of the rest, and in the enjoyment of their own executive and legislative authorities. But, in 1835, Gen. Rosas, who was unanimously called to the Presidency, refused to act unless invested for a period with extraordinary powers. These were accordingly granted him, so that at present the government is a nearly absolute dictatorship, presenting, however, a favorable contrast to the dictatorship of the neighboring State of Paraguay, as it was, under the rule of Dr. Francia. There is a junta or parliament of 44 members, half annually renewed by popular election; and a senate of two deputies from each state. The State Governments consist of the popular assemblies and governors, who are elected by the delegates. But though democratic in theory, they are quite otherwise in practice; the lower classes bowing with obsequious deference to the nominees of the upper classes, and if any appeal is ever made by the latter to the people, it is generally from the necessity of supporting by a demonstration of brute force the pretensions of some particular candidate. There is a trite saying in Buenos Ayres," Rosas nominates the people elect;" meaning, probably, that he is in the habit of so moulding the several legislatures as to secure his own ends by popular

means.

The powers of the President are constitutionally very extensive: he appoints all civil, military and judicial officers; but he, as well as his ministers, are responsible for their actions, (i. e. according to the constitution,) and liable to impeachment.

The military force of the republic is of uncertain amount. The soldiers have generally to be collected to meet an emergency, or are called upon to undergo an expedition whenever the caprice of the ruler demands their services. The national militia comprises all males of ripe age, but this body is never called into existence except in case of invasion.

The State of Buenos Ayres alone supports the expenses of the government; the other states contributing nothing directly to the general disbursements of the confederation. The annual amount of the public revenue, is from 12 to 15,000,000 dollars, a sum insufficient to meet the ordinary expenses; and there is a public debt of about 40,000,000 dollars, bearing interest at six per

centum.

The discovery of the country, now known by the name of the Argentine Republic, took place somewhat later than that of other parts of South America on the Atlantic. The honor of the discovery is claimed by the Spaniards. Juan Diaz de Solis, having sailed from Spain in 1515, to explore Brazil, arrived at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, and took formal possession of the country; but, deceived by the friendly appearance of the Indians, and being off his guard, he was slain with the few attendants who had landed in company. In 1526, Sebastian Cabot, then in the Spanish service, being also on a voyage to the coast of Brazil, entered the same river, and discovered an island, which he called St. Gabriel. Advancing about 12 leagues, he found a fine river flowing into the great stream: this he named St. Salvador, and, causing his fleet to enter, debarked his men and built a fort, in which he left a garrison, while he proceeded further up and discovered the Paraguay. In consequence of receiving a considerable quantity of silver from the Indians, who procured it from the mines of Peru, he imagined that mines of this precious metal existed in the interior, and accordingly gave to the river the name of Rio de la Plata, or the river of silver. The Spanish government, having conceived a high idea of the value of the country, determined to colonize it; and, to prevent any interference on the part of other

as Den Pedro de Mendoza was sent out, and founded the city of 3uenes Ayres, in 1535. From the earliest period after the colonization, in the establishment of a vice-royalty, the government was dependent upon it of Pern: though the chief of Buenos Ayres had the title of CaptainGeneral Buenos Ayres continued for a long time almost unknown, all the inated parts of the kingdom lying at a considerable distance from the oce in: and in consequence of the restrictions imposed upon its commerce, hring no other communication with Europe than by the annual fleet from Spain, it hangished in poverty and obscurity. So extensive and fertile a country could not, however, remain forever concealed. As the population increased, though it was but slowly, and the agricultural produce multiplied, the evi, consequences of the restrictions were more severely felt. The reiterated remonstrances of the people at last opened the eyes of the Spanish government to the importance of the colony. A relaxation took place in the system of commercial monopoly, which had been rigorously adhered to; and fin v. in order to a put a stop to a contraband trade that had been carried to an alarming height, register ships were allowed to sail under a license from the council of the Indies, at any time of the year. The consequence was, that the annual flota was lessened from 15,000 to 2,000 tons of shipping; and, in 1748, it sailed for the last time to Cadiz.

