Slaves imported in 1817; and if to these be added 32,641 Foreigners going to and fro, the total amounts to 630,980. Taking only the first, as the total number, and dividing it according to the classes com. posing it, we shall find 129,656 white males, and 109,140 females; and 183,209 males, and 130,993 females, of colour. Two deeply afflicting reflections cannot fail to strike the observer, upon carefully ex• amining the tables of this interesting census: the first is, that the number of females of colour is 52,216 less, while in the Whites the deficit is not more than 20,516 less than that of the males: and the second and most alarming is, the increase of the Black Population, compared with that of the White; the number of the former exceeding that of the latter by 75,406 individuals; and if to these be added the 25,976 new Slaves, imported in 1817, and not included in the details of the calculation, in which this difference appears, but added to the sum total of it as a separate item, the real difference in the said year 1817, will be that of 100,382 individuals. The consideration that many thousands are thus kept in a state of exasperation at being deprived of the means of lawfully multiplying their species, naturally excites a mortal hatred of a system, and of the measures hitherto adopted in a disgusting traffic, which occasions such an accumulation of persons to be condemned, for no crime, to a forced celibacy, for which they cannot even obtain the merit allowed to those who spontaneously make that great sacrifice. On the other hand, who is there that does not shudder at seeing so great a superiority in numbers of a class in such a degraded condition, who cannot but feel the liveliest anxiety and impatience to better that condition, and to raise themselves at least to a level with that class of the people, which, although the lowest, is nevertheless free? In the City of The Havana and its suburbs, there is a population exceeding 80,000 souls, but the Whites and the People of Colour are nearly equal in numbers. In the environs within a circle of 10 leagues, and in the Cities and corporate Towns, the proportion is different, the number of People of colour being somewhat superior. In other Territories, such as the Philippines (without reckoning the Guines and others,) the White Population generally exceeds the other by about one-third. In Puerto Principe and Matanzas it is nearly equal; and in Trinidad and its district the Whites compose three-fifths. In the City of Cuba, and its territory, the People of Colour greatly preponderate, since they amount to no less than about seven-ninths of its whole population: hence this District requires a more vigilant attention than any other. The proportion between the Mulattoes and the free Negroes from! to 15 years of age, and from 15 to 60, may be reckoned as nearly equal: the Mulatto Slaves, in proportion to those of the Negro class, may be calculated at one-tenth of those comprehended between the ages of 15 and 60, and one-sixteenth of those from 1 to 15 years of age. In general, the Mulattoes and free Negroes together amount to about two-fifths of those who are Slaves; so that upon the supposition, by no means to be relied upon, that, in the event of a convulsion, the class of Free Colour should join that of the Whites, even then the latter would not be very superior in numbers to the Slaves. The knowledge of this fact, and the impossibility of continuing the traffic for Slaves, has suggested the idea of promoting the White Population; for which purpose the Establishments of Nuevitas, 18 leagues from Puerto Principe, Jagua to the south, and Guantanamo on the windward side of Cuba, and some others, have been formed; but, however prosperous they may be, they will be wholly inadequate to counterbalance the vast numbers of Negroes, which have been introduced every year; the losses, however, to agriculture and commerce, consequent thereupon, will be compensated for by increased tranquillity and security. The commercial spirit which prevails in The Havana and throughout Cuba, had a powerful influence in creating the preference which has been always shewn there to the Constitution; and the People, as well as the Garrison, received with the utmost enthusiasm, in the middle of last April, the intelligence of the events which had occurred in Spain; and it is worthy of remark that, in the violent ebullition of their joy, not the least disorder or excess was indulged in. The same welcome reception may be hoped for from Porto Rico, the whole Continent of America, and the Philippine Islands; because those only who wilfully forget their duty, for the advancement of their private interest, can indulge the chimerical idea of being superior to public opinion;-that universal power which energetically directs all the actions of the more enlightened portion of the People, and