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place of that which comes from Sweden and Trieste. The American possessions furnish cedar wood (the superiority of which for ship-building, is decidedly acknowledged), sugar, cocoa, cochineal, coffee, indigo, vanilla, cinnamon, and medicinal drugs; and all those productions in such abundance that they partly supply several countries in Europe. Such is the enumeration of articles of the first necessity, which Spain can derive from her vast possessions. We must not omit her mines in Peru, Potosi, Chili, Mexico; those inexhaustible treasures supply all the specie in currency throughout the two Americas, and even in part that of India. From all these advantages, it is easy to perceive, that the trade of Spain demands encouragement only. It would considerably

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In the year 1782, Ireland exported to Spain to the amount of £2,210, in linen, and salted meat; and imported to the amount of £63,413, of which potash was £77,967. Balance in favour of Spain £75,757.

increase if wealthy proprietors could be in-Exportations from the Spanish Islands to England.

duced to engage in it. The sovereigns have neglected no means that might turn the attention of the nobles to maritime trade. Royal cedulas have declared wholesale and extensive commerce to be not degrading; but the Duke D'Ossuna is hitherto the only Spanish grandee who has embarked in commercial speculations.

I hear from well-informed authority that the Spanish American mines yield the king an annual revenue of thirty millions of dollars (near £7,000,000) clear from all charges for the administration, and after paying the troops in America. From the custom house duties on money or merchandize coming to private individuals in the metropolis, the king derives forty millions of dollars. The total amount of the revenue derived from foreign possessions only is consequently seventy millions of dollars.

This simple sketch will, I imagine, be deemed sufficient to prove the degree of prosperity to which the trade of Spain might attain. Let us proceed to examine what real advantages Spain derives from it: and these we shall discover in a statement of the imports and exports during the course of several years. We begin with England; the most preponderating power in trade at present. Spain exported into England imported into Spain.

England.

1781..£114,492.7

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1792 Cuba........ £5,121 18

1793 Caraccas

1794 Cuba..

1795 Cuba...

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Total.......... 36,000,000

Which are compensated by the following importation:

Oxen 700 at 300 liv. each 2,100,000 livres.
Sheep 100,000
Mules 20,000

24 300

2,400,000

6,000,000

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The

The contraband trade cannot well be country. Such a loss cannot but prove prereckoned among commercial operations; ne-judicial to the population of Spain. vertheless that branch is so extensive that insurers are found for the introduction of prohibited articles; which are, cotton in general, muslins, tobacco. quicksilver, &c. The exportation of specie is strictly prohibited. A celebrated writer, Arthur Young, considers possessions beyond sea, as pernicious to European States. Being a cultivator, he sees nothing but corn: all his speculations are confined to the improvement of a corn field or a meadow. Consistent with his own principles, he maintains that funds laid out on agriculture instead of sugar, coffee, and indigo, would yield greater profit to a country than men and money, sent to a distance, and there employed.

M. Bourgoanne is of the same opinion with the English writer; but I know not whether his advice to Spain, to abandon her colonial possessions and shut up her mines, proceeds from the same principle. In order to prove what interest Spain could have to give up her colonies, I will only state that it appears from the returns of merchandize that have entered the port of Cadiz from the peace with England in Nov. 1801, to Dec. 1802, that their amount has been no less than £21,343,055.

last returns stated that population at eleven millions five hundred thousand, but we must deduct the victims of the war, and of epidenical diseases that have raged since at Cadiz, Malaga, Carthagena, and Alicant. If those emigrants to America remained on the continent, there is no doubt but Spain would see her population considerably increase, and her state of cultivation improve in proportion; it would remain to be proved, however, whether the advantages derived from that measure would compensate those that arise from the communications at present maintained with foreign possessions. The loss of North America, far from having proved prejudicial to England and to the English trade, has, undoubtedly, increased it; but this proof cannot be adduced in support of the proposition for abandoning the Spanish possessions, the soil and productions of which differ essentially from those of the English colonies.

As to the colonial system of the Spaniards, all writers agree to describe it as extremely mild and humane. In his view of the climate and soil of the United States of America, Volney tells us, page 410, vol. 2. "The Spanish laws with respect to the blacks Not having been able to procure an equally of Louisiana are the mildest of all European accurate statement of the importations from codes." And Bourgoaune speaking of the slave the Spanish colonies into the ports of St. trade, in reference to the Spaniards, says: Sebastian, Bilboa, Corunna, Malaga, Ali- "One must acknowledge however, not to cant, and Barcelona, we must trust to what their praise, but in their excuse, that if we have offered as sufficient to combat M. that horrible practice could be tolerable on any Bourgoanne's opinion. That author would part of the globe, it would be under the perhaps have better understood his Catholic Spanish dominion, and it is not undeserving Majesty's interests, if he had advised the of notice that the nation which, together establishing European manufactures at Mex-with the Portuguese, is blamed more than ico, Peru, and Chili. The people of those countries, emerging, as it were, from the hands of nature, and consequently susceptible of receiving every impression, would adopt the opinions and customs of our continent: their ideas would expand, and from a combination of the character of the inhabitants under the Line with that of those from the polar extremities of the globe, an empire, formidable to maritime nations, would arise, and assure to the crown of Spain, that preponderance to which it has a right to aspire.