Over amendments of the mercantile system were made soon afterwards. In 1774, a free trade was allowed between several of the American ports; and, in 1778, and the succeeding year, several Spanish sea-ports were allowed an open trade to Buenos Ayres and the ports of the Pacific. Buenos Ayres was now advancing rapidly into political and commercial importance: this was rendered stable by the erection of the government into a vice-royalty in 1778, and since that period its trade progressively increased until the war between Spain and England, when a material interruption was given to it. Nothing of moment appears in the history of Buenos Ayres, until July, 1806, when the capital was taken by surprise by a British army, under Gen. Beresford, which suddenly invaded the country. These troops, proceeding from the Cape of Good Hope, found the country entirely defenceless, there being only a handful of regular troops, and the militia being unarmed and undisciplined. The British enjoyed their triumph only a few weeks, when a small body of the militia, under the command of General Liniers, a French officer, invested the city, and forced them to surrender at discretion on the 12th August. Soon after the surrender of General Beresford's army, another body of troops, in number about 5,000, arrived from the Cape of Good Hope, under Sir Home Popham, who, after taking Fort Maldonado, at the mouth of La Plata, laid siege to Montevideo. The Spanish garrison made a resolute and glorious defence, and finally compelled the besiegers to withdraw disgracefully from the contest. Other troops arrived some time afterwards, under Sir Samuel Auchmuty, and the number of the British bearing a vast superiority over that of the garrison, another attempt was made, and the town was finally carried by storm, after a defence which reflects the highest honor upon its little garrison. It was now determined by the British commanders to proceed against Buenos Ayres, as soon as certain expected reinforcements arrived. In May, 1807, these succours arrived, under General Whitelocke, who assumed the chief command, and was joined on the 15th of June by General Crawford. The invading army now amounted to upwards of 12,000 men, all regular and disciplined soldiers. On the appointed day they embarked in boats, and sailing up the river, debarked below the capital. They were permitted to approach the town without molestation; but no

sooner had they entered it, than they were received by the indignant mhabitants with one tremendous and well-directed fire of grape and musketry. Every house was converted into a fortress, from which vengeance was poured out upon the invaders of the soil. The British troops were thrown into confusion, and endeavored to find safety in a disgraceful flight. General Whitelocke, finding that the patriotism of the people was not to be overcome, and having no means of escape, surrendered this formidable army prisoners of war to the militia of Buenos Ayres; and thus ended the second British invasion of this province.

The important services which Liniers had rendered the people at once elevated him to distinction. The viceroy, Sobremonte, was deposed, and the French general placed in his stead. The invasion of Spain, however, and the deposition of Ferdinand VII., produced a counter-revolution in the public opinion. Liniers was desirous of establishing the authority of the Emperor Napoleon in America as well as in Old Spain; but Don Josef de Goyeneche, who had been sent out by the junta of Cadiz, caused the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres to proclaim Ferdinand, advising at the same time that a junta should be immediately formed. So powerful and well-concerted were his measures, that on the 1st of January, 1809, the people rose in all parts of the city, and demanded the establishment of a junta. They were, however, dispersed; and the leaders punished by the troops, who still remained faithful to Liniers. But this temporary triumph was not of long continuance. In August, 1809, Cisneros, the new viceroy, arrived from Spain, and Liniers was deposed by the junta, which now solemnly declared their rights. Liniers was then exiled to Cordova; but the spirit of insurrection had spread itself too widely by this time to admit of the new viceroy continuing long in the exercise of his functions. Commotion succeeded to commotion; and on the 26th of May, 1810, a provisional government assembled itself, deposed the new viceroy, and sent him to Spain. Against this measure the interior provinces and the city of Montevideo protested. Liniers formed an army in the neighborhood of Cordova; and in Potosi another was assembled, under General Nieto. To check these a force marched from Buenos Ayres. Liniers and Nieto were defeated, and themselves and six of their principal officers beheaded.

These decisive measures did not, however, extinguish the spirit of disaffection to the cause of emancipation. A force was put in motion in Paraguay, under the governor, Velasco, who was, however, defeated, taken prisoner, and sent to Buenos Ayres. Montevideo still remained faithful to the mother country; but, in December, 1816, a body of Portuguese troops entered the Banda Oriental, and took possession of the city, and all the principal places on the eastern shore of the Uruguay, and of the country between the Parana and the Uruguay, and the province remained in their possession until 1825, when they were re-annexed to the government of Buenos Ayres. Buenos Ayres, though independent, de facto, after the revolution of 1810, was not so in name. The junta professed to pay allegiance to the government of Spain, and all decrees were issued in the name of Ferdinand VII. At length, on the 9th of July, 1816, the minds of the people being fully prepared for it, a formal declaration of independence was made by the general congress. No opposition was made to the measure in Buenos Ayres, as no Spanish troops had remained there since 110. An unfortunate dissension, however, broke out between the provinces on the east bank of the La Plata and the general confederation, which arose from a dispute between the government of Buenos Ayres and General Artigas, one of the officers

appointed to reduce Montevideo. The contest between them continued for several years, and many engagements took place, in most of which Artigas was successful.

From this period, though the independence of the country was fully established, intestine commotions continually recurring, have completely prostrated the energies of the people, and a state of anarchy has overshadowed the whole land. In 1828, the Banda Oriental was finally separated from the republic, and became an independent state, under guarantee of Brazil, the Argentine Republic, England and France. Nothing, however, of external importance occurred in regard to this nation, until the recent political disturbances in the Banda Oriental. The history of the transactions which occurred in that republic are detailed elsewhere. On this occasion Rosis, the governor of Buenos Ayres, took sides with Oribe, the President de jure of that country, and against Rivera, the President de facto. The result has been the intervention of the guarantees, England, France, and Brazil, and the blockade by the two latter of the ports of La Plata. The settlement of this question is looked to by mercantile communities with anxiety. Rosas is obstinate-the intervention is resolute; nor is it probable that the opinions of either party can be easily changed. Both countries, in the meanwhile, are suffering from the suppression of com merce, the stagnation of trade, and that want of confidence which alone can give tone to the interests of a civilized community. The honors that Engand and France have earned for their interference are of a very questionible character, and, even if successful, which is problematical, the only benefit they can expect to reap, is an accumulated debt, wherewith to burden their own people, for years to come.