teaches them to watch over the measures and systems of Government, in an infallible, impartial, and vigorous, manner. To those who know the real condition and political situation of the Provinces of South America, it is not a flattering prophecy, but a truth capable of certain demonstration, that nothing can be more grateful or delightful for them than the Constitutional System; because, under its protection, things can, without danger, be understood in their true sense, and opinions delivered without reserve; because, under it industry revives, trade prospers, property is respected, and individual security is protected; and in short, because the Laws are made by the Representatives of those whose duty it is to obey them. And in what part of the World more than in Ultramarine Spain does there exist a greater necessity for such incomparable benefits? That a moment might not be lost, the King's Circular upon the convocation of the present Cortes, together with the Instructions accompanying it, were despatched thither by this Ministry, in order that the election of Deputies might be proceeded in without delay; it was also ordered that pecuniary assistance, from the Municipal Funds and Treasuries of the Nation, and from every other source without exception, should be supplied, to enable them to reach the Peninsula with the celerity desired by all. To these arrangements was added that of forwarding correct Copies of the Constitution, for the purpose of their being reprinted with the utmost exactness in the Capitals of the Captain-Generalcies and Viceroyalties, and sold to all who required them, at prime cost; with especial instructions that the Curates should read them to the Public on all Festivals Days. And as nothing in these matters is so persuasive, as positive evidence of the advantages and benefits which may reasonably be expected to result from a reform and a change so ardently desired, the King has also commanded, by means of a Decree issued on the 16th of April, that all the Decrees of the General and Extraordinary Cortes, in favour of South America, should be published, circulated, and executed. And lastly, intelligence was transmitted that the Cortes continued assembled, and that the King, amid the universal acclamations of the People, and with a pomp and solemnity unprecedented, had voluntarily taken the oath of fidelity to the Constitution, in the presence of that Body. This has been done, and more will be done hereafter. The judicious Decrees of the Cortes will furnish a model for all the measures to be pursued: the Ministers, my Predecessors, have had no other guide, nor can any one without peril pursue a different course. The Cortes will judge from the 2 Reports made to it at the end of 1813, and the beginning of 1814, of the extended views of the Government towards all the Ultramarine Provinces; for the regulation of their municipal and economical administration; of the system of public education; charitable institutions; civilization, and the public health; internal commerce and navigation; division of lands; census of population, and the other branches of statistics; improvement of the mines; and, in short, of all that can contribute to the happiness and tranquillity of their inhabitants. All appearances tended to induce the hope that the American horizon would become resplendent with the light of so much wisdom; but unforeseen and lamentable occurrences have disturbed the peace of its happy and serene days, and dissipated those joyful anticipations. But it belongs not to Contemporaries to pass judgment upon the astonishing events of the day: that painful and afflicting task belongs to the impartial pen of the historian; and it is our duty to throw over such deplorable scenes a thick veil, which the tardy hand of time may gradually unfold, to shew to future generations the true causes which have produced so many evils. Palace, 11th July, 1820. ANTONIO PORCEL. CORRESPONDENCE between the Spanish and Colombian (1.)-The Spanish General Morillo to the Congress of Colombia. MOST SERENE SIRS, Head-Quarters, Caracas, 17th June, 1820. YOUR Serene Highnesses being no doubt apprized of the events which have lately occurred in the Peninsula, and the triumph of the general wish of the Nation for the re-establishment of the Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy, as sauctioned in Cadiz in the Year 1812, by the unanimous vote of the Representatives of both Hemispheres; and positive orders having been received by me, from the Constitutional King of the Two Spains, to enter into a liberal and fair accommodation, which may re-unite the whole family, so that all may enjoy the benefits of our political regeneration, and an end be put to the fatal effects of the variances which originated in the desire of being relieved from that oppression which was erroneously thought to be peculiar to these