There is no doubt but too distant and extensive a trade combines several weighty disadvantages with it. The navigation in remote parts of the globe, and residence in unhealthy climates, carry off a great number of persons, and affect, not only the existing population, but also that to be expected, by impeding the marriage of such expatriated rovers. The number of Spanish subjects who yearly migrate into the colonies is calculated at twenty-four thousand of these one third only returns into the mother

any other, for the cruelties practised in the New World, is that by which the negroes are most kindly treated; as if by dint of human attentions that nation intended to make them forget the crime of its ancestors." Thus philosophy even is forced to depart from her usual severity to bear homage to truth.

FINANCES.

The general embarrassment of Finances is the order of the day throughout Europe. The system of Spain has undergone the same general judgment, and the public declare it bad without knowing its particular detail.

Adam Smith, after having examined the debts of the great nations of Europe, which he compares to those of private individuals, considers the ruin of their governments, without distinction, as extremely probable.

Without attempting to discover how far this assertion may be just, or how far the comparison of the resources of individuals with those of states may hold good, I will enter into that celebrated writer's meaning,

and conclude that a kingdom is the better | The provincial taxes are laid on wine, vinegar, administered, and the furthest from ruin, oils, meat, candies, &c. when its finances are in a good condition. And, in this respect, what power in Europe can be compared to Spain?

It is impossible to ascertain the revenues of the Royal Treasury; they depend on what is collected from the mines in the New World, which, notwithstanding the sketch I have given, have no regularity in their yearly returns.

Spain has no debts; and whatever M. Bourgoanne may say, Philip V's paper money obtains credit enough yet to be negociable. I have seen proofs of it myself, and since the reigning dynasty has occupied the throne of The following are slight hints at the serSpain, confidence has replaced that mistrust vices of such Spanish Generals as distinguished founded on the nialversation of the finances themselves in the war against the French which prevailed under the Austrian kings. revolutionary government: they serve to shew The government has created and issued a paper money; this paper is exposed to and that the Spanish soldiery has lost nothing of undergoes the chances of the different com- its ancient bravery, and that its commanders mercial places. In the year 1802, when know how to avail themselves of the courage Spain was at peace with England, it was of their troops, as well as of their knowledge generally at four per cent. after having lost of the districts and scenes of action. The sixty during the foregoing war; and, in con- | sequence, the royal notes were in a train of places in which these officers fought, are the liquidation by cash payment. A government, same as are now likely to be which is calling in its paper, is not in a dis- blood" in conflicts between the generals of Buonaparte and those of the Spanish patriots. They may give some idea of what has been done in that country, and by whom.

tressed condition.

GENERALS.

"fields of

Paper money has advantages, the effects resulting from which are incalculable; among the first is that of attaching the opulent subjects to the government, by engaging them to invest a part of their capitals in the public Don Antonio Ricardos knew how to avail funds but this union of interests can be himself of Spanish valour. At the opening established only in countries where a national of the first campaign against the French, in spirit exists; and it was probably from the the early part of the French revolution, with knowledge which the Count Cabarrus had of five thousand men who had not seen active the Spanish character, that he caused the service for a long period, he took possession of creation of paper security, known under the Bellegarde, after prodigious efforts of bravery; name of l'ales Reales. Count Cabarrus had he forced the whole line of forts on the vast and deep knowledge in finance; but he frontiers; penetrated into Roussillon, and is a foreigner, and this reason was sufficient would have taken Perpignan, if he had had to raise him rivals and enemies, who impeded men enough to have kept it, and to mainhis views and plans. The Prince of Peace, tain an army in the field. He contented who takes merit wherever he can find it, has himself with attacking the entrenched camp Jately promoted that of a person who appears that covered Perpignan, to produce a diverto be the most enlightened financier Spain | sion in favour of the different operations his possesses at this moment. I mean the go-generals were undertaking. The battle of vernor of Catalonia, Don Blas de Aranza. Since he has occupied this important post, he has given proofs of very extensive knowledge in matters of administration. Public opinion has long pointed him out as the fittest person to be minister of Finance.

The Royal Treasury is under the direction of two Treasurers General. Three Directors General have the detail of the administration. M. Bourgoanne agrees that Europe has nothing superior to this system.

