fhould have any kind of
attachment, whofe religion once elevated the foul, and
from whom the moſt abject ſlavery hath taken away
every ſentiment of greatneſs and glory? The riches,
which nature hath ſcattered at their feet, do not tempt
them; and they are even infenfible to honours. They
are whatever one chooſes, without any ill humour,
or choice, vaffals or caciques, or mitayos, the objects
of diſtinction or of public derifion. The fpring of all
their paffions is broken. That of fear itſelf hath often
no effect on them, through the little attachment they
have to life. They intoxicate themſelves, and dance;
thefe are all the pleaſures they have, when they are
able to forget their mifery. Indolence is their predo-
minant habit. I am not hungry, they fay to the perfon
who would pay them for their labour.
Vol. III.
Ꮐ
98
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VII.
Prefent
The void that had been made in the population of
Peru, and the indolence of the few men that remain-
ed there, determined the conquerors to introduce a fo-
reign race; but this mode of fubftitution, which was
dictated by the refinement of European barbarity, was
more prejudicial to Africa than uſeful to the country
of the Incas. Avarice did not derive from theſe new
flaves all the advantages it had flattered itſelf with.
The government, ever intent on laying taxes upon
vices and virtues, upon induſtry and idleneſs, upon
good and bad projects, upon the liberty of exercifing
oppreffions, and the permiffion of being exempted
from them, made a monopoly of this bafe traffic. It
was neceffary to receive the Negroes from the hands
of a rival or an enemy, to carry them to the place of
their deſtination, through immenfe feas and unwhole-
fome climates, and to defray the expences of ſeveral
very dear markets. Nevertheleſs, this fpecies of men
hath multiplied more at Peru than at Mexico. There
is alſo a much greater number of Spaniards there, for
the following reaſons:
At the time when the firft conquefts were made,
when emigrations were moft frequent, the country of
the Incas had a much greater reputation for riches than
New Spain; and, in reality, for half a century, much
more confiderable treafures were brought away from
it. The defire of partaking of them muſt neceffarily
draw thither, as was really the cafe, a greater number
of Caftilians. Though they almoſt all went over there
with the hope of returning to their country to enjoy
the fortune they might acquire, yet the majority of
them fettled in the colony. They were induced to
this by the foftneſs of the climate, and the goodneſs
of the proviſions. They alfo fuppofed they ſhould
enjoy a great fhare of independence in a region fo re-
mote from the mother-country.
We muſt now examine to what degree of profperity
ſtate of Pe- Peru hath been raiſed by the united labours of fo many
ru.
different people.
The immenfe coaft that extends from Panama to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
99
VII.
Tombez, and which, in 1718, was detached from Peru в о O к
to be incorporated in the New Kingdom, is one of the
moſt miſerable regions of the globe. A great part of
it is occupied by fpacious and numerous moraffes.
The part that is not covered with theſe is deluged for
fix months in the year with rains that fall down in
torrents. From the midſt of theſe ſtagnating and un-
wholeſome waters foreſts ariſe, that are as ancient as
the world, and fo much choked up with lianes, or
ofiers, that the ſtrongeſt and moſt intrepid man cannot
penetrate into them. Thick and frequent fogs throw
a dark veil over theſe hideous countries. None of the
productions of the Old Hemiſphere can grow in this
ungrateful foil, and thofe even of the New Hemi-
ſphere do not thrive much. And, indeed, there is but
a ſmall number of favages to be feen here, and thoſe
for the moſt part wandering; and fo few Spaniards,
that it might almoft be faid there were none. The
coaft is fortunately terminated by the Gulf of Guaya-
quil, where nature is in a lefs degenerate ftate.
The ſecond town which the Spaniards built in Peru
was raiſed upon this river, in 1533. The Indians did
not long ſuffer this monument, erected againſt their
liberty, to fubfift; but it was rebuilt four years after
by Orellana. It was not placed in the Bay of Cha-
ropte as it had been at firſt. The back of a moun-
tain, at the diſtance of five or fix hundred toiſes from
the river, was preferred. The exigencies of commerce
afterwards determined the merchants to fix their dwel-
lings upon the fide of the river itſelf. The ſpace which
ſeparated them from their former habitation hath been
gradually filled up; fo that at prefent the two quar-
ters of the town are entirely united. The houſes are
in general built of wood, both in the lower and in the
upper town. Formerly they were all covered with
thatch; but this practice hath been aboliſhed gradu-
ally by the orders of government, who have thought
this regulation neceffary, to prevent the accidents of
fire, fo common in theſe countries. Guayaquil was
lately an entirely open place. It is at prefent defend-
*
Gij
100
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BO O Ked by three forts, guarded only by the inhabitants.
Theſe are large beams difpofed in palifades. Upon
this foil, which is always damp, and under water a
great part of the year, a fort of wood, which never
rots, is preferable to the beſt conſtructed works either
in earth or in ftone.
It is a circumftance well known at prefent, that, on
the coaft of Guayaquil, as well as on that of Guatima-
la, are found thofe fnails which yield the purple dye fo
celebrated by the ancients, and which the moderns
have ſuppoſed to have been loft. The ſhell that con-
tains them is fixed to rocks that are watered by the
fea. It is of the fize of a large nut. The juice may
be extracted from the animal in two ways. Some per-
fons kill the animal after they have taken it out of the
fhell; they then preſs it from the head to the tail with
a knife; and, feparating from the body that part in
which the liquor is collected, they throw away the
reft. When this operation, repeated upon feveral of
the fnails, hath yielded a certain quantity of the juice,
the thread that is to be dyed is dipped in it, and the
buſineſs is done. The colour, which is at firſt as white
as milk, becomes afterwards green, and does not turn
purple till the thread is dry.
Thoſe who do not chooſe this method, draw the
animal partly out of its fhell, and by preffure oblige it
to diſcharge its liquor. This operation is repeated four
different times, but at each time with lefs advantage.
If it be continued, the animal dies, from the lofs of that
fluid which was the principle of its life, and which it
hath no longer the power to renew.
We know of no colour that can be compared to the
one we have been ſpeaking of, either in luftre or in
permanency. It fucceeds better with cotton than with
woollen, linen, or filk.
It is little more than an object of curiofity; but
Guayaquil fupplies the neighbouring provinces with
oxen, mules, falt, and fiſh. It furniſhes a great quan-
tity of cacao to Mexico and to Europe. It is the uni-
verfal dock-yard of the South Sea, and might partly
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
ΙΟΣ
B
VII.
become that of the mother-country. We know of no в o o K
ſpot upon the earth more abundant in wood for mafts
and for ſhip-building. The hemp and the pitch, which
it is deftitute of, is procured from Chili and from Gua-
timala.
This town is the neceffary ſtaple of all the trade
which the Lower Peru, Panama, and Mexico, keep
up with the country of Quito. All the commodities
which theſe countries exchange paſs through the hands
of its merchants. The largeſt of the fhips ftop at the
iſland of Puna, fix or feven leagues diftant from the
place. The others can go thirty-five leagues up the
river, as far as Caracol.
Notwithstanding theſe ſeveral means of profperity,
Guayaquil, the population of which confifts of twenty
thouſand fouls, is far from being wealthy. The for-
tunes of its inhabitants have been fucceffively destroy-
ed nine times, by fires, and by pirates, who have twice
facked the town. Thoſe fortunes which have been
acquired fince thefe fatal periods, have not continued
in the country. A climate where the heat is intole-
rable the whole year, and the rains inceffant for fix
months; where dangerous and noiſome infects do not
allow any tranquillity; where diftempers, prevailing
in the moſt oppofite degrees of temperature, appear to
be united; where one lives in perpetual dread of lof-
ing one's fight: fuch a climate is by no means proper
to fix the refidence of its inhabitants. Such perfons
are only feen here as have not acquired fufficient
wealth to enable them to remove elſewhere, and ſpend
their days in indolence and pleaſure.
On quitting the territory of Guayaquil, we enter
into the valleys of Peru. They occupy four hundred
leagues of the coaft; and upon this extent there are a
great number of bad harbours, among which chance
hath placed one or two that are tolerably good.
Throughout this vaft ſpace, there is not the veſtige of
a fingle road; and it is neceffary to travel over it up-
on mules in the night-time, becauſe the reverberation
of the fun renders thefe fands unpaffable in the day.
G iij
102
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
VII.
BOOK At the intervals of thirty or forty leagues, we find the
ſmall towns of Piura, of Peyta, of Santa, of Piſco, of
Naſcar, of Ica, of Moquequa, and of Arica, and in the
intermediate ſpace a ſmall number of hamlets and vil-
lages. Throughout this whole extent there are but
three places worthy of being called towns; Truxillo,
which hath nine thouſand inhabitants; Arequipa,
which hath forty thouſand; and Lima, which hath
fifty-four thouſand. Theſe ſeveral ſettlements have
been formed wherever there was the leaft appearance
of land fit for cultivation, and wherever the waters.
were capable of fertilizing a flime naturally barren.
The country produces the fruits peculiar to the cli-
mate, and moft of thofe in Europe. The culture of
maize, of pimento, and of cotton, which was found
eſtabliſhed there, was not neglected: and that of wheat,
barley, caffava, potatoes, fugar, and of the olive and
vine, was fet on foot there. The goat hath thriven
very well; but the fheep have degenerated, and their
wool is extremely coarfe. Throughout the whole of
the valleys there is but one mine, which is that of
Huantajaha.
In the Upper Peru, at the diſtance of one hundred
and twenty leagues from the fea, ftands Cuſco, built
by the firft of the Incas, on a very uneven territory,
and upon the declivity of ſeveral hills. It was at firſt
only a ſmall village, which in procefs of time became
a confiderable city, divided into as many quarters as
there were nations incorporated with the empire. Each
of theſe nations were allowed to follow their ancient
cuſtoms; but they were all of them obliged to wor-
ſhip the brilliant conftellation that fertilizes the globe.
There was no edifice that had any grandeur, elegance,
or convenience, becauſe the people were ignorant of
the firſt elements of architecture. Even the temple
of the fun itſelf could not be diftinguiſhed from the
other public or private buildings, unleſs by its extent,
and by the profufion of metals with which it was or-
namented.
To the north of this capital was a kind of citadel,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
103
VII.
built with much care, labour, and expence. The Spa- в O O K
niards long ſpoke of this monument of Peruvian in-
duſtry with a ſpirit of admiration that impoſed upon
all Europe. The ruins of this fortreſs have been ſeen
by enlightened perfons, and the marvellous hath dif
appeared. It hath been found, that this fortification
had ſcarce any advantage over the other works of the
fame kind erected in the country, except that of being
built with ſtones of a more confiderable fize.
At the diſtance of four leagues from the city are the
country-houſes of the great, and of the Incas, in the
wholeſome and delicious valley of Yucai. There it
was that they went to recover their health, or to relax
from the fatigues of government.
After the conqueft, the place ſcarce preferved any
thing but its name. There were other edifices, other
inhabitants, other occupations, other manners, other
prejudices, and another religion. Thus the fatality
which fubverts the earth, the fea, empires, and na-
tions; which throws fucceffively upon all parts of the
globe the light of the arts and the darkneſs of igno-
rance; which changes the refidence of men, and trans-
fers their opinions from one place to another, as ma-
rine productions are puſhed upon the coaft by the im-
pulſe of the winds and the currents: that impenetrable
and fingular deſtiny, I fay, ordained that Europeans,
with all the appendages of their crimes, and monks,
with all the prejudices of their faith, fhould come to
reign and repofe in thoſe walls, where the virtuous
Incas had for fo long a time promoted the felicity of
mankind, and where the fun was fo folemnly adored.
Who, therefore, can foreſee what kind of race, or form
of worſhip, will one day arife upon the ruins of our
kingdoms and our altars? Cufco reckons twenty-fix
thouſand inhabitants under its new mafters.
In the midſt of theſe mountains other towns are ftill
to be feen. Chupuifaca, or La Plata, which hath thir-
teen thousand fouls; Potofi, twenty-five thouſand;
Oropesa, feventeen thoufand; La Paz, twenty thou
G iiij
104
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK fand; Guancavelica, eight thouſand; and Huamanga,
eighteen thousand five hundred.
VII.
But let it be well obferved, that none of theſe towns
were erected in regions which prefented a fertile foil,
copious harveſts, excellent paftures, a mild and falu-
brious climate, and all the conveniences of life. Theſe
places, which had hitherto been fo well cultivated by
a numerous and flouriſhing people, were now totally
difregarded. Very foon they exhibited only a deplor-
able picture of a horrid defert; and this wildneſs muſt
have been more melancholy and hideous than the
dreary aſpect of the earth before the origin of ſocieties.
The fight of confufion is not always diſpleaſing; it
fometimes aftoniſhes that of deftruction afflicts us.
The traveller, who was led by accident or curiofity
into theſe deſolate plains, could not forbear abhorring
the barbarous and bloody authors of theſe devaſta-
tions, while he reflected that it was not owing even to
the cruel illufions of glory, and to the fanaticiſm of
conqueft, but to the ftupid and abject defire of gold,
that they had facrificed fo much more real treaſure,
and fo numerous a population.
This infatiable thirſt of gold, which neither attend-
ed to fubfiftence, fafety, nor policy, was the only mo-
tive for eſtabliſhing new fettlements, fome of which
have been kept up, while feveral have decayed, and
others have been formed in their ftead. The fate of
them all hath correfponded with the difcovery, pro-
grefs, or decay of the mines to which they were ſub-
ordinate.
Fewer errors have been committed in the means of
procuring provifions. The natives had hitherto lived
ſcarcely on any thing elſe but maize, fruits, and pulſe,
for which they had uſed no other ſeaſoning except falt
and pimento. Their liquors, which were made from
different roots, were more diverfified; of theſe the
chica was the moſt uſual; it is made from maize ſoak-
ed in water, and taken out of the veffel when it be-
gins to ſprout. It is dried in the fun, then parch-
ed a little, and at laft ground. The flour, after it
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
105
VII.
has been well kneaded, is put with water into large в O O K
pitchers. The fermentation may be expected in two
or three days, and muft not continue longer. The
great inconvenience of this drink, which, when uſed
immoderately, infallibly intoxicates, is, that it will not
keep more than ſeven or eight days without turning
four. Its tafte is nearly that of the moſt indifferent
kind of cyder.
All the cultivations eſtabliſhed in the empire, were
folely intended to ſupply articles of primary neceffity.
The only thing cultivated for luxury was the coca;
this is a fhrub which ramifies much, and feldom grows
higher than three or four feet. Its leaves are alternate,
oval, entire, and marked in their longitudinal direc-
tion with three cofta, two of which are not very ap-
parent. The flowers collected in cluſters along the
ftems, are ſmall, compofed of a calix, with five divi-
fions, and five petals, furniſhed at their bafe with a
fcale. The piftil, furrounded with ten ftamina, and
furmounted with three ftiles, is changed into a ſmall,
reddiſh, oblong berry, which as it dries becomes tri-
angular, and contains oné nut filled with a fingle ker-
nel.
The leaf of the coca was the delight of the Peru-
vians. They chewed it, after having mixed it with
an earth of a light grey colour, and of a faponaceous
quality, which they called Toura; it was, in their opi-
nion, one of the moſt falutary reſtoratives they could
take. Their tafte for the coca hath fo little altered,
that, if thoſe among them who are buried in the mines
were to be deprived of it, they would ceafe to work,
whatever ſeverities might be employed to compel them
to it.
The conquerors were not fatisfied either with the li-
quors or with the food of the people they had fubdued.
They naturalized freely, and with ſucceſs, all the corn,
all the fruits, and all the quadrupeds of the ancient
hemiſphere, in the new one. The mother-country,
which had propofed to fupply its colonies with wine,
oil, and brandy, wifhed, at firft, to forbid the culture.
106
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK of the vine and of the olive tree: but it was foon
found, that it would be impoffible to convey regular-
ly to Peru articles liable to fo many accidents, and of
fo confiderable a bulk; and they were permitted to
multiply them there as much as was confiftent with
the climate and their wants.
Singulari-
After they had provided for a better and a greater
choice of fubfiftence, the next care of the Spaniards
was to have a drefs more commodious and more agree-
able than that of the Peruvians. Theſe were, how-
ever, better clothed than any other American nation.
They owed this fuperiority to the advantage which
they alone poffeffed, of having the lama and the pacos,
domeftic animals, which ferve them for this uſe.
The lama is an animal four feet high, and five or fix
ties refpect-in length; of which its neck alone takes up one half.
ing the
lama, the Its head is well made, with large eyes, a long fnout,
pacos, the, and thick lips. Its mouth hath no incifors in the up-
the vicuna. per jaw. Its feet are cloven like thofe of the ox, but
guanco, and
furniſhed with a ſpur behind, which enables it to faſten
itſelf on the fides of fteep places, where it delights to
climb. Its wool, which is fhort on its back, but
grows long on its fides and under the belly, confti-
tutes part of its uſefulneſs. Though very falacious,
theſe animals copulate with great difficulty. In vain
the female prostitutes herſelf to receive the male, and
invites him by her fighs; they are fometimes a whole
day groaning, grumbling, and ineffectually attempt-
ing enjoyment, if men do not help them to fulfil the
defire of nature. Thus feveral of our domeſtic ani-
mals, that are confined, broken, forced, and reſtrained in
all their freeft motions and fenfations, lofe, through in-
effectual efforts, the principles of generation while they
are confined in ſtables, if care and attention do not
ſupply the place of that liberty of which they have
been deprived. The females of the lama have only
two dugs, never more than two young, commonly but
one, which follows the dam immediately after its birth;
it is of a very quick growth, and its life of a fhort du-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
107
VII.
ration. At three years old it propagates its fpecies, в O O K
preferves its vigour till twelve, then decays, and dies
about the age of fifteen.
The lamas are employed as mules, in carrying on
their backs loads of about a hundred weight. They
move with a flow but firm pace at the rate of four
or five leagues a-day, in countries that are impracti-
cable to other animals; defcending through gullies,
and climbing up rocks, where men cannot follow them.
After four or five days journey, they reft of their own
accord for twenty-four hours.
Nature hath formed them for the people of that cli-
mate where they are produced, mild, regular, and phleg-
matic, like the Peruvians. When they ſtop, they bend
their knees and ftoop their body in fuch a manner as
not to difcompofe their burden. As foon as they
hear their driver whiftle, they rife with the fame care,
and proceed on their journey. They browfe on the
grafs they find in their way, and chew the cud at
night, even when aſleep, reclining on their breaſt, with
their feet doubled under their belly. They are nei-
ther difpirited by fafting nor drudgery, while they
have any ftrength remaining; but when they are to-
tally exhauſted or fall under their burden, it is to no
purpoſe to harafs and beat them: they will continue
obftinately ſtriking their heads againſt the ground, till
they kill themſelves. They never defend themſelves
either with their feet or their teeth; and in the height
of their indignation content themſelves with only fpit-
ting in the face of thofe who infult them.
The pacos is to the lama what the aſs is to the horſe,
a fubordinate ſpecies, fmaller in fize, with fhorter legs,
and a flat ſnout; but of the fame difpofition, the fame
manners, and the ſame conftitution, as the lama; made,
like the lama, to carry burdens, but more obftinate in
its caprices, perhaps becauſe it is weaker.
Theſe animals are fo much the more ufeful to man,
as their ſervice cofts him nothing. Their thick fur
fupplies the place of a pack-faddle. The little grafs
which they find along the road fuffices for their food,
108
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воок
Book and furniſhes them with a plentiful and freſh faliva,
VII. which exempts them from the neceffity of drinking.
In the times of the Incas, the people fhowed a great
attachment to theſe uſeful animals, and this fpirit of
benevolence hath been continued. Before they are em-
ployed in the labours for which they are adapted, the
Peruvians affemble their relations, friends, and neigh-
bours. As foon as the company are met, dancing and
feſtivals begin, which laſt two days and two nights.
From time to time the gueſts pay a viſit to the lamas
and the pacos, ſpeak to them in the moſt affectionate
terms, and beſtow upon them all the careffes they
would upon the perfon that was moft dear to them.
They then begin to make uſe of them, but do not
ftrip them of the ribbands and bands with which their
heads are ornamented.
Among the lamas, there are ſome of a wild fpecies
called guanacos, which are ftronger, more fprightly,
and more nimble, than the domeſtic lamas; running
like the ftag, and climbing like the wild goat, cover-
ed with fhort wool, and of a fawn colour. Though
free, they like to collect in herds, to the number fome-
times of two or three hundred. If they fee a man,
they ſurvey him at firſt with an air of greater aſtoniſh-
ment than curiofity; then fnuffing up the air and
neighing, they run all together to the fummit of the
mountains. Theſe animals ſeek the North, travel on
the ice, and fix themſelves above the height of the
fnow; they are vigorous, and appear in vaft numbers
on the tops of the Cordeleras; but fmall in fize, and
feldom met with at the bottom of the mountains.
When they are hunted for their fleece, if they gain
the rocks, neither hunters nor dogs can ever catch
them.
The vicunas, a fpecies of wild pacos, delight ftill
more in the cold, and on the fummits of mountains.
They are ſo timid, that their fear itſelf makes them
an easy prey to the hunter. Men furround them and
drive them into narrow defiles, at the end of which
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
109
VII.
they have ſuſpended pieces of cloth or linen, on cords, в O O K
that are raiſed three or four feet from the ground.
Theſe rags, being agitated by the wind, ftrike fuch
terror into them that they ftand crowded and ſqueez-
ed one againſt another, fuffering themſelves to be kill-
ed rather than fly. But if there happens to be, a-
mong the vicunas, a guanaco, which, being more ad-
venturous, leaps over the cords, they follow it and
eſcape.
All theſe animals belong fo peculiarly to South A-
merica, and eſpecially to the higheft Cordeleras, that
they are never feen on the fide of Mexico, where the
height of theſe mountains is confiderably diminiſhed.
Attempts have been made to propagate the breed in
Europe, but they have all failed. The Spaniards,
without reflecting that thefe animals, even in Peru it-
felf, fought the coldeft parts, have tranfported them
to the burning plains of Andalufia. They might pof-
fibly have fucceeded on the Alps or the Pyrenees.
This conjecture of M. de Buffon, to whom we are
indebted for fo many uſeful and profound obſervations
on animals, is worthy the attention of ſtateſmen, whoſe
ſteps ought always to be guided by the lights of phi-
lofophy.
The flesh of the lamas and pacos may be eaten when
they are young. The ſkin of the old ones ferves the
Indians for fhoes, and the Spaniards for harneſs. The
guanacos may alſo ſerve for food. But the vicunas
are only fought after for their fleece, and for the be-
zoar they produce.
The wool of theſe animals is not equally good.
That of the lama and the pacos, which are domeftic
animals, is much inferior to that of the guanaco, and
ftill more to that of the vicuna. There is even a
great difference in the fame animal. The wool of
the back is commonly of a clear, light colour, and
of moderate quality; under the belly it is white and
fine, and white and coarfe upon the thighs. Its price,
in Spain, is from four to nine livres [from 3s. 4d. to
4s. 2d.] a pound, according to its quality.
110
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воок
VII.
¦
Theſe fleeces were uſefully employed at Peru, be-
fore the empire had fubmitted to a foreign yoke. The
inhabitants of Cufco made tapeſtry of them for the
ufe of the court. This tapestry was ornamented with
flowers, birds, and trees, which were tolerably well
imitated. It ferved alfo to make mantles which were
worn over a ſhirt of cotton. It was cuftomary to tuck
them up, in order to have the arms free. The prin-
cipal people faſtened them with gold and filver clafps;
their wives with pins made of theſe metals, ornament-
ed at the top with emeralds; and the common peo-
ple with thorns. In hot countries, the mantles of
perfons in office were made of fine cotton, and dyed
with various colours. The common people in the
fame climate had no clothing at all, except a girdie
that was compofed of the filaments of the bark of a
tree, and ſerved to cover thoſe parts which nature in-
tended ſhould be concealed.
The pride and the habits of the conquerors, which
generally made inconvenient or contemptible to them
all the cuſtoms eſtabliſhed in the countries upon which
their avarice or their fury was exerted, would not al-
low them to adopt the drefs of the Peruvians. They
required from Europe every thing that country could
furniſh moſt complete and moft magnificent in linens
and cottons. In proceſs of time, the treaſures that
had been at firft pillaged, were exhauſted; and it was
not poffible to acquire more, without making confi-
derable advances, and without entering upon labours,
the profit of which was doubtful. Then theſe ex-
travagancies diminifhed. The ancient manufactures
of cotton, which a fyftem of oppreffion had reduced
almoſt to nothing, were revived. Others were fet on
foot of a different kind; and their number hath fuc-
ceffively increaſed.
With the wool of the vicuna they make, in ſeveral
provinces, ftockings, handkerchiefs, and fcarfs. This
wool, mixed with that of the theep imported thither
from Europe, which hath exceedingly degenerated,
ferves for carpets, and makes alfo tolerably good cloth.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
III
This laft kind alone is employed to make ferges and в о o K
other coarſe ftuffs.
The manufactures fubfervient to luxury are eſta-
bliſhed at Arequipa, Cufco, and Lima. From theſe
three large towns come all the jewels and diamonds,
all the plate for the uſe of private perfons, and alſo
for the churches. Thefe manufactures are but coarſe-
ly wrought, and mixed with a great deal of copper.
There is feldom more tafte or perfection difcovered
in their gold, filver, and other laces and embroideries,
which their manufactures alſo produce.
Other hands are employed in gilding leather, in
making, with wood and ivory, pieces of inlaid work
and ſculpture, and in drawing figures on the marble
that hath been lately found at Cuença, or on linen
imported from the Old Hemifphere. Theſe produc-
tions of imperfect art ſerve for ornaments for houſes,
palaces, and temples: the drawing of them is not ab-
folutely bad, but the colours are neither exact nor per-
manent. This fpecies of induſtry belongs almoſt ex-
clufively to the Indians fettled at Cufco, who are leſs
oppreffed, and lefs degenerated upon this firſt ſcene
of their glory, than throughout the reft of the empire.
If theſe Americans, to whom nature hath denied the
genius of invention, but who are excellent imitators,
had been fupplied with able mafters and excellent
models, they would have become good copyifts. At
the cloſe of the last century, fome works of a Peruvi-
an painter, named Michael de St. Jaques, were brought
to Rome; and the connoiffeurs difcovered marks of
genius in them.
Theſe deſcriptions excite the complaints of fome of
my readers. I hear them fay, How can we be inte-
reſted in theſe idle details, with which you have trou-
bled us fo long? Speak to us of the gold and of the
filver of Peru. In this fo diftant region of the New
World, I have never confidered, and ſhall never confider,
any thing but thefe metals. Whoever thou mayeft be
that doft addrefs thyfelf to me in this manner, avari-
cious mortal, and deftitute of tafte, who, when con-
VII.
2
112
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOO K veyed to Mexico and Peru, wouldſt neither ſtudy the
manners nor the cuftoms, who wouldft difdain to caft
a look upon the rivers, the mountains, the forefts, the
fields, the diverfity of climate, and the varieties of fiſh
and infects; but who wouldft only afk, where are the
golden mines? where are the places in which the gold
is wrought? I fee that thou haft entered upon the
reading of my work with the fame fpirit as the fero-
cious Europeans entered upon theſe rich and unhappy
countries; I fee that thou wert worthy to accompany
them, becauſe thy propenfities are the fame as theirs.
Deſcend then into the mines, and meet with thy de-
ftruction by the fide of thoſe who work them for thee;
and if thou doft come out of them again, make thy-
felf at leaſt acquainted with the criminal fource, of
theſe fatal treaſures which thou doft covet; and may-
eft thou never poffefs them hereafter without feeling
the pangs of remorfe. May the gold change its co-
lour, and appear to thine eyes as if it were dyed with
blood.
Deſcription
of Peru,
In the country of the Incas are found mines of cop-
of the mines per, tin, fulphur, and bitumen, which are generally ne-
and parti- glected. Extreme neceffity hath occafioned fome at-
cularly tention to be paid to thofe of falt. This foffil is cut
platina and into large pieces, proportioned to the ſtrength of the
quickfilver. lamas and pacos, deftined to convey it in all the pro-
thoſe of
vinces of the empire diſtant from the ocean. This falt
is of a violet colour, and is ftreaked with veins of red
like the jafper. It is fold neither by weight nor mea-
fure, but in pieces nearly of equal fize.
A new fubftance has been diſcovered lately in theſe
regions this is the platina, fo called from the Spaniſh
word plata, from whence the diminutive platina, or
little filver, is made.
This is a metallic fubftance, which hath hitherto
been brought from the New World into the Old, on-
ly in the form of ſmall, pointed, triangular, and very
irregular gravel, like the coarfe filings of iron. Its co-
lour is that of a white between that of filver and iron,
partaking a little of the tenacity of lead.
3
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
113
VII.
M. Ulloa is the firft who has ſpoken of the platina, в O O K
in the account he publiſhed, in 1748, of a long voyage
to Peru, from whence he was juft returned. He in-
formed Europe that this extraordinary ſubſtance, and
which may be confidered as an eighth metal, came
from the gold mines of America, and was particularly
found in thofe of the new kingdom.
The year following, Wood, an Engliſh metallurgift,
brought fome ſpecimens of it from Jamaica to Great
Britain. He had received them eight or nine years
before from Carthagena, and was the firſt perſon who
made experiments upon them.
Some very ſkilful chemiſts have fince employed
themſelves in experiments and inquiries upon the pla-
tina; in England, Mr. Lewis; in Sweden, M. Schef-
fer; in Pruffia, M. Margraff; and in France, M. M.
Macquer, Beaumé, De Buffon, De Morveau, De Sick-
engen, and De Milly. The united labours of theſe
feveral chemiſts have fo much improved our know-
ledge upon this article, that we do not fcruple to ſay,
there are few metallic fubftances, the nature of which
is better known to us at preſent than the platina.
That which comes into France is never entirely pure.
It is ufually mixed with rather a confiderable quantity
of fmall black fand, which is as ftrongly affected by
the loadſtone as the beſt iron, but which is indiffoluble
in acids, and cannot be melted without great difficul-
ty; and laſtly, particles of very fine gold are fome-
times obferved in it.
This mixture, which is almoſt always found, of the
native platina with gold and with iron, had raiſed a
fufpicion that it might be nothing more than a com-
bination of thefe two metals; and accordingly, on
melting together gold and iron, or rather gold and
magnetic fand, fimilar to that which is found mixed
with the platina, a combination is obtained, which
hath ſome apparent affinities with this metallic fub-
ftance but a more ftrict examination feems to have
deſtroyed this opinion, and the experiments of M. M.
Macquer and Beaumé, and particularly thofe of M. le
Vol. III.
H
114
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
VII.
BOOK Baron de Sickengen, appear to have ſhown that the
platina is a peculiar kind of metal, which is not form-
ed by the union of any other, and which hath proper-
ties belonging to itſelf.
The little information which chemifts have hitherto
obtained reſpecting the natural hiftory of the platina,
and the fmall quantity they have had in their poffef-
fion, hath not yet allowed them to apply the proceffes
of metallurgy to it at large; but the methods they
have given an account of, and particularly thoſe for
which we are indebted to the Baron de Sickengen,
are fufficient for chemical accuracy. Nothing remains
now but to make them more fimple and leſs expenſive.
The firft operation to be performed on the platina
confifts in feparating from it the gold, the iron, and
the magnetic fand, with which it is united. In order
to do this, it is diffolved with the affiftance of a little
heat, in an aqua regia, compoſed nearly of equal parts
of the nitrous and marine acid. The magnetic fand,
which is indiffoluble, remains at the bottom of the vef-
fel; and, by pouring off the liquor, a folution is ob-
tained, which contains gold, iron, and platina. To
ſeparate, in the first inftance, the gold, a fmall portion
of the vitriolum martis is added to the folution. The
gold immediately precipitates, while the platina con-
tinues united to the folvent. Laftly, to get rid of the
iron, fome alkali, which hath been previouſly calcined
with ox's blood, is poured guttatim into the fame li-
quor. The iron is inftantly precipitated, under the
colour of Pruffian blue, and nothing more remains in
the folution than the platina, perfectly pure, and com-
bined with the aqua regia.
The platina being thus purified, the next buſineſs is
to ſeparate it from the folvent; and this is to be done
by the addition of fal ammoniac. This fubftance pre-
cipitates the platina under a yellow colour; and this
precipitate being expofed to a great heat, foftens, and
even diffolves; and, by forging it with a hammer, the
platina is obtained very pure and malleable. It ap-
pears from what we have been able to collect from the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
115
VII.
Baron de Sickengen's Memoir, which hath been com- в O O K
municated to the Academy of Sciences, but not yet
publiſhed, that the rough platina, worked by itſelf,
and heated with an intenſe fire, becomes fufficiently
foft to be forged and made into bars; and this cir-
cumſtance naturally indicates the method to be pur-
fued for the management of it in large works.
The metal obtained by thefe feveral proceffes is
nearly of the ſame ſpecific weight as gold; it is of an
intermediate colour between that of iron and filver;
it can be forged and extended into thin plates; it may
alſo be worked into thread; but it is not near fo duc-
tile as gold; and the thread obtained from it is not, in
equal diameter, able to ſupport ſo great a weight with-
out breaking. When diffolved in aqua regia, it may
be made to affume, by precipitation, an infinite diver-
fity of colours; and Count Milly hath fucceeded in
varying theſe precipitates fo much, that he hath had
a picture painted, in the colouring of which there is
fcarce any thing but platina made ufe of.
Gold is fufceptible of combination with all the me-
tals, and platina hath in like manner this property;
but when too great a proportion of it enters into the
combination, it renders the metal brittle. When al-
lied with yellow copper, it forms a hard and compact
metal, which will take the fineſt poliſh, which will not
tarniſh in the air, and which would confequently be
very fit for making the mirrors of teleſcopes.
It doth not appear that mercury hath any effect up-
on platina; and therefore Mr. Lewis had propofed to
amalgamate it with mercury, as a proper method of
feparating it from the gold with which it might have
been united; but this method hath been confidered
by modern chemifts as uncertain and defective; and
there are others at prefent more to be depended upon :
ſuch are thoſe we have been mentioning at the com-
mencement of this article.
This new metal difplays fome properties infinitely
interefting to fociety. It cannot be affected by any
fimple acid, nor by any known folvent, except the
Hij
116
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK aqua regia; it will not tarnish in the air, neither will
VII. it ruft; it unites to the fixedneſs of gold, and to the
property it hath of not being fufceptible of deftruc-
tion, a hardneſs almoſt equal to that of iron, and a
much greater difficulty of fufion. In a word, from
confidering the advantages of the platina, we cannot
but conclude, that this metal deferves, at leaſt, from
its fuperiority to all others, to fhare the title of king
of the metals, of which gold hath ſo long been in pof-
feffion.
It were undoubtedly to be wifhed that a metal fo
precious might become common, and that it might be
employed for culinary utenfils, in the arts, and in the
laboratory of the chemist. It would unite all the ad-
vantages of veffels of glaſs, of porcelain, and of flone
ware, without partaking of their fragility. A preju-
dice of the Spanish miniftry, and which hath for a
long time been adopted by all chemifts, deprives us of
this advantage. They have perfuaded themſelves that
the platina might be allied with gold in ſuch a manner
as that it could not be ſeparated from it by any means,
and they have confequently thought proper to forbid
the extraction and tranfportation of a fubftance that
might be productive of fo much mischief in the hands
of avaricious men. But at preſent, that we are ac-
quainted with methods as fimple and eaſy to ſeparate
gold from platina, as to ſeparate filver from gold; at
prefent, that the chemifts have taught us, that, when
thefe two metals are diffolved in aqua regia, we may
precipitate the gold by the addition of the vitriolum
martis, or the platina by the addition of fal ammo-
niac, and that in both thefe cafes the two metals are
perfectly diftinct; at prefent, in a word, that the rulers
of nations can eaſily obtain information by confulting
the academies, it cannot be doubted but that the Spa-
nish government will haften to avail itſelf of a treaſure
of which it feems hitherto to have been the only pof-
fffor, and of which fo advantageous a uſe may be
made for the nation and for fociety in general.
Nature hath not formed any mines of gold or filver
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
117
VII.
in what are called the Valleys of Peru, except one. в о о K
The large maffes of theſe precious metals which we
fometimes find there, have been conveyed by fubter-
raneous fires, by volcanos, and by earthquakes, as well
as by the revolutions which America hath experien-
ced, and doth ftill experience every day. Theſe de-
tached maffes are fo netimes found in other parts.
About the year 1730, a piece of gold, weighing nine-
ty marks, was found near the town of La Paz.
It was
a compofition of fix different fpecies of this precious.
metal, from eighteen to three and twenty carats and a
half. There are but few ores, and thoſe of baſe alloy,
in the hillocks bordering upon the fea. It is only in
very cold or very high places that they are rich and
frequent.
Though the Peruvians were unacquainted with coin,
they knew the uſe of gold and filver, of which they
made toys and even vaſes. The torrents and rivers
furniſhed them with the firft of theſe metals; but, in
order to obtain the fecond, more labour and induſtry
was neceffary. Most frequently the ground was open-
ed, yet never to fo great a depth but that the work-
men themſelves could throw the ore on the borders of
the ditch which they had digged, or could at leaſt con-
vey it there by paffing it on from one perfon to ano-
ther. Sometimes the tides of the mountains were open-
ed, and the different veins which chance might preſent
were followed, though always to very fmall extent.
The two metals were melted and difengaged from the
foreign materials that might be mixed with them by
the means of fire. Furnaces, in which a current of air
fupplied the office of the bellows, an inftrument entire-
ly unknown in thefe countries, were employed to per-
form this difficult operation.
Porco, at a little dittance from the ſpot where one
of the lieutenants of Pizarro founded, in 1539, the city
of La Plata, Porco was, of all the mines which the In-
cas cauſed to be worked, the moſt plentiful and the
most known. It was alfo the firft which the Spaniards
:
H iij
118
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK worked after the conqueft; and their labour was foon
extended to a multiplicity of others.
VII.
All of them, without exception, were found to be
very expenſive in the working. Nature hath placed
them in regions deftitute of water, wood, provifions, and
all the neceffaries of life, which must be conveyed at
a great expence acroſs immenfe deferts. Thefe diffi-
culties have been, and are ſtill, furmounted with more
or leſs fuccefs.
Several mines, which have acquired fome fhare of
reputation, have been fucceffively abandoned. Their
produce, though equal to what it was originally, was
not fufficient to defray the expences neceffary to ob-
tain it this is a kind of revolution which many of the
reft will experience.
It hath alſo been neceffary to renounce fome of the
mines which had given falſe hopes. Among this num-
ber was that of Ucantaya, difcovered in 1703, fixty
leagues to the ſouth-eaft of Cufco. This was only an
incruftation of almoft maffive filver, which at firft
yielded a confiderable quantity, but was foon exhauſt-
ed.
Some very rich mines have been neglected, becauſe
the waters had invaded them. The declivity of the
foil, which from the fummit of the Cordeleirias runs
continually ſhelving to the South Sea, muſt neceffari-
ly have rendered thefe events more common at Peru
than in other places. This miſchief hath ſometimes
been found irremediable; at other times it hath been
repaired; most frequently it hath been perpetuated,
for want of means, activity, or ſkill.
The gold mines were at first preferably attended to.
Wife men foon determined in favour of the filver
mines, which are generally more extenfive, more equal,
and, confequently, lefs deceitful. Several of the for-
mer, however, are ftill worked. A tolerably regular
feries of fuccefs hath made thofe of Lutixaca, of Ara-
ça, of Suches, of Caracava, of Lipoani, and of Cacha-
bamba, to be confidered as the richeſt.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
119
VII.
Among the filver mines which, in our days, are the в O O K
moſt celebrated, we must mention that of Huantaja-
ha, which hath been worked forty or fifty years ago,
at two leagues diftance from the fea, near the harbour
of Iqueyqua. Upon digging five or fix feet in the
plain, we often find detached maffes, which at firſt
might be taken only for a confufed mixture of gravel
and fand, and which, upon trial, yield two-thirds of
their weight in filver. Sometimes they are fo confi-
derable, that, in 1749, two of them were fent to the
court of Spain, one of which weighed one hundred
and feventy-five pounds, and the other three hundred
and feventy. In the mountains, the ore is difpoſed in
veins, and is of two kinds. That which in the coun-
try is called barra, is cut with the rock, and is fent to
Lima, where it is wrought. It yields moft frequently
from one, two, three, four, and as far as five, parts of
filver, to one of ftone. The other fpecies is purified
by fire, in the country itſelf. If five of its quintals do
not produce a mark of filver, it is thrown among the
rubbish. This neglect arifes from the exceflive dear-
neſs of provifions, from the neceffity of obtaining wa-
ter fit for drinking fourteen leagues off, and from that
of grinding the ore at a very confiderable diftance.
At thirty leagues to the north-eaft of Arequipa
ftands Caylloma. Its mines were difcovered very ear-
ly: they have been fince inceffantly worked, and their
produce is ftill the fame.
Thoſe of Potofi were diſcovered in 1545. An In-
dian, named Hualpa, as it is faid, purfuing fome deer,
in order to climb certain fteep rocks, laid hold of a
buſh, the roots of which being loofened from the earth,
brought to view an ingot of filver. The Peruvian had
recourſe to it for his own ufe, and never failed to re-
turn to his treaſure every time that his wants or his
defires folicited him to it. The change that had hap-
pened in his fortune was remarked by his countryman
Guanca, to whom he avowed the fecret. The two
friends could not keep their counfel, and enjoy their
good fortune. They quarrelled; and the indifcreet
H iiij
120
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK confidant difcovered the whole to his mafter Villaroell,
VII. a Spaniard who was ſettled in the neighbourhood.
This diſcovery foon inflamed the minds of the Spa-
niards. Several mines were immediately opened in a
mountain of a conical form, which is one league in
circumference, five or fix toifes in height, and is of a
dark red colour. In proceſs of time, a leſs conſider-
able mountain, iffuing from the former, was alſo fearch-
ed, and with equal fuccefs. The treaſures that were
derived from each of theſe mountains, were the origin
of one of the largeſt and moſt opulent cities in the
New World.
Nature never offered to the avidity of mankind, in
any country on the globe, fuch rich mines as thofe of
Potofi. Exclufive of what was not regiſtered, and
was fmuggled away, the fifth part, belonging to
the government, from 1545 to 1564, amounted to
36,450,000 livres [1,518,0751.] per annum. But this
abundance of metals foon decreaſed. From 1564 to
1585, the annual fifth part amounted to no more than
15,187,489 livres 4 fols [632,8121. 1s.]. From 1585
to 1624, it amounted to 12,149,994 livres 12 fols
[506,2491. 15s. 6d.]. From 1624 to 1633, to 6,074,997
livres 6 fols [253,1241. 17s. 9d.]. From this laft pe-
riod, the produce of thefe mines hath fo evidently de-
creaſed, that, in 1763, the fifth part, belonging to the
king, did not exceed 1,364,682 livres 12 fols [56,8611,
15s. 9d.].
In the first inftance, each quintal of ore yielded fifty
pounds of filver. At prefent, fifty quintals do not
produce more than two pounds of filver. This is one
part inſtead of twelve hundred and fifty.
If this diminution fhould be carried on a little fur-
ther, this fource of riches muſt neceffarily be given up.
It is even probable, that this event would already have
taken place, if the ore were not ſo ſoft at Potofi, if
the waters were not fo favourably fituated for grinding
it, and if the expences were not infinitely leſs than at
any other place.
But while the mines of Potofi were gradually lofing
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
121
VII.
their celebrity, thofe of Oruro, not far diftant from в o о K
them, were rifing into great reputation. Their pro-
ſperity was even increafing, when the waters flowed
into the richest of them. At the period in which we
are writing, it hath not yet been poffible to drain
them, and all theſe treaſures ftill remain under water.
The mines of Popo, the moft confiderable of thofe
that have eſcaped this great difafter, are no more than
twelve leagues diftant from the town of San Philip de
Auftria de Gruro, which was built in this diſtrict, for-
merly fo celebrated.
The labours of the miners, fettled to the eaſt of La
Plata, in the diftrict of Carangas, were never diſturbed
by any accident; thofe, however, whom chance had
brought to Turco were conftantly the mott fortunate,
becauſe this mountain always afforded them an ore in-
corporated, or, as it were, melted with the ſtone, and
confequently richer than all the reſt.
In the dioceſe of La Paz, and near to the ſmall town
of Puna, Jofeph Salcedo difcovered, about the year
1660, the mine of Laycacota. It was fo rich, that the
filver of it was often cut with a chifel. Profperity,
which debaſes little minds, had fo elevated that of the
proprietor of fo much opulence, that he permitted all
the Spaniards who came to feek their fortune in this
part of the New World, to work fome days for their
own benefit, without weighing or meafuring the pre-
ſent he made them. This generoſity attracted an in-
finite number of adventurers, whofe avidity induced
them to take up arms. They attacked each other;
and their benefactor, who had neglected nothing that
might prevent or extinguish their fanguinary conten-
tions, was hanged as being the author of them. Such
incidents might be fufficient to leffen in our hearts the
inclination to benevolence; and it is with reluctance
I have mentioned this.
While Salcedo was in priſon, the water got poffel-
fion of his mine. Superftition foon gave birth to the
idea, that this was a puniſhment for the outrage com-
mitted against him. This idea of divine vengeance
122
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK was for a long time revered; but at length, in 1740,
Diego de Baena, and fome other enterprifing men, af-
fociated themſelves, in order to turn away the ſprings
which had deluged fo much treaſure. In 1754, the
work was fo far advanced, that fome utility was al-
ready derived from it. We know not what hath hap-
pened fince that period.
All the mines of Peru were originally worked by
means of fire. In moft of them, mercury was ſubſti-
tuted to this in 1571.
This powerful agent is found in two different ftates
in the bofom of the earth. If it be altogether pure,
and in the fluid form which is proper to it, it is then
denominated virgin mercury, becauſe it hath not ex-
perienced the action of fire, in order to be extracted
from the mine. If it be found combined with fulphur,
it forms a fubftance of a red colour, which is more or
lefs vivid, called cinnabar.
Till the mine of virgin mercury, which was lately
diſcovered at Montpelier under the buildings of the
town itſelf, and which for that reaſon will probably
never be worked, there had been no others known in
Europe, except thofe of Udria in Carniola. Theſe are
in a valley, at the foot of high mountains, which were
called by the Romans Alpes Julia. They were diſco-
vered by chance in 1497. They are about nine hun-
dred feet deep. The defcent into them is by pits, as
into all other mines. There are under ground an infi-
nite number of galleries, of which ſome are fo low, that
it is neceffary to ftoop, in order to pass along; and there
are places where it is fo hot, that it is not poffible to
ftop without being in a profufe fweat: it is in theſe
fubterraneous caverns that mercury is found, in a kind
of clay, or in ftones. Sometimes even this fubſtance
is feen running down like rain, and oozes ſo copiouſly
through the rocks which form the vaults of theſe fub-
terraneous caverns, that one man hath often gathered
thirty-fix pounds of it in a day.
There are fome people fo fond of the marvellous,
that they prefer this mercury to the other; which is a
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
123
VII
mere prejudice. Experience fhows, that the beſt mer- в O O K
cury that can be uſed, either in medicine or in metal-
lurgy, is that which hath been extracted from cinna-
bar. In order to ſeparate the natural combination of
thefe two volatile fubftances, fulphur and mercury, re-
courſe muſt neceffarily be had to the action of fire, to
which fome intermediate fubftance muſt be joined.
This is either the filings of fteel or copper, or the re-
gulus of antimony, or lime, or fome fixed alkaline falt.
Europe is fupplied with this laft fpecies of mercury
from Hungary, Sclavonia, Bohemia, Carinthia, Friuli,
and Normandy. The quantity that Spain wants for
Mexico comes from the mine of Almaden, which was
famous even in the time of the Romans: but Peru
hath found within itſelf, at Guança-Velica, a ſufficient
quantity for all its exigencies.
This ore, as it is faid, was known to the ancient Pe-
ruvians, who made no other uſe of it than to paint
their faces. It was forgotten during the confufion in-
to which the conqueft plunged this unfortunate region.
It was found again in 1556, according to fome hifto-
rians, and in 1564, according to others; but Pedro
Fernandez Velafco was the firit who, in 1574, thought
of employing it in working the other mines: the go-
vernment referved to itſelf the property of it. They
even forbade, upon any pretence whatſoever, that
other mines of the fame kind fhould be opened, left
they ſhould be defrauded of the duties they laid upon
mercury.
The mine of Guança-Velica hath undergone feveral
changes. At the time in which we are writing, its
circumference meafures one hundred and eighty varas,
its diameter fixty, and its depth five hundred and thir-
teen. It hath four openings, all of them at the top of
the mountain, a fmall number of buttreffes, deftined
to fupport the foil, and three vent-holes, which either
let in air, or ferve to carry off the waters. It is work-
ed by fome partners, moft of them without fortune, to
whom the fovereign advances whatever they want,
and who deliver the mercury to him at his ftipulated
124
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK price. The men employed in theſe labours were ge-
nerally feized, formerly, with convulfive motions.
This malady is at prefent much leſs frequent; whe-
ther it be, that the mercury contained in the mine
hath leffened by more than one-half, or that ſome pre-
cautions have been taken, which had at firſt been ne-
glected. Thoſe who have the care of the furnaces,
are at preſent almoft the only perfons who are expofed
to this calamity: they are, however, eafily cured. The
only thing neceffary is to fend them into a warm cli-
mate, or to employ them in cultivating the lands. The
mercury, which affected their limbs, is carried off by
perfpiration.
The barrenness of Guança-Velica, and of the neigh-
bouring lands, is remarkable. No fruit tree can be
naturalized there. Of all the fpecies of corn that
have been fown, barley is the only one that hath
Sprung up; and even that hath never come to matu-
rity. Nothing but the potato has thriven.
The air is not more wholefome than the foil is fer-
tile. Children, newly born, die of the tetanos ftill
more frequently than in the reft of the New World.
Thoſe who have efcaped this danger, are feized at the
end of three or four months with a violent cough, and
moſt of them perifh in convulfions, unleſs care be tak-
en to convey them into a milder climate. This pre-
caution, which is neceffary for the Indians and for the
Meſtees, is ſtill more fo for the Spaniards, who are lefs
robuft. The extreme feverity of the climate, the ful-
phureous vapours which cover the horizon, and the
generally vitiated conftitution of the fathers and mo-
thers, muſt be the principal caules of fo great a cala-
mity.
The very elevated mountains of Guança-Velica had
for a long time engaged the attention of men who are
greedy of riches, when, at length, they became inte-
refting to philofophers.
The aftronomers who were fent in 1735 to Peru, in
order to meaſure the degrees of the meridian, travelled
over a ſpace of ninety leagues, beginning a little to the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
125
VII.
north of the equator, and proceeding as far as the fouth в O O K
of the city of Cuenca, without difcovering any mark
which could lead them to think that theſe mountains,
which were the higheſt in the univerfe, had been ever
covered by the ocean. The banks of fhells that were
found out fome time after at Chili, did not prove the
contrary, becauſe they were upon eminences of no
more than fifty toifes. But fince Guança-Velica hath
furniſhed recent and petrified ſhells, and both of them
in very great quantity, it is neceffary to retract, and
give up all the confequences that had been deduced
from this phenomenon.
It is not at Guança-Velica that the mercury is deli-
vered to the public. The government fends it to the
provinces where the mines are. The places where it
is depofited are twelve in number. In 1763, Guança-
Velica itſelf confumed one hundred and forty-two
quintals; Taiya, two hundred and forty-feven; Paſca,
feven hundred and twenty-nine; Truxillo, one hun-
dred and thirty-one; Cufco, thirteen; La Plata, three
hundred and fixty nine; La Paz, thirty; Caylloma,
three hundred and feventy-four; Caranjas, one hun-
dred and fifty; Oruro, twelve hundred and fixty-four;
and Potofi, one thoufand feven hundred and ninety-
two. This made, on the whole, five thoufand two
hundred and forty-one quintals.
Although the quality of the ore determines the
greater or lefs confumption of the mercury, yet it is
generally thought in the other hemifphere, where the
art of metallurgy is very imperfect, that, upon the
whole, the confumption of mercury is equal to the
quantity of filver obtained from the mines. In this
fuppofition, the twelve magazines which, from 1732
to 1763, delivered, one year with another, five thou-
fand three hundred and four quintals eighteen pounds
of mercury, fhould have received the fame quantity of
filver. Neverthelets, they received no more than two
thousand two hundred and fifty. Therefore, two thou-
fand feven hundred and fifty-four quintals eighteen
pounds were fecreted, in order to defraud the cuſtoms.
126
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VII.
and re-
this capital
of Peru.
Lima hath always attracted the greateſt part of thefe
riches, whether they have eſcaped the vigilance of the
Subverfion treaſury or not. This capital, built in 1535 by Francis
Pizarro, and which hath fince become fo celebrated,
building of
Lima. is fituated at two leagues from the fea, in a delicious
Manners of plain. The profpect from it on one fide extends over
a tranquil ocean, on the other it ſtretches as far as the
Cordeleirias. Its foil is nothing but a heap of flints,
which the ſea hath undoubtedly in a ſeries of ages piled
together, but they are covered with earth a foot below
the furface, which the fpring waters, that are every
where found on digging, have brought from the moun-
tains.
Sugar-canes, numberlefs olive trees, fome vines, ar-
tificial meadows, paftures full of falt which give meat
an exquiſite taſte, ſmall grain appropriated to the feed-
ing of fowls, fruit-trees of every kind, and certain
other plantations, cover the furface of theſe fortunate
plains. Wheat and barley proſpered there for a long
time; but an earthquake happening about a century
ago, cauſed ſuch a revolution, that the feeds rotted
without ſprouting. It was not till after forty years of
barrenneſs, that the foil reſumed its former fertility.
Lima, as well as the other towns of the valleys, owes
its fubfiftence chiefly to the labours of the negroes. It
is fcarce any where, except the inland parts, that the
fields are cultivated by the Indians.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, all the edifices
in Peru were conftructed without any foundations.
The walls of the houſes of private perfons, as well as
thoſe of the public buildings, were alike placed on the
furface of the earth, of whatever materials they might
be made. Experience had taught theſe people, that
in the country they inhabited this was the only way
of dwelling in fecurity. Their conquerors, who had
a fovereign contempt for every thing which deviated
from their habits, and who carried every where along
with them their European cuftoms, without confider-
ing whether they were fuitable to the countries they
were invading; the conquerors departed, particularly
:
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
127
VII.
at Lima, from the manner of building which they в O O K
found generally eſtabliſhed. Accordingly, when the
natives of the country faw them open deep trenches,
and make uſe of cement, they faid that their tyrants
were digging graves to bury themſelves in; and, per-
haps, it was fome confolation to the wretchedneſs of
the conquered to forefee, that the earth would one day
take upon itſelf to avenge them of their deftroyers.
The prediction hath been fulfilled. The capital of
Peru, after having been partially fubverted by eleven
earthquakes, was at length totally deftroyed by the
twelfth. On the 28th of October 1746, at half an
hour after ten at night, all, or almoſt all the buildings,
whether large or fmall, were thrown down in the fpace
of three minutes. Thirteen hundred perfons were cruſh-
ed under the ruins. A much more confiderable num-
ber were mutilated; and moft of them expired in hor-
rid torments.
Callao, which ferves as a harbour to Lima, was like-
wife overthrown; but this was the leaft of its misfor-
tunes. The fea, which had ftarted back with horror
at the inſtant of this dreadful cataſtrophe, ſoon re-
turned to invade with its impetuous waves the ſpace
it had quitted. It fwallowed up the few houfes and
fortifications that had eſcaped the former danger. Of
the four thouſand inhabitants that were computed to
be in this celebrated port, there were only two hun-
dred faved. It then contained three-and-twenty fhips;
nineteen of them were fwallowed up, and the reft
thrown very far in upon the land by the irritated
ocean.
The ravage extended itſelf all over the coaft. The
few veffels there were in theſe bad harbours were fhat-
tered. The towns in the valleys fuftained in general
fome damages; ſeveral of them even were totally ſub-
verted. Among the mountains, four or five volcanos
threw out fuch prodigious columns of water, that the
whole country was deluged by them.
The minds of men, which had been for a long time.
in a ſtate of lethargy, were roufed by this fatal cala-
મ
3
128
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK mity; and it was Lima that firſt ſet the example of
VII. the change. The bufinefs was to clear
The buſineſs was to clear away immenſe
ruins heaped one upon another; and to get out prodi-
gious treaſures that were buried in theſe ruins. It was
neceflary to bring from Guayaquil, and from a ſtill
greater diftance, every requifite for the conftruction of
numberleſs edifices; and with all theſe materials, col-
lected from theſe different regions, to raiſe a city fupe-
rior to that which had been deftroyed. Thefe miracles,
which were not to be expected from an indolent and
effeminate people, were performed with great rapidity.
Neceffity inſpired them with activity, emulation, and
induſtry. Lima, though, perhaps, lefs wealthy, is at
prefent more agreeable than in 1682, when its gates
preſented to the view of the Duke of Palata, the vice-
roy, on his entering, ſtreets paved with filver. It is
alfo built with greater folidity, and for the following
reafon :
The vanity of having palaces, concealed for a long
time from the inhabitants of the capital of Peru the
dangers to which this abfurd oftentation expofed them.
In vain had the earth fwallowed up at different periods
thefe enormous maffes; the leffon was never powerful
enough to correct them. The laſt catastrophe hath at
length opened their eyes. They have yielded to ne-
ceffity, and have at laft followed the example of other
Spaniards fettled in the valleys.
The houſes are at prefent very low, and have moſt
of them no more than a ground-floor. For walls they
have pofts placed at different diftances. The intervals
are filled up with reeds, nearly fimilar to ours, but which
have no cavity, which are very folid, which do not eaſi-
ly rot, and which are covered over with clay. Thefe
fingular edifices are topped with a wooden roof entire-
ly flat, and alſo covered with clay, a fufficient precau-
tion in a climate where it never rains. The feveral
parts of thefe buildings are faftened together, and to
the foundations with a ftrong kind of ofier, which in
the country is called chaglar. With this kind of con-
ſtruction, the whole building readily yields to the mo-
4.
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
129
VII.
tion communicated to it by the earthquakes. They в O O K
may poffibly be damaged by the convulfive motions
of nature, but they cannot be eaſily thrown down.
Theſe houſes, however, are not deficient in appear-
ance. The attention that is taken to paint the walls
and cornices, fo as to refemble free-ftone, conceals the
quality of the materials of which they are formed.
They are even found to have an air of grandeur and
folidity, which it would not be natural to expect. The
defect of conſtruction is ftill more concealed in the in-
fide of the houſes, where all the ornaments are paint-
ed in a ſtyle of greater or leſs elegance. The ordinary
method of conſtruction hath been but a little deviated
from in the public buildings. Several of them are
raiſed to the height of ten feet, with bricks baked
in the fun; fome of the churches even are raiſed to
the fame height in ftone. The reſt of theſe monu-
ments are in wood, painted or gilt; as well as the
columns and ftatues which decorate them.
The streets of Lima are wide, parallel, and interfect
each other at right angles. Its walls are continually
waſhed and refreſhed by waters brought from the ri-
ver of Rimac. The water that is not employed in
this falutary purpoſe, is advantageouſly diſtributed for
the convenience of the citizens, for the uſe of the
dens, and for fertilizing the fields.
gar-
The fcourges of nature, which have revived induf-
try to a certain degree in Lima, have had lefs influ-
ence on the manners of its inhabitants.
Superftition, which reigns throughout the whole
extent of the Spanish dominions, hath at Peru two
fceptres at its command; one of gold, for the ufurp-
ing and triumphant nation; the other of iron, for the
enflaved and pillaged inhabitants. The fcapulary and
the roſary are all the tokens of religion which the
monks require of the Spaniards of Peru. It is on the
form and colour of thefe kinds of talifmans that the
populace and the grandees found the profperity of their
undertakings, the fuccefs of their amorous intrigues,
and the hopes of their falvation. The monkiſh habit,
Fol. III.
I
130
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK affumed in the laft moments, conftitutes the fecurity
VIL of opulent people who have lived ill; they are con-
vinced, that when wrapt in this clothing, which is fo
formidable to the devil, that avenging power of crimes
will not dare to defcend into their graves and feize up-
on their fouls. If their afhes repofe near the altar, they
hope to partake of the facrifices of the pontiffs, much
more than the poor and the flaves.
Influenced by fuch fatal errors, what enormities will
they not commit to acquire riches, which fecure their
happineſs in this world and in the next? The vanity of
immortalizing their name, and the promiſe of eternal
life, fecure to the monks a fortune, which can no longer
be enjoyed; and families are diſappointed of an inhe-
ritance, whether acquired by honefty or fraud, by le-
gacies which ferve to enrich men who have diſcovered
the fecret of efcaping poverty by devoting themſelves
to it. Thus it is that the order of fentiments, ideas,
and things, is fubverted; and the children of opulent
fathers are condemned to mifery by the pious rapaci-
oufneſs of a number of voluntary mendicants. The
English, the Dutch, and the French, lofe their na-
tional prejudices by travelling; the Spaniard carries
his along with him throughout the whole univerfe;
and fuch is the madneſs of bequeathing legacies to the
church, that the ground of all the houſes of Peru be-
longs to the priesthood, or pays them fome (hare of
rent. The inftitution of monkiſh orders hath done at
Peru, what the law of the Vacuf will do, fooner or
later, at Conftantinople. Here the people bequeath
their fortunes to a minaret, in order to fecure it to
their heirs; there they deprive an heir of it, by leav-
ing it to a monaftery from the dread of being damın-
ed. The motives are a little different, but in the end
the effect is the fame. In both countries the church
is the gulf, in which all the riches are abforbed; and
theſe Caftilians, who were heretofore fo formidable,
fhrink before fuperftition, as Afiatic flaves do in the
preſence of their deſpot.
Theſe extravagances might induce one to fuppofe
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDÍES.
1 3 1
VII.
thefe people totally ftupid; but this would be an in- в O O K
juftice. Since the beginning of the century, good
books are common enough at Lima; the people are
not entirely deſtitute of knowledge; and we may be
allowed to fay, that the French navigators, during the
war for the fucceffion, implanted fome good principles
among them. Neverthelefs the ancient habits have
loft but little of their force. The Spaniſh Creole lives
conftantly among courtezans, or amufes himſelf at
home in drinking the herb of Paraguay. He would
be afraid to diminiſh the joys of love by confining it
within legitimate bonds. His inclination leads him
to marry in the country behind the church, that is an
expreffion, which fignifies living in a ſtate of concu-
binage. In vain do the bishops anathematize every
year, at Eaſter, thoſe perfons who are united in theſe
illicit bonds. But what power have thefe vain terrors.
againſt the impulſe of amorous defires, againſt cuſtom,
and especially againſt the climate, which is continual-
ly ftruggling with, and at laft proves victorious over
all the civil and religious laws that oppofe its influence?
The charms of the Peruvian women are fuperior to
the terror which the ſpiritual arms of Rome inſpire.
The majority of them, eſpecially the women of Lima,
have eyes fparkling with vivacity, a fair fkin, a com-
plexion that is delicate, animated, full of ſprightli-
nefs and life, and a ſlender and well-formed ſhape; a
foot better turned and ſmaller than that of the Spa-
nish women themfelves; thick and black hair, flow-
ing as if by chance, and without ornament, over theit
neck and shoulders; which are extremely white.
Theſe various natural graces are heightened by every
improvement that art can add to them. The clothing
of the women is moft fumptuous, and they uſe an un-
bounded profufion of pearls and diamonds in every
kind of drefs in which it is poffible to introduce them.
It is even looked upon as a fort of grandeur and dig-
nity, to fuffer thefe valuable articles to be miflaid or
loft. A woman even who hath no titles, and is not
ennobled, feldom appears in public without gold tiſſues,
I ij
132
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK and without jewels. She never goes out without be-
ing attended by three or four flaves, moſt of them
Mulatto women, in liveries as the men are, and adorn-
ed with lace as their miſtreffes.
Perfumes are in general ufe at Lima. The women
are never without amber; they fcent their linen and
their clothes with it, and even their nofegays, as if
there were fomething wanting to the natural perfume
of flowers. The amber is undoubtedly an additional
allurement to the men, and the flowers impart a new
attraction to the women. With theſe they adorn their
fleeves, and ſometimes their hair like fhepherdeffes.
The tafte for mufic, which prevails throughout all
Peru, is converted into a paffion in the capital. The
walls refound with nothing but finging, and concerts
of vocal and inftrumental mufic. Balls are frequent.
The people dance here with furpriſing lightneſs; but
they neglect the graces of the arms, to attend to the
agility of the feet, and eſpecially to the inflections of
the body; as images of the true emotions of volup
tuoufnefs.
Such are the pleaſures which the women, who are
all dreffed rather with elegance than modefty, taſte
and diffufe at Lima. But it is particularly in thoſe
delicious faloons where they receive company, that
they appear feducing. There, careleſsly reclined on
a couch, which is a foot and a half high, and five or
fix feet wide, and upon carpets and fuperb cuſhions,
they paſs their days in tranquillity and in delicious
repoſe. The men who are admitted to their conver-
fation, feat themſelves at fome diftance, unleſs their
adorers, from greater intimacy, be permitted to come
up to the couch, which is, as it were, the fanctuary of
worship and of the idol. Yet thefe goddeffes chooſe
rather to be affable than haughty; and, baniſhing ce-
remony, they play on the harp and guittar, and fing
and dance when they are defired.
The moſt diſtinguiſhed citizens find in thoſe majo-
rafcos, or perpetual entails, tranfmitted to them by the
firft conquerors their ancestors, a fufficiency to anfwer
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
133
VI
thefe profufions: but the landed eftates have not been в o OK
adequate to the expences of a great number even of
very ancient families. Moft of them have had recourfe
to trade. An employment fo worthy of man, and
which extends at once his activity, his knowledge, and
his power, hath never appeared to them to derogate
from their nobility; and the laws have given a fanc-
tion to a mode of thinking fo rational and fo ufeful.
Their capitals, added to the remittances that are con-
tinually fent from the inland countries, have rendered
Lima the centre of all the tranſactions which the pro-
vinces of Peru carry on, either among themſelves, or
with Mexico and Chili, and of the more important
ones with the mother-country.
was for a
long time
of commu-
nication be-
The Straits of Magellan appeared the only open Panama
way to form this laft connection. The length of the
paffage, the terror infpired by ftormy and almoft un- the channel
known feas, the fear of exciting the ambition of other
nations, the impoffibility of finding an afylum in cafe tween Peru
of unfortunate accidents, and other confiderations, Manner in
perhaps, turned the general views towards Panama.
and Spain.
which this
trade was
This town, which had been the gate through which carried on.
an entrance had been gained into Peru, had rifen to
great profperity, when, in 1070, it was pillaged and
burnt by pirates. It was rebuilt on a more advanta-
geous fpot, at the diftance of four or five miles from
the firſt, and of three leagues from the harbour of Pe-
rico, which is formed by a great number of iſlands,
and fufficiently fpacious to contain the moſt numerous
fleets. It rules over the provinces of Panama, the Ve-
raguas, and Darien, regions without inhabitants, with-
out culture, and without riches, and which were de-
corated with the great name of the kingdom of Terra
Firma, at a period when great expectations were en-
tertained of their mines. Panama hath never furnish-
ed any thing to trade from its own produce, except
pearls.
The pearl fishery is carried on in forty-three iflands
of the gulf. The greateſt part of the inhabitants em-
ploy fuch of their Negroes in it as are good fwimmers.
t
I iij
134
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK Theſe flaves plunge and replunge in the fea in ſearch
of pearls, till this exercife hath exhauſted their ſtrength
or their fpirits.
Every Negro is obliged to deliver a certain number
of oyfters. Thofe in which there are no pearls, or in
which the pearl is not entirely formed, are not reckon-
ed. What he is able to find beyond the ftipulated
obligation is confidered as his indifputable property:
he may fell it to whom he thinks proper, but common-
ly he cedes it to his maſter at a moderate price.
The
Sea monsters, which abound more about the iſlands
where pearls are found than on the neighbouring coaſts,
render this fishing dangerous. Some of thefe devour
the divers in an inftant. manta fish, which de-
rives its name from its figure, rolls them under its bo-
dy, and fuffocates them. In order to defend them-
felves againſt ſuch enemies, every diver is armed with
a poniard. The moment he perceives any of theſe vo-
racious fiſh, he attacks them with precaution, wounds
them, and drives them away. Notwithstanding this,
there are always fome fiſhermen deftroyed, and a great
number crippled.
The pearls of Panama are commonly of a very fine
water fome of them are even remarkable for their
fize and figure. Theſe were formerly fold in Europe.
Since art hath imitated them, and the paffion for dia-
monds hath entirely fuperfeded or diminished the uſe
of them, they are all carried to Peru.
This branch of trade hath, however, infinitely lefs
contributed to give reputation to Panama than the
advantage which it enjoyed of being the ftaple of all
the productions of the country of the Incas that are
deſtined for the Old World. Theſe riches, which were
brought hither by a fmall fleet, were carried, fome on
mules, others by the river Chagre, to Porto Bello, that
is fituated on the northern coaft of the ifthmus which
ſeparates the two feas.
L
Though the fituation of this town had been furvey-
ed and approved by Columbus in 1502, it was not
built till 1584, from the ruins of Nombre de Dios. It
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
135
VI.
is diſpoſed in the form of a crefcent, on the declivity в O O K
of a mountain which furrounds the harbour. This
celebrated harbour, which was formerly very well de-
fended by forts, which Admiral Vernon deftroyed in
1740, feems to afford an entrance fix hundred toifes
broad; but it is fo ftraitened by rocks that are near
the furface of the water, that it is reduced to a very
narrow canal. Veffels can only be towed into it, be-
cauſe they always experience either contrary winds or
a great calm. Here they enjoy perfect fecurity.
The intemperature of the climate of Porto Bello is
fo notorious, that it hath been named the grave of the
Spaniards. It hath been more than once neceffary to
leave fhips here, becauſe all their crews had perished.
The inhabitants themſelves do not live long, and have
all a vitiated conftitution. It is rather a difgrace to
refide here. Some Negroes and Mulattoes only are
to be met with, with a fmall number of white people,
fixed by the pofts they hold under government. The
garriſon itſelf, though only confifting of a hundred
and fifty men, doth not continue here more than three
months at one time. Till the beginning of the pre-
fent century no woman dared to lie-in here: fhe would
have deemed it devoting both her child and herſelf to
certain death. The plants that are tranfplanted into
this fatal region, where the heat, the moisture, and the
vapours are exceffive and continual, have never pro-
fpered. It is an eſtabliſhed opinion, that the domeftic
animals of Europe, which have prodigioufly multiplied
in all the parts of the New World, lofe their fruitful-
nefs on coming to Porto Bello; and, if we may judge
by the few that are now there, notwithſtanding the
abundance of paftures, we might be induced to believe
that this opinion is not ill founded.
The badneſs of the climate prevented not Porto
Bello from becoming at firft the centre of the most
extenfive commerce that ever exiſted. While the
riches of the New World arrived there, to be exchan-
ged for the productions of the Old, the veffels that
failed from Spain, known by the name of galleons,
I iiij
135
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK came hither, laden with all the articles of neceffity,
convenience, and luxury, which could tempt the pro-
prietors of the mines.
The deputies for tranfacting this commerce, on both
fides, regulated on board the admiral's fhip the price
of goods, under the infpection of the commander of
the fquadron and of the governor of Panama. The
eſtimate was not adjuſted by the intrinfic value of each
article, but by its fcarcity or plenty. The ability of
the agents confifted in forming their combinations fo
judicioufly, that the cargo imported from Europe fhould
abforb all the treafures that were come from Peru. It
was regarded as a bad market, when there were found
goods neglected for want of money, or money not laid
out for want of goods. In this cafe only, the Spaniſh
merchants were allowed to go and complete the fale
of their merchandife in the South Seas, and the Peru-
vian merchants were permitted to make remittances
to the mother-country for their purchaſes.
As foon as the prices were fettled, the traffic com-
menced. This was neither tedious nor difficult; it
was carried on with the utmoft franknefs. Every
thing was tranfacted with fo much honefty, that they
never opened their chefts of piaftres, nor proved the
contents of their bales. This reciprocal confidence
was never deceived. There were found, more than
once, facks of gold mixed among facks of filver, and
articles which were not entered on the invoice. Theſe
miſtakes were rectified before the departure of the
fhips, or on their return. There only happened, in
1654, an event which might have interrupted this
confidence. It was found in Europe, that all the pi-
aftres that were received at the laft fair had a fifth of
alloy. The lofs was borne by the Spaniſh merchants;
but, as the coiners of Lima were known to be the au-
thors of this fraud, the reputation of the Peruvian mer-
chants incurred no difgrace.
The fair, the duration of which, on account of the
noxious qualities of the air, was limited to forty days,
was regularly holden. It is clear from the acts of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
137
VII.
1595, that the galleons muſt have been diſpatched в O O K
from Spain every year, or at the lateſt every eighteen
months; and the twelve fleets that failed from the
fourth of Auguſt 1628, to the third of June 1635,
prove that this rule was ftrictly obferved. They re-
turned after a voyage of eleven, ten, and fometimes.
even eight months, laden with immenſe riches, in gold,
filver, and merchandiſe.
This profperity continued without interruption to
the middle of the feventeenth century. After the lofs
of Jamaica, a confiderable contraband trade took place,
which till that time had been trifling. The facking of
Panama in 1670, by John Morgan the English pirate,
was attended with ftill more diftrefsful confequences.
Peru, which fent its ftock beforehand into this city,
now no longer tranfmitted it till after the arrival of
the galleons at Carthagena. This alteration occafion-
ed delays and uncertainties. The fairs were not much
frequented, and fmuggling increaſed.
The elevation of a French prince to the throne of
Charles V. excited a general war; and, at the very
commencement of hoftilities, the galleons were burnt
in the port of Vigo, where the impoffibility of gaining
Cadiz had obliged them to take refuge. The commu-
nication of Spain with Porto Bello was then totally
interrupted; and the South Sea had more than ever
direct and regular connections with foreign powers.
The peace of Utrecht did not put an end to the
miſchief. The unfortunate fituation of circumſtances,
made it impoffible for the court of Madrid to diſpenſe
with granting exclufively to an Engliſh Company the
privilege of providing Peru with flaves. They were
even obliged to grant to this encroaching Company
the right of fending to each fair a veffel laden with
the different merchandife that the country confumed.
This veffel, which ought not to have been of more
than five hundred tons burden, always carried more
than a thouſand. It was neither furnished with water
nor provifions. Four or five veffels, which followed
it, fupplied its wants; and frequently fubftituted new
138
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VII.
BOOK goods in the place of fuch as had been fold. The
galleons, ruined by this competition, were ſtill more
completely fo by the fraudulent tranſactions carried
on in all the ports to which the Negroes were con-
veyed. At laft, after the expedition of 1737, it was
impoffible to fupport this commerce any longer; and
a ſtop was put to thoſe famous fairs envied by all na-
tions, though they ought to have been regarded as the
common treaſure of all people.
The Spani-
ards have
the route
Horn to
that of Pa-
nama.
From this period Panama and Porto Bello have
aftoniſhingly declined. Theſe two towns now only
ferve to carry on a few branches of a languid trade.
Affairs of greater importance have been turned into
another channel.
It is well known that Magellan diſcovered, in 1520,
fubftituted at the fouthern extremity of America, the famous
ftrait which bears his name. He faw there, and they
through the
Straits of have been frequently feen fince, men who were about
Magellan
and by Cape
a foot higher than Europeans. Other navigators have
only feen in the fame latitudes men of an ordinary fta-
ture. During the courſe of two centuries, navigators
have mutually accufed each other of ignorance, pre-
judice, and impofture. At length fome voyagers have
been fortunate enough to meet with hordes of a com-
mon fize, and others of a more elevated ftature; and
they have concluded from this decifive event, that the
perfons who had gone before them had been right in
what they affirmed, and wrong in what they denied.
Then only it occurred, that there were no fixed inha-
bitants in theſe uncultivated regions; that the people
came there from countries more or lefs diftant; and
that it was probable that the favages of one diftrict
were taller than thoſe of another. This conjecture hath
been ſupported by natural philofophy. It can never
indeed be reaſonably imagined, that nature deviates
more from her principles, in producing thofe perfons
whom we chooſe to call giants, than in giving birth to
thoſe we call dwarfs.
There are giants and dwarfs in all countries. There
are giants, dwarfs, and men of a common fize, born of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
139
VII.
the fame father and the fame mother. There are gi- BOOK
ants and dwarfs in every ſpecies of animals, trees, fruits,
and plants; and whatever fyftem of generation we
may adopt, we have no greater reafon to be aftoniſhed
at the difference of ftature between men of the fame
family, or of different families, than to fee fruits of a
different fize upon a neighbouring tree, or upon the
fame. The man who fhall explain one of theſe phe-
nomena will explain them all.
'The Strait of Magellan is one hundred and fourteen
leagues long, and in fome places leſs than a league in
breadth. It ſeparates the land of the Patagonians
from the Terra del Fuego, which, it is prefumed, were
formerly one and the fame continent. The conformi-
ty of their barren coafts, of their rough climate, of
their monftrous rocks, of their inacceffible mountains,
of their eternal fnows, of their favage inhabitants; eve-
ry circumftance, in a word, tends to fuggeft the idea,
that this large channel of navigation is the effect of
one of thoſe natural revolutions which fo often change
the face of the globe.
Though it was for a long time the only paffage
known into the South Sea, the dangers incurred there
cauſed it almoft to be forgotten. The boldneſs of
Drake, the celebrated navigator, who failed by this
track to ravage the coafts of Peru, determined the
Spaniards, in 1582, to form a confiderable ſettlement
there, deſtined to preſerve this rich part of the New
World from invafion. This new colony periſhed al-
moſt entirely for want of provifions.
Pedro Sarmiento, who was charged with this im-
portant enterprife, fet out from Europe in 1581, with
twenty-three hips, and three thoufand five hundred
men. The expedition was thwarted by fo many re-
peated calamities, that the admiral arrived the follow-
ing year at the Strait with only four hundred men,
thirty women, and provifions for feven or eight months.
The deplorable remains of fo fine a colony were fettled
at Phillipeville, in a fafe, commodious, and fpacious.
bay. But the misfortunes that had fo cruelly attacked
140
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
BOOK the Spaniards in their paffage, obftinately purſued them
VII. at the end of their voyage. No fuccour was fent to
them; the country furniſhed them no ſubſiſtence, and
they periſhed with mifery. Of the four-and-twenty
wretches who had eſcaped this terrible calamity, three-
and-twenty, whofe fate hath always remained un-
known, embarked for the river Plata. Fernando Go-
mez, the only one that remained, was taken up in
1587, by the Engliſh pirate Cavendish, who gave to
the place where he had found him the name of Port
Famine.
The loſs of this colony was not, however, attended
with fuch confequences as had been apprehended.
The Straits of Magellan foon ceaſed to be the road of
theſe pirates, who were urged by their mercenary
views to vifit theſe remote regions. In 1616, fome
Dutch navigators having doubled Cape Horn, this be-
came afterwards the road which the enemies of Spain
followed, who defigned to pafs into the South Sea. It
was ftill more frequented by French veffels, during the
war which cauſed ſuch confufion in Europe at the be-
ginning of the prefent century. The impoffibility
which Philip V. felt of furniſhing his colonies himſelf
with proviſions, emboldened the ſubjects of his grand-
father to go to Peru. The want of every thing, which
the inhabitants then experienced, made the French to
be received with joy; and at firſt they got a profit of
eight hundred per cent. The merchants of Saint Ma-
lo, who had feized upon this commerce, did not ac-
quire riches for themſelves alone. In 1709, they de-
livered them up to their country, which was exhauſted
by the inclemency of the ſeaſons, by repeated defeats,
and by an ignorant and arbitrary adminiſtration. A
navigation which allowed of fuch noble facrifices, foon
excited an emulation that was too univerfal. The
competition became fo confiderable, and the goods.
fell into fuch difrepute, that it was impoffible to ſell
them; and ſeveral privateers burnt them, that they
might not be obliged to carry them back into their
country. The equilibrium was not long in re-efta-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
141
VII.
bliſhing itſelf; and theſe foreign traders made advan- в O O K
tages that were confiderable, when the court of Ma-
drid, in 1718, took effectual meaſures to remove them
from theſe latitudes, which they had but too long fre-
quented.
It was not, however, till 1740, that the Spaniards
began themſelves to double Cape Horn. They em-
ployed fhips and pilots from Saint Malo in their firſt
voyages but a little experience foon enabled them to
go without theſe foreign affiftances; and theſe ſtormy
feas foon grew more familiar to their navigators, than
they had ever been to their mafters in this career.
was for-
Till then, the high opinion that had been always Is Peru as
entertained, and for a long time with reafon, of the rich as it
riches of Peru, had been kept up. The court of Spain merly?
accuſed the ſmuggling trade of having turned afide the
greateſt part of them; and they flattered themſelves
that the new fyftem they adopted would bring them
back into their ports in as great abundance as at the
moſt diſtant periods. A demonftration, to which it
was impoffible not to accede, convinced the moſt in-
credulous perfons, that the mines of this part of the
New World were no longer what they had been, and
that the void they had left had not been filled up by
any other objects.
From 1748 to 1753, Lima received from Spain, for
all Peru, ten fhips, which brought back every year
30,764,617 livres [1,281,859l. 8d.]. This fum was
compofed of 4,594,192 livres [191,4041. 13s. 6d.] in
gold; of 20,673,657 livres [861,4021. 7s. 6d.} in fil-
ver; and of 5,496,768 livres [229,0321. 10s.] in vari-
ous productions.
Theſe productions were thirty-one thoufand quin-
tals of cacao, which were fold in Europe for 3,240,000
livres [135,00ol.]. Six hundred quintals of bark,
which were fold for 207,360 livres [86401.]. Four
hundred and feventy quintals of Vicuna wool, which
were fold for 324,000 livres [13,500l.]. Ten thouſand
eight hundred and fifty quintals of copper, which were
fold for 810,108 livres [33,7921.]. Ten thouſand fix
;
142
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK hundred quintals of tin, which were fold for 915,300
VII. livres [38,1371. 10s.].
Of the gold and filver, 1,620,000 livres [67,500l.]
belonged to the government; 19,422,671, livres
[809,2771. 19s. 2d.] to trade; and 4,225,178 livres
[176,0491. Is. 8d.] to the clergy, and the civil and
military officers.
Of the merchandiſe, there were 1,381,569 livres
[57,5651. 7s. 6d.] for the crown; and 4,115,199 livres
[171,4661. 12s. 6d.] for the merchants.
Time hath produced fome little change in affairs,
but the improvement is not confiderable.
VIII.
BOOK VIII.
Conquest of Chili and Paraguay by the Spaniards. Ac-
count of the Events that have accompanied and follow-
ed the Invafion of theſe Countries. Principles on which
Spain regulates her Colonies.
BOOK REASON and equity both allow the foundation of
colonies; but they point out the principles from
which we ought not to deviate in eſtabliſhing them.
Have the
Europeans
to found
Any number of men, however confiderable, coming
into a foreign and unknown country, are to be conti-
colonies in dered only as one fingle man. Strength increafes with
numbers, but the right is ftill the fame. If one or two
hundred men can fay, this country belongs to us, one
man may ſay the fame.
the New
World?
The country is either defert, or partly defert ;
partly peopled, or it is entirely peopled.
and
If it be entirely peopled, I have no right to claim
any thing but hofpitality, and the affiftance which one
man owes to another. If I fhould be expofed to pe-
rifh with cold or hunger upon any fhore, I fhall make
ufe of my weapon, I fhall take what I want by force,
and I fhall kill any one who refifts me. But when I
have obtained an aſylum, fire and water, bread and
falt, the people have fulfilled their obligations towards
}
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
143
me.
VIII.
If I require more, I become a thief and an affal- в O O K
fin. I have been, however, fuffered to remain among
them, and have made myſelf acquainted with their
laws and manners. They fuit my inclinations, and I
am defirous of fettling in the country.
If the people
confent, it is a favour they do me; if they refuſe, I
have no right to be offended. The Chineſe are, per-
haps, bad politicians, when they ſhut the gates of their
empire against us; but they are not unjuft. Their
country is fufficiently populous, and we are gueſts of
too dangerous a nature.
If the country be partly defert and partly occupied,
the deferted part belongs to me; for I may take poſ-
feffion of it by my labour. The former inhabitant
would be barbarous, if he came fuddenly to overthrow
my hut, deſtroy my plantations, and pillage my fields.
I may repel his irruption by force. I may extend my
domain to the confines of his. The forefts, the rivers,
and the ſhores of the fea, are common to us both, un-
leſs the exclufive ufe of them fhould be neceffary to
his fubfiftence. All he can require of me further, is,
that I fhould be a peaceable neighbour, and that my
eſtabliſhment ſhould have no threatening aſpect to
him. Every nation is authoriſed to provide for its fu-
ture and preſent fafety. If I make a formidabie enclo-
fure, if I collect arms, if I raiſe fortifications, its depu-
ties will be wife, if they come to tell me, Art thou
our friend or our enemy? If a friend, what is the uſe
of all theſe warlike preparations? If an enemy, you
will give us leave to deftroy them; and the nation will
ac prudently, if at the inftant they get rid of their
well-founded apprehenfions. With much greater rea-
fon may they expel and exterminate me, without of
fence to the laws of humanity and juftice, if I feize
upon their wives, their children, or their property; if
I make any attempts against their civil liberty; if I
reſtrain them in their religious opinions; if I pretend
to give them laws; and if I wish to enflave them. I
then become one wild beaft more in their neighbour-
hood; and they owe me no more pity than they would
3
144
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
VIII.
BOOK a tiger. If I have provifions which they want, and if
they have fome that are ufeful to me, I may propofe
exchanges. We are both of us at liberty to ſet what
price we chooſe on what belongs to us. A needle is
of more real value to a people reduced to the neceffi-
ty of fewing the fkins of the beafts which cover them
with the bone of a fish, than their filver can be to me.
A fabre, or a hatchet, will be of infinite value to him
who fupplies the place of thefe inftruments with cut-
ting ftones, fixed in a piece of wood hardened in the
fire. Befides, I have croffed the feas to bring theſe
ufeful articles; and I fhall crofs them again to carry
back into my country the things I have taken in ex-
change. The expences of the voyage, the averages,
and the dangers, must therefore enter into the calcula-
tion. If I laugh within myſelf at the abfurdity of the
man who gives me up his gold for iron, he, in his turn,
laughs at me, who give him up my iron, all the uſeful-
nefs of which he knows, for his gold, which is of no
ſervice to him. We are both mutually impoſed upon,
or rather, indeed, there is no impofition on one fide
or the other. Exchanges ought to be perfectly free.
If I want to take away by force what is denied me, or
to compel by violence the acceptance of what is re-
jected, they have a legal right to confine me, or to
drive me away. If I feize upon the foreign commo-
dity without offering the price for it, or if I carry it
away clandeftinely, I am a thief, who may be killed
without fcruple.
A defert and uninhabited country is the only one
we can appropriate to ourſelves. The firſt diſcovery,
being well afcertained, was a legitimate taking of pof-
feffion.
From theſe principles, which appear to me founded
in truth, let the European nations judge of themſelves,
and give themſelves what name they deferve. Their
navigators arrive in a part of the New World which
is not occupied by any of the people belonging to the
Old, and they immediately bury in the ground a ſmall
plate of metal upon which they have engraved theſe
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
145
VIII.
words: THIS DISTRICT BELONGS TO US. And why does BOOK
it belong to you? Are you not as unjust and as fooliſh
as ſavages, who, being thrown by chance upon your
coafts, fhould write upon the fand of your fhore, or
upon the bark of your trees: THIS COUNTRY BELONGS
TO US? You have no right over the infenfible and
brute part of the creation, over the foil where you
land; and yet you arrogate one over man, who is your
fellow-creature. Inftead of acknowledging in this man
a brother, you confider him only as a flave, or beaſt of
burden. O my fellow-citizens! you think and you
act in this manner, although you have notions of juſ-
tice, a ſyſtem of morality, a holy religion, and one
common Parent with thoſe whom you treat ſo tyran-
nically. This reproach fhould be addreffed more par-
ticularly to the Spaniards; and it will unfortunately
be ſtill more juſtified by the enormities they have com-
mitted in the country of Chili.
tions of the
This region, fuch as it is poffeffed by the Spaniards, Firft irrup-
hath one common breadth of thirty leagues between Spaniards
the fea and the Cordeleirias, and nine hundred leagues into Chili.
of coaft, from the great defert of Atacamas, which fe-
parates it from Peru, to the iſlands of Chiloe, which
divide it from the country of the Patagonians.
The Incas had prevailed upon part of the inhabi-
tants of this vaft region to fubmit to their wife laws,
and intended to fubdue the whole, had they not met
with infuperable difficulties.
This important project was refumed by the Spa-
niards, as foon as they had conquered the principal
provinces of Peru. In the beginning of 1535, Alma-
gro fet out from Cuſco with five hundred and feventy
Europeans, and fifteen thouſand Peruvians. He tra-
verfed at firſt the country of Carcas, to which the
mines of Potofi have fince given fo much celebrity.
To go from this country to Chili, there were but two
ways known, and they were both confidered as im-
practicable. The first prefented along the borders of
the fea nothing but burning fands, without water
and without fubfiftence. To purfue the fecond. it was
Vol. III.
K
146
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
i
BOOK neceffary to cross very ſteep mountains of a prodigious
VIII. height, and covered with fnows as old as the creation.
Thefe difficulties did not difcourage the general; and
he determined upon the laſt of theſe, for no other rea-
fon than becauſe it was the ſhorteſt. His ambition
was the deftruction of one hundred and fifty Spaniards,
and ten thouſand Indians: but at length he accom-
pliſhed his defign, and was received with the greateſt
marks of fubmiffion by the nations that had been for-
merly under the dominion of the empire that had juſt
been fubverted. The terror of his arms would, pro-
bably, have procured him greater advantages, had not
fome concerns of a private nature brought him back
to the centre of the empire. His little army refuſed.
to repaſs the Cordeleirias; and he was obliged to bring
it back by the way he had firſt neglected. It accident-
ally met with fo many fortunate circumftances, that it
fuffered much leſs than had been expected. This good
fuccefs enlarged the views of Almagro, and precipitat-
en him, perhaps, into thoſe enterpriſes which occafion-
ed his fatal end.
