tance and value, they would soon make themselves masters of this part of the country.'

We are tempted to dwell for a moment upon the prospects which the accomplishment of this splendid, but not difficult enterprise, opens to our nation. It is not merely the immense commerce of the western shores of America, extending almost from pole to pole, that is brought, as it were, to our door; it is not the intrinsically important, though comparatively moderate branch of our commerce, that of the South Sea whalers, that will alone undergo a complete revolution, by saving the tedious and dangerous voyage round Cape Horn :-the whole of those immense interests which we hold deposited in the regions of Asia, become augmented in value, to a degree which, at present, it is not easy to conceive, by obtaining direct access to them across the Pacifick Ocean. It is the same thing as if, by some great revolution of the globe, our castern possessions were brought nearer to us. The voyage across the Pacifick, the winds both for the eastern and western passage being fair and constant, is so expeditious and steady, that the arrival of the ships may be calculated almost with the accuracy of a mail coach.† Immense

See p. 43. of "A Description," &c. above cited. What Alcedo tells us is still more extraordinary, that it was even in terdicted, on pain of death, to propose opening the navigation between the two

seas.

A similar interdiction and penalty was ordained, respecting the navigation of the Atrato, where there is only an interval of a few miles between the naviga. ble parts of the two rivers.

On the surprising facilities of this navigation, there is some interesting information given in an "Account of an intended expedition into the South Seas, by private persons," printed in the appendix to the third volume of sir John Dalrymple's Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland. "From the bay of Panama," says that document," ships are carried to the East Indies, by the great trade wind, at the rate of above a hundred miles a day.

would be the traffick which would immediately begin to cover that ocean, by denomination Pacifick. All the riches of India and of China would move towards America. The riches of Europe and of America would move towards Asia. Vast depôts would be formed at the great commercial towns which would immediately arise at the two extremities of the central canal:-the goods would be in a course of perpetual passage from the one depôt to the other;-and would be received by the ships, as they arrived, which were prepared to convey them to their ultimate destination.

Is it too much to hope, that China and Japan themselves, thus brought so much nearer the influence of Eu ropean civilisation-much more constantly and powerfully subject to its operation-would not be able to resist sist the salutary impression, but would soon receive important changes in ideas, arts, manners and institu tions? The hope rests, at least, on such strong foundations, that it seems to rise even to certainty;-and then, what glorious results might be ex pected for the whole of Asia, that vast proportion of the earth, which, even in its most favoured parts, been in all ages condemned to semibarbarism, and the miseries of des potick power? One thing, at least, is

has

From the East Indies to the South Seas, there are two passages.-One by the north, to sail to the latitude of 40° north, order to get into the great west wind, which, about that latitude, blows ten months in the year; and which, being strong, carries vessels with quickness to the northern part of the coast of Mexico. From the extreme point of Mexico, in the north, there is a north wind which blows all the way to the bay of Panama, which never varies, and which carries ships above a hundred miles a day, reaching to the distance of a hundred leagues from the coast.-The other passage is at 40° south, and is in all respects similar to that in the north, a land-wind blowing from the coast of Chili to the bay of Panama, of the very same description with that which blows along the coast of Mex ico."

certain, that South America, which stands so much in need of industrious inhabitants, would receive myriads of laborious Chinese, who already swarm in all parts of the eastern Archipelago in quest of employment and of food. This, to her, would be an acquisition of incredible importance: and the connexion thus formed between the two countries, would still further tend to accelerate the acquisition of enlightened views and civilized manners in China herself. Such are a few of the results which there is reason to expect from a regulation of the affairs of South America. Never, perhaps, was an opportunity offered to a nation, of effecting so great a change in behalf of human kind, as Great Britain, from a wonderful combination of circumstances, is now called upon, by so many motives, to help South America to accomplish. The measure has, for a considerable number of years, been mingled, in her councils, among the number of her resolves; and a short history-which, from peculiar circumstances, we are enabled to give with unusual accuracy-cannot be without interest, of what has been done in preparation towards an event which will, hereafter, occupy so great a place in the history of the world. Though projects of hostility-some of them for plunder, some for permanent conquest-had been undertaken, during the wars between this country and Spain, against particular parts of her transatlantick dominions, the first time, we believe, that a general scheme of emancipation was presented to the mind of a British minister, was in the beginning of 1790, when the measure was proposed to Mr. Pitt by general Miranda. It met, from that minister, with the most cordial reception ;—and, as the dispute respecting Nootka Sound was then subsisting, it was resolved, if Spain did not prevent hostilities by submission, to carry the plan into immediate execution. When an accommodation was effected, and peace at

VOL. II.

last decreed, Mr Pitt still assured the general, that the plan of emancipating South America was a measure that would not be lost sight of; but would infallibly engage the attention of every minister of this country.