The Royal Revenues arise from the produce of duties on provisions, tobacco, snuff, salt, wool, powder, brimstone, and quicksilver. The rents and tithes bear on the property of the clergy, and on the rents and tithes of private proprietors. The land taxes are very trifling; I know no country where the proprietor is less oppressed. There are duties called Annates and Lanze, that bear on the Graudees alone.

Trouillas will be for ever memorable; it procured him as a recompense the name and title of Marquis of Trouillas. This general may be reckoned among the eminent of the age.

On his death, the Count of La Union had the command of the army. Although his successes, while general of division, had gained him a reputation, yet as general in chief he failed; and remained on the field of battle.

Don Joseph de Urrutja, who succeeded him in command, revived the spirits of the army, discouraged by the Count of La Union's misfortune. He re-organised it, stopped the French on the river Fluvia, and by partial engagements accustomed the Spaniards again to victory. The peace of Basie prevented his executing the vast plan he had conceived to drive the French army beyond the Pyreneans. From the confidence with which he had inspired his me, the good order he had esta

blished in the army, (about seventy thousand, strong, at that time) one may conjecture that he would have obtained real advantages, and not have contented himself with merely recovering lost ground. Don Joseph Urruja had served in Russia during the war with the Turks. He had distinguished himself at Ismaelow, and been decorated with the order of St. Anne. The king his master rewarded his services in Catalonia, by appointing him captain general of the army, and director general of artillery. This general died in

1803.

Don Ventura Caro, general of the army of Navarre and Biscay, displayed the greatest talents in the defence of the frontiers entrusted

to his care. Endowed with unparallelled activity, and a courage bordering on temerity, this general was of opinion that to defend one's self it was necessary to attack. Making frequent sallies out of his lines, he used to advance and attack the French redoubts, and after destroying several, he returned into his entrenchments. Thus with twenty-two thousand men, (eight thousand of which only were troops of the line) he contrived to defend a frontier of thirty-two leagues. The storming of Castel-Pignone, near St. Jean piedde-port, will always reflect credit on Don Ventura Caro, and Spanish soldiers. Being appointed captain-general over the kingdom of Valentia, at the time of the rebellion in 1801, he there displayed that energy which forms the striking feature of his character, and the revolt was appeased. Retired on his estate with the rank of captain-general in the army, he enjoys that inward satisfaction which is the usual recompense of an irreproachable conduct.

The Marquis of La Romana, nephew of General Caro, distinguished himself in Navarre and Catalonia, by his courage and military information.

Monsieur de Solano, son of the Marquis Admiral del Socorro, displayed great bravery at various periods. He is at this moment governor of Cadiz.

The Count of Fuentes also distinguished himself in the war against France. In the campaign against Portugal in 1800, he met with considerable success at the head of the outposts.

MINES IN SPAIN.

great quantities of silver from Tarifa in Andalu sia, and Mariana observes, that when Hamilcar and Hannibal went to Spain, silver was so common in Andalusia and Estremadura, that vessels for keeping of wines,oils, &c. as well as cribs for horses were made of it. While Hannibal was at the head of the Carthaginian government, he carried on mining with great spirit; and the mines, which were emphaically called Hannibal's mines, are said to have yielded three hundred pounds weight of silver daily. Pliny states, that the mines were open in his time, and particularly describes the Roman method of mining ac cording to the nature of the mountains.

The Chalibes were the smiths who made arms for Hannibal, and to them Pliny attributes the art of smelting. Justinus says, that they particularly excelled in iron-work. They lived on the banks of the Sil in Gallicia, where marks of iron-works are still visible. Bilbilis possessed rich iron mines in the times of the Carthaginians, and its swords were famed for their high temper. Numantia also was noted for its silver and copper mines, and the peasants to this day frequently meet with pieces of those minerals. The Romans, according to Pliny, imported from Gallicia, Asturia, and Portugal, twenty-thousand pounds weight of gold, annually; of which Asturia furnished the greatest quantity.

It does not appear that the Goths and Saracens paid much attention to mining; and in more modern times those veins only of quartz, potter's ore, &c. which lay near the surface, were investigated. The quicksilver mines were worked by the Order of Calatrava, as no deep mining was necessary; it soon became an important object to New Spain.

Count Fucar, who had a lease of this mine for thirty years, acquired great knowledge of the surrounding mountains, and the veins they contained. To such extent were the works carried, that a fifth of the produce, belonging to the king, amounted some years to four and twenty millions of reals. Hence has arisen the old proverb of "As rich as a Fucar." In 1768 a French company undertook the quicksilver mine, hoping that it was not exhausted by the labours of, the Count. After incurring a great expence they sent to Saxony for a director, when M. Hoppensack was fixed on to go to Spain. He remained there three years only, owing to the company quarrelling among themselves, and having expended great sums without success.