The Spaniards appeared again in Chili in 1541.
Valdivia, their leader, entered it without the leaft op-
pofition. The nations that inhabited it were no foon-
er recovered from the aftoniſhment with which they
had been feized at the view of the European arms and
difcipline, than they wished to regain their independ-
ence. The war continued inceffantly for ten years.
If fome diftricts, difcouraged by repeated loffes, refolv-
ed at laſt to ſubmit, many of them obftinately perfifted
in the defence of their liberty, though they were ge-
nerally defeated.
An Indian captain, whofe age and infirmities con-
fined him to his hut, was continually told of theſe mif-
fortunes. The grief of feeing his people always beaten
by a handful of ftrangers, inſpired him with courage.
He formed thirteen companies of a thouſand men each,
arranged them in file, and led them againſt the enemy.
If the first company was routed, it was not to fall back
upon the next, but to rally, and be fupported by it.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
147
VIII.
This order, which was ſtrictly obeyed, diſconcerted the в o o K
Spaniards. They forced through all the companies
one after another, without gaining any material ad-
vantage. As both the men and horfes wanted reſt,
Valdivia retreated towards a defile, where he judged
he could eaſily defend himſelf; but the Indians did
not allow him time fufficient to fecure his retreat thi-
ther. Their rear marched through bye-ways, and
took poffeffion of the defile; while their vanguard fol-
lowed him with fo much precaution, that he was fur-
rounded and maffacred, together with his hundred and
fifty men. It is faid, that the favages poured melted
gold down his throat, exclaiming with exultation, glut
thyſelf with that metal thou art fo fond of. They availed
themſelves of this victory, to burn and deftroy many
of the European fettlements, which would all have
fhared the fame fate, had not the Spaniards been time-
ly affifted by fome confiderable reinforcements from
Peru, which enabled them to defend their remaining
poſts, and to recover thoſe they had loft.
been obli-
engaged in
Theſe fatal hoftilities have been renewed, in pro- The Spani-
portion as the ufurpers have wished to extend their ards have
empire, and frequently even when they did not enter- ged to be
tain this ambitious defign. The engagements have continually
been very bloody, and have fcarce ever been inter- hoftilities
rupted, except by truces of more or lefs duration. Manner in
Since the year 1771, however, tranquillity hath not which their
been difturbed.
The people of Arauco are the most common, the
moft intrepid, and the moſt irreconcileable enemies the
Spaniards have in thefe regions. They are often join-
ed by the inhabitants of Tucapel, and of the river Bio-
bio, and by thofe who extend towards the Cordeleirias.
As their manners bear a greater refemblance to thofe
of the favages of North America, than to thoſe of the
Peruvians, their neighbours, the confederacies they
make are always formidable.
When they go to war, they carry nothing with
them, and want neither tents nor baggage. The fame
trees from which they gather their food, fupply them
in Chili.
enemies
make war.
Kij
148
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK with lances and darts. As they are fure of finding in
VIII. one place what they had in another, they willingly re-
fign any country which they are unable to defend.
All places are equally indifferent to them. Their
troops, free from all encumbrance of provifions and
ammunition, march with furprifing agility. They ex-
pofe their lives like men who fet little value on them;
and, if they lofe the field of battle, they are not at a
lofs for magazines and encampments wherever there is
ground covered with fruits.
Theſe are the only people of the New World who
have ventured to try their ftrength with the Spaniards
in the open field, and who have thought of the uſe of
the fling to lance the ftroke of death from afar againſt
the enemy. They are fo bold, that they will attack
the beft fortified pofts. They fometimes fucceed in
thefe violent attacks, becaufe they are continually re-
ceiving fuccours, which prevent them from being fen-
fible of their loffes. If theſe be fo confiderable as to
oblige them to defift, they retire to the diſtance of a
few leagues; and five or fix days after, they direct
their attacks to another poft. Thefe barbarians never
think themſelves beaten, unless they be furrounded.
If they can reach a place of difficult acceſs, they think
themfelves conquerors. The head of a Spaniard, which
they carry off in triumph, comforts them for the lofs of
a hundred Indians.
Sometimes hoftilities are foreſeen for a confiderable
time before, and are concerted with prudence. Very
frequently a drunken fellow wantonly calls to arms;
the alarm is inftantly fpread, a chief is chofen, and
war is determined. A certain night is immediately
fixed upon, in the dead of which, the time they always
choofe for the commencement of hoftilities, they fall
upon the next village where there are Spaniards, and
from thence proceed to others. They murder all the
inhabitants, except the white women, whom they al-
ways take to themfelves. This is the origin of the ma-
ny white and fair Indians that are to be met with.
As thefe Americans carry on war without expence
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
140
B
VIII.
or inconvenience, they have nothing to apprehend в O O K
from its continuance; and it is a conftant rule with
them never to fue for peace. The pride of Spain muft
always condeſcend to make the firſt overtures. When
theſe are favourably received, a conference is holden.
The governor of Chili and the Indian general, attend-
ed by the moft diftinguiſhed captains on both fides,
fettle the terms of accommodation, at a convivial meet-
ing. Theſe meetings were formerly holden on the
frontiers; but the two laft were in the capital of the
colony. The favages have even been prevailed upon
to keep conſtantly fome deputies there, who are com-
miffioned to maintain harmony between the two na-
tions.
Notwithſtanding the violence and obftinacy of fo Settlements
many engagements, feveral good fettlements have formed by
been formed at Chili, chiefly on the borders of the ards a:
ocean.
Coquimbo, or La Serena, a town built in 1544, at
the diſtance of five or fix hundred toifes from the fea.
to contain the Indians, and to fecure the communica-
tion between Chili and Peru, was never a place of im-
portance. It became ftill lefs confiderable after hav-
ing been pillaged and burnt by pirates. Notwithſtand-
ing the fertility of its territory, and although plentiful
mines of the fineft copper have been diſcovered in its
neighbourhood, it hath never entirely got the better
of this misfortune.
Valparaifo was at firft nothing more than a collec-
tion of huts, deftined to receive the merchandiſe com-
ing from Peru, and the provifions that were to be fent
there. By degrees the factors of this trade, which be-
longed entirely to the merchants of the capital, fuc-
ceeded in appropriating it to themſelves. Then this
wretched hamlet, though in a very difagreeable fitua-
tion, became a flourishing city. Its harbour runs a
league into the land. The bottom of it is a tenacious
and firm kind of mud. At the distance of a thoufand
toifes from the thore, there are from thirty-fix to forty
fathoms of water, and from fifteen to fixteen quite
the Spani-
Chili.
4
K iij
150
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK cloſe to the fhore. In the months of April and May,
VIII. the north winds would expofe the fhips to fome dan-
ger, if care were not taken to faſten their anchors
ftrongly. The advantage which this port hath of be-
ing the nearest to the best plantations, and to Saint
Yago, may relieve it from the apprehenfion of ſeeing
its profperity diminiſh.
In 1550, the town of La Conception was built on
an uneven and fandy foil, a little raiſed, upon the bor-
ders of a bay which is near four leagues in circumfe-
rence, and which hath three ports, one of which only
is fafe. The town was at firft the capital of the colo-
ny: but the neighbouring Indians fo frequently made
themſelves maſters of it, that, in 1574, it was thought
proper to deprive it of this ufeful and honourable di-
ftinction. In 1603, it was again deftroyed by an im-
placable enemy. Since that period, it hath received
very confiderable damages from feveral earthquakes.
Such, however, is the excellence of its territory, that it
till retains fome degree of fplendour.
At the diftance of feventy-five leagues from Con-
ception ifland, and ftill on the borders of the Pacific
Ocean, ftands Valdivia, a town more important than
it is populous. Its harbour and fortrefs, which are
confidered as the key of the South Sea, were for a long
time under the immediate inſpection of the viceroys of
Peru. It was at length found that this was too diſtant
a fuperintendence; and the place was incorporated
with the government of the province.
No one had yet thought of the iſlands of Chilo.
The good fortune which the Jefuits had had, of col-
lecting and civilizing a great number of favages in the
chief of them, which is fifty leagues long, and ſeven
or eight broad, excited a defire of fettling in them.
In the centre are the converted Indians. On the eaſt-
ern coast a fortification, named Chacao, hath been
built, where the garrifon neceffary for its defence is
maintained.
In the inland part of the country is Saint Yago,
haftily built in 1541, deſtroyed in 1730 by an earth-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
151
;
quake, and immediately after rebuilt, in a ftyle foв
pleaſant, and with ſuch conveniencies, as are very rare-
ly found in the New World. The houſes, indeed, are
low, and conftructed with bricks hardened in the fun:
but they are all white on the outfide, all painted with-
in. They have all large gardens, and are refreſhed
with running ſtreams. This city reckons forty thou-
fand inhabitants; and the number would be ſtill great-
er, were it not for nine convents of monks, and feven
of nuns, which have been erected there by ſuperſtition.
Among the number of unfortunate aufpices under
which the diſcovery of the New World was made,
we muſt not forget the importance which the prevail-
ing ſpirit of fuperftition then gave to the monks; an
importance which in fome countries hath fince been
confiderably diminiſhed; which feems to ſtruggle pow-
erfully against the progrefs of fcience in others; which
ftill prevails with imperious fway in thoſe poffeffions
that are diftant from Spain, and which would yet
leave traces as permanent as they are fatal, if even
they were from this moment counteracted by all the
authority of the miniſtry.
Saint Yago is the capital of the ftate and the feat
of empire. The commandant there is fubordinate to
the viceroy of Peru in all matters relating to the go-
vernment, to the finances, and to war: but he is in-
dependent of him as chief adminiſtrator of juſtice, and
prefident of the royal audience. Eleven corregidors,
diftributed in the province, are charged, under his or-
ders, with the details of adminiftration.
A population of four or five hundred thouſand
perfons hath fucceffively been formed in this district.
There are but few here of thoſe unfortunate flaves
that Africa fupplies; and moſt of them are devoted
to domeftic fervice. The defcendants of the firft fa-
vages, who were fubdued with fo much difficulty by
a fet of ferocious adventurers, have either taken re-
fuge among inacceffible mountains, or are confound-
ed with their conquerors. All the coloniſts are con-
fidered and treated as Spaniards. The pride of this
O O K
VUI.
}
t
:
K iiij
152
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK deſcent hath not inſpired them with that invincible
VIII. averfion for uſeful labour, which is fo univerfal in their
nation. Moſt of theſe healthy, active, and robuft men
live upon ſeparate plantations, and cultivate, with their
own hands, a territory of greater or leſs extent.
Fertility of
Chili, and
Rate.
They are encouraged in theſe commendable labours,
its prefent by a fky always pure, and always ferene; by a climate
the moſt agreeably temperate of any in the two he-
miſpheres; and ftill more by a foil, the fertility of
which aftoniſhes all travellers. Upon this fortunate
land, the crops of the vine, of corn, and of the olive,
although little care hath been taken in the cultiva-
tion, are four times as much as thoſe we obtain in Eu-
rope,
with all our induſtry and with all our ſkill. None
of the fruits of the earth have degenerated. Several
of our animals have improved, and the horſes, in par-
ticular, have acquired a ſpeed and a ſpirit, which thoſe
of Andalufia, from which they defcend, never had.
Nature hath carried her favours ſtill farther, in beſtow-
ing upon this region an excellent kind of copper,
which is employed, with advantage, in the Old and
in the New World. Gold is likewife found here.
Before the year 1750, the treafury had not received
in any year, for its twentieth of this precious metal,
more than 50,220 livres [20921. 10s.]. At this period
a mint was eſtabliſhed in the colony; and this inno-
vation was attended with favourable confequences. In
1771, the royal duties amounted to 200,032 livres 4
fols [83341. 13s. 6d.]; and it muſt have increaſed con-
fiderably fince. The alcavala, and the customs, did
not produce more than 324,000 livres [13,500l.], and
they now bring in 1,080,000 livres [45,000l.]. Theſe
feveral branches of revenue are increafed fince 1753,
by the exclufive fale of tobacco.
Accordingly, Chili is no longer obliged to draw any
thing from the coffers of Peru for its public expences.
The most confiderable of theſe is the maintenance
of the troops. It amounts to 490,125 livres 12 fols
[20,4211. 18s.], for the pay of a thouſand infantry,
of two hundred and forty horfe, and of two com-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
143
VIII.
panies of well-affected Indians; which, fince 1754, B O OK
form the eſtabliſhment of the country. Exclufive of
thefe forces, which are diftributed in the iſlands Juan
Fernandez, and of Chiloe, and in the ports of La Con-
ception, and of Val Paraifo, upon the frontiers of the
Andes, there is in Valdivia a particular garrifon of
ſeven hundred and forty-fix foldiers, the maintenance
of which cofts 655,473 livres 12 fols [27,3111. 8s.].
Theſe means of defence would be fupported, if ne-
cefary, by a very numerous militia. Perhaps, the in-
fantry of theſe forces would make but little refiftance,
notwithſtanding the pains that have been lately taken
to exerciſe them but fome exertions might reaſon-
ably be expected from the beſt horſemen there are, per-
haps, on the globe.
Chili with
Chili hath always had commercial connections with Trade of
the neighbouring Indians on its frontiers, with Peru, the favages,
and with Paraguay.
The favages fupply it chiefly with the Pancho. This
is a woollen ftuff, fometimes white, and generally blue,
about three ells long, and two in breadth. The head
is paffed through a hole made in the middle, and it
falls down on all the parts of the body. Except on
occafions of fome ceremonies that are very unfrequent,
the men and women, the common people, and per-
fons of a more elevated rank, uſe no other clothing.
It costs from thirty to one thouſand livres [from 11. 5s.
to 411. 13s. 4d.], according to the degree of its fine-
nefs, and eſpecially according to the borders, more or
leſs elegant, and more or lefs rich, that are added to
it. Theſe people receive in exchange fmall looking-
glaffes, toys, and fome other articles of little value.
Whatever may be their paffion for theſe trifles, when
they are difplayed before them, they would never go
out of their forefts and fields in fearch of them; it is
therefore always neceffary that they fhould be carried to
them. The merchant who wishes to undertake this little
trade, applies in the firft inftance to the heads of the fa-
milies, who are the fole depofitaries of the public autho-
rity. When he hath obtained permiffion to fell, he goes
with Peru,
and with
Paraguay.
154
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
J
VIII.
BOOK through the habitations, and gives his merchandiſe in-
difcriminately to all the perfons who afk for it. Hav.
ing finiſhed this buſineſs, he gives notice of his de-
parture, and every one who hath purchaſed any thing cf
him, brings, without delay, to the village where he firt
made his appearance, the goods agreed for between
them. There hath never been any inftance of difhonef-
ty in this traffic. The merchant is allowed an eſcort to
affift him in conducting the cloths and the cattle he hath
received in payment to the frontiers of the country.
It is not from what we find in the midft of forefts,
but from what we obferve in the centre of poliſhed
focieties, that we learn to deſpiſe and to miftruft man-
kind. If any of our merchants, in any one of our
fairs, were indifcriminately to diftribute his goods, with-
out fecurity for the payment of them, to whomfoever
ſhould come to receive them, is it to be imagined that
he would ever again fee the people return with the
price of the things they had purchaſed? A favage, un-
reſtrained by laws, would not be guilty of thoſe things
which men who are under the influence of honour, and
the controul of civil and religious laws, would not
bluſh to commit, to the difgrace of our religion, of
our policy, and of our morals.
Wine and brandy were fold, till the year 1724, to
theſe people, who, like moſt other favages, are excef-
fively fond of them. When they were intoxicated
they uſed to take up arms, maffacre all the Spaniards
they met with, and ravage the country near their
dwellings. It is feldom that the corrupter doth not
receive his puniſhment from the very perfon he hath
corrupted. Frequent inftances of this are feen in chil-
dren with refpect to their fathers, who have neglect-
ed their education; in women towards their huſbands,
whoſe morals are bad; in flaves, towards their ma-
fters; in fubjects towards their fovereigns, when ne-
glected by them; in a fubdued nation towards the
ufurpers. We ourſelves have been puniſhed for the
vices we have transferred into the other hemiſphere;
among ourſelves and among people of the New World,
"
!
1
|
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
155
BOOK
whom we have fubdued ; among ourſelves, by the mul- VIII.
titude of factitious wants we have created: among
them, in a variety of ways, and particularly by teach-
ing them the uſe of fpirituous liquors, which hath
often animated them with artificial fury, which they
have turned againſt us. In whatever manner we pro-
ceed, whether by fuperftition, by patriotiſm itſelf, or
by fpirituous liquors, in depriving man of his reaſon,
it cannot be done without fatal confequences. If we
intoxicate him, whatever may be the nature of the
intoxication, it will foon go off, or it will be produc-
tive of miſchief.
Drunkenneſs, or an habitual excefs in the uſe of
fpirituous liquors, is a coarfe and brutal vice, which
deprives the mind of its vigour, and the body of part
of its ftrength. It is an infringement of the law of
nature, which forbids man to forfeit his reaſon, the
only advantage which diftinguiſhes him from other
animals, who live on the furface of the globe.
This irregularity, though always blameable, is not
equally fo every where, becauſe it is not attended with
the fame inconveniences in all regions. Generally
ſpeaking, it makes men furious in hot countries, and
only renders them ftupid in cold ones. It hath there-
fore been neceffary to forbid it with more strictneſs
in one climate than in another. From hence it hath
happened, that wherever a regular form of govern-
ment hath been eſtabliſhed, this vice is become more
uncommon under the equator than towards the pole.
This is not the cafe among favage nations. Thofe
of the ſouth not being more reftrained than thoſe of
the north, by the magiftrate or by habit, they have
all devoted themſelves with equal fury to their paffion
for ftrong liquors. It hath been a part of the policy
of the Europeans, to fupply the favages with them,
either for the purpoſe of ſtripping or of enflaving them,
or even to induce them to employ themſelves in fome
ufeful labours. Thefe liquors have ſcarce been lefs
deftructive to theſe people than our arms; and we
cannot forbear to rank them among the number of
1
.
T
156
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK calamities with which we have loaded the other he
VIII. miſphere.
Spain is to be commended for having at length ab-
ftained from felling to the inhabitants of Chili wine
and brandy. This prudent ftep hath evidently in-
creaſed the connections that were kept up with them:
but it is not poffible that they fhould for a long time
become fo confiderable as thofe that are maintained
with Peru.
Chili fupplies Peru with hides, dried fruit, copper,
falt meat, horfes, hemp, and corn, and receives in ex-
change, tobacco, fugar, cocoa, earthen ware, fome
manufactures made at Quito, and fome articles of lux-
ury brought from Europe. The fhips fent from Cal-
lao on this traffic, which is reciprocally uſeful, were
formerly bound for Conception Bay, but now come
to Valparaifo. During the courfe of near a century,
no navigator in thefe tranquil feas would venture to
lofe fight of land; and then theſe voyages lafted a
whole year.
A pilot of the Old World having at length obferv-
ed the winds, performed the navigation in one month.
He was confidered as a wizard, and he was taken up
by order of the inquifition, whofe ignorance becomes
an object of ridicule, when its cruelty doth not ex-
cite our abhorrence. The journal he produced was
his vindication; and it plainly appeared that to per-
form the fame voyage, it was only neceffary to keep
clear of the coafts. His method was, therefore, univer-
fally adopted.
Chili fends to Paraguay wines, brandy, oil, and
chiefly gold; and receives in payment mules, wax,
cotton, the herb of Paraguay, negroes, and alfo much of
the merchandiſe of our hemifphere, before the mer-
chants of Lima had obtained, either by bribery, or
by their influence, that this laft branch of commerce
fhould be prohibited. The communication between
the two colonies is not carried on by fea; it hath been
found more expeditious, fafer, and even leſs expenſive,
to go by land, though there are three hundred and fix-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
157
VIII.
ty-four leagues, from St. Jago to Buenos Ayres, and в о о к
that more than forty of theſe are amidſt the fnows and
precipices of the Cordeleirias.
If the connections between theſe two eſtabliſhments
ſhould be multiplied or extended, they must be kept
up by the Straits of Magellan, or by Cape Horn. It
hath been hitherto a matter of doubt which of theſe
two ways was the beft; but the problem feems to be
folved by the obfervations of the laſt navigators. They
almoſt generally prefer the Straits, on account of a
quantity of freſh water, wood, fiſh, ſhell-fiſh, and the
infinite number of plants, ſpecific remedies againſt the
fcurvy, that are to be found there. But this preference
can only take place from September to March, that is
to fay, in the fummer months. During the fhort days
of winter, it would be neceffary to fail only for a few
hours, or to brave, in a channel moft commonly nar-
row, the violence of the winds, the rapidity of the cur-
rents, and the impetuofity of the waves, with an almoſt
moral certainty of being fhipwrecked. In this ſeaſon
of the year, the open fea, and confequently the dou-
bling of Cape Horn, is to be preferred.
A number of combinations, palpably abfurd, have
conftantly deprived Chili of every immediate connec-
tion with Spain. The little merchandiſe of our hemi-
fphere which this country could confume came to it
from Peru, which received them itfelf with difficulty,
and at a great expence, by the road of Panama. The
fate of Chili was not even changed when the failing
by Cape Horn was fubftituted to that which was prac-
tifed by the ifthmus of Darien; and it was not till very
late, that the fhips which uſed to coaft this country in
their way to Lima, were permitted to leave ſome ſmall
portion of their cargoes. At length, a more agreeable
profpect hath opened itfelf to this beautiful country.
Since the month of February 1778, all the ports of
the mother-country are allowed to trade there at plea-
fure. This fortunate adoption of the true principles of
commerce must be attended with the greateft fuccefs;
F
158
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADÉ
BOOK and this innovation will have the fame influence over
VIII. Paraguay.
The Spani-
This is an immenfe region, bounded on the north
ards difco- by Peru and the Brazils, on the ſouth by the country
guay. Ex- bordering on the Straits of Magellan, on the eaſt by
travagance the Brazils, and on the weft by Chili and Peru.
ver Para-
of their
conduct
centuries.
The Paraguay derives its name from a large river
during two which all geographers have fuppofed to proceed from
the lake Xarayes. The Spaniſh and Portugueſe com-
miffioners, appointed in 1751 to regulate the limits of
the two empires, were much furpriſed to meet each
other at the origin of this river, without having per-
ceived this mafs of waters, which was faid to be im-
menſe. They afcertained, that what had been before
taken for a prodigious lake, was nothing more than a
very low portion of land, covered, from the fixteenth
to the nineteenth degree of latitude, in the rainy fea-
fon, by the overflowings of the river. Since that pe-
riod, it is known that the Paraguay river takes its rife
in the flat country called Campo des Paracis, in the
thirteenth degree of fouthern latitude; and that to-
wards the eighteenth degree, it communicates, by
fome very narrow channels, with two great lakes in
the country of the Chiquitos.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, this immenſe
country contained a great number of nations, moſt of
them confifting of a few families. Their manners muft
have been the fame; and if there had been any diffe-
rence in their characters, it would not have been per-
ceived by the ſtupid adventurers who had firſt ſhed the
blood of this part of the New World. Theſe people
lived upon hunting, fishing, wild fruits, honey, which
was commonly found in the forefts, and roots that
grew fpontaneous. With a view of procuring greater
plenty of wood, they were perpetually wandering from
one diſtrict to another. As the Indians had nothing to
remove but a few earthen veffels, and as branches of
trees could be found every where to build huts with,
theſe emigrations were attended with few encum-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
159
VIII.
brances. Though they all lived in a ſtate of abfolute в O O K
independence, yet the neceffity of mutual defence had
obliged them to connect their interefts.
Some indivi-
duals united under the direction of a leader of their
own choice. Theſe affociations, which were more or
leſs numerous, in proportion to the reputation and abi-
lities of the chief, were as eafily diffolved as formed.
The diſcovery of the river Paraguay was made in
1515, by Diaz de Solis, a noted pilot of Caftile. He
and moſt of his men were maffacred by the natives,
who, to avoid being enflaved, fome years after alfo
deſtroyed the Portugueſe of Brazil.
The two rival nations, equally alarmed by theſe ca-
lamities, gave up all thoughts of Paraguay, and turn-
ed their avaricious views towards another place. The
Spaniards accidentally returned there in 1526.
Sebaſtian Cabot, who in 1496 had made the diſco-
very of Newfoundland for the crown of England,
finding that kingdom was too much taken up with
domeftic affairs to think of making fettlements in a
new world, offered his fervices to Caftile, where his re-
putation made him be fixed upon to conduct an im-
portant expedition.
The Victory, celebrated for being the firft fhip that
ever failed round the world, and the only one of Ma-
gellan's fquadron that returned to Europe, had brought
back from the Eaſt Indies a great quantity of ſpices.
The great profit that was made from the fale of them,
occafioned a fecond expedition, the command of which
was given to Cabot. In purſuing the track of the
former voyage, he arrived at the mouth of the Plata.
Whether he was in want of provifions neceffary for a
longer voyage, or whether, which is more probable,
his men began to be mutinous, he ftopped there. He
even failed up the river, gave it the name of La Plata,
becauſe, among the ſpoils of a few Indians, inhumanly
put to death, fome ornaments of gold and filver had
been found, and built a kind of fortrefs at the entrance
of the river Riotecero, which comes down from the
mountains of Tucuman. The oppofition he met with
2
160
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BO O K from the inhabitants of the country, made him judge,
that, in order to form a folid eſtabliſhment, other means
were wanting fuperior to thoſe he had; and, in 1530,
he went to Spain in order to folicit them. Thofe of
his companions whom he had left in the colony were
moſt of them maffacred, and the few who eſcaped from
the arrows of the enemy foon followed him.
}
Some more confiderable forces, led by Mendoza,
appeared on the river in 1535, and laid the founda-
tions of Buenos-Ayres. They were foon reduced to
the neceffity of periſhing with hunger within their pal-
lifades, or of devoting themſelves to certain death, if
they ventured to go out of them in order to procure
fubfiftence. A return into Europe feemed to be the
only way of relief from ſo deſperate a fituation: but
the Spaniards had perſuaded themſelves that the in-
land countries abounded in mines; and this prejudice
induced them to perfevere. They abandoned a place
where they could no longer remain, and went to found,
in 1536, a colony on the iſland of Affumption, three
hundred leagues up the country, but ftill on the banks
of the fame river. By this change, they evidently re-
moved further from the affiftance of the mother-coun-
try; but they imagined it brought them nearer the
fource of riches; and their avidity was ftill greater
than their forefight.
They were ftill, however, reduced to the neceffity
of periſhing, unleſs they could fucceed in diminiſhing
the extreme antipathy the favages bore them. The
marriage of the Spaniards with the Indian women ap-
peared calculated to effect this great change; and it
was accordingly refolved upon. From the union of
two ſuch different nations fprang the race of the Me-
ftees, which, in proceſs of time, became fo common in
South America. Thus it is the fate of the Spaniards,
in all parts of the world, to be a mixed race.
blood of the Moors ftill flows in their veins in Europe,
and that of the favages in the other hemifphere. Per-
haps this mixture may be of advantage, if it be a fact
that men, as well as animals, are improved by croffing
The
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
161
B
VIII.
the breed. It were indeed to be wifhed that the vari- в O O K
ous races of mankind were loft in one, that there might
be an end of thoſe national antipathies, which only
ſerve to perpetuate the calamities of war, and all the
ſeveral paffions that deftroy the human ſpecies. But
difcord feems to ariſe of itſelf between brothers; can
it therefore be expected that all mankind fhould be-
come one family, the children of which ſprung, as it
were, from the fame common parent, fhould no long-
er thirst after each other's blood? For is not this fatal
thirſt excited and maintained by that of gold?
It was this fhameful paflion which kept up the cru-
elty of the Spaniards, even after the connections they
had formed. They feemed to puniſh the Indians for
their own obſtinacy in ſearching for gold where there
was none. Several fhips, which were bringing them
troops and ammunition, were loft, with all they had
on board, by venturing too far up the river; but even
this circumftance could not prevent them from obfti-
nately perfifting in their avaricious views, though they
had fo long been diſappointed in them; till they were
compelled, by repeated orders from the mother-coun-
try, to re-eſtabliſh Buenos-Ayres.
This neceffary undertaking was now become eaſy.
The Spaniards, who had multiplied in Paraguay, were
ſtrong enough to reftrain or deſtroy the nations that
might oppoſe them. Accordingly, as it had been ex-
pected, they met with little difficulty. Juan Ortiz de
Zarate executed the plan in 1580, and rebuilt Buenos-
Ayres upon the fame fpot which had been forfaken
for forty years. Some of the petty nations in the
neighbourhood fubmitted to the yoke. Thofe which
were more attached to their liberty, went to a greater
diſtance, with a view of removing ſtill further, in pro-
portion as their oppreffors fhould extend their eſtabliſh-
ments. Molt of them at laft took refuge in Chaco.
Indians as
will not
This country, which is two hundred and fifty leagues Such of the
in length, and one hundred and fifty in breadth, is rec-
koned one of the beſt in America; and it is thought to fubmit to
the yoke of
he peopled with one hundred thouſand favages. They Spain take
Vol. III.
L
162
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
F
VIII.
BOOK form, as in other parts of the New World, a great
number of nations, forty-fix or forty-feven of which
are very imperfectly known.
refuge at
Chaco.
The Spani-
ards fuc-
ceed in
This region is traverſed by ſeveral rivers. The Pil-
comayo, more confiderable than all the reft, iffues from
the province of Charcas, and divides into two branches,
ſeventy leagues before it empties itſelf into the Rio de
la Plata. The courſe of this river appeared to be the
moft convenient way of eſtabliſhing fettled connec-
tions between Paraguay and Peru. It was not, how-
ever, till 1702, that an attempt was made to fail up it.
The people who dwelt upon the banks underſtood
very well that they ſhould fooner or later be enslaved
if the expedition were fuccefsful, and they prevented
this misfortune by maffacring all the Spaniards who
were engaged in it.
Nineteen years after, the Jefuits refumed this grand
project but when they had advanced three hundred
and fifty leagues, they were forced to put back, be-
cauſe they were in want of water to continue their
voyage. They were blamed for having undertaken
it in the months of September, October, and Novem-
ber, which, in theſe countries, are the dry feaſons;
and there is no doubt but that the enterprife would
be fucceſsful in the other feafons of the year.
This road of communication muft either have ap-
peared leſs advantageous, or muſt have preſented great-
er difficulties than were at firft conceived, fince no at-
tempt hath fince been made to open it. The govern-
ment, however, have not entirely given up their an-
cient project of fubduing theſe people. After incre-
dible fatigues, and which were for a long time uſeleſs,
fome miflionaries have at length fucceeded in fixing
three thouſand of theſe wanderers in fourteen villages,
feven of which are fituated on the frontiers of Tucu-
man, four on the fide of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, two
towards Taixa, and only one in the neighbourhood of
Affumption Ifland.
Notwithstanding the frequent incurfions of the in-
habitants of Chaco, and the fury of fome other lefs
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
163
VIII.
of them.
numerous colonies, Spain hath fucceeded in forining в o o-K
three great provinces in this diſtrict. That which is
called Tucuman is even, well watered, and whole- founding
fome. The cotton and the corn that is confumed in three large
provinces.
the country is cultivated there with the greateft fuc- Peculiari-
cefs; and fome experiments have ſhown that indigo, ties in each
and the other productions peculiar to the New World,
would thrive there as well as in any of the ſettlements
which they have enriched for fo long a time. The
forefts are all filled with honey; and there are not,
perhaps, better pafturages on the face of the globe.
Moſt of the woods are of a fuperior kind. There is
one tree in particular, known by the name of Quebra-
cho, which is faid to be nearly as hard, as weighty,
and as durable as the beſt marble, and which, on ac-
count of the difficulty of conveyance, is fold at Potofi
for as much as ten thouſand livres [4161. 13s. 4d.].
That portion of the Andes which is in this diſtrict is
abounding in gold and copper, and fome mines have
been already opened there.
But it would require an infinite number of hands to
extract from this immenfe territory the riches it con-
tains. Notwithſtanding this, the perfons who give the
moſt favourable accounts of its population do not rec-
kon it to amount to more than one hundred thouſand
inhabitants, Spaniards, Indians, and Negroes. They
are collected in feven villages, of which Saint Yago
del Eftero is the principal, or are diftributed upon ſcat-
tered domains, fome of which have more than twelve
leagues in extent, and reckon as far as forty thouſand
horned cattle, and fix thouſand horfes, without includ-
ing other herds of animals of lefs importance.
The province which is particularly called Paraguay
is much too damp, on account of the foretts, lakes,
and rivers, with which it is covered. Accordingly,
exclufive of the celebrated miflions of the fame name
which belong to it, it is not computed to contain more
than fifty-fix thouſand inhabitants. Four hundred on-
ly are at Affumption, the capital; two other villages,
which alfo bear the names of towns, have ſtill a leſs
L ij
164
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIL
BOOK number. Fourteen colonies, governed upon the fame
principle as thofe of the Guaranis, contain fix thoufand
Indians. All the reft live in the country places, where
they cultivate tobacco, cotton, and fugar, which are
fent, with the herb of Paraguay, to Buenos-Ayres,
from whence fome mercantile articles brought from
Europe are received in exchange.
This country was always expofed to the incurfions.
of the Portugueſe on the eaſtern fide, and to thoſe of
the favages on the north and on the weft. It was ne-
ceffary to adopt fome mode of driving back enemies
that were mostly implacable. Forts were conftruct-
ed; lands were appropriated to the maintenance of
them; and every citizen bound himfelf to defend
them for a week in every month. Thefe arrange-
ments, anciently made, flill fubfift. If, however, this
fervice fhould be difagreeable to any one, or fhould
interfere with his bufinefs, he may be freed from it by
paying from 60 to 100 livres [from 21. 108. to 41. 3s.
4d.], according to his fortune.
The part which at prefent conftitutes the province
of Buenos-Ayres was originally part of that of Para-
guay. It was not feparated from it till 1621, and it
remained for a long time in the greateft obfcurity. A
fraudulent trade, which, after the peace of Utrecht,
was opened with it by the fettlements of the Portu-
guefe at Saint Sacrament, and which enabled it to
form fixed connections with Chili and Peru, imparted
to it fome activity. The misfortune that happened to
the fquadron under Pizarro, who in 1740 was com-
miffioned to protect the South Sea againft the forces
of Great Britain, increafed its population and activity.
They both received an addition of extenfion from thofe
enterprifing men who fettled in this country, when the
courts of Madrid and of Lifbon undertook to fix the
too uncertain limits of their territory. At length the
war carried on in 1776, between theſe two powers,
with troops ſent from Europe, contributed to give ſtill
greater folidity to the colony.
At prefent, the two bauks of the river, from the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
155
VIII.
ocean to Buenos-Ayres, and from Buenos-Ayres to в O O K
Santa-Fé, are either covered with numerous flocks, or
tolerably well cultivated. Corn, maize, fruits, and
pulſe, every thing, in a word, which fupplies the ordi-
nary wants of life, except wine and wood, grows there
in great abundance.
raguay, and
ficulties
muft fur-
mount to
Buenos-Ayres, the capital of the colony, unites ma- of the ca-
ny advantages. The fituation is healthy and pleafant, rital of Pa-
and the air temperate. It is regularly built. Its ftreets of the dif
are wide, and compoſed of houfes that are extremely which na-
low; but all of them are embelliſhed with a garden vigators
of greater or lefs extent. The public and private
buildings, which fifty years ago were all made of earth, get there.
are more folid and commodious, fince the natives have
learned the art of making brick and lime. The num-
ber of inhabitants amounts to thirty thouſand. One
fide of the town is defended by a fortreſs, with a gar-
rifon of fix or feven hundred men; and the reft is fur-
rounded by the river. Two thoufand nine hundred
and forty-three militia, Spaniards, Indians, Negroes,
and free Mulattoes, are always ready to join the regu-
lars.
The town ftands fixty leagues from the fea. The
fhips get to it by failing up a river that wants depth;
is full of iflands, fhoals, and rocks, and where ftorms
are more frequent and more dreadful than on the
ocean. It is neceffary to anchor every night on the
fpot they come to; and, on the most moderate days,
a pilot mult go before in a boat to found the way for
the ſhip. After having furmounted thefe difficulties,
the fhips are obliged to stop at the distance of three
leagues from the town, to put their goods on board
fome light veffels, and to go to refit, and to wait for
their cargoes, at Incenada de Barragan, fituated ſeven
or eight leagues below.
This is a kind of village, formed by fome huts built
with rushes, covered with hides, and ſcattered about
without order. Neither magazines nor fubfiftence are
to be found there; and the place is inhabited only by
a few indolent men, from whom fcarce any fervice is
L iij
166
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Y
BOOK to be expected. The mouth of a river, which is from
VIII. five to fix thouſand toifes broad, ferves it for a har-
bour. No ſhips that draw above twelve feet of water
can enter it. Veffels that require more depth are obli-
ged to take refuge behind a neighbouring point, where
the anchorage, fortunately, is more inconvenient than
dangerous.
}
of the co-
lony.
The infufficiency of this aſylum occafioned, in 1726,
the town of Montevideo to be built forty leagues be-
low Buenos-Ayres, and upon a bay which is two
leagues in depth. It is defended on the fide of the
land by a well-conftructed citadel, and protected on
the fide of the river by batteries judicioufly placed.
Unfortunately there are not more than four or five
fathoms of water, and the veffels are obliged to run
aground. This is no great inconvenience for the mer-
chantmen; but the men of war periſh ſpeedily upon
this mud, and are eafily warped. Some experienced
navigators, on whom nature hath beftowed a ſpirit of
obfervation, have obferved, that, with little labour and
expence, one of the fineſt harbours in the world might
have been conftructed in the neighbourhood, on the
river Saint Lucia. In order to effect this, the only
thing neceffary was to dig away the bank of fand
which renders the entrance of it difficult. The court
of Madrid will fooner or later be obliged to adopt this
plan, fince Maldonado, which was their only hope, is
at prefent acknowledged to be one of the worst har-
bours in the world.
Of the herb The richest produce that comes from the three pro-
of Para-
vinces is the herb of Paraguay. It is the leaf of a
guay, the
chief riches middle-fized tree, which hath not been deſcribed or
obſerved by any botanist. The tafte is fimilar to that
of mallows, and in fhape it reſembles an orange tree.
It is divided into three forts. The firft, called caacuys,
is the bud when it juſt begins to unfold its leaves.
This is far fuperior to the other two, but will not keep
fo long, and it is therefore difficult to export it to any
diſtance. The next, which is called caamini, is the
full-grown leaf ftripped of its ftalks. If thefe be left
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
167.
VIII.
on, it is called caaguaza, which is the third fort. The в O OK
leaves are firſt roaſted, and then kept in pits digged in
the ground, and covered with bulls hides.
The mountains of Maracayu, at the eaſt ſide of Pa-
raguay, furniſh the herb that is moſt eſteemed. The
tree which produces it grows in the marfhy valleys
that lie between the hills. The city of Affumption
firſt brought this production, which was the delight of
the favages, into repute. The exportation of it pro-
cured confiderable riches to the town. But this ad-
vantage was not of long continuance, for all the In-
dians of that diſtrict were foon loft in the long voyage
they were obliged to take. The whole country be-
came a defert for forty leagues round the city; and
the inhabitants were obliged to give up this trade,
which was the only fource of their wealth.
To this first mart fucceeded that of Villa Rica,
which was nearer to the production by thirty-fix
leagues. This alſo foon came to nothing, for the fame
reafon as had occafioned the fall of that to which it
had fucceeded.
At length, in the beginning of the century, Cunu-
guati was built, at the diſtance of a hundred leagues
from Affumption, and at the foot of the mountains of
Maracayu. It is at preſent the great market for the
herb of Paraguay; but a competition hath lately rifen
up againſt it, from a quarter where there was no rea-
fon to expect one.
The Guaranis, who at firſt gathered the herb only
in fufficient quantity for their own confumption, col-
lected it, in proceſs of time, for fale. This employ-
ment, and the length of the voyage, kept them abfent
from their colonies for a confiderable part of the year.
During this interval they were all deprived of inftruc-
tion. Many of them perished by change of air and
fatigue. Some grew weary of this laborious employ-
ment, and retired into the woods, where they refumed
their former way of life. Befides, the miffions, depriv-
ed of their defenders, were expoſed to the inroads of
the enemy. Theſe evils were too numerous. To ob-
L iiij
168
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BO O K viate them, the Jefuits procured feeds from Maracayu,
and fowed them in thoſe parts of the land that were
moſt analogous to the foil they were brought from.
They grew up very rapidly, and have not degenerat-
ed, at leaſt in any fenfible degree.
Connec-
tions of Pa-
raguay
with the
neighbour-
The produce of theſe plantations, added to that
which grows fpontaneouſly, is very confiderable. Part
of this remains in the three provinces. Chili and Peru
confume annually twenty-five thouſand quintals of it,
which coft them near two millions of livres [83,3331.
6s. 8d.].
This herb, which the Spaniards and other inhabit-
ants of South America take fo much delight in, and
to which they attribute fo many virtues, is in general
ufe through this part of the New World. It is dried
and reduced almoft to powder, then put into a cup
with ſugar, lemon-juice, and ſweet-fcented pafte; boil-
ing water is afterwards thrown upon it, and it is drunk
off directly, before it hath time to turn black.
The herb of Paraguay is of no confequence to Eu-
rope, which doth not confume any of it; nor do we
intereft ourſelves more about the trade which this di-
ing coun-
ftrict carries on with the other regions of the New
tries, and World in excellent mules.
with Spain.
This uſeful animal is generally multiplied upon the
territory of Buenos-Ayres. The inhabitants of the
Tucuman carry there woods for building, and wax,
which they exchange every year for fixty thouſand
mules of two years old, which formerly coft no more
than three livres [2s. 6d.] each, but which now coft
from eight to ten [from 6s. 8d. to 8s. 4d.]. They are
kept fourteen months in the paſtures of Cordova, eight
in thoſe of Salta, and are conducted through roads of
fix, ſeven, and nine hundred leagues, by herds of fif-
teen hundred or two thouſand, into Peru, where they
are fold near Oruro, Cuſco, and Guanca-Velica, at the
rate of ſeventy or a hundred livres [from 21. 18s. 4d.
to 41. 38. 4d.], according to the greater or leſs diſtance
they come from.
Befide this, the Tucuman furniſhes to Potofi fixteen
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
169
3
VIII.
or eighteen thoufand oxen, and four or five thoufand в OOK
horſes, brought forth and reared upon its own territo-
ry. This district would fupply twenty times as much
of both, if it were poffible to find a mart for them.
It will perhaps be a matter of more confequence to
our merchants to know the route the cargoes take
which they ſend into this part of this hemiſphere.
There is feldom any connection between the vil-
lages fcattered over this region, at a great diſtance
from each other. Befide that it could not be kept up
without great fatigue and much danger, it would be
of little uſe to men who have not any thing, or who
have ſcarce any thing, to offer or to require. Buenos-
Ayres alone was much intereſted in finding a vent for
the merchandiſe it received from Europe, fometimes.
openly, and fometimes fraudulently; and it at laſt
fucceeded in opening a tolerably regular trade with
Chili and with Peru. Originally the caravans, which
carried on this traffic, had recourfe to the ufe of the
needle to conduct them through the vaft deferts they
were obliged to traverfe; but, in procefs of time, they
have travelled without this inftrument, which is fo ne-
ceffary for other purpoſes of much greater importance.
At prefent carriages fet out from Buenos-Ayres for
their respective deftinations. Several of them go to-
gether, in order to be able to refift the favage nations
which attack them on their march. They are all
drawn by four oxen, carry fifty quintals, and travel
feven leagues a day. Thoſe which take the route of
Peru flop at Jugey, after having gone over four hun-
dred and fixty-feven leagues; and thofe which are
deftined for Chili have no more than two hundred and
fixty-four to go over to reach Mendoza. The first re-
ceive four piaftres, or twenty-one livres eight fols [178.
rod.] per quintal; and the ſecond a price proportion-
ed to the ſpace they have travelled over. Thefe car-
riages are always followed by a herd of woolly and
horned cattle. The travellers who are tired or fa-
tigued with the carriage ride upon the horfes; the ox-
170
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BO O K en ferve both for food, and alſo for change in the har-
VIII.
nefs.
The year 1764 was the fortunate period of another
uſeful inſtitution. The miniftry had at length deter-
mined to diſpatch, every two months, from Corunna,
a packet-boat for Buenos-Ayres. This was a ſtaple
from which it was neceffary to fend the letters and
paffengers into all the Spaniſh poffeffions in the South
Sea. The paffage was nine hundred and forty-fix
leagues to Lima, and three hundred and fixty-four to
Saint Yago; and a part of this vaft ſpace was occupied
by immenfe deferts. An active and intelligent man
contrived, however, to eſtabliſh a regular poft from the
capital of Paraguay to the capitals of Peru and Chili,
to the great advantage of the three colonies, and con-
fequently of the mother-country.
Paraguay fends feveral articles of greater or lefs im-
portance to Spain; but they have all been brought
there from neighbouring diſtricts. The only thing it
furniſhes from its own territory is hides.
When the Spaniards forfook Buenos-Ayres in 1539,
in order to go up the river again, they left in the
neighbouring fields fome horned cattle, which they
had brought over from their own country. They mul-
tiplied to fuch a degree, that, when the town was re-
eſtabliſhed, no one choſe to appropriate them. It
was afterwards found ufeful to knock them on the
head, in order to fell their hides in Europe. The
manner of doing this is remarkable.
A number of huntſmen on horſeback repair to fuch
places as are moftly frequented by the wild bulls. Each
huntſman purſues the bull he fixes upon, and ham-
ftrings him with a ſharp iron cut in the ſhape of a cref-
cent, and faſtened to a long handle. When the ani-
mal falls down, the huntfman attacks others, and dif-
ables them in the fame manner. After fome days ſpent
in this violent exercife, the huntſmen return in fearch
of the bulls they have difabled, which they flay, carry
away the hides, and fometimes the tongues and the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
171
fat the reft they leave to be devoured by wild dogs в O O K
or vultures.
The price of hides was fo low at first, that they coft
no more than two livres [1s. 8d.]; though the buyers
refuſed thoſe that had the leaft defect, becauſe they
were fubject to the fame tax as others that were in the
beſt condition. In proceſs of time, the number of
them diminiſhed fo much, that it was neceffary to give
forty-three livres four fols [1l. 16s.] for the large ones;
thirty-feven livres fixteen fols [1l. 11s. 6d.] for thoſe
of an intermediate fize; and thirty-two livres eight
fols [11. 7s.] for the ſmall ones. The government,
which faw with regret this branch of commerce gra-
dually reduced to nothing, forbade the killing of the
young bulls. Some active inhabitants collected a great
number of heifers in immenſe parks; and ſince theſe
innovations have been made, the hides which have all
the hair on, and which weigh from twenty to fifty
pounds, have been lowered about a third in their price.
They all pay eleven livres [9s. 2d.] to government.
From 1748 to 1753, Spain received annually from
this colony 8,752,065 livres [364,669l. 7s. 6d.]. The
gold that made part of this fum amounted to 1,524,705
livres [63,5291. 17s. 6d.]; the filver to 3,780,000 li-
vres [157,5001.]; and the productions to 3,447,360
livres [143,6401.]. The laft article was compofed of
three hundred quintals of Vicuna wool, which produ-
ced 207,360 livres [86401.]; and of one hundred and
fifty thouſand hides, which brought 3,240,000 livres
[135,000l.]. All this was for the benefit of trade, and
none of it belonged to the government.
The mother-country will foon receive from this re-
gion other articles of value; both becauſe the colony
of Saint Sacrament, through which the riches ufed to
flow, is now taken out of the hands of the Portugueſe,
and becauſe the Paraguay hath acquired a state of
greater importance than that which it enjoyed.
VIII.
innovation,
The immenfe empire which Caftile had founded in A fortunate
South America, was for a long time fubordinate to one which mu
fingle chief. The parts that were diſtant from the improve
172
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK centre of authority, were then neceffarily abandoned
VIII. to the caprices, the inexperience, and the rapacity of a
the ſtate of multitude of fubaltern tyrants. No Spaniard, and no
Paraguay. Indian, was mad enough to travel thouſands of miles,
Principles
on which
in order to lay claim to juftice, which he was almoft
certain of not obtaining. The force of habit, which
fo often fifles the voice of reafon, and which governs.
ftates with ftill more abfolute fway than it does indivi-
duals, prevented men from difcerning the true caufe
of ſo many calamities. At length the confuſion be-
came fo general, that what is called the New King-
dom of Granada was detached, in 1718, from this enor-
mous extent of dominion. It ftill remained much too
confiderable; and the miniftry have again confined it,
in 1766, by forming of part of the dioceſe of Cuſco, of
the whole of that of La Paz, of the archbiſhopric of
La Plata, of the provinces of Santa Cruz de la Sierra,
of Cuyo, of Tucuman, and of Paraguay, another vice-
royalty; the feat of which is at Buenos-Ayres. The
government will, undoubtedly, foon regulate the def-
tiny of theſe fingular miffions, which have been ren-
dered equally celebrated by the praiſes of their pane-
gyrifts, as by the fatires of their detractors.
a
America had been laid wafe during the courſe of
the Jefuits century, when the jefuits conveyed there that indefa-
founded tigable activity, which, from their firft origin, had made
fions in Pa- them fo fingularly remarkable. Thefe enterprifing men
raguay. could not recal from the tomb the too numerous vic-
their mif-
tims which had been unfortunately plunged into it by
a blind ferocioufnefs; they could not drag out of the
bowels of the earth the timid Indians whom the ava-
rice of the conquerors obliged daily to defcend there.
Their tender anxiety was turned towards the favages,
whom a wandering life had, till then, preferved from
the fword and from tyranny. The plan was to draw
them out of their forefts, and to collect them into a na-
tional body, but at a diftance from the places inhabit-
ed by the oppreffors of the New Hemisphere. Theſe
views were crowned with more or lefs fuccefs, in Cali-
fornia, among the Moxos, among the Chiquitos, upon
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
173
VIII.
the river Amazon, and in fome other countries. Ne- BOOK
vertheleſs, none of their inftitutions acquired fo great a
degree of fplendour as that which was formed at Pa-
raguay; becauſe it had for its bafis the maxims follow-
ed by the Incas in the government of their empire and
in their conqueſts.
The defcendants of Manco Capac uſed to march to
their frontiers with armies, which at least knew how
to obey, to fight, and to intrench themſelves; and who,
together with better offenfive weapons than thoſe of
the favages, had alfo fhields and defenfive weapons,
which their enemies had not. They propoſed to the
nation which they wanted to unite to their govern-
ment, to embrace their religion, laws, and manners.
Theſe invitations were molt commonly rejected. Freſh
deputies were fent, who urged thefe matters more ftre-
nuously than the former. Sometimes they were mur-
dered; and the favages fell fuddenly upon thoſe whom
they repreſented. The troops that were attacked had
generally the advantage; but they fufpended the fight
the inftant they had gained the victory, and treated
their prifoners fo kindly, that they afterwards infpired
their companions with an affection for a conqueror fo
humane. A Peruvian army feldom began the attack;
and the Inca hath often been known to forbear hofti-
lities, even after he had experienced the perfidy of the
barbarians, and feveral of his foldiers had been mur-
dered.
The Jefuits, who had no army, confined themſelves
to the arts of perfuafion. They penetrated into the
forefts in fearch of the favages, and prevailed upon
them to renounce their old cuftoms and prejudices, to
embrace a religion which they did not comprehend,
and to enjoy the fweets of fociety, to which they were
before ftrangers.
The Incas had another advantage over the Jefuits,
which was the nature of their religion, calculated to
ftrike the fenfes. It is a more eafy matter to perfuade
men to worſhip the fun, which feems to announce its
own divinity to mortals, than to adore an invifible God,
174
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRÁDE
VIII.
BOO K and to believe doctrines and myfteries which they can-
not comprehend. Accordingly, the miffionaries had
the prudence to civilize the favages in ſome meaſure,
before they attempted to convert them. They did
not pretend to make them Chriftians, till they had
made them men. As foon as they had got them to-
gether, they began to procure them every advantage
they had promiſed them, and induced them to em-
brace Chriſtianity, when, by making them happy, they
had contributed to render them tractable.
They imitated the example of the Incas in the divi-
fion of the lands into three ſhares; for religious pur-
pofes, for the public, and for individuals; they encou-
raged working for orphans, old people, and foldiers ;
they rewarded great actions; they inspected or cen-
fured the morals of the people; they practifed acts of
benevolence; they eſtabliſhed feſtivals, and intermix-
ed them with laborious employments; they appointed
military exerciſes, kept up a fpirit of fubordination, in-
vented prefervatives againft idlenefs, and infpired them.
with reſpect for religion and virtue in a word, what-
ever was valuable in the legiſlation of the Incas was
adopted, or even improved upon, at Paraguay.
The Incas and the Jefuits had alike eſtabliſhed fuch
a fyftem of regularity and order, as prevented the com-
miffion of crimes, and removed the neceflity of punish-
ment. There was hardly fuch a thing as a delinquent
in Paraguay. The morals of the people were good,
and were maintained in this ftate of purity by ftill
milder methods than had been made uſe of in Peru.
The laws had been ſevere in that empire; they were
not fo among the Guaranis. Puniſhments were not
dreaded there; and men feared nothing but the re-
proach of their own confcience.
After the example of the Incas, the Jeſuits had efta-
bliſhed the theocratical government, with an additional
advantage peculiar to the Chriftian religion: this was
the practice of confeffion, which, in Paraguay, brought
the guilty perſon to the feet of the magiftrate. There,
far from palliating his crime, remorfe made him rather
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
175
VIII.
aggravate it; and inſtead of endeavouring to elude his B O O K
puniſhment, he implored it on his knees. The more
public and fevere it was, the more did it contribute to
quiet his confcience. By theſe means, puniſhment,
which in all other places is the terror of the guilty,
was here confidered as a fource of confolation to them,
as it ftifled the pangs of remorfe by the expiation of
the guilt. The people of Paraguay had no civil laws,
becauſe they knew of no property; nor had they any
criminal ones, becaufe every one was his own accufer,
and voluntarily fubmitted to puniſhment: their only
laws were the precepts of religion. Theocracy would
be the moſt excellent of all governments, if it were
poffible to preſerve it in its purity: but to effect this,
it would be neceffary that religion fhould teach no-
thing but the duties of fociety; that it fhould confider
nothing as a crime but what violates the natural rights
of mankind; that its precepts fhould not ſubſtitute
prayers in lieu of labour, vain ceremonies inſtead of
works of charity, or imaginary fcruples to juft remorſe.
This was not entirely the cafe at Paraguay. The Spa-
niſh miffionaries had brought along with them too ma-
ny of their monaftic notions and practices. Perhaps,
however, fo much good had never been done to men,
with fo little injury.
There were more arts and conveniences in the re-
publics of the Jefuits, than there had been even in
Cufco itſelf, without more luxury. The uſe of coin
was unknown there. The watchmaker, weaver, lock-
fmith, and taylor, all depofited their works in public
warehouſes. They were ſupplied with every neceffary
of life; and the hufbandman had laboured for them.
The religious inftitutors, affifted by magiftrates who
were chofen by the people, attended to the feveral
wants of the whole community.
There was no diftinction of ſtations; and it is the
only fociety on earth where men enjoyed that equali-
ty which is the fecond of all bleffings; for liberty is
undoubtedly the firft.
3
176
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
!
BOOK
VIII.
Reaſons
that have
The Incas and the Jefuits have both infpired men
with a reverence for religion, by the dazzling pomp
of external ceremonies. The temples of the fun were
as well conftructed, and as well ornamented, as the
imperfect ſtate of the arts and of the materials would
allow them to be; and the churches in Paraguay are
really very beautiful. Sacred mufic, that awakened
their fenfibility, affecting hymns, lively paintings, the
pomp of ceremonies: every thing, in a word, confpir-
ed to attract and to detain the Indians in thefe places
of divine worſhip, where they found pleaſure blended
with the exerciſes of piety.
It ſhould feem that men muſt have multiplied con-
prevented fiderably under a government where none were idle,
the increaſe or fatigued with labour; where the food was equal in
of popula-
tion in thefe Wholeſomeneſs, plenty, and quality for all the citizens;
celebrated where every one was conveniently lodged and well
miffions.
clothed; where the aged and the fick, the widows and
orphans, were affifted in a manner unknown in all
other parts of the world; where every one married
from choice and not from intereft, and where a num-
ber of children was confidered as a bleffing, and could
never be burdenfome: where debauchery, the necef-
fary confequence of idlenefs, which equally corrupts
the opulent and the poor, never tended to abridge the
term of human life; where nothing ferved to excite
artificial paffions, or contradicted thofe that are regu-
lated by nature and reafon; where the people enjoy-
ed the advantages of trade, and were not expoſed to
the contagion of vice and luxury; where plentiful ma-
gazines, and a friendly intercourfe between nations.
united in the bonds of the fame religion, were a ſe-
curity againſt any ſcarcity that might happen from the
inconflancy or inclemency of the feafons; where pub-
lic juftice had never been reduced to the cruel necef-
fity of condemning a fingle malefactor to death, to ig-
nominy, or to any punishment of long duration; where
the very names of a tax or a law-fuit, thoſe two ter-
rible fcourges which every where elſe afflict mankind,
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
177
VIII.
were unknown; ſuch a country muſt naturally be ex- B 0 0 K
pected to have been the moſt populous in the world;
and yet it was far from being ſo.
This empire, which began in the year 1610, extends
from the river Parana, which runs into the Paragua un-
der the 20th degree of fouth latitude, to the Uragua
that falls into the fame river towards the 34th degree.
On the banks of thoſe two great rivers, which deſcend
from the mountains near Brazil, in the fertile plains
that lie between them, the Jeſuits had already, in 1676,
fettled twenty-two colonies; though no account hath
been given of their degree of population. In 1702,
there were twenty-nine, confifting in all of 22,761,
families, which amounted to 89,491 fouls. No ac-
count, that can be depended upon, ever made the
number of villages amount to more than thirty-two,
nor that of the inhabitants to more than 121,168.
Thefe religious legiſlators have long been ſuſpected
of concealing the number of their fubjects, with a
view of defrauding Spain of the tribute theſe people
had voluntarily fubmitted to pay; and the court of
Madrid hath diſcovered fome anxiety on that account.
An exact inquiry hath difpelled thofe injurious and ill-
grounded fufpicions. Can it with any probability be
fuppofed, that a fociety, whofe idol was always glory,
ſhould, for a mean and fordid intereft, facrifice a ſenſe
of greatneſs, adequate to the majefty of an eſtabliſh-
ment they were forming with fo much care and pains?
Thoſe who were too well acquainted with the genius
of the fociety, to charge it with fuch injurious and illi-
beral accufations, have pretended that the number of
the Guaranis did not increaſe, becaufe they periſhed by
working in the mines. This accufation, urged above
a hundred years ago, hath been propagated by the
fame ſpirit of avarice, envy, and malignity, that firft
invented it. The greater pains the Spanish miniftry
have employed in fearch of theſe hidden treaſures, the
more they have been convinced that they were all
chimerical. If the Jefuits had difcovered any fuch
treaſures, they certainly would have taken care to
Fol. III.
M
178
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK conceal the difcovery; which, if known, would have
introduced every kind of vice; by which their empire
would foon have been fubverted, and their power to-
tally deſtroyed.
Others are of opinion, that the oppreffion of monk-
iſh government must have checked the population of
the Guaranis. But oppreffion confifts in impofing la-
bour and exacting tribute by compulfion; in arbitrary
levies of men or money to fupply armies and fleets,
deftined for deftruction; in the violent execution of
laws made without the confent of the people, and
contrary to the remonftrances of the magiftrates; in
the violation of public, and the eſtabliſhment of pri-
vate privilege; in the inconfiftency of the princi-
ples of an authority, which, under pretence of being
founded by divine will on the right of the fword,
lays claim to every thing by the one, and commands
every thing by the other; which makes ufe of force
to eſtabliſh religion, and of religion to influence the
decifions of juftice: this is oppreffion. But it can ne-
ver exiſt, where every action is the refult of voluntary
fubmiffion, and proceeds from inclination founded on
conviction, and where nothing is done but from choice
and full approbation. This is that gentle fway of opi-
nion, the only one, perhaps, that it is lawful for one
man to exerciſe over another, becauſe it makes thoſe
people happy who fubmit to it. Such, undoubtedly,
was that of the Jefuits in Paraguay, fince whole na-
tions came voluntarily to incorporate themſelves into
their government, and none have ever thrown off the
yoke. It cannot be pretended that fifty miffionaries
could have been able to compel a hundred thouſand
Indians to be their flaves, who had it in their power
either to maffacre their priests, or to take refuge in
the deferts. This ftrange paradox would be equally
rejected by men of a fanguine or of a credulous dif-
pofition.
Some perfons have fufpected that the Jefuits had
propagated that love of celibacy among their people,
which was fo prevalent in Europe in the dark ages of
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
179
VIII.
ignorance, and is not yet entirely eradicated, notwith- в o o K
ſtanding it hath conftantly been urged how contrary
it is to nature, reafon, and fociety. But this opinion
is entirely without foundation. The miffionaries have
never even given any idea to their converts of a fuper-
ftition which was totally improper and inconfiftent with
the climate; and would have been fufficient to preju-
dice them againſt their beſt inftitutions, or to defeat
the defign of them.
Politicians have further endeavoured to account for
the want of population among the Guaranis, from their
having no property. The idea under which we confider
property, namely, as a fource of the increaſe both of men
and fubfiftence, is an unquestionable truth; but ſuch is
the fate of the beſt inſtitutions, that our errors will of-
ten threaten their deftruction. Under the law of pro-
perty, when it is attended with avarice, ambition, lux-
ury, a multitude of imaginary wants, and various other
irregularities arifing from the imperfections of our go-
vernments, and from the bounds of our poffeffions, ei-
ther too confined, or too extended, prevent, at the
fame time, both the fertility of our lands and the in-
creaſe of our fpecies. Theſe inconveniencies existed
not in Paraguay. All were fure of ſubſiſtence; con-
fequently all enjoyed the great advantages of proper-
ty, though deprived, in a ftrict ſenſe, of the right to
it. This privation cannot juftly be confidered as the
reaſon that hath impeded the progreſs of population
among them.
A mercenary writer, or one who is blinded by his
hatred, hath ventured to publiſh, lately, in the face
of the whole univerfe, that the territory occupied by
the Guaranis could not fubfift more than the number
of men who exifted upon it, and that their miffion-
aries, rather than fuffer them to extend themselves fo
as to have an intercourfe with the Spaniards, had them-
felves ftopped the progreſs of population, by perfuad-
ing, as it is faid, their converts to let their children
perish, becauſe they would be fo many beings pre-
defined to falvation, and fo many protectors to them.
Mij
190
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK Man or devil! whichever thou art, haft thou reflected
upon the atrocioufnefs and the extravagance of thy
accufation? Haft thou any idea of the infult thou haft
offered to thy rulers, and to thy fellow-citizens, in
fuppofing that thou fhouldft obtain their favour or
their esteem by fuch afperfions? How much muſt thy
nation have degenerated from the dignity and genero-
fity of its character, if it did not partake of my indig-
nation upon this occafion!
1
To the chimerical notions we have been refuting,
let us endeavour to fubftitute the real, or the probable
cauſes of this deficiency of population.
First, the Portuguefe of St. Paul, in 1631, deftroyed
twelve or thirteen communities in the province of
Guayra, bordering upon Brazil. Theſe ruffians, whoſe
number did not amount to more than two hundred
and ſeventy-five, could not indeed bring away more
than nine hundred of the twenty-two thoufand Guaranis
that compofed this rifing colony: but ſeveral of them
were deſtroyed by mifery and by the fword. Several
of them returned to their favage life. Scarce twelve
thouſand of them efcaped upon the borders of the
Parana and of the Urugua, where it had been refolved
to fix them.
The paffion which the devaftators had for making
flaves was not ftifled by this emigration. They pur-
fued their timid victims into their new afylum; and,
in proceſs of time, would have diſperſed, enflaved, or
affaffinated all of them, unlefs the Indians could be
fupplied with arms fimilar to thoſe of their aggreffors.
It was a nice matter to make this propofal: for it
was a maxim with Spain not to introduce the uſe of
fire-arms among the ancient inhabitants of the other he-
miſphere, in the apprehenſion that they might one day
ufe them themſelves to recover their primitive rights.
The Jefuits approved of this precaution, as being ne-
ceffary with nations whofe fubjection was compelled:
but they judged it to be uſeleſs with people, who were
freely attached to the kings of Spain by fuch eaſy
bands, that they could be under no temptation of
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
181
VIII.
breaking them. The arguments or the folicitations в o o K
of the miffionaries prevailed over oppofition and pre-
judice. In 1639 fire-locks were given to the Guaranis,
and this favour delivered them for ever from the great-
eft of dangers they could incur.
This caufe of deftruction was fucceeded by others.
of a more obfcure nature. The custom had prevailed,
to fend annually, to the diſtance of two or three hun-
dred leagues from their frontiers, fome of the inha-
bitants of the villages to collect the herb of Para-
guay, for which they were known to have an unfur-
mountable defire. In thefe long and fatiguing jour-
neys, feveral of them periſhed with hunger and fatigue.
Sometimes, during their abſence, their plantations, de-
prived of moſt of their defenders, were laid wafte by
wandering favages. Theſe defects were ſcarce correct-
ed before the miffions were afflicted with a new cala-
mity.
An unfortunate concurrence of circumftances brought
among them the fmall-pox; the baneful influence of
which was more deftructive in this diftrict than in the
reft of the New World. This contagion did not di-
minifh, and continued uninterruptedly to heap one
victim upon another. Were the Jeſuits ignorant of
the falutary effects of inoculation upon the borders of
the Amazon, or did they, from motives of fuperftition,
decline to adopt a practice, the advantages of which
are fo well aſcertained?
But it was the climate which more particularly ftop-
ped the progrefs of population among the Guaranis.
The country they occupied, chiefly on the Parana,
was hot, damp, and inceffantly covered with thick and
immoveable fogs. Thefe vapours gave rife, in every
feafon, to contagious diforders; and thefe calamities
were aggravated by the propenfities of the inhabitants.
Inheriting the voracious appetites which their fathers
had brought with them from the midſt of the foreft,
they fed upon green fruit, and ate meat that was almoſt
raw, while neither reaſon, nor authority, nor experi-
ence, could root out theſe inveterate habits. The mafs
M iij
182
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK of blood being thus corrupted by the air and by the
VIII. food, it was impoffible that a numerous and long-lived
offspring fhould be produced.
Examina-
tion of the
fions.
In order to enſure the felicity of the Guaranis, what-
reproaches ever their number were, or might be, their inftitutors
made to the had originally fettled with the court of Madrid, that
Jefuits con-
cerning theſe people ſhould never be employed in the labours
their mif of the mines, nor fubjected to any`vaffalage. They
foon found that this firſt ftipulation was not fufficient
to procure tranquillity to the new republics, and occa-
fioned it to be decreed, that the Spaniards fhould be
excluded from them, under whatever denomination
they prefented themſelves. They forefaw, that if they
were admitted as traders, or even as travellers, they
would excite commotions in thofe peaceable retreats,
and would introduce vice and every fpecies of cor-
ruption. Theſe rapacious and deftructive conquerors
were the more offended at theſe meaſures, as they were
approved by prudent men. Their refentment broke
out in imputations, for which there was an apparent,
and, perhaps, a real foundation.
The miffionaries traded for the nation. They fent
to Buenos-Ayres wax, tobacco, hides, cotton both raw
and ſpun, and received in exchange, vafes and orna-
ments for the temples; iron, arms, toys, fome Euro-
pean commodities that were not manufactured in the
colony; and metals defigned for the payment of the
tribute due from the male Indians from twenty to fifty
years of age. As far as it is poffible to judge, and
penetrate into the mystery which hath always furround-
ed theſe objects, the wants of the ſtate did not abſorb
the entire profit of the fales. The reft was fecreted for
the benefit of the Jefuits. Accordingly, they were
traduced in all parts of the world as a fociety of mer-
chants, who, under the veil of religion, attended only
to their own fordid intereſt.
This cenfure could not fall upon the firſt founders of
Paraguay. The deferts through which they travelled
afforded neither gold nor mercantile commodities. In
theſe they only met with forefts, ferpents, and mo-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
183
VIII.
raffes; fometimes they perifhed, or were expofed to в o о K
the moſt ſevere torments, and always to exceffive fa-
tigue. The hardſhips they endured with much pati-
ence, and the pains they took to induce the ſavages to
quit their roving life, are not to be conceived. They
never entertained the idea of appropriating to them-
felves the produce of a land, which their care only
prevented from being a haunt of wild beafts. Their
fucceffors may probably have been actuated by leſs no-
ble and difinterefted views; probably they might feek
an increaſe of fortune and power, where they ought
to have only fought the glory of Chriftianity and the
good of mankind. It was certainly a great crime to
rob the people of America, in order to acquire con-
fequence in Europe, and to increaſe over the whole
world an influence already too dangerous.
If any
thing could diminifh our abhorrence of fo great a
crime, it is, that the happinefs of the Indians was ne-
ver affected by it. They never appeared to defire any
thing beyond thofe conveniences which they generally
enjoyed.
Thoſe who have not accuſed the Jefuits of avarice
have cenfured their inftitutions in Paraguay, as being
the effect of blind fuperftition. If our idea of fuper-
ftition be the true one, it retards the progreſs of po-
pulation; it devotes to uſeleſs ceremonies the time
that ſhould be employed in the labours of fociety; it
deprives the laborious man of his property, to enrich
the indolent and dangerous reclufe; it promotes dif-
cord and civil wars for things of little moment; it
gives the fignal for revolt in the name of God; it
frees its minifters from obedience to the laws, and
from the duties of fociety: in a word, it makes the
people miferable, and arms the wicked against the vir-
tuous. Have any of thefe calamities been found a-
mong the Guaranis? If their happy inftitutions be the
effect of fuperftition, this is the only inftance in which
it ever was beneficial to mankind.
Politicians, who are ever reftlefs and fufpicious, feem-
ed to be apprehenfive that the republics formed by the
M inj
184
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK Jeſuits might one day detach themſelves from the pow-
VIII. er under the protection of which they had been raiſed.
The inhabitants appeared to them as the beſt diſci-
plined foldiers of the New Hemifphere. They confi-
dered them as obedient from a principle of religion,
added to the energy of their new manners, and as
fighting with the fame zeal that brought fo many mar-
tyrs to the ſcaffold, and overthrew fo many empires
by the arms of the followers of Wodin and Moham-
med. But it was their form of government which
particularly excited their alarms.
In ancient forms of government, civil and religious
authority, which are derived from the fame ſource, and
tend to the fame end, have always been united; or
the one hath been fo fubfervient to the other, that the
people could not venture to feparate them in idea, and
were equally kept in awe by both. Chriftianity intro-
duced another kind of fpirit in Europe, and formed,
at its first origin, a fecret rivalſhip between theſe two
powers, the one of arms, the other of opinion. This
difpofition manifeſted itſelf particularly when the bar-
barous nations of the north made incurfions upon the
Roman empire. The Chriftians, perfecuted by the
heathen emperors, haftened to implore the affiftance of
theſe foreigners againſt oppreffion. They preached to
theſe conquerors a new ſyſtem of religion, which en-
joined to them as a duty to extirpate the eſtabliſhed
one; and they demanded the ruins of the temples, in
order to erect their own fanctuaries upon theſe magni-
ficent fpoils.
The favages freely difpofed of what was not their
property; they facrificed to Chriftianity all its enemies
and their own; they feized upon the perfons of men
and upon their lands, and diftributed fome of them to
the church. They demanded tribute; but exempted
the clergy from it, becauſe they countenanced their
ufurpations. Noblemen became prieſts, and prieſts
obtained the rank of nobility. The great connected
the privileges of their birth with that of the prieſt-
hood which they embraced. The bishops imprinted
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
185
VIII.
the feal of religion on the domains they poffeffed. From в o O K
this mixture and confufion of birth with high ftations,
of titles with eſtates, and of perfons with things, fprang
up a monstrous power, which, from the firft, endea-
voured to eftabliſh itſelf as diftinct from the only true
authority, which is that of government; a power,
which afterwards attempted even to raiſe itſelf above
government; but having been unſucceſsful in the at-
tempt, hath fince fubmitted to ſeparate itſelf from it,
and to exert its authority in fecret over thoſe who
were willing to acknowledge it. Theſe two powers
have been always fo much at variance, that they have
conftantly disturbed the harmony of all ſtates.
The Jefuits of Paraguay, who were well acquainted
with this fource of divifion, have been warned by the
mifchief their fociety hath often done in Europe, and
have exerted themſelves to promote the real happineſs
of America. They have united both powers in one;
which gave them the entire difpofal of the thoughts,
affections, and faculties of their converts.
miffions,
and whe-
gretted
lators?
Did ſuch a ſyſtem of government render the legif whether
lators formidable? Some perfons thought fo in the the people
were happy
New World; and this opinion was much more pre- in thefe
valent in the Old one: but in all parts, the neceſſary
information was wanting to decide the point. The ther they
readineſs, perhaps unexpected, with which the mif- have re-
fionaries have evacuated what was called their empire, their legif-
hath ſeemed to ſhow that they were incapable of main-
taining themſelves in it. They have even been lefs
regretted there than it was thought they would be. It
is not that theſe people had any cauſe to complain of
the negligence or feverity of their leaders. An indif-
ference fo extraordinary, proceeded undoubtedly from
the weariſomeneſs which thefe Americans, apparently
fo happy, muſt have experienced, during the courfe of
a life too uniform not to be languid, and under a go-
vernment which, when confidered in its true point of
view, refembled rather a religious community than a
political inftitution.
How was it poffible that a whole nation fhould live
186
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK without reluctance under the reftraint of an auftere
law, which is not capable of fubjecting a ſmall number
of men, although they may have put themſelves under
its controul from a fpirit of enthufiafm, and from the
moft fublime motives, without infpiring them with
melancholy, and without fouring their tempers? The
Guaranis were a fpecies of monks; and there is not,
perhaps, a ſingle monk, who at fome time or other
hath not detefted his habit. Their duties were tyran-
nically enforced, no fault eſcaped puniſhment, and or-
der eſtabliſhed its controul in the midft of pleaſures.
The Guaranis, whofe conduct was clofely inſpected
even in their amuſements, could not give themſelves
up to any kind of excefs. Noify mirth and freedom
were baniſhed from theſe melancholy feftivals. Theſe
manners were too auftere. The ftate of equality to
which theſe people were reduced, and from which it
was impoffible they fhould raiſe themfelves, expelled
every kind of emulation from among them. One
Guaranis had no fort of motive to induce him to ex-
cel another. He had acted fufficiently well, when
there was no caufe of complaint against him, and
when he could not be puniſhed for having done ill.
Did not alfo the privation of all property exert ſome
influence over the moſt tender connections? It is not
enough for the happineſs of man that he fhould have
what is fufficient for him; he muſt alſo have ſome-
thing to beſtow. A Guaranis could not be a benefac-
tor to his wife, his children, his relations, his friends,
or his countrymen; neither could any of theſe do
good for him. He felt no kind of appetency. If he
was without vice, he was alfo without virtue; he nei-
ther loved nor was beloved. A Guaranis with paffions
would have been the moſt wretched of beings; and a
man without them exifts not, either in the midst of fo-
refts, in fociety, or in a cell. There is no paffion but
that of love, which, being irritated and increafed by
reſtraint, could poffibly find its advantage in them.
But can it be fuppofed that the Guaranis retained no-
thing of the fenfe of their favage ftate of liberty? Let
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
187
VIII.
the reader take no account of what hath been written, в OOK
and reflect only upon the few lines I now fhall add.
The Guaranis had never any thing but very confuſed
ideas of what they owed to the care of their legiſlators,
while they, in the moſt lively manner, were continual-
ly fenfible of their defpotifm. At the time that they
were expelled, theſe people readily perfuaded them-
felves that they ſhould be free, and that their happi-
nefs would not be diminiſhed by it. All kind of au-
thority is more or lefs odious; and this is the reafon
why all mafters, without exception, are paid with in-
gratitude from their fervants.
ry ſteps ta◄
theſe mif
When the miffions of Paraguay were taken out of Prelimina-
the hands of the Jefuits in 1768, they were arrived, ken by the
perhaps, to the higheſt degree of civilization to which court of
Spain for
it is poffible to bring recent nations, and which was the govern
certainly very ſuperior to every thing that existed in ment of
the rest of the New Hemiſphere. The laws were ob- fions,
ferved; an exact police was eſtabliſhed; the manners
were pure; and all the inhabitants were united by
brotherly love. All the arts of neceflity were improv
ed, and fome of thofe of luxury were known. Plenty
was univerfal, and the public ftores were filled. The
number of horned cattle amounted to feven hundred
and fixty-nine thoufand three hundred and fifty-three,
that of mules and horſes to ninety-four thouſand nine
hundred and eighty-three, and that of ſheep to two
hundred and twenty-one thoufand five hundred and
thirty-feven, without reckoning other domeftic ani-
mals.
Authority, which had been hitherto concentrated
in the fame hands, was divided. A chief, to whom
three lieutenants were given, was charged with the
government of the country. Every thing that con-
cerned religion was committed to the care of the
monks of the orders of Saint Dominic, Saint Francis,
and La Merci.
This is the only change that hath been hitherto
made in the former arrangements. The court of Ma-
drid certainly wifhed to examine whether the order
188
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
}
}
VIII.
BOOK that was eſtabliſhed was to be maintained or altered?
Attempts have been made to perfuade them to with-
draw the Guaranis from a diftrict rather unwholeſome,
and not ſufficiently fertile, in order to people with them
the uninhabited borders of the Rio Plata, from Bue-
nos-Ayres to Affumption. If this plan be adopted,
and that the people ſhould refufe to quit the land of
their forefathers, they will be reduced to the neceffity
of difperfing themſelves; if they fhould accede to the
views of Spain, they will no longer form a national
body. Whatever may happen, the most beautiful
edifice that has been raiſed in the New World will be
overthrown.
But this is enough, and perhaps too much, upon the
circumſtances and revolutions, more or leſs important,
which have agitated Spaniſh America during the courſe
of three centuries. It is time to afcend to the princi-
ples which directed the foundation of this great em-
pire, and to trace, without malignity as without flat-
tery, the confequences of a fyftem of which antiquity
hath not left, and could not poffibly leave, any model.
We fhall begin, by giving an account of the feveral
ſpecies of men which are at prefent collected in this
immenfe region.
People who
We ſhall not reckon among the inhabitants of the
inhabitSpa-
nifh Ame- New Hemiſphere either the commanders who are
rica; and commiffioned to give them laws, or the troops deftin-
Chapetons. ed to protect and contain them, or the merchants em-
firft of the
ployed in fupplying their wants. Theſe feveral orders
of men do not fettle in America, but return all of them
to Europe after a fhorter or a longer ftay. Among the
perfons fent by public authority, there are ſcarce any,
except a few magiftrates, and a few fubaltern directors,
who fix themſelves in thefe diftant regions. The law
prohibits every citizen from going there without the
confent of government; but men who are known ea-
fily obtain this permiffion, and obfcure perfons fre-
quently go there clandeftinely. Individuals are pow-
erfully ftimulated to this emigration, by the hope of
making a large fortune, and fometimes alfo by the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
189
VIII.
certainty of acquiring a degree of confideration which в O O K
they would not have enjoyed in the place of their ori-
gin. It is fufficient to be born in Spain, to obtain di-
ftinguiſhed marks of refpect; but this advantage is not
tranfmitted. The children that are brought forth in
this other world are not honoured with the name of
Chapetons, as their fathers were; they are fimply call-
ed Creoles.
oles.
This is the name given to thoſe who are of Spanish The Cre-
iffue in the New Hemifphere. Many of them defcend
from the first conquerors, or their immediate fuccef-
fors; and others have had illuftrious anceſtors. Moft
of them have purchaſed or obtained diftinguiſhed ti-
tles; but few of them have directed the great ſprings
of government. Whether the court thought them in-
capable of application, or whether they were appre-
henſive they ſhould prefer the intereft of their own to
that of the mother-country, they excluded them early
from places of truft, and ſeldom deviated from this
ſyſtem, whether it were a proper or an improper one.
This contempt, or this miftruft, difcouraged them, and
they loft, in the vices arifing from idleness, from the
heat of the climate, and from the abundance of all
things, the remainder of that elevation of mind, of
which ſuch great examples had been left them. A
barbarous luxury, pleaſures of a ſhameful kind, a ftu-
pid fuperftition, and romantic intrigues, completed the
degradation of their character. One road ftill remain-
ed open to the ambition of theſe colonists, who are in
fome meaſure profcribed upon their native land. The
court, the army, the courts of juſtice, and the church,
are purſuits of greater or lefs eftimation in Spain, which
they are at liberty to follow. A very fmall number,
however, have entered into them, either becauſe their
minds are entirely corrupted, or becauſe the diftance
renders the acceſs to them difficult. Some of lefs di-
ftinguiſhed birth have turned, even in America, their
activity and their faculties to the great operations of
trade; and thefe have been the moft prudent and the
moſt uſeful.
!
190
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
tees.
The fame fuperiority which the Chapetons affected
VIII. over the Creoles, the latter affumed over the Meftees.
The Mef- Thefe are the race proceeding from a European with
an Indian woman. The Spaniards, who, at the firſt
period of the difcovery, landed in the New World,
had no women with them. Some of the moſt confi-
derable of them waited till women were fent from Eu-
rope. Moſt of them plighted their faith to the moſt
diftinguiſhed or the moſt agreeable girls of the coun-
try. Frequently even they became mothers without
being married. The law ordained, that theſe children,
legitimate or illegitimate, ſhould enjoy the fame privi-
leges as their fathers; but prejudice placed them in a
lower rank. It is fcarcely till after three generations,
that is to fay, when their complexion differs in nothing
from that of the white men, who are all very dark,
that, in the ordinary courſe of civil life, they are treat-
ed as the other Creoles are. Before they can attain to
fo flattering an equality, thefe Meftees, who are every
where very numerous, and whofe fpecies is uninter-
ruptedly renewed, were moſtly employed in the me-
chanic arts, and in the minuter details of trade. When
they have acquired a greater ſhare of dignity, they are
ftill obliged to continue the fame labours, till fome
fortunate alliance, or fome particular circumftance,
enables them to pafs their ufelefs days in pleaſure and
idlenefs.
The Ne-
groes.
Scarce had the New World been difcovered, when
Negroes were brought into it, in 1503. Eight years
afterwards, a greater number of them was introduced,
becauſe experience had ſhown that they were infinite-
ly better calculated for all the labours than the natives
of the country. The government foon prohibited them,
from an apprehenfion that they would corrupt the
Americans, and incite them to revolt. Las Cafas, who
was deficient in proper notions concerning the rights
of mankind, but who was inceffantly employed in the
relief of the Indians, to whom he was attached, ob-
tained the revocation of a law, which he thought
would be injurious to them. Charles V. permitted,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
191
VIII.
in 1517, that four thousand of theſe flaves fhould be в O O K
conveyed into the Spaniſh colonies; and the Flemiſh
courtier, who had obtained the profit of this traffic,
fold his privilege to the Genoefe.
At the expiration of this grant, this vile commerce
ceaſed almoſt entirely; but the Portugueſe, having be-
come fubjects of the court of Madrid, revived it. It
fell again, after theſe people had ſhaken off the yoke
which they bore with fo much impatience, and did
not recover any activity, till the two nations came to
be upon better terms with each other. At length, the
fubjects of the court of Liſbon engaged, in 1696, to
furniſh, in five years time, twenty-five thoufand Ne-
groes to their former tyrants; and they fulfilled this
engagement with the affiftance of their fovereign,
who advanced two-thirds of the funds required for an
undertaking which was then fo confiderable.
The French, who had just been giving a king to
Spain, too lightly took upon themſelves, in 1702, the
engagements of the Portugueſe. Being deficient in
fettlements on the coaft of Africa, little ſkilled in ma-
ritime operations, and having been unfortunate in the
courfe of a long war, they did nothing of what they
had fo boldly promiſed.
This contract paffed into the hands of the Engliſh
at the peace of Utrecht. The South Sea Company,
to whom the Britiſh miniſtry gave it up, engaged to
deliver, each of the thirty years that their charter was
to laft, four thoufand eight hundred Africans to the
Spaniſh ſettlements. They were confined to this num-
ber during the five laſt years of their grant; but all
the reft of the time they were allowed to introduce as
many as they could fell. They engaged to pay thir-
ty-three piaftres and one-third, or one hundred and
eighty livres [71. 10s.], for each of the firft four thou-
fand Negroes; the other eight hundred were freed from
this burdenfome tribute, in indemnity for 1,080,000
livres [45,000l.] advanced to the court of Madrid,
and which were only to be reimburſed in the courſe
of ten years. This tribute was reduced to half for all
2
3
192
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK the flaves that were not required by the contract.
Philip V. indemnified himſelf for this facrifice, by re-
ferving the fourth part of the profits made by the
Company. The execution of this treaty was only in-
terrupted by the hoftilities which, in 1739, divided
the two kingdoms. The peace of 1748 reftored to
the crown of England all its rights; but the Company
which reprefented it were induced, by an indemnity
that was offered to them, to give up the ſhort remains
of a grant, which they forefaw they fhould not be al-
lowed to enjoy without confiderable reſtrictions.
Robert Mayne, a merchant of London, fucceeded,
under a Spaniſh name, to the Affociation. Such was
the diſhoneſty or the negligence of the agents whom
he had ſettled at Buenos-Ayres, which was become
the ftaple of the trade, that in 1752 he was ruined,
and obliged to give up an undertaking, which, if more
prudently managed, or more carefully attended to,
cught to have yielded very confiderable profits.
The refolution was then taken to receive flaves at
Porto Rico, which were to pay to government two
hundred and fixteen livres [91.] each, and which, after
having defrayed this heavy tax, were freely admitted
upon the continent and in the iſlands. The Engliſh,
who had treated with the governor of Cuba, fulfilled
their engagements punctually, when the court of Ma-
drid thought a change of fyflem would be better cal-
culated for their intereft.
In 1765, an affociation was formed between fome
Spaniſh, French, and Genoeſe commercial houſes, ſet-
tled at Cadiz. This Company, which was ill ferved
by its agents, and much loaded with debt, was going
to be diffolved, when, in 1773, the miniftry thought
it prudent and equitable to offer fome alleviation of
the terms they had at firft impofed upon it. The char-
ter was prolonged, and the taxes diminished; and,
from that period, the importation of flaves hath ac-
quired freih activity. They are bought indifcrimi-
nately in all places where they can be procured to the
beſt advantage.
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
193
о
VIII.
Savage Europeans! ye doubted at firft whether the в O O K
inhabitants of the regions you had juſt diſcovered were
not animals which you might flay without remorſe,
becauſe they were black, and you were white. You
almoſt envied them the knowledge of God, your com-
mon Father. Moft horrid thought! But when you
had permitted them alſo to raiſe their hands and eyes
to heaven; when you had initiated them in your ce-
remonies and myfteries; made them join in your pray-
ers and offerings, and in the hopes of a future ftate,
afforded by one common religion; when you had ac-
knowledged them to be your brethren; was not the
general horror redoubled, at ſeeing you trample under
foot the ties of this facred confanguinity? You have
put them more upon an equality with yourſelves; and
yet you go to diftant parts in order to buy and fell
them! You fell them, too, as you would a baſe herd
of cattle! In order to repeople one part of the globe,
which you have laid wafte, you corrupt and depopu-
late another. If death be preferable to flavery, are
ye not ſtill more inhuman upon the coafts of Africa
than you have been in the regions of America? En-
glish, French, Spaniards, Dutch, or Portugueſe, let me
fuppofe that I am converfing with one of you about a
treaty concluded between two civilized nations; and
that I fhould ask him, what kind of compenfation he
imagines may have been agreed upon in the exchange
you have made? He will think it to confift in gold.
provifions, privileges, a town, or a province; while,
on the contrary, it confifts in a greater or lefs number
of your fellow-creatures, which the one gives up to
the other, to difpofe of at pleaſure. But fuch is the
infamy of this unnatural contract, that it doth not
even prefent itſelf to the ideas of the contracting par-
ties.
J
Every thing announces that the court of Spain
will ſhake off the dependence they had upon foreign
nations for their flaves. This is the only view they
can poffibly have had, in requiring of Portugal, in
Vol. III.
N
194
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK 1771, the ceffion of two of their iſlands on the Afri
can coaft.
VIII.
Laborious cltivations, and fome mines of a parti-
cular kind, have employed part of the flaves intro-
duced upon the Spaniſh continent in the New World,
The fervice of the rich hath been the deftiny of the
greater number. Thefe have foon become the confi-
dents of their maſters pleaſures; and by this infamous
employment they have gained their liberty. Their
defcendants have allied themſelves fometimes with the
Europeans, and fometimes with the Mexicans, and
have formed the vigorous and numerous race of the
Mulattoes, which, as that of the Meſtees, but two or
three generations later, acquires the colour and the
rank of white people. Thofe among them who are
ftill in flavery have affumed a determined fuperiority
over the wretched and poor. This fuperiority they
owe to the favour granted to them by government.
For this reaſon, the Africans, who, in the fettlements
of other nations, are the enemies of the white peo-
ple, are become their defenders in the Spaniſh Indies.
But why ſhould the favour of government be be-
ftowed upon the flave that was bought, in preference
to the flave that was conquered? It is, becauſe the
injury done to the latter was of more ancient date,
and greater than the injury done to the former; that
the latter was accustomed to the yoke, and that the
former was to be broken to it; and that the flave of a
mafter, whom a fyftem of policy hath made maſter of a
flave, is brought, by this diftinction, to take part with
the common tyrant. If the African, who is the de-
fender of the white people in the Spaniſh Indies, hath
been their enemy in all other parts, it is becauſe in all
other parts he hath always obeyed, and never com-
manded; it is, becauſe he was not comforted in his
fituation by the fight of one more wretched than his
In the Spaniſh Indies, the African is alternate-
ly flave and mafter; in the ſettlements of other na-
tions, he is perpetually a ſlave.
own.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
195
VIII.