The man by whom this important suggestion was made, and in whose breast the scheme of emancipation, if not first conceived, seems, at least, to have been first matured, is a native of Caraccas in South America; descended from one of the principal families of the country. At the early age of 17 he repaired to Spain, and, by the influence of his family, obtained a captain's commission in the Spanish army. Early smit by the love of letters, he was anxious to proceed to France for the prosecution of his education; but permission was denied him; and he was forced to bring the masters, whom he could not procure in Spain, from France, at his own charges. It is an anecdote, not unworthy of record, that when the inquisition ordered his books to be taken from him and burnt, he applied to count O'Reilly, inspector general of the Spanish ar my, to see if the order could not be recalled; but the inspector told him, that all he could do was to condole with him; for that the same misfor tune had happened to himself.

When France and Spain resolved to take a share in the war which was carried on between Great Britain and her American colonies, it happened that Miranda was in that part of the Spanish army which was destined to cooperate with the French. Acting thus, and conversing with the members of a more enlightened nation than any he had yet seen, the ideas of the young American received that improvement after which he aspired; and, in a scene where the cause of liberty was the object of all men's zeal and enthusiasm, and in a country, the situation of which in so many respects resembled his own, a similar destiny for this last was naturally presented to his wishes. So deeply

E

was the impression struck, that he has dedicated to this one design al most the whole of his life, and has been the prime mover in every scheme that has been proposed for the emancipation of the Spanish colonies in America

After the renunciation, or rather the postponement of the design, on the part of Mr. Pitt, the next project for changing the condition of South America, was started by the republican rulers of France; as part of their scheme for revolutionizing the whole of the Spanish dominions. But Miranda foresaw the dangers with which that design was pregnant, -and fortunately had sufficient in Auence to persuade its renunciation. To prepare the reader sufficiently for the particulars of this curious affair, it may not be useless to run over, hastily, the steps by which the general had been brought to the situation in which he then stood.

At the termination of the American war, he resigned his situation in the service of Spain, and repaired to Europe, with a view to study the institutions of the most enlightened nations, and to draw from them instruction for the benefit of his native country. For this purpose, he came first to Great Britain,* and proceeded

There is a curious proof of the notice which he and his cause attracted in this country, even at this early period, in the "Political Herald and Review," for the year 1785, pp. 29, 30.

"The flame which was kindled in North America," says the writer in that work, "as was foreseen,' has made its way into the American dominions of Spain. That jealousy which confined the appointments of government in Spanish America to native Spaniards, and established other dis.

tinctions between these and their de scendants on the other side the Atlantick, has been a two edged sword, and cut two ways. If it has hitherto preserved the sovereignty of Spain in those parts, it has sown the seeds of a deep resentment among the people. Conferences are held, combinations are formed in secret among a race of men whom we shall distinguish by the appellation of Spanish

afterwards to Prussia, Austria, Italy, Greece, and a part of Turkey. He then proceeded to Russia, where he met with prince Potemkin at Cherson, whose notice he attracted; and by him was introduced to the em press at Kiow. A native of Spain, travelling in search of knowledge, and improved by it, appeared to her in the light of a phenomenon. She invited him to remain in Russia; for, in Spain, she said, he would be burnt.

Spain was not a country for him. When Miranda opened to her, in reply, the views to which he had devoted himself in behalf of his country, she manifested the strongest interest in the accomplishment of his scheme, and assured him, in case of his success, she would be the foremost to support the independence of South America. She transmitted a circular letter to her ambassadours in Europe, to afford him her imperial protection every where; and gave him an invitation to draw upon her treasury for his personal support.

It was after this tour through Europe, in which Miranda spent several years, that he returned, by the way of France, to England; and being, by his friend governour Pownal, introduced to Mr. Pitt, proposed to him the plan, of which the submis sion of Spain on the question at issue prevented the execution. At the time when the prospect was thus, for in England, and the first promising an indefinite period, closed upon him movements of liberty in France were attracting the curious from every quarter of the world, Miranda returned to witness the great scenes which were there passing, and to obtain, if possible, from France, in her new si

Provincials. The example of North America is the great subject of discourse, and the grand object of imitation. In London, we are well assured, there is, at this mo ment, a Spanish American of great consequence, and possessed of the confidence of his fellow citizens, who aspires to the glory of being the deliverer of his country."

tuation, the same favour to South America, which in her old she had bestowed upon the United States. By his companions in arms, whom he had recently known in America, he was speedily drawn into some con nexion with the great leaders at that time in publick affairs; and when the revolution was first called upon to draw the sword, he was invited and prevailed upon to take a command in her armies