regions, but which, in fact, was universal throughout the whole Empire; I hasten to inform your Highnesses that I have opened a communication with the Military Commander-in-Chief of your Government, and his Officers, and have proposed a suspension of hostilities, until a reconciliation can be effected; for the accomplishment of which object, Brigadier Don Thomas de Cires, Governor of the Province of Cumana, and Don Joseph Domingo Duarte, Intendant of the Army, and Superintendent General of Finance, are commissioned to treat with your Highnesses on an equitable, proper, and mutually advantageous basis. In the meanwhile, I have issued orders to my Officers to carry the suspension of hostilities into immediate effect, and to remain in the positions they now occupy, unless they are attacked. As a Military Chief, obedient to that subordination by which my career has ever been guided, I made war; and now, as a reconciliator, I cheerfully submit to the same subordination, and exhibit those principles of liberality, which the King and the Nation have authorized me to act upon, in order to restore peace and reconciliation to a People by nature Spanish, and who, by the concurrence of circumstances, are entitled to participate in the enjoyment of the reform effected in our Political Institutions. Your Highnesses ought to lose sight, as I do at this moment, of the horrors of War: let us fix our views solely on the sweet and delightful hope of uniting sons to fathers, brothers to brothers, friends to friends, and Spaniards to Spaniards, whom a fatality had divided; and for so desirable au end, let us join in welcoming a conciliatory Constitution, which we shall improve by mutual consent, as the judicious experience of things may dictate. It equalizes the National representation of both People: one does not depend upon the other, and consequently each is free and independent. In its suffrages rests the authority of [1819-20.] 3 Q forming the Laws which are to be obeyed, and those regulations of political economy for the improvement of agriculture, commerce, the arts, and every species of industry, without those odious distinctions which the petty policy of past ages had adopted. The Commissioners will lay before your Highnesses the principles of reconciliation, and I am thoroughly persuaded that affection and goodwill will establish fraternity, even should your Highnesses, from the recollection of what has passed in the epochs of fury and desperation, hesitate to agree at once to the proposals of the Nation, which originate in the wish with which it is animated, of rendering its triumph general to all Spanish Countries in the four quarters of the globe, where its ancient Laws had reached, and where its new Institutions will be the more readily received. What an agreeable metamorphosis it will be for us all, when we can unite, and I be able to present myself without the apparatus of War, and merely as a peaceable Spanish Citizen, joining in the general expression of joy at the victory reciprocally gained over our passions? Until this be done, your Highnesses will never be able to graduate the difference between the General and the Citizen, in one who has the constitutional honour of being, Your Most Serene Highnesses' most obedient Servant, PABLO MORILLO. The Most Serene Congress assembled in Guyana. (2.)-The Spanish General Morillo to the Colombian General Montillo. MOST EXCELLENT SIR, Head-Quarters, Caracas, 17th June, 1820. THE great and happy events of March, in European Spain, may not, perhaps, have yet reached the notice of your Excellency. His Majesty, always attentive to the good of his beloved People, has spontaneously divested himself of the power which his Predecessors had exercised for 3 Centuries, and sworn to the observance of the Political Constitution of the Monarchy, which was sauctioned by the Cortes on the 18th of March, 1820, in accordance with the universal will of the Nation. Never did a King give such positive proofs of the rectitude and sincerity of his principles, nor make so heroic a sacrifice for the happiness of his Subjects. The Peninsula of Spain took that celebrated Oath in an instant; and the Provinces of American Spain have followed its example in the midst of the acclamations of the People, causing, by their noble conduct, the horrors of intestine War to disappear, as ought in such circumstances to be expected. The Gazette, which I send to your Excellency herewith, will prove to you these facts. The King, seated upon the august Constitutional Throne of the Spains, and amidst the many and weighty occupations which the changes in the Fundamental Law entail upon him, has, by one of his first acts, turned his eyes towards tirose Provinces of the Monarchy, which have been devastated by a War, that originated in a atality of circumstances, produced either by an error of calculation, |