ſtate of the
The Indians form the laft clafs of inhabitants, in a в O O K
country which belonged entirely to their anceſtors.
The misfortunes of thefe people began even at the era Ancient
of the diſcovery. Columbus diftributed lands at firft and prefent
to thoſe who accompanied him, and attached ſome na- Indies.
tives of the country to them in 1499. This arrange.
ment was not approved of by the court, who, three
years after, ſent Ovando to St. Domingo, to reſtore
theſe wretched people to liberty. This new com-
mander, barbarous as he was, complied with the will
of his fovereigns: but the indolence of the Americans,
and the complaints of the Spaniards, foon determined
him to put thoſe whom he had fet free again into
chains, and to add ftill a greater number to them.
But he decreed, that theſe flaves fhould reap fome ad-
vantage from their labour, whether they were em-
ployed in the culture of the lands, or the working of
the mines. In 1504, this arrangement was confirmed
by Ferdinand and Iſabella, with a provifo, that the
ſtipend ſhould be regulated by government.
The Dominicans, who had juft arrived in the colo-
ny, were incenfed at an arrangement which overthrew
all former principles. They refufed, in the confeffion-
al chair, abſolution to thoſe individuals who folicited,
or even accepted, thofe gifts, which were indifcrimi-
nately ftyled repartitions, or commanderies. They
thundered out excommunications from the pulpit
against the authors or promoters of theſe injuftices.
The exclamations of theſe monks, fo much revered at
that time, refounded throughout all Europe, where
the cuftom, which they attacked with fo much inve-
teracy, was again difcuffed in 1510, and was again con-
firmed.
In 1516, the Indians found in Las Cafas a more
zealous, more intrepid, and more active protector, than
thoſe who had preceded him. His folicitations deter-
mined Ximenes, who at that time governed Spain
with fo much fplendour, to fend over to America
three friars to determine upon this matter, which had
already been twice decided. The decrees they pro-
F
N ij
196
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK nounced were not fuch as were expected from their
profeffion. They decided in favour of the commande-
ries, but excluded from them all the courtiers and fa-
vourites who did not refide in the New World.
Las Caſas, who had been declared the protector of
the Indians by the miniſter himſelf, and who, inveſted
with this honourable title, had accompanied the dele-
gates, returned immediately into Spain, in order to
devote to public indignation men of a pious profeffion,
whom he accuſed of having facrificed humanity to po-
litical views. He fucceeded in having them recalled,
and Figueroa was fubftituted to them. This magi-
ftrate took the refolution to collect, in two large vil-
lages, a confiderable body of Indians, whom he left
entirely at their own difpofal. The experiment did
not turn out in their favour. The government con-
cluded, from their ftupidity and their indolence, that
the Americans were children incapable of conducting
themſelves; and their condition was not altered.
Nevertheleſs, the clamours of many reſpectable per-
fons were raiſed on all fides against thefe arrangements;
and the ſtates of Caftile themfelves demanded, in 1523,
that they ſhould be annulled. Charles V. yielded to
all theſe folicitations. He forbad Cortez, who had
juſt conquered Mexico, to give any commanderies, and
enjoined him to revoke thofe he might already have
granted. When theſe orders arrived in New Spain,
the repartitions were already fettled as in the other co-
lonies, and the monarch's pleafure was not complied
with.
From this, and all other countries fubject to Caftile,
intelligence was conftantly received, that no real or
ufeful labours would be carried on in the New World,
if the people who were fubdued ſhould for a moment
ceaſe to be at the difpofal of their conquerors. The
apprehenfion of having made the difcovery of fo rich
a hemifphere without advantage, made a great im-
preffion upon the miniftry: but, on the other hand,
the idea of having invaded one half of the globe,
merely to reduce the nations to flavery, was another
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
197
VIII.
point of view which could not fail of exciting fome в O O K
alarms in the government. In this uncertainty, com-
manderies were allowed or prohibited at hazard. At
length, in 1536, the government adopted the medium
of giving a fanction to them for two generations. Al-
though they had been granted only for two years be-
fore this period, they were in reality perpetual, ſince
there was not a ſingle inftance of the grant's not being
renewed. The king continued to referve to himſelf
all the Indians fettled in the ports or in the principal
towns.
:
The protector of theſe wretched people grew in-
dignant at theſe ordinances. He fpoke, he exerted
himſelf, he fummoned his nation to the tribunal of the
whole univerſe, and made the two hemiſpheres fhudder
with horror. O! Las Cafas! thou waft greater by thy
humanity, than all thy countrymen were by their con-
quefts. Should it happen in future ages, that theſe un-
fortunate regions which they have invaded ſhould be
peopled again, and that a ſyſtem of laws, manners,
and liberty, fhould be eſtabliſhed among them, the
firſt ſtatue they would erect would be thine. We
ſhould ſee thee interpofing between the American and
the Spaniard, and prefenting thy breaft to the poniard
of the one, in order to fave the other. We fhould
read, at the bottom of this monument, IN AN AGE OF
BARBARITY, LAS CASAS, WHOM THOU SEEST, WAS A BE-
NEVOLENT MAN. In the meanwhile thy name will re-
main engraved upon every feeling heart; and when
thy countrymen fhall bluth at the barbariſm of their
pretended heroes, they will take pride in thy virtues.
May theſe fortunate times not be fo far diftant as we
apprehend they are!
Charles V. enlightened by his own reflections, or
prevailed upon by the impetuous eloquence of Las Ca-
fas, ordered, in 1542, that all the commanderies which
ſhould become vacant fhould be indifcriminately re-
united to the crown. This decree was not in force in
Mexico and Peru, and occafioned a bloody and obfti-
nate war. The government were obliged to annul it
Nij
198
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK three years after; but authority was eſtabliſhed with
VIII. fufficient folidity in 1549, to bid defiance to all com-
plaints, and to be no longer impeded by the fear of
infurrections.
At this period, the Indians were freed from all per-
fonal fervices, and the tribute they were to pay to
their commanders was regulated. The mafters, hi-
therto fo oppreffive, were forbidden to refide in the
extent of their jurifdiction, and to fleep there more
than one night. They were alfo prohibited from hav-
ing any dwelling there, from leaving their families,
from poffeffing any lands, from breeding any cattle,
and from eſtabliſhing any manufactures. They were
forbidden to intermix in marriage with their vaffals,
and to take any of them into their fervice. The per-
fon commiffioned to collect their taxes muft have the
fanction of the magiftrate, and muft give fecurity
against any vexations he fhould be guilty of.
The tax impofed upon the natives of the country,
to make their conquerors fubfift with a degree of dig-
nity, is not even merely a gratuitous favour. Theſe
proud mafters are obliged to collect their fubjects in a
village, to build them a church, and to pay the clergy-
man appointed to inftruct them. They are obliged to
fix their refidence in the principal town of the pro-
vince, in which their commandery is fituated, and to
have always horfes and arms in readineſs to repel an
enemy, whether foreign or domeftic. They are not
permitted to abfent themſelves, till they have put a
foldier, approved by government, in their place.
No material alterations were made in theſe regula-
tions till 1568. It was then refolved, that the com-
manderies, which, for thirty-two years paſt, had been
granted for two lives, fhould continue to be given in
the fame manner; but that thofe, the revenue of which
exceeded ten thouſand eight hundred livres [450l.],
ſhould be fubject to penfions. All of them were in
future to be proclaimed when they became vacant,
and fuppofing the merit of the competitors equal, to
be diftributed in preference to the heirs of the con-
t
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
199
B
VIII.
querors, and, after them, to the defcendants of the firft в O O K
colonists. The court, perceiving that thefe rewards
were more frequently diftributed by favour than by
talents, or the claim of an ancient origin, ordered, in
1608, that they fhould be annulled, if the favours
granted by the viceroys were not confirmed in fix
years for Peru, and in five for the reft of America.
The chief of the commandery, however, entered into
the enjoyment of his poft as ſoon as he was appointed.
It was only required of him to fecure the reftitution of
the fums he might have received, if the choice that
had been made of him were not ratified at the time
preſcribed by the ordinances.
At the beginning of the laft century, the govern-
ment appropriated to themfelves the third part of the
revenue of the commanderies. Soon after this, they
took the whole of it into their hands, and forbade
their delegates to fill up thofe that fhould become va-
cant. At length, they were all fuppreffed in 1720,
except thoſe that were given in perpetuity to Cortez,
and to fome hofpitals or religious communities.
this period, fo remarkable in the annals of the New
World, the Indians were dependent only on the crown.
At
Was this fyftem the belt that could poffibly be a-
dopted for the intereft of Spain, and the felicity of the
other hemifphere? Who will be able to folve a pro-
blem, in which fo many circumftances are complicat-
ed? The rights of juftice; the fentiments of humani-
ty; the private views of minifters; the fway of the
moment; the ambition of the great; the rapaciouf-
neſs of favourites; the projects of fpeculative men; the
authority of the priesthood; the influence of the man-
ners and of prejudice; the character of the diftant fub-
jects; the nature of the climate, of the foil, and of the
labours; the diſtance of places; the tardinefs and con-
tempt of the fovereign's orders; the tyranny of gover-
nors; the impunity of crimes; the uncertainty of ac-
counts and of accufations; and fuch a multitude of
other different matters. We need not therefore be
furpriſed at the long uncertainty of the court of Ma-
:
Nij
200
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VIII.
drid; when, in the centre of European nations, at the
foot of the throne, under the immediate inſpection of
the directors of the ſtate, we ſee abuſes fubfifting, and
often increaſing, on account of the abfurdity of mea-
fures. The man, with whom they were furrounded,
was then taken for the model of the man at a diſtance;
and it was imagined that the fame fyftem of legiſlation
which fuited the one, was equally adapted to the other.
In former times, and, perhaps, even at prefent, we con-
found with each other, two beings feparated by im-
menſe differences, the favage and the civilized man ;
the man born in the centre of liberty, and the man
born in the fhackles of flavery. The averfion of the
favage for our cities, arifeth from the improper manner
in which we have introduced ourfelves into his fo-
refts.
At prefent, the Indians who have not been fettled in
the towns, are all collected in villages, which they are not
permitted to quit, and where they form municipal af-
femblics, over which their cacique prefides. To each
of theſe villages a territory of greater or leſs extent is
attached, according to the nature of the foil, and the
number of its inhabitants. Part of it is cultivated in
common for the public neceffities, and the reſt is di-
ftributed to the families for their private ufe. The law
hath ordained that this domain ſhould be unalienable;
fome portions of it, however, are, from time to time,
allowed to be detached from it, in favour of the Spa-
niards; but always with an annual charge upon it, for
the profit of the fellers, under the inſpection of govern-
ment. There is no inftitution which prevents the In-
dians from having lands belonging to them; but they
have ſeldom the power or the inclination to make ac-
quifitions.
As difgrace breaks down all the fprings of the mind,
one of the cauſes of this poverty and of this difcourage-
ment, must be the obligation impofed upon theſe peo-
ple, of being alone devoted to the public labours. The
law ordains that they fhould be paid for this humiliat-
ing labour; but the diftance from whence they may
}
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
201
be brought, and the time they may be detained, de- в о o к
pends upon the government of the ſpot.
Another duty impoſed upon the Indians, is to be at
the diſpoſal of all the citizens; but merely for the ma-
nufactures, and the cultures of primary neceffity; and
this in rotation only, for eighteen days confecutively,
and for a falary fettled by the ordinances.
They have ſtill a more burdenſome taſk, and that is
the working of the mines. The directors were origi-
nally the fole regulators of this task. It was afterwards
provided for by ftatutes, which were frequently varied.
At prefent, no Indians are called to the mines, except
to thoſe of Guanca Velica, and of Potofi, which have
particular privileges, who live at the diftance of more
than thirty miles: they are allowed four reals, or fifty-
four fols [about 2s. 3d.] per day; they are detained no
longer than fix months, and the ſeventh part of a co-
lony is only employed in them at Peru, and the twen-
ty-fifth part at Mexico. Frequently even there are a
lefs number, becaufe libertinifm, cupidity, the expec-
tation of thieving, and, perhaps, other motives, attract
there a great number of Meftees, Mulattoes, and na-
tives.
A tribute which the male Indians, from eighteen to
fifty years of age, pay to the government, completes
this multitude of calamities. This tax, which was ori-
ginally paid in provifions, is not the fame in all parts.
It is from eight to fifteen, twenty, thirty, and forty
livres, [from 6s. 8d. to 12s. 10d.-16s. 8d.-11. 5s. and
Il. 138. 4d.] according to the different periods when,
at the requeſt of the perfons who paid it, it was con-
verted into coin. The cuſtom which prevailed with
the government, of requiring always in money the va-
lue of the productions, the price of which varies with
time and place, introduced thefe difproportions, which
were greater, and confequently more deftructive in
South, than they were in North America, where the
capitation is ufually of nine reals, or fix livres one fol
fix deniers [rather more than five fhillings]. The
fourth part of this tax is diftributed to the clergyman,
VIII.
}
202
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK to the cacique, and to the Spaniard, commiffioned in
each province to prevent the oppreffion of the Indians,
or kept for the purpoſe of affitting the community in
any of its misfortunes. Such is the legal condition of
the Indians but no one can determine how much pri-
vate injuſtice adds weight to a burden already too
heavy. That, among the vexations which hath moft
attracted the notice of government, hath proceeded
from the officer, who is called an Alcade at Mexico,
and a Corregidor at Peru.
This is a magiftrate charged, under the inſpection of
the viceroy, or of the tribunals, with the adminiſtration
of juſtice; with the management of the finances, of
war, of police, and of every thing that can concern
public order, throughout the ſpace of thirty, forty, and
fifty leagues. Although the law prohibited him, as
well as the other depofitaries of authority, from under-
taking any trade; yet, from the earlieſt times, he mo-
nopolized all that was poffible to be carried on with
the Indians under his jurifdiction. As he only remain-
ed five years in office, he uſed to deliver, almoſt as ſoon
as he got in, the merchandiſe he had to fell, and em-
ployed the rest of his time in collecting in the pay-
ments. The oppreffion became general. The un-
fortunate natives of the country were always cruſhed
by the enormity of the prices, and frequently by being
obliged to take goods of no uſe to them, but which
the tyrant himſelf had fometimes been compelled to
receive from the merchants, who afforded him a long
and hazardous credit. Every thing, or almoſt every
thing, was refuſed to the poor, and thoſe who enjoyed
any kind of eaſe in their circumftances were overbur-
dened. When the payments became due, they were
exacted with barbarous feverity, by a creditor who is at
once both judge and party; and the moſt heavy pe-
nalties were inflicted upon the debtors, who failed ei-
ther in the voluntary or compelled obligations they
had entered into.
The humane and equitable chiefs were fenfibly af-
fected with theſe enormities, which were more atro-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
203
VIII.
cious and more frequent in South, than they were in в O O K
North America. They thought it, however, neceffary
to tolerate them, from an idea generally entertained,
that if the chain which was formed was once to be
broken, theſe indolent and thoughtleſs people would
be in want of clothing, of inſtruments of agriculture,
of cattle neceffary for all the labours, and that they
would immediately fall into a ſtate of inaction and ex-
treme mifery. Some prudent men endeavoured to re-
concile interefts that were fo oppofite to each other;
but none of their ideas were found to be practicable.
A fure method of leffening the miſchief, would have
been, to put the magiftrates, who went to feek, in ano-
ther hemifphere, a fortune which their native country
refuſed them, upon a better footing: but the miniſtry
would never confent to this increaſe of expence. Since
the year 1751, the Alcades and the Corregidors are o-
bliged to fix upon the place of their refidence, the
goods they have to fell, and the price they mean to
put upon them. If they deviate from this rate, which
is approved of by their fuperiors, they are to loſe their
places, and to reftore the quadruple of what they have
purloined. This regulation, which is rather ſtrictly at-
tended to, hath in fome degree diminiſhed the depre-
dations.
eſtabliſhed
World.
A form of government was wanting for the feveral Civil go-
people we have been ſpeaking of; and the court of vernment
Madrid adopted that which was the moft abfolute. by Spain in
The Spaniſh monarchs took all the rights and all the the New
powers into their own hands, and entrusted the exer-
cife of them to two delegates, who, under the title of
viceroys, were to enjoy the prerogatives of fovereign-
ty during all the time of their commiffion. They were
attended in their public functions, and even in their
private life, with a degree of pomp, which feemed cal-
culated to increaſe the refpect and terror which was
inſpired by authority. The number of theſe diſtin-
guithed offices hath fince been doubled, without the
leaft derogation from their dignity. Their conduct,
however, as well as that of the inferior agents, was
204
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
; a tri-
BOOK fubject to the cenfure of the Council for India
VIII. bunal erected in Europe, to govern, under the infpec-
tion of the monarch, the conquered provinces in the
New World.
Nature of
the ecclcfi-
alical go-
adopted in
In theſe diſtant countries were eſtabliſhed ten courts
of juftice, appointed to enfure the tranquillity of the
citizens, and to fettle any differences that might ariſe
among them. Theſe tribunals, known by the name
of Audiences, pronounced definitively upon criminal
matters but caufes that were merely civil, and which
were for more than 10,156 pialtres, or 54,843 livres
[22851. 2s. 6d ], might be carried, by appeal, to the
Council for India. The privilege granted to theſe
great bodies to make remonftrances to the depofita-
ries of the royal authority, and the ftill more confider.
able prerogative given to thoſe of the capitals to fill
the duties of the vice-royalty, whenever they were va-
cant, raiſed them to a degree of importance, which, as
magiftrates, they would not have acquired.
་
It feeined more difficult to regulate the ecclefiafti-
cal form of government. At the period of the difco-
vernment very of the New World, all Europe was covered with
America. a veil of darknefs, woven, or thickened, by the preju-
dices which the court of Rome had inceffantly diffuf
ed, fometimes openly, and fometimes with cunning.
Thefe fuperftitions were more deeply rooted, and more
general in Spain, where the infidels had for fo long a
time paſt been the object of their hatred and of their
wars. The fovereigns of this kingdom, one would na-
turally imagine, would have eſtabliſhed beyond the
feas the bad principles of the pontiffs who gave them
another hemifphere; but this was not the caſe. Theſe
princes, more enlightened, as it fhould feem, than
might be expected from the age they lived in, depriv-
ed the ruler of Chriftendom of the privilege of collat-
ing to the benefices of the church, and even of the
tithes, which the prieſts had aflumed to themſelves in
all parts. Unfortunately, the prudence that had dic-
tated this fyftem, was not followed by their fucceffors,
who founded, or permitted to be founded, too great a
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
205
VIII.
number of biſhopricks. Numberlefs churches were в O O K
conſtructed, and convents of both fexes multiplied be-
yond every idea of excefs. Celibacy became the rul-
ing paffion in a defert country. Metals, which fhould
have been employed in fertilizing the earth, were
thrown away upon the churches. The clergy, not-
withſtanding their ignorance and corruption, obtained
the reſtoration of the greateſt part of thoſe oppreffive
tithes which had been drawn out of their avaricious
hands. America feemed now to have been conquered
but for them. In the meanwhile, the inferior clergy,
thoſe who are in other parts fo mild and fo reſpectable,
did not find themſelves fufficiently opulent. The In-
dian, whom they were appointed to inſtruct and com-
fort, did not dare to appear before them without fome
preſent. They indulged him in fuch of his former fu-
perftitions as were of advantage to themſelves; as, for
inftance, the custom of putting a great quantity of
provisions upon the tombs of the dead. They fet an
exorbitant price upon their functions, and had always
fome pious inventions, which gave them an opportu-
nity of exacting fresh taxes. Such a conduct had ren-
dered their tenets generally odious. Theſe people
went to mafs as they did to the labours of vaffalage,
execrating the barbarous ftrangers, who loaded their
bodies and their fouls with burdens equally weighty.
The ſcandal became public, and almoft general. The
fecular and the regular clergy, who both of them ful-
filled the fame miniftry, mutually accufed each other of
thefe vexatious. The first defcribed their rivals as a fet
of vagabonds, who had withdrawn themſelves from the
fuperintendence of their fuperiors, in order to follow
their libertinifm with impunity. The latter accufed
the other of their ignorance and indolence, and cen-
fured them for being wholly taken up with the educa-
tion of their families. We acknowledge, with regret,
that there was reafon for thefe reproaches on both
fides. The court was for a long time difturbed by the
intrigues of thefe two cabals, which were inceffantly
renewed. At length they decreed, in 1757, that the
206
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
I
BOOK monks fhould occupy the benefices they held during
VIII. life, but that they fhould not be fucceeded in them by
Diftribu-
lands in the
men of the fame profeffion. This determination, which
brings matters again into their natural order, will pro-
bably be attended with favourable confequences.
It was a great point, to have regulated, in the firſt
tion of the inftance, all the great fprings of the new empire. It
NewWorld now remained to fettle the deſtiny of thofe who were
at the time to live in it. The fovereign, who thought himſelf the
legitimate poffeffor of all the lands of America, by
acquiring right of conqueft, and by the conceffion of the pon-
thefe poffcf- tiffs, cauſed ſome of them, at firſt, to be diftributed
among his foldiers, who had fought in the New World.
of the con-
queſt.
Mode of
fions at pre-
fent.
The foot foldier received a piece of ground of the
length of one hundred feet, and of the breadth of
fifty, to build upon; one thouſand eight hundred and
eighty-five toifes for garden-ground; feven thouſand
five hundred and forty-three for his orchard; ninety-
four thousand two hundred and eighty-eight for the
culture of European corn; and nine thoufand four
hundred and twenty-eight for that of Indian corn;
and all the extent of ground that was neceſſary to
breed ten hogs, twenty goats, one hundred fheep,
twenty horned cattle, and five horfes. The cavalry
man was allowed double the quantity of ground for
his buildings, and the quintuple of all the reſt.
Soon after towns were conftructed. Theſe were not
left to the caprice of perfons who meant to inhabit
them. The ordonnances required that they ſhould be
in an agreeable fituation, in a wholeſome air, on a fer-
tile foil, abounding with waters. They regulated the
pofition of the churches, the direction of the ftreets,
and the extent of the public fquares. It was uſually
fome rich and active individual who undertook to build
them, after they had obtained the fanction of go-
vernment. If the whole was not finiſhed at the ſti-
pulated time, he loft all the money he had advanced,
and was likewiſe indebted to the treaſury 5400 livres
[225]. The other obligations impoſed upon him
were, to find a clergyman for his church, and to fup-
1
IN THE WEST EAST AND INDIES.
207
VIII.
ply him with all that was required to keep up the de- в O O K
cency of a regular form of worship. He was alſo
obliged to collect at leaſt thirty Spaniſh inhabitants,
each of whom was to have ten cows, four oxen, one
mare, one fow, twenty fheep, one cock, and fix hens.
When thefe conditions were fulfilled, the civil and cri-
minal jurifdictions were granted to him in the firſt in-
ftance for two generations, the right of appointing
the municipal officers, and four leagues fquare of ter-
ritory.
Part of this great ſpace was taken up in the placing
of the city, by the commons, and by the perſon who
undertook the bufinefs. The reft was divided into
equal portions, which were drawn for by lot, and
none of which could be alienated till after five years
cultivation. Every citizen was to have as many lots
as he had houfes; but his property was never to ex-
ceed what Ferdinand had originally granted at Saint
Domingo to three horſemen.
Thofe perfons who had poffeffions in the towns that
were already founded, were excluded by law from the
new fettlements: but this ſtrict regulation did not ex-
tend to their children. All the Indians who were not
detained elſewhere by engagements which they could
not break, were allowed to fettle there as fervants, as
mechanics, or as labourers.
Exclufive of the lands which were fecured to the
troops, and to the founders of towns, the chiefs of the
feveral colonies were authoriſed to diftribute fome to
the Spaniards who were inclined to fettle in the New
Hemiſphere. This great privilege was taken from
them in 1591. Philip II. whofe ambition engaged
him in perpetual wars, and whofe obftinacy would ne-
ver allow him to put an end to them, was not able to
anfwer fo many expences. The fale of the lands in
America, which to this period had been given away,
was one of the reſources that fuggefted itſelf to him.
His law had, even in fome fort, a retroactive effect, in
as much as it ordered the confifcation of all that was
poffeffed without a legitimate title, unleſs the ufurper
F
3
208
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
น
VIII.
BOOK ſhould confent to redeem theſe poffeffions. An ar-
rangement ſo uſeful in reality, or in appearance, to the
treaſury, never received any modification at any pe-
riod, nor hath it yet experienced any.
Regula-
tions made
at different
periods for
the work-
ing of the
mines.
But it was a more eaſy matter to beſtow lands gra-
tuitoufly upon fome adventurers, or to cede them to
ſuch perſons at a low price, than to induce them to
make them fertile. This kind of labour was deſpiſed
by the firſt Spaniards, whom their avidity had led into
the Indies. The flow, laborious, and expenfive mode
of cultivation, could fcarce tempt men, who, in the
hope of making an eaſy, brilliant, and rapid fortune,
had braved the waves of an unknown ocean, and the
dangers of all kinds that awaited them upon unwhole-
fome and barbarous coafts. They were in hafte to en-
joy; and the moſt expeditious way of doing this, was
to feize upon the minerals. An enlightened govern-
ment would have endeavoured to rectify the ideas of
their fubjects, and to give, as much as poffible, another
bent to their ambition. But the direct contrary of this
took place; the error of individuals became the poli-
cy of the ministry; they were blind enough to prefer
treaſures that are merely fo by convention, the quan-
tity of which could not fail of being diminiſhed, and
which muft daily lofe fomething of their imaginary
price, to riches that are inceffantly ſpringing up afreſh,
and the value of which muſt gradually increaſe in all
times. This illufion of the conquerors and of the ſo-
vereigns threw the ſtate out of the road of proſperity,
and formed the manners in America. Nothing was in
eftimation but gold or filver, accumulated by rapine,
by oppreffion, and by the working of the mines.
In the earlieſt times of the conqueft, it was decreed,
that the mines fhould belong to the perfon who difco-
vered them, provided he had them regiſtered in the
tribunal nearest to the ſpot. The government had at
firſt the imprudence to have the portion of this rich
foil, which they had referved for themfelves, fearched
on their own account; but they foon renounced this
ruinous error, and contracted the habit of ceding it to
#
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST ÍNDIES.
209
VII.
the proprietor of the rest of the mine for a very mo- в O O K
derate fum. If theſe treaſures were found in cultivated
parts, which ſcarce ever happened, the perfon who un-
dertook the mine was to purchaſe the extent of ground
he wanted, or to give up the hundredth part of the
ore. Upon barren mountains, the proprietor was more
than fufficiently indemnified for the little damage he
received, by the value which a new exertion gave to
the productions cultivated in the neighbourhood.
From the moft ancient times, the mines, of whatfo-
ever nature they were, gave up to the treaſury in Spain
the fifth of their produce. This cuftom was carried
into the New World; but in procefs of time the go-
vernment was obliged to confine itſelf to a tenth for
the gold, and even in 1735, for the filver in Peru.
They were alfo obliged, in general, to lower the price
of mercury. Till the year 1761, this neceffary agent
had been fold for 432 livres [181.] the quintal. At
this period it coft no more than 324 [131. 1os.], or
even 216 livres [91.], for the mines that were not
abundant, or which were very expenfive in the work-
ing.
Every thing leads us to fuppofe, that the court of
Spain will be obliged, fooner or later, to make other
facrifices. In proportion as the metals grow more
common in commerce, they decreafe in value, and
they repreſent fewer commodities. This degradation
muft one day make the beſt mines be negleected, as
it hath fucceffively made the middling ones to have
been abandoned, unlefs the burden of thoſe who
work them be alleviated. The time, perhaps, is not
far diftant, when the Spaniſh miniftry must be con-
tented with two reals, or one livre feven fols [about
1s. 14d.], which they receive per mark for the ſtamp
and for the coinage.
The circumftance that might give great weight to
theſe conjectures is, that there are fcarce any men,
except those whofe affairs are in a doubtful or ruinous
fituation, who venture the taking of a part in the mines.
If it fhould fometimes happen, that a rich merchant
Vol. III.
{
210
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK fhould be ftimulated to it by an unbounded avidity,
VIII. he doth it always under the veil of the moft impene-
trable fecrecy. The bold fpeculator may conſent to
expofe his fortune, but never his name. He is well
aware, that, if his engagements were known, his repu-
tation and his credit would be inevitably loft. It is
not till his rafhnefs hath been crowned with the moſt
brilliant fuccefs, that he can venture to avow the riſks
he hath run.
Taves efta-
blished in
Spanith A-
Inerica.
When the government fhall be obliged to give up
the duties they yet receive from the metals, they will
ftill have confiderable revenues for the expences of fo-
vereignty. The principal of theſe ought to have been
the tithes, which Ferdinand had compelled the court
of Rome to give up to him: but Charles V. from mo-
tives which it is not eafy to conjecture, deprived him-
felf of them in favour of the bishops, the chapters, the
rectors, the hofpitals, the building of the churches; in
a word, in favour of men and of eftablifliments, which
were either too rich already, or foon became fo. This
prince ſcarce tranfmitted the ninth part of them to his
fucceffors. It was neceffary that a tribute extorted
from the Indians fhould fill up a void fo inconfiderate-
ly made in the public treaſure. The fuperior claffes
of fociety were not treated with lefs management; all
the New World was fubject to the Alcavala.
This is a tax levied only upon what is fold by whole-
fale, and which doth not extend to articles of daily
confumption. It comes originally from the Moors.
The Spaniards adopted it in 1341, and fettled it at the
rate of five per cent. It was afterwards carried up to
ten, and even to fourteen: but, in 1750, arrangements
were made, which brought it back to what it had been
in the firſt inſtance. Philip II. after the difafter of that
fleet, fo well known by the pompous title of Invinci-
ble, was urged, in 1591, by his wants, to require this
affiftance from his poffeffions in America. It was at
firſt only at two per cent., and in 1627 it roſe to four.
Stampt paper, that mode fo wifely invented to ſc-
cure the fortune of individuals, and which is become,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
211
in all parts, one of the principles of their ruin in the e o O K
hands of the treafury: ftampt paper, I fay, was in- VIII.
troduced, in 1741, into all the Spaniſh provinces of
the New World.
The monopoly of tobacco began to diftrefs Peru in
1752, Mexico in 1754, and in the interval of thefe
two periods, all the other parts of the hemifphere de-
pendent on Caftile.
At divers times, the crown hath appropriated to it-
felf, in the New as well as in the Old World, the mo-
nopoly of gunpowder, lead, and cards.
The moſt extraordinary of all impotts, however, is
the crufade. It took its rife in thofe ages of folly and
fanaticifm, when millions of Europeans went to lofe
their lives in the Eaft for the recovery of Paleſtine.
The court of Rome revived it in favour of Ferdinand,
who, in 1509, wifhed to attack the Moors of Africa.
This tax ftill fubfifts in Spain, where it is never lower
than twelve fols fix deniers [rather more than 6d.], and
never higher than four livres [3s. 4d.]. A greater fum
is paid for it in the New World, where it is only col-
lected every two years, and where it rifes from thirty-
five fols to thirteen livres [from about 1s. 7d. to 11s.
8d.], according to the rank and fortunes of the citi-
zens.
For this fum the people acquire the liberty of
obtaining abfolution from their confeffors, for fuch
crimes as are referved for the abfolution of the pope
and the bishops; they acquire the right of eating, up-
on days of abftinence, fome kinds of prohibited food,
and a multitude of indulgences for fins already com-
mitted, or for thoſe that may be committed in future.
The government do not ftrictly oblige their fubjects
to take this bull: but the priests would refuſe the
comforts of religion to thofe who fhould neglect or
diſdain it; and there is not, perhaps, in all Spaniſh
America one man fufficiently bold, or fufficiently en-
lightened, to brave this ecclefiaftical cenfure.
I will not, therefore, addrefs mylelf to a fet of foolish
mortals, whom we fhould in vain advife to thake off
the double yoke under which they are oppreffed; and
O ij
212
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOKI will not fay to them, What! do ye not conceive
VIII. that Providence, which watches over your preferva-
tion, in preſenting you with food which is proper for
you, and in perpetuating inceffantly the appetency
you have for it, meant undoubtedly to allow you the
free uſe of it? If the Heavens were irritated when
you eat of it in a forbidden ſeaſon, there is no power
on earth that could difpenfe with your obedience. Do
ye not fee that your ftupid credulity is impofed upon,
and that, by an infamous kind of traffic, a being who
is not greater than you are, a creature who is nothing
before the face of your common Maſter, arrogates to
himſelf the right of commanding you in his name, or
or of freeing you from the obfervation of his orders,
for a piece of money? This piece of money, doth he
take it for himſelf, or doth he give it to his God? Is
his God indigent? Doth he depend upon refources, or
doth he amafs treaſures? If in the other life he be a
rewarder of virtue, and an avenger of crimes, neither
the gold which you have given, nor the abſolution
which you ſhall have purchafed with that gold, will
have any effect upon the fcale. If his venal juſtice
ſhould admit of corruption, he would be as vile and
as contemptible as thofe who are feated in your tribu-
nals. If his reprefentative had the fame power for
himſelf as he hath perfuaded you that he hath for you,
he might be the moft wicked of mankind with impu-
nity, fince there is not any crime which he would not
have it in his power to pardon. Neither will I ad-
dreſs myſelf to the fubaltern minifters of this proud
chief, becauſe they have a common intereſt with him ;
and that, instead of anſwering me, they would light
up the flake under my feet. But I will addrefs my-
felf to the chief himſelf, and to the whole body over
which he prefides, and I will tell them :
It is time you ſhould renounce this unworthy mo-
nopoly, which difgraces you, and which diſhonours
both the God whom you preach, and the religion.
which you profels. Simplify your doctrine, and purge
it from abfurdities. Abandon, with a good grace, all
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
213
the poſts from which you will be driven. The wor'd 3 0 0 K
is too enlightened to be any longer gilled with in-
comprehenfibilities that are repugnant to reaſon, or to
give credit to miraculous falfehoods, being common to
all religions, cannot be admitted as proofs for ny one.
Return to a practicable and focial fyftem of morality.
Let the reformation of your theology be followed by
that of your manners. Since you enjoy the privileges of
fociety, partake of the burdens of it.
Do not any
longer plead your immunities againſt the efforts of an
equitable miniſtry, who would wiſh to bring you back
to the general condition of other citizens.
Your fpi-
rit of intoleration, and the odious means by which
you have acquired, and ftill continue to heap up riches
upon riches, have done more injury to your opinions,
than all the arguments of incredulity. Had you been
the appeafers of public and domeftic troubles, the ad-
vocates of the poor, the ſupport of the perfecuted, the
mediators between the husband and the wife, between
fathers and children; had you been, among citizens,
the organs of the law, the friends of the throne, and
co-operators with the magiftrate; however abfurd your
tenets had been, mankind would have been filent. No
one would have ventured to attack a clafs of men fo
uſeful and fo refpectable. But you have ſpread divi-
fions over Europe for concerns of the moft frivolous
nature. All countries have been reeking with blood,
and for reaſons which at preſent we bluſh to think of.
If you would reftore to your miniftry its former dig-
nity, be humble, be indulgent, be even poor if it
ſhould be neceffary: for fo your Founder was.
apoſtles, his difciples, and their followers, who con-
verted all the known world, were fo likewife. Be nei-
ther mountebanks nor hypocrites, nor fimoniacal, nor
dealers in things which you give out as holy. Endea-
vour to become prieſts again; that is to fay, delegates
from the Moſt High, to preach virtue to men, and to
ſhow them the example of it. And thou, Pontiff of
Rome, call thyfelf no longer the fervant of the fer-
vants of God, unleſs thou wilt be fo. Confider that
His
O iij
214
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
{
VIII.
BOOK the era of thy bulls, of thine indulgences, of thy
pardons, and of thy difpenfations, is paft. It is in
vain that thou wouldst fell the Holy Ghoft, if no one
can be found to purchaſe it. Thy fpiritual revenue
is continually decreaſing, and, fooner or later, it muſt be
reduced to nothing. Whatever the ſubſidies may be, the
nations that pay them are naturally inclined to get rid
of them; and the flighteft pretence is fufficient. Since
from a fiſherman thou haft made thyfelf a temporal
prince, become, as all good fovereigns are, the pro-
moter of agriculture, of the arts, of manufactures, of
trade, and of population. Thou wilt then have no
occafion for a traffic that is fcandalous. Thou wilt
reftore to the labours of man the precious days which
thou haft deprived him of; and thou wilt recover our
veneration, which thou haft loft.
The finances of the Spanish continent of the other
hemifphere were for a long time a mystery to the mi-
niftry themſelves. The chaos was in fome meaſure
cleared up by M. de la Enfenada. Each of the twelve
years of his fortunate adminiftration, the crown re-
ceived from thefe countries, or from the duties they
collected at the departure and at the return of the
fleets, 17,719,448 livres 12 fols [738,310l. 7s. 2d.].
This refource of government hath fince been much
increaſed, both from the value of the new taxes, and
from the ftrictneſs that hath been obferved in the
collecting of the old ones. At preſent the public
revenue of Mexico amounts to 54,000,000 livres
[2,250,000l.]; that of Peru, to 27,000,000 livres
[1,125,000l.]; that of Guatimala, of the New King-
dom of Chili, and of Paraguay, to 9,1c0,000 livres
[379,1661. 13s. 4d.]. This amounts in all to 90,100,000
livres [3,754,1661. 13s. 4d. The local expences abforb
56,700,000 livres [2,362,500l.]; fo that there remain
for the treaſury 34,500,000 livres [1,437,500l.]. Add
to this fum 20,584,450 livres [857,5851. 8s. 4d.], which
they receive in Europe itſelf upon the articles fent to
the colonies, or which are brought from thence, and
it will be found that the court of Madrid draws annu-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
215
VIII.
ally 55,084,450 livres [2,295,1851. 8s. 4d.] from its в O O K
provinces in the New World. But all thefe riches do
not enter into the royal coffers of the mother-country.
Part of them is employed in the Spaniſh iſlands in A-
merica, for the expence of fovereignty, and for the
building of fhips, or for the purchaſing of tobacco.
principles
founded its
New
Spain had fcarce difcovered this other hemifphere, Destructive
when ſhe conceived the idea of a fyftem unknown to upon which
the people of antiquity, but which hath fince been a- Spain firſt
dopted by modern nations, that of taking into her connections
hands all the productions of her colonies, and the whole with the
care of fupplying them with provifions. In this view world.
the government were not fatisfied with forbidding theſe
new eſtabliſhments, under capital penalties, to hold any
foreign intercourfe; but they carried their ftrictneſs ſo
far, as to render all communication between them im-
practicable, and to prohibit them from fending any of
their fhips to the country from which they originally
came. This fpirit of jealouſy foon betrayed itſelf in the
mother-country. The fhips, indeed, were at firſt al-
lowed to fet out from different ports; but they were
all obliged to return to Seville. The wealth which
this preference accumulated in this city, foon enabled
it to obtain, that the fhips fhould be diſpatched from
its harbour, as well as they were compelled to return
to it. The river that waſhes its walls, not being after-
wards found confiderable enough to receive the ſhips,
which had gradually increafed to a certain fize, it was
the peninfula of Cadix which became the general
ftaple. All foreign merchants fettled in this port,
which was become famous, were forbidden to take a
direct part in a trade of fo lucrative a nature. In vain
did they repreſent, that as they confumed the provi-
fions of the kingdom, as they paid the taxes, and as
they encouraged agriculture, induftry, and navigation,
they ought to be confidered as citizens. Theſe reaſons
were never attend、 1 to in a court where cultom was
the fupreme law. Theſe active, opulent, and enligh-
tened men, who for a long time paft had alone kept
up the connections between the Ancient and the New
O iiij
216
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK World, were always obliged, with more diſguſt and in-
convenience than one would imagine, to cover their
moft trifling tranfactions under a Spaniſh name.
P.eaſons
why the
court of
Madrid
The liberty of undertaking voyages to the great
fettlements that were forming on all fides in the other
hemiſphere, was even much reftrained with regard to
the natives themfelves. The government took the re-
folution of regulating, every year, the number of fhips
that it was thought proper to fend, and to fix the time
of their fetting out. It entered into their ſyſtem of
politics, to render theſe voyages very unfrequent, and
the permiffion to fit out a veffel became a very fignal
favour. In order to obtain it, the capital of the em-
pire was filled with intrigues, and corruption was kept
up in all the offices.
Under the pretence of preventing frauds, of efta-
bliſhing an invariable order, and of procuring entire
fafety to flips that were richly laden, delays, vifita-
tions, fearchings, failors, and formalities of every kind
were multiplied to fuch a degree, both in Europe and
America, that the ufelefs expences doubled the value
of fome goods, and enhanced confiderably that of
others.
The oppreffion of the cuftoms completed the ruin of
every thing. The articles exported to the other he-
miſphere were fubjected to fuch duties as had never
exiſted in any age, or in any part of the globe. The
price even that had been given for them was taxed.
The gold, on its return, paid four per cent, and the ſil-
ver nine.
But how was it poflible that the court of Madrid
ſhould be ſo grofsly deceived with refpect to their in-
terefts; or ftill more, how was it poffible they fhould
perfevered perfift in their error? Let us endeavour, if we can, to
roneous fy- find out the caufes of fo ftrange an infatuation.
in their er-
fcm.
The empire of the Spaniards over the New World
was eſtabliſhed in an age of ignorance and barbariſm.
All the principles of government were then forgotten;
and we need not certainly be furpriſed, that in the in-
toxication of their victories, a fet of proud conquerors
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
217
fhould not have reſtored knowledge, which had been в o O K
baniſhed from Europe for ten or twelve centuries paft.
At this period of general infatuation, the court of
Madrid did not conjecture that the fettlements they
were forming in another hemifphere would only be
ufeful, in as much as they fhould produce an encou-
ragement of their agriculture, induſtry, and navigation.
Far from making the colonies fubordinate to the mo-
ther country, it was, in fome meaſure, the mother-
country that was fubordinate to the colonies. Every
political economy was either neglected or difdained;
and the grandeur of the monarchy was viewed only in
the gold and filver of America. The people were ſeiz-
ed with the fame ambition, and abandoned their native
country in multitudes, to go in fearch of theſe metals.
Theſe immenſe and continual emigrations, left a void
in the population of the principal country, which was
not filled up by the refort of foreigners, becauſe they
were inceffantly driven from it by pride and the fpirit
of intoleration.
Spain was confirmed, by fucceffes which were main-
tained rather for a long time, in the falfe road fhe had
at firſt marked out for herſelf. An afcendency, which
ſhe owed to circumitances alone, appeared to her to
be a neceffary confequence of her adminiftration and
her maxims.
The calamities which afterwards invaded this king-
dom on all fides might poffibly have enlightened it.
An almoſt continued feries of wars, fome more fatal
than others, deprived it of the tranquillity neceffary
to examine into the defects of a fyftem which had
been uninterruptedly purfued with the greateft fecu-
rity.
The knowledge fucceffively acquired, or diffuſed by
other nations, was very well calculated to refute and
diffipate the errors of Spain. Whether from pride or
jealouſy, this nation obftinately rejected the lights it
might have obtained from its rivals or its neighbours.
In default of foreign aids, the Spaniards, born with
a fpirit of reflection, and with penetrating fagacity,
VIII.
218
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK might have diſcovered many circumftances of confe-
quence to their profperity. This kind of genius, which
was fit for every thing, unfortunately turned itfelf to-
wards contemplations which could not but increaſe
their miſtakes.
Confe-
quences
nations of
To fill up the meaſure of theſe misfortunes, the
court of Madrid had, from early times, impofed a law
upon themſelves, to fupport the meaſures they had
followed, in order that they might not be ſuſpected of
having lightly taken a refolution. Events, however
difgraceful they were, did not difguft them of theſe
politics in their connections with America; and they
were confirmed in them, by the combined or ſeparate
fuffrages of a multitude of corrupt or difhoneft agents,
who enfured their own private fortune by the keeping
up of univerſal confufion.
The miſchief, however, was not felt from the firft,
which the although fome celebrated writers have afferted this
fatal combi- with confidence. According to their opinion, Spain,
the Spaniſh ſeeing herſelf the miftrefs of America, voluntarily re-
miniſtry nounced her manufactures and her agriculture. Such
tended with an extravagant idea never entered into the ſyſtem of
even in the any nation. At the period when the other hemi-
country. fphere was diſcovered, Seville was celebrated for its
were at-
mother-
filk manufactures; the woollens of Segovia were e-
ſteemed the fineſt in Europe; and the ſtuffs of Cata-
lonia found an advantageous mart in Italy and in the
Levant. Other openings for trade gave freſh activity
to this induſtry, and to the cultivation of the lands,
which is infeparable from it. Had it been otherwiſe,
how is it poffible that this monarchy could have in-
vaded fo many provinces; fuftained fo many tedious.
and bloody wars; paid fo many foreign and nation-
al troops; equipped fuch numerous and formidable
fleets; kept up divifion in the neighbouring ſtates,
and purchaſed traitors among them; fubverted all
nations by their intrigues; and given the impulſe to
all political events? How could they have been the
firft, and, perhaps, the only power of the univerſe ?
But all theſe exertions occafioned an immenfe con-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
219
VIII.
fumption of men: feveral went over into the New в O O K
World this other hemifphere, more wealthy and
more populous, required more merchandiſe; and hands
were wanting for all the labours. Then Spain was
furniſhed with fubfiftence, and her colonies were fup-
plied with clothing, by foreign nations, where fpecie
was ftill ſcarce, and, confequently, labour at a mode-
rate price. In vain were they excluded from this
traffic by ftrict regulations. Whether they were friends.
or foes, they carried it on without interruption, and
with fuccefs, under the name of the Spaniards, whofe
honefty always deferved the higheſt encomiums. The
government thought to remedy what they imagined
to be an evil, but which was nothing more than the
neceffary confequence of the ftate of things, by re-
newing the ancient prohibition of exporting either
gold or filver. At Seville, and afterwards at Cadix,
fome bravoes, called Metedores, carried the ingots up-
on the ramparts, and threw them over to other Me-
tedores, who were to deliver them to the boats that
came up to receive them. This clandeftine trade was
never diſturbed by exciſemen, or by guards, who were
all paid to fhut their eyes. More ftrictnefs would only
have ferved to increaſe the price of the merchandiſe,
from the greater difficulty of obtaining the value of
it. If, in conformity to the rigour of the ordonnances,
any delinquent had been feized, tried, and condemned
to death, and his property confifcated, fuch an atro-
cious act, far from preventing the exportation of the
metals, would have increaſed it; becauſe the perfons
who had before been fatisfied with a moderate gratui-
ty, requiring a falary proportioned to the danger they
muſt incur, would have increaſed their profits by their
rifks, and would have made a great deal of money go
out, in order that they might have the more for them-
felves.
Such was the ſtate of Spain, when the herſelf volun-
tarily aggravated her calamities by the expulfion of
the Moors.
This nation had reigned for a long time almoft over
Z
220
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK the whole of the peninfula. From one poft to ano-
VIII. ther, they were fucceffively driven to Granada; where,
after a ten years continuance of a bloody war, they
were again forced, in 1492, to fubmit to the yoke.
By the terms of capitulation, they were to be allowed
to follow their own form of worship; but the conquer-
or, under various pretences, foon wifhed to deprive
them of this facred right; and they took up arms in
order to maintain it. Fortune declared itſelf againſt
thefe unfortunate Muffulmen; and numbers of them
perifhed by the ſword. Others purchaſed the right of
taking refuge in Africa; and the reft were condemn-
ed to appear Chriftians.
This apparent compliance, with which Ferdinand
and Charles chofe to be fatisfied, did not meet with
the approbation of Philip II. This perfecuting prince
required that the Infidels fhould be really of his reli-
gion. In the hope of engaging them to this more cer-
tainly, and in lefs time, he ordered, in 1568, that theſe
people ſhould renounce their idiom, their names, their
habits, their baths, their cuftoms, and every thing that
could diſtinguiſh them from his other fubjects. Def
potifm was carried fo far, as to forbid them from chan-
ging their refidence, without the conſent of the magi-
trate; from marrying, without the leave of the bi-
fhop; from bearing arms, under any pretence what-
ever; and even from having any in their poffeffion.
An obftinate refiftance muft have been the confe-
quence of fo blind an act of tyranny. Unfortunately,
men who had no leader, no difcipline, and no means
of carrying on the war, could make none but unavail-
ing efforts againſt numerous armies, accuftomed to car-
nage, and commanded by experienced generals. The
inhabitants of the towns and country places, who had
entered into the rebellion, were almost generally ex-
terminated. Servitude became the lot of all the pri-
foners of both fexes. Thofe even of the Moors who
had remained quietly at home, were conveyed into
the interior provinces of the kingdom, where they
met with nothing but infults and reproach.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
225
VIII.
This difperfion, and this humiliation, did not pro- B O O N
duce the effect that was expected. The cruelties,
which were inceffantly renewed by a fanguinary tri-
bunal, were not more availing. It appeared to the
clergy, that the only way remaining was to expel from
the monarchy all theſe enemies who fo obftinately per-
fitted in their doctrines. This was accompliſhed in
1610, notwithstanding the oppofition of fome ſtatef
men, and notwithstanding the ftill warmer folicitations.
of the grandees, who kept in their palaces, or on their
domain, many flaves of the nation that was perfecuted
by fuperftition.
We find from all accounts, that this profcription
deprived Spain of a million of inhabitants. Some au-
thentic pieces, collected by Bleda, a prudent and con-
temporary writer, fhow that this number muſt be re-
duced to four hundred and twenty-nine thoufand three
hundred and fourteen. This was not the whole of the
Moors that had eſcaped the fury of the wars and the
fanaticism of the conquerors, or that remained from
the emigrations, fometimes tolerated and fometimes
clandeftine. The government retained the women
that were married to former Chriftians, whofe faith
was not fufpicious to the bishops, and all the children
under feven years of age.
In the meanwhile the ftate loft the twentieth part
of their population, and the moft laborious part, as
the profcribed and perfecuted fects will always be.
Whatever were the occupations of theſe people; whe-
ther their ftrength was employed in the fields, in the
manufactures, or in the meanett offices of fociety, it is
certain that a great deficiency was made in the la-
bours, as well as in the tributes collected. The burden
which had been borne by the infidels fell chiefly upon
the weavers. This additional weight drove many of
them into Flanders and into Italy; while the reſt,
without quitting the country, renounced their profef-
fion. The filks of Valencia, and the fine wool of An-
dalufia and Caftile, were no longer manufactured by
the Spaniards.
222
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
し
​BOOK
VIII.
The treaſury having no more manufacturers to op-
prefs, now oppreffed the farmers. The taxes levied
upon agriculture were as ill-judged as they were va-
rious and exceffive. Befide general duties, there were
what the financiers call extraordinary duties, which
is a mode of levying money upon a particular clafs of
citizens; a kind of tax unprofitable to the ſtate, and
ruinous to thoſe who are taxed, and which tends only
to enrich the perfon who hath contrived it. Theſe
refources proved inadequate to the urgent neceffities
of government, and the financiers were called upon to
advance confiderable fums. At this period they be-
came mafters of the ftate, and were empowered to
farm out the feveral parts of their leafe. This intro-
duced a multitude of agents, and with them number-
leſs reſtraints and oppreffions. The laws which theſe
rapacious men were allowed to enact, were only fo
many fnares to feduce the honeft and credulous. In
procefs of time, they ufurped the fovereign authority,
and found means to elude the royal tribunals, to chooſe
judges for themſelves, and to pay them.
The owners of the lands that were oppreffed by
this tyranny, either threw up their eftates, or neglect-
ed the improvement of them. That fertile peninfula,
which, though fubject to frequent droughts, ftill af-
forded fubfiftence to thirteen or fourteen millions of
inhabitants before the diſcovery of America, and had
formerly been the granary of Rome and of all Italy,
was foon overfpread with thorns and briars. The per-
nicious cuſtom of fixing the price of corn was then
adopted; and public granaries were eſtabliſhed in eve-
ry province, which were confequently managed with-
out either ſkill, care, or honefty. Befides, what ad-
vantage could be expected to arife from fuch preca-
rious reſources? How could it poffibly enter into any
one's thoughts, to lay reftraints upon the price of corn,
in order to increaſe the quantity of it; to raiſe the
price of provifions, in order to make them cheaper;
or to facilitate monopoly, in order to prevent it?
When once a nation hath begun to decline, it fel-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
223
VIII.
dom recovers itſelf. The lofs of population, of the в o O K
manufactures, of trade, and of agriculture, was attend-
ed with the greateft evils. While Europe was daily
improving in knowledge, and all nations were ani-
mated with a ſpirit of induſtry, Spain was falling into
a ftate of inaction and barbarifm. The duties of the
former cuſtoms, which were ſtill fuffered to remain up-
on goods paffing from one province to another, were
carried to fuch an excefs, as to prevent all commu-
nication between them. Even the conveyance of mo-
ney from one province to another was prohibited. In
a fhort time, not the leaft fign of a road was to be
feen. Travellers were ſtopped at the croffing of rivers,
where there was neither bridge nor boats. There was
not a ſingle canal, or one navigable river. People, the
moſt fuperftitious in the world, with regard to the ob-
ſervance of faft days, fuffered their fifheries to decline,
and bought fish every year to the amount of twelve
millions [500,000l.]. Except a few ill-built veffels
deſtined for their colonies, they had not a fingle fhip
belonging to government in their harbours. Their
coafts lay expofed to the depredations of the Barbary
corfairs. To avoid thefe, they were obliged to freight
upon foreign bottoms, even the avisos they fent to the
Canary iſlands and to America. Philip IV. poffeffed of
all the rich mines of America, at once found all his
gold changed into copper, and was reduced to the ne-
ceffity of making his copper coin bear almoſt the fame
value as that of filver.
Theſe were not the greateſt grievances of the mo-
narchy. Spain, from an abfurd and fuperftitious ve-
neration for the age of her conquefts, fcornfully reject-
ed whatever was not practifed in thofe glorious days.
The Spaniards faw all other nations growing more en-
lightened, more exalted, and more powerful; but
thought it beneath them to copy after any one of
them. An abfolute contempt for the improvements
and cuſtoms of their neighbours, formed the diſtin-
guiſhing character of this people.
The inquifition, that tremendous tribunal, which
2
224
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADÈ
+
VIII.
When a fon
child and her
BOOK was at firft eſtabliſhed, in order to ftop the progrefs of
Judaiſm and of the Coran, had entirely altered the
character of the Spaniards. It had accustomed them
to referve, to miftruft, and to jealoufy. And, indeed,
how fhould it have been otherwife?
could accufe his father, a mother her
huſband, a man his friend or his fellow citizen; when
mutual accufations were the bent of all the paffions;
when a man might be feized upon in the midft of his
children, and thrown into a dark dungeon, by the fa-
tellites, either in the day, or in the night-time; when
the crime laid to a man's charge was concealed from
him; when a man was compelled to defend himſelf,
and, being in priſon for a fault which he had not com-
mitted, was afterwards detained and tried for a fecret
fault which he had avowed; when the trial was carri-
ed on, and finiſhed, without confronting the witneffes;
when fentence was pronounced, without allowing the
accuſed perſon to ſay any thing in his defence: then
men accuſtomed themfelves to blood, and to the moſt
atrocious ſcenes: then their minds were filled with
that ſpirit of fanaticifm which difplayed itſelf fo cruel-
ly in both hemifpheres. Religious difputes occafion-
ed, indeed, no difturbances or ravages in Spain; but
the nation remained in a ftate of the most profound
ignorance. Such difputes, though always abfurd in
themſelves, ſerve, however, to exercife the mind.
They induce men to read and reflect, to confult anti-
quity, ftudy hiftory, and the ancient languages; hence
arifes criticiſm, which is productive of true taſte. The
ſubject that firſt excited the exertion of the mind foon
becomes of no confequence; books written on con-
troverfial points are neglected, but the knowledge
they have diffuſed remains. Religious matters are
like thofe active and volatile particles that exift in all
bodies fit for fermentation. They firft occafion a cloud
in the liquor that was before clear, but foon put the
whole maſs in motion. in this ferment, they fly off,
or fink to the bottom; and when the whole is depu-
rated, nothing remains but a foft, pleafant, and nutri-
1
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
225
VIII.
tive fluid. But in the general ferment of theological в O O K
difputes, all the refufe ftill continued in Spain. Su-
perſtition had fo blinded the nation, that they even
gloried in their infatuation.
Inſtead of that energy which could alone animate
the ſeveral parts of thoſe wide dominions that lay too
much ſcattered, the Spaniards were fo flow in their
motions, that all bufinefs was impeded. Such a va-
riety of forms, precautions, and deliberations, were
multiplied to prevent impofition, that they only put a
ftop to every commercial tranſaction.
The wars in which the Spaniards were engaged were
as ill conducted as their fyftem of politics. A popula-
tion, which was hardly fufficient for the many garriſons
they kept in Italy, in the Low Countries, in Africa,
and in the Indies, rendered them incapable of raifing
an army at home. At the firſt breaking out of a war,
they were obliged to have recòurfe to foreign troops.
The few Spaniards who were fent to fight along with
thefe mercenaries, were fo far from being able to ma-
nage them, that their own allegiance was frequently
fhaken by this intercourfe. They have often revolted
together with the foreign troops, and ravaged the pro-
vinces that were committed to their protection.
A regular pay would infallibly have prevented, or
foon put a stop to this fpirit of fedition. But to pro-
vide for the payment of troops, and to keep them in
that ſtate of dependence and fubordination fo neceffa-
ry to good difcipline, government fhould have fup-
preffed that multitude of ufelefs officers, who, by their
falaries and their oppreflions, abſorbed the greateſt part
of the public revenue; the moft ancient rights of the
crown thould not have been alienated for a trifling
confideration, or fuffered to be invaded; nor ſhould
the royal treaſures have been fquandered away, to en-
tertain fpies, and to procure traitors in every country.
But care fhould have been particularly taken, that the
grandeur of the prince fhould not have been made to
confift in granting penfions and favours to all who had
Fol. III.
P
126
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Book no other claim, but that which they derived from their
boldness in afking for them.
VIII.
This noble and iniquitous way of receiving alms
was become general. The Spaniard, naturally gene-
rous, having acquired a ſpirit of pride, difdained the
common occupations of life, and aſpired after nothing
but governments, bishoprics, and the chief employ-
ments in the ſtate.
Thoſe who could not attain to theſe preferments,
glorying in their proud infolence, ſtill affumed the ſtyle
of the court, and maintained as much gravity in their
idleneſs, as a minifter who was abforbed in ftate affairs.
Even the lower clafs of the people would have
thought they defiled their victorious hands by proſti-
tuting them to uſeful labours. They employed them-
felves careleſsly, even in thofe which were the moſt
creditable, and trufted all the reft to foreigners, who
carried fortunes away with them, which ferved to fer-
tilize or to enrich their own country.
Men born to no property, meanly preferring idle
flavery to laborious liberty, eagerly folicited to be ad-
mitted into the number of domeftics that the great
kept in their retinue, with that pomp which magnifi-
cently diſplays the pride of the moſt uſeleſs, and the
degradation of the moſt neceffary clafs of men.
Thoſe who had too much vanity remaining to live.
without fome diftinction, crowded into the convents,
where fuperftitious men had long fince provided a con-
venient retreat for their indolence, and had carried
their abfurdity fo far, as to laviſh marks of diftinction
upon them.
Even the Spaniards who had competent fortunes,
languiſhed in a ſtate of celibacy, choofing rather to
give up all thoughts of pofterity, than to attend to
the eſtabliſhment of it. If fome, induced by love and
virtuous motives, chofe, in imitation of the great, to
enter into marriage, they fent their fons, in their ear-
lier years, to be educated in the fuperftitious manner
of the colleges; and from the age of fifteen refigned
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
22 j
VIII.
them to the courtezans. The abilities and ſtrength of в 0 0 K
theſe young men being thus vitiated, they were equal-
ly enervated by thefe infamous connections, which
they did not even break off when they entered into
the facred ties of matrimony.
Out of this degenerate race were chofen the men
who were to hold the reins of government. Their ad-
miniſtration was anſwerable to their education, being
a conftant ſcene of idleness and corruption. They fel-
dom difcovered any fenfe of virtue, or principles of
equity, or the leaſt defire of promoting the happineſs
of their fellow-creatures. They thought only of plun-
dering the provinces intrufted to their care, in order
to diffipate in idleness and profufion at Madrid the
fruits of their extortion. This conduct was always
purſued with impunity, though it often occafioned fe-
ditions, infurrections, confpiracies, and fometimes re-
volutions.
Befide theſe misfortunes, the ftates that were unit-
ed to Caftile by marriage or conqueft contributed to
complete the ruin of the Spanish monarchy. The
Low Countries did not afford a fufficiency to pay the
garrifons that were kept to defend them. Franche
Compté fupplied nothing; Sardinia, Sicily, and the Mi-
laneſe, were even burdenfome to government. The tri-
butes of Naples and Portugal were mortgaged to foreign-
ers. Arragon, Valencia, Catalonia, Rouffillon, the Balea-
ric iſlands, and Navarre, pretended they owed nothing
to the monarchy but a free gift, which was always fet-
tled by their deputies, but feldom to the fatisfaction
of a rapacious court, exhauſted by abfurd liberalities.
infatuation
of Spain
While the mother-country was declining, the colo- Calamities
nies could not poffibly flourish. If the Spaniards had which the
underſtood their true intereft, they would perhaps, on of the court
the firſt diſcovery of America, have been content with hath accu-
eſtabliſhing an equitable intercourfe with the Indians, mulated on
which would have fettled a mutual dependence and
reciprocal profits between the two nations. The ma-
nufactures of the Old World would have been barter-
ed for the produce of the mines of the New and
its colonies.
Pij
228
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK wrought iron would have been exchanged for its weight
VIII. of unwrought filver. A lafting union, the neceffary
confequence of a peaceable traffic, would have been
eſtabliſhed without bloodshed or devaftation. Spain
would equally have been miſtreſs of Mexico and Peru;
becauſe any nation that cultivates the arts, and does
not communicate the method by which it carries them
on, will always have an evident fuperiority over thoſe
to whom it fells its manufactures.
This method of reafoning was not adopted by the
Spaniards. The eafe with which they had fubdued
the Indians, the afcendant which Spain had affumed
over all Europe, the natural pride of conquerors, their
ignorance of the true principles of commerce; all thefe,
and various other caufes, prevented them from efia-
bliſhing in the New World a fyftem of government
founded upon good principles.
The depopulation of America was the melancholy
effect of this irregularity. The firft fteps of the con-
querors were marked with ftreams of blood. Aftonifh-
ed as much at their own victories as the favages werc
at their defeat, and intoxicated with their fuccels, they
refolved to extirpate the people they had plundered.
Innumerable nations diſappeared from the face of the
earth at the arrival of theſe barbarians; and theſe hor-
rid ſcenes of cruelty have been afcribed to a thirſt of
gold, and to a ſpirit of fanaticiſm.
But the ferocious difpofition natural to man, unre-
ftrained by the fear of punishment, or by any fenfe
of ſhame, and unawed by the preſence of civilized
men, might fo far conceal from the Spaniards the image
of an organization fimilar to their own (a fimilarity
which is the foundation of all moral duties), as to in-
duce them to treat their new-difcovered brethren as
they did the wild beafts of the other hemifphere, and
to do it with as little remorfe: befides, that the cruel-
ty arifing from military exploits increaſes in proportion
to the dangers the foldier hath gone through, to thoſe
he now endures, or to thoſe he expects: Is he not of
a more fanguinary difpofition in remote countries than
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
229
VIII.
at home; and do not the fentiments of humanity в o O K
grow weaker, the more diftant we are from our native
country? It may likewife be conjectured, that the
Spaniards, who, on their firft landing, were taken for
gods, might be afraid of being detected and maffacred;
that they miftrufted the marks of kindneſs that were
fhown them; that when once they had begun to fhed
blood, they thought their own fafety required that
they ſhould not difcontinue; that their army, confift-
ing only of a ſmall number of men, being furrounded
by an innumerable multitude of natives, whofe lan-
guage they did not understand, and whofe cuftoms
and manners they were ftrangers to, was feized with a
panic, either well or ill founded.
The Spaniards, the defcendants or flaves of the Vi-
figoths, like them, divided among themſelves the de-
fert lands, and the men who had efcaped their fword.
Moſt of theſe wretched creatures did not long fur-
vive, doomed to a ſtate of flavery worſe than death.
The laws that were occafionally eſtabliſhed in order
to alleviate the hardſhips of their fervitude, afforded
them but fihall relief. The favage, proud, and rapa-
cious Spaniards paid as little regard to the commands
of a monarch who was too far remote from them, as
to the tears of the poor miferable Indians.
The mines proved ftill a greater caufe of deftruction.
Ever fince the difcovery of America, the Spaniards
had attended only to this ſpecies of wealth. In vain
did fome men of more enlightened underſtanding ex-
claim against this infatuation. Let the gold remain
where it is, faid they, provided the furface of the
earth that covers it can but produce an ear of corn
that will make bread, or a blade of grafs to feed your
fheep. The only metal you really want is iron. Work
it into faws, hammers, and ploughfhares, but not in-
to weapons of deſtruction. The quantity of gold re-
quifite for the purpoſes of exchange is fo inconfider-
able, that it is unneceffary to accumulate any great
flock of it. It is very immaterial whether a hundred
Piij
230
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK ells of cloth, or one pound or twenty pounds of gold,
be given in exchange. The Spaniards have acted like
the dog in the fable, that dropped the meat out of
his mouth, to bite at the image of it in the water, and
was drowned in attempting to get it.
Unfortunately the Indians were the victims of this
fatal error. Thoſe unhappy men were fent to work
at a very great depth under ground, where they were
deprived of day-light, of a free and wholefome air,
and of the comfort of mingling their tears with thoſe
of their friends and relations; and were doomed to
dig their own graves in thoſe dark manfions, which
now contain more aflies of the dead than gold duft.
All the nations of the univerſe being incenfed at theſe
barbarities, the Spaniſh writers endeavoured to prove,
that the working of the mines was not attended with
any danger but the evidence of the ſenſes teftified
the contrary. It was well known that man could not.
dwell in the obfcure caverns of the earth, without fuf-
fering fome inconvenience with reſpect to his eye-
fight; that he could not breathe mercurial, fulphu-
reous, arfenical, and peftilential vapours, without in-
jury to his lungs that unwholeſome air could not be
abforbed by the pores of the fkin, or fwallowed by
the mouth, without prejudice to the ftomach, and to
the humours of the body. But men coming out of the
mines prefented the image of death under all its forms;
a tormenting cough, a hideous atrophy, a melancholy
maraſmus, with convulfions, contractions, and diſtor-
tions of the limbs. The miners were obferved to have
wrinkles, debility, tremblings, and a declining life, at
the age of the moſt vigorous health; and confequent-
ly, far from giving any credit to the accounts of the
Spaniards, their deceit excited indignation, when their
ignorance was not an object of ridicule.
Numbers of the Americans, in order to eſcape theſe
means of deſtruction, and to withdraw themſelves from
other acts of European tyranny, took refuge in the
forefts, and among inacceffible mountains, In theſe
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
231
VIII.
rough and wild climates, they contracted a ferocious в O O K
diſpoſition, which frequently diftreffed their mercileſs
oppreffors, and was the cauſe of much bloodshed.
In ſome diſtricts, defpair was carried fo far, that the
men, in order not to leave behind them any heirs of
their misfortunes, refolved unanimoufly to have no
connection with the women. This abftinence from
the moſt natural defire implanted in human nature,
which is the only inftance of the kind ever recorded
in hiſtory, ſeems to have been referved to the era of
the diſcovery of the New World, as a perpetual mo-
nument of Spaniſh tyranny.
What more could the
Americans oppoſe to this thirst of deftruction, than
the horrid vow of ceafing to perpetuate their poite-
rity? Thus the earth was ftained with the blood
of the fathers, and deprived of the fucceeding gene-
ration.
From this period the country feemed to lie under a
curfe with reſpect to theſe barbarous conquerors. The
empire they had founded began to tend to general de-
ftruction. Profligacy and corruption made a rapid
progrefs among them. The moſt important fortreffes
were fuffered to decay. The country was left with-
out arms or magazines. The foldiers, who were nei-
ther exerciſed, fed, nor clothed, became beggars or
thieves. The first principles of war and navigation
were forgotten, as well as the very names of the in-
ftruments made ufe of in theſe two neceffary arts.
Trade confifted only in the art of cheating. The
gold and filver, which were to be brought into the
king's coffers, were fraudulently diminiſhed, and redu-
ced to a fourth part of the fum they ought to have
produced. All orders of men, corrupted by avarice,
united their efforts to prevent a true ftate of things from
being laid before the throne, or to fcreen thofe per-
fons who had rendered themfelves obnoxious to the
law. The magiftrates of every rank and degree al-
ways unanimouſly exerted themfelves to fupport each
other in their injuftice.
Է
3
1
Piiij
232
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
VIII.
The ſcene of confufion occafioned by theſe extor-
tions introduced the fatal expedient of all ill govern-
ed flates, that of numberleſs taxes: it feemed as if go-
vernment had two objects in view, to put a ſtop to
every kind of induſtry, and to increale oppreffion.
Ignorance kept pace with injuftice. Europe was
not then much enlightened. Even the knowledge
that began to diffuſe itſelf in this quarter of the globe
was rejected by Spain. In the meanwhile, a thicker
cloud was fpread over America. The noft fimple no-
tions, upon objects of the greatest importance, were
entirely obliterated there.
As ignorance is always favourable to ſuperſtition,
the minifters of religion, rather more enlightened than
the coloniſts, affumed a fuperiority over them in the
management of all public affairs. Being more fecure
of impunity, they were always the moit forward to
break through the laws of juſtice, and through all
rules of morality and decency. The leaft corrupt
among them became traders, and the reft availed them-
felves of their ecclefiaftical power to extort from the
Indians all they were poffeffed of.
The hatred which arofe between the Spaniards born
in America, and thofe who came from Europe, com-
pleted their ruin. The court had imprudently laid
the foundation of thefe unhappy divifions. The Cre-
oles had been falfely repreſented as little better than
barbarians, and nearly of the fame character as Indi-
ans. They thought they could not depend upon their
ikill, courage, or fidelity, and therefore determined to
exclude them from all places of truft and profit. This
injurious refolution irritated the Creoles. The Spani-
ards, who were invefted with authority over them,
were fo far from endeavouring to reconcile them, that
they ſtudied, on the contrary, to exafperate them by
humiliating partialities. This produced an inveterate
hatred between theſe two orders of men, one of which
was loaded with favours, and the other ftigmatized
with difgrace. This animofity hath often broken out
$
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
233
VIII.
in fuch a manner as to endanger the dominion of the в o O K
mother-country in the New World. This difcord was
fomented by the clergy on both fides, who had alſo
been infected with the contagion of theſe diſorders.
It is a pleafing task to us to be able to think, and Spain be-
to write, that the condition of Spain is every day im- cover from
proving. No longer do the nobility affect thofe airs its lethargy.
of independence which fometimes embarraſs the go-
vernment.
Men of no rank, but of ability, have rifen
to the direction of public affairs, which, for too long a
time, was confined to perfons of high birth. The
countries which are more populous and better culti-
vated, yield fewer briars and more harveſts. From
the manufactures of Grenada, of Malaga, of Seville,
of Priego, of Toledo, of Talavera, and eſpecially of
Valencia, filks are produced which are in fome repute,
and which deſerve it. The manufactures of Saint Il-
defonfo furnish very beautiful mirrors; thofe of Gua-
dalaxara and of Efcaray fupply cloths and fcarlets;
and thofe of Madrid, hats, ribands, tapeftry, and por-
celain. All Catalonia is filled with manufactures of
arms and toys, of filk ftockings and handkerchiefs, of
printed cottons, of common woollen goods, and of
gold and filver and other lace. Communications are
beginning to be opened between the capital and the
provinces, and thefe magnificent roads are planted
with uſeful or agreeable trees. Canals for watering
or navigation are digged, the plan of which, fuggefted
by foreigners, had fo long difgufted the pride of the
miniftry and that of the people. Excellent manufac-
tures of paper; printing executed with much taſte;
and focieties confecrated to arts of elegance and uti-
lity, and to the fciences, will fooner or later difpel
prejudice and ignorance. Theſe wife eftablishments
will be feconded by the young men whom the mini-
ſtry ſend for inftruction into thoſe countries, the glory
and profperity of which hath been extended by their
knowledge. The erroneous fyftem of tributes, fo dif-
ficult to correct, hath already undergone very material
reformations. The national revenue, formerly fo li-
234
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
4
BOOK mited, hath ariſen, as it is faid, to 140,400,000 livres
[5,850,000l.]. If the terrier, which the court of Ma-
drid is occupied in making fince the year 1749, be ſet-
tled on good principles, and if it be carried into exe-
cution, the treafury will again find its reſources in-
creaſe, and the perfons who contribute will be relieved.
At the death of the emperor Charles V. the public
treaſury was ſo much burdened, that it was deliberat-
ed whether it would not be proper to annul fo many
fatal engagements. Theſe amounted to a thouſand
millions of livres [41,666,6661. 13s. 4d.], or perhaps
more, under the uneafy and turbulent reign of his fon
Philip. The intereft of the fums advanced to govern-
ment, abforbed, in 1688, all the produce of the taxes;
and it then became neceflary to have recourſe to an
entire bankruptcy. The events fubfequent to this
great crifis were all of them fo unfortunate, that the
finances fell fuddenly into the fame ftate of confufion
from which a defperate but neceffary refolution had
extricated them. In the beginning of the century,
a more enlightened adminiſtration eſtabliſhed a ſyſtem
of order in the recoveries, and a regularity in the ex-
pences, which would have liberated the ftate, had it
not been for the revolutions which fucceeded each
other, with a degree of rapidity which it is difficult to
trace. Nevertheleſs, in 1759, the debts of the crown
amounted to no more than 160,000,000 of livres
[6,666,6661. 13s. 4d.], which Ferdinand left in his
coffers. His fucceffor employed half of this fum in
liquidating fome debts; the reft of it was confumed in
the war of Portugal, in the augmentation of the navy,
and in a multitude of expences that were neceſſary to
roufe the monarchy from that languid ftate in which
it had been plunged during two centuries of ignorance
and inactivity.
The vigilance of the new government hath not con-
fined itſelf to the fuppreffion of part of the evils which
contributed to the ruin of their poffeffions in Europe.
Attention hath alſo been paid to fome of the abuſes
which impeded the profperity of their colonies. Their
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
235
VIII.
governors have been choſen with more care, and bet- в o O K
ter fuperintended. Some of the vices that had infinu-
ated themſelves into the tribunals have been reform-
ed all the branches of adminiftration have been im-
proved; and even the fate of the Indians is become
lefs unhappy.
Theſe firft fteps towards a reformation must be an Means that
Spain ought
inducement to the Spaniſh miniftry to hope, that a good to employ
form of government may be eftabliſhed, when the true to haften
her profpe-
principles on which it is founded ſhall be once known, rity in Eu-
and the proper means made uſe of to effect it. The rope and in
character of the nation is not an invincible obftacle to
this change, as it is too generally thought to be. In-
dolence is not fo natural to the Spaniards as we ima-
gine. If we look back to thofe times in which this
unfavourable prejudice was first entertained, we fhall
find that this want of activity did not extend to every
thing; and that if Spain was inactive at home, ſhe was
not fo abroad, but was inceffantly difturbing the repofe
of her neighbours. Her idleness proceeds in ſome de-
gree from foolish pride. Becaufe the nobility were
unemployed, the people imagined it was a mark of no-
bility to do nothing. They all wanted to enjoy the
fame prerogative; and the ſtarved, half-naked Spani-
ard, careleſsly fitting on the ground, looks with pity on
his neighbours, who are well clothed, live well, work,
and laugh at his folly. The one, from a motive of
pride, deſpiſes the conveniencies of life; while the
other, from a principle of vanity, endeavours to acquire
them. The climate had made the Spaniard abſtemi-
ous, and indigence hath rendered him more fo. The
monkiſh ſpirit, to which he hath long been fubject,
makes him confider poverty, which is occafioned by
his vices, as a virtue. As he hath no property, he co-
vets none but his averfion for labour is greater ftill
than his contempt for riches.
That p and proud people have nothing left of
their ancit character, but an immoderate fondneſs
for every thing that hath the appearance of grandeur.
They muſt be flattered with chimerical ideas, and anj-
America.
236
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK mated with the ſtrongeſt hopes of glory. The fatisfac-
VIII. tion they feel in depending on none but the crown,
fince the abaſement of the grandees, makes them re-
ceive all that comes from the court with reſpect and
confidence. This powerful influence might be made
fubfervient to their happineſs. Some means might be
contrived to perfuade them that labour is honourable,
and the nation will foon become what it was before
the diſcovery of America, in thofe glorious times,
when, without any foreign aid, Spain threatened the
liberties of all Europe.
When the imagination of this people is once pro-
perly directed, and they are brought to be ashamed of
their haughty ſpirit of indolence, other evils muſt be
attended to. The most deftructive to the bulk of the
nation is the want of population. Well-governed co-
lonies will naturally increaſe the population of the mo-
ther-country, which on her part promotes the increaſe
of theirs, by ſupplying them with advantageous marts
for the produce of their induftry. It is on this plan,
alike interefting to humanity and found policy, that
the more enlightened nations of the Old Hemiſphere
have formed their fettlements in the New one.
wife and noble defign hath been univerfally crowned
with fuccefs. Spain alone, which had formed her fy-
ſtem in a darker age, hath ſeen her population decreaſe
at home, in proportion as her poffeffions increaſed a-
broad.
This
When the disproportion between the extent of a
territory and its inhabitants is not extreme, the balance.
may be gradually restored by activity, economy, great
encouragements given to matrimony, and a long peace.
Spain, which, according to the exact account taken in
1768, hath no more than nine millions three hundred
and ſeven thoufand eight hundred and for inhabit-
ants of every age and fex, and which dot not reckon,
in her colonies, the tenth part of the in duals that
would be neceffary to cultivate them, ca hot remedy
this evil either at home or abroad, without new and
extraordinary efforts. To increaſe the laborious claf-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
237
VIII.
fes of men, there must be a reduction of the clergy, в o O K
who enervate and deftroy the itate. Two thirds of
her military force muit be abolished, and theſe foldiers
must be employed in the arts; fince the connection
with France, and the weaknefs of Portugal, no longer
render them neceffary. The government muft apply
itſelf to alleviate the burdens of the people, as foon as
its poffeffions in both hemifpheres are extricated from
that confufion and diforder into which they had been
thrown, for thefe two centuries paft, through the ef-
fects of indolence, ignorance, and tyranny. But it is
firſt abfolutely neceffary that the infamous tribunal of
the inquifition fhould be abolished.
Superſtition, whatever may be the reafon of it, pre-
vails among all nations, whether rude or civilized. It
proceeds undoubtedly from the fear of evil, and from
the ignorance of its caufes, or of its remedy. At leaſt
this alone is fufficient to imprint it in the minds of all
men. The calamities of nature, plagues, fickneſs, un-
foreſeen accidents, deftructive phenomena, all the la-
tent caufes of pain and death, are fo univerfal on earth,
that it would be very furprifing if man had not been
deeply affected with them in every country and in
every age.
But this natural fear muft always have increafed, or
have been magnified in proportion to ignorance and
fenfibility. It must have given rife to the worſhip of
the elements that are moft deftructive to the earth,
fuch as manifeft themſelves in inundations, conflagra-
tions, and plagues; and to the worthip of animals,
whether venomous or voracious, but always noxious.
Hence too mult have arifen the worthip of men who
have done the greatest injuries to mankind, of conque-
rors, of fortunate impoftors, of the workers of prodi-
gies, apparently good or bad; and the worship of in-
vifible and imaginary beings, fuppofed to lie concealed
in every inftrument of deftruction. Reflection, and the
ftudy of nature, muſt have infenfibly leflèned the num-
ber of theſe invifible agents, and the human mind mutt
have rifen from idolatry to theifm; but this laft fimple
238
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOO K and fublime idea will always have remained imperfect
and confuſed in the minds of the vulgar, and mixed
with a multitude of errors and fancies.
Revelation had confirmed and perfected the idea of
the doctrine of the unity of God; and, perhaps, a more
pure religion would then have been eſtabliſhed, had
not the northern barbarians, who poured in upon the
feveral provinces of the Roman empire, brought along
with them their own facred prejudices, which could
not be diſpelled but by other fables. Unfortunately,
Chriſtianity was preached to men incapable of under-
ſtanding it thoroughly. They would not embrace it,
unleſs it were attended with that external pomp and
fhow in which ignorance delights. Interefted motives
burdened it, and debaſed it more and more with other
obfervances, and conftantly invented new doctrines
and miracles, which were the more revered as they
were the lefs credible. The nations, engaged during
twelve centuries in dividing and contefting about the
feveral provinces of an univerfal monarchy, which one
nation had formed in lefs than two hundred years, ad-
mitted, without examination, all the errors which the
prieſts, after much controverſy, had agreed to teach the
multitude. But the clergy, too numerous to maintain
any unanimity of opinion, had fomented the feeds of
divifion, which muft fooner or later be communicated
to the people. The time came, when the fame ſpirit of
ambition and avarice that actuated the whole church,
exerted itſelf with great animofity againſt many fuper-
ftitions that were univerfally adopted.
As it was from custom that the people had received
all thoſe puerile notions which they had fuffered them-
felves to be deluded into, and that they were not at-
tached to them from national principles or party ſpi-
rit, thoſe who were moft interefted in fupporting them
were unable to defend them, when they were attacked
with that ſteadineſs that was calculated to fix the at-
tention of the public. But nothing fo much promoted
the reformation of Luther and Calvin, as the liberty
they granted to every one to examine and determine
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
239
VIII.
finally upon the religious principles he had been в O O K
taught. Though the multitude were incapable of un-
dertaking this difcuffion, yet every man plumed him-
felf upon having the privilege to determine on a fub-
ject in which his moſt valuable and moſt important in-
terefts were concerned. The commotion was fo uni-
verfal, that the new opinions would in all probability
have triumphed totally over the old, had not the ma-
gistracy thought it their intereſt to ſtem the torrent.
Implicit obedience was as neceffary for the ſupport of
the fupreme power, as for that of religion, and was the
fureft foundation of its authority; that power began
therefore to be alarmed, left thofe who had overturned
the old and firm foundations of the Roman hierarchy
might next proceed to examine into its own preroga-
tives. The republican fpirit which naturally ſpread it-
felf among the reformed contributed to increaſe this
diftruft.
The kings of Spain, more jealous of their power
than other fovereigns, endeavoured to fupport it, by
eftablishing a more uniform fyftem of fuperftition.
They were not fenfible that the opinions of men, con-
cerning an unknown Being, cannot be all the fame.
In vain did reafon expoftulate with thofe weak mo-
narchs, alleging that no power had a right to preſcribe
to men what they were to think; that fociety, in or-
der to fupport itſelf, is under no neceffity of reſtrain-
ing the freedom of the foul; that to compel men to
fubfcribe to certain articles of faith, is to exact a falfe
oath, which makes a man a traitor to his cofcience, in
order that he may be a faithful fubject; and that a ci-
tizen who ferves his country is, in a political light, pre-
ferable to him who is orthodox to no purpoſe. Theſe
permanent and inconteftable principles were not at-
tended to. They were overruled by the proſpect of
great advantage, and ftill more by the furious cla-
mours of a multitude of fanatical prieſts, who haſtened
to affume the fupreme authority. The prince, thus
reduced to become their flave, was forced to abandon
his fubjects to their caprices, to fuffer them to be op-
3
240
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK preffed, and to become an idle ſpectator of the cruel-
VIII. ties exerciſed against them. From that time, fuperfti-
tious manners, beneficial only to the priesthood, be-
came prejudicial to fociety. A people thus corrupt
and degenerate were the moft cruel of any. Their
obedience to the monarch was fubordinate to the will
of the prieſt, who oppreffed every other power, and
was in fact the fovereign of the ſtate.
Inaction was the neceflary confequence of a fuper-
ftition that enervated all the faculties of the foul. The
project which the Romans formed from their earlieſt
origin, of becoming mafters of the world, fhowed it-
felf even in their religion. It was Victory, Bellona,
Fortune, the genius of the Roman people, Rome her-
felf, that were their gods. A nation that endeavoured
to imitate their example, and thought of becoming
conquerors, adopted a monkish government, which
hath deſtroyed every proſpect of fuccefs, and will ef-
fectually prevent their reſtoration either in Spain or
America, unlcfs this kind of government be totally
fubverted, and every idea of the horror it excites obli-
terated with it. The fuppreffion of the inquifition
muft certainly haften this great change; and it is a
pleafing expectation to think, that if the court of Ma-
drid will not determine upon this neceffary step, they
will one day be compelled to it by a humane con-
queror, who will infert it as the first article in a treaty
of peace, that the Autos-da-fé fhall be abolished in all the
Spanish dominions both in Europe and America.
This ftep, however neceffary it may be towards the
reſtoration of the monarchy, is not alone fufficient.
Though Spain hath employed more art to conceal her
weakneſs, than was neceffary to enable her to acquire
itrength, the world is not unacquainted with the dif-
orders fhe labours under. They have taken fo deep a
root, and are of fo inveterate a nature, that they can-
not be remedied without foreign aids. If the will but
fubmit to accept them, fhe will foon fee her provinces
in both hemifpheres filled with new inhabitants, who
will bring with them numberlefs branches of induſtry.
2
ત
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
241
VIII.
The northern and fouthern nations, actuated by that в OOK
paffion for riches which is the characteriſtic of the pre-
fent age, will refort in multitudes to the regions that
are thrown open to excite their emulation. The riches
of the public will increaſe in proportion to thoſe of
individuals; and thoſe which have been acquired by
foreigners will become a national wealth, if they be
permitted to enjoy them with that fecurity, fatisfac-
tion, and diſtinction, which may induce them to forget
their native country.
Spain would foon ſee her population increaſe to the
degree fhe would with, if the not only admitted per-
fons of her own perfuafion, but even encouraged, in-
difcriminately, all fects to ſettle among them. This
might be done without injury to the principles of reli-
gion, and without deviating from the maxims of true
policy. Well-regulated governments are not difturbed
by the diverfity of opinions that prevail in them; nei-
ther doth Chriſtianity, rightly underflood, profcribe a
liberty of confcience. The truth of thefe maxims
hath been fo clearly demonftrated, that they cannot
fail of being foon adopted as a rule to all nations that
are in any degree enlightened.
When the Spaniards have once procured a fufficient
number of men, they will then think of employing
them in the moſt advantageous manner. The anxiety
they felt to fee the treaſures of America paſs into the
hands of their rivals and enemies, made them imagine
that the revival of their manufactures was the only
method that could enable them to retain part of thoſe
treaſures at home. Such of their writers upon finance
as have infifted upon this fyftem, appear to us to be in
an error. As long as the people, who are in poffeffion
of thoſe manufactures which ferve to fupply the de-
mands of America, will attend to the prefervation of
them, thoſe which may be attempted to be eſtabliſh-
ed in other parts will ſcarce be able to vie with them.
Thefe manufacturers may poffibly procure the mate-
rials and workmanship at as reafonable a rate: but
fome centuries muft pafs before they can be able to
Fol. III.
242
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK attain to the fame degree of expedition and perfection
VIII. in the work. Nothing could effect this great change,
but fuch a revolution as would convey the beſt foreign
workmen, and the moſt ſkilful artifts, to Spain. Till
this period fhall arrive, which does not feem very near,
any attempts that are made will not be fucceſsful.
We may proceed ftill further, and venture to affirm,
that though it ſhould be in the power of Spain to pro-
cure a fuperiority in the manufactures refpecting ar-
ticles of luxury, fhe ought not to do it. A tranfient
fuccefs would be productive of total ruin. Let us
fuppofe that Spain can furnish all the commodities
that are wanted in her colonies; the immenfe trea-
fures this trade will bring in, will all centre in home
circulation, and the confequence will be, that the coin
will fink in value. This plenty of fpecie will cer-
tainly occafion a dearneſs of provifions, and enhance
the price of labour. There will be no proportion be-
tween the price Spain muſt require for her manufac-
tures, and that which the neighbouring nations will
fell theirs for. Theſe, being able to afford their com-
modities cheaper, will oblige the Spaniards to take
them, becauſe an exorbitant profit will furmount eve-
ry obſtacle. The Spanish artificers, deftitute of em-
ployment, will be reduced to the neceffity of ſeeking
for it in other places, and Spain will lofe both her in-
duſtry and her population.
Since then it is impoffible that the Spaniards fhould
keep the whole produce of the American mines in
their own hands, and fince they muſt unavoidably
fhare it with the rest of Europe, they fhould exert
all their policy to preſerve the greateſt part of it, to
make the balance incline in their favour; and in or-
der to render their advantages permanent, they muſt
be fatisfied with fuch as are moderate. They will fe-
cure to themſelves this kind of fuperiority by the prac-
tice of the neceffary arts, and the plenty and good-
nefs of their natural productions.
The Spaniſh miniftry have been fenfible of this truth,
but have been deceived in the opinion they entertain-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
243
VIII.
ed, that the manufactures were the chief promoters в o O K
of agriculture. It is certain, however, that they con-
tribute to promote the culture of lands. They are
even neceffàry, wherever the expence of tranſport
puts a top to the circulation and confumption of the
produce, fo that the cultivator is at a lofs how to dif-
poſe of his commodities. But in all other cafes, the
farmer can fucceed without the affiftance of manu-
factures. If he can but difpofe of his produce, he is
under no concern, whether it be for local confump-
tion or for trade and exportation, and will go on with
his tillage.
Spain annually fells for exportation, in wool, filk,
oil, wine, iron, and kali, to the omount of above
eighty millions of livres [3,333,3331. 6s. 8d.]. Theſe
exports, moſt of which cannot be replaced from any
foil in Europe, will admit of immenfe augmentation.
They will be fufficient, independent of what the Spa-
niards receive from the Indies, to pay for all the fo-
reign goods that can be confumed in the nation. We
grant, that by thus fending their unwrought produce
to other countries, they will increaſe their population,
wealth, and power; but they will promote a more cer-
tain and more beneficial kind of induſtry at home.
Their political influence will foon claim a relative ſupe-
riority, and the nation employed in agriculture will
foon become greater than that which confines itſelf to
manufactures.