It was while he was serving with Dumourier in the Netherlands, that the scheme for revolutionizing Spain and her colonies was first conceived by the republican leaders. It was communicated to Dumourier by Brissot, in a letter which we have now before us, dated Paris, 28th November 1792, in the following terms: "Spain is ripening for liberty. Its government is preparing again, preparations are necessary to prosper or rather to naturalize liberty there. That a revolution must be effected both in European and American Spain, all must allow. The fate of this latter revolution depends upon one man. You know and esteem him. It is Miranda. The ministers were lately looking out for a person to take the place of Desparbés in Hispaniola. A ray of light struck me: I said, appoint Miranda. In the first place, Miranda will soon adjust the miserable quarrels of the colonists; he soon will call to order those white people so turbulent, and will become the idol of the coloured people. But afterwards how easily will he raise the Spanish isles or the Spanish continent which they possess? At the head of more than 12,000 regular troops who are now in Hispaniola, of 10 to 15,000 brave mulattoes, with whom he will be provided in our islands, with what ease will he invade the Spanish possessions? Besides, having under his command a fleet, and when the Spaniards have nothing to oppose to him, the name of Miranda will be worth an army; and his talents, cou

rage, and genius, every thing ensures us success. All the ministers agree in this choice, but they fear lest you should refuse to part with Miranda, as you have chosen him to fill up the place of Labourdounay. I have this morning promised Monge that I would write to you, and he gave me his word that he would appoint Miranda governour in chief, if you would consent to let him go. Hasten then to send me your consent. Shall I add that our excellent friend Gensonné is of the same opinion; he will write to you to morrow. Claviere and Petion are overjoyed at that idea.”

It will be readily acknowledged, there was here wherewithal to dazzle w a man of ordinary ambition. Yet was the project damped, and finally renounced, by means of Miranda, who began to fear that the revolution was proceeding too fast and too far. In the letter which he wrote to Brissot, in answer to the communication of his proposal, he contents himself with starting difficulties. "The plan," says he, "that you form in your letter is truly grand and magnificent; but I know not whether the execution might be certain or even probable. With respect to the Spanish American continent and their islands, I am perfectly informed and able to form an exact opinion. But for all that regards the French islands, and their present situation, I scarcely know any thing at all, and, consequently it would be impossible for me to form a correct opinion of it. This being in your plan the basis of the whole operation, since it is from the colonies that the force must go which is to put in motion the people of the opposite continent, we must be very sure that our information is true and positive. It seems to me also that my appointment and my departure for Hispaniola, would spread the alarm in the courts of Madrid and St. James. The effects of which would be soon felt at Cadiz and Portsmouth, which would create new obstacles to the undertaking,"

which, besides, is too great, too excellent and interesting to be spoiled and rendered fruitless for want of caution in the beginning." After some further correspondence and consultation, the pressure of affairs cooperating with the discouragement offered by Miranda, the flattering project was, for the time, relinquished.

During some years subsequent to this occurrence, the matter was sunk in oblivion amid the violent struggles which agitated Europe. Many months had not elapsed when the reign of Robespierre began; and Miranda, with so many other virtuous men, were buried in the dungeons of the revolution. Though tried, and clearly acquitted by the revolutionary tribunal, which declared that not a shadow of suspicion attached to him, he was still detained in prison, and escaped the guillotine only by one of those accidents by which so many others were delivered up to it. When he recovered his liberty, under the party that assumed the government after the death of Robespierre, he might still have become a leading man in the revolution, and was offer ed the command of an army. His answer, however, was, that although he had fought for liberty, it was not his purpose to fight for conquest. If France would establish a free and moderate government, retire within her ancient limits, and sincerely offer peace to the whole world, he would willingly contend for her against all her enemies. This remarkable answer rests on as remarkable an authority; for Miranda had the fortitude to enlarge upon the same ideas in a pamphlet, and to publish them at the very moment [1795] in Paris.

About the same time, or a little after, Miranda was met at Paris by deputies and commissioners from Mexico, and the other principal provinces of South America, who had been sent to Europe for the purpose of concerting with him the measures to be pursued for accomplishing the independence of their country. It

was decided, accordingly, that Miranda should, in their name, again repair to England, and make such of fers to the British government as, it was hoped, might induce it to lend them the assistance requisite for the great object of their wishes. The instrument, which was drawn up, and put into the hand of their representative, as the document to the British government, of the proposals of the South Americans, is too remarkable an evidence of the views and plans of the leading members of the South American communities, not to deserve, at the present moment, the most serious attention.

1. The first article states, that the Hispano-American colonies, having for the most part resolved to proclaim their independence, were induced to address themselves to the govern ment of Great Britain, in the confi dence she would not refuse them that assistance which Spain herself, in the midst of peace, had not declined extending to the British colonies in America.

2. The second article stipulates the sum of thirty millions sterling, which South America would pay to Great Britain for the assistance required.

3. The third article states the amount of the British force which was deemed requisite.

4. The fourth article it is proper to present in the words of the document itself. "A defensive alliance between England, the United States, and South America, is so much required by the nature of things, the geographical situation of each of the three countries, the productions, industry, wants, manners, and disposition of the three nations, that it is impossible this alliance should not last a long time; especially if care be taken to strengthen it by similarity in the political forms of the three governments; that is to say, by the enjoyment of civil liberty properly understood. It might even be said with confidence, that this is the only