THE DICTATORSHIP OF PARAGUAY.

THE territory of this state lies between the parallels of 200 and 27° south latitude, and between the Rivers Paraguay and Parana. It is about 300 miles long and 200 in width, its area being estimated at 74,000 square miles. On the north and east it is bounded by the empire of Brazil, and on the south and west by the Argentine Republic. It formerly belonged to the Spanish Viceroyalty of Buenos Ayres, but early in the revolution withdrew itself from the conflict, and assumed an independent position, both in regard to Spain and the other colonies, and since that period has maintained an exclusive attitude, and constantly pursued a policy somewhat similar to that of China, of denying to foreigners access to the country. It resembles China, indeed, in many respects; both are tea-producing countries both are subject to a species of patriarchial rule-the inhabitants, in moral and physical construction, are very similar, and both are actuated in all public affairs by a jealousy of foreigners; the objects of the two in regard to foreigners, however, are different: China excludes them from prejudice, Paraguay from policy; the design of the government being to make the country depend solely on its internal resources.

Paraguay is an inland peninsula, enclosed on all sides, except the north, by immense rivers, A chain of mountains, known as the Sierra Amambaby, which enters Paraguay on the north, and is a continuation of the

Sierra Santa Barbara, of Brazil, runs through its centre to about 26° south latitude. From this chain many rivers flow on each side, to join the Paraguay and Parana; but none of these require special notice, though in the rainy season they are often surcharged by the torrents, and overflowing, spread devastation over extensive tracts. The great rivers, Paraguay and Parana, are fully described in considering the Argentine Republic. The only lake of importance in the whole country is Ypao, but in several parts there are extensive marshes, presenting a succession of lagunes, or small collections of fresh water. The climate is temperate, but damp; resembling, in a great measure, that of Buenos Ayres on the sea-board.

Paraguay, in point of fertility, forms a striking and favorable contrast to the adjacent parts of the Argentine Republic. It is well-wooded, and diversified with undulating hills and verdant vales. "I was glad," says Mr. Robertson, who entered it at Neembucú, "to meet with much more frequent traces of cultivation and industry, than were to be found in the solitary tracts, over which I had heretofore sped my monotonous way. Whitewashed cottages often peeped from among the trees, and around them were considerable fields of cotton, yucca, and tobacco plants. The Indian corn and sugar cane were also frequently to be seen in the vicinity of the farmhouses, of a better character than cottages; and there was abundance of wood and of prickly pear. With the latter, the cultivated country, as well as the potreros or paddocks, were invariably well-fenced."-(Letters from Paraguay, vol. i., 259-'60.) Rice, maize, yucca, and kitchen vegetables, are now cultivated on an extended scale; and the growth of cotton, which had formerly been wholly received from Corrientes, suffices for home consumption. The breeding of horses or horned cattle has been equally encouraged; and, instead of receiving cattle from Entre Rios, the farmers have now a surplus stock. The total prohibition of intercourse between Paraguay and other countries, has contributed much to these results, as the people thus turned to the cultivation of the soil all the industry which, under the old government, had been applied to navigation and the collection of the Yerba maté for foreign markets.

The Yerba maté, or Paraguay tea, is the leaf of the Ilex Paraguayensis, an evergreen about the size of an orange tree, growing wild, and in great abundance, in the dense forests in the north and east provinces, to which the natives resort in great numbers for its collection. It is difficult to penetrate the country where it is found; but the profits derived from the articles are ample, Paraguay tea being in as general demand through the Argentine Republic, Chilé, and many parts of Peru, as the teas of China are in Europe and the United States. Its collection is undertaken by merchants in Asuncion, who each employ a master-workman, or abilitador, and from 20 to 50 peons, the master providing axes, knives, tobacco, mules, bullocks for slaughter, and other provisions, with money advanced to him by the merchant. The boughs of the yerba, with the leaves attached, are first hewn down and scorched; the leaves being then roughly removed, and dried by being placed over a wide arch of wood-work, under which a large fire is kindled; and, together with the small twigs, they are afterward ground to powder by a rude wooden mill. The tea is next weighed and stored, by the overseer, who pays the peons for it at the rate of two reals, or 25 cents, each arroba of 25 pounds. It is next rammed tightly into bags of bull's hide, which are left to dry in the sun, and contain from 200 lbs. to 220 lbs. each; and in this state it goes to market. Mr. Robertson estimates that, for six months' work, the peon may earn about £57, or $274, in wages,