America will greatly increaſe theſe advantages; and
will be beneficial to Spain both by her gold and filver,
and by her commodities."
We have none but vague notions concerning the
quantity of metals and of provifions which the Old
World received from the New, in the early periods af-
ter the conqueft. Our knowledge of thofe points in-
creaſes, in proportion as we draw nearer to modern
times. At prefent, Spain receives annually, from the
continent of America, 89,095,052 livres [3,712,2931.
16s. 8d.] in gold or in filver, and 34,653,902 livres
Qii
244
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK [1,443,912l. 11s. 8d.], in productions; which makeɔ,
VIH. in the whole, 123,748,954 livres [5,156,2061. 18s. 4d.].
Taking this calculation for a rule, it will be found that
the mother-country hath received from its colonies, in
the ſpace of two hundred and eighty-feven years,
35,515,949,798 livres [1,479,831,242l. Is. 6d.].
It must be acknowledged, that a lefs quantity of
productions was received formerly than is at prefent;
but, on the other hand, the mines were more plenti-
ful. If we chooſe to reckon the metals only, Spain
will have received no more than 25,570,279,924 livres
[1,065,428.3301. 3s. 4d.]; and we fhall then ftrike out
of the calculation the 9,945,669,874 livres [414,402,9111.
8s. 4d.] of productions.
There would be a poffibility of increafing this maſs
of metals and productions. For the firſt of theſe ob-
jects, it would be fufficient that the government ſhould
fend over to America fome perfons fkilled in metal-
lurgy, and make the conditions eaſier on which they
allow the working of the mines. But this would be
only a tranfient advantage, fince it is undeniable that
gold and filver are not to be confidered as riches, but
only as the repreſentations of them. Theſe figns are
indeed very durable, as they ought to be, to anſwer
their deſtination. But the more they are multiplied,
the more they lofe of their value, becauſe they ferve
to repreſent fewer things. In proportion as they are
become more common fince the diſcovery of Ameri-
ca, every thing is increaſed in value twice, thrice, and
four times beyond what it was before. The produce
of the mines hath conftantly decreaſed, and the ex-
pence of working them hath been continually greater.
The balance, which inclines more and more to the
lofing fide, may fo far deftroy the equipoife, that it
may be found neceffàry to drop this fource of wealth.
But at all events, it will be adviſable to render theſe
operations more fimple, and to try every poflible me-
thod to make this labour lefs deftructive to the human
race than it hath been hitherto. There is another
fource of profperity for Spain, which will be fo far
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
245
from decreafing, that it will daily gather new ftrength; в O O K
and that is agriculture.
Such is the important end which the court of Ma-
drid muft endeavour to compafs. If, by placing the
metals in that inferior rank which belongs to them,
they refolve to lay the foundation of the public feli-
city on the productions that may be derived from a
fertile and immenfe territory, the New Hemiſphere
will emerge from that ſtate of annihilation in which it
was found, and in which it hath been left. The fun,
which hath hitherto fhone only on uncultivated de-
ferts, will produce univerfal fertility.
To the number of productions which its rays, affiſt-
ed with the labour and fkill of man, fhall bring forth
there, we ſhall add thoſe which at preſent enrich the
islands of the New World, the confumption of which
is daily increafing, and which, after having been for a
long time objects of luxury, begin now to be confider-
ed as articles of indiſpenſable neceffity.
The aromatics and fpices of Afia, which carry from
ten to twelve millions of livres [from 416,6661. 138.
4d. to 500,000l.] annually out of the monarchy, might
be made to thrive there; and there is particular rea-
fon to expect this with regard to the cinnamon. It
grows naturally in fome of the valleys of the Corde-
leirias; and by cultivation, perhaps, fome of the qua-
lities it wants might be imparted to it.
Several of the provinces of Mexico formerly pro-
duced excellent filks, which were manufactured with
fuccefs in Spain. This fource of wealth hath been
loft, by the numberlefs obftructions it hath met with;
but it might eafily be revived and extended.
The Vicuna wool is in great repute among all na-
tions. The quantity they are fupplied with is nothing
in compariſon of the demands for it. The molt cer-
tain method of increafing this precious wool would
probably be, to let the animal that fupplies it live, af-
ter having taken it away from him.
It would be impoffible to enumerate the produc-
tions which regions fo immenfe, climates fo various,
VIII.
Q iij
246
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK and foils of fo different a nature, might fupply. Among
VIII. fuch a variety of cultivations, fome, perhaps, might be
found that would fuit the Indians, others might pro-
bably induce fome of the wandering nations to fix.
Theſe affociations, diftributed with fkill, might alſo
ſerve to eſtabliſh communications between colonies
that are now feparated from each other by immenſe
and uninhabited ſpaces. The laws, which always lofe
their force among men too far diftant from each other,
and from the magiftrate, would then be obſerved,
Commerce, which is perpetually interrupted by the
impoffibility of conveying the merchandiſe to their
deftination, would then become more animated.. In
cafe of war, the people would be warned of any ap-
proaching danger, and would give each other ſpeedy
and effectual fuccours. It must be acknowledged that
this new ſyſtem could not be eſtabliſhed without diffi-
culty. Theſe falutary views would be thwarted by
indolence, by the climate, and by prejudices: but
knowledge prudently diftributed, encouragements well
managed, and marks of confideration properly beſtow-
ed, would overcome, in proceſs of time, all obſtacles.
The progrefs of cultivation would be much accelerat-
ed, by fuppreffing the practice now become general,
of thoſe majorafcos, or perpetual fucceffions, which
occafion fuch a number of idle perfons in the country,
and which are productive of ftill greater mifchief in
the colonies. The firft conquerors, and thoſe who
purſued their meaſures, ufurped immenfe diftricts, or
obtained the gift of them. They converted them in-
to an indiviſible inheritance for their children; and
the
younger ones were thus, in fome meaſure, devoted
to celibacy, to the cloiſter, or to the priesthood. Theſe
enormous poffeffions have remained uncultivated, and
will ſtill continue fo, till fome fteady and prudent man
ſhall take upon him to permit, or to order, the divifion
of them. Then the number of proprietors, which is
at preſent ſo much confined, notwithstanding the great
extent of the territories, will be increaſed, and produc
tions will be multiplied with property.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
247
VIII.
The labours would advance more rapidly, if foreign- в o O K
ers were permitted to take a part in them. The Spa-
niſh Indies were indifcriminately fhut againſt them all,
even at the period of the difcovery. The laws for-
mally preſcribed, that the perfons who had penetrated
into them, in any manner whatever, fhould be fent
back into Europe. Philip II. urged by his wants, au-
thoriſed, in 1596, his delegates to naturalize the few
that had flipped in there, upon condition that they
fhould pay the ftipulated price for this adoption. This
kind of market has been frequently renewed, but ra-
ther in favour of artiſts of neceffary utility to the coun-
try, than for merchants, who, it was fuppofed, would
one day retire with the wealth they had accumulated.
The number, however, both of the one and the other,
hath always been extremely confined, becauſe it is
prohibited to embark any in the mother-country; and
that the colonies themſelves, whether from motives of
miftruft or jealoufy, reject them. The advancement
of knowledge gives us reafon to think that this unfo-
ciable ſpirit will have an end. The government will
at length underſtand what they have to expect from a
healthy and vigorous man, between five-and-twenty
and thirty years of age; what mifchief he doth to the
country which he quits, and how acceptable he is to
the foreign nations, among whom he transfers his
ftrength and his induftry. They will comprehend
how ftrangely ftupid it is to make the right of hoſpi-
tality be purchaſed by the man who fhould come to
multiply by his uſeful labours, either the productions
of the foil, or the works of the manufactures. They
will difcern the deep policy of thofe people, who ſhould
make a point of inviting the inhabitants of neighbour-
ing regions to ſettle in their towns, or in their country-
places, or to traverſe their provinces. They will find
out what fort of tribute fhould be impofed upon na-
tions who might fupply them with workmen, with cul-
tivators, and with confumers; how much the ſpirit of
intoleration which banishes is fatal; what funds of
wealth a nation derives from toleration; and how in-
Q iiij
248
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK different a circumſtance it is to the value of commo-
VIII.
dities, whether they be produced from the labours of
orthodox perfons or of heretics, of Spaniards, or of
Hollanders. But the greatest encouragements that
could be given to the cultivation of the lands, and all
the favours which it would be poffible to add to them,
would be of no effect, without the certainty of an eaſy
and advantageous mart for the productions. M. de la
Enfenada firſt diſcovered that the exportation of them
would be impracticable, as long as the commerce of
the New World fhould be conducted in the manner it
had been. Accordingly, notwithftanding the oppofi-
tion he met with, and notwithstanding the prejudices
he had to combat, he fubftituted, in 1740, detached
veffels to the parade fo anciently eftablished, and fo
highly revered, of galleons and fleets. He was medi-
tating other changes ftill more advantageous, when an
unexpected difgrace ftopped him in the midft of his
brilliant career.
One half of the good which this bold and able mi-
niſter had done was annulled in 1756, by the re-eſta-
bliſhment of the fleets: but this mifchief was partly
repaired eight years after, by the fetting on foot of
the packet-boats, which, from Corunna, were to car-
ry, every month, to the Havannah, the letters deftin-
ed for the northern colonies; and every two months,
to Buenos-Ayres, thofe that were deftined for the
fouthern colonies. Thefe veffels, which were of no
inconfiderable fize, were allowed to load at their de-
parture with European merchandiſe, and, at their re-
turn, with American commodities.
The exportation of metals was forbidden under ca-
pital penalties. This abfurd prohibition was made a
jeft of, becauſe it was neceffary that foreign commerce
thould receive the value of the merchandiſe it had fur-
niſhed. Ancient governments, which had for the laws
the reſpect they deferve, would not have failed to ab-
rogate one, the obfervance of which had been fhown
to be chimerical. In our modern times, when empires
are rather conducted by the caprices of the governors,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
249
VIII.
than regulated upon reaſonable principles, Spain went в o о K
no further, in 1748, than to permit the exportation
of gold and filver, upon condition that a duty of three
per cent. fhould be paid to the treafury. Twenty years
after, this tax was increaſed to four per cent. although
the government was warned by perpetual frauds, that
it was their intereft to lower it.
The year 1774 was the period of another fortunate
innovation. Till that time, every kind of intercourſe
between the ſeveral parts of the American continent
had been rigidly prohibited. Mexico, Guatimala, Pe-
ru, and the New Kingdom, were all compelled to be
ftrangers to each other. The action and reaction which
would have made them all partake of the advantages
nature had diſtributed among them, were confidered
as crimes, and ſeverely punished. But what reaſon
can be affigned why this profcription fhould not have
been extended from one town to another, or from one
dwelling to a neighbouring one in the fame diſtrict,
from one family to another in the fame diftrict? Hath
nature traced upon the foil, which men inhabit, any
line of limitation? How doth it happen, that, under
the fame dominion, a place fituated at an equal dif-
tance from two other places, fhould be allowed a free
exercife of a privilege towards the Eaft, which is re-
fufed to it towards the Weft? Doth not fuch an edict,
properly interpreted, fignify, let us forbid every coun-
try to cultivate more than is neceflary for its own con-
fumption, and every inhabitant from being in want
of any thing befide the productions of his own foil?
A free communication was at length opened between
thefe provinces: and the inhabitants were allowed to
think themſelves fellow-citizens, and to treat each o-
ther as brethren.
One law, of the month of February 1778, permits
all the ports of Spain to difpatch fhips to Buenos-
Ayres, and to the South Sea. In the month of Octo-
ber of the fame year, this liberty hath been granted
for the rest of the continent, except for Mexico, which
will undoubtedly foon enjoy the fame advantage. This
>
250
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK will be a confiderable ſtep; but it will not be fufficient,
VIII. as it is fuppofed, to put a stop to the imuggling trade,
which occafions fo many clamours.
All the people, whofe poffeffions have been near
the Spaniſh ſettlements, have endeavoured to appro-
priate to themſelves clandeftinely their treaſures and
their commodities. The Portugueſe have turned their
views towards the river Plata; the French, the Danes,
and the Dutch, towards the coaſt of Caraccas, Cartha-
gena, and Porto-Bello. The Engliſh, who knew and
frequented thefe roads, have found that the ceflions
made to them by the laft treaty have opened to them
other ways of obtaining a more confiderable fare of
theſe rich ſpoils. All theſe nations have fucceeded in
their attempts, by deceiving or bribing the guarda
coftas, and fometimes by fighting them.
The governors, far from remedying thefe diforders,
encouraged them as much as poffible. Several of them
had purchaſed their poſts; moſt of them were in hafte
to get fortunes, and wifhed to be paid for the dan-
gers they had incurred by the change of climate.
There was not a moment to be loft, becauſe it was
feldom they were continued in their places more than
from three to five years. Among the leaft dangerous
modes they had of acquiring riches, was that of en-
couraging the contraband trade, or of carrying it on
themſelves. No perfon in America exclaimed against
a conduct which was favourable to all.
If the complaints of fome European merchants
reached the court, they were eafily filenced by pro-
per gratuities to confeffors, miftreffes, or favourites.
The delinquent not only fheltered himſelf from pu-
niſhment, but was alfo rewarded. Nothing was fo
well eſtabliſhed, or fo generally known, as this prac-
tice. A Spaniard juft returned from America, where
he had filled an important poft, was complaining to a
friend of the injurious reports that were fpread con-
cerning the diſcharge of his truft. If you are flander-
ed, fays his friend, you are undone; but if your extor-
tions are not exaggerated, you have nothing to do but to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
251
give up part of your plunder, and you will enjoy the re- в 0 0 K
mainder peaceably, and even with credit.
The fraudulent trade will continue till it hath been
made impoffible to bear the expences of it, or to brave
the dangers to which it expofes; and this can never
be done but by lowering the duties with which the
Spaniſh ports have been fucceffively overburdened.
Even fince the facrifices made by government in the
regulations of 1778, the contraband trader hath an
advantage of fixty-four per cent. over the fair dealer.
The revolution which a judicious fyftem of policy
may bring about will occafion a deficiency, and a
very confiderable one, in the public treaſury: but the
diſtreſs that would refult from it would be no more
than momentary. Immenfe riches would one day
be produced from this long-expected arrangement of
things.
According to the new fyftem, Spain, which hither-
to hath furniſhed annually no more than one thouſand
feven hundred and forty-one tons of wine and bran-
dy, by which the cultivators had not got one million
of livres [41,6661. 13s. 4d.], will now fend ten or
twelve times as much. This exportation would fer-
tilize an uncultivated territory, and would diſguſt
Mexico, as well as fome other provinces of the New
World, of the bad liquors they are uſed to confume,
on account of the dearnefs of thoſe that have croffed
the feas.
The manufactures, which the impoffibility of pay-
ing for thoſe which came from the Old Hemiſphere
hath cauſed to be eſtabliſhed, would not fupport them-
felves. It would have been the highest act of tyranny
to put them down by authority, as fome inconfiderate,
corrupt, and defpotic minifters have not fcrupled to
propofe; but nothing would be more reaſonable than
to bring them into difrepute with the perfons who now
uſe them for clothing, by offering them, at a price
fuitable to their circumftances, linens and ftuffs, that
would be more agreeable to their taſte or to their va-
nity. Then the confumption of European merchan-
VIII.
252
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
Ο Κ
BOOK dife, which doth not exceed annually fix thouſand fix
VIII. hundred and twelve tons, would be doubly increaſed,
and in proceſs of time much more.
The hands which are employed in manufacture
would be transferred to agriculture, which is at pre-
fent much confined. The ports, however, of all na-
tions are open to their commodities. Several of them
might perhaps object, that Spain fhould make the
moft of her iſlands, becauſe fuch an improvement
would neceffarily occafion an evident injury to her co-
lonies; but they are all defirous that fhe fhould bring
more of the productions of her continent to market,
becauſe moſt of them are neceffary, and cannot be re-
placed by others.
This new arrangement of things would be equally
favourable to the mines. Thofe which have been ne-
glected, from their not being able to pay for the mer-
cury and other articles, would be opened again. Thoſe,
the working of which hath not been interrupted, would
be followed up with more activity, and with greater
The plenty of metals would open freſh mar-
kets to induſtry, which even the ableft men do not
think of.
means.
The Americans, become more rich and more hap-
py, would have more confidence in government.
They would readily confent to pay taxes, the nature
and levying of which can only be properly regulated
on the fpot, and from a mature confideration of the
character and cuftoms of the people. Theſe tributes,
however trifling they may be fuppofed to be, would
do more than fill up the deficiency occafioned in the
public coffers by the leffening of the duties.
The crown, enjoying a more confiderable revenue,
would no longer abandon their provinces to the rapa-
ciouſneſs of their agents. They would leffen the num-
ber of them, pay thofe they retained in a proper man-
ner, and compel them to refpect the rights of the peo-
ple and the interefts of government. To think it im-
poffible that this fpirit of juftice fhould be eftabliſhed,
would argue an ignorance of the refources of a well
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
253
↓
VIII.
managed authority. Campillo fucceeded in it, during в o o K
his auftere miniftry, although the governors of America
at that time had contracted the habit of plunder, and
that their appointments were not fufficient to maintain
the dignity which their rank feemed to require.
It muſt be acknowledged, that the freedom of trade
between all Spain and America, hath been reckoned a
chimera. The harbours of this peninfula are, as it has
been faid, fo poor, that whatever fteps may be taken,
that of Cadix will remain in the fole poffeffion of this
monopoly. This would undoubtedly happen, if the
ancient fyftem fhould only be departed from in this
point but, if the new plan be directed by the princi-
ples already eſtabliſhed, and already practiſed among
commercial nations, it will be found that there are in
moſt of the ports of this kingdom funds fufficient for
thefe undertakings. Theſe armaments will even foon
be multiplied, becauſe the moderate rate of the freight,
and of the duties, will allow them to fend common
merchandiſe, and to receive in return commodities of
fmall value. In proceſs of time, the navigation of the
mother-country, with its colonies on the continent,
which at preſent employs no more than from thirty to
thirty-two fhips every year, would receive ſo great an
increaſe, that the boldeft fpeculators could not venture
to fix the limits of it.
It hath been fuppofed, with more foundation, that
as foon as the ports of America fhould be open to all
the ports of the monarchy, and that no kind of op-
preffion would exift in the cuſtoms, trade, when freed
from theſe fhackles, would occafion unlimited emula-
tion. The avidity and imprudence of the merchants,
give reaſon to ſuſpect this confufion; which might per-
haps turn out to advantage. The colonifts, encou-
raged by the cheapnefs, to the acquifition of enjoy-
ments which they had been never able to procure,
will have other wants, and confequently would devote
themſelves to other labours. If even the excess of the
competition would be an evil, it could never be any
thing more than a temporary one.
To endeavour to
254
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK prevent this commotion, by laws deftructive of every
VIII. good, is to attempt the prevention of a fortunate revo-
lution, by a continual fyftem of oppreffion.
Inquiry
founded
upon a
New
World.
But the objection which had been moft thought of
in the court of Madrid, hath been, it ſeems, that all the
European nations would find their trade increafe by
theſe arrangements. This is certainly true. But would
not Spaniſh induftry be equally encouraged, fince,
when freed from the duty which foreign merchandiſe
would continue to pay on entering the kingdom, it
would preferve all its advantages? Would not the go-
vernment ftill collect the duties they might have
thought proper to leave upon thefe productions?
Would not their navigators ftill gain their freight?
Would not their merchants be the agents of this com-
merce? Would not their fubjects of the New World
obtain at a cheaper rate every thing that is conveyed
to them? It is, perhaps, a fortunate circumſtance for
this power, to be obliged to fhare with other people
the ſupplying of its American poffeffions. If it were
otherwiſe, the maritime powers would exert their ut-
moſt efforts to deprive it of them. Whether they would
fucceed or not, is a point which remains to be exa-
mined.
The Dutch were the first people who ventured to
whether turn their arms againſt Peru. They fent a fmall fqua-
the Spanish
empire be dron thither in 1643, which eafily took Baldivia, the
pon a folid only fortified port of Chili, and the key to thofe peace-
bafis in the ful feas. Their navigators already poffeffed, in imagi-
nation, the treaſures of thofe rich countries, till their
expectations were diſappointed by the appearance of
famine and difeafe. The death of their favourite chief
increaſed their anxiety, and the troops that were ſent
againſt them from Callao threw them into total de-
fpair. The idea of the diſtance they were at from their
native country, deprived them of all their courage, and
the fear of falling into the hands of a nation whoſe hat-
red they had fo often experienced, determined them to
reimbark. If their perfeverance had been greater,
they would probably have preferved their conquefts
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
255
VIII.
till the arrival of the fuccours that would have been BOOK
fent from the Zuyder Zee, when their firſt ſucceſs came
to be known.
Such was the opinion of thofe Frenchmen, who, in
1595, united their riches and their efforts to go and
plunder Peru, and to form a fettlement on that part of
the coaft of Chili which had been neglected by the
Spaniards. This fcheme was approved by Lewis XIV.
who, to facilitate the execution of it, granted fix men
of war.
The fquadron proceeded very fortunately,
under the command of the brave De Gènes, till it got
towards the middle of the Straits of Magellan. Suc-
cels was thought to be near at hand, when the navi-
gators, obftinately repulfed by contrary winds, and af-
failed with every poflible calamity, were obliged to re-
turn to Europe. Theſe adventurers, ftill thirting after
riches and dangers, were intending to form a new af-
fociation, when the courfe of events united the interefts
of the two crowns.
The Engliſh had turned their attention with avidity
towards thefe countries, before other people. They
were tempted by the mines as early as the year 1624;
but the weakneſs of the prince who then reigned,
proved the ruin of a confiderable affociation formed
for this great purpoſe. Charles II. refumed this im-
portant project, and fent Sir John Narborough to re-
connoitre thofe latitudes that were fo little known,
and to endeavour to open fome communication with
the favages of Chili. That monarch was fo impatient
to know the fuccefs of the expedition, that when he
was informed of the return of his admiral to the Downs,
he got into his barge and went to meet him at Graveſ-
end.
Though this firſt attempt had been of no advan-
tage, the Britiſh miniftry were not difcouraged. The
elevation of the Duke of Anjou to the throne excited
a general ferment. England, which had put itſelf at
the head of the confederacy formed to deprive this
prince of the throne, was victorious in all parts, but
was obliged to purchaſe this glory at a very dear rate.
2
256
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
BOOK The nation was groaning under the oppreffion of taxes,
VIII. while the treaſury had contracted immenfe engage-
ments. It feemed difficult to fulfil them, and at the
fame time to continue the war, when the idea was
fuggefted of a company which ſhould have the exclu-
five privilege of trading to the South Seas, upon con-
dition that they fhould liquidate the national debt.
Such was the opinion they entertained of the riches.
of Peru, and of the great fortunes that might eaſily
be made there, that foreigners, as well as the people
of the country, were eager to lend their money to this
undertaking. The direction of it was given to the
Lord High Treafurer Oxford, the author of the pro-
ject, and he employed, in the expences of the ſtate,
funds that were deſtined for a very different purpoſe.
+
Then the ſhares of the new company fell into the
utmoſt difrepute; but they foon rofe again. At the
peace, the court of London obtained from that of
Madrid, that the South Sea Company ſhould fulfil its
deftination. The trade of Peru was formally given
up to them. They were quietly enriching themſelves,
when a bloody war changed the fituation of affairs.
A fquadron under the command of Anfon was fent,
inftead of the ſhips of thoſe rapacious merchants which
frequented theſe feas. It is probable he would have
executed the whole of his terrible commiffion, had he
not been prevented by the misfortunes that befel his
fquadron, in being obliged, from ill-concerted mea-
fures, to double Cape Horn at an improper and dan-
gerous feafon.
Since the last peace, the French in 1764, and the
Engliſh in 1766, have undertaken to form a fettlement
not far from the coaft of Patagonia, or in fifty-one de-
grees thirty minutes of fouthern latitude, in three
iflands, which the former have called Malouine, and
the latter Falkland Iſlands. Spain, alarmed at ſeeing
foreign nations in thele latitudes, eafily obtained from
the court of Verfailles the facrifice of their feeble co-
lony but the warmest reprefentations produced no
effect upon the court of London, which had not the
3
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
257
VIII.
fame motives of attention and complaifance. The mi- в O O K
niftry on both fides grew warm. Port Egmont, re-
cently occupied, was fuddenly attacked, and taken
without refiftance. The two hemifpheres were again
going to be deluged with blood, if the aggreffors had
not at length determined to reſtore a poft, which they
ought not to have feized upon, at a time when nego-
tiations were opened to examine into the rights of the
two crowns. England hath fince engaged, by a verbal
agreement of the 22d January 1771, to fuffer this fee-
ble, uſeleſs, and expenfive fettlement gradually to de-
cay. Accordingly, in the month of May 1774, there
remained no more than five-and-twenty men upon it,
when it was evacuated, leaving an infcription to cer-
tify to poſterity, that theſe iſlands had belonged, and
had not ceaſed to belong, to Great Britain. Theſe
navigators, attentive to the dignity of their nation, in-
fulted, at their departure, the rival power. It is from
motives of condefcenfion, and not of fear, that they
are willing to defift from their claims. But when they
promiſe eternal duration to their empire, they forget
that their grandeur may diſappear as rapidly as it hath
rifen. Of all the modern nations, what remains will
there be in the annals of the world? The names only
of a few illuftrious perfonages, of a Chriftopher Colum-
bus, of a Defcartes, and of a Newton. What a num-
ber of petty ſtates, all ridiculoufly afpiring to the great
deftinies of Rome!
Without the affiftance of this ftaple, and indeed
without any, Anſon thought that the empire of the
Spaniards in the Pacific Ocean might be attacked with
advantage. According to the plan of this celebrated
navigator, twelve men of war, fent from Europe with
three or four thoufand troops, would direct their courfe
towards the South Sea. They would procure refreſh-
ments at Bahia, at Rio Janeiro, at St. Catherine's, and
throughout all the Brazils, where a ftrong defire pre-
vails of humbling the Spaniards. The repairs that
might become neceflary, would be executed with fafe-
ty upon the defert and uninhabitable coaft of Pata-
Vol. III.
R
:
!
258
VIII.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOO K gonia, at Port Defire, or St. Julian. The fquadron
would double Cape Horn, or would go through the
Straits of Magellan, according to the different ſeaſons
of the year. If they ſhould chance to ſeparate, they
would meet again at the defert iſland of Socoro, and
then attack Baldivia with their united force.
This fortrefs, the only one that covers Chili, being
carried by a fudden and impetuous attack, what fer-
vice, for the defence of the country, could be expected
from enervated and unexperienced citizens, againſt
troops inured to difcipline and military exerciſes?
What could they do against the Araucos, and other
favages, always difpofed to renew their cruelties and
their ravages?
The coafts of Peru would make ftill lefs refiftance.
They are all defended only by Callao, where a bad
garrifon of fix hundred men would foon capitulate.
The reduction of this famous port would open the
way to Lima, which is no more than two leagues off,
and incapable of making any defence. The feeble
fuccours that could be ſent to the two cities from the
inland parts, where there are no foldiers, would not
fave them; and the fquadron would eaſily intercept
any that might come from Panama by fea. Panama
itſelf, which is furrounded only by a wall, without a
ditch or any outworks, would be obliged to furrender.
The garrifon, continually weakened by detachments
that muſt be fent to Chagre, to Porto-Bello, and to
other pofts, would be unable to repulſe the moſt trif-
ling force.
Anfon was of opinion, that the coafts being once
fubdued, the reft of the empire would foon be obliged
to fubmit. This idea was founded upon the effemi-
nacy, cowardice, and ignorance of thefe people in the
management of arms. According to his informations,
a bold enemy would have had nearly as much advan-
tage over the Spaniards, as they themselves had over
the Americans at the period of the diſcovery.
Such were, thirty years ago, the ideas of one of the
greateft feamen England ever had. But we may ima-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
259
14
VIII.
gine that he would not talk in this ftyle at preſent. в O O K
The court of Madrid, rouſed by the humiliations and
misfortunes of the laſt war, have fent well-difciplined
troops into Pera, and have intrufted the fortified places
to experienced commanders. The ſpirit of the militia
is entirely changed in this part of the New World.
What, perhaps, was poffible, is now no more fo. An
invafion would more particularly become a chimerical
idea, if, in that diftant region, the land forces were
fupported by proportionate maritime ftrength. We
ſhall even venture to affirm, that the junction of theſe
two forces would infallibly expel the flag of all other
nations from theſe roads.
The operations of the fquadron fhould not be limit-
ed, either to the fighting of the enemy, or to the keep-
ing of them at a diſtance. The fhips of which it would
confift might be uſefully employed in producing, or in
collecting upon thefe coafts, the articles which either
do not grow there, or which are loft from the difficul-
ty of exportation. Thefe encouragements would pro-
bably awaken the colonifts from the lethargic ſtate in
which they have continued for three centuries. When
they were affured that the produce of their cultures
would reach Panama without expence, and would
there be embarked upon the Chagre, to be conveyed
into Europe, at a very moderate rate, they would feel
themſelves inclined to labours, the reward of which
would no longer be doubtful. This activity would in-
creaſe, if the court of Madrid would refolve to dig a
canal of five leagues, which would complete the com-
munication between the two feas, already fo much ad-
vanced by a navigable river. The general good of na-
tions, and the advantage of commerce, required, that
the Ifthmus of Panama and the Ifthmus of Suez fhould
be open to navigation, and fhould draw the limits of
the world nearer to each other. Oriental defpotifm,
and Spaniſh indolence, have for too long a time de-
prived the globe of fo coniderable a benefit.
If from the South we go on to the North Sea, we
fhall find that the Spanish empire is established there,
Rij
260
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK from the Mifliffippi to the Oroonoko. There are,
throughout this immenfe fpace, many inacceffible
fhores, and a ftill greater number where it would be
uſeleſs to land. All the ports that are confidered as
important, fuch as Vera Cruz, Chagre, Porto-Bello,
Carthagena, and Puerto-Cabello, are fortified, and
fome of them are fo upon good principles. Experi-
ence, however, hath fhown, that none of thefe places
are impregnable. They might, therefore, be forced
again but of what fervice would this fuccefs be?
The conquerors, who would find it impoffible to pe-
netrate into the inland countries, would be confined
in fortreffes, where an air, which is dangerous in all
feafons, and fatal during fix months of the year, to
men who are accustomed to a temperate climate,
would fooner or later bring them to the grave.
If even, contrary to all probability, the conqueſt
fhould be completed, can it be imagined that the Spa-
nifh Americans, who from tafte, idleness, ignorance,
habit, and pride, have an exceffive attachment to their
religion and to their laws, would not break, at one
time or other, the chains that had been impofed upon
them? If, to prevent this revolution, it fhould be re-
folved to exterminate them, this cruel expedient would
be as great a folly in politics, as it would be horrible.
in morality. The nation that had been guilty of this
excess of barbarity could not reap any advantage from
its new poffeffions, without facrificing to them its po-
pulation, its activity, its induftry, and, in proceſs of
time, all its power.
Thefe various obftacles to the invafion of Spaniſh
America, had, as it is faid, fuggefted in England, du-
ring the last hoftilities, the idea of a fyftem aſtoniſh-
ing to vulgar minds. The project of this power, which
was then miftrefs of all the feas, was to feize upon
Vera Cruz, and to fortify itſelf there in a very ſtrong
manner. It would not have been propoſed to Mexico
to fubmit to a foreign yoke, for which it was known
to have too great an averfion; but the plan was to
detach that region from the mother-country, to make
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
261
воок
VIII.
it the arbiter of its own deftiny, and to leave it at в о o K
liberty, either to chooſe a ſovereign of its own, or to
form itſelf into a republic. As there were no troops
in the country, the revolution was infallible; and it
would equally have taken place in all the provinces
of this vaft continent, which had the fame motives
for defiring it, and the fame facility of carrying it in-
to execution. The efforts of the court of Madrid, to
recover its rights, would have been unavailing, be-
caufe Great Britain took upon herſelf to repel them,
upon condition that the new ftates fhould grant her
an exclufive trade, but upon terms infinitely lefs un-
favourable than thofe by which they had for fo long a
time been oppreffed.
If it were true that ſuch ideas had ever feriouſly en-
gaged the attention of the cabinet of London, they
must have renounced theſe ambitious views, fince the
court of Madrid have taken the refolution to keep re-
gular and European forces in their poffeffions in the
New World. Thefe forces will contain the nations,
and repel the enemy, ftrengthened as they are at pre-
fent with a refpectable navy.
As foon as the Spaniards had difcovered another
hemifphere, they thought of appropriating to them-
felves every part of it. To give fome eclat to their ad-
miniſtration, the chiefs of the great fettlements already
formed, were continually undertaking new enterpriſes ;
and private perfons, paflionately purſuing the fame
kind of fame, generally followed thefe brilliant pro-
jects. The calamities infeparable from a career fo lit-
tle known, had not yet altered this active and inde-
fatigable courage, when fome bold and enterprifing
navigators ventured to direct their courfe towards re-
gions, forbidden to every other nation, except that
which had conquered them. The fuccefs which at-
tended this boldneſs, convinced Philip II. that it was
time to ſet bounds to his ambition; and he renounced
acquifitions, which might expofe his arms or his fleets
to infults. This timid, or perhaps only prudent po-
licy, was attended with more important confequences
R iij
262
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
VIII.
BOOK than had been foreſeen. The fpirit of enthuſiaſm was
at an end, and that of inactivity fucceeded to it. A
new race of men was formed in the Indies. The peo-
ple fank into fuperb effeminacy, and thoſe who go-
verned them no longer attended to any thing but the
accumulation of riches; and the dignities that accom-
panied them, which had formerly been referved to ta-
lents, to zeal, and to ſervices, were now purchaſed.
At this period a top was put to navigation, both in
America and in Europe.
A few veffels only, ill built, ill armed, ill fitted out,
and ill commanded, were diſpatched from the ports of
the mother-country. Spain could not be awakened
from its lethargy, either from the terrible blows which
it received from its enemies, or with the ruinous extor-
tions it experienced from its allies.
At length, after two centuries of total inactivity,
the docks are again revived. The Spanish navy hath
acquired real ftrength. It confits, at the time of our
writing, of fixty-eight ships of the line, carrying from
one hundred and fourteen to fixty guns, and five of thefe
are upon the flocks; and of eighty other fhips, carrying
from fifty-fix to twelve guns. There are fifty thouſand
feamen upon its lifts, a great number of whom ſerve
in the armaments fitted out by government. Many of
them are alfo employed in the merchantmen of Biſ-
cay, of Majorca, and of Catalonia. Some are wanted
for about a hundred fmall veffels, regularly deftined for
the American iflands, where fo few were formerly fent.
They will multiply ftill more, when the voyages to
the continent of the other Hemifphere fhall be under-
taken with all the freedom which the firft regulations.
ſeem to announce. The feas, which ſeparate the two
Worlds, will be covered with robuſt, active, and intel-
ligent men, who will become the defenders of their
country's rights, and will render her fleets formidable.
Spaniſh monarchs, ye are intrufted with the happi-
nefs of the moft brilliant parts of the two Hemiſpheres.
Show yourfelves worthy of fo glorious a deftiny. In
fulfilling this auguft and facred duty, ye will repair
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
263
VIII.
the injuries done by your predeceffors and by their в O O K
fubjects. They have depopulated a world which they
had diſcovered; they have put millions of mankind
to death. Their conduct hath been ſtill more atro-
cious, not only in enflaving them, but alſo in re-
ducing thoſe whom their fword hath fpared to the
condition of brutes. Thoſe whom they have flain,
have fuffered only for an inftant, while the wretches
whom they have permitted to live, muſt have often
envied the fate of their murdered brethren. Poſte-
rity will not forgive you, till harvests fhall ariſe in
thofe fields which you have manured with ſo much
innocent blood; and till thofe immenfe fpaces which
you have laid waſte ſhall be covered with happy and
free inhabitants. If ye would know the period in
which you may perhaps be abfolved of all your crimes,
it will be when you ſhall revive, in idea, ſome one of
the ancient monarchs of Mexico and Peru, and pla-
cing him in the midft of his poffeffions, fhall be able
to fay to him, BEHOLD THE PRESENT STATE OF YOUR
COUNTRY, AND OF YOUR SUBJECTS; INTERROGATE THEM,
AND FORM YOUR JUDGMENT OF US.
BOOK IX.
Settlement of the Portugueſe in the Brazils. The Wars
they have fuftained there. Produce and Riches of that
Country.
IX.
peans have
A NATIONAL ſpirit is the refult of a great number в O O K
of cauſes, ſome of which are permanent, and others va-
riable. This part of the hiftory of a people is perhaps whether
the moſt intereſting, and the leaft difficult to invefti- the Euro-
gate. The permanent caufes are to be found on the
portion of the globe which they inhabit; the variable acquainted
ones are configned in their annals, and manifefted by of founding
the effects which they have produced. While thefe colonies.
caufes act in oppofition to each other, th: nation is in
a ftate of infanity, and doth not beg n o recover its
been well
with the art
Rij
264
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK proper underſtanding, till the time when its fpecula-
tive principles coincide with the nature of its fitua-
tion. Then it is, that it advances rapidly towards
that ſplendour, opulence, and felicity, to which it
may be allowed to afpire from a free ufe of its local
refources.
But this national fpirit, which ought to prefide in
the counfels of the people, though it be not always
to be found there, fcarce ever regulates the actions
of individuals. They have interefts of their own, and
paffions which torment and blind them; and there is
fcarce any one who would not raife his profperity up-
on the public ruin. The capitals of empires are the
centre of the national ſpirit, that is to fay, the places
where it diſplays itſelf with the greateſt energy in
words, and where it is the most completely neglected
in actions. I except only fome unfrequent inftances,
where the general fafety is at stake. In proportion
as the diſtance from the capital increaſes, this maſk
detaches itſelf; it falls off on the frontiers; and, be-
tween one hemifphere and another, is totally loft.
When a man hath croffed the line, he is neither an
Engliſhman, a Dutchman, a Frenchinan, a Spaniard,
or a Portugueſe. He preferves nothing of his country,
except the principles and prejudices which give a fanc-
tion to his conduct, or furnifh him with an excufe for
it. Servile when he is weak, and oppreffive when he
is ſtrong; eager to acquire wealth, and to enjoy it;
and capable of all the enormities which can contribute
moſt ſpeedily to the completion of his deſigns; he is
a domeſtic tiger again let looſe in the woods, and who
is again feized with the thirſt of blood. Such have all
the Europeans indifcriminately fhown themſelves in
the regions of the New World, where they have been
actuated with one common rage, the paffion for gold.
Would it not have been a more humane, more uſe-
ful, and leſs expenſive plan, to have fent into each of
thoſe diſtant regions fome hundreds of young men and
women? The men would have married the women,
and the women the men of the country. Confangui-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
265
nity, the tie that is the moſt ſpeedily formed, and the
ftrongeſt, would foon have made one and the ſame fa-
mily of the ſtrangers and of the natives.
In this intimate connection, the favage inhabitant
would foon have underſtood that the arts and fciences
conveyed into his country were very conducive to the
improvement of his deſtiny. He would have enter-
tained the higheſt opinion of the perfuafive and mild
instructors brought to him by the fea, and he would
have given himself up to them without referve.
From this fortunate confidence peace would have
arifen, which would have been impracticable, if the
new comers had prefented themfelves with the impe-
rious and authoritative tone of mafters and ufurpers.
Commerce is eſtabliſhed without difficulty among men
who have reciprocal wants; and they foon accuſtom
themſelves to confider as friends and as brethren thoſe
whom intereſt or other motives have brought into their
country. The Indians would have adopted the Euro-
pean form of worſhip, becauſe a religion becomes uni-
verfal among all the inhabitants of an empire, when
the government leaves it to itſelf, and when the folly
and intolerant fpirit of the prieſfts doth not convert it
into a principle of difcord. In like manner, civiliza-
tion follows from the propenfity which urges every
man to improve his fituation, provided there be no
defire to compel him to it by force, and that thefe
advantages be not prefented to him by fufpicious
ftrangers.
Such would be the effects that would be produced
in a rifing colony by the allurement of the moſt impe-
rious of the fenfes. Let there be no arms and no fol-
diers; but a multitude of young women for the men,
and numbers of young men for the women.
Let us
examine what the Portugueſe have done in Brazil by
purſuing contrary methods.
оок
IX.
в O O K
Brazil is an immenfe continent, bounded on the when, and
north by the river of the Amazons, on the fouth by by whom,
the river Plata, on the east by the fea, and on the welt difcovered.
Brazil was
a66
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK by moraffes, lakes, torrents, rivers, and mountains,
which ſeparate it from the Spanish poffeffions.
IX.
If Columbus had continued his courfe to the fouth,
when he came to the entrance of the Oroonoko in
1499, he could not poffibly have miffed the Brazils;
but he chofe to fteer to the north-weft, that he might
not go too far from St. Domingo, the only fettlement
belonging to the Spaniards in the New World.
Peter Alvarez Cabral had the honour of difcovering
the Brazils the following year by a fortunate chance.
How doth it happen that this is the cafe in almoſt
all diſcoveries; and that chance hath always more
fhare in them than ingenuity? It is becaufe chance
is ever employed, while the human understanding is
checked by indolence, changes its objects through in
conftancy, repofes itſelf through laffitude or tedium,
and is thrown into a ftate of inaclivity by a number
of moral, natural, domeftic, or national caufes. Moft
difcoveries are therefore owing to chance, or to that
infinite number of men, who are always in motion,
and whofe attention is conftantly engaged on all the
objects that furround, or ftrike them, oftentimes with-
out any defign of gaining information, or of making
thoſe diſcoveries, but merely becauſe they make uſe of
their fenfes.
To avoid falling in with the calms on the coaſt of
Africa, Cabral kept fo far out at fea, that he came.
within fight of an unknown land lying to weſtward.
He was driven thither by ftrefs of weather, and an-
chored on the coaft in the 15th degree of fouth lati-
tude, at a place which he called Porto-Seguro. He
took poffeffion of the country, but made no ſettlement
in it, and gave it the name of Santa Cruz, which was
afterwards changed for that of Brazil, becauſe the Bra-
zil wood was the most valuable production of that
country to the Europeans, who ufed it in dyeing.
As this country had been difcovered in going to In-
dia, and as it was doubtful whether it was not a part
of that country, the fame name was given to it, be-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
267
IX.
cauſe the Spaniards had imagined that it might be re- в O O K
ferred to thofe countries they had previouſly diſcover-
ed. All the Europeans, however, diftinguiſhed them
by the appellation of Weft Indies. This name was
afterwards extended to all the New World, and the
Americans were very improperly called Indians.
Thus it is that the names of places and things, ac-
cidentally given by ignorant men, have always per-
plexed philofophers, who have been defirous of tracing
the origin of thefe names from nature, and not from
circumftances merely incidental, and oftentimes quite
foreign to the natural properties of the things denoted
by them. Nothing can be more ftrange, for instance,
than to fee Europe tranfplanted into America, and
there regenerated, as it were, in the names and forms
of our European cities, and in the laws, manners, and
religion of our continent. But fooner or later the cli-
mate will refume its influence, and reinftate things in
their proper order, and with their original names,
though with thofe veiliges of the change they have
undergone, which a great revolution always leaves
behind it. Is it not probable, that, in three or four
thousand years hence, the history of America at this
prefent period will be as confufed, and as inexplicable
to its inhabitants, as the hiftory of Europe, previous
to the rife of the Roman republic, is obfcure to us?
Thus it is that men, the knowledge they have acquir-
ed, and the conjectures they have formed, either with
reſpect to events that are paffed, or to future tranfac-
tions, are all fubject to the laws and motions of nature,
which purſues her own courſe, without paying the leaſt
regard either to our projects or to our opinions.
the first in-
gal into the
Nothing can afford us a more convincing proof of Account of
this great truth, than the imprudence and uncertainty habitants
of all the defigns and actions of men even in their conveyed
moſt important undertakings, the blindnefs with which by Portu-
their inquiries are purfued, and more eſpecially the Brazils.
improper uſe they make of their difcoveries. As
foon as the court of Litbon had ordered a furvey to
be taken of the harbours, bays, rivers, and coats of
268
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK Brazil, and was convinced that the country afforded
IX. neither gold nor filver, they held it in fuch contempt,
that they fent thither none but condemned criminals
and abandoned women.
Two fhips were fent every year from Portugal, to
carry the refuſe of the kingdom to this New World,
and to bring home parrots, and woods for the dyers
and cabinetmakers. Ginger was afterwards added, but
was foon prohibited, left it ſhould interfere with the
fale of the fame article from India.
Afia was then the object that attracted all men.
was the road to fortune, to power, and to fame. The
great exploits of the Portugueſe in India, and the
wealth they brought from thence, gave their nation
fuch a fuperiority in all parts of the world, that every
individual wiſhed to partake of it. The enthuſiaſm
was general. No perfon, indeed, went over volunta-
rily to America; but thofe unfortunate men, whom
the inquifition had doomed to deftruction, were added
to the convicts already tranfported thither.
There never was a ftronger and more inveterate ha-
tred than that which the Portugueſe have always en-
tertained againſt the Spaniards. Notwithſtanding this
national antipathy, which is of fo long a ſtanding that
its origin cannot be traced, and fo confirmed that it
can never be expected to ceafe, they have borrowed
moſt of their maxims from a neighbour, whoſe power
they dreaded as much as they detefted its manners.
Whether from a fimilarity of climate and temper, or
from a conformity of circumftances, they have adopt-
ed the worst of its inftitutions, they could not imitate
any one more horrid than the inquifition.
This bloody tribunal, erected in Spain in 1482, by
a combination of policy and fanaticifm, under the
reign of Ferdinand and Ifabella, was no fooner adopt-
ed by John III. than it ftruck terror into every fami-
ly. To eftabliſh its authority, and afterwards to fup-
port it, no less than four or five hundred victims were
annually facrificed, a tenth part of which was burnt
alive, and the reft baniſhed to Africa or to the Bra-
I
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
269
IX.
zils. The fury of this tribunal was particularly exert- B O O K
ed againſt thoſe who were fufpected of fodomy; a
crime of later date in the kingdom, and almoſt una-
voidable in hot climates, where celibacy prevails. It
alſo profecuted forcerers, who, in thoſe times of igno-
rance, were as much dreaded as their number was mul-
tiplied, by the credulity, bigotry, and barbariſm that
prevailed all over Europe. The Mohammedans, though
greatly decreaſed fince they had loft the empire, were
alſo perfecuted by the inquifition; but more eſpecial-
ly the Jews, becauſe they were the richeſt.
It is well known, that when the Jews, who had long
been confined to a very ſmall ſpot upon the face of
the earth, were difperfed by the Romans, many of
them took refuge in Portugal. There they multiplied
after the Arabs had conquered Spain, were fuffered to
enjoy all the rights of citizens, and were not excluded
from public offices, till that country had recovered its
independence. This first act of oppreffion did not
prevent twenty thoufand Jewish families from remov-
ing thither, when, after the conqueft of Granada, the
Catholic kings compelled them to quit Spain, or to
change their religion. Each family paid twenty livres
[16s. 8d.] for the liberty of fettling in Portugal. Su-
perftition foon induced John II. to aggravate the ſuf-
ferings of that perfecuted nation: He demanded of
them 20,000 crowns [2500l.], and afterwards redu-
ced them to a ſtate of flavery. In 1496, Emanuel ba-
niſhed all thoſe who refuſed to embrace the Chriftian
religion; thoſe who complied were restored to their
freedom, and foou engroffed the Afiatic trade, which
then began to be laid open to every one. The efta-
bliſhment of the inquifition, in 1548, proved a check
to their activity. Their miftruft was increafed by the
frequent confifcations made by that odious tribunal,
and by the taxes which government extorted from
them at different times. They were in hopes of pur-
chafing fome tranquillity, by furnishing Sebaftian with
250,000 livres [10,4271. 13s. 4d.] for his African ex-
pedition; but, unfortunately for them, that impru
t
270
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK dent monarch came to an untimely end. Philip II,
who foon after extended his dominion over Portugal,
enacted, that fuch of his fubjects as were defcended
from a Jew or a Moor, fhould be excluded from all
ecclefiaftical or civil employments. This mark of in-
famy, with which all the new converts to Chriſtianity
were branded, gave them fuch a difguft for a country,
where even the greateſt opulence could not exempt
them from being ftigmatized, that they removed, with
their wealth, to Bourdeaux, Antwerp, Hamburgh, and
other towns, with which they had regular connec-
tions. This emigration was the occafion of a great
revolution; it diverted the commerce, which till then
had centered in Spain and Portugal, into other coun-
tries, and deprived thofe two nations of the advan-
tages the one derived from the Eaft, and the other
from the Weſt Indies.
Before theſe laft periods, the Jews, who were unre-
mittingly perfecuted by the inquifition, were baniſhed
in numbers to the Brazils. Though deprived of their
fortunes by thefe infatiable leeches, they fucceeded in
eſtabliſhing ſome cultures. This fortunate beginning
convinced the court of Liſbon that a colony might
be ferviceable to the mother-country by other means
than by metals. They began, as early as the year
1525, to caft a lefs difdainful look on this immenfe
pofleflion, which chance had beftowed upon them,
and which had till then been confidered as the fink
into which all the filth of the monarchy was poured.
The nation foon adopted the opinion of the miniftry,
vided he and the noblemen efpecially were firft animated with
ral noble- this new fpirit. Government granted, fucceflively, to
men by the thofe among them who asked for it, a ſpace of forty or
fifty leagues upon the coaft, with an unlimited extent
in the interior parts of the country. They were au-
thoriſed by their charter to treat the vanquished peo-
ple in whatever manner they chofe. They had a right,
which most of them exerciled, to difpofe of the terri-
tory they had invaded, in favour of any Portugueſe
who would cultivate it; but they difpofed of it only
Brazil di-
tween feve-
court of
Liſbon.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
271
IX.
for three lives, referving alfo to themſelves fome rent- B 0 0 K
charges. Theſe great proprietors were to enjoy all the
rights of fovereignty, except that of condemning to
death, coining, and the tithes; prerogatives which the
court kept in their hands. Thefe ufeful and honour-
able fiefs could only be forfeited by the neglecting to
cultivate and defend them, by the deficiency of male
iffue, or by the commiffion of fome capital crime.
Thoſe who had folicited and obtained theſe provin-
ces, expected to acquire the poffeffion of them without
much expence, and without expofing their lieutenants
to any great danger. Their hopes were chiefly found-
ed upon the indolence of the fmall nations they were
to conquer.
and customs
peo-
the Portu-
ed to fub-
due.
Man is undoubtedly formed for fociety; his wants Character
and his weakneflès require it. But focieties of twenty of the
or thirty millions of men, cities confitting of four or ple whom
five hundred thouſand fouls, are fo many monftrous guefe wifh-
productions, which are fo far from being formed by na- do
ture, that fhe, on the contrary, is inceffantly ftudying
to destroy them. They are only fupported by conſtant
forefight, and by moft extraordinary efforts. They
would foon be diffipated, if a confiderable portion of
this multitude did not attend to their prefervation.
The air is infected by them, the waters are corrupted;
the land exhaufted to a great extent; the duration of
life is ſhortened among them; the fweets of plenty are
but little felt, and the horrors of dearth are extreme.
They are the pot which gives birth to epidemic dif-
cafes; they are the haunts of crimes, of vices, and of
diffolute manners. Thele enormous and fatal heaps of
men are likewife one of the fcourges of fovereignty,
fince cupidity invites around the throne, and perpetu-
ally increales the herd of flaves, under an infinite va-
riety of functions and denominations. Thefe unnatural
aflemblages of population, are fabject to ferment and
to corrupt during peace; and if war fhould increaſe
the ferment, the hock becomes dreadful.
Societies, in a flate of nature, are little numerous;
they fublitt of themfelves. They feparate before a
t
272
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK fuperabundance of population becomes troublefome.
IX. Each divifion removes to convenient diftances. Such
was the primitive ftate of the New Countries; fuch is
that of the New Continent.
The Brazilians in general were of the fize of the Eu-
ropeans, but not ſo ftout. They were fubject to fewer
distempers, and were long-lived. They wore no clo-
thing; the women wore their hair extremely long, the
men cut theirs fhort; the women wore bracelets of
bones of a beautiful white, the men necklaces of the
fame; the women painted their faces, and the men
their bodies.
Every colony of this vaft continent had its own idi-
oms, but not one of them had any words to convey
general and abftract ideas. This poverty of language,
which is common to all nations of South America, is a
convincing proof of the little progrefs the human un-
derſtanding had made in thefe countries. The ana-
logy between the words in the feveral languages of this
continent ſhows, that the reciprocal tranfmigrations of
theſe favages had been frequent.
The food of the Brazilians was very fimple. In a
country deprived of domeftic animals, they lived upon
fhell-fish by the fea fide; along the rivers, by fiſhing;
and in the forefts, by hunting. When thefe precari-
ous provifions failed, they fed upon the caflava and
other roots.
Theſe men were very fond of dancing. Their fongs
were but one tedious uniform tone, without any mo-
dulations, and commonly turned upon their loves or
their warlike exploits.
In poliſhed ſtates, dancing and finging are reckoned
among the arts. In the midst of the forefts they are
almoft the natural expreffions of concord and friend-
fhip, of tendernefs and pleafure. We are obliged to
have maſters to inftruct us to diſplay our voices, and
to move gracefully. The favage hath no other in-
ftructor but his paffion, his heart and nature. He real-
ly feels what we affect to fecl. Accordingly, the ſa-
vage who fings and dances is always happy.
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
273
'T'heir amuſements are not interrupted by the wor- в
fhip of a Supreme Being, for they know of none; nor
i, their tranquillity difturbed by the dread of a future
ftate, of which they have no idea. They have, how-
ever, their magicians, who, by ftrange contortions, fo
far work upon the credulity of the people as to throw
them into violent convulfions. If the impoſtures of
theſe magicians are detected, they are immediately put
to death, which ferves, in fome degree, to check the
ſpirit of deceit.
Thefe atheists are equally ftrangers to all notions of
fubordination and fubmiffion, which among ourſelves
are originally derived from the idea of a Supreme
Being. They cannot conceive that any perſon can
have the audacity to command, much leſs that any one
can be fo weak as to obey. But they fhow moft de-
ference to the man who has killed the greateſt number
of his enemies.
The Brazilians, like most other favages, fhowed no
particular attachment to their native place. The love
of our country, which is a ruling paffion in civilized
ftates; which in good governments rifes to enthuſiaſm,
and in bad ones grows habitual; which for feveral cen-
turies together perpetuates in every nation its difpofi-
tion, cuftoms, and tafte: this love of our country is
but a factitious fentiment arifing from fociety, but un-
known in the ftate of nature. The moral life of a fa-
vage is the very reverfe of that of the civilized man.
The latter enjoys the gifts of nature only in his infan-
cy. As his ftrength increafes and his underſtanding
unfolds itſelf, he lofes fight of the prefent, and is whol-
ly intent upon the future. Thus the age of paffions
and pleafures, the time defined by nature for enjoy-
ment, is ipent in fpeculation and difappointment. The
heart denies itfelf what it withes for, laments the indul-
gences it has allowed itfelf, and is equally tormented
by its felf-denials and its gratifications. The civilized
man, inceflantly deploring his liberty which he hath
always facrificed, locks back with regret on his earliest
years, when a fucceffion of new objects conſtantly a-
Vol. III.
S
O O K
IX.
274
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BO O K wakened his curiofity, and kept his hopes alive. He
recollects with pleaſure the ſpot where he paffed his
infant days; the remembrance of his innocent delights
endears them to his imagination, and forcibly attracts
him to his native fpot; whereas the favage, who en-
joys all the pleaſures and advantages peculiar to every
period of his life, and does not abstain from them in
expectation of greater indulgence in old age, finds
equally, in all places, objects fuited to his defires, and
feels that the fource of his pleaſures is in himſelf, and
that his country is every where.
Though the tranquillity of the Brazilians was not
the refult of any laws, diffenfions were feldom heard of
in their little focieties. If drunkennefs, or fome un-
fortunate incident, occafioned a difpute, and fome life
was loft, the murderer was inftantly delivered up to the
relations of the deceafed, who immediately facrificed
him to their vengeance without hefitation; then both
the families met, and their reconciliation was fealed by
a joyous and noiſy feaſt.
Every Brazilian took as many wives as he choſe, or
as many as he could get, and put them away when he
grew tired of them. When they violated their mar-
riage vow, they were punished, according to a cuftom
almoft generally adopted, with death, and the huſband
did not become an object of ridicule on account of the
injury his wife had done him. When the women
laid in, they kept their bed but a day or two; then
the mother, hanging the child to her neck in a cotton
ſcarf, returned to her ufual occupations without any
kind of inconvenience.
In general, the confequences of child-birth among
the favages, are not fo bad as they are among the
women of civilized countries, becauſe the firſt always
fuckle their children, and becauſe the indolence of
the men condemns them to a laborious life, which
occafions the menftrual flux in them to be lefs plenti-
ful, and renders the channels, through which this fu-
perfluous blood is to flow, fo much the more narrow.
A long reft after child-birth, far from being neceſſary,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
275
IX.
would become as fatal to them, as it would be among в o OK
us to our women of the lower clafs. This is not the
only circumftance in which we find a compenſation
for the advantages of the feveral ranks of life. We
feel the want of exerciſe, and go into the country in
ſearch of health. Our women begin to deferve the
name of mothers, by fuckling their own children; the
children too are juft reſcued from the fhackles of
fwaddling clothes. What can theſe innovations be at-
tributed to, but to the conſciouſneſs that man cannot
deviate imprudently from the laws of nature, without
injury to his own happinefs? In all future ages, the
favages will advance by flow degrees towards the civi-
lized ftate; and civilized nations will return towards
their primitive ftate; from whence the philofopher will
conclude, that there exifts in the interval between theſe.
two ſtates, a certain medium, in which the felicity of
the human ſpecies is placed. But who is it that can
find out this medium? and even if it were found, what
authority would be capable of directing the steps of
man to it, and to fix him there?
Travellers were received with diftinguiſhed marks of
civility in the Brazils. Wherever they came, they were
furrounded with women, who wathed their feet, and
welcomed them with the moft obliging expreffions.
Nothing was ſpared for their entertainment; but it
would have been an unpardonable affront, had they
left the family where they were first entertained, in
hopes of better accommodation in another. This ſpi-
rit of hofpitality is one of the moſt certain indications
that man was intended for ſociety.
Hoſpitality, the offspring of natural commiferation,
was univerfally practifed in the earliest times. It was
almoſt the only thing that attached nations to each
other it was the fource of the most ancient, the moſt
lafting, and the moft refpected friendſhip, contracted
between families who were feparated by immenfe re-
gions. A man, perfecuted by his fellow-citizens, or
guilty of any mildemeanour, retired to diſtant coun-
tries in queft of tranquillity or impunity. He prefent-
Sij
276
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
Booked himself at the entrance of a town, or of a village,
and faid, "I am fuch a one, the ſon of ſuch a one, or
"the grandfon of fuch a one, and I come for ſuch
66
reafons." And then he related his ftory, or his in-
vented tale, in the manner the moſt marvellous, the
moft pathetic, and the beſt calculated to give an idea
of his confequence. He was eagerly attended to; and
he added, "Receive me; for, if you or your children,
"or your children's children, fhould ever be driven
"by any misfortunes to my country, they need only
"name me, and my friends will receive them." He
was immediately entreated to become their guest, and
the perfons with whom he preferred to live thought
themſelves honoured by this diftinction. He took up
his abode in their houfe, and was treated by them like
one of the family; fometimes he became the hufband,
the raviſher, or the feducer of his hol's daughter.
To fuch adventurers as thefe, who were, perhaps,
the first travellers, the origin of the demigods of pa-
ganiſm, the offspring of hofpitality and licentioulneſs,
may be aſcribed. Moſt of them owed their birth to
paffengers, to whom a bed had been given, and who
were never feen afterwards.
Let us be allowed to fay, that there is no occupa-
tion in the world fo immoral as that of a traveller.
The traveller by profeffion is like a man who is in
poffeflion of an immenfe houfe; and who, inftead of
fitting down with his wife, and in the midst of his
children, fhould employ all his life in ranging about
from one apartment to another. Tyranny, guilt, am-
bition, curiofity, a kind of reftlefs fpirit, the defire of
acquiring knowledge, and of feeing things, tedium, and
the difguft arifing from exhaufted felicity, have driven,
and will at all times drive, men from their country.
But, in ages previous to civilization, to commerce,
and to the invention of figns to reprefent riches, before
intereft had prepared a habitation for the traveller,
hofpitality ſupplied its place. The favourable recep-
tion of a stranger was confidered as a facred debt,
which was often repaid after the lapfe of feveral cen-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
277
IX.
turies, by the deſcendants of the perſon who had been в O O K
the object of it; and who, upon his return into his own
country, took a delight in repeating the favours he had
received, the remembrance of which was conftantly
preſerved in his family.
Theſe affecting inftances of humanity have decreaf-
ed, in proportion as the intercouſe between nations
hath been facilitated. Induftrious, rapacious, and in-
tereſted men have formed, in all parts, fettlements,
where the traveller alights, where he commands, and
where he diſpoſes of all the conveniences of life, as if
he were at home. The mafter, or the landlord, of the
houſe, is neither his benefactor, his brother, nor his
friend; he is only his upper fervant. The gold that
he ſpends at his houfe entitles him to treat his hoft as
he chooſes; he cares not for your refpect, but for your
money. When you quit his houſe, he thinks no more
of
you; nor do you recollect him, any farther than as
you have been either diſpleaſed or fatisfied with him.
Hofpitality, that facred virtue which is extinguifhed
amongst all nations where civilization and focial infti-
tutions have made any progrefs, is no longer found
but among the favages, and more particularly in the
Brazils than in any other country.
Far from fhowing that indifference or weakneſs
which makes us fhun the dead, and makes us unwil-
ling to ſpeak of them, or to remain in the places that
might recal their image to our minds, the Brazilians
beheld their dead with tender emotions, recounted
their exploits with complacency, and celebrated their
virtues with tranfport. They were buried upright in
a round grave; and if the deceafed was the head of a
family, his plumes, his necklaces, and his arms, were
interred with him. When a clan removed to another
place, which often happened, merely for the fake of
changing, every family fixed fome remarkable ſtones
over the graves of their moſt reſpectable relations; and
they never approached thofe monuments of grief, with-
out breaking out into dreadful outcries, not unlike the
}
S iij
278
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK fhouts with which they made the air refound when they
were going to battle.
IX.
Motives of intereft or ambition never prompted the
Brazilians to war. The defire of avenging their rela-
tions or friends was always the occafion of their moft
fanguinary contefts. Their chiefs, or rather their ora-
tors, were old men, who determined the commence-
ment of hoftilities, gave the fignal for marching, and
exerted themſelves during the march, in repeated ex-
preffions of implacable hatred. Sometimes even the
march of the army was fufpended, to liften to theſe
paffionate harangues, that lafted for many hours. This
cuftom makes thofe long ſpeeches we meet with in Ho-
iner, and in the Roman hiftorians, appear more proba-
ble; but in thofe days the noife of the artillery did not.
drown the voices of the generals.
The combatants were armed with a club of ebony,
fix feet long, one foot broad, and an inch thick. Their
bows and arrows were of the fame wood. Their inftru-
ments of martial muſic were flutes made of the bones
of their enemies. They were as well calculated to in-
spire courage as our drums, which ftifle our fenfe of
danger, and as our trumpets, which give the fignal,
and pernaps the fear, of death. Their generals were
the foldiers who had diſtinguiſhed themſelves moſt in
former wars.
The first attack was never made openly, but both
armies endeavoured to take the advantage of a fur-
prifal. Their courage feldom confifted in maintaining
their ground. The ambition of the Brazilians was to
make a great many prifoners, which were flain and
eaten with folemnity. During the feaft, the old men
exhorted the young to become intrepid warriors, that
they might often procure themfelves fuch an honour-
able repaft. This inclination for human fleſh was ne-
ver fo prevalent as to induce the Brazilians to devour
fuch of their enemies as had fallen in battle: they on-
ly ate thoſe who had been taken alive.
The treatment of prifoners of war hath varied ac-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
279
воок
IX.
cording to the degree of perfection human reafon hath в о o K
gradually attained. The moft civilized nations ran-
fom them, exchange or reſtore them at the conclufion
of a war. Nations that are not yet completely civi-
lized claim them as their property, and make them
flavęs. The common favages maffacre them, without
putting them to torture. The most favage people of
all torture, kill, and eat them. This is their execrable
law of nations.
This anthropophagy hath long been confidered as a
chimera in the opinion of ſome ſceptical perfons. They
could not conceive, that any nation could have been
reduced to the cruel neceffity of feeding upon their
fellow-creatures, to fatisfy their own wants; and ftill
lefs could they fuppofe, that any thing, except an ab-
folute privation of every ſupport of life, could have in-
duced man to commit fo atrocious a deed. Since the
doubts of the moſt incredulous have been removed by
a great number of facts, by teftimonies of higher au-
thority, and by more authentic accounts, fome philo-
fophers have attempted to justify this practice of feve-
ral favage nations. They have ftill exclaimed with
vehemence againſt the barbarity of the fovereigns who,
to fatisfy their own caprice, fent their unfortunate ſub-
jects to the flaughter-houſe of war. But they have
imagined, that it was a matter of indifference, whether
their carcafes were devoured by men or by birds.
Perhaps, indeed, this cuſtom hath not in itſelf any
thing criminal, any thing that is repugnant to mora-
lity but how pernicious would be the confequences
arifing from it? When man is once authorifed to eat
the flesh of man, if the taste of it ſhould fuit his pa-
late, nothing will remain, but to make the ftream of
blood grateful to the noftrils of the tyrant. Let us
then form an idea of theſe two phenomena, generally
prevailing on the face of the globe, and let us fix our
eyes upon the human ſpecies, if we can poffibly bear
the fight.
In the Brazils, the heads of the enemies flain in ace
tion, or facrificed after the engagement, were very
S iiij
280
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BO O K carefully preferved, and ſhown with oflentation to all
ftrangers, as monuments of valour and victory. The
heroes of thofe favage nations bore their exploits im-
printed on their limbs, by incifions which enfured them
refpect. The more they were disfigured, the greater
was their glory.
Afcendant
of the mif-
natives of
over the
Portu-
gueſe, at
iftence of
Such manners had not difpofed the Brazilians to
fionarics fubmit patiently to the yoke that was intended to be
over the impofed upon them: but what could the favages op-
Brazil, and pofe to the arms and difcipline of Europe? A confi-
derable number of them had fubmitted, when, in
1549, the court of Lifbon thought proper to fend
the first ex- over a governor, to regulate an eftablifhment which
the colony till then had been left to the fury and the caprices of a
fet of banditti. Thomas de Soula, indeed, by building
San Salvador, gave a centre to the colony; but the
honour of restoring it to any kind of tranquillity was
referved to the Jefuits who attended him. Thole in-
trepid men, who have always been prompted by mo-
tives of religion, or of ambition, to undertake great ac-
tions, difperfed themfelves among the Indians. Such
of thefe miffionaries as were murdered from hatred to
the Portugueſe name, were immediately replaced by
others, who were infpired with none but fentiments of
peace and charity. This magnanimity confounded
the barbarians, who had never had any idea of for-
giveneſs. By degrees they began to place fome con-
fidence in men who feemed to feek them only with a
view of making them happy. Their attachment to
the miffionaries grew into a paffionate fondnets. When
a Jefuit was expected in one of their nations, the young
people flocked to meet him, concealing themſelves in
the woods along the road. As he drew near, they fal-
lied forth, played upon their pipes, beat their drums,
danced, and made the air refound with joyful fongs;
and, in a word, omitted nothing that could exprefs
their fatisfaction. At the entrance of the village, the
old men and chief inhabitants were affembled, who
expreffed as much joy, but with more fedatenefs. A
little further on, ftood the women and young girls, in
*
IN THE LAST AND WEST INDIES,
281
IX.
a refpectful posture fuitable to their fex. Then they в OOK
all joined, and conducted their father in triumph to
the place where they were affembled. There he in-
ftructed them in the fundamental doctrines of reli-
gion; exhorted them to a regularity of manners, to
a love of juftice, to brotherly charity, and to an ab-
horrence for human blood; after which he baptized
them.
As thefe miffionaries were too few in number to
tranfact all the balinefs themselves, they frequently
deputed fome of the mott intelligent Indians in their
tead. Thele men, proud of fo glorious an office, dif-
tributed hatchets, knives, and looking-glaffes among
the favages they met with, and reprefented the Fortu-
guefe as a harmleſs, humane, and good fort of people.
They never returned from their excurfions without
bringing with them fome of the Brazilians, who fol-
lowed them from motives of curiofity. When thoſe
favages had once feen the Jefuits, it was with difficulty
that they ever quitted them. When they returned
home, it was to invite their families and friends to
come and ſhare their happinels, and to difplay the pre-
fents they had received.
If any one fhould doubt thefe happy effects of kind-
nefs and humanity over favage nations, let him only
compare the progrefs the Jefuits have made, in a very
ihort time, in South America, with what the forces and
navy of Spain and Portugal have not been able to ef-
fect in the ſpace of two centuries. While multitudes
of foldiers were employed in changing two great and
civilized empires into deferts inhabited by roving fa-
vages, a few miffionaries have changed little wander-
ing clans into feveral great and civilized nations. If
thefe active and courageous men had been lefs infect-
ed with the fpirit of the church of Kome; if, when
formed into a fociety in the moft intriguing and cor-
rupt court in Europe, they had not infinuated them-
felves into other courts, to influence all political events;
if they had not difgufted, by their fpirit of intolera-
tion, all moderate perfons, and all the tribunals by
IF
282
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BO O K their paffion for defpotifm; if an outrageous zeal for
religion had not made them the ſecret enemies to the
progreſs of knowledge, and the perſecutors of philofo-
phy; if they had employed as much art in making them-
felves beloved, as they did in making themſelves fear-
ed; if they had been as jealous of increafing the fplen-
dour of their fociety, as of augmenting its power; if
the chiefs of the order had not made an ill ufe of the
very virtues of their members; the Old and New
World would ftill have reaped the advantage of the
occupations of a ſet of men, who might have been
made uſeful, had they been prevented from being ne-
ceffary; and the eighteenth century would not have
had cauſe to be afhamed of the enormities that have
attended the fuppreffion of the fociety. The whole
univerſe would continue to be fertilized by their la-
bours, and by their undertakings.
The Brazilians had too much caufe of hatred againſt
the Europeans, not to miſtruſt their kindneſs; but their
diffidence was in fome meaſure removed by a fignal act
of juſtice.
The Portugueſe had formed the fettlement of St.
Vincent on the fea-coaft, in the 24th degree of fouth
latitude. There they traded peaceably with the Ca-
riges, the mildeſt and moſt civilized nation in all the
Brazils. The advantages they reaped from this con-
nection could not reſtrain them from feizing upon fe-
venty men to make flaves of them. The perfon who
had committed the offence was condemned to carry
the priſoners back to the place from whence he had
taken them, and to make the proper excufes for fo
heinous an infult. Two Jefuits, who were appointed
to difpofe the Indians to accept this fatisfaction, which
would never have been offered but at their defire, gave
notice of it to Farancaha, the moſt reſpectable man of
his nation. He came out to meet them, and, embra-
cing them with tears of joy; "Fathers," faid he, "we
"confent to forget all that is paft, and to enter into a
"freſh alliance with the Portuguefe; but let them for
"the future bé more moderate, and more obfervant
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
283
"of the rights of nations. Our attachment entitles в O O K
"us at leaſt to equitable proceedings. We are called
66
*
6 %
barbarians, yet we refpect juftice and our friends."
The miffionaries having engaged that for the future
their nation fhould more religioufly obferve the laws
of peace and unity, Farancaha proceeded thus: "If
you doubt the faith of the Cariges, I will give you
proof of it. I have a nephew, for whom I have a
great affection; he is the hope of my family, and
"the comfort of his mother; fhe would die with grief
"if he were to lofe her fon. Yet I will deliver him
"to you as a hoftage. Take him along with you;
"cultivate his young mind; take care of his educa-
"tion; and inftruct him in your religion. Let his
¢¢
66
manners be gentle and pure. I hope, when you
"return, you will inftruct me alfo, and enlighten my
"mind." Many of the Cariges followed his example,
and fent their children to St. Vincent's for education.
The Jefuits were too artful not to take great advan-
tage of this event; but it does not appear that they
ever had any intention to deceive the Indians by in-
culcating fubmiffion. Avarice had not yet poffeffed
the minds of theſe miffionaries; and the intereft they
had at court fecured fufficient refpect in the colony to
make the fituation of their converts a fortunate one.
This time of tranquillity was improved. For fome
years paft, fugar plants had been tranfplanted from
Madeira to Brazil, where the climate and the foil were
found favourable to this rich produce. The culture
of it was at firft very inconfiderable; but no fooner
was the ftrength of the Negroes fubftituted to the lan-
guid labours of the Indians, towards the year 1570,
than it received an increaſe. This progrefs was grow-
ing daily more confiderable, becauſe this production,
which had been hitherto only of ufe in medicine, be-
came more and more an article of luxury.
IX.
French into
This profperity, which was vifible in all the markets Irruption
of Europe, excited the cupidity of the French. They of the
attempted to form three or four fettlements at Brazil. the Brazils.
Their levity would not fuffer them to wait the ufually
284
FISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK flow progrefs of new undertakings; and merely from
inconftancy and impatience, they gave up proſpects
that were fufficient to have encouraged any, except
fuch volatile minds, that are as eafily difcouraged as
they are ready to undertake. The only valuable mo-
nument we have of their fruitlefs incurfions is a dia-
logue, which more particularly fhows the natural good
fenſe of the favages, as it is written with that fimpli-
city of ſtyle which diftinguiſhed the French language
two hundred years ago; a fimplicity in which there
were graces we cannot ſtill but regret.
66
66
66
"The Brazilians," fays Lery, one of the interlocu-'
tors, "being very much aftonifhed to fee the French
"take fuch pains to get their wood, one of their old
men once aſked me this queftion: What can be the
"reafon that you Frenchmen come fo far to get wood
for firing? Is there none in your own country? To
"which I answered, Yes, and a great deal too, but
not ſuch as theirs, which we did not burn, as he
thought; but as they themselves uſed it to dye
"their ftrings and their feathers, our people employ-
ed it allo in dyeing. He replied, Well; but do
you want fo great a quantity? Yes, faid I; for in
our country there are fome merchants who have
"more rugs and fcarlet cloths than you ever faw in
"this country; one of theſe will buy feveral cargoes
"of this wood. Ha, ha! fays the favage, thou telleft
me wonders. Then paufing upon what I had been
66
<<
66
66
66
telling him, he faid, But this very rich man thou
"talkeft of, is he never to die? Yes, yes, faid I, as
"well as others. Upon which, as they are great talk-
"ers, he asked me again, So then, when he is dead, to
"whom does all the wealth he leaves belong? It goes,,
"faid I, to his children, or, if he hath none, to his
<<
66
brothers, fifters, or next of kin. Truly, fays the old
"man, now I fee that you Frenchmen are great fools;
for, muft you work fo hard, and croſs the fea, to
heap riches for them that come after you, as if the
"earth that had fed you was not fuflicient to feed
them likewife? We have children and relations
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
285
66
IX.
whom we love, as thou feeft; but as we are fure в o O K
"that, after our death, the earth that hath provided
"for our fubfiftence will equally provide for theirs,
66
we are fatisfied.”
of the Dutch
This mode of reaſoning, fo natural to favages, whom Conquefts
nature hath exempted from ambition, but fo foreign in the Bra-
to civilized nations, who have experienced all the ill zils.
effects of luxury and avarice, made no great impref-
fion on the French. They could not withstand the
temptation of riches, which all the maritime nations
in Europe thirited after at that time. The Dutch,
who were become republicans by chance, and mer-
chants from neceffity, were more perfevering and more
fucceſsful than the French in their attempts on the
Brazils. The nation they had to contend with was
not more confiderable than their own, and, in imita-
tion of them, was preparing to fhake off the yoke of
Spain, though they fill fubmitted to that of a regal
government.
All historical accounts are full of the acts of tyran-
ny and cruelty that excited the Low-Countries to rife
againit Philip II. The richeft provinces were retain-
ed, or brought back under the yoke of a tyrannical
government, while the pooreft, that were in a manner
funk under water, found means, by more than human
exertions, to fecure their independence. When their
liberty was firmly eſtabliſhed, they attacked their ene-
my upon the remoteft feas, on the Indus, on the Gan-
ges, and as far as the Moluccas, which made a part of
the Spaniſh dominions, fince Portugal had been includ-
ed in them. The truce of 1609 gave time to that en-
terprifing and fortunate republic to bring her new pro-
jects to maturity. Thele deigns were manifefted in
1621, by the eſtabliſhment of a Weft India Company,
from which the fame fuccefs was expected in Africa
and America, that were both comprifed in the charter,
as the East India Company had experienced in Afia.
The operations of the new fociety began by the attack
of Brazil.
Precautions had been taken to procure the neceffary
286
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK informations. Some Dutch fhips had ventured thither,
in defiance of the law that prohibited the admittance
of any ftrangers. As they greatly underfold, accor-
ding to the cuſtom of their country, the commodities
that came from Spain, they met with a favourable re-
ception. At their return, the contraband traders re-
ported, that the country was in a kind of anarchy;
that foreign dominion had ſtifled in the people the love
of their country; that felf-intereft had corrupted their
minds; that the foldiers were turned merchants; that
they had forgotten the first principles of war, and that
whoever fhould appear there with a competent force,
would infallibly furmount the trifling obftacles that
might be oppoſed to the conqueft of that wealthy re-
gion.
The Company committed this undertaking to Jacob
Willekins, in 1624. He went directly to the capital.
San Salvador furrendered at fight of the Dutch fleet;
and the reſt of the province, although it was the moſt
extenfive and moſt populous of the colony, made little
more refiftance.
This was a terrible misfortune, but it did not give
any pain to the Spanish council. Since that crown
had fubdued Portugal, they did not find the people as
fubmiffive as they wished them to be. A difafter which
might render them more dependent, appeared to be a
great advantage; and their minifters congratulated
themſelves, upon having at length found an opportu-
nity of aggravating the yoke of their defpotifm.
Philip, without entertaining more equitable ideas, or
more elevated fentiments, thought that the majeſty of
the throne required of him fome outward appearance
of decency. Accordingly, he wrote to the Portugueſe
of the firft rank, exhorting them to make fuch gene-
rous efforts as the prefent exigencies required. This
they were already inclined to. Self-intereft, patriotiſm,
the defire of throwing a damp upon the joy of their
tyrants; all concurred to quicken their alacrity. The
monied men laviſhed their treafures; others raifed
troops; all were eager to enter into the fervice. In
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
287
IX.
three months time twenty-fix fhips were fitted out, в o O K
which failed in the beginning of the year 1626, in com-
pany with thofe from Spain, which the tardinefs and
policy of that nation had made them wait for much
too long.
The archbishop of San Salvador, Michael de Texeira,
had prepared matters fo as to facilitate their ſucceſs.
That martial prelate, at the head of 1500 men, had at
firſt ſtopped the progreſs of the enemy. He had in-
fulted, haraffed, beaten, driven, encloſed, and blocked
them up in the town. The Dutch, reduced by hun-
ger, fatigue, and want, compelled the governor to fur-
render to the troops which the fleet had landed on
their arrival, and they were all carried to Europe.
The fuccefs of the Company by fea, made them a-
mends for this lofs. Whenever their fhips came into
port they were victorious, and loaded with the ſpoils
of the Spaniards and Portugueſe. They were ſo pro-
ſperous as to give umbrage even to the powers moſt
intereſted in the welfare of Holland. The ocean was
covered with their fleets. Their admirals endeavour-
ed, by ufeful exploits, to preferve their confidence.
The fubaltern officers afpired to promotion, by fecond-
ing the valour and fkill of their commanders. The
foldiers and failors fought with unparalleled ardour, and
nothing could difcourage thofe refolute and intrepid
men. The fatigues of the ſea, fickneſs, and repeated
engagements, all feemed to inure them to war, and to
increaſe their emulation. The Company encouraged
this uſeful fpirit, by frequently diftributing rewards.
Excluſive of their pay, the failors were allowed to carry
on a private trade, which was a great encouragement,
and procured a conftant fupply of men. By this wife
regulation, their intereft was fo immediately connected
with that of their employers, that they wished to be
always in action. They never ftruck to the enemy,
nor ever failed to attack their fhips with that degree
of ſkill, intrepidity, and perfeverance which muft enfure
victory. In the courfe of thirteen years, the Company
fitted out eight hundred fhips, which coft ninety mil-
3
288
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Κ
BOOK lions [3,750,000l.]. They took five hundred and for-
IX. ty-five of the enemy's fhips, which, with the goods on
board, fold for 180,000,000 livres [7,500,000l.]. The
dividend was never below twenty per cent. and often
rofe to fifty. This profperity, which was entirely ow-
ing to the war, enabled the Company to make a fecond
attack upon the Brazils.
Complaints
Their admiral, Henry Lonk, arrived in the begin-
ning of the year 1630, with forty-fix men of war, on
the coaſt of Fernambucca, one of the largeſt provinces
in thoſe parts, and the beſt fortified. He reduced it
after feveral obftinate engagements, in which he was
always victorious. The troops he left behind fubdued
the neighbouring countries in the years 1633, 1634,
and 1635. This was the moft cultivated part of Bra-
zil, and confequently that which afforded moft com.
modities.
The Company were fo elated with the acquifition
of this wealth, which flowed to Amfterdam inftead of
Liſbon, that they determined upon the conqueft of all
the Brazils, and intrufted Maurice of Naffau with the
conduct of that enterprife. That general reached the
place of his deftination in the beginning of the year
1637. He found the foldiers fo well difciplined, the
commanders fuch experienced men, and ſo much rea-
dinefs in all to engage, that he directly took the field.
He was fucceffively oppofed by Albuquerque, Banjo-
la, Lewis Rocca de Borgia, and the Brazilian Came-
ron, the idol of his people, paffionately fond of the
Portugueſe, brave, active, cunning, and who wanted
no qualification neceffary for a general, but to have
learned the art of war under able commanders. Theſc
feveral chiefs exerted their utmoſt efforts to defend the
poffeffions that were under their protection; but their
endeavours proved ineffectual. The Dutch complet-
ed the conqueft of all the coaft extending from San
Salvador to the Amazon.
It was in theſe circumftances that an eloquent Je-
of a Por- fuit, named Anthony Vieira, pronounced, in one of the
churches of Bahia, the moſt vehement and moſt ex-
tuguefe
preacher
1
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIÈS.
289
IX.
traordinary diſcourſe that hath perhaps ever been heard в 0.0 K
in a Chriftian pulpit. The fingularity of this fermon
will probably plead my excufe for the long extract I
am going to give of it.
upon the
fuccefs of a
heretic na-
Vieira took for his text that part of the Pfalms, tion.
where the prophet, addreffing himſelf to God, exclaims,
"Awake, O Lord; wherefore haft thou flept? Where-
"fore haft thou turned thy countenance from us?
"Wherefore haft thou forgotten our miſery and our
"tribulation? Awake, and come to our fuccour. Think
on the glory of thy name, and fave us."
It is in thefe words, full of pious firmneſs and of
religious boldness; it is thus," faith the orator,
"that the king prophet, proteſting rather than pray-
ing, addreffeth himfelf to God. The times and cir-
"cumftances are the fame; and I may alfo venture to
fay, Awake, wherefore haft thou flept?"
› 46
Vieira repeated his text; and, after having ſhown
the conformity between the misfortunes of the Ifrael-
ites and the Portugueſe, he adds, "It is not, therefore,
"to the people that my diſcourſe this day fhall be ad-
"dreffed. My voice and my words fhall be employ-
"ed upon a higher theme. I aſpire, at this inftant, to
<<
66
penetrate even into the breaſt of the Divinity. This
"is the laſt day of the fortnight which is deſtined, in
"all the churches of the mother-country, to prayer
"before the facred altars; and, fince this day is the
laft, it is proper to have recourſe to the fole and laſt
remedy. The preachers of the goſpel have in vain
"endeavoured to lead you to repentance. Since ye
"have been deaf, fince they have not converted you,
"it is thou, O Lord, whom I will convert; and al-
though we are the finners, it is thou who ſhalt re-
pent.
66
66
"When the children of Ifrael had committed the
"crime in the defert, in worſhipping the golden calf,
"thou didst reveal their fault to Moles, and thou didst
"add, in thy wrath, that thou wouldt annihilate thofe
ungrateful people. Mofes faid unto thee, Why doth
"thy wrath wax hot against thy people? Before thou
Vol. III.
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>
290
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK" puniſheft, confider what is, proper for thee to do.
"Shall the Egyptians accufe thee of having taken
"them out of flavery for miſchief, and to flay them
"in the mountains? Reflect on the glory of thy name.
Such was the reafoning made ufe of by Mofes,
" and fuch fhall be mine. Thou didst repent thee of
"the defign which thou hadft formed. Thou art ftill
"the fame; and my arguments are ftronger than thoſe
"of the Jewish legiflator. They will have the fame
"effect upon thee; and, if thou haft taken the refo-
"lution to deſtroy us, thou wilt repent of it. Thou
"canft not be ignorant that the heretic, inflated with
"the fuccefs which thou haft given him, hath already
faid, that it is to the falfity of our worſhip he owes
thy protection and his victories. And what doft
"thou think the Gentiles that furround us, the Tala-
66
pouin, who is yet unacquainted with thee, the in-
"conftant Indian, and the ignorant and ſtupid Egyp-
"tian, but juſt waſhed with the waters of baptiſm, will
“think of this? Are the people capable of ſearching
"into, and of adoring the depth of thy judgments?
"Arife, therefore, and, if thou haft any care of thy
"glory, fuffer not that arguments againft our faith
"fhould be drawn from our defeats. Awake, and let
"the ftorms which have difperfed our fleets difperfe
"thoſe of our common enemy. Let the peftilence,
"and the diſeaſes which have waited our armies, bring
"deftruction among theirs; and, fince the councils of
"men are fruftrated at thy pleaſure, let darkneſs and
"confufion prevail in theirs.
46
66
Joſhua was more holy and more patient than we
are; yet his language was not different from mine,
"and the circumftance was much leſs important. He
"croffed the Jordan, he attacked the city of Ai, and
"his troops were difperfed. His lofs was moderate,
"and yet behold him rending his clothes, falling up-
"on the earth, giving way to the moft bitter com-
"plaints, and exclaiming, Wherefore haft thou brought
us over Fordan to deliver us into the hands of the Am-
"monites? And I, when the intereſt of an immenſe
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
291
ૐ
IX.
people, and in a vaſt extent of country, are concern- в O O K
"ed, fhall I not exclaim, Haft thou given us theſe re-
66
gions merely to deprive us of them again? If thou
didft defign them for the Dutch, why didft thou
not invite them while they were yet uncultivated?
"Has the heretic rendered thee fuch great fervices,
"and are we fo vile in thine eyes, that thou ſhouldſt
"have drawn us from our country merely to clear
their lands for them, to build their cities, and to en-
"rich them with our labours? Is this the indemnity
which thou haft fixed upon in thine heart, for fo
many men flaughtered upon the earth, or loft in the
"waters? Yet, if it be thy will, it must be fo. But I
"perceive that thofe whom thou rejecteft, and whom
"thou doft opprefs to-day, thou wilt fearch for in vain
"to-morrow.
66
Job, when cruſhed with misfortunes, expoſtulated
" with thee. Thou doft not expect that we ſhould be
more infenfible than he was. He ſaid to thee, Since
thou haft refolved upon my deftruction, complete thy
" work; kill me, and annihilate me: but thou shalt ſeek
me in the morning, and I shall not be. Thou shalt find
Sabeans, Chaldeans, and blaſphemers of thy name ; but
Job, thy faithful fervant, who worshippeth thee, will no
more be found.
46
"I will fay to thee, O Lord, with Job, burn, de-
ftroy, and confume us all but one day, but in the
"morning, thou fhalt feek for Portugueſe, and thou
"fhalt feek in vain. Will Holland furniſh thee, at
A6
46
thy call, with apoftolic conquerors, who, at the riſk
"of their lives, will convey over the face of the whole
globe the ſtandard of the crofs? Will Holland efta-
"bliſh a feminary of apoftolic preachers, who will be
ready, for the intereft of thy faith, to fpill their blood
"in barbarous regions? Will Holland raiſe temples
"that are agreeable to thee? Will it conftruct altars
AL
upon which thou wilt defcend? Will it confecrate
"true minifters to thee? Will it offer up to thee the
great facrifice? Will it worship thee in a manner
·་
46
worthy of thee? Yes-the worſhip thou wilt receive
Tij
292
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
IX.
from her will be the fame as that which the practif-
eth daily at Amfterdam, at Middlebourg, at Fleffing,
"and in the other diſtricts of thoſe damp and cold in-
fernal regions.
66
66
66
66
66
"I know well, O Lord, that the propagation of thy
faith, and the interefts of thy glory, do not depend
upon us; and that if there were no men, thy power
animating the ftones might raife up children to
Abraham. But I alfo know, that, fince the time of
Adam, thou haft not created any mortals of a new
ípecies; that thou doft make uſe of thoſe that exiſt ;
" and that thou doft admit in thy deſigns thoſe that
are lefs good, only in default of the better.
06
66
Wit-
neſs the parable of the feaſt, Bring in the blind and
"the lame. Such is the proceeding of Providence;
"and wilt thou reverſe it at prefent? We have been
66
(
invited, and we have not refufed to come to the
feaft, and yet thou doft prefer to us the blind and
"the lame, Lutherans and Calvinifts, blind in the
faith, and lame in their works!
66
66
6%
66
"If we be fo unfortunate, as that the Dutch fhould
"make themfelves mafters of Brazil, the circumſtance
"that I will repreſent to thee, with all humility, but
with great earneftneſs, is, that thou wouldft confider
well before the execution of thy decree. Weigh
"with attention what may be the confequence of it;
and reflect while there is ftill time for it. If thou
"art to repent, it is better that thou ſhouldſt do it at
preſent, than when the evil ſhall be without remedy.
