CHAP. 79, 1778-1788.

CHAPTER THE SEVENTY-NINTH.

1778-1788.

Political and commercial system of Florida Blanca-Beneficial changes in the colonial trade-Improvements in the internal administration Modification of onerous taxes, and measures for the improvement of trade, commerce, and agriculture-Ecclesiastical regulations; and, in particular, diminution of the power of the inquisition.

AFTER this review of foreign transactions, our attention naturally reverts to the internal measures of the minister who directed the counsels of Spain. Under him we trace the gradual progress of that system which owed its origin to Patiño, was extended under Campillo and Ensenada; and of which the leading principles were, to relieve the national trade, manufactures, and agriculture, from the shackles imposed by interest or ignorance, to meliorate the condition of the industrious classes, to renovate the army and marine, and to introduce more lenient and equitable maxims of government both ecclesiastical and civil. If he was occasionally led into error by the prejudices of his country and education, he at least manifested more liberal views than

his predecessors, and displayed superior courage CHAP. 79. and perseverance in the execution of his laudable 1778-1788. designs.

He was aided by the talents and information of Don Joseph de Galvez, marquis of Sonora, who, by a long residence in America, had acquired an accurate knowledge of the situation, circumstances, and resources of the colonies, and the character of the people; and who, in 1776, was intrusted with the department of the Indies: by Cabarrus, a frenchman, distinguished for his acquaintance with the principles of commerce and finance; and above all, by Campomanes, who, like another Adam Smith, diffused new lights on the most important branches of political œconomy.

The first feature in the administration of Florida Blanca was the change in the system of intercourse with the colonies. Early in the reign of Charles, some timid essays were made towards the adoption of more liberal principles in the commerce with America; but it was not till 1778, that a complete and radical change was introduced. At that period the advantage of a free trade with all the american colonies, except Mexico, was first granted to seven of the principal ports; and afterwards to twelve, comprising Palma and Teneriff in the Canaries. Finally, all the spanish provinces were admitted to the

VOL. V.

CHAP. 79. benefits of this traffic, except Biscay and its de1778-1788. pendencies, the people of which preferred their

privileges and contraband trade to the profits of regular commerce. The consequences of this beneficial regulation were rapid and satisfactory. Within less than ten years, every port, to which the concession was imparted, had taken its share; the export of foreign goods was tripled, of home produce quintupled, and the returns from America augmented in the astonishing proportion of nine to one. The produce of the customs increased with equal rapidity. In 1786, these advantages were partially extended to Mexico.

Collaterally with these important innovations, considerable improvements were made in the colonies themselves. The people of Louisiana were gratified with greater indulgences than they had reason to expect from the first measures of the spanish government. The two Floridas were conciliated by similar favours. The island of Trinidad was almost re-peopled by the encouragement offered to colonists and settlers. Mexico, new energy was given to industry, by the introduction of the tobacco plant, and the cultivation of corn and sugar. From Buenos Ayres also, we find among the articles of import in 1786 corn and salt-fish, two branches of external trade, which the spanish government had

In

always regarded with peculiar jealousy, and con- CHAP. 79. sidered as the most humiliating proofs of depen- 1778-1783. dence on foreigners.

Το

The revenue of the colonies was augmented by the improvement, which the progress of science introduced, in working the mines. Hitherto the supply of quicksilver, which is necessary for smelting the precious metals, had been inadequate to the demand; and, in consequence, the mines were never sufficiently worked. this object, therefore, the spanish government had turned an early and serious attention. They invited Bowles,* an english naturalist, to examine the mines in the peninsula, which had been wrought by the romans and moors, and in particular to devise means for improving the celebrated mine of cinnabar at Almaden. By the invention of new processes the produce was more than doubled, and the price of quicksilver reduced one half. A temporary accident having suspended the operations, a contract was formed in 1784 with the austrian government, by which the requisite supply was kept up at a trifling increase of expence.

In consequence of these judicious arrangements the produce of the spanish mines in the new world increased in proportion to the other

* Bowles Introduccion a la Historia natural y a la Geografia de España.

CHAP. 79. Sources of national wealth. The intelligent tra1778-1788. veller, Humboldt, has given a comparative table

of this augmentation. Besides the quantity of the precious metals drawn out by contraband, it appears that from 1750 to 1785 it was nearly doubled, and that the increase has been still more rapid to the present time.*

Το

The same energy, zeal, and public spirit, which distinguished the colonial administration, was afterwards displayed in the regulations for the improvement of the mother country. check the influx of foreign, and to give a new impulse to the native manufactures, the old laws of Philip the fourth against foreign fabrics were partially revived; and in 1783, a new tariff of import duties was arranged, with the view of preventing foreign articles from entering into competition with those of Spain. At the same time the introduction of raw materials was facilitated by a reduction of the duties; models of machines were procured from abroad, and skilful workmen invited from manufacturing countries.

In establishing this regulation, the spanish government certainly rose superior to national partialities, and enforced the restrictions no less

* In 1700, the average produce 5 millions of piastres.