To the Editor of the Literary Panorama. Sir;-As a supplement to the "Views in Spain," I have taken the liberty of translating The mountains of Guadalcarnal and Cafrom Hoppensack's work, some observations zalla are full of perpendicular veins of silver, on the above subject which may prove inte- many of which rise to the surface. Near resting to the geologist.-Yours, &c. C. W. Constantina the company rented a lead mine The ancient history of Spain fully demon-containing silver; and the silver and lead strates the great antiquity of the art of mining mines near Puebla de Tufantes are said to in that country. The Phoenicians imported have been worked by the Carthaginians. The

copper mine at Rio Tinto is worked on the king's account; it does not yield more than five or six pounds of copper per cwt near the surface: the annual produce is reckoned at three hundred cwt.

At Monte de Rey, and in the neighbourhood, nine tin mines are at present worked. Many of the masses are composed of large uniform nodules; one of them, weighing 25lbs. was sent as a present to the Minister. The mountains are chiefly of granite formation. They shew marks of Carthaginian labour. The lead mines are considered as the most lucrative by the Spaniards, particularly those of Linaris. Those of Grenada, in the mountains of Raza, belong either to individuals or to companies. In the course of thirty years they have supplied the government with 54,0024 cwt. Numerous others are dispersed throughout the provinces.

Iron abounds in many parts; the principal mines are in Biscay. Antimony is often found in auriferons veins in Castile, and on the frontiers of Portugal. Cobalt is found in the Pyrenees in the valley of Gistain, and great quantities used to be exported to Suabia.

Although the Spanish mountains furnish, in great abundance, all kinds of metals, semimetals, precious stones, salts, and inflammable substances, yet a very small part has hitherto contributed to the general wealth of the nation. M. H. estimates the whole annual produce as follows: Quicksilver, from Copper Lead

2.

15 to 1800 cwt.
300
32,000
180,000

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30 170 .2,000·

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Allum.

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Sulphur....

laborious means than industry and exertion.
Hence Spain is essentially weakened. The
number of her acres is not diminished: but
that of the persons who might bring them
Her
into tillage is considerably lessened.
lands, that might be productive, lie idle, and
exclaim, but in vain, against that inert dispo-
sition which suffers them to remain a disad-
vantage to the community. So far, also,
from becoming, herself, that immense depot
of gold and silver, which might be expected
from her revenues, she buys but a small part
of them with her native commodities, or her
manufactured goods; and the number of
artizans that ply her looms or engage in her
manufactures, generally, is not sufficient to
supply the wants of the mother country, and
of the colonies also. Spain therefore cannot
retain the bullion that passes through her
hands, since it is due to others: insomuch,
that when a pressure of circumstances calls for
a sudden or an uncommon supply, she is
obliged to borrow from a more wealthy,
because a more industrious neighbour, and to
support even her struggles for her liberties, by
receiving the sinews of war from a country
not suffered to deal directly with the districts,
the mines of which furnish the very treasure
that she is enabled to lend to Spain their so-
vereign.

SKETCHES OF VIENNA. [Continued from p. 735, Vol. IV.]

The Suburbs.

Between the inhabitants of the city and those of the suburbs, reigns an invidious emulation. The tailor of the city eyes with disdain brother Snip who lives in the suburbs, and the shoemaker would not disgrace his profession by repairing shoes at home, but

To the information furnished by our correspondent we may be allowed to add a reflection on the spectacle presented to the world, of a supply of the precious metals being solicited by Spain from Britain. Prosends them into the suburbs to inferior workprietress of the most valuable gold and silver men. A tradesman begins business in the mines in the world, though not in her own suburbs, and knows no wish beyond that of bosom, and furnishing all Europe with a figuring away, in a few years, in the capital. principal part of the currency that circulates The artizan does the same, and is delighted throughout this quarter of the globe, yet has when he arrives at the honour of standing beSpain so inadequately profited by the advan-bind a counter in the city. Ambition, howtages of her possessions that she is little more than the factor who receives the precious metals, and delivers them out to those who have bought them with the fruits of their industry. The present Number of our Views in Spain has noticed the drain of the Spanish population to America, in the hope of acquiring wealth by more rapid modes, and by less

ever, is natural to man, and tends to progres sive improvement. Power, wealth, nobility, grandeur, and reputation are centred in the city; the suburbs may be considered as only the attendants, and as contributing to the dignity and pomp of the city. There are few of the suburbal inhabitants who have not

daily intercourse with Vienna: whether it be to court the protection of the great, to dispose of the produce of their labour, to offer their

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