Thou perceiveft the fcope of my argument, and the
reaſons, deduced from thine own conduct, for the
remonftrance I make to thee. Before the time of
"the deluge, thou wert alfo much incenfed againft
mankind. In vain did Noah addreſs his prayers to
"thee during a century. Thou didst perfift in thine
anger; and the cataracts of the heavens were at
length burft, and the waters roſe above the fummits.
of the mountains. The whole earth was overflown,
and thy juftice was fatisfied. But three days after
this, when the bodies floated upon the waters, when
،
66
66
66
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
293
64
66
IX.
"thine eyes beheld the multitude of livid carcafes, в O O K
"when the furface of the fea prefented to thee the
"moſt melancholy and the moſt hideous fight that
"had ever afflicted the angelic choir, what was the
"confequence? affected with the fight, as if thou
"hadſt not foreſeen it, thy bowels were moved with
anguiſh. Thou didst repent of having made the
world. Thou didst regret the paſt, and didſt take
"refolutions for the future. Since fuch is thy difpo-
fition, why doft thou not fpare thyfelf, in fparing
"us? Why doft thou perfift in thy prefent wrath,
"if it be afterwards to excite thy murmurs, and if
"thy mercy is to be affected by the decrees of thy
juſtice? Reflect upon it before thou doft begin,
"and confider the confequences of the new deluge
"thou haft defigned to produce. Let me be allowed
"to repreſent them to thee.
LL
et
"Let us fuppofe Bahia, and the reft of Brazil, are
"become the prey of the Dutch. Behold them en-
"tering into the city with the fury of conquerors, and
"with the rage of heretics. Behold that neither age
"nor fex are fpared. Behold the blood ftreaming on
"all fides. Behold the guilty, the innocent, the wo-
"men and the children, all put to the fword, and
"maffacred one upon another. Behold the tears of
"the virgins, who weep for the injury they have fuf-
"fered. Behold the old men dragged by their hair.
"Liften to the mixed cries of the monks and of the
64
prieſts, who embrace thine altars, and who lift up
"their hands unto thee. Even thou thyfelf, O Lord!
"wilt not eſcape their violence. Yes-thou wilt par-
"take of it. The heretics will force the gates of thy
"temples. The hoft, which is thine own proper bo-
4t
66
dy, will be trampled under foot. The vales that
"have been filled with thy blood, will ferve for riot-
ing and drunkenneſs. Thine altars will be thrown
"down. Thy images will be torn to pieces. Sacri-
legious hands will be laid upon thy mother.
"That thefe infults fhould be offered to thee, and
"that thou fhould fuffer them, is not a matter of
66
T iij
204
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK" aftoniſhment to me, fince thou haft formerly fuffer-
IX. "ed others ftill more cruel: but thy mother! O!
"where is filial piety? Didft thou not deprive Hofea
"of life, for having touched the ark? Didft thou not
wither the arm that Jeroboam had raiſed againſt a
prophet; and yet the heretics have thouſands of
arms for more atrocious deeds? Thou didst de-
throne, and didſt cauſe Balihazzar to die, for having
"drunk out of facred veffels, although thy blood had
"not been confecrated in them; and yet thou doft
"fpare the heretic, and there are not two fingers and
a thumb to trace upon the wall the fentence of their
"death.
เ
66
"In a word, O Lord, when thy temples are ſpoil-
"ed, thine altars demoliſhed, thy religion extinct in
"Brazil, and thy worſhip annihilated, when the grafs
"fhall grow upon the avenues to thy churches, Chrift-
mas-day fhall come round, and no one fhall recol-
"lect the day of thy birth. Lent and the holy week
"fhall come round, and yet the myſteries of thy paf-
"fion fhall not be celebrated. The ftones of our
ſtreets fhall cry out, as the ftones did in the folitary
"ſtreets of Jerufalem. There will be no more prieſts,
no more facrifices, no more facraments. Hereſy
"will arife in the pulpit of truth; and the children of
"the Portugueſe will be tainted with falfe doctrines.
"The children of my audience will be aſked, Little
66
66
boys, what is your religion? and they will anfwer, We
are Calvinifts. And you, little girls, what is yours?
"and they will anſwer, We are Lutherans. Then thou
"wilt be moved with compaffion, and repent: but if
thy repentance be to be awakened, why doft thou
"not prevent it?
66
66
But tell me, what glory canft thou find in de-
ſtroying a nation, and in cauſing it to be fupplanted
"by another? This is a power thou didst formerly
intruſt to a mean inhabitant of Anatho. In puniſh-
ing us, thou doft triumph over the weak; in par-
doning us, thou doft triumph over thyfelf. Be mer-
"ciful for thine own glory, and for the honour of thy
!
66
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
295
**
IX.
name. Let not thy wrath be prolonged for ever, B O O K
nor even for one day. Thou wilt not fuffer that
“the fun ſhould fet upon our anger; and yet how
"often hath it not rifen, how often hath it not ſet up-
"on thine? Doft thou require from us a moderation
"thou dost not poffefs? Doft thou give us the precept
"without the example?
66
(*
Forgive us, O Lord! and put an end to our miſ
"fortunes. Holy Virgin, intercede for us; entreat
thy Son; lay thy commands upon him. If he be
angered with our offences, tell him that he muſt for-
give them, as it is enjoined us by his law to forgive
thoſe who have offended us."
46
44
We know not whether the Lord liftened to this
apostrophe of the orator Vieira; but a little while af-
ter the conqueft, the Dutch were interrupted by a re-
volution which all nations wished for, and which none
had foreſeen.
The Portugueſe had never enjoyed happy times
fince they had fubmitted to the Spaniſh yoke in 1581.
Philip II. an avaricious, cruel, defpotic, defigning, and
falfe prince, had endeavoured to vilify them, but con-
cealed his intentions under honourable pretences. His
fon, who too cloſely followed his maxims, and thought
it better to reign over a ruined nation than to be in-
debted to the good will of the people for their fubmif-
fion, had fuffered them to be deprived of a multitude
of conquefts, which had proved a fource of riches,
power, and glory to them, and which they had ac-
quired by much effufion of blood. The fucceffor of
that weak prince, who had ſtill leſs underſtanding than
his father, openly and contemptuously attacked their
adminiftration, their privileges, their manners, and all
that they were moft attached to. At the inftigation
of Olivarez, he wanted to provoke them to revolt, that
he might acquire the right of plundering them.
Theſe repeated outrages united all the Portugueſe,
whom Spain had been labouring to divide. A con-
fpiracy, that had been forming for three years, with
incredible fecrecy, broke out on the third of Decem-
}
T iiij
295
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK ber 1640. Philip IV. was ignominiouſly baniſhed, and
IX. the duke of Braganza was placed on the throne of his
anceſtors. The example of the capital was followed
by the whole kingdom, and by all that remained of
the fettlements formed in happier times in Afia, Afri-
ca, and America. No blood was fhed on this great
revolution, except that of Michael Vafconcellos, the
baſe and vile inftrument of tyranny.
A
The new king united his interefts and his refent-
ments with thofe of the Engliſh, the French, and all
the enemies of Spain. On the 23d of June 1641, he
in particular concluded an offenfive and defenfive al-
liance with the United Provinces for Europe, and a ten
years truce for the Eaft and Weft Indies. Naffau was
immediately recalled with moft of the troops, and the
government of the Dutch poffeffions in Brazil was
given to Hamel, a merchant of Amfterdam; to Baffis,
a goldſmith of Haarlem; and to Bulleſtraat, a car-
penter of Middleburgh. The decifion of all affairs
was to be referred to this council; and theſe were now
ſuppoſed to be confined to the carrying on of a great
and advantageous trade.
A confiderable obftacle fruſtrated their hopes. The
lands belonged to the Portugueſe, who had remained
under the government of the republic. Some of them
had never acquired fufficient means to form rich plan-
tations; and others had loft their fortunes by the ca-
lamities which are infeparable from war. As foon as
this inability was known in Europe, the monied men
in the United Provinces haftened to fend the funds
neceffary for the carrying on of all the labours which
it was poffible to undertake. The face of affairs was
foon changed in thofe regions, every thing feemed
animated with new life; but edifices too magnificent
were erected, an infinite number of flaves periſhed by
a contagious diforder; and exceffive luxury was ge-
nerally prevailing. Thefe faults and misfortunes dif-
abled the debtors from fulfilling their engagements.
In order not to lofe all their credit, they were impru-
dent enough to borrow money at three and four per
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
297
IX.
cent. per month. This abfurd conduct foon rendered в o O K
them infolvent; and the priſons were filled with un-
fortunate or guilty perfons. The Company were obli-
ged to take the debts upon themſelves, in order to
preſerve this beautiful ſettlement from total ruin; but
they required that the cultivators ſhould give up the
entire price of their productions, till all the debts fhould
be liquidated.
Before this arrangement, the agents for the monopoly
had fuffered the fortifications to fall into ruin; they
had fold the arms and the ammunition; they had per-
mitted every foldier who was defirous of it, to return
to the mother-country. This conduct had annihilat-
ed the public ftrength, and had induced the Portu-
guefe to hope that they might throw off a foreign
yoke. The ftipulation, which deprived them of all
the comforts of life to which they were accuſtomed,
determined them to haften the revolution.
The boldeft of them united, in 1645, to take their
revenge; their defign was, to maffacre all the Dutch
who had any fhare in the government, at an enter-
tainment in the midft of the capital of Fernambucca,
and then to attack the people, who, fufpecting no
danger, would be unprepared. The plot was diſco-
vered; but the confpirators had time to get out of
town, and retire to a place of ſafety.
Their chief was a Portugueſe of obfcure birth, nam-
ed Juan Fernandez de Viera. From a common fer-
vant he had rifen to be an agent, and afterwards a
merchant. His abilities had enabled him to acquire
a large fortune; his probity had gained him univerſal
confidence; and his generolity had made him an infinite
number of friends, who were inviolably attached to`
his intereft. He was not difcouraged by the diſap-
pointment he had juft met with; but he ventured,
without the confent or fupport of government, to com-
mence hoftilities.
His name, his virtues, and his projects, affembled
the Brazilians, the Portuguefe foldiers, and even the
colonists, about him. He infpired them with his con-
298
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK fidence, his activity, and his courage. They attended
him in batile, crowded about his perſon, and were deter-
mined to conquer or to die with him. He triumphed,
but did not allow himſelf to flumber over his victories,
or give the enemy time to recover. Some checks he
met with in the courfe of his fucceffes only ferved to
diſplay the firmneſs of his foul, the extent of his ge-
nius, and the elevation of his mind. He affumed a
threatening aſpect even after a misfortune, and appear-
ed ſtill more formidable by his perfeverance than by
his intrepidity. He fpread fuch terror among his ene-
mies, that they dared no longer keep the field. At
this period of his glory, Viera received orders not to
proceed.
Since the truce, the Dutch had feized upon ſome places
in Africa and Afia, which they obftinately refuſed to
reftore. The court of Liſbon, intent upon matters of
greater importance, had not been able to do themfelves
juſtice; but their preſent inability had not leffened
their refentment. In this difpofition, they had rejoiced
to ſee the republic attacked in Brazil; and had even
clandeftinely encouraged thoſe who had begun the
hoftilities. As they conftantly difavowed theſe pro-
ceedings, and declared, both in Europe and America,
that they would one day puniſh the authors of the
diſturbances, the Company imagined they would foon
fubfide; but their avarice, which had been too long
amufed with falfe and frivolous proteftations, was at
length rouſed. John IV. being informed that confi-
derable armaments were preparing in Holland, and
fearing to be drawn into a war which he wished to
avoid, exerted himſelf in earnest to put an end to the
hoftilities in the Brazils.
Viera, who had no refource for the completion of
his defigns, but in his fortune, his intereft, and his a-
bilities, did not even deliberate whether he fhould
obey. "If the king," faid he, "were but informed
"of our zeal and our fuccefs, and acquainted with
"his own intereft, far from difarming us, he would
encourage us to purfue our undertaking, and would
66
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
299
66
IX.
fupport us with all his power." Then, left the ar- в o OK
dour of his companions fhould abate, he determined
to haften his operations; and they continued to be
crowned with fuch fuccefs, that, with the aſſiſtance of
Baretto, Vidal, and fome other Portugueſe, who were
able and willing to ferve their country, he completed
the ruin of the Dutch. The few of theſe republicans
who escaped the fword and famine evacuated Brazil,
in confequence of a capitulation figned the 28th of Ja-
nuary 1654.
What changes are produced in the opinions of men!
Thefe events feem no more to us, and are, in fact, no
more than the confequences of fome political, moral,
or natural caufes; and the orator Vieira appears no
more to us than an elegant enthufiaft. But let us carry
our imaginations back to the times of the Hebrews,
when they had feminaries of inſpired men; to thoſe
of the Greeks, when people reforted to Delphos from
all parts of the world; to thoſe of the Romans, who
never dared to undertake any confiderable enterpriſe,
without having previouſly conſulted the entrails of the
victims, and the facred fowls; and to the times of our
anceſtors, at the period of the crufades: let us ima-
gine a prophet, a witch, an augur, or a St. Bernard,
in the room of Vieira, and the revolution in the Bra-
zils will inſtantly appear miraculous; it will appear as
if God, moved by the facred boldneſs of an extraor-
dinary perſon, had fent an avenger to the oppreffed
nation.
The peace, concluded three months after between
England and the United Provinces, feemed to put the
latter in a condition to recover a valuable poffeffion,
which they had loft by an ill-judged parfimony, and
by an unfortunate concurrence of circumſtances; but
both the republic and the Company fruftrated the ge-
neral expectation; and the treaty, which put an end
to the divifions between the two powers in 1661, ſe-
cured to Portugal- the fole poffeffion of all the Brazils,
in confideration of eight millions of livres [333,3331.
300
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK 6s. 8d.], which that crown engaged to pay to the
IX. United Provinces either in money or goods.
Situation of
the Portu-
Brazils, af-
ter they had
Dutch.
Thus did the Dutch part with a conqueft that might
have become the richeft of all the European colonies,
and would have given the republic a degree of import-
ance it could never acquire from its own territory.
But, in order to keep it, the government ought to
have undertaken the adminiftration and defence of it;
and, to make it profper, it fhould have enjoyed full
liberty. With thefe precautions, Brazil would have
been preſerved, and would have enriched the nation,
inſtead of ruining the Company. Unfortunately, it
was not yet known, that the only way to make lands
uſeful in America was to clear them, and that this
could not be done with fuccefs, unleſs a free trade
were opened to all the inhabitants under the protec-
tion of government.
No fooner were the Portuguefe entirely freed, by a
guefe in the firm treaty, from an enemy by whom they had been
fo often conquered, and fo often humbled, than they
expelled the applied themſelves to give fome ftability to their pol-
feffion, and to increaſe its riches. Unfortunately,
fome of the ſteps taken in order to promote and en-
fure profperity, bore the marks of ignorance and pre-
judice; but they were ftill much fuperior to any thing
that had been practifed before this memorable era.
Settlement
of the Por-
While the court of Liſbon was engaged in regulat-
ing the interior concerns of the colony, fome of the
moft active fubjects of Portugal were devifing the
means of extending it. They advanced to the fouth
towards the river of Plata, and to the north as far as that
of the Amazons. The Spaniards feemed to be in pof-
feffion of both thefe rivers. The Portugueſe were de-
termined to drive them away, or to fhare the naviga.
tion with them.
The river of the Amazons, fo famous for the length
tugueſe on of its courfe; that great vaffal of the fea, to which it
the Ama- brings the tribute it hath received from fo many of its
own vaffals; feems to be produced by innumerable
the river of
2015.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
301
IX.
torrents that rufh down from the eaft fide of the An- в o O K
des, and unite in a ſpacious plain, to form that immenſe
river. Yet the common opinion is, that it comes from
the lake Lauricocha, as from a reſervoir of the Corde-
leirias fituated in the diſtrict of Guanuco, thirty leagues
diſtant from Lima, about the 11th degree of fouth la-
titude. In its progrefs of a thouſand or eleven hun-
dred leagues, it receives the waters of a prodigious
number of rivers, fome of which come from far, and
are very broad and deep. It is interfperfed with an
infinite number of iſlands, that are too often overflow-
ed to admit of culture. It falls into the ocean under
the line, and is there fifty leagues broad.
The mouth of this river was firſt diſcovered in 1500
by Vincent Pinçon, one of the companions of Colum-
bus; and its fource is thought to have been found out
by Gonzalo Pizarro in 1538. His lieutenant Orellana
embarked on this river, and failed from one end to
the other of it. He was obliged to fight his way along,
and to engage with many nations, who obftructed his
navigation with their canoes, and poured ſhowers of
arrows upon him from the fhore. It was certainly at
this time that the fight of favages without beards, as
are all the American nations, ftruck the lively imagi-
nations of the Spaniards, and fuggefted the idea of an
army of female warriors: this muſt have induced the
commanding officer to change the name of that river,
which was then called the Maragnon, and to call it
the river of the Amazons; which name it retains to
this day.
It might appear a matter of aftoniſhment, that the
diſcovery of America had not ſuggeſted any miracu-
lous ſtories to the imagination of the Spaniards, of a
people who, indeed, never poffeffed the delicacy of
tafte, the fenfibility, nor the graces that were allotted
to the Greeks; but whom nature had indemnified for
the want of theſe qualities, by giving them a haughti-
neſs of character, an elevation of foul, and an imagi-
nation as fertile, and more ardent, than fhe had be-
stowed on any other nation.
302
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
The Greeks never travelled, either in or beyond the
precincts of their narrow territory, without meeting
with fomething marvellous. On the fummit of the
Pindus they faw Apollo, furrounded with the nine
Mufes. They heard the caverns of Lemnos refound
with the hammers of the Cyclops. They faſtened Pro-
metheus to the top of the Caucafus. They cruſhed the
giants under a weight of mountains. If Ætna roared,
and vomited torrents of flame, this was afcribed to
the labours of Typhoeus. The plains and foreſts of
the Greeks were peopled with fatyrs and fauns, at
whofe dances there was not one of their poets who
had not affifted; while an entirely new fyftem of na-
ture did not excite any new idea in the minds of the
Spaniards. They were neither affected with the va-
riety of the plants and animals, nor with the pictu-
refque manners of a race of men till that time un-
known. What, then, could engage their attention?
Slaughter, carnage, and plunder. The fearch for gold,
which kept them bent towards the foot of the moun-
tains, reduced them to the poſture and to the ſtupidity
of brutes.
As early as the times of Hercules and Thefeus, the
Greeks had imagined the exiſtence of a nation of Ama-
zons. With this fable they embelliſhed the hiftory of
all their heroes, not excepting that of Alexander; and
the Spaniards, infatuated with this dream of antiquity,
transferred it to the New World. We can ſcarce find
a more probable origin of the opinion they eſtabliſhed
both in Europe and America, of a republic of female
warriors actually exifting, who did not live in ſociety
with men, and only admitted them once a-year, for
the purpoſes of procreation. To give the more credit
to this romantic ftory, it was reported, not without
reaſon, that the women in America were all fo unhap-
py, and were treated with fuch contempt and inhu-
manity, that many of them had agreed to ſhake off
the yoke of their tyrants. It was further faid, that,
being accuſtomed to follow the men into the foreſts,
and to carry their provifions and baggage when they
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
303
IX.
went out to fight or to hunt, they must neceffarily в O O K
have been inured to hardſhips, and rendered capable
of forming fo bold a refolution.
But it is abfurd to imagine, that women, who had
fo fixed an averfion for men, would ever confent to
become mothers; nor is it likely that the men would
go in queſt of their wives, when they had made their
lives infupportable at home, and always turned them
away as foon as they had no more occafion for them.
Much leſs can it be ſuppoſed, that the fofter and more
compaffionate fex would expofe or ftrangle their own
children, becauſe they were boys; and coolly and de-
liberately agree to commit fuch enormities as none
would be guilty of, but a few individuals urged by
rage and deſpair. Neither could an aristocratical or
democratical republic, which it requires abilities to go-
vern, be ruled by a fenate of women; though a mo-
narchical or defpotic ftate, in which it is only neceffa-
ry to command, hath been, and may ſtill be, fwayed
by a female.
Let us confider the weakneſs of organization in wo-
men; their almoft conftant valetudinarian ftate; their
natural pufillanimity; the feverity of the labours re-
quired in a focial ſtate, in times of peace or war; their
abhorrence of blood; their fear of dangers; and let
us then endeavour to reconcile all theſe circumſtances
with the poffibility of a female republic.
If ſome ſtrange prejudices have been able to form
focieties of both fexes amongst us, who live ſeparate,
notwithſtanding that natural attraction which was in-
tended to unite them, it is not confiftent with the na-
ture of things, that chance ſhould have produced a na-
tion of men without women, and ftill leſs a nation of
women without men. Certain it is, that, fince this po-
litical conftitution hath been talked of, infinite pains
have been taken to find it out, but no traces of it
could ever be diſcovered. This fingular prodigy, there-
fore, will be like many others, which are always fup-
pofed to exift, though we know not where.
Whatever may be the cafe with regard to this cir-
24
304
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK cumftance of the Amazons, the voyage of Orellana
excited more curiofity than it procured information.
An opportunity of fatisfying it did not occur for ſome
time, on account of the civil wars that diſturbed Peru;
but, when tranquillity was reſtored, Pedro d'Orfua, a
gentleman of Navarre, diftinguiſhed by his wiſdom
and courage, offered the viceroy, in 1560, to reſume
that navigation. He fet out from Cufco with feven
hundred men. Theſe fanguinary people, inveterate
enemies to all worthy perfons, maffacred their chief,
who was a man of good morals, and attached to order
and regularity. They fet up at their head, with the
title of king, a native of Biſcay, of a ferocious difpofi-
tion, whoſe name was Lopez d'Aguirre, and who pro-
miſed them all the treaſures of the New World.
Intoxicated with fuch flattering hopes, thefe barba-
rians failed down the river Amazon into the ocean,
and, landing at Trinidad, murdered the governor, and
plundered the iſland. The coafts of Cumana, Carac-
cas, and St. Martha, were ftill more feverely treated,
becauſe they were richer. They then penetrated in-
to New Granada, and were advancing to Quito, and
into the interior part of Peru, where every thing was
to be deſtroyed by fire and fword. A body of troops,
haftily affembled, attacked thefe defperate men, beat
and difperfed them. D'Aguirre, fecing no way to
eſcape, marked his deſpair by an atrocious act. My
44
child," faid he, to his only daughter, who attended
him in his expeditions, "I thought to have placed thee
"upon a throne, but the event hath not anfwered my
expectation. My honour and thine own will not
"permit thee to live, and to be a flave to our ene-
"mies; die, therefore, by a father's hand." Saying
this, he inſtantly fhot her through the body, and then
put an end to her life, by plunging a dagger into her
heart. After this unnatural act, his ftrength failed,
and he was taken prifoner, drawn and quartered.
After thefe unfortunate events, the river of the
Amazons was entirely neglected, and was totally for
gotten for half a century. Some attempts were after-
J
3
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
305
IX.
wards made to reſume the diſcovery of it, but they в O O K
were ill concerted and no better executed. The ho-
nour of conquering thefe difficulties, and of acquiring
a uſeful knowledge of that great river, was reſerved to
the Portugueſe.
That nation, which ftill retained fome remains of
her former vigour, had, ſome years before, built a town
at the entrance of the river, which was called Belem.
Pedro Texeira failed from this place in 1638, and with
a great number of canoes, full of Indians and Portu-
gueſe, went up the river of the Amazons, as far as the
mouth of the Napo, and then up the Napo, which
brought him almoſt to Quito, where he arrived by
land. Notwithſtanding the enmity fubfifting between
the Spaniards and Portugueſe, though fubjects of the
fame maſter, Texeira was received with that regard,
eſteem, and confidence, which were due to a man who
was doing a fignal fervice. He returned in company
with d'Acugna and d'Artieda, two learned Jeſuits,
who were commiflioned to verify his obſervations, and
to make others. An accurate account of thefe two
fuccefsful voyages was fent to the court of Madrid,
where it gave rife to a very extraordinary project.
The communication between the Spanish colonies
had long been found very difficult. Some pirates,
who were at enmity with them, infefted the north and
fouth feas, and intercepted their navigation. Even
thofe of their fhips which had got to the Havannah,
and joined others, were not perfectly fafe. The gal-
leons were frequently attacked and taken by whole
fquadrons, and always purfued by privateers, who fel-
dom failed to carry off the ftraggling veffels that were
parted from the convoy, either by ftormy weather, or
by failing more flowly than the reft. The Amazon
river ſeemed as if it would obviate all thefe difficulties.
It was thought poffible, and even an eaſy matter, to
convey thither the treaſures of New Granada, Popay-
an, Quito, Peru, and Chili itſelf, by navigable rivers,
or at a fmall expence by land. It was thought, that,
coming down the river, they would find the galleons
Fol. III.
U
306
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
A
BOOK ready in the harbour of Para to receive them. The
IX. fleet from Brazil would then have joined, and confe-
quently ftrengthened the fleet from Spain. They
would then have failed with great fecurity in latitudes
little known and little frequented, and would have ar-
rived in Europe at leaft with a formidable appearance;
or might really have been in a condition to furmount
any obstacles they might have met with. The revolu-
tion which placed the duke of Braganza on the throne,
put an end to theſe important projects. Each of the
two nations was then only intent upon fecuring to it-
felf that part of the river which beft fuited its own fi-
tuation.
The Spaniſh Jefuits undertook to fet up a miffion
in the country lying between the banks of the Ama-
zon and of the Napo, as far as to the conflux of both
thefe rivers. Every miflionary, attended only by one
man, took with him hatchets, knives, needles, and all
kinds of iron tools, and penetrated into the thickeſt of
the forefts. There they ſpent whole months in climb-
ing up the trees, to fee if they could difcover fome hut,
perceive any fmoke, or hear the found of any drum or
fife. When they were affured that fome favages were
in the neighbourhood, they advanced towards them.
Moſt of them fled, efpecially if they were at war.
Thoſe whom the miffionaries could come within reach
of were eafily bribed by fuch prefents as their igno-
rance made them fet a value upon. This was all the
eloquence they had in their power, or all they had
any occafion to employ.
When they had affembled a few families, they led
them to the place they had fixed upon to form a vil-
lage. The favages were not eafily prevailed upon to
take up their abode there. As they were uſed to rove
about, they found it an unfupportable hardſhip to re-
main always in the fame place. The ftate of inde-
pendence in which they had lived, they thought pre-
ferable to the focial life that was recommended to
them and their unconquerable averfion for labour,
induced them continually to return to the forefts
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
307
IX.
where they had paffed their lives in idleneſs. Even в O O K
thoſe who were reftrained by the authority or the pa-
ternal kindneſs of their legiflator, feldom failed to diſ-
perfe in his abfence, though ever fo fhort. But his
death at laft occafioned a total fubverfion of the fettle-
ment.
It is impoffible that any reader who reflects fhould
not be defirous of knowing what ftrange infatuation
can induce an individual, who enjoys all the conveni-
ences of life in his own country, to undertake the la-
borious and unfortunate function of a miffionary; to
quit his fellow-citizens, his friends, and his relations;
to cross the fea, in order to bury himſelf in the midft
of foreſts; to expofe himſelf to all the horrors of the
moſt extreme mifery; to run the risk, at every ſlep,
either of being devoured by wild beafts, or maffacred
by favages; to fettle in the midſt of them; to con-
form himſelf to their manners; to ſhare their indi-
gence and their fatigues; to be expofed to their paf-
fions, or caprices, for at leaſt as long a time as is re-
quired to learn their language, and to make himſelf
underſtood by them.
If this conduct be afcribed to the enthuſiaſm of re-
ligion, what more powerful motive can be imagined?
If to refpect for the vows of obedience taken to fupe-
riors, who have a right to order them to go any where,
and who cannot be asked the reafon for thofe orders,
without committing the crime of perjury and apoftacy,
what good, or what evil, is it not in the power of hy-
pocritical or ambitious maſters to do, who command fo
abfolutely, and who are fo fervilely obeyed? If it be
the effect of a deep fenſe of compaffion for a part of
the human ſpecies, whom it is intended to reſcue from
a ftate of ignorance, ftupidity, and mifery, what virtue
can be more heroic? With respect to the conftancy
with which thefe extraordinary men perfevere in fo
diſguſtful an undertaking; I fhould have imagined,
that by living ſo long among the favages, they would
have become favages themſelves: but I ſhould have
been deceived in this conjecture. It is, on the contra
U ij
308
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK гy, one of the moft laudable of human vanities that
ſupports them in their career.
IX.
My friend," faid once to me an old miffionary,
who had lived thirty years in the midst of the foreſts,
and who, fince he had returned into his own country,
had fallen into a profound melancholy, and was for
ever regretting his beloved favages; "My friend (faid
he), you know not what it is to be the king, almoſt
"even the God, of a number of men, who owe to you
"the ſmall portion of happineſs they enjoy; and who
"are ever affiduous in affuring you of their gratitude.
"After they have been ranging through immenſe fo-
"refts, they return, overcome with fatigue and inani-
"tion; if they have only killed one piece of game,
"for whom do you fuppofe it to be intended? It is
"for the FATHER; for it is thus they call us and in-
"deed they are really our children. Their diffenfions
46
are ſuſpended at our appearance. A fovereign does
"not reſt in greater ſafety in the midſt of his guards,
"than we do furrounded by our favages. It is among
"them that I will go and end my days."
zon.
With this perſevering ſpirit, the Jefuits had conquer-
ed, upon the Amazon, obftacles apparently invincible.
Their miffion, which began in 1637, confifted, in 1766,
of ten thousand inhabitants, who were diftributed in
thirty-fix villages, twelve of which were fituated along
the Napo, and twenty-four on the banks of the Ama-
They were from two to ten, fifteen, or ſome-
times twenty days journey diſtant from one another.
In moſt of the villages lived people belonging to feve-
ral nations, who were all obftinately attached to their
cuſtoms and to their manners, and could never be
brought to confider themſelves as members of the fame
community. The efforts that were made to extend
this ſettlement were not, nor could they be fucceſsful.
The women of this part of America are not fruitful,
and their barrenneſs increaſes when they remove from
one place to another. The men are of a feeble habit,
and the cuſtom they have of bathing conftantly, by no
means contributes to increaſe their strength. The cli-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
309
mate is not healthy, and contagious diftempers are fre- в
quent. It hath never been poffible, and probably ne-
ver will be, to infpire the favages with an inclination
for agriculture. Their chief delight is in fiſhing and
hunting, amuſements which are by no means favour-
able to the increafe of population. In a country which
is almoſt all under water, there are few convenient
fituations to form a fettlement upon. Most of them
are at fo great a diſtance from each other, that they
cannot poffibly furniſh any mutual affiftance. The
nations which one might endeavour to incorporate are
alfo too far feparated; moft of them are intrenched in
inacceffible places, and are fo inconfiderable, that they
often confift only of five or fix families.
Of all the Indians the Jefuits had collected, and
whom they governed, none were fo lifelefs or fo inca-
pable of being animated as theſe. Every miffionary
was obliged to put himſelf at their head, in order to
make them pick up the cocoa, vanilla, and farfaparilla,
that nature plentifully offers them, and which are fent
every year to Quito, three hundred leagues off, that
they may be bartered for articles of primary neceflity.
Their whole property confifts of a hut, open on all
fides, made of a few ofiers, and covered on the top
with palm-leaves, a few implements of huſbandry, a
lance, bows and arrows for hunting, fishing-tackle, a
tent, a hammock, and a canoe. It hath not been poſ-
fible to inspire them with defires beyond theſe. They
are fo well fatisfied with what they poffefs, that they
wifh for nothing more; they live unconcerned, and
die without fear. They may be faid to be happy, if
happiness confift more in an exemption from the un-
eafy fenfation that attends want, than in the multipli-
city of enjoyments that our wants require.
This infant ftate, the offspring of religion alone, hath
been hitherto of no fervice to Spain, and it can hardly
be expected it ever fhould. However, the government
of Maynas, with its capital Borja, have been formed
there. The deftroyers of America have never thought
of establishing any fettlement in a country where there
o O K
IX.
U iij
310
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK are no mines, nor any of thoſe rich commodities which
IX. fo powerfully allured their covetoufneſs; but this coun-
try hath fometimes attracted the neighbouring favages.
!
While ſome miffionaries were eſtabliſhing the autho-
rity of the court of Madrid on the banks of the Ama-
zon, others were doing the fame fervice to the court of
Lifbon. Six or seven days journey below the ſettle-
ments of St. Ignacio de Pevas, the laft under the ju-
rifdiction of Spain, is St. Paul, the firft of the numer-
ous villages formed by the Portugueſe, at a very great
diftance from each other, on the banks of the largeſt
river, and on thoſe of the ſmall ones that fall into it.
If the Maynas were at liberty to form connections
with theſe neighbours, they might acquire by this in-
tercourſe fome conveniencies that they cannot be fup-
plied with from Quito, being ſeparated from that place
by the Cordeleras, which cut off the communication.
more effectually than immenfe feas would do. This
indulgence of government might perhaps be productive
of confiderable advantages; and, poffibly, both Spain
and Portugal, though rival powers, might be fenfible
that it would be for their mutual intereft to extend it.
It is well known that the province of Quito is poor,
for want of an opportunity of difpofing of the overplus
of thoſe very commodities that are not to be had at
Para. The two provinces mutually affifting each other
by means of the Napo and of the Amazon, would riſe
to a degree of profperity they could never attain with-
out this intercourfe. The mother-countries would in
time reap great advantages from it, and it could never
be prejudicial to them, becaufe Quito could never
purchaſe what is fent from Europe to America, and
Para conſumes nothing but what Liſbon obtains from
foreign countries. But national antipathies, and the
jealoufies of crowned heads, are attended with the fame
effects as the paffions and prejudices of men in private
life. One unfortunate incident is fufficient to divide
families and nations for ever, whofe greateft intereft it
is to love and affift one another, and to promote the
general good. The fpirit of hatred and revenge will
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
311
1
IX.
rather induce men to fubmit to fuffer than not be gra- в OOK
tified. Thoſe paffions are conftantly kept up by the
mutual injuries and the effufion of blood they occafion.
How different is man in the ftate of nature from man
corrupted by fociety! The latter amply deferves all
the misfortunes he brings upon himſelf.
It is a circumftance we have lefs reaſon than ever to
expect, that any kind of confidence can be eſtabliſhed
in theſe countries, between the two European nations
that are in poffeffion of them. It hath been for a long
time fufpected, that the river Amazon and the Oroo-
noko communicated with each other by means of the
Black River, where the court of Lifbon hath feveral
fettlements. This circumitance, which had been fo
long a matter of conteft, was demonftrated in 1744, by
fome Portugueſe boats, which having fet out from one
of theſe rivers, failed into the other. This produced a
new fource of jealoufy, to which the two minifters
ought to have put a ftop, when their attention was en-
gaged in fettling the differences which had too often
Itained the river Plata with blood.
gueſe with
to form
on the ri-
putes with
The Portugueſe, who had appeared upon this great The Portu
river ſoon after the Spaniards, were not long before
they forgot it. They did not come there again till the fettlements
year 1553, when they got as far as Buenos-Ayres, and ver Plata.
took poffeffion of the northern coaft of the provinces. Their dil-
This act had not been attended with any confequences, Spain. Ac-
when the court of Liſbon ordered, in 1680, that the commoda-
colony of St. Sacrament ſhould be eſtabliſhed precifely
at the extremity of the territory which they thought two pow-
belonged to them. This claim appeared to the Spa-
niards to be ill-founded; and they deftroyed theſe rif-
ing walls without much difficulty.
Violent contefts immediately arofe between the two
powers. Spain proved that the new colony was placed
in the ſpace allotted to her, by the boundary marked
by the popes. The Portuguefe did not deny this aftro-
nomical truth, but they maintained, that this agree-
ment was annulled by later arrangements, and in a
more particular manner by the treaty of 1668, which
U ïii j
tions be-
tween the
ers.
312
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK put a stop to hoftilities, and fettled the fate of the two
nations. It was concluded in 1681, after a multitude
of conteſts, that the Portugu te fhould again be put in
poffeflion of the poft they had occupied; but that the
inhabitants of Buenos-Ayres, as well as they, ſhould
have the enjoyment of all the difputed domains.
The war between the two crowns, in the beginning
of the century, broke off this provifional agreement,
and in the year 1705 the Portugueſe were again driven
out of St. Sacrament; but were reinftated in the pof-
feffion of it by the peace of Utrecht. This treaty grant-
ed them even more than they had ever had, fince it
enfured to them exclufively the whole territory of the
colony.
At that period a confiderable fmuggling trade was
begun, between the Portugueſe ſettlement of St. Sacra-
ment, and that of the Spaniards at Buenos-Ayres, in
which all parts of the Brazils and of Peru, and even
fome merchants of the mother-countries, were more or
lefs concerned.
The court of Madrid foon perceived that the trea-
fures of the New World were conveyed into another
channel. In order to bring them back again, they did
not think of any more certain method, than that of li-
miting, as much as poffible, the ſtaple of thefe fraudu-
lent connections. Their minifters afferted, that the
places under the dominion of the Portugueſe ought
not to be extended beyond cannon-fhot; and they
cauſed all the northern coaft of the Plata, from the
mouth of that great river, to the fettlement which oc-
cafioned them fuch terrible alarms, to be filled up with
flocks, fheep-folds, and with the villages of Maldonado
and Montevideo, and contrived other known methods
of occupying this intermediate ſpace.
Theſe unforeſeen enterpriſes revived everlafting ani-
mofities, which had been for a ſhort time ſuſpended by
their commercial connections. Theſe neighbouring
people carried on a clandeftine war with one another.
The two nations were upon the brink of an open rup-
ture, when, in 1750, a treaty was propofed, which ap-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
313
IX.
peared likely to fettle the differences between thefe в O C K
two monarchies. By this treaty, the Portugueſe ex-
changed the colony of St. Sacrament, and its territory,
for the ſeven miffions formerly eſtabliſhed on the eaſt-
ern coaft of the Uruguay.
It was neceffary that this treaty fhould be executed
in America; and this was not an eafy matter. The
Jefuits, who from their earlieft origin had opened to
themſelves a fecret road to dominion, might have ob-
jected to the difmembering of an empire which owed
its exiſtence to their labours. Independent of this great
intereft, they might have thought themſelves refpon-
fible for the felicity of a docile fet of people, who, by
throwing themfelves in their arms, had intrufted them
with the care of their future welfare. Befides, the
Guaranis had not been conquered; and therefore,
when they fubmitted to Spain, they did not give that
crown the right of alienating them from their domi-
nion; without having reflected on the inconteftable
rights of nations, they might imagine that it belonged
to them alone to determine what was conducive to
their happineſs. The horror they were well known to
entertain for the Portugueſe yoke, was equally capable
of leading them aftray, or of enlightening them. So
critical a fituation required the greateſt precautions, and
they were attended to.
The forces which the two powers had fent from Eu-
rope, and thoſe which could be affembled in the New
World, united themſelves in order to furmount the ob-
ſtacles that were forefeen; but theſe preparations did
not terrify the people that were the object of them.
Although the feven ceded colonies were not affifted by
the other colonies, at least not openly; although they
were no more headed by the chiefs, who till that time
had led them on to battle, they were not afraid of
taking up arms to defend their liberty. But their mi-
litary conduct was not fuch as it ought to have been.
Inftead of contenting themſelves with haraffing their
enemies, and with interrupting the provifions they
were obliged to get from the diſtance of two hundred
314
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK leagues, the Guaranis ventured to wait for them in the
IX.
Portugal
its connec-
open field. They loft a battle which coft them two
thouſand men. This confiderable check diſconcerted
their meaſures; their courage ſeemed to give way, and
they abandoned their territory, without making thoſe
efforts which were expected from their firſt reſolution,
and which were, perhaps, confiftent with their ftrength.
After this event, the Spaniards attempted to take
poffeffion of the colony of St. Sacrament. The Por-
tugueſe refuſed to give it up, alleging that the inhabi-
tants of the Uruguay were only difperfed; and that,
till the court of Madrid fhould fettle them in fome of
their own domains, they would always be difpofed to
recover that territory which they had quitted with fo
much regret. Thefe difficulties, whether real or ima-
ginary, prevented the conclufion of the treaty, which
was even entirely put a stop to by the two courts in
1761, and every thing fell again into confufion.
From that time, thefe deferts have been almoft in-
ceffantly ſtained with blood; fometimes by hoftilities
that were not publicly avowed, and fometimes by open
wars. Portugal, deprived of the affiftance of England,
hath at length been obliged to ſubmit. The treaties
of the first of October 1777, and of the eleventh of
March 1778, have deprived it for ever of the colony of
St. Sacrament; but they have reftored it to the terri-
tory of the river St. Peter, which had been taken from
it, under the pretences fo frequently alleged, of the line
of mark.
While theſe reſtlefs and enterprifing men were ra-
vaging the Amazon and the Plata, fome laborious and
peaceable citizens were employed in multiplying on
the coaft of Brazil important productions, which were
delivered to the mother-country, which, in return, fup-
plied them with every thing they were in want of.
The whole trade was carried on by a fleet, which
had fettled failed every year from Lifbon and Oporto in the month.
tions with of March. The fhips it confifted of parted when they
upon a bad came to a certain latitude, and proceeded to their re-
plan; to ſpective deftinations; but they afterwards all met at
the Brazils
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
315
IX.
Bahia to fail for Portugal, which they reached in Sep- в O O K
tember or October the year following, under convoy
of the men of war, which had eſcorted them at their which a fyf
going out.
tem of mo-
nopoly, ftill
was fubfti.
A regulation fo contrary to maxims generally re- more de-
ceived was cenfured by many judicious perfons, who fructive,
thought it would have been better to have left the tuted.
merchants at liberty to ſend out their fhips, and order
them home when it fuited them beft. This fyftem
would have reduced the expence of freight, rendered
the voyages more frequent, increaſed the maritime
forces, and encouraged every fpecies of agriculture.
The intercourfe between the colonies and the mother-
country, being more conftant, would have given in-
formation which would have enabled government to
extend its protection more eafily, and to fecure its au-
thority.
The court of Liſbon feemed frequently inclined to
yield to theſe confiderations, but was deterred by the
fear of feeing the fhips fall into the enemy's hands if
they failed feparately: by cuftom, the fway of which
is ftill more powerful over government than over in-
dividuals; by the infinuations of fome men in power,
whoſe intereſt would have been affected by the revo-
lution; and by variety of prejudices, none of which
could have borne the flighteft fcrutiny.
It was upon this principle that the Portugueſe ſet-
tlements in the Old and in the New World were
founded, when the diſcovery of the gold and diamond
mines, in the beginning of the century, fixed the at-
tention of all nations upon the Brazils. It was gene-
rally thought that thofe riches, added to thoſe of ano-
ther kind furniſhed by the colony, would render it
one of the fineſt ſettlements of the globe. The Eu-
ropeans were not yet undeceived, when they learn-
ed with ſurpriſe, that the moſt important part of thoſe
regions was juſt ſubjected to the yoke of monopoly.
Portugal hath made immenfe difcoveries in Africa,
and in the Eaſt and Weſt Indies, without the affiſtance
of any Company. This had been done by fome afſo-
316
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BO O K ciations, which kings, nobles, and merchants, had oc-
cafionally formed among themſelves, and which fitted
out fleets more or lefs confiderable, for thoſe three
parts of the globe. It was not to be expected that a
nation, which, in the barbarous ages, had purſued
the inestimable advantages of competition, would, at
laft, in an enlightened age, adopt a pernicious fyftem,
which, by collecting the principles of life and motion
into a ſmall part of the body politic, leaves all the reſt
in a ſtate of inactivity and ruin.
This plan was formed among the ruins of Liſbon,
when the earth had, as it were, caft out her inhabi-
tants, and left them no afylum or place of fafety but
on the fea, or in the New World. The dreadful
fhocks which had fubverted that fuperb capital were
ftill repeated, and the flames that had reduced it to
aſhes were ſcarce extinguiſhed, when an exclufive Com-
pany was eſtabliſhed, for the purpoſe of ſelling to fo-
reign nations, at the Brazils, and even in retail, with-
in the ſpace of three leagues, the wine fo well known
by the name of Port, which is drunk in many of the
colonies, in part of the north, and eſpecially in Eng-
land. This Company hath a capital of 3,000,000 livres
[125,000l.], divided into two hundred fhares, of 2500
livres [104]. 3s. 4d.] each. They lend to the proprie-
tors of the vines half the price they are allowed to
charge for the vintage; a price which they can never
raiſe, however favourable the year may be. For the
beft wines, they are paid at the rate of 156 livres five.
fols [61. 10s. 2 d.] per ton; but they receive no more
than 125 livres [51. 4s. 2d.] for thofe of an inferior
quality. How great foever the dearth may be, or how-
ever confiderable the vent, the cultivator can never
expect an increaſe of more than 31 livres five fols.
[11. 6s. 24d.] per ton, and the ton confifts of about
220 gallons.
Oporto, which is become the firſt city in the king-
dom for its population, riches, and commerce, fince
Liſbon had, as it were, diſappeared, juftly took the
alarm, thinking that her trade would be ruined by
!
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
317
!
IX.
this fatal alienation of the rights of the whole nation в o o K
in favour of a Company. The province between the
Douro and the Minho, the moſt fruitful in the king-
dom, formed no further expectations from its cultures.
Deſpair excited a fpirit of fedition among the people;
and this gave occafion to the cruelties of the govern-
ment. Twelve hundred perfons were either executed,
condemned to public labour, baniſhed to the forts in
Africa, or reduced to poverty by odious confiſcations
of their poffeffions.
On the 6th of June 1755, an exclufive Company,
with a capital of 3,000,000 livres [125,0col.], divided
into twelve hundred fhares, was eſtabliſhed for the
great Para, and for the Maragnan. Four years after,
the province of Fernambucca was put under a fimilar
yoke, with this difference, that the latter monopoly
had a fund of 3,500,000 livres [145.8331. 6s. 8d.],
which was divided into three thouſand four hundred
fhares. The two focieties were authoriſed to gain fif-
teen per cent. exclufive of all expences, on articles of
proviſions, and to fell their merchandiſe for forty-five
per cent. more than they would have coſt even at Lif-
bon. They were allowed to pay as little as they choſe
for the provifions furniſhed by the diftricts fubject to
their tyranny. Such extraordinary favours were to
laft twenty years, and might be renewed, to the great
detriment of the colony.
religious
blifhed in
The Brazils are at prefent divided into nine pro- Civil, mili-
vinces, which are all governed by a ſeparate com- tary, and
mander. Although theſe feveral chiefs are expected govern-
to conform to the general regulations which the vice- ment efta-
roy thinks proper to make, they are independent of the Brazils.
his authority, becauſe they receive their orders direct-
ly from Liſbon, and becauſe they themſelves give an
account to that court of the affairs in their depart-
ment. They are only appointed for three years, but
their commiffion is uſually extended beyond that pe-
riod. They are prohibited by the law from marrying
in the country under their jurifdiction; from being
concerned in any branch of trade; from accepting any
318
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BO O K prefent whatſoever; from receiving any emoluments for
the functions of their office; and this law hath been
rather ſtrictly obſerved for ſome years paft. Accord-
ingly, fortunes are at prefent very feldom made, or
even begun, in thofe pofts in the New World. The
perfons, who voluntarily refign are obliged, as well as
thoſe who are recalled, to give an account of their
conduct to the commiffioners appointed by the mo-
ther-country; and citizens of all ranks are indifcri-
minately admitted to impeach them. If they happen
to die in their poſt, the biſhop, the higheſt military
officer, and the firſt magiſtrate, jointly affume the reins
of government till the arrival of the fucceffor.
The juriſprudence of the Brazils is entirely the fame
as that of Portugal. There is a judge eſtabliſhed in
each diſtrict, from whofe decifion an appeal may be
made to the fuperior tribunals of Bahia, and of Rio
Janeiro, and even to thoſe of Liſbon, if it be upon
matters of confequence. The great Para and Marag-
nan alone are allowed to appeal immediately to the
mother-country, without being obliged to appear be-
fore the two intermediate tribunals. In criminal cafes,
rather a different plan is adopted. The judge of each
diſtrict hath a right to puniſh, without appeal, ſmall
miſdemeanours. The crimes are judged by the go-
vernor, affifted by fome affeffors appointed by the law.
A particular tribunal is eſtabliſhed in every province,
to take care of the legacies which belong to heirs,
whofe refidence is acroſs the feas. They are allowed
to deduct five per cent. for their falaries, and the reft
is fent to Portugal, to be depoſited in a place deſtined
to receive it. The inconvenience of this otherwiſe
judicious inftitution is, that the Brazilian creditors can
only be paid in Europe.
The finances of each province are adminiftered by
the commandant and four magiftrates. Their account
is fent every year to the royal treaſury of the mother-
country, and fcrutinized with great ſeverity.
Every town, and every village, in the leaft confider-
able, hath a court of judicature. Their bufinefs is to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
319
IX.
attend to the fmall concerns they are intrufted with, в O O K
and to fettle, under the inſpection of the commandant,
the trifling taxes that are neceffary. Several privileges.
have been granted to this tribunal, efpecially that of
having the right to carry any complaint they may have
against the head of the colony immediately to the fo-
vereign.
The military are upon the fame footing in the Bra-
zils, as in Portugal, and in the reft of Europe. The
troops are at the difpofal of every governor, who ap-
points to all the vacant commiffions under the rank of
captain. He hath the fame authority over the militia,
which confifts of all the citizens that are not fidalgos,
that is to fay, of the firſt nobility, or who have no
public employment. This body of men, who are all
obliged to wear a uniform at their own expence, are
never affembled in the interior parts of the country,
except in cafes of abfolute neceffity; but at Fernam-
bucca, at Bahia, and at Rio Janeiro, they are exer-
ciſed during one month every year, and are then paid
by the government. The Negroes and Mulattoes have
ftandards of their own; and the Indians fight under
the fame banners as the white men. The colony, at
this preſent time, confifts of fifteen thoufand eight hun-
dred and ninety-nine regulars, and of twenty-one thou-
fand eight hundred and fifty militia.
Though the King, as Grand Mafter of the Order of
Chrift, be folely in poffeffion of the tithes; and though
the produce of the Crufade belong entirely to him;
yet, in this extenfive part of the New World, fix bi-
fhoprics have been fucceffively founded, which ac-
knowledge for their fuperior the archbiſhopric of Ba-
hia, eſtabliſhed in the year 1552. The fortunate pre-
lates, most of them Europeans, who fill theſe honour-
able fees, live in a very commodious manner upon the
emoluments attached to the functions of their miniftry,
and upon a penfion of twelve hundred, and from that
to thirty thouſand livres [from 50l. to 1250l.] granted
to them by the government.
Among the inferior clergy, none but the miffiona-
3
320
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK ries who are fettled in the Indian villages are paid
IX.
government; but the others find fufficient refources
among the fuperftitious people, whom they are to edi-
fy, to inftruct, and to comfort. Befide an annual tri-
bute, paid by every family to the clergyman, he is en-
titled to forty fols [1s. 8d.] for every birth, every wed-
ding, and every burial. The law which reduces this
contribution to one-half for poor people, and to no-
thing for thoſe that are entirely indigent, is feldom ob-
ferved. The avidity of the prieſts hath even been car-
ried fo far as to double this ſhameleſs falary, in the di-
ftricts of the mines.
Some few afylums for maidens have been ſuffered at
Bahia, and at Rio Janeiro; but it hath never been al-
lowed to eſtabliſh nunneries in the Brazils. The monks
have been more fuccefsful; and there are at prefent
twenty convents of different orders, the two richeft of
which are occupied by Benedictines, who are as idle as
they are licentious. None of theſe fatal eſtabliſhments
are founded in the gold countries. The Jeſuits had
taken advantage of the influence they had over go-
vernment, to evade the law, which forbade any regu-
lar orders to fettle in thoſe regions. No inftitution hath
been powerful enough fince their expulfion, to extort
fo fignal a favour.
Though there be not abfolutely an inquifition in the
Brazils, the people of that country are not protected
from the outrages of that barbarous inftitution. The
ecclefiaftics of the colony, who are appointed by that
tribunal to be their agents, are all of them imbued with
the fame fanguinary maxims. Their mercileſs ſeverity
is moftly provoked by accufations of Judaiſm. This
fort of fury rofe to fuch an enormous height, from 1702
to 1718, that the minds of all men were impreffed with
terror, and moft of the cultures were neglected.
There is no particular ordonnance in the Brazils for
flaves, and they ought to be tried by the common law.
As their maſters are obliged to feed them, and that it
is become a general cuſtom to allot them a ſmall piece
of ground, which they are allowed to cultivate for their
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
321
IX.
own emolument, thofe among them who are induftri- в o Ó K
ous and laborious are, fooner or later, enabled to pur-
chaſe their liberty. It is feldom refuſed them; and
they may even demand it, at the price fettled by the
regulations, when they find themſelves oppreffed. It
is, probably, for this reaſon, that, notwithſtanding the
great facility they have for eloping, yet there are few
fugitive Negroes throughout this vaft continent. Thoſe
few who are found in the country of the mines only
employ themſelves quietly at a distance, in cultivating
the productions neceffary for their fubfiftence.
Such of the Negroes as have purchaſed their liberty
enjoy the rights of citizens as well as the Mulattoes;
but they are both excluded from the priesthood, and
from any civil employment. Even in the fervice they
can have no commiffion, except in their own batta-
lions. The white men feldom marry the Negro wo-
men; moft of them go no farther than to form illegal
connections with them. Theſe connections, which
have the fanction of the manners of the country, dif-
fer fcarcely from matrimony, in regions where men
diſpoſe of their fortunes in conformity to their caprices
and paffions.
itate of the
The ſtate of the Indians hath not always been the Former and
fame at first they were feized upon, fold in public prefent
markets, and compelled to work like flaves in the plan- Indians
tations.
fubject to
Portugal in
In 1570, Sebaftian forbade that any Brazilian fhould the Brazile.
be made a flave, except fuch as had been taken pri-
foners in a juft war: but this law was not attended to,
becauſe the Portugueſe would have thought themſelves
diſgraced in tilling the ground; and at that time few
cultivators had been fent to Africa.
The edict of Philip II. which, in 1595, confirmed
the orders of Sebaftian, and which even reduced to
ten years the term of flavery, to thofe whom that
prince had allowed to be kept in perpetual fervitude,
was equally difregarded.
Two mandates, of 1605 and 1639, again declared
all the Indians, without exception, to be entirely free.
Vol. III.
X
Ľ
1
322
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK Philip III. being informed that his commands were
not obeyed, iffued a third law, by which thoſe who
infringed it were condemned to fevere penalties. But,
at that period, the colony was ftill governed by a court
of judicature, molt of the members of which were born
in America itſelf; fo that the new arrangements were
not much more refpected than the old ones had been.
In the meanwhile, the miffionaries were every day
exclaiming, with greater vehemence, against the ty-
ranny with which their converts were oppreffed. In
1647, the new court of Liſbon gave way to their pref-
fing folicitations, and formally renewed the orders
which forbade the detaining of any Brazilian in flave-
ry. The ſpirit of independence, which manifeſted it-
ſelf throughout the whole colony, convinced that ſtill
tottering power, that they were not allowed to do eve-
ry thing that was juft; and, eight years after, their or-
ders were qualified, by permitting that thofe indivi-
duals who were born of a Negro mother and of an In-
dian father might be kept in flavery.
The Dutch had juft then been driven from this part
of the New World. The connections with the coaft
of Africa, which had been interrupted by the bloody
wars the Portugueſe had been obliged to fuftain againſt
thoſe republicans, refumed their former courſe. The
population of the Negroes was increaſed in the Bra-
zils. Their fervices foon difgufted the Portugueſe of
the natives of the country, who were weaker, and not
fo laborious. Thoſe who periſhed were not replaced;
and that fpecies of fervitude was, by degrees, aboliſh-
ed every where, except at St. Paul, at Maragnan, and
on the Amazon river, at which places there were not
yet any rich fettlements, and where the Portugueſe
were not capable of purchafing flaves. The decrees
iffued in 1680, 1713, and 1741, to extirpate theſe re-
mains of barbariím, were of no effect; and it was not
till 1755 that all the Brazilians became really free.
At this period they were declared citizens by go-
vernment; they were to enjoy that title in the fame
manner as their conquerors. The fame road was laid
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
323
IX.
open to their talents; and they were allowed to aſpire в o O K
at the fame dignities. An event fo much calculated
to excite the emotions of a feeling heart, was fcarce
attended to. Pleaſure, fortune, war, politics, engroſs
every body's attention, while a revolution, fo favour-
able to humanity, almoſt generally eſcapes our notice;
and that even in the eighteenth century, in the midſt
of that enlightened and philofophical age. The hap-
pineſs of nations is much talked of, but is neither per-
ceived nor felt.
All the faulty operations of government are attack-
ed with ſeverity; and when they, by chance, happen
to do any good act, a general filence is obferved. Is
this the kind of acknowledgment which the people
owe to thoſe who attend to their happineſs? Or, is this
fort of ingratitude calculated to attach them to their
laborious offices? Is it thus they can be induced to
fill them with diftinction? If the people expect that
their murmurs and their difcontents fhould be attend-
ed to when they are oppreffed, they fhould exprefs
their joy in the moft lively manner when they have
obtained redrefs. Whenever the burden of the taxes
hath been alleviated, let the houfes be illuminated;
let them aflemble in multitudes, and fill the houſes.
and the ſtreets; let them light up bonfires, and dance
and fing round them; let them pronounce with tranſ-
port the name of their benefactor. Is there one among
all the directors of the empire who would not be gra-
tified with fuch homage? Is there one who could ever
refolve to quit his place, or who could die without
having received it? Is there a man who would not be
defirous of increafing thefe triumphs? Is there one
whofe grandchildren would not feel a noble pride in
hearing it faid of him, his anceftor was the man who
occafioned the lighting up of bonfires four or five
times, during the courfe of his adminiftration? Is there
one who would not be ambitious of bequeathing fuch
a mark of diftinction to his defcendants? Is there a
man who would dare to have engraved upon his tomb
the poft he had filled in his lifetime, without mention-
X ij
324
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK ing the public feſtivals that had been celebrated in his
honour? Such a filence would transform the inſcrip-
tion into a fatire. The people are equally abject in
profperity as in adverfity; they know not how to
complain, or how to rejoice.
Some men, more attentive to the intereſting ſcenes
that are diſplayed from time to time on the furface of
the globe, conceived a good opinion of the new ſyſ-
tem. They flattered themfelves that the Indians would
apply themſelves to cultivation, and multiply the pro-
ductions; that their labours would enable them to
procure for themfelves numberlefs conveniences which
they had not yet enjoyed; that the fight of their hap-
pineſs would difguft the favages of their foreſts, and
would determine them to a more quiet way of living;
that an entire confidence would gradually be eſtabliſh-
ed between the Americans and the Europeans; and
that they would in time become one people. They
flattered themſelves that the court of Liſbon would
have the prudence not to difturb fo defirable a har-
mony by any particular diftinctions; that they would
endeavour, by all poffible means, to obliterate the me-
mory of thofe evils which they had brought upon the
New Hemisphere.
But how far are we from feeing theſe flattering
hopes fulfilled! In the provinces of Fernambucca, of
Bahia, of Rio Janeiro, and of Minas-Geraes, the Bra-
zilians continue to be mixed with the Portugueſe and
with the Negroes, but without any change in their
characters, becauſe no pains have been taken to en-
lighten them; becaufe no efforts have been made to
overcome their natural laziness; becauſe no lands have
been diftributed to them; and becaufe nothing hath
been given them in advance, by which their emula-
tion might probably have been excited.
At Para, at Maragnan, at Matto-Groffo, at Goyas,
and at St. Paul, the Indians have been united in a
hundred and feventeen villages, over each of which a
white man prefides. It is his bufinefs to fettle the oc-
cupations, to direct the cultures, to buy and to fell for
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
325
IX.
the community, to puniſh and to reward. It is he who в O O K
delivers to the agents of government the tenth of the
territorial productions. It is he who appoints thofe
among them who are obliged to fubmit to the labours
of vaffalage with which they are oppreffed. Thefe
fubaltern agents, difperfed in the feveral colonies, are
fuperintended by a chief, who is vefted with great au-
thority.
The opinions of men have been divided refpecting
theſe regulations. A writer, who hath never been out
of Europe, would be confidered as a very bold man,
ſhould he venture to decide between two parties, which
an experience of three centuries hath not been able to
reconcile. But let me at leaſt be permitted to obſerve,
that one of the moſt enlightened men that ever lived
at the Brazils, hath frequently told me, that the Indi-
ans, who are fuffered to be their own mafters in the
Portugueſe colony, are very fuperior in underſtanding
and induſtry to thofe who are kept under perpetual
tuition.
ftate of the
Para.
The government of Para is the most northern of Prefent
any of theſe colonies. It comprehends that portion govern-
of Guiana which belongs to the Portuguefe; the bor- ment of
ders of the Amazon, from the conflux of the Madeira
and the Mamore; and to the eaſt, all that ſpace which
extends as far as the river of the Tocantines. This is
the most barren and the moft unwholefome country in
thefe regions.
No productions can be expected in Guiana, except
on the Black River, the elevated banks of which would
be very fit for all the productions that enrich the beſt
colonies of America. But this country is only inha-
bited by Indians, who are almott folely employed in
the turtle fishery, and whom it hath not yet been pof-
fible to fix to any thing but the cutting of fome woods
for cabinet-work. This river receives that of Cayari,
where, in 1749, a filver mine was difcovered, which
undoubtedly, for fome political reafons, hath never
been worked.
The borders of the Amazon, on the north fide, are
X jij
326
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
+
BOOK almoſt under water.
IX.
The final quantity of dry land
that is found there is perpetually infefted with all kinds
of infects.
Though the fouth part of the Amazon be marſhy
in many places, yet its foil is commonly more firm,
and lefs infefted with reptiles. The great and nume-
rous rivers which empty themſelves into it afford ftill
greater refources for cultivation, and yet there is no
fettlement formed upon them.
The Portugueſe navigators did not enter the Ama-
zon before the year 1535. Ayres d'Acunha and his
followers were almost all fhipwrecked there. It was
not till 1615, that Francis Caldeira laid the founda-
tions of a town, which was called Belem, on the banks
of the rivers. In 1663, the territory of Macapa was
given by government to Bento Maciel Parente, and
afterwards the island of Joanna to Macedo: but theſe
two grants have been fince reunited to the crown; the
firft by the extinction of the family that had obtained
it, and the ſecond by exchanges.
The Portugueſe contented themfelves, for a long
time, with making excurfions of greater or lefs extent,
to carry off fome Brazilians. They were a fet of tur-
bulent and daring favages, who were endeavouring to
fubdue other favages lefs ftrong and lefs courageous
than themſelves. Thefe deftructive fatigues, theſe un-
availing cruelties, had lafted for the ſpace of a century,
when fome miffionaries undertook to civilize the wan-
dering Indians. They have affembled no inconfider-
able number of them in feventy eight villages, but
without being able entirely to fix them there. After
having ſpent four or five months in a fedentary and
idle life, thefe men, attracted by their ancient habits,
forfook their habitations and families, in order to ga-
ther in the forefts the productions of uncultivated na-
ture, which, with very little labour, they might have
procured at home, or might have fubftituted to them
others of a fuperior quality. The wild cacao, the va-
nilla, the tortoife, and crab-fhells, the farfaparilla, the
capivi balſam, and the vegetable wool, which are col-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
327
IX.
lected in thefe ruinous excurfions, that are renewed в o OK
every year, are carried to Belem, the capital of the
government.
This town, which is built at the diſtance of twenty
leagues from the fea, and upon a foil that riſes thirteen
feet above the level of the ocean, was for a long time
nothing more than a ſtaple, to which the riches of the
favages were conveyed from the inland country. Some
Negroes, whom it hath at laſt procured, have cultivat-
ed in its neighbourhood a fmall quantity of cotton,
which is afterwards manufactured in the country it-
felf; and fome fugar-canes, the indifferent produce of
which is afterwards made into brandy. They have al-
fo cultivated coffee, rice, and cacao, for exportation.
The fale of the flocks, which grazed in the iſland of
Marajo, was for a confiderable time one of their re-
fources. At preſent they have ſcarce oxen enough re-
maining for their own confumption.
Before the year 1755, this eſtabliſhment received
every year from the mother-country from thirteen to
fourteen ſhips. Since it hath been fubjected by a mif-
taken or corrupted miniftry to a monopoly, it receives
no more than five or fix. The value of its exports fel-
dom exceeds 600,000 livres [25,000l.]. This feeble
produce is not much increaſed by the wood for build-
ing, which the government buys up, and carries away
upon its fhips.
The population of the colony confifts of four thou-
fand one hundred and twenty-eight white men, of
nine thouſand nine hundred and nineteen black flaves,
or free Mulattoes, and of thirty-four thoufand eight
hundred and forty-four Indians.
This country, which in 1778 hath been relieved
from the oppreffion neceffarily attending an exclufive
privilege, will undoubtedly avail itfelf of its liberty.
The port of Belem, which is called Para, a name which
is likewife fometimes given to the city, doth not op-
pofe fo many obftacles to the fuccefs of any enterpriſe
as is commonly imagined. It is, indeed, difficult of
accefs. Currents which run in contrary directions,
་
X iiij
328
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK and which are occafioned by a multitude of fmall
iſlands, render the navigation of fhips flow and uncer-
tain. But when once they get into the harbour, they
anchor in a muddy bottom, with four, five, or fix fa-
thom of water. The canal which leads up to it grows,
however, more fhallow every day; and in a fhort time
it will not be practicable, if, as it muſt be ſuppoſed, the
waters continue to depofit as much earth as they have
dragged into it for this laſt century.
State of the
ment of
The Maragnan is feparated from Para on the north
govern- by the river of the Tocantines, from Goyaz on the
Maragnan. fouth by that of the Cordeleirias mountains, which is
called Guacuragua, and on the weft from Fernambuc-
ca by the Ypiapaba mountains.
The Portugueſe arrived for the firſt time in this pro-
vince in 1535; and they were caft upon it by a ſtorm;
but they did not fettle there till 1599. The French
feized upon it in 1612, and were driven from thence
three years after. It remained under the yoke of the
Dutch from 1641 to 1644; at which period the firſt
ufurpers again took poffeffion of it, and have kept it
ever fince.
The buſineſs of collecting the ambergrife upon the
coafts, which was the amufement of the favages, be-
came the occupation of the firft Europeans. This
trifling refource was foon exhaufted; and no other was
fubftituted to it, as there ought to have been. The
fettlement continued for a long time in a languiſhing
ftate; and it hath been but lately perceived, that the
cotton which grew upon this territory was the beſt in
the New World. The culture of this plant increaſes
daily; and, for fome years paft, that of rice hath been
joined to it, though it be of an inferior quality to the
rice of the Levant, and even to that of North Ame-
rica. Several attempts have been made to produce
filk there; but the climate hath been found totally
unfit for it. The project, however, of enriching the
country by the culture of indigo, feems to promiſe
much fuccefs. The fineft arnotto of the Brazils is al-
ready gathered there.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
329
B
IX.
The part of the colony firft peopled was the iſland в O O K
of Saint Louis, which is ſeven leagues long, and four
broad, and which is feparated from the continent only
by a very ſmall river. There is a town of the ſame
name in it, where all the trade is tranfacted, although
it hath a bad harbour. Some cultivations are carried
on there; but the moſt confiderable are on the conti-
nent, upon the rivers of Ytapicorié, of Mony, of Iqua-
ra, of Pindaré, and of Meary.
In the fame government, and towards the back of
the province, is the country of Pauchy, where the in-
habitants of St. Paul penetrated in 1571. It was not
conquered without much difficulty, and is not yet en-
tirely fubdued on the eaſtern fide. Its foil is uneven
and fandy, though exceedingly elevated. It is inha-
bited by thepherds. Upon this foil, which is covered
with faltpetre, they rear a confiderable number of
horfes and horned cattle, which are fold to tolerable
advantage in the neighbouring countries; but the
fheep degenerate there, as well as in the reſt of the
Brazils, except in the Coritibe. Unfortunately, the
too frequent droughts, and the exceffive heats, very of-
ten deftroy whole flocks, when fufficient attention is
not paid to lead them in time to diftant paftures.
The mines of fulphur, alum, copperas, iron, lead,
and antimony, are very common and very fuperficial
in theſe mountains, and yet none of them have been
opened. Permiffion was, indeed, given, in 1572, to
work the filver one which had been difcovered three
or four years before; but very foon after the court re-
tracted this permiffion, for reaſons that are not known.
to us.
This government confifts of eight thouſand nine
hundred and ninety-three white men, feventeen thou-
fand eight hundred and forty-four Negroes, or free
Mulattoes, and flaves; and of thirty-eight thouſand
nine hundred and thirty-feven Indians, either ſcatter-
ed, or affembled in ten villages. The exportations
have not as yet been equal to this degree of popula-
tion. Their value was little more than 6 or 700,000
}
330
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK livres [from 25,000l. to 29,1661. 13s. 4d.]; but fince
the monopoly hath been abolished, it muſt become
more confiderable.
State of
The province which follows that of Maragnan, and
the govern- which is called Fernambucca, was formed out of four
ment of
Fernam
bucca.
private eftates.
Fernambucca itſelf was given, in 1527, to Edward
Coelho; and was reunited to the crown as a conqueſt,
after the Dutch had been driven from it in 1654.
The historian De Barros obtained the diftrict of Pa-
raiba from John III., but he neglected the peopling of
it. Some vagabonds went over in 1560, and in 1591
were fubdued by the French, who were foon obliged.
to evacuate it. Philip III. caufed a city to be erected
upon this royal domain, which is at preſent known by
the name of Notre Dame de Neves.
The property of Rio Grande, a diſtrict which had
till then been entirely neglected, was ceded to Ema-
nuel Jordan in 1654. The fhipwreck of this enter-
prifing man, at the entrance of the harbour, reſtored
to the hands of government, lands, which were foon
after cultivated by fome individuals.
It is not known at what time, nor to whom, Tama-
raca had been granted; but it became a national pof-
feffion again foon after the elevation of the houſe of
Braganza to the throne of Portugal.
This flouriſhing government is at prefent furround-
ed by the river St. Francis, and by feveral branches of
the Cordeleirias. The coafts afford a ſmall quantity of
cotton. In no country of theſe regions ſugar is to be
found in fuch great perfection as upon thofe plains.
which are well watered. The mountains are covered
with horned cattle, which fupply a great quantity of
leather. This diſtrict alone furniſhes the Brazil wood.
The tree which it is taken from is not perfectly
known by the botanifts. It is, however, believed, that
it is in fome refpects analogous to the brefillet of the
Antilles, and to the tara, or poinciana fpinofa, of Pe-
ru. Thoſe who have deſcribed it affirm, that it is tall,
very branchy, and covered with a brown bark full of
!
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
331
IX.
thorns. Its leaves are compofed of a common cofta, в o O K
which fupports from four to fix other coftæ, furniſhed
with two rows of fmall green leaves, fhining, and re-
fembling the leaves of box. The flowers, difpofed in
cluſters towards the extremity of the branches, are
fmall, and more odoriferous than thofe of the lily:
they have a calix with five divifions, ten ftamina, and
five petals, four of which are yellow, and the fifth is
of a beautiful red colour. Their piftil becomes an ob-
long flattened pod, fluck full of points, and filled with
fome red feeds.
The bark of this tree is fo thick, that the wood is
reduced almost to nothing when ſtripped of it. This
wood is very fit for works of turnery, and takes a good
polifh but its principal ufe is in the red dye, where
it fupplies the place of double the quantity of log-
wood. The moſt arid foils, and the most craggy rocks,
are the places which it chiefly delights in.
The trade of this wood is monopolized, and it be-
longs to the queen's houſehold. The firft dealers in
this article agreed to receive annually in the magazines
of government, where it is depofited, thirty thouſand
quintals of it, at 30 livres [11. 58.] the quintal. It
was diſcovered, after ſeveral experiments, that this
quantity was not confumed in Europe; and they were
obliged to take no more than twenty thouſand quin-
tals; but it was raiſed to 40 livres [11. 13s. 4d.] the
quintal. Such is the prefent contract, which is in the
hands of two Engliſhmen ſettled in Portugal. They
give 800,000 livres [33,3331. 6s. 8d.] for the wood
with which they are furniſhed, and fell it at Liſbon it-
felf for 1,000,000 livres [41,6661. 13s. 4d.]. The ex-
pences they are at amount to 128,000 livres [53331.
6s. 8d.]; and therefore the profits are 72,000 livres
[30001.].
The population of Fernambucca confifts of nine-
teen thousand fix hundred and fixty-five white men,
thirty-nine thouſand one hundred and thirty-two Ne-
groes or Mulattoes, and thirty-three thoufand feven
hundred and twenty-eight Indians. There are four
332
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK harbours fit to receive ſmall veffels. That where the
fhoal is, which is the port of Olinda, can admit larger
fhips; but they are neither conveniently fituated, nor
in fafety.
State of the
govern-
ment of
Babia.
The iſland of Fernando de Noronha is at fixty leagues
diſtance from theſe coafts of Fernambucca; but it is
under its dependence. The Portuguefe, who had at
firſt ſettled there, foon forfook it; but in 1738, the
court of Lisbon, fufpecting that the French East India
Company meant to take poffeffion of it, built feven.
forts there, conftructed with great fkill. They are
provided with artillery, and defended with a garrison
of regular troops, which is relieved every fix months.
There are no other inhabitants but a few exiles, a
ſmall number of very indigent Meftees, and the In-
dians who are employed in the public labours. Though
this foil be deep and good, no kind of cultivation hath
ever fucceeded there, becauſe the rains do not fall for
three or four years together. From the month of De-
cember till the month of April, turtles are the only
food; after that time they diſappear, and the inhabi-
tants have no refource but in the provifions fent from
the continent. There are two harbours for foreign
veffels in the iſland, where ſhips of all rates are in fafe-
ty, when north and weft winds do not prevail.
The government of Bahia is enclofed by the river St.
Francis on the north, by the river Doce on the fouth,
and by the river Preto, one of the arms of the Green
River, on the east. It confifts of the captainfhip of
Xegerippe, the revolutions of which are not known to
us; of the captainfhip of Itheos, of which George de
Figueredo was deprived, after its deftruction by the
Aimorés Indians; of the captainſhip of Porto Seguro,
which returned to the crown after the extinction of the
family of the Tourinhos; and of the country of Bahia,
which was never a private property.
San Salvador, the capital of this
a long time that of all the Brazils.
by the bay of All Saints, which is
half broad at the entrance. On each fide ftands a
fettlement, was for
The way to it is
two leagues and a
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
333
IX.
fortrefs, intended rather to prevent landing, than to в O O K
hinder fhips from paffing by. It is thirteen or fourteen
leagues in length, and interſperſed with little iſlands,
which are full of cotton trees, and form an agreeable
profpect. It grows narrow towards the bottom, which
is fheltered from every attack, and makes an excellent
harbour for the moft numerous fleets. The town
commands this harbour, being built on the flope of a
fteep hill.
This city contains two thouſand houſes, which are
moſt of them built with great magnificence. The fur-
niture here is the more rich and elegant, as extrava-
gance in drefs is ftrictly prohibited. By a very old
law, which hath often been broken, and which extends
to the New World fince the year 1749, the Portugueſe
are forbidden to wear any gold or filver ftuffs, or any
laced clothes; but their paffion for fhow, which no
laws can eradicate, hath induced them to contrive
ſome ſubſtitute, and to wear diamond croffes, medals,
and chaplets, or beads, the rich enfigns of a poor re-
ligion. The gold they cannot wear themſelves, they
lavish to adorn their domeftic flaves.
As the fituation of the town will not admit of
coaches, the rich, who will always be diftinguiſhed
from the vulgar, have contrived to be carried in cotton
hammocks. Supinely ftretched upon velvet cuſhions,
and furrounded with filken curtains, which they open
and fhut at pleaſure, thoſe proud and lazy mortals
move about more voluptuouſly, though with leſs expe-
dition, than in the moit eaſy and elegant carriages.
The women feldom enjoy this luxury. Theſe peo-
ple, who are fuperftitious to a degree of fanaticiſm, will
hardly allow them to go to church, covered with their
cloaks, on high feftivals; and no one is fuffered to fee
them in their own houfes. This restraint, which is the
effect of an ungovernable jealoufy, doth not prevent
them from carrying on intrigues, though they are fure
of being ſtabbed to death upon the flighteſt ſuſpicion.
By a lenity more judicious than ours, a girl who, with-
out her mother's confent, or even under her protection,
334
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK yields to the importunities of a lover, is treated with
IX. lefs ſeverity. But if the father cannot conceal her in-
famy by difpofing of her in marriage, he abandons her
to the fcandalous trade of a courtezan. Thus it is that
riches bring on a train of vices and corruption, eſpe-
cially when they are acquired by bloodshed and mur-
der, and are not preferved by labour.
The want of fociety, confequent upon the feparation
of the fexes, is not the only impediment to the plea-
fures and enjoyments of life at Bahia. The hypocrify
of fome, the fuperftition of others; avarice within, and
pompous parade without; extreme effeminacy, bor-
dering upon extreme cruelty, in a climate where all the
fenfations are quick and impetuous; the diftruſt that
attends weaknefs; the indolence that trufts every thing
to flaves, whether it relate to pleaſure or buſineſs; all
the vices that are to be found, either feparately or col-
lectively, in the moſt corrupt fouthern countries, con-
fitute the character of the Portugueſe at Bahia. How-
ever, the depravity of their manners feems to decreaſe,
fince they are become rather more enlightened. The
acquifition of knowledge, the abuſe of which will fome-
times corrupt virtuous nations, may refine, if not re-
form, a degenerate nation; it will at leaft make crimes.
lefs frequent, will caft a varnifh of elegance over cor-
ruption, and will introduce an hypocritical kind of ur-
banity, and a contempt for the groller vices.
Though San Salvador be no longer the capital of the
Brazils, yet the province is ftill the most populous of
the colony. It confiits of thirty-nine thoufand feven
hundred and eighty-four white men, and fixty eight
thousand and twenty-four Negroes. It thares with the
other colonies the culture of fugar, cotton, and of fome
other productions; and hath the advantage over them
of the fishery, and of tobacco.
The whale fithery hath been very anciently efta-
blished in the Brazils. All the Portuguete of the Old
and of the New World had enjoyed, from its firit riſe,
the natural rights of this fithery; but it hath been, for
a long time paft, fubjected to an exclufive privilege,
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
335
C
2,
воок
IX.
purchaſed by a Company formed at Liſbon, whofe в O O K
fhips are freighted at Bahia. Its annual produce con-
fifts, at preſent, of three thouſand five hundred and
thirty pipes of oil, which, at the rate of 175 livres [71.
5s. 1od.] the pipe, amounts to 617,750 livres [25,7401.
is. 8d.]; and of two thouſand and ninety quintals of
whalebone, which, at the rate of 150 livres [61. 5s.]
the quintal, amount to 313,500 livres [13,062l. 10s.]
Thefe two fums added together, amount to 931,250
livres [38,8021. Is. 8d.]. The monopolizers give to
government 300,000 livres [12,500l.]. Their expences
do not exceed 268,750 livres [11,1981. 8s. 4d.]; and
their profits amount to 362,500 livres [15,154l. 38.
4d.].
This branch of induftry muſt be entirely given up,
unleſs it be immediately put upon a different footing.
Nothing but an unlimited freedom of trade can pof-
fibly fuftain the competition of the American traders,
whofe activity hath already extended itſelf as far as
thoſe diſtant feas, and ftill beyond them. The court
of Lisbon ought even to encourage, by all poffible
means, the whale-fifhery in the Cape de Verde Islands,
and in the other iflands near the burning fhores of
Africa, which are at prefent fo ufelefs to them.
Though most of the countries of Brazil furniſh a
fmall quantity of tobacco, it may be faid, that this
article hath not become an object of confequence any
where, except at Bahia. It thrives in a ſpace of nine-
ty leagues, and in the diftrict of Cachoeira ftill better
than in any other place. This production had for a
long time been enriching the province, when the taxes.
with which it was loaded, on its exportation from
Portugal, raiſed its price fo high as to prevent the
confumption of it. There was fo little demand for it
in foreign markets, that in 1773, the cargoes of it
did not exceed eight-and-twenty thoufand quintals.
The year following, the duties, which amounted to
27 livres 12 fols [11. 3s.] per hundred weight, were
fuppreffed, and this cultivation immediately recovered
its former profperity. The colonist then received for
2
336
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
"
IX.
BOOK this commodity 22 livres 16 fols [19s.] per quintal,
inſtead of 12 livres 10 fols [10s. 5d.], which he re-
ceived before.
Ten thouſand quintals of inferior tobacco are fent
annually from the Brazils to the coafts of Africa,
which being purchaſed in the colony itſelf, even at
the rate of 18 livres [15s.] per hundred weight, bring
in 180,000 livres [7500l.]. Fifty-eight thouſand five
hundred quintals are fent into Portugal, which, at
their first entrance into the country, are fold for 40
livres [1l. 13s. 4d.] the hundred weight; the total va-
lue of which is 2,340,000 livres [97,500l.], and the
two fums put together, amount to 2,520,000 livres
[105,0001.].
Every fpeculator is allowed to purchaſe the tobac-
co that is conveyed to the mother-country; but it
muſt be depoſited in a public warehouſe, where it pays
two fols fix deniers [about five farthings] per quintal
to the government for ftore-room. From this ware-
houſe is taken that quantity of tobacco which the
kingdom is not in want of, and which is to be dif
pofed of to foreign nations. Genoa purchaſes that
of the beſt quality. Spain, as well as Portugal, con-
fumes only the fecond fort, and Hamburgh is ſatisfied
with the moſt inferior kind of tobacco. It is this
which is alſo purchaſed by the French, and other na-
vigators who are in want of it for their Negro trade.
The purchaſer freely applies to the merchants in
whom he confides; but the court of Madrid, who
never have any tobacco bought but for ſmoking, ufu-
ally employ only one agent, to whom they pay for it
at the rate of nine fols [4d.] the pound.
Portugal, Madeira, and the Azores, where the to-
bacco is equally monopolized by the crown, do not
confume annually, for fmoking, more than ſeven hun-
dred thouſand weight of it, which, at the rate of five
livres [4s. 2d.] the pound, muft amount to 3,520,000
livres [146,6661. 13s. 4d.]; and in fnuff, only five
hundred and twenty-eight thouſand pounds, which,
at the rate of ſeven livres ten fols [6s. 3d.] per pound,
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
337
IX.
must produce 3,960,000 livres [165,000l.]; fo that в O O K
the whole amount of this article is 7,480,000 livres
[311,6661. 13s. 4d.]. The government, however,
does not receive more than 5.481,250 livres [228,3851.
8s. 4d.]. The remainder of the fum is expended in
the purchaſe of materials, the expences of preparing
the tobacco, and the profits of the people who farm it.
The fnuff which is confumed in Africa, and in the
Eaft Indies, is likewife under the yoke of monopoly ;
but it is the queen's revenue. She receives 450,000
livres [18,751.] for one hundred and fifty quintals,
which are annually fent to thofe diftant regions; ex-
clufive of the profits which muft ariſe from the fale of
the pepper that is fent from Goa in exchange.
ment of Ric
The government of Rio Janeiro almoft totally oc- State of the
cupies the long coaft, which commences at the river govern-
Doce, and ends at that of Rio Grande of St. Peter; Janeiro.
and in the inland countries, it is bounded only by
the enormous chain of mountains which extends from
Una to Minas Geraes. It has abforbed the captain-
fhips of St. Efprit, of Cabofrio, and of the South Pa-
raiba, granted by government at different periods, and
which have fallen in again in feveral ways to the do-
mains of the crown.
The cultures remained for a long time in a lan-
guid ftate, in this fpacious and beautiful province :
but they daily acquire fome importance. Tobac-
co, indeed, is neither better, nor in greater plenty,
than it was formerly; but for theſe three years paft
the fugar-canes have multiplied there, and more efpe-
cially in the plains of Guatacazès. Twelve modern
plantations of excellent indigo, announce a more con-
fiderable number, and a tolerable quantity of coffee
hath been brought from thence by the laſt ſhips.
The fouthern diftricts of the colony, as far as Rio
Grande, furniſh a great many hides, fome flour, and
very good falt provifions. There are fourteen or fif-
teen different kinds of wood for dyeing, which will
foon be cut down; and feven or eight forts of gums,
which will at laſt be gathered. Two plants were dif
Fol. III.
Y
1
}
338
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK covered at Bahia, about twenty years ago, which are
IX. known by the names of Curuata and Tocum, and
which might be employed for fails and cordage. A
fmall fhrub, infinitely more fit for theſe purpoſes, hath
been lately diſcovered on the territory of Rio Janeiro,
and is very common. It is fometimes white, fometimes
yellow, and fometimes purple; but the firſt of theſe
colours is the beſt.
There is no deficiency of hands for the carrying on
the labours. The province reckons forty-fix thou-
fand two hundred and feventy-one white men, thirty-
two thouſand one hundred and twenty-fix Indians, and
fifty-four thousand and ninety-one Negroes.
The riches that are produced by the labours of theſe
men, either free or flaves, are carried to Rio Janeiro,
formerly the capital of all the Brazils, and the place
of the viceroy's refidence.
It is one of the finest harbours that is known; though
narrow at its beginning, it widens gradually. Ships of
all denominations enter it with eaſe, from ten or twelve
o'clock in the morning, till the evening, and are car-
ried in by a regular and moderate fea breeze. It is
fpacious, fafe, and convenient. It hath an excellent
bottom of mud, and five or fix fathom of water in
every part.
It was first discovered in 1525 by Dias de Solis.
Some French Proteftants, who were perfecuted in their
own country, made a ſmall fettlement there under the
guidance of Villegagnon. This fettlement confifted
only of fifteen or twenty huts, made of boughs and
covered over with grafs, after the manner of the ſa-
vages in thoſe parts. Some fmall bulwarks that were
erected for planting of cannon, occafioned the name
of Fort Coligni to be given to it. It was deſtroyed
three years after by Emanuel de Sa, who, in a fertile
foil, under a beautiful fky, and at the foot of ſeveral
mountains, which are difpofed in form of an amphi-
theatre, laid the foundation of a city, which is become
famous, fince fome confiderable mines have been dif
covered in its neighbourhood.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
339
IX.
This city is the grand ſtaple of the riches which flow в O O K
from the Brazils to Portugal, and the harbour where
the fineſt fleets deftined for the fupply of that part of
the New World put in. Befide the treaſures that this
continual circulation muſt produce, 3,000,000 livres
[125,000l.] remain there every year for the expences
of government, and a much larger fum, when the mi-
niftry of Liſbon think it fuitable to their fyftem of po-
litics to have men of war built there.
A town, where bufinefs is fo confiderable and fo
conſtant, muſt have been fucceffively enlarged and
peopled. Moſt of the citizens live in houfes two fto-
ries high, built with freeftone, or bricks, covered with
tolerably fine flate, and ornamented with a balcony,
furrounded with lattices. It is at theſe balconies that
the women, either by themſelves, or attended by their
flaves, make their appearance; it is from thence that
they caft flowers on the men whom they chooſe to di-
ftinguiſh, and upon thoſe whom they wish to invite to
the most intimate connection between the two fexes.
The ſtreets are large and even, terminated by a cha-
pel, where the people fing hymns every evening be-
fore a faint, magnificently habited, and fixed up in a
gilded nitch, well illuminated, and covered with the
cleareſt mirror. There is no public edifice worthy of
attention, except a large aqueduct, which conveys the
water from the neighbouring heights, and the mint.
The churches are all gloomy, low, and overcharged
with ornaments, executed without taſte.
The morals are the fame at Rio Janeiro as at Bahia,
and in all the mine countries. Similar thefts, fimilar
treafons, fimilar revenges, and fimilar excefles of all
kinds prevail, and with equal impunity.
It hath properly been faid, that gold was the repre-
fentative of all kinds of riches; but it might have been
added, that it was likewife the reprefentative of happi-
neſs and misfortune, of almoſt all the vices, and of al-
moſt all the virtues: for what good or bad action can-
not be done by means of gold? It cannot, therefore,
be furprising that nothing fhould be a check upon us
$
Y ij
340
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воо
IX.
BOOK in our attempts to obtain fo important an object It
cannot be furprifing, that, when obtained, it fhould
become the fource of the most fatal abuſes, and that
theſe abuſes ſhould be multiplied in proportion to the
vicinity and to the abundance of this precious and per-
nicious metal.
The fituation of the city, in twenty-two degrees
twenty minutes of fouthern latitude, placed it at ſuch
a diſtance from the Old World, that it might have
been prefumed moderate fortifications only would be
required for its defence; but as the temptation for at-
tacking it might become greater, in proportion to the
increaſe of its riches, it was thought proper to add to
the works. Theſe were already very confiderable,
when Du Guay Trouin took it in 1711, with fuch
intrepidity and fkill, as redounded much to his ho-
nour, and was a great addition to the fame he had al-
ready acquired. The new fortifications that have fince.
been added to thofe the French had maſtered, have
not made the town more impregnable, as it may be
attacked on other fides, where the landing is very
practicable. If gold can make its way into brazen
towers through iron gates, much more will iron break
down the gates that defend gold and diamonds. And,
indeed, the court of Liſbon has not thought it ſuffi-
cient to fortify Rio Janeiro.
In the government of Rio Janeiro, we meet with
the iſland of St. Catherine, nine leagues in length, and
two in breadth, and ſeparated from the continent by
a narrow channel. Though the land be not low, it is
not ſeen at a distance, becauſe it is fhaded by the
neighbouring mountains on the continent. Naviga-
tors find there a perpetual fpring, excellent water,
great plenty of wood, a variety of delicious fruits, ve-
getables, which are ſo welcome to failors, and a pure
air, except in the harbour, where the hills intercept
the circulation of air, and make it conftantly damp
and unwholeſome.
Towards the year 1654, the court of Liſbon gave
Saint Catherine to Francis Dias Velho, in the fame
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
345
!X.
manner as the other countries in Brazil had been ced- воок
ed. This captain was killed by an Engliſh pirate;
and his iſland became the refuge of vagabonds. Theſe
adventurers acknowledged, in a vague manner, the
authority of Portugal, but did not adopt the exclufive
fyftem of that ftate. They admitted indifcriminately
the ſhips of all nations that were failing to the South
Seas, or to India, and gave them their oxen, their
fruits, their pulfe, and all their productions, in ex-
change for arms, brandy, linen, and wearing apparel.
