A violent revulsion became necessary in Buenos Ayres, to obtain, at least, that calm which ever follows violent tempests. This was obtained at the expense of much blood; and even then there was room for the examination of the practical question-what shall we do?-but that event produced a division in opinion wholly of a new kind. Those who thought that the vicissitudes of the revolution had reduced the country to the verge of total impotency, rendering her incapable of maintaining the rank of a general authority; and that, from the same cause, that authority would no more hold out any guarantee to fix and conciliate respect,-were decidedly of opinion that the state of isolation, in which all the provinces had remained, should continue, as being more likely to be convenient than their reconcentration: while those who perceived, in that very nullity, germs of destruction to the orderly existence of each state, and fancied they saw in the reunion of the whole the only remedy for these defects, were of opinion' that the system of isolation should be abandoned, and that recourse should be had to the convocation of a general congress. Thus, Sir, was my country situated in the first months of 1821; but at last the question was resolved by the great weight of this consideration; namely, that the chief interests would be conciliated by the re-establishment and

consolidation of public order in Buenos Ayres ; which, once effected, would be sufficient to render it general afterwards throughout the subdivisions of the territory. The opinion, therefore, which decided for the maintenance of the system of isolation, obtained the preponderance; and after that, the attention was directed to amalgamate elements for the organization of an administrative provincial power, which should take on itself so arduous a responsibility.*

About the middle of 1821 that administration was formed, which commenced its career under two highly favourable circumstances. In the first place the persons who composed it, having been employed for many years out of the country in the public service, were neither connected with nor dependent on any of the factions into which

* This administration was composed of the following persons. General Don Martin Rodriguez, continuing in the situation of Governor; Don Bernardino Rivadavia, who had resided for many years in a public capacity in Europe, in the situation of Minister Secretary of Government and Foreign Affairs; General Don Francisco Cruz, who had remained many years with the armies which operated in the interior of the provinces of Peru, in the situation of Minister Secretary of War and Marine; and Don Manuel Garcia, who had resided about the same term of years at the Court of Portugal in a public character, in the situation of Minister Secretary of Finance.

the capital was subdivided. In the second place, the same persons having been kept for such a length of time at a distance from the theatre of events, and having, from that circumstance, augmented their qualifications in the school of experience, in which they had studied in other countries, would be easily led to investigate the defects which were prejudicial in their own. That administration having thus been formed, under the propitious auspices I have just mentioned, was very soon in a state to resolve the pending question; and it accordingly decided on the adoption of this principle: That all theory should be proscribed in the organization of a country, and its demonstration left to practice. And now you will permit me, Sir, after having thus developed the ORIGIN, to proceed to inform you of the other circumstances by which this change was accompanied; as I am well aware that it is this which most excites your curiosity.

I will there

fore begin by presenting some of the general principles which have established themselves.

REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.

THE new Administration began by overcoming the difficulties from which so much inconvenience had originated, by reason of not giving to things a fixed meaning, and even of naming them by

a defective nomenclature; and on that principle was introduced the idea that the country could be governed by the Representative System alone; to which was afterwards added the appellation Republican.

A law was immediately passed which put into execution that same principle; (Document A.) to which are owing the direct election, the liberty of suffrage, and, consequently, the establishment of a Hall of Representatives, which, in its new position, found established the utility of giving a practical Constitution to the country.

INVIOLABILITY OF PROPERTY.

The new Administration likewise began by establishing that every Government, under such a system, was instituted for the felicity of the nation, and not to proceed with hostility against property and individuals; and that the respect paid to both was to be considered as a fertile germ of civilization and prosperity. A law in consequence was promulgated, which we call “ Of the Inviolability of Property," (Document B.) extended afterwards to foreign property, even in a state of war; which, immediately on being put into practice, was of itself sufficient to produce such activity in the pecuniary means of the country, that, besides the increase which ac

66

crued to the capitals from this measure, and to the wealth employed in other places, immense pecuniary transactions were attracted from without, and produced nothing less than the astonishing circumstance, that the want of the immense quantity of circulating medium, which the revolution had taken from us, was not perceptible in the commerce of Buenos Ayres.

PUBLICITY.

The new Administration also began by introducing the principle, that it was indispensable for its advancement to possess on its side the public opinion; considering it as the best guarantee for the stability of its power. On this account a decree was issued, (Document C.) in which it was prescribed as an obligation, that publicity should be given to all its acts; and the execution of this law, being carried so far as officially to insure that in all the departments there should not be a single document kept secret, has put the laws within reach of the nation, as well as the decrees and ordinances which the plan of practical reform has produced; and thus has mainly contributed to introduce that confidence which had been banished by the mystery of the Cabinet.

LAW OF AMNESTY.

The new Administration, in like manner, be