Befide their contempt for gold, they ſhowed an indif-
ference for all the conveniences that nature did not
fupply them with, which would have done honour to
a virtuous people.
The fcum and refuſe of civilized bodies may fome-
times form a well regulated fociety. The iniquity of
our laws, the unjuft diftribution of property, the mife-
ries of want, the infolence and impunity of wealth,
and the abuſe of power, often make rebels and crimi-
nals. If we collect together all thofe unfortunate men
who are banished from fociety by the too great rigour,
and often the injuftice, of the laws, and give them an
intrepid, generous, humane, and enlightened chief, we
ſhall make theſe profligate men become honeſt, tract-
able, and rational. If their neceffities urge them to
war, they will become conquerors; and to aggran-
dife themſelves they will violate the rights of nations,
though ftrict obfervers of their own reciprocal duties:
fuch were the Romans. If, for want of an able lead-
er, they be left to chance and natural events, they will
be mischievous, reftlefs, rapacious, unfettled, for ever
at war, either among themſelves or with their neigh-
bours fuch were the Paulifts. Laftly, if they can
more eafily live upon the natural fruits of the earth,
or by agriculture and trade, than by plunder, they will
contract the virtues proper to their fituation, and the
mild inclinations that arife from a rational love of eafe.
Civilized by the happineſs and fecurity of an honeſt
and peaceable life, they will reſpect in others thoſe
rights which they themselves enjoy, and will barter
X
Y iij
342
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK the fuperfluities of their produce for the conveniences.
of other nations: fuch were the people who had taken
refuge at St. Catherine's.
They lived with freedom and tranquillity, when,
towards the year 1738, it was thought proper to give
them an adminiftration, to fend them troops, and to
furround their harbour, which was one of the beſt in
America, with fortifications. Thefe means of defence
have drawn upon them, in 1778, the arms of Spain,
and have not preſerved them from an invafion. Since
they are returned under the dominion of their former
maſter, in conſequence of the reconciliation between
the two crowns, they have acquired the cochineal,
from which they expect great advantages in future.
The town of St. Paul is thirteen leagues diftant from
the ocean, in a delightful climate, and in the midſt of
a country equally favourable for the productions of
the two hemifpheres. It was built about the year
1570, by the malefactors with which Portugal had in-
fefted the coafts of the New World. No fooner did
thefe villains perceive that it was intended to ſubject
them to fome fyftem of police, than they abandoned
the fhores upon which they had been caft by chance,
and took refuge on fome diftant ſpot, where the power
of the laws could not reach them. A fituation which
a fmall number of men could defend againſt a greater
number of troops than could be ſent againſt them, in-
ſpired them with the boldneſs of determining to be
their own mafters; and their ambition was crowned
with fuccefs. They were recruited and multiplied by
other banditti, and by the defcendants proceeding
from their connections with the women of the coun-
try. It is faid that all travellers were ftrictly forbid-
den to enter this new republic. To obtain an admit-
tance, it was previously necenary to promife to fettle
there; and candidates were to undergo a fevere trial.
Thoſe who could not go through that kind of novi-
ciate, or who were fufpected of perfidy, were barba-
rouſly murdered, as were likewife all who fhowed any
inclination to quit the fettlement.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
343
IX.
A pure air, a ferene fky, a very temperate climate, в O O K
though in the 24th degree of fouth latitude, and a land
abounding with corn, fugar, and excellent pafture; all
thefe circumſtances confpired to induce the Paulifts to
lead a life of indolence, eafe, and effeminacy; but that
reſtleffneſs ſo natural to refolute banditti; that defire
of dominion which is nearly connected with a love of
independence; the advances of liberty, which lead
men to wish for glory of fome kind or other, and to
diſtinguiſh themſelves; perhaps, all theſe motives com-
bined, prompted them to forego an eaſy life, and to
engage in hazardous and troublefome excurfions.
They over-ran all the inland parts of the Brazils,
from one extremity to the other. All the Indians who
refifted them were put to death; fetters were the por-
tion of cowards; and feveral of the inhabitants hid
themſelves in the mountains, to avoid ſlavery or death.
It would be impoffible to enumerate the devaſtations,
cruelties, and enormities, of which theſe atrocious men
were guilty. In the midſt of theſe horrors, however,
fome colonies were forming under a municipal govern-
ment, which may be confidered as the origin of all the
fettlements Portugal is at preſent in poffeffion of in
thoſe territories. Theſe fmall republics, detached, in
fome meaſure, from the great one, gradually yielded to
the entreaties that were made ufe of, in order that they
fhould be ſubjected to an authority which they had ne-
ver entirely difavowed; and, in procefs of time, the
Paulifts fubmitted to the crown in the fame manner as
the other ſubjects.
That diſtrict then became a government; to which
were added, the captainfhips of St. Vincent and of St.
Amaro, which had been given to the two brothers,
Alphonfo and Peter Lopès de Soufa, their two towns
having been deftroyed by pirates. This arrangement,
for which it is difficult to affign a cauſe, divides the
province of Rio Janeiro in two parts.
The country of St. Paul does not at prefent confift
of more than eleven thouſand and ninety-three white
!
Y i
344
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK men, thirty-two thoufand one hundred and twenty-fix
IX. Indians, and eighty-feven Negroes, or Mulattoes. It
State of the
three in-
land go-
fends nothing to Europe, except a fmall quantity of
cotton; and its inland trade is confined to the furniſh-
ing of Rio Janeiro with flour and falt provifions. It
hath been found by fome, that flax and hemp would
fucceed very well there; and there is no doubt of its
being as easy and important to grow filk in the coun-
try. The plentiful mines of iron and tin, which are
found between the rivers Thectè and Mogyaffu, in the
Cordeleirias of Paranan- Piacaba, at the diftance of four
leagues from Sorocoba, might alſo be worked to great
advantage.
The fix provinces we have juft been fpeaking of are
fituated along the coafts: there are three others, ex-
vernments tending from the Weft to the Eaft, which occupy, in
where the the centre of the Brazils, the large plain from which
fituated all the rivers fpring that empty themſelves into the
mines are
"
Paraguai, into the Amazon, and into the Ocean.
It
is the moſt elevated fpot of Portugueſe America, and
is filled with mountains, running in various directions.
Gold is found almoſt throughout the whole of it; for
which reafon it is called the mine country.
The most important of theſe rich governments is
known by the name of Minas Geraes. It reckons
thirty-five thousand one hundred and twenty-eight
white men, twenty-fix thouſand and ſeventy-five In-
dians, and one hundred and eight thouſand four hun-
dred and fix flaves. Its capital is Villa Rica.
Joyas, the capital of which is Villa Boa, contains
eight thouſand nine hundred and thirty-one white
men, twenty-nine thoufand fix hundred and twenty-
two Indians, and thirty-four thouſand one hundred
and four Negroes.
Matto Groffo, the only village of which is Villa
Bella, hath not yet increafed its population beyond
two thouſand and thirty-five white men, four thou-
fand three hundred and thirty-five Indians, and ſeven
thouſand three hundred and fifty-one flaves. It is the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
345
IX.
most western part of the Portugueſe dominions. It is в O O K
bounded by the Chiquitos, and by the Maxos, who
were fubjected to Spain by the labours of the Jefuits.
The knowledge of the gold mines, in this part of Hiftory of
the gold
the New World, is traced to much more diftant pe- mines
riods than is generally thought. As far back as the found in
year 1577, the Paulifts difcovered fome near the moun- The man-
tains of Jaguara; but the unfortunate death of King ner
Sebaftian foon occafioned this fource of wealth, which them.
at that time had not been of any great advantage ei-
ther to the ſtate or to individuals, to be forgotten.
In the heights of Jacobino, in the diſtrict of Rio das
Velhas, new mines were again difcovered in 1588, and
to as little effect. Philip II. being determined to con-
tain by mifery people who bore the Spanish yoke with
too much impatience, would not permit them to be
worked. If he apparently conſented to this, in 1603,
it was with a refolution to prevent it; and his baie
fucceffors adopted his tyrannical policy.
The fortunate revolution which, in 1640, freed the
Portugueſe of their fetters, was followed by long and
obftinate wars. During the courſe of this violent cri-
fis, the attention of the nation was wholly taken up in
the defence of its liberty, and the miniftry were always
engaged in looking out for the reſources of which they
were continually in want.
The ſtate of the monarchy began to be fearched in-
to, and its improvement to be thought of; when, in
1699, chance offered to fome enterprifing men great
treaſures in the province of Minas Geraes. The gifts
of bounteous nature were no more difregarded; and,
three years after, the court of Liſbon formed the fet-
tlements that were neceffary to fecure the benefit of
them. Sabara, Rio das Mortes, Cachoeira, Paracatu,
Do Carmo, Rio das Velhas, Rio Doce, and Auro Pre-
to, are the places in that government where gold hath
been fucceffively found, and where it is ftill difcovered
at this day.
The mines of Goyas were not diſcovered till 1726:
the Brazils.
ner of
working
346
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
}
1
BOOK they are fituated in the districts of San Felix, Meia
Ponta, O Fanado, Mocambo, and Natividade.
IX
In the year 1735, new ones were found in the pro-
vince of Matto Groffo, at St. Vincent, at Chapada, at
St. Anne, at Cuiaba, and at Araès.
Befide theſe countries, which are called by prefer-
ence the Mine Regions, the mines of Jacobino and of
Rio das Contas are worked in the government of Ba-
hia, as are alſo thoſe of Parnaguay and Tibogy, in the
government of St. Paul; but neither of them are very
abundant.
The extraction of gold is neither very laborious, nor
dangerous, in thoſe parts of the New World. It is
fometimes on the furface of the foil, and this is the
pureſt kind; and, at other times, it is neceffary to dig
for it to the depth of three or four fathoms, but fel-
dom lower. A layer of fandy earth, known in the
country by the name of Saibro, then ufually informs
the miners that it would be ufelefs to fearch any fur-
ther. Although, in general, the veins that are regular,
and in the fame direction, be the richeſt, it hath been
obferved, that thofe fpaces, the furface of which was
moft fpangled with cryftals, were thoſe which furniſh-
ed the greateſt plenty of gold. It is found in larger
pieces upon the mountains, and barren or ſtony rocks,
than in the valleys, or on the borders of rivers. But
whatever place it may have been gathered in, it is of
three-and-twenty carats and a half on coming out of
the mine, unleſs it be mixed with fulphur, filver, iron,
or mercury; a circumftance that is common only at
Goyas and Araès.
Every man who difcovers a mine, muft give notice
of it to government. If the vein be thought of little
confequence, by perfons of the art appointed to ex-
amine it, it is always given up to the public. If it be
declared to be a rich vein, the government referve a
portion of it to themſelves. Another fhare is given to
the commandant; a third to the intendant, and two
hares are fecured to the diſcoverer; the rest is divided
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
347
IX.
amongſt all the miners of the diſtrict, in proportion to в O O K
their circumſtances, which are determined by the num-
ber of their flaves. The difputes which this fpecies of
property may give rife to, are under the cognizance of
the intendant: but an appeal lies from his decrees to
the fupreme court eſtabliſhed at Liſbon, under the title
of Council d'Outremer.
The miners are obliged to deliver to the king the
fifth part of the gold, which they extract by operations
more or leſs fuccefsful. This fifth was formerly con-
fiderable, as it exceeded 9,000,000 of livres [375,000l.]
annually, from the year 1728 to 1734; but it hath
fince gradually decreaſed. At prefent the annual pro-
duce of Minas Geraes amounts only to 18,750,000
livres [781,2501.]; that of Goyas to 4,687,500 livres
[195,3121. 10s.]; that of Matto Groflo to 1,312,500
livres [54,6871. ros.]; and that of Bahia and St. Paul
together, only to 1,562,500 livres [65,104l. 3s. 4d.].
This makes, upon the whole, 25,312,500 livres
[1,054,6871. 10s.], of which the government receives
5,062,500 livres [210,9371. 10s.]. The duties for the
working of the gold into fpecie yield 1,647,500 livres
[68,6451. 16s. 8d.]; and, at the rate of 2 per cent.
they get 393,000 livres [16,3751.] for the conveyance,
which is executed by their fhips, of all the gold that
belongs to trade; fo that upon the 25,312,500
[1,054,6871. 10s.] which the mines produce, the mini-
itry take 7,103,000 livres [295,9581. 6s. 8d.]. They
would even receive fomething more, if to the amount
of about 600,000 livres [25,000l.] were not annually
fmuggled without paying the two laſt mentioned taxes.
The amount of all the metals conftantly circulating
in the Brazils is not computed at more than 20,000,000
livres [833,3331. 6s. 8d.]
The firit political writers who turned their thoughts
towards the difcoveries made in this region of the New
World, did not hefitate to foretel, that the difference
of value between gold and filver would be diminiſhed.
The experience of all countries and of all ages had
taught them, that though many ounces of filver had
348
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
!
IX
BOO K always been given for an ounce of gold, becauſe mines
of the former had always been more common than of
the latter, yet the value of both metals had varied in
every country, in proportion to the abundance of either.
Hiftory of
In Japan, the proportion of gold to filver is as one
to eight; in China, as one to ten; in other parts of
India, as one to eleven, twelve, thirteen, or fourteen, as
we advance further weft.
The like variations are to be met with in Europe.
In ancient Greece, gold was to filver as one to thirteen.
When the produce of all the mines in the univerſe was
brought to Rome, the miſtreſs of the world, the moſt
fettled proportion was one to ten. It rofe as far as one.
to thirteen under Tiberius. Numberlefs and infinite
variations are to be met with in the barbarous ages.
In a word, when Columbus penetrated into America,
the proportion was less than one to twelve.
The quantity of theſe metals, which was then
brought from Mexico and Peru, not only made them
more common, but ſtill increaſed the value of gold a-
bove filver, as there was greater plenty of the latter in
thofe parts. Spain, that was of courſe the beſt judge
of the proportion, fettled it as one to fixteen in the
coin of the kingdom; and this fyftem, with fome flight
variations, was adopted throughout Europe.
This proportion ftill exifts; but we have no reaſon
on that account to contradict thoſe who had foretold
that it would alter. If gold hath fallen but little in
the markets, and not at all in the coin, fince the Bra-
zils furniſh a great quantity of it, this is owing to par-
ticular circumstances, which do not affect the principle.
A great deal of gold is now ufed for fetting of jewels,
and for gilding, which has prevented the price of it
from falling fo much as it would have done if our fa-
fhions had not altered. It is this fame ſpirit of luxury
that hath always kept up the price of diamonds, though
they are grown more common.
At all times men have affected to make a parade of
the dia- their riches, either becauſe they were originally the re-
mond mines ward of ftrength and the mark of power, or becauſe
Gifcovered
"
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
349
IX..
marks
the nature
ftone.
they have every where obtained that regard, which is в O O K
due only to abilities and virtue. A defire of attracting
the attention of others, prompts a man to ornament in the Bra.
himſelf with the choiceſt and moſt brilliant things na- zils. Re-
ture can fupply. The fame vanity, in this respect, makaupo
prevails among the favages as in civilized nations. Of of that
all the fubftances that repreſent the ſplendour of opu-
lence, none is ſo precious as the diamond; nor hath
any been of fuch value in trade, or fo ornamental
in fociety. Our women are fometimes dazzling with
them. It ſhould ſeem as if they were more anxious to
appear rich than handſome. Are they not then ſen-
fible, that a neck and an arm elegantly turned, are a
thousand times more attracting when uncovered, than
when they are concealed under jewels? that the
weight of their ear-rings disfigures their ears? that the
luftre of the diamond only diminishes that of their
eyes? that this expenfive dreſs is rather a fatire upon
their huſbands or their lovers, than an encomium upon
their charms? that the Venus de Medicis hath nothing
but a plain bracelet? and that he who only admires in
a fine woman the brilliancy of her jewels, is a man de-
void of tafte?
There are diamonds of all colours, and of every
ſhade of the feveral colours. The diamond hath the
red of the ruby, the orange of the hyacinth, the blue
of the fapphire, and the green of the emerald. This
laft is the moft fcarce, and the deareft when it is of a
beautiful tint. The rofe diamonds, blue and yellow,
are the next in value. The yellowish and the black-
iſh are leaſt eſteemed. Tranfparency and clearness
are the natural and effential properties of the diamond,
to which art hath added the brilliant and fparkling
luftre of the ſeveral faces.
The diamond is a cryftallized ftone, of the form of
an octohedron, more or leſs well-fhaped. Its furfaces
are in the fhape of a pyramid, either long or flat; but
its folid angles are never fo clearly nor fo regularly ter-
minated, as they appear in the other cryftallized ſtones,
and eſpecially in the rock cryftal.
350
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
IX.
But this does not prevent its cryſtallization from be-
ing regular in the infide. This ftone is compofed of
fmall layers, exceedingly thin, and ſo cloſely joined to-
gether as to form a fmooth and brilliant furface, even
at the parts where they are broken. Notwithſtanding
this very cloſe connection between the elements of cry-
ſtallization in the diamond, it can only be poliſhed by
finding out the difpofition of the layers in their tranf-
verſe direction, at the point where the extreme end of
one layer lies over the other. Without this precaution,
the lapidaries would not fucceed, and the diamond
would not take the polifh, as is always the caſe with
thoſe which they call veiny diamonds, in which theſe
extremities are not uniform, and in the fame direction.
The diamond-cutters compare the compofition of theſe
ftones to the arrangement of the fibres of wood in the
knotty parts, where they interfect each other in every
direction.
The diamond is fuperior to any other precious ftone,
in its luftre, its fire, and its folidity. To theſe advan-
tages are added thofe of being more electrical, of re-
ceiving a greater quantity of light, when gently warm-
ed by the fire, or expofed to the rays of the fun, and
of retaining this light longer than other bodies, when
it is afterwards placed in the dark. Theſe properties,
and perhaps likewife fome imaginary qualities, have in-
duced natural philofophers to think, that the diamond
was formed of a more pure fubftance than any other
ftone. Several perfons have even imagined it contain-
ed fome of that primitive adamitical earth, which hath
been for fo long a time the object of fo many laborious
inquiries and extravagant fpeculations.
The hardneſs of the diamond fuggefted the idea of
its being impoffible to be deftroyed, even by the moſt
intenſe fire; and this opinion appeared to be very well
founded. Notwithstanding this, the analogy upon
this point, deduced from other ftones, and eſpecially
from thoſe that are compofed of quartz, which do not
undergo any alteration by fire, was never more defec-
tive than in this inftance.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
351
IX.
There are no accounts of the diamond having been в 0 0 K
fubmitted to the action of fire previous to the years
1694 and 1695, when the celebrated Averani expofed
one to the focus of a burning-glaſs, for the informa-
tion of his pupil John Gafton de Medicis. The cele-
brated natural philofophers of thofe times, who affift-
ed at this experiment, beheld with aſtoniſhment that
the diamond was exhaled in vapour, and difappeared
entirely, while the ruby, of a lefs compact texture
than the diamond, only grew fofter; and while other
precious ftones, of a ftill fofter texture, did not expe-
rience fuch confiderable alterations. This fingular ex-
periment was repeated upon feveral diamonds with
equal fuccefs; but the intenſenefs of the fire employed
was a convincing proof that it could not have been
done by any other means. Thefe first experiments
were buried in oblivion, till the reign of the Emperor
Francis I. who repeated them at Vienna; expofing
diamonds, and other precious ftones, to the moſt in-
tenſe fire of a furnace. The refult was a confirmation
of the fact, that diamonds are deftroyed with the great-
eſt eaſe by fire, while other precious ftones, even thoſe
of the foftett kind, are at moft but flightly affected.
The facts, though well atteſted, appeared fo extra-
ordinary, and were fo contrary to the received preju-
dices, that they funk again into oblivion. Though re-
corded by the cotemporary writers, they were never-
theleſs either unknown, or denied by thofe who had
not been witneffes of them.
At length M. Darcet undertook in France, in 1758,
to expoſe the diamond to the fame heat as porcelain.
After he had fatisfied himſelf of the truth of the ex-
periments made in Germany, he communicated them
to the Academy of Sciences, and afterwards repeated
them in the midst of Paris, in order that they might
be eſtabliſhed with all poffible authenticity. As this
able philofopher hath tince varied and combined his
experiments, the inconteftible refult of them, and of
thoſe that have been made after him, is, that the dia-
mond evaporates and burns away readily in the fire
4
352
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
A
}
воок
BOOK and in the open air; and that the complete deftruc-
IX. tion of it, far from requiring the intenſe heat which
it had been expofed to before his time, fcarce re-
quires the degree of heat neceffary to keep fine filver
in fufion.
M. Darcet hath moreover proved, that the diamond
can be deſtroyed, not only in the open air, but like-
wife in crucibles made of the beſt baked porcelain, and
hermetically fealed, provided the crucibles be put in
the fire of large glaſshouſes, or in the intenſe fires for
making porcelain, and which have been long kept
up.
The moſt active menftruums, fuch as alkaline falts
in fufion, and the most concentrated minerals, affifted
even by the heat of fire, have no effect upon the dia-
mond. It is not affected by their action; it does not
mix with any glaſs in vitrification; it does not unite
with any fubftance that is yet known; and theſe qua-
lities are equally common to the diamonds of India as
to thofe of Brazil; to the white diamonds, as to thofe
that are black or coloured; to the perfect diamonds,
and to the veiny diamonds, which cannot be worked.
Such are the particular properties of this ſubſtance,
which is hitherto unparalleled in nature; that although
it poffeffes all the external appearances of other ftones,
it hath not the leaft affinity to them in the nature of
its compofition; that, notwithstanding its exceffive
hardneſs, it is the only one of the fpecies which doth
not refift the action of even a moderate fire, but is en-
tirely diffipated by it. Thus it is that Nature, in her
three kingdoms, difplays an infinite variety of ſurpriſ-
ing irregularities. Sometimes fhe feems to confine
herſelf in the chain and fcale of beings, to the order
of almoft imperceptible differences; and fometimes,
breaking through every kind of feries, ſhe takes a fud-
den flight, leaving an immenfe void behind her, and
fixes two diftant boundaries, the intervals of which it
is impoffible to fill up. Thus it is that certain vege-
tables already enjoy fome of the advantages of animal
life! It is the fame thing with gold, with mercury,
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
353
IX.
and with fulphur, compared to other mineral and me- в O O K
tallic fubftances. It is the fame, in a word, with man,
who leaves all other animals at fo great a diſtance
behind him.
There are very few diamond mines. Till of late
years, we knew of none but in the Eaft Indies. The
oldeft is on the river Gouel, that iffues from the moun-
tains, and falls into the Ganges. It is called the mine
of Solempour, from the name of a village built near
that part of the river where the diamonds are found.
Very few diamonds have ever been taken out of it,
any more than out of the Succadan, a river in the
ifland of Borneo. The chain of mountains that ex-
tends from Cape Comorin to Bengal hath yielded much
more.
There is a great variety in the foil from whence the
diamonds are extracted. Several of thefe mines are
fix, eight, and fometimes as far as twelve feet deep,
in a fandy and ftony foil; others are found in a ſpe-
cies of ferruginous mineral, where they are fifty fa-
thoms deep. But in all parts this fingular ftone is in-
fulated, and doth not ſeem to adhere to any baſis, or
to any rock. It is furrounded on all fides by a thin
pellicle, rather opaque, and of the nature of the dia-
mond itſelf. This pellicle is commonly covered over
with a cruft not very folid, which is formed by the
furrounding earth or fand.
The Europeans, except a few inquifitive travellers,
do not frequent the mines of Indoftan. They are
worked by the natives, who deliver the diamonds to
the rich Banians, who carried them formerly to Ma-
dras; but who, fince the roads have been made, be-
gin to convey them to Calcutta. The whole of this
branch of commerce is almost entirely fallen, for a
confiderable time paft, into the hands of a few En-
gliſhmen, who trade on their own account. They
fort the ftones of different weight and of different
qualities, and put them into proper bags, which are
fealed up, and fold in London with their invoice.
Reckoning the fix laft years as one common year, the
Vol. III.
Z
354
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
IX.
BOOK united value of all theſe diamonds hath amounted an-
nually to 3,420,000 livres [142,500l.] To this eſti-
mate, which only comprehends what is regiſtered, muſt
be added what hath been concealed, in order to avoid
the duty of two and three quarters per cent. which
muſt be paid to the India Company.
Among thefe diamonds there was one found of an
irregular ſhape, and which weighed 193 carats when
cut. It was the property of an American, who re-
fuſed to cede it to the empress of Ruffia for the fum
of 2,500,000 livres [104,1661. 13s. 4d.], befide a life
annuity of 25 oco livres [10411. 13s. 4d.]. This mer-
chant met with no purchafer, and thought himſelf
very fortunate when count Orloff, fome time after, re-
newed the offer of 2,500,000 livres [104,1661. 13s. 4d.],
but without the annuity. In 1722, Catherine conde-
fcended to accept, on her feſtival day, this valuable
preſent from the hands of her favourite.
It was to be feared, that the revolutions which fo
frequently fubvert Indoftan would occafion a fcarcity
of diamonds; but this apprehenfion was removed by
a diſcovery which was made in 1728, at Brazil, upon
fome branches of the river das Caravelas, and at Serro
de Frio, in the province of Minas-Geraes.
Some flaves, condemned to fearch for gold, uſed to
find ſome little bright pebbles mixt with it, which they
threw away as uſeleſs among the fand and gravel. An-
tonio Rodrigues Banha fufpected the value of them,
and communicated his idea to Pedro de Almeida, the
governor of the country. Some of thefe brilliant
pebbles were fent to the court of Liſbon, who, in
1730, commiffioned d'Acunha, their minifter in Hol-
land, to have them examined. After repeated expe-
riments, the artifts pronounced them to be very fine
diamonds.
The Portugueſe immediately gathered them with fo
much diligence, that the Rio Janeiro fleet brought
home eleven hundred and forty-fix ounces. This plen-
ty leffened their price confiderably; but the meafures
taken by an attentive miniftry foon nade them rife to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
355
IX.
their original value. They conferred the exclufive в O O K
right of fearching for diamonds on a few wealthy affo-
ciates; and in order even to reſtrain the avidity of the
Company itſelf, it was ftipulated that it fhould em-
ploy no more than fix hundred flaves in that bufinefs.
It hath fince been permitted to increaſe their num-
ber at pleaſure, paying 100 fols [4s. 2d.] per day for
every miner.
To enfure the buſineſs of the chartered Company,
the gold mines, which were worked in the neighbour-
hood, were in general fhut up; and thofe who had
founded their expectations of fortune upon this fre-
quently deceitful bafis, were compelled to turn their
activity into ſome other channel. The other citizens
were fuffered to remain upon their eftates; but capital
puniſhments were decreed by the law againſt any per-
fon who ſhould encroach upon the exclufive rights
granted to the Company. Since the fovereign hath
fucceeded to the Company, all the citizens are allow-
ed to fearch for diamonds, but under the reftriction of
delivering them to the agents of the crown at the price
it hath ftipulated, and on paying twenty per cent. upon
this fum.
The diamonds that are intended to be ſent from the
New World to the Old, are encloſed in a caſket which
hath three locks, the keys of which are feparately put
into the hands of the chief members of adminiſtra-
tion; and thoſe keys are depoſited in another caſket,
which is to be fealed with the viceroy's feal. While
the exclufive privilege fubfifted, this precious depofit,
on its arrival in Europe, was remitted to government,
who retained, according to a fettled regulation, the
very ſcarce diamonds which exceeded, twenty carats,
and delivered every year, for the profit of the Com-
pany, to one, or to feveral contractors united, forty'
thouſand carats, at prices which have fucceffively va-
ried. An engagement was made on one hand to re-
ceive that quantity; and on the other, not to diftri-
bute any more; and whatever might be the produce
i
Z ij
356
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Κ
BOOK of the mines, which neceffarily varied, the contract
was faithfully adhered to.
IX.
At preſent, the court throws fixty thouſand carats
of diamonds into trade. Theſe are monopoliſed by one
fingle merchant, who gives 3,120,000 livres [130,000l.],
at the rate of 25 livres [1l. 10d.] the carat, for them.
If the ſmuggling amounts to a tenth, as well-inform-
ed perfons fuppofe, the fum of 312,000 livres [13,000l.]
muſt be added to the fum received by government:
it will be found that the produce of thoſe mines, the
riches of which there is fo great a propenfity to ex-
aggerate, doth not amount annually to more than
3,432,000 livres [143,000l.]. Thefe rough diamonds
are purchaſed by England and Holland, who furniſh
them to other nations, more or less well cut.
The diamonds of Brazil are not found in quarries;
moſt of them are ſcattered in the rivers, the courſe of
which is more or less frequently altered. It is a que-
ftion not yet decided, whether they be formed there,
or whether they have been carried there by the wa-
ters which empty themſelves into theſe rivers. The in-
creafe of their quantity in the rainy ſeaſons, and after
violent ftorms, would induce one to believe that they
have been washed away by the torrents which have
detached them from the rocks and mountains,
In the Eaft and Weft Indies, the mines are fituated
at a ſmall diſtance from the equator; fome of then in
the first degrees of northern latitude, and others in the
correfpondent degrees of fouthern latitude. The cruft
which the rough diamonds are furrounded with is
thicker in the diamonds of Brazil than in thofe of In-
doftan; and it is an eaſy matter, or at leaſt poſſible,
to diſtinguiſh them in that primary ftate. But the
moſt ſkilful lapidaries are deceived in them, after they
have been once cut; they are accordingly of equal
value in trade; but this equality is to be underſtood
only of the ſmall diamonds. Moft of the American
diamonds, beyond four or five carats, have blemishes,
which are feldom found in thoſe of Afia; and in that
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
357
IX.
cafe the difference in the price is prodigious. Some в O O K
artiſts are likewife of opinion, that the latter are harder
and more brilliant than the former; but this opinion
is not generally received.
Some very imperfect amethifts and topazes are like-
wife found in the diamond and gold country, as well
as fome tolerable fine cryfolites. Theſe precious ſtones
were never under the yoke of monopoly; and thoſe
who diſcover them are at liberty to diſpoſe of them in
whatever manner they think moſt ſuitable to their in-
tereſt. Their annual exportation, however, does not
amount to more than 150,000 livres [6250l.], and the
duties which government receives from them, at the
rate of one per cent. do not exceed 1500 livres [62].
IOS.].
Mines of iron, fulphur, antimony, tin, lead, and
quickfilver, are likewife found in thefe rich countries,
and in fome other provinces of Brazil; but no care
hath been taken to open any of them. Copper only
leems to have been refuſed by nature to this vaft and
fruitful region of the New Hemifphere.
ſtate of
A colony fo intereſting hath been uſeful to Portugal Prefent
in feveral ways. The increaſe of the public revenue, Brazil.
by the Brazils, feems to have been the kind of advan-
tage which hitherto hath moftly engaged the attention
of the government. The obligation to pay for the
tranſportation of the metals, which is referved for fhips
of war; the exclufive trade of diamonds, the fale of
a great number of monopolies, the overloading of the
cuſtoms; fuch are the principal fources of wealth,
which, even in Europe, an infatiable treafury hath
opened to itſelf.
Theſe vexations have been carried ftill farther in
America. A fifth of the profits upon gold and dia-
monds is required, which amounts to 6 or 7,000,000
livres [from 250,000l. to 291,6661. 13s. 4d.]. A tenth
is demanded upon all kinds of productions, which,
though collected without feverity, amounts to 2,873,000
livres [119,7081. 6s. 8d.]. The inhabitants are obliged
Z iij
358
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
ΙΧ.
BOOK to purchafe crufades, which do not exceed 160,000
livres [66661. 13s. 4d.]. A duty is alſo exacted upon
flaves, which amounts to 1,076,650 livres [44,860l.
8s. 4d.]. Another for the rebuilding of Lisbon, and
for public ſchools, which amounts to 385,000 livres
[16,0411. 138. 4d.]; another from all fubaltern officers
of juftice, which amounts to 153,000 livres [63751.].
Ten per cent. is likewife required upon every import
and export, which may yield 4,882,000 livres [203,4161.
13s. 4d.]; and 1,124,000 livres [43,8331. 6s. 8d.] are
demanded for the liberty of conveying to inland coun-
tries the liquors and the commodities that are brought
into port. Government hath alfo referved to itſelf the
monopoly of falt, foap, mercury, aqua fortis, and cards,
which it farms out for 710,320 livres [29,5961 135.
4d.].
Foreign
connections
Notwithſtanding all theſe taxes, which bring in an-
nually 18,073,970 livres [753,0821. Is. 8d.] to the
crown, it hath ſtill contracted engagements in the Bra-
zils. It owes 713,000 livres [29,7081. 6s. 8d.] to Para,
517,600 [21,7911. 138. 4d.] to St. Paul and to Matto
Groffo, 10,110,000 livres [421,2501.] to Rio Janeiro;
in all 11,344,600 livres [472,5251.]. In the former of
theſe governments, the debt hath been occafioned by
the recent conftruction of fome forts, more or lefs necef-
fary; and in the latter, by the wars which were obli-
ged to be carried on againſt the Guaranis in 1750, and
by thoſe which it hath been requifite to ſuſtain againſt
Spain.
On the other hand, in 1774, the Brazils were in-
debted to the merchants of the mother-country to
the amount of 15,165,980 livres [631,915l. 16s. 8d.].
This was the opinion of a man who hath attended moſt
to this great fettlement, and hath acquired the beſt in-
formation concerning it.
The colony hath formed fome commercial inter-
of Brazil. courfe with feveral countries of the globe. Former-
ly the fhips which returned from the Eaft Indies to
Portugal uſed to put in there, and to diſpoſe of part
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
359
IX.
of their cargo. This intercourſe hath been interrupt- в о о K
ed in latter times, for reafons with which we are un-
acquainted, but which cannot be good ones.
The weſtern coast of Africa, from the Cape de Verde
Iflands to beyond the country of Angola, is more than
ever frequented by the Brazilian navigators; and thoſe
of Rio Janeiro have begun, not long ago, to trade on
the northern coaſt. Veffels are employed in theſe
voyages which are built in the colony itſelf, and which
are not of leſs than fixty tons burden, nor more than
one hundred and forty. The crew is either entirely or
moftly compoſed of Negroes and Mulattoes. It is for
the working of the mines, and for the cultivation of
the lands, that this great exertion is made. It is evi-
dent from fome very authentic memorials which are
now before us, that for theſe eight years paſt, ſixteen
thoufand three hundred and three flaves have been
carried off from thefe unfortunate fhores every year.
Theſe flaves, at the rate of 312 livres [131.], one with
another, muſt have coft 5,161,536 livres [215,c641.].
They have been paid for with the gold, the tobacco,
the rums, and the cottons, which come from Brazil;
and with the glaſs manufactures, the mirrors, the ri-
bands, and feveral kinds of toys brought from Europe.
The connections of the colony with the Portugueſe
iflands are maintained for another purpoſe. It receives
annually from Madeira, by means of eight or nine
fmall fhips, to the amount of 400,000 livres [16,666].
13s. 4d.] in wine, vinegar, and brandy; and from the
Azores, by means of four or five more veffels, to the
amount of 610,000 livres [25,416l. 13s. 4d.] in li-
quors; to which are added, linens, falt provifions, and
flour. The agents of this trade lade themfelves, in re-
turn, with thofe productions of Brazil, the exclufive
property of which the mother-country hath not re-
ferved to itſelf. Theſe feveral branches of trade unit-
ed do not carry away annually more than to the a-
mount of 2,271,000 livres [94,6251.] of the production
of the colony.
Almost all the riches of this vast region of the New
Ziy
360
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воок
BOOK World are carried into Portugal. From the year 1770
IX. to 1775, they amounted annually to the fum of
56,949,290 livres [2,372,8871. Is. 8d.]. Gold, dia-
monds, four hundred and forty-three thouſand quin-
tals of fugar, fifty-eight thouſand five hundred quin-
tals of tobacco, four thouſand five hundred quintals of
cotton, twenty thoufand quintals of wood for dyeing,
one hundred fourteen thousand and twenty hides, to-
gether with fome other objects of lefs importance,
inade up this great fum.
After the period we have been fpeaking of, a few
variations took place. We are not fufficiently ac-
quainted with them to aſcertain them with preciſion;
but we know to a certainty that the mother-country
hath received every year from Rio Janeiro a fmall
quantity of coffee and of indigo, together with one
thouſand quintals of fugar, more than it received for-
merly. We know to a certainty that it hath received
from Para and from Maragnan every year three hun-
dred and twenty-one quintals of rice, and one hundred
and ninety-two quintals of cotton, more than were
formerly fent; and we alfo know that there hath been
an annual diminution of four thoufand hides and of
965,000 livres [40,2081. 6s. 8d.] in the gold, among
the feveral remittances that have been made.
The colony is paid with merchandife, which have
not coft originally above fifteen or fixteen millions of
livres [from 625,caol. to 666,666l. 13s. 4d.]. The
duties received by the fovereign himſelf, feveral mo-
nopolies, exorbitant taxes, the dearnefs of freighting,
and the profits of the trade, abforb the remainder.
Portugal did not formerly fend from its own coun-
try to its colonies any thing befide liquors; but, fince
the induſtry of the province is in fome degree revived,
it furniſhes one half of the confumptions made in the
part of the New Hemifphere that is under its domi-
nion.
It is with two-thirds of the productions of Brazil,
which are fold to foreigners; it is with the gold and
the diamonds which come from thefe regions; it is
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
361
IX.
with the wines, the woollen cloths, the falt, and the в O O K
fruits of the mother-country itſelf, that Portugal is
enabled to pay fixty millions [2,500,000l.] for the
merchandiſe which they annually receive from the fe-
veral countries of Europe. The fhare which the ſeve-
ral nations have taken in this trade hath experienced
great variations. At this preſent time, England is in
poffeffion of fourteen parts of it, Italy of eight, Hol-
land of ſeven, Hamburgh of fix, France of five, Swe-
den of four, Denmark of four, Spain of two, and Ruf
fia of one only. The fpoils of this nation have not al-
ways been thus divided.
and its di-
ſtant
fallen into
The firſt conquefts of the Portugueſe in Africa and Portugal,
Afia did not fifle the feeds of their induftry. Though antle-
Litbon was become the general warehoule for India ments, are
goods, her own filk and woollen manufactures were a ſtate of
till maintained, and were fufficient for the confump- the utmoſt
degrada-
tion of the mother-country and of Brazil. The na- tion. Rez-
tional activity extended to every thing, and made fome fons of this.
amends for the deficiency of population, which was
becoming daily more confiderable. Amidst the vari-
ous calamities that Spanish tyranny oppreffed the king-
dom with, the Portugueſe could not complain of a cei
iation of labour at home; nor was the number of ma-
nufactures much leffened at the time when they reco-
vered their liberty.
The happy revolution that placed the duke of Bra-
ganza upon the throne was the period of this decay.
A fpirit of enthuſiaſm feized upon the people. Some
of them croffed the feas, in order to defend diſtant poi-
feffions against an enemy who was imagined to be more
formidable than he really was. The reit took up arms
to cover the frontiers. The intereft of the whole na-
tion prevailed over private views, and every patriot
was folicitous only for his country. It might natu-
rally be expected, that, when the firft enthufiafm was
paft, every one would refume his ufual employment;
but, unfortunately, the cruel war which followed that
great event, was attended with fuch devaftations in an
open country, that the people chofe rather to foręgo
·
*
ვნ2
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOO K their labours, than to expoſe themſelves to ſee the fruits
of them continually deftroyed. The miniftry encou-
raged this fpirit of indolence by meaſures which can-
not be too ſeverely cenfured.
Their fituation put them under a neceffity of form-
ing alliances. Political reaſons ſecured to them all the
enemies of Spain. The advantages they must neceffa-
rily reap from the diverfions made in Portugal, could
not fail of attaching them to its intereft. If the new
court had formed fuch extenfive views, as from the
nature of their enterpriſe it might be prefumed they
had, they would have known that they had no need
to make any facrifices in order to acquire friends. By
an ill-judged precipitation they ruined their affairs.
They gave up their trade to other powers, who were
almoft as much interested in their prefervation as they
were themſelves. This infatuation made thofe powers
imagine they might venture any thing, and their avi-
dity ftill prompted them to encroach upon the privi-
leges that had been fo improperly laviſhed upon them.
The induſtry of the Portugueſe was deftroyed by this
competition, but was again revived, in fome degree,
by an error of the French miniftry.
This crown had, for a confiderable time paft, been
in poffeffion of fome iflands in America. The fhackles
with which they had been restrained had till then im-
peded their fertility. The cultures would ſpeedily and
infallibly have been improved, by a well-digeſted plan
of liberty. The crown chofe rather to ſecure to the
monopoly, to which they were fubjected, the exclufive
right of fupplying the kingdom; and the fugars and
tobaccos of Brazil were ftrictly prohibited there in
1664. The court of Lifbon, irritated, as they had rea-
fon to be, with this inconfiderate prohibition, forbade,
on their parts, the importation of French manufac-
tures, the only ones, at that period, which were esteem-
ed in Portugal. Genoa immediately feized upon the
filk trade, and hath kept it ever fince; and England
appropriated to itfelf the woollen trade, though with
leis uninterrupted fuccefs. The Portugueſe, inftructed
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
363
IX.
by workmen from all quarters, began, in 1681, to ma- в o o K
nufacture the fleeces of their own flocks. The pro-
grefs of this manufacture was fufficiently rapid, to en-
able the government to profcribe feveral kinds of fo-
reign woollen cloths, and, foon after, to forbid thoſe of
all kinds.
Great Britain was much chagrined at theſe arrange-
ments. For a long time, the Engliſh ftrove, with great
affiduity, to open the communication afreſh, which had
been ſhut against them. Their endeavours were fome-
times likely to be attended with fuccefs; but they were
foon after obliged to give up thofe hopes, which they
had reaſon to think fo well founded. It was impoffible
to diſcover in what manner thefe attempts would end,
when a revolution happened in the political ſyſtem
of Europe, which at once overturned all the former
ideas.
A grandfon of Lewis XIV. was called to the throne
of Spain. All nations were alarmed at this acceffion
of power to the houfe of Bourbon, which they already
thought too formidable and too ambitious. Portugal,
in particular, which had always confidered France as a
firm friend, now beheld in her an enemy, who must
neceffarily defire, and perhaps promote, her ruin. This
induced her to apply for the protection of England,
which being accustomed to turn every event to her
own commercial advantage, could not fail of availing
itſelf, with warmth, of a circumftanc fo favourable to
its intereft. The English ambaffador Methuen, a pro-
found and able negotiator, figned a treaty, on the 27th
of December 1703, by which the court of Litbon en-
gaged to permit the importation of all British woollen
goods, on the fame footing as before the prohibition;
upon condition that the Portugal wines fhould pay a
duty one third lefs than thofe of France, to the custom-
houſe in England.
The advantages of this ftipulation were very certain
for one of the partjes, but only probable for the other.
England obtained an exclufive privilege for her manu-
factures, as the prohibition remained in full force with
364
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
more
BO O K regard to thofe of other nations; but granted nothing
on her part, having already fettled, for her own inte-
reft, what ſhe now artfully reprefented to her ally as a
great favour.
Since France had bought no
cloths of the Engliſh, they had obferved that the high
price of French wines was prejudicial to the balance
of trade, and had therefore endeavoured to leffen the
conſumption, by laying heavier duties upon them.
They have again increaſed them from the fame mo-
tive, and fill made a merit of it to the court of Lif
bon, as being a proof of their friendſhip.
The Portugueſe manufactures fell, being unable to
fupport the competition of the English. Great Britain
clothed her new ally; and as the wine, oil, falt, and
fruit the bought, was a trifle in compariſon to what the
fold, it was neceffary that the deficiency fhould be fup-
plied with the gold of Brazil. The balance inclined
more and more in favour of the Englith, and it was
Icarce poffible that it ſhould not.
All perfons who are converfant with the theory of
commerce, or have attended to its revolutions, know
that an active, rich, and intelligent nation, which hath
once appropriated to itſelf any confiderable branch of
trade, will foon engroſs all the lefs important branches.
of it. It hath fuch great advantages over its competi-
tors, that it difgufts them, and makes itfelf mafter of
the countries where its induftry is exerted. Thus it is
that Great Britain hath found means to engroſs all the
productions of Portugal and her colonies.
It furniſhed Portugal with clothing, food, hardware,
materials for building, and all articles of luxury, and
returned her own materials manufactured. Theſe uſe-
ful labours employed a million of English artificers or
hufbandmen.
It furnished her with fhips, and with naval and war-
like ftores for her fettlements in America, and carried
on all her navigation in other parts of the world.
It had engroffed the whole money trade of Portugal.
Money was borrowed in London at three or three and
half per cent. and negotiated at Lisbon, where it was
}
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
365
IX.
worth ten. In ten years time, the capital was paid by в o о K
the intereft, and ftill remained due.
It engroffed all the inland trade. There were Eng-
lifh houſes fettled at Lifbon, which received all the
commodities of their own country, and diftributed
them to merchants, who difpofed of them in the pro-
vinces, moſtly for the benefit of their employers. A
fmall profit was the only reward of this induftry, which
is difgraceful to a nation that worked at home for the
benefit of another.
It carried off even the agency bufinefs. The fleets
deſtined for the Brazils were the fole property of the
Engliſh. The riches they brought back belonged to
them. They would not even fuffer them to pafs
through the hands of the Portugueſe, and only borrow-
ed or purchaſed their name, becauſe they could not do
without it. Theſe ftrangers difappeared as foon as
they had acquired the fortune they intended, and left
that nation impoverished and exhaufted, at whofe ex-
pence they had enriched themſelves. It is demonftrable
from the registers of the fleets, that in the ſpace of fix-
ty years, that is, from the diſcovery of the mines to the
year 1756, 2,400,000,000 livres [100,000,000l.] worth
of gold had been brought away from Brazil, and yet,
in this latter period, all the fpecie in Portugal amount-
ed to no more than 15 or 20,000,000 [from 625,000).
to 833,3331. 6s. 8d.], and at that time the nation owed
one hundred million [4,166,6661. 13s. 4d.], or more.
But what Lisbon was lofing, London gained. Eng-
land, by her natural advantages, was only intended for
a fecondary power. Though the changes that had
happened in the religion, government, and induſtry of
the Engliſh, had improved their condition, increafed
their ftrength, and unfolded their genius, they could
not poffibly act a capital part. They knew by expe-
rience that the means which, in ancient governments,
could raiſe a nation to any height, when, without any
connection with its neighbours, it emerged, as it were,
fingly out of nothing, were infufficient in modern
times, when the intercourfe of nations, making the ad-
366
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
17
IX.
•
BO O K vantages of each common to all, left to numbers and
ftrength their natural fuperiority. Since foldiers, ge-
nerals, and nations, had hired themſelves to engage in
war; fince the power of gold had opened every cabi-
net, and made every treaty; England had learned
that the greatneſs of a ftate depended upon its riches,
and that its political power was eſtimated in propor-
tion to its millions. This truth, which must have a-
larmed the ambition of the Engliſh, became favourable
to them, as foon as they had prevailed upon Portugal
to depend upon them for neceffaries, and had bound
them by treaties to an impoffibility of procuring them
from any other power. Thus was that kingdom made
dependent on a falfe friend for food and raiment.
Theſe were, to borrow the expreffion of a certain po-
litician, like two anchors which the Britons had faften-
ed upon that empire. They went further ftill: they
made the Portugueſe lofe all confideration, all weight,
all influence in the general fyftem of affairs, by per-
fuading them to have neither forces nor alliances.
Truſt to us, faid the Engliſh, for your fafety; we will
negotiate and fight for you. Thus, without bloodshed
or labour, and without experiencing any of the evils
that attend upon conqueft, they made themſelves more
effectually maſters of Portugal, than the Portugueſe
were of the mines of Brazil.
All things are connected, both in nature and poli-
tics. It is ſcarce poffible that a nation ſhould loſe its
agriculture and its induſtry, without a viſible decay of
the liberal arts, letters, fciences, and all the found prin-
ciples of policy and government. The kingdom of
Portugal furniſhes a melancholy inftance of this truth.
As foon as Great Britain had condemned it to a ſtate
of inaction, it is fallen into fuch barbarifm as is fcarce
credible. The light which had fhone all over Europe
did not extend itſelf to the frontiers of Portugal. That
kingdom was even obſerved to degenerate, and to at-
tract the contempt of thoſe whofe emulation and jea-
louſy it had before excited. The advantage of having
tolerable laws, while all other ſtates were involved in
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
367
IX.
horrible confufion; this inestimable advantage has в о o K
been of no ſervice to the Portuguefe. They have loft
the turn of their genius, by forgetting the principles
of reafon, morality, and politics. The efforts they may
make to emerge from this ftate of degeneracy and in-
fatuation might poffibly prove ineffectual; becauſe
good reformers are not eafily to be found in that na-
tion which ftands moft in need of them. Men who
are qualified to caufe revolutions in empires are gene-
rally prepared to it by previous circumſtances, and fel-
dom ſtart up at once. They have generally had their
forerunners, who have awakened the minds of the peo-
ple, difpofed them to receive the light, and prepared
the neceffary means for bringing about great revolu-
tions. As there is no appearance of any fuch prepa-
ratury ſteps in Portugal, the nation muſt ſtill continue
for a long time in this humiliating condition, unleſs it
will adopt the principles followed, with fo much fuc-
cefs, by the moſt enlightened ftates.
court of
ought to
employ to
the mother-
lonies, from
The firſt ſtep towards its recovery, that firm and vi- Means
gorous one without which all the reft would be unftea- which the
dy, uncertain, uſeleſs, and perhaps dangerous, would Lisbon
be to ſhake off the yoke of England. Portugal, in
her prefent fituation, cannot fubfift without foreign extricate
commodities; therefore, it is her intereft to promote country,
the greatest competition of fellers fhe poffibly can, in and her co-
order to reduce the price of what fhe is obliged to their lan-
buy. As it is no lefs the intereft of the Portugueſe to guid ftate.
difpofe of the overplus of their own produce and that
of the colonies, they ought, for the fame reaſon, to in-
vite as many purchafers as poffible to their harbours,
to enhance the price, and increafe the quantity of
their exports. Thefe political meaſures are certainly
liable to no objection.
By the treaty of 1703, the Portugueſe are only
obliged to permit the importation of woollen goods
from England, on the terms ftipulated before the pro-
hibition. They might grant the fame privilege to
other nations, without incurring the reproach of hav-
ing broken their engagement. A liberty granted to
+
368
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK one nation was never interpreted as an exclufive and
perpetual privilege, that could deprive the prince who
granted it of his right of extending it to other nations.
He must neceffarily be the judge of what fuits his own
kingdom. It is not eafy to conceive what rational ob-
jection a Britiſh miniftry could make to a king of Por-
tugal who ſhould tell them, I will encourage merchants
to come to my dominions, who will feed and clothe
my fubjects as cheap and cheaper than you, merchants
who will take the produce of my colonies, from whence
you will receive nothing but gold.
We may judge of the effect this wife conduct would
have, by the events that have taken place, indepen-
dent of this fpirited refolution. It appears from the
regiſters of the customs, that in the ſpace of five years,
from 1762 to 1766 inclufively, England, which, till
very lately, engroffed the whole trade of Portugal, hath
only fent there goods to the value of 95,613,547 livres
10 fous [3,983,8971. 16s. 3d.], and hath received com-
modities to the amount of 37,761,075 livres [1,573,3781.
2s. 6d.]; fo that the balance in money hath been but
57,692,475 livres [2,403,8531. 2s. 6d.].
The circumftance which deceives all Europe, with
regard to the extent of the Engliſh trade, is, that all
the gold of Brazil is conveyed by the road of the
Thames. This feems to be a natural and neceffary
confequence of the affairs carried on by that nation.
But the truth is, that metals are not allowed to go out
of Portugal, and, therefore, can only be brought away
by men of war, which are not liable to be fearched;
that Great Britain fends two every week, as regularly.
as the fea will permit; and that theſe fhips bring the
riches of all nations into their ifland, from whence the
merchants, difperfed in the feveral countries, receive
them, either in kind, or in bills of exchange, paying
one per cent.
The Britiſh miniftry, who are not the dupes of thefe
dazzling appearances, and are but too fenfible of the
diminution of this moft valuable branch of their trade,
have, for fome time paft, taken incredible pains to re-
3
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
369
IX.
ftore it to its former ftate. Their endeavours will ne- BOOK
ver fucceed, becauſe this is one of thoſe events which
are not within the reach of political wifdom. If the
evil aroſe from favours granted to rival nations, or if
England had been debarred from her former privi-
leges, fome well-conducted negotiations might occa-
fion a new revolution. But the court of Liſbon hath
never varied its conduct neither with Great Britain
nor with other ftates. Her fubjects have had no other
inducement to give the preference to the merchandiſe
brought them from all parts of Europe, than becauſe
thofe of their former friends were fo loaded with taxes,
that they bore an exorbitant price. The Portugueſe
will procure many articles at a ftill more reaſonable
rate, whenever their government ſhall eſtabliſh a per-
fect equality in their ports between all nations.
The court of Liſbon, after removing, in ſome mea-
fure, the diſadvantages of their trade, which is merely
paffive, ſhould endeavour to make it active. Their
miniſters, in conformity with the prevailing taſte of
the age, have already eſtabliſhed fome manufactures
of filk, of cotton, and of fteel. We think that they
ought to have begun by refuming the cultures that
have been dropped, and by reanimating thofe that are
languid.
The climate of Portugal is favourable to the pro-
duction of filk, of which there was formerly great
plenty. The baptized Jews made it their buſineſs to
breed worms, and to prepare the filk, till they were
perfecuted by the inquifition, which was ftill more ſe-
vere and more powerful under the houſe of Braganza,
than it had ever been under the Spaniſh dominion.
Moſt of the manufacturers fled to the kingdom of Va-
lencia; and thoſe who fold the produce of their la-
bours removed, with their effects, to England and Hol-
land, which improved the activity of both thoſe coun-
tries. This difperfion was the ruin of the filk trade in
Portugal, fo that no trace of it remains at prefent;
but it might be reſumed.
The next cultivation that ought to be attended to,
Vol. III.
A a
1}
370
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK is that of the olive tree. It is now carried on, and
IX. conftantly ſupplies all the oil that is wanted for home
confumption, befide a fmall quantity every year for
exportation; but this is not fufficient. It would be
an eaſy matter for Portugal to ſhare, in a more direct
manner, with other nations, the profits they derive
from this production, which is wholly confined to the
fouthern provinces of Europe.
Their wool is likewife capable of improvement.
Though it be inferior to that of Spain, the French,
the Dutch, and even the Engliſh, buy up twelve or
thirteen thouſand quintals of it every year, and would
purchaſe a greater quantity, if it were brought to mar-
ket. Thoſe who have travelled through Portugal,
with that ſpirit of obfervation which enables men to
form a right judgment of things, are of opinion that
double the quantity might be obtained, without injur-
ing the other branches of induſtry; and that, on the
contrary, it might tend to their improvement.
The trade of falt feems to have been more cloſely
attended to. The North annually takes off a hundred
and fifty thousand tons, which may coſt 1,500,000 li-
vres [62,5001.]. It is corrofive, and takes off from
the weight and flavour of our food; but hath the ad-
vantage of preferving fish and meat longer than French
falt. This property will occafion a greater demand for
it, in proportion as the navigation of the country is ex-
tended.
The Portugueſe found a greater vent for their wines.
than might have been expected from their flavour and
quality. Particular circumstances had rendered them
most commonly uſed in the North of Europe and of
America. It was impoffible to forefee, that the court
of Liſbon itſelf would put a ſtop to the ſale of them.
The order for rooting up the vines in Portugal could
only be dictated by private intereft. The pretence
for fo extraordinary a law is fo abfurd, that no one has
given credit to it. It is very well known, that the
ground where the vines have ftood can never be fis
for the culture of corn.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
371
F
IX.
But if this were ever fo practicable, it would still be в O O K
an unwarrantable infringement of the facred and un-
alienable right of property. In a monaftery, every
thing belongs to all: nothing is the property of any
individual, but the joint property of the whole com-
munity: it is one fingle animal with twenty, thirty,
forty, a thouſand, or ten thouſand heads. But it is
not the fame in fociety. Here every individual hath
the diſpoſal of himſelf and of his property: he poffeffes
a fhare of the general wealth, which he is abfolute
maſter of, and may uſe, or even abuſe, as he thinks
proper. A private man must be at liberty to let his
ground lie fallow, if he chooſes it, without the inter-
vention of adminiftration. If government ſhould aſ-
fume a right to judge of the abuſe of property, it would
foon take upon itſelf to judge of the uſe of it; and then
every true idea of liberty and property will be deſtroy-
ed. If it can require me to employ my own property
according to its fancy; if it fhould inflict puniſhments
on my diſobedience, my negligence, or my folly, and
that, under pretence of general and public utility, I
am no longer abfolute maſter of my own, I am only
an adminiſtrator, who is to be directed by the will of
another. The man who lives in fociety muft, in this
reſpect, be left at liberty to be a bad citizen, becauſe
he will foon be feverely puniſhed by poverty, and by
contempt, which is worse than poverty. He who
burns his own corn, or throws his money away, is a
fool too rarely to be met with, to make it neceffary to
bind him by prohibitive laws, which would be injuri-
ous in themſelves, by their infringement of the uni-
verfal and facred idea of property. In every well-re-
gulated conſtitution, the buſineſs of the magiftrate muſt
be confined to what concerns the public fafety, inward
tranquillity, the conduct of the army, and the obferv-
ance of the laws. Wherever authority is extended be-
yond this, we may affirm that the people are expofed
to oppreffion. If we take a furvey of all ages and na-
tions, that great and fublime idea of public utility
will prefent itfelf to our imagination under the fym-
A a ij
372
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
་
BOOK bolical figure of a Hercules, crufhing one part of the
IX. people with his club, amidſt the fhouts and acclama-
tions of the other part, who are not fenfible that they
are foon to fall under the fame ftrokes.
To return to Portugal: that country ſtands in need
of other meaſures than have hitherto been purfued, to
reftore the culture of corn; it is in fo languid a ftate,
that the Portugueſe annually import three-fourths of
the corn they confume. They never, perhaps, will be
able to gather their whole fubfiftence from a foil which
is not fufficiently well watered; but it behoves them
to leffen, as much as they poffibly can, their depend-
ence upon foreign fuccours. The population is fuffi-
cient to carry on the labours with fpirit, fince, by al-
lowing four perfons and a half to each fire-fide, it
amounts to one million nine hundred and fixty thou-
fand fouls, exclufive of the monks.
The court of Liſbon would lie under a fatal mistake,
if they ſhould imagine that time alone will bring about
fo great a revolution. It behoves them to pave the
way for it, by a complete reformation of the taxes,
which have never been well regulated fince the found-
ation of the monarchy, and the confufion of which in-
creaſes every year. When the impediments are re-
moved, every kind of encouragement must be given.
One of the moft fatal prejudices, and moft deftructive
of the happineſs of men and the profperity of nations,
is that which fuppofes that men only are wanting for
the purpoſes of agriculture. The experience of all
ages hath ſhown, that much cannot be required of the
earth, till much hath been bestowed upon it. There
are, in all Portugal, very few farmers who are able to
advance the neceffary fums. Government fhould,
therefore, affift them. A revenue of 46,884,531 li-
vres [1,953,5231. 2s. 6d.], properly difpenfed, would
facilitate this liberality, which is frequently more eco-
nomical than the moſt fordid avarice.
This firſt change will be productive of others. The
arts neceffary to agriculture will infallibly rife and
grow up with it. Induftry will extend its feveral
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
373
IX.
branches, and Portugal will no longer exhibit an in- в O O K
ftance of a favage people in the midſt of civilized na-
tions. The citizen will no longer be forced to devote
himſelf to celibacy, or to leave his country in ſearch
of employment. Commodious houfes will be erected
upon ruins; and manufactures fupply the place of
convents. The ſubjects of this almoft ruined ſtate,
which now reſemble thoſe ſcattered and folitary fhrubs
that are found upon the foil of the richest mines, will
no longer be reduced to thofe neceffities they now
experience, notwithſtanding their mountains and ri-
vers of gold. The wealth of the ſtate will be kept
in conftant circulation, and will no longer be buried
in the churches. Superftition will be banished, toge-
ther with ignorance, defpair, and indolence. Thoſe
who have no other object in view, but to commit ex-
ceffes, and expiate them, who are fond of miracles
and magic arts, will then be inflamed with public ſpi-
rit. The nation, freed from its fetters, and reftored
to its natural activity, will exert itſelf with a fpirit
worthy of its former exploits.
Portugal will recollect, that ſhe was indebted to her
navy for her opulence, her glory, and her ftrength,
and will attend to the means of reftoring it. It will
no longer be reduced to feventeen men of war, to
twenty-five warlike fhips of ſmaller rates, and about a
hundred merchantmen, from fix to eight hundred tons.
burden, which are ftill in a more ruinous ftate. Her
population, reduced to one million nine hundred and
fixty thouſand fouls, will increaſe and fill her harbours
and roads with active fleets. The revival of her navy
will be doubtlefs difficult for a power, whofe flag is not
known on any of the European feas, and which, for a
century paſt, has given up her navigation to any pow-
er that would attend to it; but every obftacle will be
furmounted by a wife and prudent government. When
once it carries on all the navigation that fhould be-
long to it, confiderable fums will be retained in the
kingdom, which are now conftantly expended for
freight.
A a iii
374
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
IX.
This change will extend its influence to the iſlands
that are dependent on the crown. Madeira, the an-
nual exports of which amount to 4,658,800 livres
[194,116l. 13s. 4d.], will extend its labour, its profpe-
rity, and its riches. The Azores will be ftill more im-
proved. We know that this Archipelago, confifting
of nine iſlands, of which Tercera is the principal, hath
no more than one hundred and forty-two thouſand
inhabitants; and fells at prefent, to the mother-coun-
try, to Brazil, and to North America, its wines, its li-
nens, its corn, and its cattle, to the amount only of
2,440,000 livres [101.6661. 13s. 4d.]. Even the Cape
de Verde iſlands, notwithſtanding the frequent droughts
they experience, will be able to multiply their mules,
and more eſpecially to cultivate the perella, that ſpe-
cies of grafs of the colour of mofs, which the North
of Europe employs with fo much advantage in dye-
ing. The government will not confine themſelves to
the encouragement in their poffeffions, of the cultures
only that are known there; they will take care to in-
troduce new ones, which the fertility of the foil, and
the temperature and variety of the climate, ſeem in-
ceffantly to require.
Theſe new improvements will be principally felt in
Brazil, that great colony, which hath never been what
it ought.
Before the year 1525, it received only fome baniſh-
ed perfons, without either morals or fortune.
The grandees, who at this period obtained provinces
there, made it a fcene of carnage and deftruction.
For the ſpace of fixty years, there was a continual
ftruggle between the Portugueſe, who wiſhed to en-
flave all; and the Indians, who refuſed to bear the
chains that were intended for them, or who broke
them after they had been obliged to fubmit to them.
Even the labours of a few Brazilians, who were
kept under the yoke by a watchful exertion of tyran-
ny, were inconfiderable. Thoſe of the Europeans
were nothing, becauſe they would have thought them-
felves degraded by flavifh occupations. The only fuç-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
375
ceſs that could be expected was from the Negroes; в O O K
but they did not begin to multiply there till towards
the year 1570.
Ten years after this, Portugal was enflaved; and we
may readily fuppofe that the Spanish government,
which fuffered its own ancient poffeffions in the other
hemiſphere to fall into confufion, did not exert itſelf
in improving the colonies of a nation, which, though
fubdued, ftill excited its fufpicions.
The long and bloody wars which Brazil had to fuf-
tain againſt the Dutch retarded its progrefs in every
particular.
This was alſo again impeded, by the revolution
which freed Portugal from the yoke of Spain, while
it kept the two nations in arms during eighteen years.
While theſe conteſts were fubfifting, the European
nations that had formed fettlements in America began
to cultivate there productions, which till that time had
been peculiar to Brazil. This competition lowered
the price of them; and the colony, difcouraged, did
not export more than half of what they previouſly
fold. So great a misfortune warned the miniſtry of
the neceffity of freeing thefe commodities from the
taxes with which they were laden at their entrance in-
to the mother-country. The difcovery of the mines.
occafioned theſe objects to be neglected, which, from
that time, appeared to be lefs important than they
really were.
Gold and diamonds, which are articles of value.
merely by convention, were themſelves prejudicial to
cultures, which they might have encouraged. The
hopes of making a brilliant fortune, by collecting
theſe fugitive and precarious riches, determined a great
number of proprietors to abandon their plantations.
This fatal illufion began to be diffipated, when the
ſyſtem of monopolies put a stop to the inclination ge-
nerally fhown, of refuming a plan which was more
fafe, and even more lucrative, than that which had at
firft fo much inflamed the imaginations of men.
The laft difputes with Spain were, in a word, a new
A a iiij
IX.
376
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
BOOK fource of defolation to the colony. The inhabitants
IX. were compelled by violence to quit their labours; loans
were extorted from them without intereft, for which
they have not yet been reimburſed; they were ex-
poſed to the utmoſt outrages of the moſt barbarous
defpotiſm.
At preſent, that theſe obftacles to every kind of
good are moſt of them removed, the riches which Bra-
zil offers in vain, for three centuries paft, are no longer
to be rejected. The climate is wholeſome in that part
of the New World; the harbours are numerous; and
the coaſts, which are of eaſy acceſs, are generally fer-
tile. The inland part of the country, which is ftill
more fruitful, and interfected by a great number of
navigable rivers, may be cultivated for the wants or
for the luxuries of Europe. All the productions pe-
culiar to America thrive there, notwithstanding the
havock made by the ants, and without apprehenfion
of feeing them deftroyed by thofe terrible hurricanes
and by thoſe devouring droughts which fo frequently
lay waſte the beſt iſlands of this hemifphere. It gives
encouragement to labour, from the plenty of provi-
fions, of cattle, and of flaves: nothing is wanting to
make it one of the fineſt eſtabliſhments upon the face
of the globe.
It will become fo, when it fhall be freed from that
number of impofts, and from that multitude of con-
tractors which keep it in a ftate of humiliation and op-
preffion, when its activity fhall no longer be restrained
by numberless monopolies; when the price of the mer-
chandiſe conveyed to it fhall not be doubled by the
taxes impoſed upon them; when its productions fhall
pay no more duties, or fhall only pay fuch as are not
more confiderable than thoſe of its competitors; when
its intercourſe with the other national poffeffions fhall
have been difencumbered from the fhackles which
confine it; when the Eaft Indies fhall be laid open to
it, and when it ſhall be permitted to draw from its own
produce the money required to carry on this new con-
nection.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
377
IX.
The colony hath hands fufficient to multiply and to в O O K
extend theſe labours. At the time of our writing, it
reckons one hundred feventy-fix thouſand and twenty-
eight white men; three hundred forty-feven thouſand
eight hundred and fifty-eight flaves; two hundred
feventy-eight thouſand three hundred and forty-nine
Indians; which together forms a population of eight
hundred and two thousand two hundred and thirty-
five perfons. The number of favages, ftill wandering
about in the Brazils, is computed at two hundred thou-
fand. Perhaps it might not be impoffible to induce
them to acknowledge the authority of the court of
Liſbon; but this would not be attended with much
advantage, unleſs directors, more enlightened than their
predeceffors, fhould contrive methods that have efcap-
ed the reflection of men for three centuries paſt.
A more certain method of increafing the maſs of
productions, would be to admit into the Brazils all
foreigners who would undertake the cultivation of
them; an infinite number of Americans, Engliſh,
French, or Dutch, whofe plantations are exhaufted;
and many Europeans prompted by the ardent defire,
at prefent grown fo common, of making a rapid for-
tune, would convey their activity, their induftry, and
their capitals into the country. Thefe enterprifing
men would introduce a better fpirit into the colony,
and would infufe into the degenerate race of the Por-
tugueſe Creoles, that kind of animation which they
have loft for fo long a time.
This order of things might be eſtabliſhed without
prejudice to any other intereft. Two thirds of the
borders of the great rivers are cultivated. Theſe vir-
gin lands belong to the crown, whofe fyftem it hath
always been to grant gratuitoufly one league of terri-
tory, under the exprefs condition of cultivating it in a
given time. By diftributing thefe domains to their
new fubjects, they would not ſpoil their old ones, and
they would increaſe their cultures, as well as the num-
ber of their defenders.
But in order to accelerate the advantages of this
378
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK new plan, it would be neceffary to efface even the
ſlighteſt veftige of the inquifition, that horrible tribu-
nal, the very name of which makes all people fhudder
who have not entirely given up their reafon. This
would even be a matter of little importance, if at the
fame time the influence of the clergy were not alfo
diminiſhed in the public deliberations and in the affairs
of individuals.
Some ftates have been known to favour the corrup-
tion of priests, in order to weaken the afcendant that
fuperftition gives them over the minds of the people.
That this method is not always infallible, appears from
what has happened in the Brazils, nor is this execrable
policy reconcileable with the principles of morality.
It would be more fecure and more eligible to open the
doors of the fanctuary to all the citizens without di-
ftinction. Philip II. when he became mafter of Por-
tugal, enacted, that they ſhould be ſhut againſt all fuch
whoſe blood was tainted with any mixture with Jews,
Heretics, or Negroes. This diftinction hath given a
dangerous fuperiority to a fet of men who were alrea-
dy too powerful. It hath been aboliſhed in the Afri-
can fettlements; and why fhould it be continued in
America? Why, after taking from the clergy the au-
thority they derived from their birth, ſhould they not
be abridged of the power they affume on account of
their riches?
Some politicians have afferted, that no government
ought ever to appoint a fixed income for the clergy,
but that their ſpiritual ſervices fhould be paid by thoſe
who have recourfe to them. That this method would
excite their zeal and vigilance. That they would grow
daily more expert in the care of fouls by experience,
ſtudy, and application. Theſe ſtateſmen have been
oppofed by philofophers, who maintained that an eco-
nomy which would tend to increaſe the activity of the
clergy, would be fatal to public tranquillity; and that
it was better to lull that ambitious body into idleneſs,
than to give it new ftrength. It is obferved, fay they,
that churches and religious houfes, which have no
"
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
379
*
IX.
fettled income, are fo many repofitories of fuperftition, в o o K
maintained at the expence of the lower clafs of people,
where faints, miracles, relics, and all the inventions with
which impoſture hath loaded religion, are made. So
that it would be a benefit to ſociety, if the clergy had
a ftated provifion; but fo moderate, as to reftrain the
ambition of the body and the number of its members.
Poverty makes them fanatical; opulence independent;
and both concur to render them feditious.
Such at leaſt was the opinion of a philofopher, who
faid to a great monarch: There is a powerful body in
your dominions, which hath affumed a power of fuf-
pending the labour of your ſubjects, whenever it thinks
proper to call them into its temples. This body is
authoriſed to fpeak to them a hundred times a-year,
and to fpeak in the name of God. It tells them that
the most powerful fovereign is no more in the fight of
the Supreme Being than the meaneſt flave; and that,
as it is inſpired by the Creator of all things, it is to be
believed in preference to the maſters of the world. The
effects of fuch a fyftem threaten the total fubverfion of
fociety, unleſs the minifters of religion are made de-
pendent on the magiftrate; and they will never be ef
fectually fo, unless they derive their fubfiftence from
him. This is the only way to eſtabliſh a harmony be-
tween the oracles of heaven and the maxims of go-
vernment. It is the buſineſs of a prudent adminiftra-
tion to bring, without diſturbances or commotions, the
clergy to that ſtate in which they will be able to dọ
good, without having it in their power to do miſchief.
Till the court of Liſbon hath attained this falutary
end, all projects of reformation will be ineffectual. The
defects of ecclefiaftical government will ftill fubfift,
notwithſtanding all endeavours to reform them. The
clergy muſt be brought to depend upon the magiftrate,
before the Portugueſe who live in Brazil can venture
to oppofe their tyranny. Perhaps even the prejudices
thefe inhabitants have imbibed from a faulty and mo-
naſtic education, may be too deeply rooted in their
minds, to be ever eradicated. Thefe enlightened views
380
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BOOK ſeem to be reſerved for the next generation. This re-
volution might be haftened, by obliging the chief pro-
prietors to fend their children to Europe for educa-
tion, and by reforming the plan of public education in
Portugal.
Whether
Liſbon
put a stop
to their
reformation
from the
All ideas are eafily impreffed upon tender organs.
The foul, without experience as without reflection,
readily admits truth and falfehood in matters of opi-
nion, and equally adopts what is either conducive or
prejudicial to the public welfare. Young people may
be taught to value or depreciate their own reaſon; to
make uſe of it, or to neglect it; to confider it as their
beft guide, or to miftruft its powers. Fathers obfti-
nately defend the abfurdities they were taught in their
infancy; their children will be as fond of the leading
principles in which they have been trained. They will
bring back into Brazil notions of religion, morality,
adminiſtration, commerce, and agriculture. The mo-
ther-country will confer places of truſt on them alone.
They will then exert the talents they have acquired,
and the face of the colony will be totally changed.
Writers who ſpeak of it, will no longer lament the
idleneſs, the ignorance, the blunders, the fuperftitions
which have been the ground-work of its adminiſtra-
tion. The hiftory of this colony will no longer be a
fatire upon it.
The mo-
The fear of incenfing Great Britain muft not protract
the court of theſe happy alterations one fingle moment.
ought to tives which, perhaps, have prevented them hitherto,
are but prejudices, which will be removed upon the
projects of flighteft examination. There are numberlefs political
errors, which, once adopted, become principles. Such
apprehen is the prevailing notion at the court of Liſbon, that the
ſtate cannot exiſt or profper but by means of the En-
glifh. It is forgotten that the Portugueſe monarchy
was formed without the help of other nations; that
during the whole time of their conteſts with the Moors,
they were fupported by no foreign power; that their
greatneſs had been increafing for three centuries fuc-
ceffively, when they extended their dominion over
fion of a
rupture
with Eng-
land.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
381
IX.
Africa and the Eaft and Weft Indies by their own в O O K
ftrength. All theſe great revolutions were performed
by the Portugueſe alone. Was it neceffary then that
this nation fhould difcover a great treaſure, and be a
proprietor of rich mines, merely to fuggeft the idea of
its being unable to fupport itſelf? Are the Portugueſe
to be compared to thofe fooliſh individuals, whofe
heads are turned by the embarraffinent which their
newly-acquired riches occafion?
No nation ought to fubmit to be protected. If the
people are wife, they will have forces relative to their
fituation, and will never have more enemies than they
are able to withſtand. Unleſs their ambition be un-
bounded, they have allies, who, for their own fakes,
will warmly and faithfully fupport their intereft. This
general truth is peculiarly applicable to thoſe ſtates
that are poffeffed of mines. It is the intereft of all
other nations to be in amity with them; and, if there
be occafion for it, they will all unite for their prefer-
vation. Let Portugal but hold the balance even be-
tween all the powers of Europe, and they will form
an impenetrable barrier around her. England herſelf,
though deprived of the preference the hath too long
enjoyed, will ſtill ſupport a nation whoſe independence
is effential to the balance of power in Europe. All
nations would quickly join in one common cauſe, if
Spain ſhould ever be fo mad for conqueft, as to at-
tempt any thing against Portugal. Never would the
jealous, reſtlefs, and quick-fighted policy of our age,
fuffer all the treafures of the New World to be in the
fame hands, or that one houfe fhould be fo powerful
in America, as to threaten the liberties of Europe.
This fecurity, however, fhould not induce the court
of Liſbon to neglect the means of their own preſerva-
tion, as they did when they trusted to the Britiſh arms
for their defence, or indolently rested on the fupine-
nefs of their neighbours; when deftitute of land or
fea forces, they were accounted as nothing in the po-
litical ſyſtem, which is the greateſt diſgrace that can
befal a nation. If the Portugueſe will regain the con-
382
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
IX.
BO O K fequence they have loft, they muſt put themſelves in
fuch a ſtate, as not to be afraid of war, and even to
declare it themſelves, if their rights or their fafety
fhould require it. It is not always an advantage to a
nation to continue in peace, when all the reft are in
arms. In the political as in the natural world, a great
event will have very extenfive effects. The rife or fall
of one empire will affect all the reft. Even thoſe which
are furtheft removed from the feat of war, are fome-
times the victims of their moderation or of their weak-
nefs. Theſe maxims are directly applicable to Portu-
gal, particularly at this juncture, when the example of
her neighbours, the critical fituation of her haughty
allies, the folicitations of the powers who are jealous
of her friendſhip; in fhort, every thing calls upon her
to roufe, and to exert herſelf.
Is it reafon-
ably to be
expected
gal will im-
prove its
If the Portugueſe will not at length frequent the
feas, where alone they can diftinguish themſelves, and
from whence they muft derive their profperity; if
they do not appear with a powerful force at the ex-
tremity of Europe, where nature hath fo happily pla-
ced them; their fate is decided, the monarchy is at an
end. They will fall again into the chains they had
fhaken off for a moment, as a lion that fhould drop
afleep at the door of his den, after he had broken it
open. The little circulation there is ftill within, would
but indicate thoſe feeble figns of life, which are the
ſymptoms of approaching death. The few trifling re-
gulations they might make from time to time, reſpect-
ing the finances, the police, commerce, and the navy,
whether at home or for the colonies, would be but
weak palliatives, which, by concealing their fituation,
would make it only the more dangerous.
It cannot be denied that Portugal hath ſuffered the
moſt favourable opportunity that could have offered
that Portu- of refuming her former fplendour to efcape. They are
not politics alone that prepare revolutions. Some de-
ſtructive phenomenon may change the face of an em-
colonies? pire. The earthquake of the firit of November 1755,
which overthrew the capital of Portugal, ought to have
fate and
that of its
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
383
IX.
reſtored the kingdom. The deftruction of a proud city в O O K
is often the prefervation of a whole ftate, as the opu-
lence of one man may be the ruin of thouſands. State-
ly edifices might be fubverted; effects, moftly belong-
ing to foreigners, might be deftroyed; idle, debauch-
ed, and corrupt men, might be buried under heaps of
ruins, without affecting the public welfare. The earth,
in a tranfient fit of rage, had only taken what ſhe was
able to reſtore; and the gulfs the opened under one
city, were already digged for the foundations of ano-
ther.
But we cannot flatter ourſelves with the hopes of
future improvements, while we do not fee a better or-
der of things, a new ſtate, and a new people, a better
management rifing out of the ruins of Lifbon. The
nation that is not improved by a great catastrophe is
ruined without refource, or the period of its reſtora-
tion is reſerved for fuch diftant ages, that it is probable
it will fooner be annihilated than it can be regenerat-
ed. May Heaven preferve Portugal from this fatal
event! May it remove from my mind the prefage
which cannot be impreffed upon it without plunging
me into the deepeft affliction! But at this inftant I
cannot conceal from myfelf, that as much as the great
ſhocks of nature give energy to enlightened minds, fo
much do they depreſs thoſe that are vitiated by the
habit of ignorance and fuperftition. Government,
which every where takes advantage of the credulity
of the people, and which nothing can divert from the
fettled purpoſe of extending the boundaries of autho-
rity, became more encroaching at the very inftant that
the nation grew more timorous. Men of bold fpirits
oppreffed thofe that were weak; and the epocha of
that great phenomenon turned out to be the epocha
of accumulated flavery; a melancholy but common
effect of the catastrophes of nature. They uſually
make men a prey to the artifices of thoſe who are am-
bitious of ruling over them. Then it is that they take
large ftrides, by repeated acts of arbitrary power; whe-
ther it be that thoſe who govern do really believe that
4
384
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADÉ
IX.
BOOK the people were born to obey, or whether they think,
that, by extending their own power, they increafe the
ftrength of the public. Thofe falfe politicians are not
aware, that, with fuch principles, a ftate is like an
over-ftrained ſpring, which will break at laft, and re-
coil againſt the hand that bends it. The prefent fitu-
ation of the continent of South America but too plain-
ly evinces the juftnefs of this compariſon. Let us now
proceed to ſhow the effects of a different conduct in
the American islands.
BOOK
the conduct
nations in
the New
World.
BOOK X.
Settlement of the European nations in the great Archi-
pelago of America.
HITHERTO we have been only proceeding from
X. one ſcene of horror to another, in following the fteps
Confidera- of the Spaniards and of the Portuguefe. Let us now
tions upon fee whether the English, French, Hollanders, and
of all the Danes, whom we are going to accompany into the
European islands, have shown themfelves lefs favage than thoſe
who took poffeffion of the continent. Will the inha-
bitants of thefe limited ſpaces be expofed to the de-
plorable deſtiny of the Peruvians, of the Mexicans,
and of the Brazilians? Is it poffible that civilized men,
who have all lived in their country under forms of go-
vernment, if not wife, at leaſt ancient; who have all
been bred up in places where they were inftructed
with the leffons, and fometimes with the example of
virtue; who were all brought up in the midſt of po-
liſhed cities, in which a rigid exerciſe of juſtice muſt
have accuſtomed them to refpect their fellow-crea-
tures; is it poffible that all fuch men, without excep-
tion, fhould purſue a line of conduct equally contrary
to the principles of humanity, to their intereft, to their
fafety, and to the firft dawnings of reafon; and that
they ſhould continue to become more barbarous than
the favage? Shall I for ever be reduced to the necef-
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
385
BOOK
X.
fity of prefenting none but horrid images? Good God! в O O K
For what an office was I deftined? This change of
character, in the European, who quits his country, is a
phenomenon of fo extraordinary a nature, the imagi-
nation is fo deeply affected with it, that, while it at-
tends to it with aftoniſhment, reflection tortures itfelf
in endeavouring to find out the principle of it, whe-
ther it exiſt in human nature in general, or in the pe-
culiar character of the navigators, or in the circum-
ſtances preceding or pofterior to the event.
It is a queſtion which naturally occurs, Whether a
man who is freed, by whatfoever caufe, from the re-
ftraint of the laws, be not more wicked than the man
who hath never felt this reſtraint? Perfons who are
fufficiently diffatisfied with their lot, fufficiently de-
prived of refources in their own country, fufficiently
poor, or fufficiently ambitious to entertain a contempt
for life, and to expoſe themſelves to infinite dangers
and labours, upon the precarious hope of making a ra-
pid fortune, do they not carry about with them the
fatal feeds of a ſpirit of depredation, which muft una-
voidably have manifefted itſelf with inconceivable ra-
pidity and violence when they came into another cli-
mate, far from the effects of public refentment, and
when they were no longer awed by the preſence of
their fellow-citizens, or restrained by fhame or fear?
Doth not the hiftory of all focieties prove to us, that
thoſe men on whom nature hath beſtowed an extraor-
dinary degree of energy, are most commonly villains?
The danger of a long ſtay, and the neceffity of a ſpee-
dy return, added to the defire of juftifying the expences
incurred in the enterpriſe, by a diſplay of the riches of
the lately diſcovered countries, muft neceffarily have
occafioned and accelerated the violent fteps taken to
acquire the poffeffion of them. Did not the chiefs of
the enterpriſe, and their companions, terrified by the
dangers they had undergone, by thofe which they
were still to undergo, and by the miferies they had
fuffered, did they not determine to make themſelves.
amends for their fufferings, like men who were refoly-
Vol. III.
B b
386
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK ed not to expoſe themſelves to them a fecond time?
Did the idea of forming a colony in thoſe diftant re-
gions, and of increafing the dominions of their fove-
reign with them, ever prefent itſelf diftinctly to the
minds of theſe firſt adventurers; and did not the New
World rather appear to them as a rich prey that was
to be devoured, than as a conqueft which they ought
to protect? Was not the miſchief begun by theſe atro-
cious motives, perpetuated, fometimes by the indiffe-
rence of minifters, and fometimes by the divifions be-
tween the European nations; and was it not arrived
to the utmoſt pitch, when times of tranquillity infpir-
ed our governments with more rational principles ?
Had the firſt deputies, to whom the authority and in-
ſpection of thoſe countries had been intruſted, or could
they have the knowledge and the virtue requifite to
make themſelves beloved by the natives, to conciliate
their reſpect and confidence, and to eſtabliſh a ſyſtem
of police and laws among them? Did they not, on the
contrary, carry along with them, to thofe diſtant re-
gions, the fame thirſt of gold which had laid them
wafte? Could it be expected, that, at the origin of
theſe ſettlements, a plan of adminiſtration could be
formed, which the experience of feveral centuries hath
not been capable of eſtabliſhing? Is it poffible, even
in our days, to rule nations which are feparated by
immenfe feas from the mother-country, in the fame
manner as fubjects who are fituated immediately un-
der the eye of the fovereign? Since diftant poſts are
never folicited and filled, unleſs by indigent, rapacious
men, without talents or morals, ftrangers to all fenti-
ment of honour, and to every idea of equity, the re-
fufe of the higher ranks of the ſtate, muſt we not con-
fider the ſplendour of the colonies, in after-times, as a
chimerical notion; and will not the future happineſs
of theſe regions be a phenomenon ftill more ſurpriſing
than their firſt devaſtation was?
Accurfed, therefore, be the moment of their diſco-
very! And you, European fovereigns, what motive
can excite your jealous ambition for poffeffions, the
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
387
X.
mifery of which you can only perpetuate? And why в O O K
do ye not reſtore them to themſelves, if ye defpair of
making them happy? I have, more than once, ven-
tured, in the courſe of this work, to point out to you
the means of accompliſhing this: but I am much
afraid that my voice hath only exclaimed, and will
only exclaim in the deſert.
America contains, between the eighth and the thir-
ty-fecond degree of northern latitude, the moſt nume-
rous, extenfive, and rich Archipelago, the ocean hath
yet diſplayed to the curiofity, the induſtry, and avidi-
ty of the Europeans. The iflands that compofe it are
known, fince the diſcovery of the New World, by the
name of the Caribbees. Thofe that lie neareft the
eaft have been called the Windward Iflands, the others
the Leeward, on account of the wind's blowing gene-
rally from the eaftern point in thofe quarters. They
form a continued chain, one end of which feems to be
attached to the continent near the Gulf of Maracaybo,
the other to cloſe the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico.
They may, perhaps, with fome degree of reafon, be
confidered as the tops of very high mountains former-
ly belonging to the continent, and which have been
changed into iſlands, by ſome revolution that hath laid
all the flat country under water.
All the iſlands of the world feem to have been de-
tached from the continent by fubterraneous fires or
earthquakes.
ble that the
been de-
The celebrated Atlantica, the very name of which Is it proba-
hath been buried in oblivion fome thoufand years ago, American
was a large tract of land fituated between Africa and idlands have
America. Several circumftances render it probable tached from
that England was formerly a part of France; and Si- the neigh-
bouring
cily hath evidently been detached from Italy. The continent?
Cape de Verde iſlands, the Azores, Madeira, and the
Canaries, muſt have been part of the neighbouring
continents, or of others that have been deſtroyed.
The late obfervations of Engliſh navigators leave us
fcarce any room to doubt that all the islands of the
South Sea formerly compofed one entire continent.
B b ij
388
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK
:
X.
New Zealand, the largeſt of them, is full of mountains,
on which may be perceived the marks of extinguiſhed
volcanos. Its inhabitants are neither beardleſs nor
copper-coloured, as thofe of America; and, though
they be ſeparated fix hundred and eighty leagues from
each other, they ſpeak the fame language as the na-
tives of the ifland of Otaheite, diſcovered a few years
ago.
Indiſputable monuments evince that fuch changes
have happened, of which the attentive naturaliſt every
where perceives fome traces ftill remaining. Shells of
every kind, corals, beds of oyfters, fea-fifh, entire or
broken, regularly heaped up in every quarter of the
globe, in places the moſt diſtant from the fea, in the
bowels and on the ſurfaces of mountains; the vari-
ableneſs of the continent, fubject to all the changes
of the ocean, by which it is conftantly beaten, worn
away, or fubverted: while at a diſtance, perhaps, on
one fide it lofes immenſe tracts of land; on the other
diſcovers to us new countries, and long banks of fand
heaped up before thoſe cities that formerly were cele-
brated fea-ports: the horizontal and parallel pofition
of the ftrata of the earth, and of marine productions
collected and heaped up alternately in the fame order,
compofed of the fame materials, that are regularly ce-
mented by the conftant and fucceffive exertion of the
fame cauſe the correfpondent fimilarity obfervable
between fuch coafts as are feparated by an arm of the
fea; on one fide of which may be perceived falient
angles oppofite to re-entering angles on the other; on
the right hand, beds of the fame kind of fand, or fimi-
lar petrifactions, difpofed on a level with fimilar ftrata
extending to the left: the direction of mountains and
rivers towards the fea as to their common origin: the
formation of hills and valleys, on which this immenſe
body of fluid hath, as it were, ftamped indelible marks
of its undulations: all theſe feveral circumftances at-
teſt, that the ocean hath broken its natural limits, or,
perhaps, that its limits have never been infurmount-
able; and that varying the furface of the globe, ac-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
389
X.
cording to the irregularity of its own motions, it hath в O O K
alternately taken the earth from its inhabitants, and
reſtored it to them again. Hence thofe fucceffive,
though never univerfal, deluges that have covered the
face of the earth, but not rendered it totally inviſible
to us at once; for the waters, acting at the fame time
in the cavities and on the furface of the globe, cannot
poffibly increaſe the depth of their beds, without di-
miniſhing their breadth; or overflow on one fide,
without leaving dry land on the other; nor can we
conceive any alteration in the whole fyftem that can
poffibly have made all the mountains diſappear at
once, and occafioned the ſea to riſe above their fum-
mits. What a fudden transformation must have for-
ced all the rocks and every folid particle of matter to
the centre of the earth, to draw out of its inmoft re-
ceffes and channels all thoſe fluids which animate it;
and thus blending its ſeveral elements together, pro-
duce a maſs of waters and uſeleſs germina floating in
the air? Is it not enough that each hemifphere alter-
nately becomes a prey to the devaſtations of the ocean?
Such conftant fhocks as theſe have doubtlefs fo long
concealed from us the New World, and, perhaps, ſwal-
lowed up that continent, which, as it is imagined, had
been only ſeparated from our own.
Whatever may be the fecret caufes of theſe particu-
lar revolutions, the general cauſe of which reſults from
the known and univerfal laws of motion, their effects,
however, will be always fenfible to every man, who
hath the refolution and fagacity to perceive them.
They will be more particularly evident in regard to
the Caribbee Iſlands, if it can ever be proved that they
undergo violent fhocks whenever the volcanos of the
Cordeleras throw out their contents, or when all Peru
is fhaken. This Archipelago, as well as that of the
Eaft Indies, fituated nearly in the fame degree of lati-
tude, feems to be produced by the fame caufe; name-
ly, the motion of the fea from east to west: a motion
impreffed by that which cauſes the earth's revolution
from west to eaft; more rapid at the equator, where
B b iij
390
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK the globe of the earth, being more elevated, revolves
X. in a larger circle, and in a more agitated zone; where
the ocean feems, as it were, willing to break through
all the boundaries nature oppofes to it, and, opening
to itſelf a free and uninterrupted courſe, forms the equi-
noctial line.
The direction of the Caribbee Iflands, beginning
from Tobago, is nearly North and N. N. W. This
direction is continued from one iſland to another, form-
ing a line fomewhat curved towards the north-weft,
and ending at Antigua. In this place the line becomes
at once curved, and, extending itſelf in a ſtraight di-
rection to the W. and N. W. meets, in its courſe, with
Porto-Rico, St. Domingo, and Cuba, known by the
name of the Leeward Iſlands, which are ſeparated from
each other by channels of various breadths. Some of
theſe are fix, others fifteen or twenty leagues broad ;
but the foundings, in all of them, are from a hundred
to a hundred and twenty or a hundred and fifty fa-
thom. Between Grenada and St. Vincent's, there is
alſo a ſmall Archipelago of thirty leagues, in which
fometimes the foundings are not ten fathom.
The mountains in the Caribbee Iflands run in the
fame direction as the islands themfelves. This direc-
tion is fo regular, that if we were to confider the tops
of theſe mountains only, independent of their bafis,
they might be looked upon as a chain of hills belong-
ing to the continent, of which Martinico would be the
moft north-wefterly promontory.
The fprings of water which flow from the moun-
tains in the Windward Iſlands run all in the weftern
part of theſe iſlands. The whole eaſtern coaſt, that
which, according to our conjectures, hath always been
covered by the fea, is without any running water. No
fprings come down there from the mountains; they
would, indeed, have been uſeleſs, for, after having run
over a very ſhort tract of land, and with great rapidi-
ty, they would have fallen into the fea.
In Porto-Rico, St. Domingo, and Cuba, there are
a few rivers which diſcharge themſelves into the ſea on
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
391
X.
the northern fide, and the fources of which rife in the в o O K
mountains, running from eaft to weft, that is, through
the whole length of theſe iſlands. Thefe rivers water
a confiderable extent of low country, which hath cer-
tainly never been covered by the fea. From the other
fide of the mountains facing the fouth, where the fea,
flowing with great impetuofity, leaves behind it marks
of its inundations, feveral rivers flow into theſe three
iſlands, fome of which are confiderable enough to re-
ceive the largeſt ſhips.
Theſe obſervations, which feem to prove that the
ſea hath ſeparated the Caribbee Iſlands from the con-
tinent, are further confirmed by others of a different
kind, though equally conclufive in fupport of this con-
jecture. Tobago, Margaretta, and Trinidad, iſlands
that are the neareſt to the continent, produce, as well
as the Caribbees, trees, the wood of which is foft, and
wild cocoa. This particular fpecies is not to be found,
at least in any quantity, in the northern islands. In
theſe the only wood we meet with is hard. Cuba, fitu-
ated at the other extremity of the Caribbees, abounds,
like Florida, from which, perhaps, it hath been fepa-
rated, with cedars and cypreffes, both equally uſeful
for the building of ſhips.
the Carib-
invafion.
The foil of the Caribbees confifts moftly of a layer Nature of
of clay or gravel, of different thickneſs; under which the foil of
is a bed of ſtone or rock. The nature of fome of bee lands.
Vegetables
theſe ſoils is better adapted to vegetation than others. found there
In thoſe places where the clay is drier and more fri- before the
able, and mixes with the leaves and remains of plants,
a layer of earth is formed, of greater depth than where
the clay is moifter. The fand or gravel has different
properties, according to its peculiar nature; wherever
it is lefs hard, lefs compact, and lefs porous, ſmall
pieces feparate themſelves from it; which, though
dry, preferve a certain degree of coolneſs uſeful to ve-
getation. This foil is called in America, a pumice-
ftone foil. Wherever the clay and gravel do not go
through fuch modifications, the foil becomes barren,
as ſoon as the layer, formed by the decompofition of
B b iij
392
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
}
BOOK the original plants, is deftroyed, from the neceflity
there is of weeding it, which too frequently expofes
its falts to the heat of the fun. Hence, in thofe cul-
tures which require leſs weeding, and where the plant
covers with its leaves the vegetable falts, there the fer-
tility of the ground has been preferved.
When the Europeans landed at the Caribbee Iſlands,
they found them covered with large trees, connected,
as it were, to one another by a fpecies of creeping
plant; which, rifing up in the fame manner as the
ivy, wove itſelf around all the branches, and conceal-
ed them from the fight. There was fo great a plenty
of this plant, and it grew fo thick, that it was impof-
fible to penetrate into the woods before it was cut
down. From its great degree of flexibility it was cal-
led Liane. In theſe forefts, as old as the world itſelf,
there were varieties of trees, which, from a fingular
partiality of nature, were very lofty, exceeding ftraight,
and without any excrefcences or defects. The annual
fall and breaking down of the leaves, and the decay
of the trunks rotted away by time, formed a moiſt
fediment upon the ground; which being cleared, oc-
cafioned a furprifing degree of vegetation in thoſe
plants that were fubfiituted to the trees that were root-
ed up.
In whatever foil thefe trees grew, their roots were
fcarcely two feet deep, and generally much leſs: though
they extended themſelves on the ſurface, in proportion
to the weight they had to fupport. The exceffive
dryneſs of the ground, where the moſt plentiful rains
never penetrate very deep, as they are foon attract-
ed by the fun-beams, and the conftant dews that
moiſten the ſurface, made the roots of theſe plants ex-
tend themſelves horizontally, inftead of defcending per-
pendicularly, as they generally do in other climates.
The trees that grew on the tops of mountains and
in fteep places were very hard. The fharpeft cutting
inftrument could fcarcely make any impreffion upon
them. Such were the agouti, the palm-tree, the ba-
rata wood, which have fince been uſefully employed
į...
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
393
X.
in building. Such were the courbari, the acajou, в o o K
the manchineel, and the iron-wood, which have been
found fit for joiner's work. Such is the acoma, which
being either put into the ground, or expoſed to the
air, is preſerved for a long time without being attack-
ed by the worms, or rotted by the damp. Such the
maple, the trunk of which, being four or five feet in
diameter, and the ftem from forty to fifty feet high,
ferved to make a canoe of one fingle piece.
The valleys, which are rendered fertile by the moun-
tains, are covered with foft wood. At the foot of
thefe trees grow promifcuoufly thofe plants that the
liberality of the foil produced for the fubfiftence of the
natives of the country. Thofe in moft general uſe
were the yam, the Caribbee cabbage, and the battata,
the roots of which being tuberofe, like thoſe of the po-
tato, might equally afford a wholeſome nouriſhment.
Nature, which appears to have eſtabliſhed a certain
analogy between the characters of people and the pro-
vifions intended for their fupport, had provided the
Caribbee Iſlands with fuch vegetables as could not bear
the heat of the fun, flouriſhed beft in moift places, re-
quired no cultivation, and were renewed two or three
times in the year. The iflanders did not thwart the
free and fpontaneous operations of nature, by deſtroy-
ing one of her productions, to give the greater vigour
to another. The preparation of the vegetating falts
was entirely left to the mere effect of the foil; nor
did the natives pretend to fix the place and time of
her fertility. They gathered, as chance threw in their
way, or the ſeaſon pointed out, fuch fruits as fponta-
neouſly offered themfelves for their fupport. They
had obferved, that the putrefaction of the weeds was
neceffary to the reproduction of thoſe plants that were
moft uſeful to them.
The roots of theſe plants were never unwholeſome;
but they were infipid when raw, and had very little
flavour even when boiled, unleſs they were ſeaſoned
with pimento. When mixed with ginger, and the acid
juice of a plant fomewhat refembling our forrel, they
394
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
X.
BOOK produced a ftrong liquor, which was the only com-
pound drink of the favages. The only art they made
uſe of in preparing it, was ſuffering it to ferment ſome
days in common water, expoſed to the heat of the
fun.
Exclufive of this nouriſhment, the iſlands alſo fup-
plied the inhabitants with a great variety of fruits, but
very different from ours. The moſt uſeful among
theſe was the banana. The root of the banana tree.
is tuberofe and hairy. Its ftem, which is flender and
foft, grows to ſeven feet at its utmoft height, and is
eight inches in diameter: it is compofed of ſeveral
coats, or concentric fheaths, tolerably thick, and each
of them terminated by a firm petiole, hollowed in
form of a gutter, and which ſupports a leaf of fix feet
long, and two feet wide. Thefe leaves, collected in
a ſmall number at the bottom of the ftem, bend by
their own weight, and dry up one after the other.
They are thin, very fmooth, green on the upper fur-
face, of a paler colour on the under, and furnished
with parallel fibres, which are very cloſe to each other,
are joined at the cofla, and give the leaf a fatiny ap-
pearance. At the end of nine months, the banana
tree puſhes out from the midſt of its leaves, when they
are all unfolded, a fprig of three or four feet long, and
two feet in diameter, furniſhed at intervals with femi-
circular bands, which each of them fupports, a clufter
of a dozen or more flowers, covered with a fpatha, or
membranous encloſure. Each piftil is charged with a
ftile of fix ftamina and one calix, with two leaves, one
external, lengthened out, and terminated by five in-
dentations; the other internal, fhorter, and concave.
This piſtil, and one of the ftamina, are abortive in the
flowers at the extremnity, the cluſters of which are ſmall,
cloſe, and concealed under coloured and permanent
encloſures. In the other flowers, five of the ſtamina
are found abortive; but the piftil becomes a fleſhy
fruit, elongated, flightly arched, covered with a yellow
and thick pellicle, and filled with a pulpy, yellowish
fubftance, of a ſweetiſh tafte, and very nouriſhing. The
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
395
X.
affemblage of theſe fruits, to the number of fifty and в O O K
upwards, upon the fame ftem, is called a regime of ba-
nanas; which is as much as a man can carry.
While
it is upon the ftem, its weight makes it bend towards
the ground. As foon as it is gathered, this ſtem dries
up,
and is fucceeded by freſh ſprigs, which come out
of the root, and flower nine months after, or later,
when they are tranſplanted. There is no other way
of multiplying the banana tree, which never yields any
feed.
This plant exhibits a number of varieties, which con-
fift only in the form, the fize, and the goodneſs of the
fruit. It is agreeable to the taſte, and is eaten raw, or
prepared in feveral ways.
One fingular circumftance worthy of remark is, that
while the voracious plant, which we have termed Li-
ane, climbed round all the barren trees, it avoided the
fertile ones, though promifcuoufly blended with the
former. Nature ſeemed, as it were, to have preſcribed
to it, to reſpect what ſhe had deſtined for the fuſtenance
of man.
The iſlanders were not fo plentifully ſupplied with
pot-herbs, as with roots and fruits. Purflain and creffes
were the only herbs of this kind they had.
Their other food was confined within a very narrow
compaſs they had no tame fowl; and the only qua-
drupeds that were fit for food did not amount to more
than five forts, the largeft of which did not exceed in
fize our common rabbits. The birds, more pleafing to
the eye, though leſs varied than in our climates, were
valuable almoſt only on account of their feathers: few
of them warbled forth thoſe melting notes that are ſo
captivating to the ear; moft of them were extremely
thin, and very infipid to the taſte. Fiſh was nearly as
plentiful as in other feas, but generally lefs wholeſome
and lefs delicate.
The virtues of the plants that nature had placed in
theſe iſlands, to cure the very few diſorders the inha-
bitants were fubject to, can ſcarce be exaggerated.
Whether they were applied externally, or taken in-
396
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Χ.
BOOK ternally, or the juice of them given in infufion, their
effects were as fpeedy as falutary. The invaders of
thoſe formerly peaceable regions have employed theſe
fimples, which are always green and in full vigour,
and preferred them to all the medicines that Afia can
furniſh to the rest of the world.
Is the cli-
mate of
The generality of the inhabitants of theſe iſlands
thefe iflands confider but two ſeaſons among them, that of drought
agreeable and that of rain. Nature, whofe operations are con-
fome? ftant, and concealed under a perpetual verdure, ap-
and whole-
pears to them to act always uniformly. But thoſe who
attentively obſerve her progrefs, difcern, that in the
temperature of the climate, in all the revolutions and
the changes of vegetation, fhe obſerves the fame laws
as in Europe, though in a leſs fenfible manner.
Thefe almost imperceptible changes are no preferva-
tive against the dangers and inconveniences of fuch a
fcorching climate as muſt be naturally expected under
the torrid zone. As thefe iſlands are all under the tro-
pics, their inhabitants are expoſed, allowing for the va-
rieties refulting from difference of fituation and of foil,
to a perpetual heat, which generally increaſes from the
rifing of the fun till an hour after noon, and then de-
creaſes in proportion as the fun declines. A covered
fky, that might ferve to alleviate this heat, is feldom
ſeen. Sometimes, indeed, clouds appear for an hour
or two; but the fun is never hid for four days during
the whole year.
The variations in the temperature of the air depend
rather upon the wind, than the changes of the ſeafons.
In thoſe places where the wind doth not blow, the air
is exceffively hot, and none but the easterly winds con-
tribute to temperate and refresh it; thote that blow
from the ſouth and weft afford little relief, but they
are much less frequent and lefs regular than that which
comes from the east. The branches of the trees ex-
poſed to its influence are forced round towards the
weft, in that direction which they feemed to be thrown
into by the conftant and uniform courfe of the wind.
But their roots are ftronger, and more extended under
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES,
397
ground towards the eaft, in order to afford them, as it в
were, a fixed point, the refiitance of which may coun-
teract the power of the ruling wind. Accordingly, it
hath been obferved, that, whenever the westerly wind
blows with any violence, the trees are eaſily thrown
down: in order, therefore, to judge of the violence of
a hurricane, the number of trees, as well as the direc-
tion in which they fall, is equally to be confidered.
The easterly wind depends upon two invariable
caules, the probability of which is very ftriking. The
firit arifes from the diurnal motion of the earth from
weit to east, and which must neceffarily be more rapid
under the equinoctial than under the parallels of lati-
tude, becauſe a greater fpace muft be paffed over in
the fame time. The fecond is owing to the heat of
the fun, which, as foon as it rifes above the horizon,
rarefies the air, and caufes it to blow towards the weft,
in proportion as the earth revolves towards the eaſt.
The easterly wind, therefore, which at the Caribbee
Inlands is ſcarcely felt before nine or ten o'clock in the
morning, increaſes in proportion as the fun riles above
the horizon, and decreates as it declines. Towards
the evening it ceafes entirely to blow on the coafts, but
not on the open fea. The reafons of this difference.
are very evident. After the fetting of the fun, the air
from the land, that continues for a confiderable time
rarefied, on account of the vapours which are con-
itantly riting from the heated globe, neceffarily flows
back upon the air of the fea: this is what is generally
called a Land Breeze. It is moft fenfibly felt in the
night, and continues till the air of the fea, rarefied by
the heat of the fun, flows back again towards the land,
where the air hath been condenied by the coolnefs of
the night. It hath alio been obferved, that the easter-
ly wind blows more regularly, and with greater force,
in the dog-days, than at any other times of the year;
becauſe the fun then acts more powerfully on the air,
Thus nature caufes the exceffive heat of the fun to
contribute to the refreshment of thole climates that
are parched up by its rays. It is thus, that in fire-en-
o oO K
I
398
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK gines art makes the fire inftrumental in fupplying con-
ſtantly with freſh water the copper veffels from which
it is exhauſted by evaporation.
The rain contributes alfo to the temperature of the
American iſlands, though not equally in them all. In
thoſe places where the easterly wind meets with no-
thing to oppofe its progrefs, it difpels the clouds as
they begin to rife, and compels them to break, either
n the woods, or upon the mountains. But whenever
the ſtorms are too violent, or the blowing of the eaſt-
erly wind is interrupted by the changeable and tem
porary effect of the fouthern and wefterly ones, it then
begins to rain. In the other Caribbee Iſlands, where
this wind doth not generally blow, the rains are fo fre-
quent and plentiful, eſpecially in the winter ſeaſon,
which lafts from the middle of July to the middle of
October, that, according to the most accurate obfer-
vations, as much water falls in one week, during this
time, as in our climates in the ſpace of a year. Instead
of thoſe mild and refreſhing ſhowers which we ſome-
times enjoy in Europe, the rains in theſe climates are
torrents, the found of which might be mistaken for
that of hail, if this were not almoſt unknown under fo
burning a ſky.
Theſe fhowers, it must be allowed, refreſh the air;
but they occafion a dampnefs, the effects of which are
no leſs diſagreeable than fatal. The dead muſt be in-
terred within a few hours after they have expired.
Meat will not keep fweet above four-and-twenty hours.
The fruits decay, whether they are gathered ripe, or
before their maturity. The bread muſt be made up
into biſcuits, to prevent its growing mouldy. Com-
mon wines foon turn four; and iron grows rufty in a
day's time. The feeds can only be preſerved by con-
ſtant attention and care, till the proper ſeaſon returns
for fowing them. When the Caribbee Iflands were
firſt diſcovered, the corn that was conveyed there for
the ſupport of thoſe who could not accuſtom them-
felves to the food of the natives of the country, was
fo foon damaged, that it became neceffary to fend it
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
399
X.
in the ears.
This neceffary precaution enhanced the в o O K
price of it ſo much, that few people were able to buy
it. Flour was then fubftituted in lieu of corn, which
lowered, indeed, the expences of tranſport, but was
attended with this inconvenience, that it was fooner
damaged. It was imagined by a merchant, that if
the flour were entirely feparated from the bran, which
contributes to its fermentation, it would have the
double advantage of cheapnefs and of keeping longer.
He caufed it therefore to be fifted, and put the fineſt
flour into ftrong caſks, and beat it cloſe together with
iron hammers, till it became ſo hard a body, that the
air could fcarce penetrate it. Experience juftified fo
fenfible a contrivance: the practice of it hath become
general, and been confiderably improved ever fince.
It was thought that nothing more remained to be
done, when M. du Hamel propofed another precau-
tion, that of drying the flour in ſtoves, before it was
embarked. This idea attracted the attention of the
French miniſtry. Flour prepared in the new way, and
fome according to the former mode, was fent to the
other hemifphere. Upon their return, the firſt had
loft nothing, and the laſt was half rotten, and depriv-
ed of its glutinous property. The fame reſult hath at-
tended all the experiments. It is pleafing to hope, that
a diſcovery ſo ufeful will not be loft, for the nations
that have formed fettlements to the fouth of America.
If it doth not fecure to the provifions the fame degree
of duration that they have in our dry and temperate
climates, they will not at least be corrupted ſo ſoon,
and will be preferved for a longer time.
non in the
However troubleſome theſe natural effects of the Ordinary
rain may be, it is attended with fome ftill more for- phenome-
midable; fuch as frequent and fometimes dreadful inlands.
earthquakes in the iſlands. As they generally happen
during the time, or towards the end of the rainy fea-
fon, and when the tides are highest, fome ingenious
naturalifts have therefore fuppofed that they might be
owing to theſe two cauſes.
The waters of the sky and of the fea undermine,
2
400
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
$
X.
BOOK dig up, and ravage the earth in feveral ways. The
ocean, in particular, exerts its fury upon this globe
with a violence that can neither be foreſeen nor pre-
vented. Among the various ſhocks to which it is con-
ftantly expofed, from this reftleſs and boisterous ele-
ment, there is one, which, at the Caribbee Iſlands, is
diſtinguiſhed by the name of raz de marée, or whirl-
pool. It conftantly happens once, twice, or three
times, from July to October, and always on the weft-
ern coafts; becauſe it takes place after the time of the
wefterly and foutherly winds, or while they blow.
The waves, which at a distance feem to advance gent-
ly within four or five hundred yards, fuddenly fwell
againſt the ſhore, as if acted upon in an oblique direc-
tion by fome fuperior force, and break with the great-
eft impetuofity. The fhips which are then upon the
coaſt, or in the roads beyond it, unable either to put
to ſea or keep their anchors, are daſhed to pieces
againſt the land, leaving the unhappy failors entirely
without hopes of eſcaping that certain death, the ap-
proaches of which they have been expecting for ſeve-
ral hours.
So extraordinary a motion of the ſea hath been hi-
therto confidered as the confequence of a ftorm. But
a ftorm follows the direction of the wind, from one
point of the compaſs to another; and whirlpools are
felt in one part of an iſland that is ſheltered by another
ifland, where the fhock is not at all perceived. This
obfervation hath induced Mr. Dutafta, who has travel-
led through Africa and America, as a natural philofo-
pher, a merchant, and a ſtateſman, to feek for a more
probable cauſe of this fingular phenomenon. He hath
not only diſcovered this, but alſo ſeveral other truths
that may be uſeful to many of the fciences, if he
fhould ever make them public. We ſhall then, pro-
bably, acquire more certain information concerning
hurricanes.
The hurricane is a violent wind, generally accom-
panied with rain, lightning, and thunder, fometimes
with earthquakes; and always attended with the moſt
3
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
401
X.
melancholy and fatal confequences that the wind can в O O K
produce. The day, which in the torrid zone is ufually
bright and clear, is fuddenly changed into a dark and
univerfal night; the appearance of a perpetual ſpring
into the drearineſs and horror of the moſt gloomy win-
ter. Trees, as ancient as the world itſelf, are torn up
by the roots, and inſtantly diſappear. The ſtrongeſt
and the moſt ſolid buildings are in a moment buried
in ruins. Where the eye delighted itſelf with the pro-
ſpect of rich and verdant hills, nothing is to be ſeen
but plantations entirely deftroyed, and frightful ca-
verns. The unhappy fufferers, deprived of their whole.
fupport, weep over the carcafes of the dead, or fearch
among the ruins for their friends and relations. The
noife of the waters, of the woods, of the thunder, and
of the winds, that break againſt the ſhattered rocks;
the cries and howlings of men and animals, promifcu-
ouſly involved in a whirlwind of fand, ftones, and ruins
of buildings all together feem to portend the laſt
ftruggles of expiring nature.
Theſe hurricanes, however, contribute to produce
more plentiful crops, and to ripen the fruits of the
earth. Whether theſe violent concuffions tear up the
ground, in order to render it more fertile, or whether
the hurricane brings along with it certain fubſtances
fit to promote the vegetation of plants, is not eafily
determined: but it hath been obferved, that this feem-
ing and temporary confufion was not only a confe-
quence of the uniformity of nature, which makes even
diffolution itſelf inftrumental to regeneration, but alſo
the means of preferving the general fyftem, the life
and vigour of which is maintained by an internal fer-
mentation, the ſource of partial evil and of general
good.
The firft inhabitants of the Caribbee Iflands ima-
gined that they had difcovered infallible prognoftics of
this alarming phenomenon. They obferved, that,
when it was near at hand, the air was mifty, the fun
red, and yet the weather calm, and the tops of the
mountains clear. Under the earth, and in the refer-
Vol. III.
Сс
402
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
2.
BOOK voirs of water, a dull found was heard, like that arif-
X. ing from pent-up winds. The ſtars were clouded by a
vapour, that made them appear larger. The ſky, in
the north-weft, was overfpread with dark and black
clouds, that feemed very alarming. The fea fent forth
a ftrong and difagreeable fmell, and, in the midſt of a
calm, was fuddenly agitated. The wind changed in a
moment from east to weft, and blew very violently at
different intervals, each of which continued for two
hours together.
Though the truth of all theſe obſervations cannot be
aſcertained, yet to pay no attention to the idens, and
even prejudices, of favage nations on times and feaſons,
would be a feeming indication of imprudence, or of a
mind too little addicted to philofophical inquiries. The
want of employment of theſe people, and their being
habituated to live in open air, afford them an oppor-
tunity, and put them under a neceffity, of obferving
the ſmalleſt alterations in the air, and of acquiring fuch
informations on this point, as have eſcaped the more
enlightened nations, which are more employed, and
more devoted to works of a fedentary nature. Poffibly
we muſt be indebted to the man who dwells in the fo-
refts for the difcovery of effects, and to the learned
man for the inveſtigation of caufes. Let us trace, if
poffible, the cauſe of hurricanes, a phenomenon fo fre-
quent in America, that this alone would have been
fufficient to make it be deſerted, or render it uninhabit-
able many ages ago.
No hurricanes come from the eaſt, that is, from the
greatest extent of the ſea at the Caribbee Iflands. As
this is an acknowledged fact, it would induce us to be-
lieve, that they are formed on the continent of Ameri-
ca. The weſt wind which blows conftantly, and ſome-
times very violently in the fouthern parts, from July to
January, and the north wind blowing at the fame time
in the northern parts, muft, when they meet, oppoſe
each other with a force proportionate to their natural
velocity. If this fhock happens in the long and nar-
row paffes of the mountains, it muſt occafion a ſtrong
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
403
X.
current of air, that will extend itſelf in a compound в о o к
ratio of the moving power, and the diameter of the
narrow paſs of the mountain. Every folid body that
meets this current of air, will be impreffed with a de-
gree of force proportioned to the extent of furface it
oppoſes to the current; fo that if the poſition of that
furface ſhould be perpendicular to the direction of the
hurricane, it is impoffible to determine what effect
might be produced upon the whole mafs. Fortunate-
ly, the different bearings of the coaſt of theſe iſlands,
and their angular or fpherical figure, occafion theſe
dreadful hurricanes to fall upon furfaces more or leſs
oblique, which divert the current of air, break its force,
and gradually deftroy its effects. Experience alfo
proves, that their action is by degrees fo much weaken-
ed, that even in the direction where the hurricane falls
with moſt force, it is fcarce felt at ten leagues diſtance.
The most accurate obfervers have remarked, that all
the hurricanes which have fucceffively fubverted the
iflands, came from the north-weft, and confequently
from the narrow paffes formed by the mountains of
St. Martha. The diſtance of fome iflands from this
direction, is not a fufficient reafon for rejecting this
opinion; as feveral caufes may contribute to divert a
current of air to the ſouth or eaft. We cannot help
thinking, therefore, that thofe perfons have been in an
error, who have afferted, that the violence of a hurri-
cane was felt under whatever point of the compaſs the
wind came from. Such are the deftructive phenomena
Nature hath oppofed to the acquifition of the riches of
the New World: but what barrier could restrain the
daring fpirit of the navigator who difcovered it?
Christopher Columbus having firft formed a fettle- Cufioms of
ment at St. Domingo, one of the Greater Antilles, dif- the Caribs,
covered the Lefs. The iflanders he had to encounter inhabitants
the ancient
of the
there, were not fo weak and cowardly as thofe he had Windward
at firſt ſubdued. The Caribs, who thought they ori- Ilands.
ginally came from Guiana, were of moderate ftature,
thick fet and ſtrong, and fuch as feemed adapted to
form men of fuperior ftrength, if their manner of life
C cij
404
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
Book and exerciſes had feconded theſe natural appearances,
X. Their legs, thick and mufcular, were generally well
made; their eyes black, large, and ſomewhat promi-
nent. Their whole figure would have been pleafing,
had they not ſpoiled their natural beauty by fancied
and artificial ornaments, which could only be agreeable
among themſelves. The eye-brows and the head were
the only parts of the body on which they fuffered any
hair to grow. They wore no garment, nor had this
any influence on their chaſtity. In order to guard a-
gainſt the bite of infects, they painted all their bodies
over with the juice of the rocou, or arnotto, which
gave them the appearance of a boiled lobfter.
Their religion confifted only in fome confuſed belief
of a good and bad principle; an opinion fo natural to
man, that we find it diffuſed among the moſt ſavage
nations, and preferved even among many civilized
people. They were little concerned about the tute-
lary divinity, but had the greateſt dread of the evil
principle. Their other fuperftitions were more abfurd
than dangerous, and they were but little attached to
them. This indifference did not contribute to render
them more ready to embrace Chriftianity when it was
propofed to them. Without entering into difpute
with thoſe who expounded the doctrines, they con-
tented themſelves with rejecting the belief of them,
for fear, as they ſaid, that their neighbours ſhould laugh
at them.
Though the Caribs had no regular form of govern-
ment among them, yet they lived quietly and peaceably
with one another. The tranquillity they enjoyed,
was entirely owing to that innate principle of com-
paffion which precedes all reflection, and is the ſource
of all focial virtues. This humane fpirit of benevolence
arifes from the very frame and nature of man, whofe
felf-love alone is fufficient to make him abhor the ſuf-
ferings of his fellow-creatures. To infufe, therefore, a
ſpirit of humanity into the minds of tyrants, it would
only be neceffary to make them the executioners of
thofe victims they facrifice to their pride, and of thoſe
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDies.
405 1
X.
cruelties they order to be practifed upon others. The в O O K
hands of thoſe voluptuaries fhould be obliged to muti-
late the eunuchs of their feraglios; they fhould be
forced to attend the field of battle; they ſhould there
behold the bleeding wounds, hear the imprecations,
and be witneffes of the agonies and convulfions of their
dying foldiers; they fhould next attend the hofpitals,
and at leiſure contemplate the wounds, the fractures,
the diſeaſes occafioned by famine, by labours equally
dangerous and unwholefome, by cruel fervices and
taxes, and by the other calamities which ariſe from the
vices and profligacy of their manners. How greatly
would fcenes like thefe, occafionally introduced in the
education of princes, contribute to leffen the crimes
and fufferings of the human race! What benefits
would not the people derive from the compaffionate
emotions of their fovereigns?
Among the Caribs, whofe hearts were not depraved
by the pernicious inftitutions that corrupt us, neither
adultery, treaſon, nor maffacres, fo common among ci-
vilized nations, were known. Religion, the laws, and
penal puniſhments, thofe barriers raifed to protect old
cuftoms from the encroachments of new ones, were
uſeleſs to men who followed nature alone. Theft was
never heard of among thefe favages, before the Euro-
peans came among them. When they difcovered any
thing miffing, they obferved, that the Chriftians had
been with them.
Theſe iſlanders were little acquainted with the ſtrong-
eft paffions of the foul, not even with that of love.
This paffion was with them merely a fenfual appetite.
They never fhowed the leaft marks of attention or
tenderneſs for that fex, fo much courted in other coun-
tries. They confidered their wives rather in the light
of flaves than of companions; they did not even fuf-
fer them to eat with them, and had ufurped the right
of divorcing them, without granting them the indul-
gence of marrying again. The women felt themfelves
born to obey, and fubmitted patiently to their fate.
In other refpecs, a taste for power had little influ-
Cc iij
406
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
}
X.
BOO Kence on the minds of the Caribs; as they had no di-
ftinction of ranks among them, they were all on a foot-
ing of equality, and were extremely furpriſed to find
degrees of fubordination eſtabliſhed among the Euro-
peans. This fyftem was fo repugnant to their ideas,
that they confidered thoſe as flaves, who had the
weakneſs to receive the commands of a fuperior, and
obey them. The fubjection of the women among
them, was a natural confequence of the weaknefs of
the ſex. But in what manner, and for what reafon,
the ſtronger men fubmitted themſelves to the weaker;
and how one man commanded the whole body, was a
problem, that neither war, treachery, nor fuperftition,
had been able to refolve.
The manners of a people, neither influenced by in-
tereſt, vanity, or ambition, muſt be very fimple. Every
family formed within itſelf a republic, diftinct in fome
degree from the reft of the nation. They compofed a
hamlet, called carbet, of greater or lefs conſequence,
in proportion to the space of ground it occupied. The
chief or patriarch of the family lived in the centre,
with his wives and younger children. Around him
were placed the huts of ſuch of his defcendants as were
married. The columns that fupported thefe huts were
ſtakes; the roofs were thatched; and the whole fur-
niture confifted of fome weapons, cotton beds made
very plain and fimple, fome baskets, and utenfils made
of calabaſhes.
In theſe huts the Caribs fpent the greateft part of
their life, either in fleeping or ſmoking. When they
went out, they retired into fome corner, and fat upon
the ground, feemingly abforbed in the moſt profound
contemplation. Whenever they fpoke, which was not
very often, they were heard without interruption or
contradiction, and without any anſwer, but the fign of
a tacit approbation.
They were not much troubled in providing for their
fuftenance. Savages, who fpent their life in the con-
denfed air of the foreft, who had the cuftom of cover-
ing themſelves with a layer of rocou, which clofed up
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
407
X.
the pores of the fkin; who ſpent their days in idleness в O O K
and indolence; fuch favages muſt neceffarily perſpire
very little, and be very moderate in their eating.
Without being compelled to the labours of cultivation,
they found conſtantly, at the foot of the trees, a whole-
fome food, fitted to their conſtitution; and which re-
quired no great preparation. If they fometimes ad-
ded to theſe gifts of liberal and uncultivated nature,
what they had taken in hunting and fishing, it was
moftly upon occafion of fome public feaft.
Thefe extraordinary feftivals were not holden at any
ftated times. The guests themſelves fhowed no altera-
tion in their uſual characters. In theſe meetings they
were not more gay or ſprightly than at other times.
A fpirit of indolence and liftleffneſs appeared in their
countenances. Their dances were fo grave and fo-
lemn, that the motions of their bodies were expreffive
of the dullness of their minds. But thefe gloomy fefti-
vals, like thoſe clouded ſkies that are the forerunners
of a ſtorm, were feldom concluded without bloodſhed.
Theſe favages, who were fo temperate when alone,
grew drunk when affembled in companies, and their
intoxication excited and revived thofe family diffen-
fions, that were either only ftifled, or not entirely ex-
tinguiſhed and thus theſe feſtivals terminated in maſ-
facres. Hatred and revenge, the only paffions that
could deeply agitate the minds of theſe favages, were
thus perpetuated by convivial pleaſures. In the height
of theſe entertainments, parents and relations embra-
ced one another, and fwore that they would wage war
upon the continent, and, fometimes, in the great
islands.
The Caribs ufed to embark upon boats, made of a
fingle tree, that had been felled by burning its roots.
Whole years had been employed in hollowing thefe
canoes, by hatchets made of ftone, or by means of fire,
ikilfully applied within the trunk of the tree, in order
to bring it to the moft proper form. Thefe free and
voluntary warriors being arrived on the coafts, to which
they were led, fometimes by a blind caprice, and fome-
Cc iiij
408
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK times by violent hatred, went in queft of nations to
exterminate. They made their attack with a kind of
club, nearly as long as the arm, and with poiſoned ar-
rows. At their return from this military expedition,
which was the more fpeedily brought to a conclufion,
as mutual enmity rendered it more cruel and fpirited,
the favages fell again into their former ftate of indo-
lence and inactivity.
The En-
French fet-
Iflands on
The Spaniards, notwithstanding the advantage of
fire-arms, did not continue long at war with this peo-
ple, nor were they always fuccefsful. At first they
fought only for gold, and afterwards for flaves; but
not meeting with any mines, and the Caribs being fo
proud and fullen that they died when reduced to flave-
ry, the Spaniards gave up all thoughts of making con-
queſts which they thought of little confequence, and
which they could neither acquire nor preferve without
conftant and bloody wars.
The Engliſh and French, being apprifed of theſe
glish and tranfactions, ventured to equip a finall fleet, in order
tled in the to intercept the Spaniſh veffels which frequented thefe
Windward latitudes. The advantages gained increated the num-
the ruin of ber of pirates. Peace, which frequently took place in
the Caribs. Europe, did not prevent thefe expeditions. The cuf
tom that prevailed among the Spaniards, of topping
all fhips that failed beyond the tropic, juftified fuch
piracies.
The two nations had long been acquainted with the
Windward Iſlands, without ever thinking of making
any fettlement there, or having been able to fix upon
the mode of doing it. They were, perhaps, appre-
henfive of irritating the Caribs, by whom they had
been favourably received; or, perhaps, they confider-
ed that a foil which afforded none of thofe productions
that were of uſe in the Old World was unworthy of
their attention. At length, however, fome Engliſh
and French, the former headed by Warner, and the
latter by Denambuc, landed at St. Chriftopher's on
the fame day, at two oppofite parts of the iſland. The
frequent loffes they fuftained, ferved to convince them
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
409
X.
both, that they certainly would never triumph over, в o о K
and enrich themſelves with the ſpoils of the common
enemy, unleſs they had fome fixed refidence, ports,
and a place of general rendezvous. As they had no
notion of commerce, agriculture, or conqueft, they
amicably divided the coafts of the island where they
accidentally met together. The natives of the coun-
try retired from the ſpot they were fixed upon, telling
them at the fame time, that land muſt either be very
bad or very scarce with them, fince they were come from
fo great a distance, and had expofed themselves to fo ma-
ny dangers, to feek for it among them.
The court of Madrid were not fo peaceably inclin-
ed. Frederick of Toledo, who was fent to Brazil in
the year 1630, with a powerful fleet, to attack the
Dutch, was ordered, in his paffage, to deſtroy the pi-
rates, who, according to the prejudices of that nation,
had invaded one of their territories. The vicinity of
two active and induftrious nations occafioned the
greateſt anxiety to the Spaniards. They were fenfible
that their colonies would be expoſed to attacks, if any
other people ſhould come to fettle in that part of A-
merica.
The French and Engliſh in vain united their weak
powers against the common enemy: they were beat-
en; and thoſe who were not either killed in the ac-
tion, or not taken prifoners, fled for fhelter, with the
utmoft precipitation, into the neighbouring iflands.
When the danger was over, they most of them return-
ed to their former fettlements. Spain, whofe attention
was engroffed by objects fhe confidered as of greater
importance, difturbed them no more; taking it for
granted, perhaps, that their mutual jealoufies would
occafion their deftruction.
Unfortunately for the Caribs, the two nations, thus
conquered, fufpended their rivalſhip. The Caribs, al-
ready fufpected of forming a confpiracy in St. Chri-
ftopher's, were either baniſhed or deftroyed. Their
wives, their provifions, and even the lands they occu-
pied, were feized upon. A fpirit of anxiety, the con-
410
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BO O K fequence of ufurpation, inclined the Europeans to be-
lieve that the other favage nations had entered into
the confpiracy; and they were therefore attacked in
their iſlands. In vain did thoſe plain and inoffenfive
men, who had no inclination to contend for the poffef-
fion of a land which they confidered not as their pro-
perty, remove the boundaries of their habitations, in
proportion as the Europeans advanced with their en-
croachments; they were ſtill purfued with the ſame
eagerness and obftinacy. As foon as they perceived
that their lives or liberties were in danger, they at
length took up arms; and the ſpirit of revenge, which
always goes beyond the injury, muſt have fometimes
contributed to render them cruel, though not unjuſt.
In earlier times, the Engliſh and the French confi-
dered the Caribs as their common enemy; but this
kind of cafual affociation was frequently interrupted.
It implied not a lafting engagement, much lefs the be-
coming guarantee for their mutual poffeffions. The
favages artfully contrived to be at peace, fometimes
with one nation, and ſometimes with the other; and
thus they gained the advantage of having only one
enemy at a time. This management would have been
but of little fervice to theſe iſlanders, had not Europe,
fcarce paying any attention to a few adventurers,
whofe excurfions had as yet been of no uſe to her,
and not fufficiently enlightened to penetrate into fu-
turity, neglected both the care of governing them, as
well as that of putting them into a condition to extend
or recover the advantages they had already acquired.
The indifference (hown by the two mother-countries,
determined their fubjects of the New World, in the
month of January 1660, to enter into an alliance, ſe-
curing to each people thofe poffeffions the various
events of war had procured them, and which till then
had been totally unfettled. This alliance was accom-
panied with an offenſive and defenfive league, to com-
pel the natives of the country to join in this plan; to
which their fears induced them to accede the very
fame year.
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
411
X.
By this treaty, which eftabliſhed tranquillity in this в O O K
part of America, France obtained Guadalupe, Marti-
nico, Granada, and fome lefs confiderable acquifitions.
England was confirmed in the poffeffion of Barbadoes,
Nevis, Antigua, Montferrat, and feveral other iſlands
of little value: St. Christopher's belonged to both na-
tions. The Caribs were confined to Dominica and St.
Vincent's, where all the fcattered body of this people
united, and did not at that time exceed in number
бoco men.
take poffef-
venturers.
At this period, the Engliſh fettlements had acquir- The French
ed under a government, which, though not free from fion of part
defects, was yet tolerable, fome kind of form, and were of St. Do-
in a flouriſhing ſtate. On the contrary, the French co- Character
mingo,
lonies were abandoned by a great number of their in- of thefe ad-
habitants, reduced to deípair, from the neceffity they
were under of fubmitting to the tyranny of exclufive
privileges. Theſe men, paffionately attached to liber-
ty, fled to the northern coaſt of St. Domingo, a place
of refuge for ſeveral adventurers of their own country,
fince they had been driven out of St. Chriſtopher's
about thirty years before.
They were called Buccaneers, becauſe they imitated
the cuſtom of the favages, in drying the food they liv-
ed upon by ſmoke, in places called Buccans. As they
had no wives nor children, they uſually affociated two
in a company, to affiſt one another in family duties.
In theſe focieties property was common, and the laft
furvivor inherited all that remained. Theft was un-
known among them, though no precautions were ta-
ken againſt it; and what was wanting at home was
freely borrowed from fome of the neighbours, without
any other reſtriction than that of a previous intima-
tion, if they were at home; if not, of making them
acquainted with it at their return. Cæfar found in
Gaul the fame cuftom, which bears the double charac-
ter, both of a primitive ftate, in which every thing was
in common, and of times pofterior to that in which the
idea of private property was known and refpected.
Differences feldom arofe, and, when they did, were
412
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK eafily adjufted. If the parties, however, were obfti-
X. nate, they decided the matter by fire-arms. If the
ball entered at the back or the fides, it was confidered
as a mark of treachery, and the affaffin was immedi-
ately put to death. The former laws of their country
were difregarded, and by the ufual fea baptifm they
had received in paffing the tropic, they confidered
themſelves exempted from all obligation to obey them.
Theſe adventurers had even quitted their family name
to affume others, borrowed from terms of war, moſt of
which have been tranfmitted to their pofterity.
The dreſs of theſe barbarians confifted of a fhirt
dipped in the blood of the animals they killed in
hunting; a pair of drawers dirtier than the ſhirt, and
made in the ſhape of a brewer's apron; a girdle made
of leather, on which a very ſhort fabre was hung, and
fome knives; a hat without any rim, except a flap be-
fore, in order to take hold of it; and fhoes without
îtockings. Their ambition was fatisfied, if they could
but provide themſelves with a gun that carried balls
of an ounce weight, and with a pack of about five-
and-twenty or thirty dogs.
The buccaneers fpent their life in hunting the wild
bulls, of which there were great numbers in the iſland,
fince the Spaniards had brought them. The beſt parts
of theſe animals, when feaſoned with pimento and
orange juice, were the moſt common food of their de-
ftroyers, who had forgotten the uſe of bread, and who
had nothing but water to drink. The hides of theſe
animals were conveyed to ſeveral ports, and bought by
the navigators. They were carried thither by men
who were called engagés, or bondſmen, a ſet of per-
fons who were uſed to fell themſelves in Europe to
ferve as flaves in the colonies during the term of three
years. One of thefe miferable men prefuming to re-
prefent to his mafter, who always fixed upon a Sunday
for this voyage, that God had forbidden fuch a prac-
tice, when he had declared, Six days fhalt thou labour,
and on the feventh day fhalt thou reft; And I, replied the
brutal Buccaneer, fay to thee, Six days thou fait kill
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
413
IX.
bulls, and ſtrip them of their ſkins, and on the feventh в O O K
day thou shalt carry their hides to the fea-fhore. This
command was followed by blows, which fometimes
enforce obedience, fometimes diſobedience to the laws
of God.
Men of fuch a caft, habituated to conftant exer-
ciſes, and feeding every day on freſh meat, were little
expoſed to diſeaſes. Their excurfions were only fuf-
pended by a flight fever, which lafted one day, and
was not felt the next. They must, however, have been
weakened by length of time, under a climate of too
intenſe a heat, to enable them to fupport fo hard and
laborious a manner of life.
The climate, indeed, was the only enemy the Buc-
caneers had reaſon to fear. The Spanish colony, at
firſt ſo conſiderable, was reduced to nothing. Neglect-
ed and forgotten by the mother-country, it had even
loft the remembrance of its former greatneſs. The
few inhabitants that furvived lived in a ſtate of indo-
lence their flaves had no other employment but to
fwing them in their hammocks. Confined to thofe
wants only that are fatisfied by nature, frugality pro-
longed their lives to an old age, rarely to be met with
in more temperate climates.
*
It is probable they would not have been rouſed from
their indolence, had not the enterprising and active
ſpirit of their enemies purſued them in proportion as
they retreated. Exafperated at length, from having
their tranquillity and eafe continually difturbed, they
invited from the continent, and from the neighbour-
ing iſlands, fome troops, who fell upon the difperf
ed Buccaneers. They unexpectedly attacked thefe
barbarians in ſmall parties in their excurfions, or in
the night-time, when retired into their huts, and many
of them were maflàcred. Thefe adventurers would
moſt probably have been all deftroyed, had they not
formed themſelves into a body for their mutual defence.
They were under an abfolute neceffity of feparating
in the day-time, but met together in the evening. If
any one of them was mifling, it was fuppofed that he
414
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK was either taken prifoner or killed, and the chafe was
delayed, till he was either found, or his death revenged.
We may eafily conceive how much blood must have
been ſhed by fuch ruffians, belonging to no country,
and fubject to no laws; hunters and warriors from the
calls of nature and inftinct; and excited to murder and
maffacres from being habituated to attack, and from
the neceffity of defending themſelves. In the height
of their fury, they devoted every thing to deftruction,
without any diftinction of ſex or age. The Spaniards,
at length deſpairing of being able to get the better of
fuch favage and obftinate enemies, took the refolution
of deftroying all the bulls of the iſlands, by a general
chafe. The execution of this defign having deprived
the Buccaneers of their ufual refources, put them un-
der the neceffity of making fettlements, and cultivat-
ing the lands.
France, which till that time had difclaimed for her
fubjects theſe ruffians, whofe fucceffes were only tem-
porary, acknowledged them, however, as ſoon as they
formed themſelves into fettlements. In 1665, fhe fent
them over a man of probity and understanding to go-
vern them. Several women attended him, who, like
moſt of thoſe who have at different periods been ſent
into the New World, were noted for their vices and
licentiouſneſs. The Buccaneers were not offended at
the profligacy of their manners; each of them ſaid to
the woman who fell to his lot:
"I take thee, without knowing, or caring to know,
"whom thou art. If any body from whence thou
"comeft would have had thee, thou wouldst not have
come in queſt of me; but no matter. I do not de-
"fire thee to give me an account of thy paft conduct,
"becauſe I have no right to be offended at it, at the
"time when thou waft at liberty to behave either
"well or ill, according to thy own pleaſure; and be-
"cauſe I fhall have no reafon to be afhamed of any
thing thou waft guilty of when thou did not be-
long to me. Give me only thy word for the fu-
"ture. I acquit thee of what is paft." Then king
46
争
​IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
415
his hand on the barrel of his gun, he added,
" This B O O K
"will revenge me of thy breach of faith; if thou
"ſhouldft prove falfe, this will certainly be true to my
"aim."
X.
The Engliſh had not waited till their rivals had ob- The En-
glish con
tained a firm fettlement in the Great Antilles to pro- quer Ja-
cure themſelves an eſtabliſhment there. The declining maica.
ftate of the kingdom of Spain, weakened by its in-
ternal divifions, by the revolt of Catalonia and Por-
tugal, by the commotions of Naples, by the deftruc-
tion of its formidable infantry in the plains of Rocroy,
by its continual loffes in the Netherlands, by the in-
capacity of its minifters, and even by the extinction
of that national pride, which, after having been kept
up and maintained by fixing itſelf on great objects,
had degenerated into an indolent haughtinefs: all theſe
circumſtances, tending to the ruin of the Spaniſh mo-
narchy, left no room to doubt that war might be fuc- L
cefsfully waged against her. France fkilfully took the
advantage of theſe confufions fhe had partly occafion-
ed; and Cromwell, in the year 1655, joined her, in
order to ſhare in the ſpoils of a kingdom haftening to
deftruction in every part.
This conduct of the Protector caufed a revolt among
the beſt Engliſh officers, who, confidering it as an in-
ſtance of great injuftice, determined to quit the fer-
vice. They thought that the will of their fuperiors
could not give fanction to an enterprife which violat-
ed all the principles of equity; and that by concur-
ring in the execution of it, they would be guilty of
the greateſt crime. The reft of the Europeans look-
ed upon theſe principles of virtue and honour as the
effect of that republican and fanatical ſpirit which then
prevailed in England; but they attacked the Protec-
tor with other motives.
Spain had long threatened to enflave all other na-
tions. Perhaps the multitude, who are little able to
eſtimate the ſtrength of nations, and to weigh the va-
riations in the balance of power, were not yet reco-
vered from their ancient prejudices. An univerfal pa-
2
416
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
"
X.
BOOK nic had feized the minds of thoſe able men who atten
tively ftudied the general progrefs of affairs. They
were fenfible, that, if the rapid and extraordinary fuc-
ceffes of France were not checked by fome foreign
power, fhe would deprive the Spaniards of their pof-
feffions, impofe on them what laws fhe thought pro-
per, compel them to the marriage of the Infanta with
Lewis the XIV., fecure to herfelf the inheritance of
Charles the V., and oppreſs the liberty of Europe that
fhe had formerly protected. Cromwell, who had late-
ly fubverted the government of his country, feemed a
fit perfon to give a check to the power of kings: but
he was looked upon as the weakeft of politicians, when
he was obferved to form connections, which his own
private intereſts, thofe of his country, as well as thofe
of Europe in general, ought abfolutely to have pre-
vented him from entering into.
}
Theſe obſervations could not poffibly eſcape the
deep and penetrating genius of the ufurper. But, per-
haps, he was defirous of preſerving the idea the nation
already entertained of his abilities, by fome important
conqueft. If he had declared himſelf on the fide of
Spain, the execution of this project muſt have been
chimerical; as the utmoſt he could poffibly expect
was to reſtore the balance of power between the two
contending parties. He imagined it more favourable
to his defigns, to begin to form a connection with
France, and afterwards to attack her, when he had
made himſelf mafter of thofe poffeffions that were the
object of his ambition. Whatever truth there may be
in thefe conjectures, which, however, may be fupport-
ed from the evidence of hiſtory, and are, at leaſt, con-
fiftent with the character of the extraordinary politi-
cian who is fuppofed to have adopted this mode of
reaſoning, the Engliſh went into the New World to
attack an enemy they had juft brought upon them-
felves.
Their first attempts were directed againſt the town
of St. Domingo, the inhabitants of which retired into
the woods as foon as they faw a large fleet command-
}
2
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
417
ed by Penn, and nine thouſand land forces headed by в
Venables, appear before the city. But the errors com-
mitted by their enemies infpiring theſe fugitives with
freſh courage, they returned, and compelled the ene-
my to reimbark with diſgrace. This misfortune was
the confequence of the ill-concerted plan of this expe-
dition.
The two commanders of this enterpriſe were men
of very moderate abilities. They entertained a mutual
hatred against each other, and were not attached to
the Protector. Inſpectors had been appointed to watch
over them, who, under the name of commiffaries,
checked their operations. The foldiers who were ſent
from Europe were the refuſe of the army; and the mi-
litia, taken from Barbadoes and St. Chriftopher's, were
under no kind of difcipline. The hope of plunder,
that ſtimulus ſo neceffary for the fuccefs of diftant and
difficult enterpriſes, was prohibited. Matters were ar-
ranged in fuch a manner, as to render it impoffible for
any kind of harmony to fubfift between the ſeveral
perfons who were to concur in their fuccefs. Proper
arms, provifions fit for the climate, and the information
neceffary to conduct the enterpriſe, were all wanting.
The execution of the attack was anſwerable to the
plan. The landing of the troops, which might have
been effected without danger, even in the port itſelf,
was accompliſhed without a guide, at forty miles di-
ftance. The troops wandered about for four days with-
out water or provifions. Exhaufted by the exceffive
heat of the climate, and diſcouraged by the cowardice
and miſunderſtanding of their officers, they did not
even contend with the Spaniards for victory. They
ſcarce thought themſelves in fafety when they had got
back to their fhips.
But ill fuccefs contributed to reconcile the irritated
parties. The Engliſh, who had not yet contracted the
habit of bearing difgrace, reclaimed by the very faults
they had committed, and reſtored to the love of their
country, to a ſenſe of their duty, and to a thirſt of glo-
Vol. III.
Dd
O O K
X.
418
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK гy, failed for Jamaica, with a determined refolution,
either to perish, or to make the conqueſt of it.
X.
The inhabitants of this ifland, fubject to Spain fince
the year 1509, were ignorant of what had happened
at St. Domingo, and did not imagine they had any
enemy failing in the neighbouring feas. The Engliſh,
therefore, landed without oppofition. They were bold-
ly marching to lay fiege to St. Jago, the only fortified
place in the colony, when the governor gave a check
to their ardour, by offering them terms of capitulation.
The diſcuſſion of the articles, artfully prolonged, gave
the coloniſts time to remove their most valuable effects
into fecret places. They themſelves fled for ſhelter to
inacceffible mountains, leaving only to the conquerors
a city without inhabitants, moveables, treaſures, or pro-
vifions.
This artifice exafperated the befiegers. They fent
out detachments on every fide, with exprefs orders to
deſtroy every thing they met with. The diſappoint-
ment they felt on finding theſe parties return without
having difcovered any thing; the want of every con-
venience, more fenfibly felt by this nation than any
other; the mortality which increaſed among them
every day; the dread they were under of being at-
tacked by all the forces of the New World: all theſe
circumſtances confpired to make them clamorous for
a fpeedy return into England. The cowardly defer-
tion of fo rich a prize as Jamaica, which they had al-
moſt refolved upon, would foon have expoſed them to
the mortifying reproaches of their country, had they
not diſcovered at laſt fome paſture land, where the fu-
gitives had conveyed their numerous flocks. This un-
expected good fortune occafioned a change in the ſen-
timents of the Engliſh, and made them refolve to com-
plete their conqueſt.
The ſpirit of activity, which this laſt reſolution had
excited, convinced the befieged, that they could not
remain with ſafety in the forefts and precipices where
they had concealed themfelves. They unanimouſly,
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
419
X.
therefore, agreed to fet fail for Cuba. Here they were в O O K
received with fuch marks of difgrace as the weakneſs
of their defence deferved, and they were fent back
again; but with fuch fuccours as were unequal to the
forces they had to contend with. From that principle
of honour, which in most men arifes rather from a fear
of ſhame than a love of glory, they made a more ob-
ftinate refiſtance than could have been expected from
the few reſources they had. They did not evacuate
this confiderable ifland, till they were reduced to the
greatest extremities; and from that period it hath re-
mained one of the moſt valuable poffeffions of Great
Britain in the New World.
booters ra-
vage the
feas. Ori-
gin, man-
ditions, and
rates.
Before the Engliſh had made any ſettlement at Ja- The free-
maica, and the French at St. Domingo, fome pirates
of both nations, who have fince been fo much diftin- American
guiſhed by the name of Freebooters, had driven the feas
Spaniards out of the ſmall iſland of Tortuga, fituated ners, expe-
at the diſtance of two leagues from St. Domingo; and decline of
fortifying themſelves there, had made excurfions with thefe pi-
amazing intrepidity againſt the common enemy. They
formed themſelves into ſmall companies, conſiſting of
fifty, a hundred, or a hundred and fifty men each. A
boat, of a greater or fmaller fize, was all their naval
force. Theſe boats were fcarce big enough for a per-
fon to lie down in; and they had nothing to fhelter
them from the ardent heats of a burning climate, nor
from the rains, which fall in torrents in thofe regions.
They were often in want of the moft neceffary fup-
ports of life. But all thefe calamities were forgotten
at the fight of a fhip. They never deliberated on the
attack, but proceeded immediately to board the ſhip,
of whatever fize it might be. As foon as they threw
out the grappling, the veffel was certainly taken.
In cafes of extreme neceflity, theſe banditti attack-
ed the people of every nation, but fell upon the Spa-
niards at all times. They thought that the cruelties
they had exerciſed on the Americans, juftified the im-
placable averfion they had fworn against them. But
this extraordinary kind of humanity was heightened
D d ij
420
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
}
X.
BOOK by perſonal refentment, from the mortification they
felt, in feeing themſelves debarred from the privilege
of hunting and fiſhing, which they juftly confidered
as natural rights. Such was their infatuation, that
whenever they embarked on any expedition, they ufed
to pray to Heaven for the fuccefs of it; and they ne-
ver came back from the plunder, but they conftantly
returned thanks to God for their victory.
The ſhips that arrived from Europe feldom tempted
their avidity. Thefe barbarians would have found no-
thing but merchandiſe in them, the fale of which
would not have been very profitable, and would have
required too conftant an attention. They always wait-
ed for them on their return, when they were laden
with the gold, filver, and jewels of the other hemi-
fphere. If they met with a fingle fhip, they never
failed to attack her. They followed the fleets them-
felves; and any fhip that ftraggled, or remained be-
hind, was inevitably loft. The Spaniards, who trem-
bled at the fight of theſe implacable enemies, imme-
diately furrendered. Life was granted to them, if the
cargo proved a rich one; but if the conquerors were
diſappointed in their expectations, all the crew were
frequently thrown into the fea.
Peter Legrand, a native of Dieppe, had no more
than four pieces of cannon and twenty-eight men in
his boat yet, with this trifling force, he ventured to
attack the vice-admiral of the galleons. He boarded
him, having firft given orders to fink his own veffel;
and the Spaniards were ſo much ſurpriſed at this bold-
neſs, that not one of them attempted to oppoſe him.
When he came to the captain's cabin, who was en-
gaged at play, he prefented a piſtol to him, and com-
pelled him to furrender. This commander, with the
greater part of the crew, they landed at the neareſt
cape, as a uſeleſs burden to the ſhip they had fo ill de-
fended, and reſerved only a fufficient number of fail-
ors to work her.
Fifty-five freebooters, who had failed into the fouth-
ern fea, proceeded as far as California. To return in-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
421
When
X.
to the northern fea, they were obliged to fail two в O O K
thouſand leagues againſt the wind in a canoe.
they were at the Straits of Magellan, they were feized
with rage at having made no plunder in fo rich an
ocean, and fteered again towards Peru. They were
informed, that there was in the port of Yauca a fhip,
the cargo of which was valued at feveral millions:
they immediately attacked, took her, and embarked
upon her.
Michael de Bafco, Jonqué, and Lawrence le Graff,
were cruifing before Carthagena with three ſmall and
bad veffels, when two men of war failed out of the
harbour to attack theſe freebooters, and to bring them
alive or dead. The Spaniards were fo much deceived
in their expectations, that they were themſelves taken
prifoners. The victors kept the ſhips; but they ſent
back the crews with a degree of fcorn, which greatly
enhanced the fhame of a defeat in itfelf fo humiliat-
ing.
Michael and Brouage having received intelligence
that a very valuable cargo had been ſhipped from Car-
thagena in veffels carrying a foreign flag, in order to
ſecure it from their rapine, attacked the two fhips that
were loaded with this treaſure, and plundered them.
The Dutch captains, exaſperated at their being beaten
by fhips fo inferior to theirs, ventured to tell one of
theſe adventurers openly, that, if he had been alone,
he would not dare to attack them. Let us begin the
fight again, replied the Buccaneer with haughtiness,
and my companion fhall remain a quiet spectator of the en-
gagement. If I ſhould be conqueror again, both your ſhips
fball alſo be mine. The prudent republicans, far from
accepting the challenge, quickly made off, apprehend-
ing, if they ſhould ſtop, that they might not have the
liberty of declining it.
Lawrence, who was on board a very fmall veffel,
was overtaken by two Spaniſh fhips, carrying each fix-
ty guns. You have, faid he, addreffing himſelf to his
companions, too much experience not to be fenfible of your
danger, and too much courage to fear it. On this occa-
D d iij
422
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK fion we must avail ourselves of every circumftance, hazard
every thing, attack and defend ourselves at the fame time.
Valour, artifice, rafhness, and even defpair itſelf, muſt now
be employed. Let us dread the ignominy of a defeat; let
us dread the cruelty of our enemies; and let us fight, that
we may efcape them.
After this fpeech, which was received with general
applaufe, the captain called to the braveft of the free-
booters, and publicly ordered him to fet fire to the
gunpowder, on the firft fignal he ſhould give him;
ihowing, by this refolution, that they muft either ex-
pect death, or defend themſelves. Then extending his
hand toward the enemy, We muft, fays he, paſs between
their ſhips, and fire upon them from every fide, according
to your ufual custom. This plan of operation was exe-
cuted with equal courage and diípatch. The fhips in-
deed were not taken; but the crews were fo reduced
in number, that they either were not able, or had not
courage enough, to continue the combat againſt a
handful of refolute men, who, even in their retreat,
carried away the honour of the victory. The Spaniſh
commander atoned, by his death, for the difgrace his
ignorance and cowardice had ftamped upon his coun-
try. In every engagement the freebooters fhowed the
fame fpirit of intrepidity.
When they had got a confiderable booty, at firft
they held their rendezvous at the iſland of Tortuga, in
order to divide the fpoil; but afterwards the French
went to St. Domingo, and the English to Jamaica.
They all took an oath, that they had fecreted none of
the ſpoil. If any one among them was convicted of
perjury, which feldom happened, he was left, as foon as
an opportunity offered, upon fome defert iſland, as an
infamous perfon. The firft fhares of the booty were
always given to thoſe who had been maimed in any of
their engagements. If they had loft a hand, an arm,
or a leg, they received two hundred crowns [251.].
An eye, or a finger, loft in fight, was valued only at
half the above fum. The wounded were allowed three
livres [2s. 6d.] a-day for two months, to enable them
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
423
X.
to have their wounds taken care of. If they had not в O O K
money enough to fulfil theſe facred obligations, the
whole company were bound to engage in fome freſh
expedition, and to continue it, even till they had ac-
quired a fufficient ſtock to enable them to fatisfy fuch
honourable contracts.
After this act of juftice and humanity, the remainder
of the booty was divided. The commander, in ſtrict-
nefs, could only lay claim to a ſingle ſhare as the reft;
but they complimented him with two or three, in pro-
portion as they were fatisfied with his ſkill, valour, and
conduct. When the veffel was not the property of the
company, the perfon who had fitted it out, and furnish-
ed it with neceffary arms and provifions, was entitled
to a third of the prizes. Favour never had any influ-
ence in the divifion of the booty; for every ſhare was
rigidly determined by lot. This probity was extended
even to the dead. Their fhare was given to their fur-
viving companion. If the perfon who had been killed
had none, his part was fent to his family. If there were
no friends or relations, it was diſtributed in charity to
the poor and to churches, which were to pray for the
perſon in whoſe name theſe benefactions were given,
the fruits of inhuman but neceffary piratical plunder.
They afterwards indulged themſelves in profufions
of all kinds. Unbounded licentioufnefs in gaming,
wine, women, every kind of debauchery was carried to
the utmost pitch of excefs, and was ftopt only by the
want which fuch profufions brought on.
Thoſe men
who were enriched with feveral millions, were in an
intant totally ruined, and deftitute of clothes and pro-
vifions. They returned to fea, and the new fupplies
they acquired were foon laviſhed in the fame manner.
If thefe madmen were afked, what fatisfaction they
could find in diffipating fo rapidly, what they had
gained with ſo much difficulty? they made this very
ingenuous reply: "Expofed as we are to fuch a va-
riety of dangers, our life is totally different from that
of other men. Why fhould we, who are alive to-
day, and may be dead to-morrow, think of hoarding
D d iiij
46
(
}
424
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воок
X. ("
BOOK" up? We reckon only the day we live, but never
think upon that which is to come. Our concern is
" rather to fquander life away, than to preſerve it.”
The Spaniſh colonies, flattering themſelves with the
hopes of ſeeing an end to their miſeries, and reduced
almoſt to deſpair in finding themſelves a perpetual prey
to theſe ruffians, grew weary of navigation. They
gave up all the power, conveniences, and fortune their
connections procured them, and formed themſelves al-
moft into ſo many diſtinct and ſeparate ſtates. They
were fenfible of the inconveniences arifing from ſuch
a conduct, and avowed them; but the dread of falling
into the hands of rapacious and favage men had greater
influence over them than the dictates of honour, inte-
reft, and policy. This was the riſe of that ſpirit of
inactivity which continues to this time.
This defpondency ferved only to increaſe the bold-
nefs of the freebooters. As yet they had only appear-
ed in the Spanish fettlements, in order to carry off
fome proviſions; and even this they had done very fel-
dom. They no fooner found their captures begin to
diminiſh, than they determined to recover by land
what they had loft at fea. The richeſt and moſt po-
pulous countries of the continent were plundered and
laid wafte. The culture of lands was equally neglect-
ed with navigation; and the Spaniards dared no more
appear in their public roads, than fail in the latitudes
which belonged to them.
Among the freebooters who fignalized themſelves
in this new fpecies of excurfions, Montbar, a gentle-
man of Languedoc, particularly diftinguiſhed himſelf.
Having, by chance, in his infancy, met with a cir-
cumftantial account of the cruelties practifed in the
New World, he conceived an averfion, which he car-
ried to a degree of frenzy, againſt that nation that had
committed fuch enormities. Upon this point a ſtory
is told of him, that when he was at college, and acting
in a play the part of a Frenchman, who quarrel-
led with a Spaniard, he fell upon the perſon who per-
fonated the Spaniard with fuch fury, that he would
7
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
425
X.
have ftrangled him, had he not been reſcued out ofв 0 0 K
his hands. His heated imagination continually repre-
ſented to him innumerable multitudes of people maf-
facred by favage monſters who came out of Spain.
He was animated with an irrefiftible ardour to avenge fo
much innocent blood. The enthuſiaſm this ſpirit of hu-
manity worked him up to, was turned into a rage more
cruel than the thirſt of gold, or the fanaticiſm of reli-
gion, to which fo many victims had been facrificed.
The manes of theſe unhappy fufferers feemed to roufe
him, and call upon him for vengeance. He had heard
fome account of the brethren of the coaft, as of the
moſt inveterate enemies to the Spanish name: he
therefore embarked on board a fhip in order to join
them.
In the paffage they met with a Spaniſh veffel, attack-
ed it, and, as it was uſual in thofe times, immediately
boarded it. Montbar, with a fabre in his hand, fell
upon the enemy, broke through them, and, hurrying
twice from one end of the ſhip to the other, levelled
every thing that oppoſed him. When he had com-
pelled the enemy to furrender, leaving to his compa-
nions the happineſs of dividing fo rich a booty, he
contented himſelf with the favage pleaſure of contem-
plating the dead bodies of the Spaniards lying in heaps
together, against whom he had fworn a conftant and
deadly hatred.
Freſh opportunites foon occurred, that enabled him
to exert this ſpirit of revenge, without extinguiſhing
it. The ſhip he was upon arrived at the coast of St.
Domingo. The French who were fettled in the iſland
brought him only a fmall quantity of refreſhment, and
alleged, in excufe, that the Spaniards had laid wafte
their ſettlements. Why," replied Montbar," do
you fuffer fuch infults?" "Neither do we," anſwer-
ed they in the fame tone; "the Spaniards have expe-
rienced what kind of men we are, and have there-
fore taken advantage of the time when we were en-
gaged in hunting. But we are going to join fome
of our companions, who have been ftill more ill
*
426
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK" treated than we, and then we ſhall have warm work."
"If you approve it," anſwered Montbar, "I will
"head you, not as your commander, but as the fore-
"moſt to expoſe myſelf to danger." The Buccaneers
perceiving, from his appearance, that he was ſuch a
man as they wanted, cheerfully accepted his offer.
The fame day they overtook the enemy, and Montbar
attacked them with an impetuofity that aftoniſhed the
braveſt. Nothing efcaped the effects of his fury. The
remaining part of his life was equally diſtinguiſhed as
this day. The Spaniards fuffered fo much from him,
both by land and ſea, that he acquired the name of
the Exterminator.
His favage difpofition, as well as that of the other
Buccaneers who attended him, having obliged the
Spaniards to confine themſelves within their fettle-
ments, theſe freebooters refolved to attack them
there. This new method of carrying on the war re-
quired fuperior forces; and their affociations, in con-
fequence, became more numerous. The firſt that was
confiderable was formed by Lolonois, who derived his
name from the ſands of Olone, the place of his birth.
From the abject ſtate of a bondfman, he had gradual-
ly raiſed himſelf to the command of two canoes, with
twenty-two men. With theſe he was fo fucceſsful,
as to take a Spaniſh frigate on the coaft of Cuba. A
flave having obferved that all the men who were
wounded were put to death, and fearing left he fhould
fhare the fame fate, wanted to fave himſelf by a perfi-
dious declaration, but very confiftent with the part he
had been deſtined to take. He affured them, that the
governor of the Havannah had put him on board, in
order to ferve as executioner to all the Buccaneers he
had fentenced to be hanged, not doubting in the leaſt
but they would be all taken prifoners. The favage
Lolonois, fired with rage at this declaration, ordered
all the Spaniards to be brought before him, and cut
off their heads one after another, fucking, at each
ftroke, the drops of blood that trickled down his fabre.
He then repaired to the Port-au-Prince, in which were
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
427
X.
four fhips, fitted out purpoſely to fail in purſuit of him. в O O K
He took them, and threw all the crews into the fea,
except one man, whom he faved, in order to fend him
with a letter to the governor of the Havannah, ac-
quainting him with what he had done, and affuring
him, that he would treat in the fame manner all the
Spaniards that ſhould fall into his hands, not except-
ing the governor himſelf, if he fhould be fo fortunate
as to take him. After this expedition, he ran his ca-
noes and prize-fhips aground, and failed with his fri-
gate only to the iſland of Tortuga.
Here he met with Michael de Bafco, who had fo
much diſtinguiſhed himſelf in having taken, even un-
der the cannon of Porto-Bello, a Spaniſh fhip, efti-
mated at five or fix millions of livres [from 208,3331.
6s. 8d. to 250,000l.], and by other actions equally
brave and daring. Thefe two adventurers gave out,
that they were going together upon fome important
project, and they were joined by four hundred and
forty men. This corps, the moſt numerous the Buc-
caneers had yet been able to mufter, failed to the Bay
of Venezuela, which runs up into the country for the
fpace of fifty leagues. The fort that was built at the
entrance of it for its defence was taken; the cannon
fpiked, and the whole garriſon, confifting of two hun-
dred and fifty men, put to the fword. They then re-
imbarked, and came to Maracaybo, built on the weſt-
ern coaſt of the lake of the fame name, at the diſtance
of ten leagues from its mouth. This city, which had
become flouriſhing and rich by its trade in fkins, to-
bacco, and cocoa, was deſerted. The inhabitants had
retired with their effects to the other fide of the bay.
If the Buccaneers had not loſt a fortnight in riot and
debauch, they would have found at Gibraltar, near the
extremity of the lake, every thing that the inhabitants
had fecreted, to fecure it from being plundered. On
the contrary, they met with fortifications lately erect-
ed, which they had the uſeleſs fatisfaction of making
themſelves mafters of, at the expence of a great deal
of blood; for the inhabitants had already removed at
428
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
ì
X.
Book a diſtance the most valuable part of their property.
Exasperated at this diſappointment, they fet fire to
Gibraltar. Maracay bo would have fhared the fame
fate, had it not been ranfomed. Befide the fum they
received for its ranfom, they alſo carried off with them
all the croffes, pictures, and bells of the churches, in-
tending, as they ſaid, to build a chapel in the iſland
of Tortuga, and to conſecrate this part of their ſpoils
to facred purpoſes. Such was the religion of theſe
barbarous people, who could make no other offering
to Heaven, than that which arofe from their robberies
and plunder.
While they were idly diffipating the ſpoils they had
made on the coaſt of Venezuela, Morgan, the moſt re-
nowned of the Engliſh freebooters, failed from Jamaica
to attack Porto-Bello. His plan of operations was fo
well contrived, that he ſurpriſed the city, and took it
without oppofition. In order to fecure the fort with
the fame facility, he compelled the women and the
prieſts to fix the fealing-ladders to the walls, from a
full conviction that the gallantry and ſuperſtition of the
Spaniards would never fuffer them to fire at the per-
fons they confidered as the objects of their love and
reverence. But the garriſon was not to be deceived
by this artifice, and was only to be fubdued by force
of arms; the treaſures that were carried away from
this famous port were acquired at the expence of much
bloodshed.
The conqueft of Panama was an object of much
greater importance. To fecure this, Morgan thought
it neceffary to fail in the latitudes of Cofta-Ricca, to
procure fome guides in the iſland of St. Catherine, to
which the Spaniards tranſported their malefactors.
This place was ſo ſtrongly fortified, that it ought to
have ſtopped the progreſs of the most intrepid com-
mander for ten years. Notwithstanding this, the go-
vernor, on the firſt appearance of the pirates, fent pri-
vately to concert meaſures how he might furrender
himſelf without incurring the imputation of cowardice.
The refult of this confultation was, that Morgan, in
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
429
X.
the night-time, fhould attack a fort at fome diſtance, в oo K
and that the governor ſhould ſally out of the citadel
to defend this important poſt; that the beſiegers ſhould
then attack him in the rear, and take him priſoner,
which would confequently occafion a furrender of the
place. It was agreed that a briſk firing ſhould be kept
up on both fides, without doing miſchief to either.
This farce was admirably carried on. The Spaniards,
without being expofed to any danger, appeared to
have done their duty; and the freebooters, after hav-
ing totally demolished the fortifications, and put on
board their veffels a prodigious quantity of warlike
ftores, which they found at St. Catherine's, fteered
their courſe towards the river Chagre, the only chan-
nel that was open to them, to arrive at the place which
was the object of their utmoſt wiſhes.
At the entrance of this confiderable river, a fort was
built upon a ſteep rock, which the waves of the fea
conftantly beat againft. This bulwark, very difficult
of acceſs, was defended by an officer, whoſe extraor-
dinary abilities were equal to his courage, and by a
garriſon that deſerved fuch a commander. The free-
booters, for the first time, here met with a refiftance.
that could only be equalled by their perfeverance: it
was a doubtful point, whether they would fucceed, or
be obliged to raiſe the fiege, when a lucky accident
happened, that proved favourable to their glory and
their fortune. The commander was killed, and the
fort accidentally took fire: the befiegers then, taking
advantage of this double calamity, made themſelves
mafters of the place.
Morgan left his veffels at anchor, with a fufficient
number of men to guard them, and failed up the river
in his boats for thirty-three miles, till he came to Crù-
ces, where it ceaſes to be navigable. He then pro-
ceeded by land to Panama, which was only five leagues
diftant. Upon a large and extenfive plain that was
before the city, he met with a confiderable body of
troops, whom he put to flight with the greateſt eaſe,
and entered into the city, that was now abandoned.
AZ
430
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
воок
X.
A
Here were found prodigious treafures concealed in
the wells and caves. Sorne valuable commodities were
taken upon the boats that were left aground at low
water. In the neighbouring forefts were alfo found
feveral rich depofits. But the party of freebooters
who were making excurfions into the country, little
fatisfied with this booty, exerciſed the moſt ſhocking
tortures on the Spaniards, Negroes, and Indians they
diſcovered, to oblige them to confeſs where they had
fecreted their own as well as their mafters riches.
beggar, accidentally going into a caſtle that had been
deſerted through fear, found fome apparel that he put
on. He had fcarcely dreffed himſelf in this manner,
when he was perceived by theſe pirates, who demand-
ed of him where his gold was. The unfortunate man
ſhowed them the ragged clothes he had juft thrown
off. He was inftantly tortured; but, as he made no
diſcovery, he was given up to fome flaves, who put an
end to his life. Thus the treaſure the Spaniards had
acquired in the New World by maffacres and tortures,
were reftored again in the fame manner.
In the midſt of ſuch ſcenes of horror, the favage Mor-
gan fell in love. His character was not likely to infpire
the object of his attachment with favourable fentiments
towards him. He was refolved therefore to ſubdue by
force the beautiful Spaniard that inflamed and tor-
mented him. Stop, cried the to this favage, as fhe
fprung with eagerness from his arms, Stop: thinkeſt thou
then that thou canst ravish my honour from me, as thou
haft wreſted from me my fortune and my liberty? Be af-
fured that I can die, and be revenged. Having faid
this, fhe drew out a poignard from under her gown,
which ſhe would have plunged into his heart, had he
not avoided the blow.
But Morgan, ſtill inflamed with a paffion which this
determined refiftance had turned into rage, inſtead of
the tenderneſs and attention he had made ufe of to
prevail upon his captive, now proceeded to treat
her with the greateſt inhumanity. The fair Spaniard,
immoveably refolute, ftimulated, at the fame time that
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
431
X.
the refifted, the frantic defires of Morgan; till at last B 0 0 K
the pirates, expreffing their refentment at being kept
ſo long in a ſtate of inactivity, by a caprice which ap-
peared extravagant to them, he was under the necef-
fity of of liftening to their complaints, and giving up
his purfuit. Panama was burnt. They then fet fail
with a great number of prifoners, who were ranſomed
a few days after, and came to the mouth of the Chagre
with a prodigious booty.
Before the break of the day that had been fixed
upon for the divifion of the fpoil, Morgan, while the
reſt of the pirates were in a deep fleep, with the prin-
cipal freebooters of his own country, failed for Jamai-
ca, in a veffel which he had laden with the rich ſpoils
of a city, that ferved as the ftaple of commerce be-
tween the Old and the New World. This inftance
of treachery, unheard-of before, excited a rage and
reſentment not to be deſcribed. The Engliſh purſued
the robber, in hopes of wrefting from him the booty
of which their right and their avidity had been fruf-
trated. The French, though fharers in the fame lofs,
retired to the iſland of Tortuga, from whence they made
feveral expeditions: but they were all trifling, till, in
the year 1683, they attempted one of the greateſt im-
portance.
The plan of this expedition was formed by Van
Horn, a native of Oftend, though he had ferved all his
life among the French. His intrepidity would never
let him fuffer the leaft figns of cowardice among thoſe
who were affociated with him. In the heat of an en-
gagement he went about his fhip, fucceffively obferv-
ed his men, and immediately killed thoſe who ſhrank
at the fudden report of a piſtol, gun, or cannon. This
extraordinary difcipline had made him become the ter-
ror of the coward, and the idol of the brave. In
other refpects, he readily fhared with the men of fpi-
rit and bravery the immenfe riches that were acquired
by fo truly warlike a difpofition. When he went up-
on theſe expeditions, he generally failed in his frigate,
which was his own property. But thefe new defigns
24
432
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
*}
BOO K requiring greater numbers to carry them into execu-
tion, he took to his affiftance Grammont, Godfrey,
and Jonqué, three Frenchmen, diftinguiſhed by their
exploits, and Lawrence de Graff, a Dutchman, who
had fignalized himſelf ſtill more than they. Twelve
hundred freebooters joined themſelves to theſe fa-
mous commanders, and failed in fix veffels for Vera
Cruz.
The darkneſs of the night favoured their landing,
which was effected at three leagues from the place,
where they arrived without being diſcovered. The
governor, the fort, the barracks, and the poſts of the
greateſt conſequence; every thing, in a word, that
could occafion any refiftance, was taken by break of
day. All the citizens, men, women, and children,
were ſhut up in the churches, where they had fled for
fhelter. At the door of each church were placed bar-
rels of gunpowder to blow up the building. A free-
booter, with a lighted match, was to fet fire to it upon
the leaſt appearance of an infurrection.
While the city was kept in fuch terror, it was eafily
pillaged; and, after the freebooters had carried off
what was moſt valuable, they made a propofal to the
citizens who were kept prifoners in the churches, to
ranſom their lives and liberties, by a contribution of
ten millions of livres [416,6661. 13s. 4d.]. Theſe un-
fortunate people, who had neither eaten nor drunk for
three days, cheerfully accepted the terms that were
offered them. Half of the money was paid the fame
day: the other part was expected from the inland
parts of the country; when there appeared, on an
eminence, a confiderable body of troops advancing,
and near the port a fleet of ſeventeen ſhips from Eu-
rope. At the fight of this armament, the freebooters,
without any marks of furprife, retreated quietly with
fifteen hundren flaves they had carred off with them,
as a trifling indemnification for the rest of the money
they expected, the fettling of which they referred to
a more favourable opportunity. Thefe ruffians fincere-
ly believed, that whatever they pillaged or exacted by
3
IŃ THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
5
433
X.
force of arms, upon the coafts where they made a de- в O O K
fcent, was their lawful property, and that God and
their arms gave them an undoubted right not only to
the capital of theſe contributions they compelled the
inhabitants to fign a written engagement to fulfil, but
even to the intereft of that part of the fum that was
not yet paid.
Their retreat was equally glorious and daring. They
boldly failed through the midſt of the Spaniſh fleet,
which let them pafs without firing a fingle gun; and
were, in fact, rather afraid of being attacked and beaten.
The Spaniards would not probably have eſcaped fo ea-
fily, and with no other inconvenience, but fuch as
arofe from their fears, if the veffels of the pirates had
not been laden with riches, or if the Spaniſh fleet had
been freighted with any other effects but fuch mer-
chandiſe as were little valued by theſe pirates.
A year had ſcarce elapfed fince their return from
Mexico, when on a fudden they were all feized with
the rage of going to plunder the country of Peru.
They expected, undoubtedly, to find greater treaſures
upon a fea little frequented, than upon one fo long
expoſed to plunder. The French and Engliſh, and
even the pirate affociations of theſe two nations, pro-
jected this plan at the fame time, without having con-
certed it together. Four thouſand men directed their
courſe to this part of the New Hemiſphere. Some of
them came by the continent, and others by the Straits.
of Magellan, to the place that was the object of their
wiſhes. If the intrepidity of thefe barbarians had
been directed, by a ſkilful and refpectable command-
er, to one fingle uniform end, this important colony
would have been loft to Spain. But their natural cha-
racter was an invincible obftacle to fo rare an union;
for they always formed themſelves into feveral diftinct
bodies, fometimes into fo few in number as ten or
twelve, who acted together, or feparately, as the moſt
trifling caprice directed. Grognier, Lécuyer, Picard,
and Le Sage, were the moft diftinguiſhed officers among
Vol. III.
E e
434
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK the French: David, Samms, Peter, Wilner, and Town-
ley, among the Engliſh.
X.
Such of thofe adventurers as had got into the South
Sea by the Straits of Darien, feized upon the firſt vef-
fels they found upon the coaft. Their affociates,
who had failed in their own veffels, were not much
better provided. Weak, however, as they were, they
beat, funk, or took, all the ſhips that were fitted out
againſt them. The Spaniards then fufpended their
navigations. The freebooters were continually obli-
ged to make deſcents upon the coafts, to get provi-
fions; or to go by land, in order to plunder thoſe ci-
ties where the booty was fecured. They fucceffively
attacked Seppo, Peubla-Neuvo, Leon, Reulejo, Pue-
blo-Viejo, Chiriquita, Efparfo, Granada, Villia, Ni-
coya, Tecoantepec, Mucmeluna, Chuluteca, New Se-
govia, and Guayaquil, the moft confiderable of all thefe
places.
As Grognier was returning home from one of thoſe
rapid expeditions, he found that a defile through which
he was to paſs was occupied by fome battalions that
were intrenched, who offered not to impede his retreat,
provided he would confent to releaſe the prifoners he
had taken. If, faid he, you would have my prifoners,
you muſt cut their irons afunder with your fabres; with
refpect to my paffage, my fword fecures that to me. This
anfwer gained him a victory, and he purfued his march
unmoleſted.
Univerfal terror prevailed throughout the empire;
the approach of the freebooters, and even the fear of
their arrival, difperfed the people. The Spaniards,
grown effeminate by the moft extravagant luxury,
enervated by the peaceful exercife of their tyranny,
and reduced to the ftate of their flaves, never waited
for the enemy, unless they were at least twenty to
one; and even then they were beaten. They retain-
ed no impreffion of the pride and nobility of their ori-
gin. They were fo much degenerated, that they had
loft all ideas of the art of war, and were even ſcarce
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
435
› X.
acquainted with the uſe of fire-arms. They were but в O_O K
little better than the Americans, whom they trampled
upon. This extraordinary want of courage was in-
creaſed, from the idea they had conceived of the fero-
cious men who attacked them. Their monks had
drawn them with the fame hideous features with which
they repreſented devils; and they themſelves had over-
charged the picture. Such a repreſentation, the off-
fpring of a wild and terrified imagination, equally im-
printed on every mind averfion and terror.
Notwithstanding the excefs of their refentment, the
Spaniards only recked their revenge upon their foes
when they were no more able to inſpire terror. As
foon as the Buccaneers had quitted the place they had
plundered, and if any of them had been killed in the
attack, the body was digged up again, mutilated, or
made to paſs through the various kinds of torture that
would have been practifed upon the man had he been
alive. This abhorrence of the freebooters was extend-
ed even to the places on which they had exerciſed their
cruelties. The cities they had taken were excommu-
nicated; the very walls and foil of the places which
had been laid wafte were anathematized, and the in-
habitants abandoned them for ever.
As
This rage, equally impotent and childiſh, could on-
ly contribute to embolden that of their enemies.
foon as they took a town, it was directly fet on fire,
unleſs a fum proportioned to its value was given to fave
it. The prifoners taken in battle were maffacred with-
out mercy, if they were not ranfomed by government,
or by individuals: gold, pearls, or precious ftones, were
the only things accepted of for the payment of their
ranfom. Silver being too common, and too weighty
in proportion to its value, would have been trouble-
fome to them. In a word, the chances of fortune, that
feldom leave guilt unpunished, nor adverfity without
a compenſation for its fufferings, atoned for the crimes
committed in the conqueft of the New World, and
the Indians were amply avenged of the Spaniards.
But it happened in this, as it generally does in events
|
E eij
436
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
i
X.
}
BOOK of this nature, that thoſe who committed fuch out-
rages did not long enjoy the fruits of them. Several
of them died in the courſe of theſe piracies, from the
effects of the climate, from diftrefs or debauchery.
Some were ſhipwrecked in paffing the Straits of Ma-
gellan, and at Cape Horn. Moft of thoſe who at-
tempted to get to the Northern Sea by land fell into
the ambuſcade that was laid for them, and loft either
their lives or the booty they had acquired. The En-
glish and French colonies gained very little by an ex-
pedition that lafted four years, and found themſelves
deprived of their braveft inhabitants.
While fuch piracies were committed on the South-
ern Ocean, the Northern was threatened with the fame
by Grammont. He was a native of Paris, by birth a
gentleman, and had diftinguiſhed himſelf in a military
capacity in Europe; but his paffion for wine, gaming,
and women, had induced him to join the pirates. His
virtues, perhaps, were ſufficient to have atoned for his
vices. He was affable, polite, generous, and eloquent:
he was endued with a found judgment, and was a per-
fon of approved valour, which ſoon made him be con-
fidered as the chief of the French freebooters. As
foon as it was known that he had taken up arms, he
was immediately joined by a number of brave men.
The governor of St. Domingo, who had at length pre-
vailed upon his mafter to approve of the project, equal-
ly wife and juft, of fixing the pirates to fome place,
and inducing them to become cultivators, was defirous
of preventing the concerted expedition, and forbade it
in the king's name. Grammont, who had a greater ſhare
of ſenſe than his affociates, was not on that account
more inclined to comply, and ſternly replied, How can
Lewis diſapprove of a defign he is unacquainted with,
and which hath been planned only a few days ago? This
anſwer highly pleafed all the freebooters, who direct-
ly embarked, in 1685, to attack Campeachy.
They landed without oppofition. But, at fome di-
ftance from the coaft, they were attacked by eight
hundred Spaniards, who were beaten, and purſued to
I
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
437
Χ.
the town, where both parties entered at the fame time. в O O K
The cannon they found there was immediately level-
led againſt the citadel. As it had very little effect,
they were contriving fome ftratagem to enable them
to become mafters of the place, when intelligence was
brought that it was abandoned. There remained in
it only a gunner, an Engliſhman, and an officer of
fuch ſignal courage, that he choſe rather to expoſe
himſelf to the greateſt extremities, than bafely to fly
from the place with the reft. The commander of the
Buccaneers received him with marks of diftinction, ge-
nerouſly releaſed him, gave him up all his effects, and
befides complimented him with fome valuable pre-
fents fuch influence have courage and fidelity, even
on the minds of thoſe who ſeem to violate all the rights
of ſociety.
The conquerors of Campeachy ſpent two months
in fearching all the environs of the city, for twelve or
fifteen leagues, carrying off every thing that the in-
habitants, in their flight, thought they had preferved.
When all the treafure they had collected from every
quarter was depoſited in the ſhips, a propoſal was made
to the governor of the province, who ftill kept the
field with nine hundred men, to ranfom his capital ci-
ty.
His refufal determined them to burn it, and de-
molish the citadel. The French, on the feftival of St.
Louis, were celebrating the anniverſary of their king,
and, in the tranſports of their patriotiſm, intoxication,
and national love of their prince, they burnt to the
value of a million [41,6661. 13s. 4d.] of logwood; a
part, and a very confiderable one too, of the ſpoil they
had made. After this fingular and extravagant in-
ftance of folly, of which Frenchmen only could boaſt,
they returned to St. Domingo.
The little advantage which the Engliſh and French
freebooters had made by their laft expeditions upon
the continent had infenfibly led them to have recourſe
to their ufual piratical expeditions upon the fea. Both
were employed in attacking the fhips they met with;
when a particular train of circumftances again enga-
E e iij
438
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
BOOK ged the French in that courfe, which every thing had
rendered them diffatisfied with.
X,
A few enterprifing men had fitted out, in 1697, in
the ports of France, and under the fanction of govern-
ment, ſeven ſhips of the line, and a proportionate num-
ber of inferior veffels. This fleet, commanded by Com-
modore Pointis, conveyed troops for landing; and its
deſtination was againſt Carthagena, one of the richeſt
and beft fortified towns of the New World. It was
expected that this expedition would be attended with
great difficulties, but it was hoped that they would be
furmounted, if the Buccaneers would affift in it, which
they did engage to do, from motives of complaifance
to Ducaffe, governor of St. Domingo, who was, and
deferved to be, their idol.
Theſe men, whofe boldnefs could not be reftrained,
did ftill more than was expected from them. No
fooner had they perceived a ſmall breach in the forti-
fications of the lower town, than they ftormed the
place, and planted their ſtandards upon the walls.
They carried the other works with the fame intrepidity.
The town furrendered, and its fubmiffion was owing to
the Buccaneers.
All kinds of enormities fucceeded this event. The
general, who was an unjuſt, covetous, and cruel man,
broke every article of the capitulation. Although the
apprehenſions of an army that was collecting in the in-
land country, had made him confent that the inhabi-
tants fhould keep half of their moveable effects, yet
every thing was given up to the moſt horrible plunder.
The officers were the firft thieves; and it was not till
they had gorged themſelves with the ſpoils, that the
foldiers were fuffered to ranfack the houſes. As for
the Buccaneers, they were kept in employment out of
the town, while the treafure was feized.
Pointis pretended that the ſpoils did not exceed ſe-
ven or eight millions of livres [from 291,6661. 13s,
4d. to 333,3331. 6s. 8d.]. Ducaffe valued them at
30,000,000 [1,250,000l.], and others at 40,000,000
[1,666,666]. 10s. 4d.]. The Buccaneers, according to
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
439
X.
agreement, were to receive one quarter of the whole, в o O K
whatever it might be. They were however given to
underſtand, that their profit would only amount to
40,000 crowns [5000l.].
The hips had fet fail, when the propofal was made
to theſe intrepid men, who had decided the victory.
Exasperated at this treatment, which fo evidently af-
fected their rights, and diſappointed their expectations,
they refolved immediately to board the veffel called
the Sceptre, where Pointis himſelf was, and which, at
that time, was too far diftant from the rest of the ſhips,
to expect to be affifted by them. This infamous com-
mander was upon the point of being maffacred, when
one of the malcontents cried out: Brethren, why should
we attack this rafcal? He hath carried off nothing that
belongs to us. He hath left our ſhare at Carthagena, and
there we must go to recover it. This propofal was re-
ceived with general applaufe. A favage joy at once
fucceeded that gloomy melancholy which had ſeized
them; and, without further deliberation, all their ſhips
failed towards the city.
As foon as they had entered the city, without meet-
ing with any refiftance, the Buccaneers fhut up all
the men in the great church, and ſpoke to them in the
following words:
46
"We are not ignorant that you confider us as men
void of faith and of all religion, as infernal beings
" rather than men. The abhorrence you have of us
"hath been manifefted by the opprobrious terms with
"which you affect to defcribe us; and your miſtruft
* of us, by your refuting to treat with us of your ca-
pitulation. You fee us here armed, and capable of
avenging ourſelves. The palenefs vifible upon your
countenances plainly fhows that you expect the moſt
"fevere treatment; and your confcience tells you, no
"doubt, that you deferve it. Be at length undeceiv-
ed, and acknowledge, in this inftance, that the in-
jurious appellations with which you ftigmatize us are
"not to be applied to us, but to the infamous gene-
"ral under whofe command we lately fought. The
(6
66
(6
E e iiij
440
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK "traitor to whom we have opened the gates of the ci
ty, which he would never have entered without our
"affiſtance, hath feized upon the ſpoils acquired at
"our hazard, and by our courage; and, by this act
66
હર
of injuftice, hath compelled us to return to you.
"Our moderation muft juſtify our fincerity. We will
quit your city immediately, upon your delivering
5,000,000 of livres [208,3331. 6s. 8d.] into our
hands. This is the whole of our claim; and we
pledge our honour to you, that we will inftantly re-
"treat. But if you refuſe us fo moderate a contribu-
tion, look at our fabres: we ſwear by them that we
"will fpare no perfon; and when the misfortunes
"which threaten you fhall come upon you, and upon
66
..
your wives and children, accuſe none but yourſelves
"and the worthlefs Pointis, whom you are at liberty
"to load with all kinds of execrations."
After this difcourfe, a facred orator mounted the
pulpit, and made ufe of the influence that his charac-
ter, his authority, and his eloquence gave him, to per-
fuade his hearers to yield up, without referve, all the
gold, filver, and jewels they had. The collection made
after the fermon not furniſhing the fum required, the
city was ordered to be plundered. From the houſes,
they proceeded to pillage the churches, and even the
tombs, but with no great fuccefs; and the inftruments.
of torture were at length produced.
Two of the citizens of the greateft diftinction were
feized, and after them two more, in order to endea-
vour to extort from them, where the public money, as
well as that of individuals, was concealed. They all
anſwered, ſeparately, with fo much candour, as well
as firmneſs, that they were ignorant of it, that avarice
itfelf was difarmed. Some mufkets were, however,
fired off, to induce a belief that theſe unfortunate men
had been ſhot. Every one apprehended the fame fate;
and that very evening one million of livres [41,6661.
13s. 4d.] was brought in to the freebooters. The fol-
lowing days produced alfo fomething more. Deſpair-
ing, at length, to add any thing to what they had al-
+
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
44I
X.
ready amaffed, they fet fail. Unfortunately they fell в O O K
in with a fleet of Dutch and Engliſh ſhips, both thoſe
nations being then in alliance with Spain, and ſeveral
of their fmall veffels were either taken or funk; the
reſt eſcaped to St. Domingo.
Such was the laſt memorable event in the hiſtory of
the freebooters.
The feparation of the English and French, when
the war, on account of the Prince of Orange, divided
the two nations; the ſucceſsful means they both made
ufe of to promote the cultivation of land in their colo-
nies, by the affistance of theſe enterprifing men; the
prudence that was fhown, in fixing the moſt diſtin-
guiſhed among them, and intrufting them with civil
and military employments; the protection they were
under a neceffity of affording fucceffively to the Spa-
nish fettlements, which, till then, had been a general
object of plunder: all theſe circumftances, and various
others, befide the impoffibility there was of fupplying
the place of fo many extraordinary men, who were
continually dropping off, concurred to put an end to
the moſt fingular fociety that had ever exiſted. With-
out any regular fyftem, without laws, without any de-
gree of fubordination, and even without any fixed re-
venue, they became the aftòniſhment of the age in
which they lived, as they will alſo be of poſterity.
They would have fubdued all America, had they been
animated with the ſpirit of conqueſt, as they were with
that of rapine.
England, France, and Holland, had fent, at different
times, confiderable fleets into the New World. The
intemperance of the climate, the want of fubfiftence,
the dejection of the troops, rendered the beft-concert-
ed ſchemes unfuccefsful. Neither of theſe nations ac-
quired any national glory, nor made any confiderable
progrefs, by them. Upon the very ſcene of their dif
grace, and on the very fpot where they were fo fhame-
fully repulfed, a ſmall number of adventurers, who had
no other reſources to enable them to carry on a war,
but what the war itſelf afforded them, fucceeded in the
442
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
5
|
X.
BOOK moft difficult enterpriſes. They fupplied the want of
numbers and of power, by their activity, their vigi-
lance, and bravery. An unbounded paffion for liberty
and independence excited and kept up in them that
energy of foul that enables us to undertake and exe-
cute every thing; it produced that vigour, that ſupe-
riority in action, which the most approved military
diſcipline, the moft powerful combinations of ſtrength,
the beſt regulated governments, the moft honourable
and moft ftriking rewards and marks of diftinction,
will never be able to excite.
The principle which actuated thefe extraordinary
and romantic men is not eafily difcovered. It cannot
be afcribed to want: the earth they trod upon offered
them immenſe treafures, collected ready to their hand
by men of inferior capacities. Can it then be imputed
to avarice? But would they then have fquandered
away in a day the fpoils acquired in a whole cam-
paign? As they properly belonged to no country,
they did not therefore facrifice themſelves for its de-
fence, for the aggrandizing of its territories, or for the
avenging of its quarrels. The love of glory, had they
known it, would have prevented them from commit-
ting fuch numberleſs enormities and crimes, which caft
a fhade on all their brighteſt actions. Neither could
a ſpirit of indolence and eaſe ever make men expoſe
themſelves to conftant fatigues, and fubmit to the
greateſt dangers.
What then were the moral cauſes that gave rife to
fo fingular a fociety as that of the freebooters? That
country, where nature feems to have obtained a per-
petual and abfolute power over the moſt turbulent paf-
fions, where the intemperate riot and intoxication oc-
cafioned by public festivals was neceffary to rouſe men
from an habitual ftate of lethargy, where they lived
fatisfied with their tedious and indolent courfe of life;
that country became at once inhabited by an ardent
and impetuous people, who, from the fcorching heat
of their atmoſphere, feemed to have carried their fen-
timents to the greateſt excefs, and their paffions to a
→
A
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
443
X.
degree of frenzy. While the heats of a burning cli- в O O K
mate enervated the old conquerors of the New World;
while the Spaniards, who were fo reftlefs and turbulent
in their own country, enjoyed, with the conquered
Americans, a life habituated to eaſe and dejection; a
fet of men, who had come out of the moft temperate
climates in Europe, went under the equator to acquire
powers unknown before.
If we ſhould be defirous of tracing the origin of this
revolution, we fhall perceive that it arifes from the
freebooters having lived under the fhackles of Euro-
pean governments. The ſpirit of liberty being repref-
fed for fo many ages, exerted its power to a degree al-
moft inconceivable, and occafioned the moft terrible
effects that were ever exhibited in the moral world.
Reſtleſs and enthufiaftic men of every nation joined
themſelves to theſe adventurers, as foon as they heard
of the fuccefs they had met with. The charms of no-
velty; the idea of, and defire excited by, diftant ob-
jects; the want of a change in fituation; the hopes of
better fortune; the impulfe which excites the imagi-
nation to the undertaking of great actions; admira-
tion, which eafily induces men to imitation; the ne-
ceffity of getting the better of thoſe impediments that
are the confequences of imprudence; the force of ex-
ample; and the being equally partakers of the fame
good and bad fortune among thoſe who have frequent-
ly affociated together: in a word, the temporary fer-
ment which all the elements together, with feveral ac-
cidental circumſtances, had raiſed in the minds of men,
alternately elevated to the greateft profperity, or funk
in the deepeft diftrefs, at one time ftained with blood,
at another revelling in voluptuoufnefs, rendered the
freebooters a people wholly diftinct in hiſtory; but a
people whofe duration was fo tranfient, that its glory
lafted, as it were, but a moment.
1
We are, however, accuſtomed to confider theſe ruf-
fians with a kind of abhorrence. This they deſerve,
as the inftances of fidelity, integrity, difintereftedneſs,
and generofity they fhowed to one another, did not
1
1
140
444
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
1
1
BOOK prevent the outrages they perpetually committed a-
X. gainſt mankind. But amidſt fuch enormities, it is im-
poffible not to be furpriſed at a variety of brave and
noble actions, that would have reflected honour on the
moft virtuous people.
Some freebooters had agreed, for a certain fum, to
eſcort a Spaniſh ſhip, very richly laden. One of them
ventured to propofe to his companions to enrich them-
felves at once, by making themſelves mafters of the
fhip. Montauban, who was the commander of the
troop, had no fooner heard the propoſal, than he de-
fired to refign the command, and to be fet on fhore.
What! replied thefe brave men, would you then leave
us? Is there any one among us who approves of the
treachery that you abhor? A council was immediate-
ly called; and it was determined that the guilty per-
fon fhould be thrown upon the firft coaft they came
to. They took an oath, that fo diſhoneft a man ſhould
never be admitted in any expedition, in which any of
the brave men prefent fhould be concerned, as they
would think themſelves difhonoured by fuch a connec-
tion. If this be not confidered as an inftance of hero-
iſm, muſt we then expect to meet with heroes in an
age in which every thing great is turned into ridicule,
under the idea of enthufiafm?
Accordingly, the hiftory of paft times doth not of
fer, nor will that of future times ever produce, an ex-
ample of fuch an affociation; which is almoft as mar-
vellous as the diſcovery of the New World. Nothing
but this event could have given rife to it, by collect-
ing together, in thoſe diſtant regions, all the men of
the higheſt impetuofity and energy of foul that had
ever appeared in our ſtates.
Their fword, and their daring fpirit, which they ex-
ercifed with fuch terrible effect in America, was the
only fortune which theſe men of fo uncommon a
ftamp poffeffed in Europe. In America, being ene-
mies to all mankind, and dreaded by all; perpetually
expoſed to the moſt extreme dangers, they muft necef-
farily have confidered every day as if the laft of their
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
445
life, and they would, confequently, diffipate their в
wealth in the fame manner as they had acquired it.
They would give themſelves up to all the exceffes of
debauchery and profufion; and, on their return from
the fight, the intoxication of their victory would ac-
company them in their feafts; they would embrace
their miſtreffes in their bloody arms; they would fall
afleep, for a while, lulled by voluptuous pleaſures,
from which they would be roufed only to proceed to
new maffacres. As it was a matter of indifference to
them whether they ſhould leave their bodies upon the
furface of the earth, or underneath the waters, they
muſt neceffarily look upon life or death with the fame
coolness. With a ferocious turn of mind, and a mif-
guided confcience, deftitute of connections, of rela-
tions, of friends, of fellow citizens, of a country, and
of an afylum, and without having any of thoſe mo-
tives which moderate the ardour of bravery, by the
value which they attach to exiſtence, they muſt necef-
farily have ruſhed, like men deprived of fight, upon
the moſt deſperate attempts. Equally incapable of
fubmitting to indigence or to quiet; too proud to em-
ploy themſelves in common labour; they would have
been the fcourge of the Old, had they not been that
of the New World. Had they not gone to ravage
thoſe diſtant countries, they would have ranfacked our
provinces, and would have left behind them a name
famous in the catalogue of our greateft villains.
O O K
X.
America
America had ſcarce recovered from the ravages fhe Caufes that
had fuftained; fhe had fcarce begun to be fenfible of prevented
the English
the advantages ſhe derived from the induſtry of the and Dutch
freebooters, who were now become citizens and huf. from mak-
ing any
bandmen; when the Old World exhibited the ſcene conqueft in
of fuch a revolution as alarmed and terrified the New.
during the
Charles the Second, king of Spain, had juft ended a war for the
life of trouble and anxiety. His fubjects, perfuaded
that a defcendant of the houfe of Bourbon alone was
able to preſerve the monarchy entire, had urged him,
towards the cloſe of his life, to appoint the duke of
Anjou his fucceffor. The idea of having the govern-
Spaniſh fuc-
ceflion.
446
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK ment of two-and-twenty kingdoms devolve to a fa-
X. mily that was not only his rival, but his enemy, had
filled him with the moft gloomy apprehenfions. But
after feveral internal ftruggles, and numberlefs marks
of irrefolution, he at length prevailed upon himſelf to
fhow an example of juftice, and greatneſs of foul, which
the natural weaknefs of his character gave little reafon
to expect from him.
Europe, tired out, for half a century, with the haugh-
tineſs, ambition, and tyranny of Lewis XIV. exerted
its combined forces to prevent the increaſe of a power
already become too formidable. The fatal effects of a
bad adminiſtration had entirely enervated the Spani-
ards; the ſpirit of fuperftition, and confequently of
weakneſs, that prevailed then in France, had procured
ſuch advantages to the league, as are hardly to be pa-
ralleled in the inftance of the union of feveral powers
againſt a ſingle one. This league gained an influence,
that was increafed by the victories, equally glorious
and beneficial, it obtained every campaign. Both
kingdoms were foon left without ftrength or fame.
To add to their misfortunes, their calamities were a
general object of joy, and none were touched with a
fenfe of compaffion at the miferies they experienced.
England and Holland, after having profufely laviſh-
ed their blood and treaſures in defence of the empe-
ror, thought it neceffary to attend to their own inte-
reſts in America. This country invited them to rich
as well as eafy conquefts. Spain, fince the deftruction
of its galleons at Vigo, had no fhips; and France, af-
ter having experienced that fatal reverſe of fortune
that had reduced her to the loweſt ebb, had neglected
her navy. This inattention was owing to a diftant
caufe.
Lewis XIV. who, in his earlier age, was ambitious
of every thing that might add to his glory, thought
that fomething would be wanting to the fplendour of
his reign if he did not establish a confiderable naval
force. His numerous fleets were foon in a condition
to balance the combined forces of England and of
1
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
447
X.
Holland, and conveyed the terror of his name to the в o O K
extremities of the globe. But he foon loft this new
fpecies of grandeur. In proportion as his inordinate
ambition drew upon him freſh enemies, as he found
himſelf obliged to maintain a greater number of troops
in conftant pay, as the frontiers of the kingdom were
extended, and as his forts became more numerous, the
number of his ſhips decreaſed. He made uſe of part
of the funds that were deftined to fupport his mari-
time power, even before his neceffities obliged him to
it. The frequent removals of the court, public build-
ings, that were either ufelefs or too magnificent, ob-
jects of oftentation, or of mere pleaſure, and various
other caufes equally trifling, abforbed that part of the
public revenue, which ought to have been employed
in his maritime armaments. From that time, this part
of the power of France began to grow weak: it inſen-
fibly declined, and was entirely loft in the misfortunes
of the war that was raiſed for the Spaniſh fucceffion.
At this period, the acquifitions the Spaniards and
French had made in the West Indies were not put in
a ftate of defence. They were, therefore, the more
likely foon to become the property of Great Britain
and the United Provinces; the only modern nations
who had eſtabliſhed their political influence upon the
principles of commerce. The vaſt diſcoveries of the
Spaniards and Portugueſe had given them, indeed, an
exclufive poffeffion of thofe treaſures and productions
that ſeemed to promiſe them the empire of the world,
if riches could obtain it: but thefe nations, intoxi-
cated as they were with the love of gold and the idea
of conqueft, had never in the leaft fufpected that their
poffeffions in the New World could fupport their power
in the Old. The English and Dutch went into the
contrary extreme; building their opinions upon the
fyftem of the influence they fuppofed America muſt
neceffarily give to Europe: A fyftem which they not
only mifapplied, but carried to excefs.
Thefe two nations, one of which had no natural ad-
Tantages, and the other
and the other very inconfiderable ones, had,
4
448
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
}
BOOK from the earlieft period, difcovered the true principles
X. of commerce, and purſued them with greater perfeve-
rance than might have been expected from the diffe-
rent fituations they had been engaged in. Accidental
circumſtances having at firft animated the induftry of
the pooreſt of theſe nations, fhe found herſelf very
quickly equalled by her rival power, whofe genius was
more lively, and whofe refources were much greater.
The war, occafioned by a ſpirit of induſtry, and excit-
ed by jealoufy, foon degenerated into fierce, obftinate,
and bloody engagements. Theſe were not merely fuch
hoftilities as are carried on between two different peo-
ple; they reſembled rather the hatred and revenge of
one private man againſt another. The neceffity they
were under of uniting, in order to check and reſtrain
the power of France, fufpended theſe hoftilities. The
fuccefs they met with, which was, perhaps, too rapid
and decifive, revived their former animofity. From
the apprehenfion they were under, that each ſtate was
labouring for the aggrandizement of the other, they
entirely neglected the invafion of America. Queen
Anne, at length, availing herſelf of a favourable op-
portunity for concluding a feparate peace, procured
fuch advantageous terms, as gave the Engliſh a great
fuperiority over their rivals the Dutch. From that
time, England became of the greateſt importance in
the political fyftem of Europe, and Holland was total-
ly difregarded.
1
Remark-
ty that pre-
the iſlands
after the
peace of
Utrecht.
The years fucceeding the peace of Utrecht revived
able activi- the ideas of the golden age to the world, which would
vailed in be always in a fufficient ftate of tranquillity, if the Eu-
of America ropeans did not difturb its peace, by carrying their
arms and their diffenfions into every quarter of the
globe. The fields were now no more covered with
dead bodies. The harveft of the hufbandman was not
laid wafte. The failor ventured to fail in every fea
without dread of pirates. Mothers no more faw their
children forced from them, to laviſh their blood at the
caprice of a weak monarch or an ambitious miniſter.
Nations did no longer unite to gratify the paffions of
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
449
X.
their fovereigns. For fome time, men lived together в o O K
as brethren, as much, at leaſt, as the pride of princes,
and the avidity of the people, would allow.
Although this general happineſs was to be attributed
to thoſe who held the reins of government, yet the im-
provement of reafon contributed, in fome degree, to
produce it. Philofophy then began to lay open and
recommend the fentiments of benevolence. The writ-
ings of fome philofophers had been made public, or
difperfed among the people, and contributed to poliſh
and refine their manners. The fpirit of moderation
had infpired men with the love of the more uſeful and
pleafing arts of life, and abated, at leaſt, the defire they
till then had of deſtroying one another. The thirſt of
blood ſeemed to be affuaged, and all nations, with the
affiſtance of the diſcoveries they had made, ardently ſet
about the improvement of their population, agricul-
ture, and manufactures.
This fpirit of activity exerted itſelf principally in the
Caribbee Iflands. The ftates upon the continent can
fubfift, and even flourish, when the rage of war is
kindled in their neighbourhood and on their frontiers;
becauſe the principal object of their attention is the
culture of their lands, their manufactures, their fub-
fiftence, and internal confumptions. This is not the
cafe with regard to thofe fettlements which different
nations have formed in the great Archipelago of Ame-
rica. In thefe, life and property are equally precari-
ous. None of the neceffaries of life are the natural
produce of the climate. Wearing apparel, and the in-
ftruments of huſbandry, are not even made in the
country. All their commodities are intended for ex-
portation. Nothing but an eaſy and ſafe communica-
tion with Africa, with the northern coafts of the New
World, but principally with Europe, can procure to
thefe iflands that free circulation of the neceflàries of
life they receive, and of thofe fuperfluities they give in
exchange. The more the colonists had fuffered from
the effects of that long and dreadful commotion that
ind thrown every thing into confufion, the greater was
Vol. III.
Ff
ง
$450
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BO O K their vigilance in endeavouring to repair the loffes their
fortunes had fuftained. The very hopes entertained
that the general weakneſs would enfure a lafting tran-
quillity, encouraged the moſt cautious merchants to
fupply the colonifts with goods in advance; a circum-
ftance that contributed greatly to quicken the progrefs
they made, which, notwithſtanding all their care and
attention, would otherwife have been very flow. Theſe
affiſtances enfured as well as increaſed the profperity of
the iſlands, till a ftorm, that had been a long time ga-
thering, broke out in the year 1739, and difturbed the
peace of the world.
The iſlands
are the
war in
The Engliſh colonies, but chiefly Jamaica, had car-
of America ried on a contraband trade with the Spanish fettle-
saufe of the ments in the New World, which cuftom had long
1739 E. made them confider as lawful. The court of Madrid
vents in becoming better acquainted with its interefts, concert-
that war, ed meaſures to put a stop to, or at leaft to check, this
mination of intercourfe. The plan might poffibly be prudent;
and the ter-
it,
but it was neceffary it fhould be carried into execution
with equity. If the fhips that were intended to pre-
vent this fraudulent trade had only feized upon thoſe
veffels that were concerned in it, this meaſure would
have deſerved commendation. But the abuſes infepa-
rable from violent meaſures, the eagerness of gain, and
perhaps too, a fpirit of revenge, incited them to flop,
under the pretence of their carrying on a contraband
trade, many fhips which in reality had a legal deftina-
tion.
England, whofe fecurity, power, and glory, is found-
ed upon commerce, could not very patiently fuffer
even her ufurpations to be reftrained; but was highly
incenſed when the found that theſe hoftilities were car-
ried to an excefs inconfiftent with the law of nations,
In London, and in the houfe of parliament, general
complaints were made againſt the authors of them, and
invectives againſt the minifter who fuffered them.
Walpole, who had long ruled Great Britain, and whoſe
character and abilities were better adapted to peace
than war, and the Spanish council, which fhowed lefs
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
451
:
X.
fpirit as the ftorm increafed, concerted together terms в oo K
of reconciliation. Thofe fixed upon, and figned at
Pardo, were not approved by a people equally inflam-
ed by its interefts, its refentments, and by party fpirit,
and eſpecially by the number of political writings that
were conftantly publiſhed on the ſubject.
66
The fovereign of any country, who forbids the li-
berty of difcuffing publicly matters of adminiſtration,
and politics, gives an authentic atteftation of his pro-
penfity to tyranny, and of the impropriety of his mea-
fures. It is juft as if he were to fay to the people :
I know full as well as you do, that what I have de-
"termined upon is contrary to your liberty, your pre-
rogatives, your intereft, your tranquillity, and your
happineſs; but I do not chooſe that you ſhould
"murmur at it. I will never fuffer you to be enlight-
ened, becauſe it is convenient to me that you ſhould
"remain in that ftate of ftupidity, which will prevent
you from difcerning my caprices, my vanity, my ex-
travagant diffipations, my oftentation, the depreda-
"tions of my courtiers and of my favourites, my ruin-
"ous amuſements, and my ftill more ruinous paffions,
"C
**
C
from the public good, which never was, is not, nor
"ever will be, as far as depends upon me and my fuc-
"ceffors, any thing more than a decent pretence.
66
66
68
Every thing I do is well done, you may either be-
"lieve or not, as you chooſe; but you must be filent.
"I will prove to you, by all the moſt extravagant and
"atrocious meafures, that I reign for myſelf alone,
"and neither by you nor for you. And if any one of
you ſhould be raſh enough to contradict me, let hint
periſh in the obfcurity of a'dungeon, or let him be
ftrangled, that he may for ever be deprived of the
powers of committing a fimilar act of indifcretion;
"for fuch is my will and pleaſure." In confequence
of fuch declarations, a man of genius must be either
filent or be put to death; and a nation must be kept
in a ſtate of barbarifm, with respect to their religion,
their laws, their morals, and their government, and in
the ignorance of the most important things relative to
1
F fij
452
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK their real interefts, to their power, to their trade, to
X. their ſplendour, and to their felicity; while all the na-
tions around are improving themſelves by the daring
efforts, and the concurrence of numbers of enlightened
men, whoſe views are directed to thofe objects alone
that are really worthy of their attention. The reaſon-
ing of an adminiſtration, which prohibits information,
is defective in every particular; the progreſs of im-
provement is not to be ſtopt, nor even to be checked,
without manifeft diſadvantage. Prohibition hath no
other effect than to irritate men, and to inſpire them
with an idea of rebellion, and to give all their writings
a libellous tendency. It is doing too much honour to
innocent fubjects, to be alarmed at a few pages of
writing, when two hundred thoufand affaffins are ready
to execute the orders of government.
England teems daily with numberlefs productions of
the prefs, in which all the concerns of the nation are
treated with freedom. Among theſe writings fome are
judicious, written by men of underſtanding, or citizens
well informed and zealous for the public good. Their
advice contributes to difcover to the public their true
interefts, and to affift the operations of government.
Few uſeful regulations of internal economy are adopt-
ed in the ſtate, that have not firſt been pointed out,
modelled, or improved in fome of thefe writings. Un-
happy are the people who are deprived of fuch an ad-
vantage.
،
.
.
*
6
But it may be faid, that among the few fenfible
men who ſerve to enlighten their country, numbers
are to be met with, who, either from a difguft to
thoſe in power, or from a defire of falling in with the
taſte of the people, or from fome perfonal motives,
delight in fomenting a fpirit of diffenfion and diſcon-
tent. The means generally made ufe of for this
purpoſe, are to heighten the pretenfions of their coun-
try beyond their juft and legal bounds, and to make
the people confider the ſmalleſt precautions taken by
other powers for the prefervation of their poffeffions,
as vifible encroachments. Thefe exaggerations, equal-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
453
.
،
ly partial and falſe, eſtabliſh prejudices, the effects of в
which occafion the nation to be conftantly at war
' with its neighbours. If government, from a defire of
preferving the balance of juftice between itſelf and
other powers, fhould refufe to yield to popular pre-
judices, it finds itſelf, at length, compelled to it.'
The liberty of the prefs is undoubtedly attended
with thefe inconveniencies; but they are fo trifling,
and ſo tranfient, when compared with the advantages
reſulting from it, that they do not deferve our notice.
The queſtion is reduced to this: Is it better that a peo-
ple fhould be in a perpetual state of ftupidity, than that
they fhould be fometimes turbulent? Sovereigns, if ye
mean to be wicked, fuffer your people to write; you
will find men corrupt enough to ferve you according
to your evil defires, and who will improve you in the
art of a Tiberius. If ye mean to be good, permit them
alfo to write; you will find fome honeft men who will
improve you in the art of a Trajan. How many things
are ye ftill ignorant of, before ye can become great,
either in good or in evil.
The mob of London, the moft contemptible of any
in the univerſe, as the people of England confidered in
a political view are the firft people in the world, abet-
ted by twenty thousand young men, the fons of di-
ftinguiſhed merchants, befet the parliament houſe with
clamours and threats, and influence its deliberations.
Such tumults are frequently excited by a party in the
parliament itſelf. Thefe defpicable men, once roufed,
revile the moſt reſpectable citizen, who hath incurred
their diſpleaſure, and been rendered fufpicious to them:
they fet fire to his houſe, and fcandaloufly infult the
molt facred characters. The tumult can never be ap-
peafed, unleſs they force the miniftry to yield to their
fury. This indirect, though continual influence of
commerce upon the public meafures, was, perhaps
never fo fenfibly felt as at the period we are ſpeaking
of.
England began the war with much fuperior advan-
tages. She had a great number of failors on foot. Her
O O K
X.
Ffiij
454
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK magazines were filled with warlike ftores, and her dock-
X. yards were in the moſt flouriſhing condition.
Her
fleets were all manned and ready for fervice, and com-
manded by experienced officers, who waited only for
orders to fet fail, and to spread the terror and glory of
her flag to the extremities of the world. Walpole, by
neglecting fuch great advantages, muft not be cenfur-
ed as having betrayed his country. In this particular
he is above fufpicion, fince he was never even accuſed
of corruption, in a country where fuch charges have
been often made without being believed. His conduct,
however, was not entirely irreproachable. The ap-
prehenfion he was under of involving himfelf in diffi-
culties that might endanger his adminiſtration; the
neceffity he found of applying thofe treaſures in mili-
tary operations, that he had amaffed to bribe and fe-
cure to himſelf a party, joined to that of impofing new
taxes, which muft neceffarily raiſe to the highest degree
the averfion that had been entertained both for his
perſon and principles: all theſe, and ſome other cir-
cumftances, occafioned an irreſolution in his conduct
that was attended with the moſt fatal confequences.
He loft time, which is of the utmost importance in
every expedition, but particularly decifive in all naval
operations.
The fleet that Vernon commanded, after having de-
ftroyed Porto-Bello, was unfuccefsful at Carthagena,
rather from the badneſs of the climate, and the mifun-
derſtanding and inexperience of the officers, than from
the valour of the garrifon. Anfon's fleet was loft at
the doubling of Cape Horn, which ſome months foon-
er might have been performed without danger. If we
were to judge of what he might have done with his
whole fquadron, from what he actually performed with
a fingle fhip, it is not improbable but that he would
at leaft have fhaken the empire of the Spaniards in the
South Sea. A fettlement that was attempted in the
ifland of Cuba was not profperous. Thoſe who in-
tended building a city there all died. General Ogle-
thorpe, after having opened the trenches for thirty-
J
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
455
eight days, was forced to raiſe the ſiege of Fort St. в
Auſtin in Florida, vigorouſly defended by Manuel
Montiano, who had been allowed time enough to pre-
pare himſelf against the attack.
Though the firſt efforts of the Engliſh against Spa-
niſh America were not fuccefsful, yet the alarm was
not appeaſed. The navy, the character, and govern-
ment of the Engliſh, were three great reſources they
had ftill left, fufficient to make the Spaniards tremble.
In vain did France unite her naval powers, to act in
conjunction with thofe of Spain. This confederacy
neither checked the intrepidity of the common ene-
my, nor animated the minds of fuch as were over-
whelmed with fear. Fortunately for both nations, as
well as for America, the death of the Emperor Charles
the VI. had kindled in Europe an obftinate war, in
which the British troops were detained, to fupport an
intereſt that was extremely doubtful. The hoftilities,
commenced in diftant countries with fuch great pre-
parations, terminated at laſt infenfibly in a few pira-
cies that were committed on both fides. The moſt
remarkable event that happened at that time was the
taking of Cape-Breton, which expofed the fishery,
commerce, and colonies of France, to the greateſt dan-
gers. This valuable poffeffion was reftored to the
French at the peace; but the treaty that gave it up
was not lefs the object of cenfure.
The French, ever influenced by a ſpirit of chivalry,
that hath ſo long been the dazzling folly of all Europe,
imagine the facrifice of their lives fufficiently compen-
fated, if it hath contributed to extend the frontiers of
their country; that is to fay, when they have com-
pelled their prince to the neceffity of governing them
with lefs attention and equity than he did before; but
if their territory remains the fame as it was before the
war, they then think their honour is loft. This rage
for conqueft, excufable indeed in a barbarous age,
but which more enlightened ones fhould never be re-
proached with, threw diſgrace on the peace of Aix-la-
Chapelle, which reſtored to Auftria all the places that
O O K
X.
!
1
F fi
456.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK had been taken from her. The nation, too trifling
X. and capricious to attend to political difcuffions, could
not be convinced, that, by forming any kind of eſta-
bliſhment for the Infant Don Philip, an alliance with
Spain was effectually fecured: that fhe herſelf was
thereby engaged to adjuft, with the houſe of Auftria,
fome intereſts of the greateſt importance: that, by be-
coming guarantees to the king of Pruffia for Silefia,
two rival powers would, in confequence of fuch an ar-
rangement, be formed in Germany; to produce which
happy effect had been the labour and care of two cen-
turies that, by reſtoring Friburg, and thoſe towns in
Flanders that had been deſtroyed, they would be eafi-
ly retaken, if war ſhould again be declared, and carri-
ed on with vigour: befides, that the number of land
forces might always be very eaſily diminiſhed of fifty
thouſand men, and the faving which fuch a reduction
would produce, might and ought to have been em-
ployed in increafing the navy.
If, therefore, the French nation had not even been
obliged to attend to the management of its affairs at
home, which were then in a very alarming ftate; if
her credit and commerce had not been entirely ruin-
ed; if fome of her moft confiderable provinces had
not been in the greateſt diſtreſs; if ſhe had not loſt the
key of Canada; if her colonies had not been threaten-
ed with certain and immediate invafion; if her návy
had not been fo entirely deftroyed, as fcarcely to have
a fhip left to fend into the New World; and if Spain
had not been upon the point of concluding a ſeparate
treaty with England: independent of all thefe circum-
ftances, yet the peace that was then made would have
deſerved the approbation of the moft fenfible and ju-
dicious men.
The eaſe with which Marshal Saxe could penetrate
into the internal provinces of the Netherlands, was an
object that particularly attracted the French. It will
readily be allowed, that nothing feemed impoffible to
the victorious arms of Lewis XV.; but it may be
thought paradoxical to affert, that the English were
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
457
X.
extremely defirous of feeing the Dutch fubdued. If в O O K
the republic, which could not poffibly feparate itſelf
from its allies, had been conquered, its inhabitants,
filled as they were with ancient, as well as preſent pre-
judices against the government, laws, manners, and re-
ligion of their conqueror, would hardly have fubmitted
to his dominion. Would they not certainly have con-
veyed their people, their ſtock, and their induſtry to
Great Britain? And can there be the leaſt doubt,
whether fuch confiderable advantages would not have
been infinitely more valuable to the English, than an
alliance with the Dutch?
To this obfervation let us venture to add another,
which, though not attended to before, will, perhaps,
not ſeem lefs evident. The court of Vienna hath been
thought either very fortunate, or very ſkilful, in having
been able, by the means of negotiations, to wreſt out
of the hands of the French thofe places which had
been taken from them during the war. But would
they not have been more fortunate, or more ſkilful,
had they fuffered their enemy to keep part of the con-
quefts they had obtained? The period is now paffed,
when the houſe of Auftria was equal, or, perhaps, fu-
perior in ftrength to the houfe of Bourbon. Policy,
therefore, fhould have engaged her to intereft other
powers in her fortune, even from the loffes fhe had
fuftained. This might have been effected, by facri-
ficing fomething, apparently at leaſt, to France. Eu-
rope, alarmed at the increafing power of this monar-
chy, which is naturally an object of hatred, envy, and
fear, would have renewed that fpirit of animofity that
had been fworn againft Lewis XIV.; and more for-
midable leagues would neceffarily have been formed
in confequence of fuch fentiments. This general dif
pofition of the people was more likely to have recover-
ed the greatneſs of the new houfe of Auftria, than the
re-acquifition of a diſtant and limited territory, always
open to an attack.
It is probable, however, that the French plenipo-
tentiary who managed the negotiation, as well as the
1
↓
458
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK minifter who directed it, would have feen through the
artifice. We do not even fcruple to affert, that nei-
ther of theſe ſtateſmen had any view of extending the
French dominions. But would they have found the
fame penetration to unravel political defigns in the
council, to which they were refponfible for their con-
duct? This is a point we cannot prefume to deter-
mine. All governments are generally inclined to ex-
tend their territories; and that of France is, from its
conftitution, equally fo.
But whatever truth there may be in theſe reflec-
tions, it must be allowed, that the expectations of the
two French minifters, who fettled the peace, were dif
appointed. The principal object they had in view
was the preſervation of the colonies that had been
threatened by the enemy. But as foon as the danger
was over, this unbounded fource of opulence was ne-
glected. France kept on foot a large body of troops,
retained in her pay a great part of Germany, and acted
in the fame manner as if another Charles V. had threa-
tened her frontiers, or another Philip II. could have
thrown the internal parts of the kingdom into confu-
fion by his intrigues. She was not fenfible that her
fuperiority upon the continent was acknowledged;
that no fingle power could venture to attack her; and
that the event of the laft war, and the arrangements
fettled by the laſt peace, had rendered the union of
feveral powers against her impoffible. A number of
apprehenfions, equally weak and trifling, diſturbed her
tranquillity. Her prejudices prevented her from per-
ceiving that fhe had only one enemy really deferving
her attention, and that this enemy could only be re-
strained by a confiderable fleet.
The English, more inclined to envy the profperity
of others than to enjoy their own, are not only de-
firous of becoming rich, but of being exclufively fo.
Their ambition is gain, as that of the Romans was
empire. They do not properly feek to extend their
dominion, but their colonies. Commerce is the fole
object of all the wars they are engaged in, and the de-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
459
X.
fire of engroffing it all to themſelves hath made them в O O K
perform many great actions, and commit the moſt fla-
grant acts of injuftice, and obliges them to perfevere
in the fame conduct. Will the nations never be tired
of that ſpecies of tyranny which fets them at defiance,
and degrades them? Will they perpetually continue
in that ftate of weakneſs which compels them to ſub-
mit to a defpotifm they would be very defirous of an-
nihilating? If they ſhould ever form an alliance among
themſelves, how could one fingle power be able to
refit them, unlefs deftiny were always in its favour,
which it would be very imprudent to depend upon?
Who is it that hath enfured eternal profperity to the
Engliſh? and if it could be enfured to them, would it
not be too dearly purchaſed by the loſs of a tranquil-
lity which they could never enjoy? and would they
not be too ſeverely puniſhed for it, by the alarms of a
fpirit of jealoufy which ever obliges them to keep
an anxious and watchful eye upon the flightest move-
ments of the other powers? Is it very glorious; is it
very pleating; is it very advantageous; and is it very
fafe, for one nation to reign in the midſt of others, as
a fultan in the midſt of his flaves? Will a dangerous
increaſe of outward enmity be fufficiently compen-
fated by the baneful increaſe of inward opulence?
Engliſhmen, avidity knows no bounds; but patience
hath its end, which is almoft always fatal to thofe who
urge it to that extreme. But the paffion for trade
exerts fuch influence over you, that even your philo-
fophers are governed by it. The celebrated Mr. Boyle
uſed to fay, that it would be a commendable action
to preach Chriftianity to the favages, becauſe, were
they to know only fo much of it as would convince
them of their obligation to wear clothes, it would prove
of great fervice to the English manufactures.
was the
A fyftem of this nature, which the Engliſh have America
fcarce ever loft fight of, difcovered itſelf more openly caufe of
in 1755, than it had ever done before. The rapid im- the war in
provements made in the French colonies furpriſed every
attentive mind, and awakened the jealouſy of the En-
1755.
4.60
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK gliſh. Afhamed, however, to let it appear at first, they
concealed it for fome time under myfterious difguifes;
and a people who have pride or modefty enough to
term negotiations the artillery of their enemies, did not
fcruple to employ all the windings and artifices of the
moft infidious policy.
France, alarmed at the confufed ftate of her finances,
intimidated by the ſmall number of her fhips, and the
inexperience of her admirals; feduced by a love of
eaſe, pleaſure, and tranquillity, favoured the attempts
that were made to deceive her. In vain did ſome able
ſtateſmen continually urge, that Great Britain was, and
ought to be, defirous of a war; and that he was com-
pelled to begin it, before the naval eſtabliſhment of
her rival had attained to the fame degree of perfection
as her trading navy. Thefe caufes of apprehenfion
feemed abfurd in a country where trade had been hi-
therto carried on by a ſpirit of imitation only; where
it had been ſhackled by every fpecies of reftraint, and
always facrificed to finance; where it had never met
with any real encouragement, and where men knew
not, perhaps, that they were in poffeffion of the moſt
valuable and richeft commerce in the world. A na-
tion, that was indebted to nature for a moft excellent
foil; to chance for her colonies; to the vivacity and
pliancy of her difpofition, for a tafte in thofe arts which
vary and increaſe the enjoyments of life; to her con-
quefts and her literary merit, and even to the diſper-
fion of the Proteftants ſhe had unfortunately loft, for
the defire excited in other countries of imitating her:
this nation, that would be too happy, were fhe per-
mitted to enjoy her happineſs, would not perceive that
the might be deprived of fome of theſe advantages,
and infenfibly fell a facrifice to thofe arts employed to
lull her into fecurity. When the English thought
there was no further occafion to diffemble, they com-
menced hoftilities, without having previouſly paid any
attention to thofe formalities that are in ufe among ci-
vilized people.
Did the nation, which is reckoned fo proud, fo hu-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
461
X.
mane, and fo prudent, reflect upon what was doing? в O O K
It reduced the moſt facred conventions of nations
among themſelves, to the artifices of a perfidious po-
licy; it freed them from the common tie that connects
them, by difcarding the chimèrical idea of the right
of nations. Did theſe people perceive, that they were
fixing a constant ftate of war; that they were making
peace a time of apprehenfion only; that they were
introducing on the globe nothing but a falfe and de-
ceitful fecurity; that fovereigns were becoming fo
many wolves, ready to devour each other; that the
empire of difcord was becoming unbounded; that the
moſt cruel and moſt unjust reprifals were authoriſed;
and that arms were no longer to be laid afide? At that
time there was a half Themistocles in the miniſtry;
but there was not one Ariftides in all Great Britain;
fince, far from exclaiming, in imitation of the Athe-
nians, who were not themſelves the moft fcrupulous
men among the Greeks: The thing is useful, but it is
not honeft; let it be mentioned no more: the English, on
the contrary, congratulated themſelves upon an igno-
minious act, againſt which the voice of all Europe was
raiſed with indignation. Acts of hoftility, without a
declaration of war, when there is even no treaty of
peace fubfifting, is the proceeding of barbarians. Ho-
ſtilities, againſt the faith of treaties, but preceded by a
declaration of war, by what pretence foever it may be
palliated, would be a difgufting act of injuftice, if the
habit of it had not been frequent, and if the ſhame of
it did not light upon almoſt all the powers. Hoftilities,
without a declaration of war, against a neighbouring
people, who are quietly repofing themfelves upon the
faith of treaties, upon the right of nations, upon a re-
ciprocal intercourfe of good-will, upon civilized man-
ners, upon the fame God, upon the fame worship, up-
on the reciprocal refidence and protection granted to
the citizens of both nations in their refpective coun-
tries fuch hoftilities are a crime, which, in every fo-
ciety, would be treated as murder on the highway;
and if there were any exprefs code against it, as there
462
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK is a tacit one, formed and fubfcribed to between all
nations, we ſhould then read the following ſentence:
LET US ALL UNITE AGAINST THE TRAITOR, AND LET HIM
BE EXTERMINATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH. The
nation that commits fuch a crime, purfues its intereſt
with unbounded and ſhameleſs jealoufy; it ſhows that
it is deftitute of equity and honour; that it deſpiſes
equally the judgment of the preſent time, and the cen-
fure of pofterity; and that it hath more regard for its
exiſtence among nations, than for the colours it will
be painted in in their hiftory. If it be the ftrongeft,
it is a mean tyrant; it is a lion, which debafes itſelf
to act the abject part of a fox. If it be the weakeſt,
and be apprehenfive for itſelf, it may, perhaps, be leſs
odious, but it is equally baſe. How much more noble,
and how much more advantageous, was the cuſtom of
the Roman people! Let us open, as they did, the gates
of our temples; let an ambaffador be fent to the ene-
my's frontiers, and there let him declare war, by fhak-
ing the ſkirts of his garments, at the found of the
trumpet of the herald that attends him. Let us not
maffacre an enemy that fleeps. If we dip our hand
into the blood of him who thinks himſelf our friend,
the ſtain of it will never be wiped off. It will always
call to mind the Macbeth of the poet.
Though a declaration of war were only a mere ce-
remony between nations, which feem to be bound by
no ties as foon as they intend to maffacre one another,
yet it is very evident, that the Britiſh miniftry were
more than doubtful of the injuftice of their conduct.
The timidity of their meaſures, the perplexity of their
operations, the prevaricating modes of juftification they
adopted, and the influence they in vain exerted to make
parliament approve fo fcandalous a violation; theſe,
with feveral other circumftances, plainly difcovered
the guilt of their proceeding. If thofe weak minifters
of fo great a power had been as bold in committing
crimes, as they appeared regardleſs of the laws of vir-
tue, they would have formed a project of the moſt ex-
tenfive nature. When they unjustly gave orders to
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
463
X.
attack all the French fhips upon the northern coast of B 0 0 5
America, they would have extended thefe orders to
every fea. The ruin of the only power that was ca-
pable of making any reſiſtance, would have heen the
neceffary confequence of fuch a ſtrong confederacy.
Its fall would have intimidated all other nations; and,
wherever the Engliſh flag had appeared, it would have
commanded obedience in every quarter of the world.
A fuccefs fo remarkable and decifive would have made
the multitude overlook the violation of public right,
would have juſtified it to the political world, and the
remonitrances of the wife would have been loft in the
clamours of the ignorant and ambitious.
war is un-
to the ta
glish,
A timid, but equally unjuftifiable conduct, was at- The begi
tended with very contrary effects. The council of ning of the
George II. was hated, as well as deſpiſed, over all Eu- favourable
rope; and the events correfponded to thefe fentiments.
France, though unexpectedly attacked, was victorious
in Canada, gained confiderable advantages by ſea, took
Minorca, and threatened London itfelf. Her rival was
then fenfible of the truth of what men of underſtand-
ing had long fince obſerved in England, that the French
united the greatest contrarieties in their character; that
they blended virtues and vices, marks of weakneſs and
ftrength that had always been thought inconfiftent
with each other; that they were brave, though effe-
minate; equally addicted to pleafure and glory; fe-
rious in trifles, and trifling in matters of importance;
ever difpofed to war, and ready to attack in a word,
mere children, fuffering themfelves, as the Athenians
of old, to be difquieted and moved to anger for real
or imaginary interefts; fond of enterprife and action,
ready to follow any guide, and comforted in the great-
eft misfortunes with the most trifling fuccefs. The En-
glith, who, according to a vulgar though ftrong expref-
fion of Swift's, are always in the cellar or in the garret,
and know no medium, began then to be too much
afraid of a nation that they had unjustly defpifed. A
tpirit of defpondency fucceeded to that of prefump-
tion.
3.
464
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK The nation, corrupted by the too great confidence
X. it had placed in its opulence; humbled by the intro-
duction of foreign troops, and by the moral character
and inability of its governors; weakened too by the
collifion of factions, which keep up an exertion of
ftrength among a free people in times of peace, but
which deftroy their power in times of war; the na-
tion, difgraced, aftoniſhed, and uncertain what mea-
fures to purſue; equally fenfible of the diftreffes it had
already been expoſed to, as of thoſe it forefaw, was in-
capable of exerting itſelf to avenge the one or prevent
the other. All zeal for the common caufe was con-
fined to the granting of immenfe fupplies. That the
coward is fooner difpofed to part with his money than
the brave man, in order to ward off danger; and that
the prefent critical fituation of affairs required them
not to confider who fhould pay, but who fhould ſtand
forward to fight; thefe were truths, which, at that
time, feemed to have been forgotten.
The French, on their part, were dazzled with fome
inſtances of ſucceſs that were of no confequence. Pre-
fuming that the ſurpriſe their enemies had been thrown
into was a proof of their weakneſs, they involved them-
felves further than was confiftent with their intereft in
the diſturbances which then began to divide the Ger-
man powers.
A fyftem, which, if unſucceſsful, muſt have been
attended with the greateſt diſgrace, and, if fortunate,
muſt have been deftructive in the end, ferved to con-
found them. Their levity made them forget, that a
few months before they had applauded the wife and
enlightened ſtateſman, who, being defirous to avoid a
land war, which ſome miniſters were willing to enter
into, from their defpairing of fuccefs at fea, had, with
the vivacity and confidence peculiar to genius, ad-
dreffed himſelf to them in the following words: Gen-
tlemen, faid he, let us all, who are here prefent in council,
go out, with torches in our hands, and fet fire to all our
fhips, if they are ufelefs to our defence, and are only con-
ducive to make our enemies infult us. This political in-
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
465
X.
fatuation threw them into the greateſt difficulties. Er- в o O K
rors of the cabinet were followed by military faults.
The management of the army was fubjected to the
intrigues of the court. A feries of bad fuccefs was the
confequence of a perpetual change of commanders.
This light and fuperficial nation did not perceive, that,
even fuppofing, what indeed was impoffible, that all
thoſe who were fucceffively intrufted with the direc-
tion of the military operations had really been men of
abilities, yet they could not contend with advantage
againſt a man of genius, affifted by one of diftinguiſh-
ed capacity. Misfortunes made no alteration in the
plan that had been formed, and the changes of gene-
rals were endleſs.
While the French were thus deceived, the Engliſh,
from a ſpirit of dejection, were inflamed with the ut-
moſt refentment: they changed a minifter who had
juſtly excited general diffatisfaction, and placed at the
head of affairs a man who was equally an enemy to
timid meaſures, to the royal prerogative, and to France.
Although this choice was the confequence of that fpi-
rit of party which caufes the greatest revolutions in
England, yet it was fuch as the circumftances of the
times required. William Pitt had a foul formed for
great defigns; was diftinguiſhed by a fpecies of elo-
quence that never failed to captivate his hearers, and
by a character equally firm and enterprifing. He was
ambitious to make his country rife fuperior to all others,
and at the fame time to raiſe his own fame.
His en-
thuſiaſm fired a nation which will always be infpired
by a love of liberty. The admiral who had fuffered
Minorca to be taken was arrefted, thrown into prifon,
accuſed, tried, and fentenced to death. Neither his
rank, abilities, family, nor friends, could protect him
from the rigour of the law. His own fhip was fixed
upon as the ſpot where the fentence paffed upon him
was to be put in execution. All Europe, at the news
of this melancholy event, was firuck with aſtoniſh-
ment, blended with admiration and horror. It recal-
led the memory of the ancient republics. The death
Lol. III.
G g
466
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK of Byng, whether guilty or not, proclaimed, in the
moſt alarming manner, to thoſe who were employed
by the nation, what fate they muſt expect, if they be-
trayed the confidence repofed in them. Every man
faid to himſelf, in the inftant of battle, It is on this
field I muſt die, rather than with infamy on a ſcaffold.
Thus the blood of one man, accuſed of cowardice,
was productive of a fpirit of heroifm.
This fyftem of holding out an example of terror to
fubdue the impreffions of fear, was further ftrengthen-
ed by an emulation, that ſeemed to promife the re-
vival of public fpirit. Diffipation, pleaſure, indolence,
and often vice and a corruption of manners, occafion
warm and frequent connections in most kingdoms of
Europe. The Engliſh have leſs intercourſe and con-
nection with each other; they have, perhaps, leſs taſte
for focial life than other nations; but the idea of any
project that may be ferviceable to the ftate immedi-
ately unites them, and they ſeem, as it were, animat-
ed by one foul. All ranks, parties, and fects, contri-
bute to inſure its fuccefs, and with fuch liberality as
cannot be paralleled in thoſe places where the notion
of a particular native country does not prevail.
And, in fact, why fhould we be concerned for the
glory of a nation, when we can expect no other return
for the facrifices we make, than an increaſe of mifery;
when victories and defeats are equally fatal; victories,
by giving rise to taxes to pave the way for them; and
defeats, by occafioning taxes to repair them? If there
were not fome little remains of honour fubfifting in
us, in ſpite of all the efforts that are made uſe of to
ftifle it, and which proves, that, under vexations of
every kind, the people ſtill retain fome feeling for the
diſgrace of the nation, they would be equally affected
with its profperity or its misfortunes. Will they ex-
perience better treatment, whether the fovereign be
victorious or conquered; whether he acquire or lofe a
province; whether trade fhould fall or profper? The
zeal of the Engliſh is more remarkably diſtinguiſhed,
when the nation hath placed an implicit confidence in
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
467
X.
the minifter who hath the direction of public mea- в 0 0 K
fures. As foon as Mr. Pitt was made prime miniſter,
a marine fociety was eftablifhed, which, perceiving
that there appeared a remiffneſs in general to enter
into the fea fervice, and difapproving the cuſtom of
preffing men into it, invited the children of the poor-
eſt claſs in the three kingdoms to become fhip boys,
and their fathers failors. They undertook to pay the
expences of their voyage; to take care of them in
fickneſs; to feed, clothe, and furniſh them with every
thing neceffary to preſerve their health during the
time they were to be at fea. The king, moved by
this inftance of patriotifm, gave them 22,500 livres
[9371. 10s.], the prince of Wales 9000 livres [3751.],
and the princess of Wales 4500 [1871. 10s.]. The ac-
tors of the different theatres, whofe abilities have not
been treated with contempt by this enlightened na-
tion, acted their beft plays for the increafe of fo re-
ſpectable an eſtabliſhment. The theatres were never
fo much crowded as on this occafion. A hundred of
theſe ſhip boys, and a hundred of the failors, clothed
from a zeal that may truly be holden facred, appear-
ed upon the ſtage; a decoration this, furely, not infe-
rior to that arifing from the multitude of lights, the
elegance of dreſs, and the brilliancy of jewels.
roufed from
the French
iflands.
This public zeal, and attachment to the intereſts of The Eng-
the nation, animated the minds of all the Engliſh, and lifh are
the effects of it were diſplayed in the difference of their their lethar-
conduct. They ravaged the coafts of their enemies; and feize
beat them every where by fea; intercepted their navi- and Spaniſ
gation, and gave a check to all their forces in Weftpha- Account of
lia. They drove them out of North America, Africa, the author
and the Eaſt Indies. Till Mr. Pitt became minifter, all of thefe
the expeditions of the nation, made in diftant coun-
tries, had been unfuccefsful, and muft neceffarily have
been fo, becauſe they had been ill-concerted. He, on
the contrary, planned fuch prudent and uſeful defigns;
his preparations were conducted with fo much fore-
fight and diſpatch; his means were fo well adapted to
the ends he wanted to obtain; he made fuch a prudent
fucceffes.
Ggij
468
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BO O K choice of the perſons whom he intruſted with his de-
figns; he eſtabliſhed ſuch harmony between the land
and ſea forces, and raiſed the ſpirits of the Engliſh to
fuch a height, that his whole adminiſtration was a ſeries
of conqueſts. His mind, ftill fuperior to his glory,
made him deſpiſe the idle clamours of thoſe who cen-
fured what they called his profufions. He uſed to ſay
with Philip, father of Alexander the Great, That vic-
tory was to be purchaſed by money, and that money must
not be spared at the expence of victory.
By fuch a conduct, and fuch principles, Mr. Pitt had
at all times, and in all places, triumphed over the
French. He purſued them to their most valuable
iſlands, even to their fugar colonies. Theſe poffef-
fions, fo juftly prized for their riches, were not, how-
ever, better fecured. The fortifications that were e-
rected there were constructed without judgment, and
were falling to decay. Theſe ruins were equally defti-
tute of defenders, of arms, and of ammunition. Ever
fince the beginning of hoftilities, all intercourſe be-
tween theſe great fettlements and the mother-country
had been at an end. They could neither receive fub-
fiſtence from it, nor enrich it with their productions.
The buildings neceffary for the carrying on of agricul-
ture, were a heap of ruins. The mafters and the flaves,
equally deftitute of the neceffaries of life, were obliged
to feed upon the cattle deſtined for the labours of huf-
bandry. If any rapacious navigators ever reached
them, it was through fo many dangers, that the colo-
niſts were obliged to pay for what they bought of theſe
traders at a very advanced price, and to give them in
exchange whatever they confented to take from them
at the loweſt. Though the coloniſts did not call in
the aid of any foreign power to their affiftance, yet it
was not to be expected, that their attachments to their
mother-country would induce them to make a vigor-
ous defence againſt an enemy that might put an end
to their diftreffes.
In this ſituation of affairs, ten ſhips of the line, fome
bomb-ketches and frigates, with five thoufand land-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
469
Ο Ο
X.
forces, failed from England, and arrived at Guadalupe. в 0 0 K
They appeared before the town on the 22d of January
1759, and the next day bombarded the town of Baffe-
Terre. If the befiegers had known how to take ad-
vantage of the terror they had ſpread, the iſland would
have made a very fhort refiſtance: but the flowneſs,
timidity, and irrefolution of their operations afforded
the garrison and the inhabitants leifure to fortify them-
felves in a paſs that was only at the diftance of two
leagues from the place. From this ſpot they ſtopped
the progrefs of the enemy, who were equally diftreffed
from the heat of the climate and the want of provi-
fions. The English, defpairing of making themſelves
maſters of the colony on this fide, proceeded to attack
it in another quarter, known by the name of Grande-
Terre. It was defended by a fort called Fort Lewis,
which made ftill lefs refiftance than that of Baffe-
Terre, that had furrendered in four-and-twenty hours.
The conquerors were again guilty of the error they
had before fallen into, and fuffered the fame inconve-
niencies from it. The event of the expedition began
to be doubtful, when Barrington, who fucceeded to the
command at the death of Hopfon, changed the plan
of operations. He gave up the idea of penetrating
into the country, and re-embarked his foldiers, who
fucceffively attacked the houſes and villages upon the
coafts. The ravages they committed obliged the co-
loniſts to fubmit. The whole island, after three months
defence, furrendered on the 21ft day of April, upon
very honourable terms of capitulation.
The troops that had obtained this victory did not
engage in this expedition, till they had ineffectually
threatened Martinico. Three years after, Great Bri-
tain revived a defign that had been too haftily given
up; but greater preparations and more effectual means
were employed to carry it into execution. On the 16th
of January 1762, eighteen battalions, under the com-
mand of general Monckton, and eighteen fhips of the
line commanded by admiral Rodney, the firſt ſent
from North America, and the latter from Europe, ap-
G g iij
470
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
3
X.
BO O K peared before the capital of the iſland. The landing
of the troops the next day was foon effected, without
difficulty and without lofs. To take poffeffion of the
eminences that were fortified and defended by Fort
Royal, feemed to be a matter not fo eafily accompliſh-
ed. Theſe obftacles, however, were, after fome warm
engagements, furmounted, and the place, that would
foon have been reduced to aſhes by the bombs, capi-
tulated on the 9th of February; and the whole colony
did the fame on the 13th. It is probable that the pro-
fperity of Guadalupe under the British government,
contributed to bring about this general furrender
which might, and ought to have been delayed longer,
Granada and the other Leeward Iflands, whether fub-
ject to France, or which, though peopled by French-
men, were neutral, furrendered themfelves, without
making any reſiſtance.
;
Even St. Domingo, the only poffeffion the French
ftill retained in the Archipelago of America, was like-
ly to fall into the hands of the English; and its lofs
feemed to be not far diftant. If it had not even been
known that this was the first conqueft Great Britain
would attempt, yet it could not be fuppofed that it
would eſcape its avidity. Would this ambitious na-
tion have checked the career of its own fucceffes fo far
as to give up all thoughts of a conqueft that would
have completed its profperity? This was a point that
feemed not to admit of a doubt. The colony was ge-
nerally known to be entirely without any means of
defence, either within or without, and therefore inca-
pable of making the leaft refiftance. It was fo fenfible
of its weakneſs, that it ſeemed difpofed to furrender as
foon as it ſhould be fummoned to do it.
The court of Verſailles was equally aftoniſhed and
alarmed at the loffes it had fuftained, and at thofe it
forefaw. It had expected fuch an obftinate refiſtance
as would have been fuperior to every attack. The de-
ſcendants of thoſe brave adventurers, who had ſettled
theſe colonies, feemed a rampart fufficient to repel all
the forces of the British empire. They almoſt felt a
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
471
X.
fecret fatisfaction that the English were directing their в O O K
efforts towards that quarter. The miniftry had inſpir-
ed the nation with the fame confidence that poffeffed
them, and it was the mark of a bad citizen to ſhow the
leaft uneafinefs.
It is an obſervation we may now be permitted to
make, that events, which have once happened, will
happen again. A people whofe whole fortune con-
fifts in fields and paftures, will, if influenced by any
degree of fpirit, refolutely defend their poffeffions. The
harveſt of one year is the utmoſt they can loſe, and
whatever calamity they may experience, does not di-
ſtreſs them to fuch a degree as to leave them without
hopes of recovery. The cafe is very different with re-
gard to the wealthy cultivators of theſe colonies.
Whenever they take up arms, they run the risk of
having the labours of their whole lives deftroyed, their
flaves carried off, and all the hopes of their poſterity
either loft by fire or plunder: they will therefore al-
ways fubmit to the enemy. Though fatisfied with the
government under which they live, they are leſs at-
tached to its glory than to their own riches.
The example of the first coloniſts, whoſe perſeverance
could not be ſhaken by the moſt vigorous attacks, does
not affect the truth of this obfervation. The object of
the war was then the acquifition of territory, and the
expulfion of the inhabitants; at preſent, a war waged
againſt a colony is directed only againſt the fovereign
of it.
The plan of attacking Martinico was laid by Mr.
Pitt, though he was not in the miniftry when it was
fubdued. The refignation of this great man drew the
attention of Europe, and deferves to be confidered by
every one, who inveftigates the caufes and effects of
political revolutions. An hiftorian, who ventures to
write the tranfactions of his own age, hath feldom, it
must be granted, fufficient lights to guide him. The
councils of kings are fo fecret, that time alone can
gradually withdraw the veil that furrounds them. Their
minifters, faithful depofitaries of the fecrets they have
G g iiij
*
472
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK been intrufted with, or intereſted to conceal them, ex-
X. plain themſelves no further than is fufficient to miſlead
the curious inquirer, who wishes to diſcover them.
Whatever penetration he may poffefs, in tracing the
fource and connection of events, he is at laft reduced
to conjecture. If his conjectures happen to be juſt,
ftill he is ignorant that they are fo, or cannot depend
upon them; and this uncertainty is fcarcely more fa-
tisfactory than a total ignorance. He must therefore
wait till prudence and intereft, freed from the reſtraint
of filence, ſhall unfold the truth; in a word, till fome
valuable and original records be produced for public
inſpection, wherein the latent fprings on which the
deſtiny of nations hath depended, fhall be diſcovered.
Thefe reflections thould fufpend the inquiries of the
man who wants only to attend to the progrefs of po-
litical intrigues. They are diffolved as foon as they
are formed. We could only collect feparate parts of
them, which could not be brought together unleſs by
conjecture, which might be the further diftant from
the truth, in proportion as more fagacity had been
difplayed in the forming of it. We fhould often be
likely to fill up with fome great view, or with ſome
profound ſpeculation, a vacancy which prefents itſelf,
from our ignorance of fome witticiſm, of ſome frivolous
caprice, of fome trifling refentment, or of fome childiſh
emotion or jealouſy for theſe are the wonderful levers
with which the earth hath fo often been moved, and
will ſtill be moved hereafter. If it be then prudent to
fay nothing of the obfcure caufes of events, it is at
leaſt the time to fpeak of the character of thoſe who
have conducted them. We know what they were in
their infancy, in their youth, in a more mature age, in
their family and in fociety, in private life, and in public
affairs. We know what their natural and acquired ta-
lents were; their ruling paffions, their vices, their vir-
tues, their inclinations, and their averfions; their con-
nections, their animofities, and their friendſhips; their
perfonal and relative interefts; the marks of favour or
difgrace they have experienced; the means they have
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
473
X.
employed to obtain their high pofts, and to maintain в O O K
themſelves in them; the conduct they have obſerved
with regard to their protectors and their dependents;
the projects they have conceived, and the manner in
which they have executed them; the character of the
men they have employed; the obſtacles they have met
with, and the manner in which they have furmounted
them in a word, we know the fuccefs they have had;
the reward they have obtained in confequence of it;
the puniſhment they have fuffered when they have
mifcarried; the praife or blame bestowed upon them
by the nation; the manner in which they have ended
their career, and the reputation they have left behind
them after death.
We are defirous of penetrating into the foul of one
the greateſt men of his age, and perhaps we can ne-
ver do it at a more proper time. The most confpi-
cuous actions only of a man's life are tranfmitted
to poſterity, which will, therefore, be deprived of a
variety of fimple and artlefs details, that enlighten
the mind of an obferver, who lived at the time they
happened.
Mr. Pitt, after having refcued England from the
kind of diſgrace it had been expoſed to in the begin-
ning of the war, arrived to a height of fucceſs that
aftoniſhed all the world. Whether he forefaw this or
not, he did not feem to be embarraffed with it, and re-
folved to carry it as far as he could. The moderation
which fo many ftateſmen had affected before him,
feemed to him to be only a pretence to conceal their
weakneſs or their indolence. He thought that all
ſtates ſhould exert their power to the utmoit, and that
there was no inſtance of one nation being able to be-
come fuperior to another, and not effecting it.
parallel he drew between England and France con-
firmed him in his opinion. He perceived, with unea-
fineſs, that the power of England, founded upon a
trade which fhe might and would lofe, was very incon-
fiderable, when compared with that of her rival, which
nature, art, and particular circumftances, had raifed
The
474
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK to fuch a degree of ftrength, under favourable admi-
niſtrations, as had made all Europe tremble. Senfible
of this truth, he therefore determined to deprive France
of her colonies, and to reduce her to that ftate, to
which the freedom of the New World, fooner or later
accompliſhed, will bring all nations that have formed
fettlements there.
The means neceffary to complete this project, which
was fo far advanced, appeared to him abfolutely cer-
tain. While the imagination of weak minds took ſha-
dows for realities, the greateft difficulties appeared tri-
vial to him. Though the nation, of which he was
the idol, was fometimes alarmed at his vaft and un-
common enterpriſes, he was not in the leaſt diſquieted
about them; becauſe, in his eyes, the multitude was
like a torrent, the courſe of which he knew how to di-
rect which way he would.
Perfectly indifferent with regard to fortune, he was
ftill more fo with regard to power. His fucceffes had
made his adminiſtration abſolute. With the people he
was a republican, with the nobles and the fovereign he
was a defpotic minifter. To think differently from
him, was a mark of being an enemy to the common
caufe.
He availed himſelf of the fuperiority he had gained,
in order to excite the ardour of the people. Little
influenced by that ſpecies of philoſophy, which, diveſt-
ing itſelf of the prejudices of national glory, to ex-
tend its views to the welfare of all mankind, tries.
every thing by the principles of univerſal reaſon; he
kept up a violent and favage ſpirit of enthuſiaſm,
which he called, and perhaps believed to be, a love
of his country; but which was, in reality, nothing
more than a ſtrong averfion for the nation he wanted
to oppreſs.
France was perhaps as much difcouraged by this
fpirit of inveteracy, that conftantly purfued her, as
by the diſtreſſes ſhe had undergone. The diminution,
the exhauſted ſtate, or, to ſay the truth, the total ruin
of her naval powers, afforded her a difcouraging pro-
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
475
K
X.
ſpect for the future. The expectation that a fortunate B 0 0 K
fuccefs by land might occafion a change in the face
of affairs, was merely imaginary. If one of their fqua-
drons had deſtroyed one or feveral of thofe of her ri-
val, the Engliſh would not have renounced any of
their claims. This is one general rule; and another
is, that whenever any power hath acquired a very de-
termined fuperiority at fea, it can never lofe it in the
courfe of the war; more particularly, if that fuperio-
rity can be traced from a diftant caufe, and eſpecially
if it proceed partly from the character of the nation.
The fuperiority of one continent above another de-
pends entirely on the abilities of a ſingle man, and may
be loſt in a moment: on the contrary, fuperiority at
ſea, as it reſults from the vigilance and intereft of each
individual in the ftate, muft always increaſe, particu-
larly when it is encouraged by national conftitution: a
fudden invafion can only put a stop to it.
Nothing but a general confederacy could have re-
ſtored the balance of power; the impoffibility of which
Mr. Pitt plainly faw. He knew the reſtraints by which
Holland was confined, the poverty of Sweden and Den-
mark, the inexperience of the Ruffians, and the little
regard that ſeveral of theſe powers paid to the inte-
refts of France. He was confcious alfo of the terror
which the Engliſh forces had fpread among them all,
the mistrust they entertained of each other, and the
apprehenfion that each of them muſt have, that they
ſhould be diftreffed before they could receive aflift-
ance.
The affairs of Spain were particularly circumftanced.
The ravages that laid waſte the French colonies, and
which every day increaſed, might eafily extend to the
fettlements of the Spaniards. Whether this kingdom
was not, or would not be, fenfible of the danger that
threatened it, its ufual indolence accompanied it with
regard to theſe great objects. At length, upon a change
of miniftry, a new fyftem took place. Don Carlos en-
deavoured to extinguiſh the flame; but it was too late.
His overtures were received with a contemptuous
476
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
B O_O K haughtineſs. Mr. Pitt, having deliberately confider-
ed the extent of his power, anfwered every propofal
that was made, in the following manner: I will liften
to them, ſaid he, when you have taken the Tower of Lon-
don fword in hand. This mode of expreffion might
diſguſt, but it was impofing.
Such was the fituation of affairs when the court of
France thought herſelf obliged to make overtures of
peace to that of Great Britain. Both courts were
equally apprehenſive, and with good reaſon, that Mr.
Pitt would oppoſe them. He confented to enter into
a negotiation; but the event ſhowed, as fenfible poli-
ticians had conjectured, that his intention was not to
continue it. His defign was only to furnish himſelf
with fufficient proofs of the engagements that the two
branches of the houſe of Bourbon had entered into
againſt Great Britain, that he might make them evi-
dent to his country. As foon as he had gained this
intelligence, he broke off the negotiation, and propof-
ed declaring war againſt Spain. The fuperiority of the
naval power of England above that of both theſe
kingdoms, and the affurance he had that it would be
infinitely better directed, infpired him with this con-
fidence.
Mr. Pitt's fyftem appeared, to diſtinguiſhed politi-
cians, the only important, and, indeed, the only rea-
fonable one. The English nation had contracted fuch
a load of debt, that it could neither free itſelf from it,
nor fupport it, without opening to itſelf new fources
of wealth. Europe, tired out with the grievances
Great Britain had made her fubmit to, waited impa-
tiently for an opportunity to diſable her oppreffor from
continuing them. The houſe of Bourbon could not
but preferve a ſtrong reſentment for the injuries it had
fuffered, and for the loffes it had ſuſtained; it could
not but make fecret preparations, and gradually work
up a ſpirit of revenge, to which a combination of all
its forces might enfure fuccefs. Thefe motives obliged
Great Britain, though a commercial power, to aggran-
dife itſelf for its fupport. This cruel neceflity was not
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
477
fo fenfibly felt by the council of George the Third as в
Mr. Pitt defired. Moderation appeared to him a work
of weakneſs, or of infatuation, perhaps of treachery;
and he refigned his poft, becauſe he was not allowed
to be the declared enemy of Spain.
May we venture to form a conjecture? The Engliſh
miniftry plainly faw that there was no poffibility of
avoiding a fresh war; but equally tired out and dif-
graced by the power Mr. Pitt had affumed, they were
defirous of reſtoring that ſpirit of equality which is
the fpring of a republican government. Defpairing
of being able to raiſe themſelves to a level with a man
fo highly esteemed, or of making him ftoop to them,
they united their forces to effect his ruin. As open at-
tacks would only have turned againſt themſelves, they
had recourfe to more artful methods. They attempt-
ed to four his temper; the natural fire of his charac-
ter laid him open to fuch a fnare; and he fell into it.
If Mr. Pitt refigned his poft through peevishnefs, he
deferves to be cenfured for not having fuppreffed or
maſtered it. If he hoped, by this expedient, to hum-
ble his enemies, he ſhowed he had greater knowledge
of affairs than of men. If, as he afferted, he refign-
ed, becauſe he would no longer be reſponſible for the
meaſures he did not guide, we may be allowed to think
that he was more ftrongly attached to his own perfonal
glory, than to the intereſts of his country. But what-
ever may have been the cauſe of his refignation, no-
thing but the blindest, moft unjust, and moſt violent
partiality, can venture to affert, that his virtues and
abilities were merely the effect of chance.
However this may be, the firft ftep the new mini-
ſtry took was conformable to the principles of Mr. Pitt;
and this was a kind of homage they were compelled to
pay him. It was thought neceflary to declare war
against Spain; and the Weft Indies were to be the
fcene of theſe new hoftilities. Experience had already
difcouraged them from making any attempts on the
continent of America, and all their views were turned
towards Cuba. Men of fenfe and underſtanding per-
O O K
X.
478
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
+}
BOOK ceived that the taking of this ifland would not be at-
tended with any apprehenfion of vengeance from the
other colonies; that the empire of the Gulf of Mexico
would be fecured; that the enemy, whofe riches arofe
principally from the amount of its cuftoms, would be
deprived of all their refources; that the whole com-
merce of the continent would be feized upon, and the
inhabitants would choofe rather to deliver up their
riches to the conqueror of their country, than to give
up thoſe commodities they had been uſed to receive
from Europe; in a word, that the power of Spain
would be fo much reduced by this confiderable lofs,
that it would be obliged to fubmit to any terms.
The
Agreeable to this idea, a fleet, confifting of nine-
teen ſhips of the line, eighteen frigates, and about a
hundred and fifty tranfports, with 10,000 troops on
board, which were to be joined by 4000 more from
North America, fet fail for the Havannah. To arrive
at this formidable place, it was determined to pafs
through the old ftrait of Bahama, not fo long in ex-
tent, though more dangerous than the new one.
obſtacles that were to be expected in this paffage, little
known, and too little attended to, were fuccefsfully
furmounted, in a manner worthy the reputation that
Admiral Pocock had acquired. On the 6th of July
he arrived at the place of his deftination; and the
landing of the troops was effected without any oppofi-
tion, at the diſtance of fix leagues eaftward of thoſe
dreadful fortifications that were to be taken.
་
The operations by land were not fo well conducted
as thoſe by fea. If Albemarle, who had the command
of the army, had been a man of abilities, equal to the
commiffion he was intrufted with, he would have be-
gun his attack by the city. The fingle dry wall that
covered it could not have holden out four-and-twenty
hours. It is probable, that the generals, the council,
and the regency, who muft infallibly have fallen into
his hands by this fuccefs, which might fo eafily have
been obtained, would have refolved to capitulate for
the Moro. At all events, he would thus have pre-
}
479
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
X.
vented the fort from receiving any affiftance or provi- в O O K
fions that were fupplied from the city during the fiege,
and have ſecured the moſt likely means to reduce it in
a very ſhort time.
The plan he purſued, of beginning his operations by
the attack of the Moro, expofed him to great diftreffes.
The water that was near him was unwholefome, and
he found himſelf under a neceffity of procuring fome
at three leagues diſtance from his camp. As the ſloops
that were fent for this purpoſe might be attacked, it
was thought neceffary to poſt a body of fifteen hun-
dred men on the eminence of Arofteguy, at a quarter
of a league's diſtance from the town, in order to pro-
tect them. This body of troops, entirely detached
from the army, and which could not be withdrawn or
ſupported but by fea, was perpetually in danger of be-
ing cut off.
Albemarle, who might have judged of the difpofition
of the enemy from their not molefting the troops poſt-
ed at Arofteguy, fhould have placed another body of
men upon the public road leading to the city. By this
ſtep he would have been able almoſt to furround it;
he would, moſt undoubtedly, have diftreffed it by fa--
mine, prevented all removal of the effects into the
country, and opened a leſs dangerous communication
with Arofteguy, than by the detachments he was con-
ftantly obliged to fend, in order to fupport this ad-
vanced body of troops.
The fiege of the Moro was carried on without open-
ing the trenches. The foldiers advanced towards the
ditch, and were covered only with barrels of flints,
which were, at length, exchanged for facks of cotton,
that were taken out of fome merchant-fhips arrived
from Jamaica. This want of forefight occafioned the
lofs of a great number of men, always of great value,
but more eſpecially fo in a climate where diſeaſes and
fatigues cauſe fo great a confumption of them.
The English general, having loft the greateſt part
of his army, and finding the neceffity, for want of
troops, of reimbarking in a few days, determined to
2
480
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
BOOK attempt ftorming the caftle: but a large and deep
X. ditch, cut in the rock, was firſt to be paffed; and no
preparations had been made to fill it up.
If the faults of the Engliſh were very confiderable,
thofe of the Spaniards were ſtill greater. Though ap-
prized above a month before, that war had commenced
between the two nations, they were not rouſed from
their lethargy. The enemy was already upon their
coafts, and they had made no provifions of balls of a
proper fize for their cannons, nor of cartridges; nei-
ther had they one fingle gun, or even a firelock fit to
make use of.
The great number of officers, of the land and ſea
ſervice, who were at the Havannah, occafioned, during
ſome days of the fiege, a great uncertainty in the re-
folutions, that could not but be favourable to the be-
fiegers.
Three ſhips of war were funk, to ftop up the en-
trance into the port, which the enemy could not paſs.
The road into the harbour was by this means damaged,
and three great ſhips loft to no purpoſe.
The moſt common prudence would have fuggefted,
that the twelve men of war that were at the Havan-
nah ſhould have been got ready to fail. They could
not poffibly be of any fervice in defending the place,
and it was a matter of fome confequence to fave them.
But this was neglected. Neither did the precaution
occur of fetting them on fire, although this was the
only way left to prevent them from falling into the
hands of the enemy.
The deftruction of the body of Engliſh troops poſt-
ed at Aroſteguy, where they could not receive any af-
fiftance, might have been eafily effected. This check
would have put the befiegers to fome difficulty in pro-
curing water, would have deprived them of men, in-
timidated them, retarded their operations, and inſpired
the Spaniſh forces with fome degree of confidence.
But, far from making ſo eaſy an attempt, they did not
attack, even in the open part of the country, any of
the Engliſh detachments, though compofed entirely
4
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
481
X.
of infantry, and which might have been oppoſed by a в 0 0 K
regiment of dragoons, and a great number of militia,
that were provided with horfes.
The communication of the city with the internal
parts of the country was fcarce ever interrupted, and
yet none of thoſe who had a fhare in the adminiftra-
tion ever thought of conveying the royal treaſure into
the inland parts, to prevent it from falling into the
hands of the enemy.
The laſt inſtance of neglect ferved to complete the
whole. In the middle of the ditch had been left a
piece of rock, terminating in a point, and ſtanding by
itſelf. The Engliſh placed upon this a few tottering
planks, which reached from the breach to the coun-
terſcarp. A ferjeant, with fifteen men, paffed over
them at one in the afternoon, and concealed them-
felves among fome ftones that had fallen down. They
were followed by a company of grenadiers, and fome
foldiers. When they had collected about a hundred
men, in the ſpace of an hour, they got upon the
breach, under no apprehenfion of being diſcovered,
and found no men placed there to defend it. Velaſco,
indeed, informed of what had happened, haſtened to
fave the place; but he was killed in coming up; and
his death putting the Spaniſh troops that followed him
into confufion, they furrendered to a handful of men.
The neglect of placing a centinel to obferve the mo-
tions of the enemy lodged upon the ditch, determined.
this great event. A few days after, a capitulation
was entered into for the city, for all the places of the
colony, and for the whole ifland. Independent of the
great importance of this victory in itſelf, the conquer-
ors found in the Havannah about forty-five millions
[1,875,000l.] of filver, and other valuable effects,
which fully indemnified them for the expences of the
expedition.
to
The loſs of Cuba, the centre of the power of Spain Advan-
in the New World, made peace as neceflary to the care pro
court of Madrid, as it could poffibly be to that of Ver- Great Bri-
failles, whofe diftreffes were now brought to the high- iflands by
Fol. III.
Hh
tain in the
the peace.
'
482
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK eft pitch. The English miniftry, at that time, con-
fented to a peace; but it ſeemed a matter of much dif-
ficulty to fettle the conditions. The fucceffes of Great
Britain had been aſtoniſhing in North and South Ame-
rica. But, however ambitious ſhe might be, ſhe could
not flatter herſelf with the hopes of retaining all the
conqueſts ſhe had made. It was reaſonable to fuppofe
that he would give up the poffeffions ſhe had gained
in North America, as the advantages fhe might expect
from them were diſtant, inconfiderable, and uncertain;
and that he would be content with referving to her-
ſelf the fugar colonies ſhe had lately acquired, which
the ſtate of her finances ſeemed more particularly to
require. The increaſe of her cuſtoms, that was a ne-
ceffary confequence of fuch a ſyſtem, would have pro-
cured her the beft finking fund that could have been
imagined, and which must have been fo much the
more agreeable to the nation, as it would have been
obtained at the expence of the French. This advan-
tage would have been attended with three others, very
confiderable. It would, in the firſt place, have depriv-
ed a rival power, and formidable, notwithſtanding the
faults it had committed, of its richeſt branch of trade.
Secondly, it would have contributed to weaken it,
from its being under a neceffity of defending Canada;
a colony, which, from the nature of its fituation, muſt
be detrimental to a nation that had long neglected its
navy. Laſtly, it would have kept New England in a
clofer and more abfolute dependence on the mother-
country, a part of America that would always want to
be ſupported againſt a reſtleſs, active, and warlike
neighbour.
But though the council of George III. fhould have
thought it neceffary to reſtore to their enemies a bad
country of the continent, and to reſerve the valuable
iflands, yet they would not, perhaps, have ventured to
adopt fo judicious a meafure. In other countries the
faults of the minifters are imputed only to themſelves,
or to their kings, who puniſh them for their miſcon-
jua. In England, the errors of adminiſtration are
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
483
BOOK
X.
generally the errors of the nation, who infift upon obе- в O O K
dience to their will, though guided by caprice.
The Engliſh, who have complained of the terms of
the laſt peace, when they have been shown how far
fhort they fell of the advantages they expected from
them, had, however, in fome meaſure, dictated thoſe
very terms themſelves, by the tenor of their complaints,
either previous to, or during the war. The Canadians
had committed fome outrages, and the favages many
acts of cruelty, in the Engliſh colonies. The peaceable
inhabitants, terrified at the diſtreffes they fuffered, and
more ſo at thoſe they feared, had cauſed their clamours
to be heard even in Europe. Their correfpondents,
intereſted to obtain them a ſpeedy and powerful re-
dreſs, had aggravated their complaints. Thoſe writers,
who eagerly lay hold of every circumance that can
render the French odious, had loaded them with every
ſpecies of invective. The people, exasperated by the
report of the fhocking fcenes that were perpetually
prefented to its imagination, wiſhed to ſee a ſtop put
to theſe barbarities.
On the other hand, the inhabitants of the fugar co-
lonies, fatisfied with the carrying on of their own com-
merce, and gaining a part of that of their enemies, were
very quiet. Far from wishing the conqueft of their
neighbours fettlements, they rather dreaded it, confi-
dering it as deſtructive to themſelves, though advan-
tageous to the nation. The lands of the French are
fo much fuperior to thofe of the Engliſh, that no com-
petition could poffibly have taken place. Their allies
were of the fame opinion, and followed the example
of their, moderation.
The confequence of fo contrary a plan of conduct
was, that the nation was extremely indifferent about
the fugar colonies, but very anxious to acquire what
they wanted in North America. Let us repreſent to
ourfelves the fituation of an enlightened man, who is
convinced of the advantages of a project, which he is
compelled to give up, by the miſtaken notions of a
deceived multitude, in order to adopt, in preference to
Hhij
484
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
X.
BOOK it, fome abfurd fchemes contrary to the general good,
which will difhonour him, if he ſhould purſue them,
or which will expofe him to danger, if he ſhould re-
fuſe let us reprefent him to ourſelves, as employed
by a fovereign, who will difmifs him, if his rebellious.
fubjects ſhould infift upon it; and who cannot afford
him any protection, if they fhould carry their fury fo
far as to demand his life: let us view him divided, as
he muſt be, between the miſtaken vanity which at-
taches him to his poft, and the laudable pride which
makes him careful to preferve his reputation: let us
behold him alone, retired in his clofet, and deliberat-
ing upon the fteps he fhould take, amidft the tumult
and clamours of the populace, collected round his
houſe, and threatening to fet it on fire for fuch is the
alternative, which hath been experienced, and will al-
ways be experienced, by thofe who guide the public
affairs of a free country. There is fcarce one fingle
fituation in the world, in which a propriety of conduct
is not attended with inconveniences on both fides. It
is the property of real courage, to adapt itſelf to thofe
feveral circumftances and fituations, whatever may be
the refult; but fuch kind of courage is not often to be
met with.
*
The miniſtry, which, in England, can never fupport
its authority againſt the people, or, at leaſt, cannot
long maintain itfelf fuccefsfully against its general
odium, turned all their views towards North America,
and found France and Spain readily diſpoſed to adopt
fuch a fyftem. The courts of Madrid and France gave
up to the Engliſh all their former poffeffions, from the
river St. Lawrence up to the Miffiffippi. Befide this,
France ceded the islands of Granada and Tobago,
and confented that the Engliſh fhould keep the
iflands of St. Vincent and Dominica, that had been
confidered as neutral, provided that, on her part,
The might appropriate St. Lucia to herſelf.
thefe conditions, the conquerors reſtored to the al-
lied powers all the conquefts they had made in Ame-
rica.
On
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
485
X.
not extend
mitted
From this time England loft the opportunity, which, в O O K
perhaps, may never return, of ſeizing all the avenues,
and making itſelf mafter of the fources of all the wealth The Britiſh
of the New World. Mexico was in its power, as the miniſtry did
Engliſh only were in poffeffion of the gulf that opens their views
the way to it; this valuable continent muft, therefore, as far as the
foon have become their property. It might have been things per-
allured, either by the offers of an eaſier government,
or by the flattering hopes of liberty: the Spaniards
might have been invited to fhake off the yoke of the
mother-country, which only took up arms to diſtreſs.
its colonies, and not to protect them; or the Indians
might have been tempted to break the chains that
enflaved them to an arbitrary government. The whole
face of America might, perhaps, have been entirely
changed, and the English, more free and more equit-
able than other monarchical powers, could not but be
benefited by reſcuing the human race from the oppref-
fions they fuffered in the New World, and by remov-
ing the injuries this oppreffion hath brought on Europe
in particular.
All thofe fubjects, who are victims of the feverity,
exactions, oppreffion, and deceit of arbitrary govern-
ments; all thofe families that are ruined by the raif-
ing of foldiers, by the ravages of armies, by the loans
for carrying on war, and by the infractions of peace;
all men born to think and live as men, inſtead of
obeying and becoming fubject like brutes, would have
gladly taken refuge in thoſe countries. Theſe, as well
as a multitude of workmen without employment; of
huſbandinen without land; of men of ſcience without
any occupation; and numbers of diftreffed and un-
fortunate perfons, would have flown into thefe regions,
which require only juft and civilized inhabitants to
render them happy. Above all, the peasants of the
north, flaves to the nobility, who trample upon them,
would certainly have been invited there: thofe Ruf-
fian peaſants, who are employed as executioners to
torture the human race, inftead of cultivating and fer-
tilizing the earth. Numbers of them would certainly
486
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS ANd trade
X.
BO OK have been loſt in theſe tranſmigrations through exten-
five feas, into new climates; but this would have been
an infinitely leſs evil than that of a tyranny, working
by flow and artful means, and facrificing fo many peo-
ple to the wills of a ſmall number of men. In a word,
the Engliſh would have been much more gloriouſly
employed in fupporting and favouring fo happy a re-
volution, than in tormenting themſelves in defence of
a liberty, that excites the envy of all kings, and which
they endeavour, by every method, to undermine and
destroy.
!
This is a wifh, which, though founded on juftice and
humanity, is yet, alas! vain in itſelf, as it leaves no-
thing but regret in the mind of him that formed it.
Muft then the defires of the virtuous man for the pro-
ſperity of the world be for ever loft, while thoſe of the
ambitious and the extravagant are fo often favoured
by cafual events?
Since war hath been the cauſe of fo much evil, why
does it not run through every ſpecies of calamity, that
it may, at length, tend to procure fome good? But
what hath been the confequence of the laſt war, one
of thoſe that hath been the moſt diftrefsful to the hu-
man race? It hath occafioned ravages in the four
quarters of the globe; and hath coft Europe alone a-
bove a million of its inhabitants. Thoſe who were not
its victims are now diftreffed by it, and their pofterity
will long be oppreffed under the weight of the enor-
mous taxes it hath given rife to. The nation, whom
victory attended in all parts, was ruined by its tri-
umphs. Its public debt, which, at the beginning of the
war, did not exceed 1,617,087,060 livres [67,378.6271.
IOS.], arofe, at the conclufion of the peace, to
3,330,000,000 livres [138,750,000l.], for which it
muſt pay an intereft of 111,577,490 livres [4,649,0621.
Is. 8d.]
Let us
But it is time to quit the fubject of war.
now proceed to confider by what means the nations,
who have divided the great Archipelago of America,
that hath been the origin of fo many quarrels and ne-
2
IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES.
487
X.
gotiations, and hath given riſe to fo many reflections, B o O K
have been able to raiſe it to a degree of opulence, that
may, without exaggeration, be confidered as the first
cauſe of all the great events that at preſent diſturb the
peace of the globe.
END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.
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