OF SOUTH AMERICA AND MEXICO; COMPRISING THEIR DISCOVERY, GEOGRAPHY, POLITICS, COMMERCE AND REVOLUTIONS. BY HON. JOHN M. NILES, MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. TO WHICH IS ANNEXED, A GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL VIEW OF TEXAS, WITH A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE TEXIAN REVOLUTION AND WAR. BY HON. L. T. PEASE. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. HARTFORD: H. HUNTINGTON, JUN. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1837, By H. HUNTINGTON, JUN., in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. Martinson & Co., Printers. 2-14 1:2,50 SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF SPANISH AMERICA, TO THE REVOLUTION. CHAPTER I. Effects of the discovery of America—Columbus' first voyage and discoveries-grant of the Pope-second voyage-fate of the first colony-rising of the natives-they are subdued and compelled to pay tribute-convicts transported to the colony-third voyage of Columbus, in which he discovers the continent-origin of the reparlimientos voyage of Alonzo de Ojeda and Americus Vespucius-fourth voyage of Columbus-settlement on the Gulf of Darien-Vasco Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean-voyage of Juan de Solis-conquest of Cuba-colony planted—Cumana, Yucatan, and Mexico discovered. THE discovery of America forms a new and most conspicuous era in the annals of the world; and probably no other event has had greater influence on the destinies of the human race. Its immediate effects were, to excite a spirit of discovery, of enterprise, and commercial cupidity, which not only gave a new direction, but a more vigorous impulse to speculative and commercial operations; and by extending the bounds and magnifying the objects of navigation, a degree of interest and importance was conferred on that pursuit, which it had never before possessed. To these effects succeeded the planting of colonies, which gradually gave a new aspect to the commerce of Europe, engrafted novel principles into the laws of nations, and in no small degree influenced the politics of almost every state in Europe; as for a long period most of the contentions and wars among the principal powers of the old world, arose from conflicting claims and interests in the new. New relations wer created between the parent state and its colonies, and between the latter and other powers, the last of which were a source of constant jealousy, and often disturbed the peace of nations. That the discovery and colonizing of a new world, several times as large as the continent of Europe, would produce an im 678 1351 (RECAP) 609290 portant change in the commercial and political relations of the maritime powers of that continent, must have been foreseen at the time; but that it should have had an important moral influence on the character of mankind, and have been the means of securing their rights, establishing their liberties, and exalting their destinies, no one could have anticipated. On the contrary, it must have been supposed, that the establishment of distant colonies, dependent on the parent state, nursed by its care, protected by its arms, and entirely subject to its power, would have tended to colonial oppression; which by strengthening the power of the sovereign, would react upon the parent state, and thus tend to the oppression of both. Whatever may have been the case with others, this was undoubtedly true of the Spanish Colonies down to the period of the late revolution. Their degradation and oppression alienated them from the parent country, and prepared their minds to embrace the first opportunity to throw off the yoke of a distant and foreign power, which instead of conducting toward them like an affectionate mother, treated them with the jealousy, selfishness, and cruelty of an unfeeling stepdame. The English colonists in North America, consisting of the persecuted at home, brought with them, to a considerable extent, the elements of freedom; and many of the colonies obtained charters securing the essential rights of self-government, and the enjoyment of civil liberty; so that at a very early period, many scattering rays of light were shed abroad in this western hemisphere, which served as the dawn of that brighter day of liberty which we now behold in its meridian splendour. Although the English and Spanish systems of colonial government in America were different, yet the views and policy of the two countries were essentially the same, and tended to the same result. This policy was to keep the colonies, not only dependent, but tributary states; to monopolize their commerce, to cripple their manufactures, and in all respects to render them contributary to the wealth and aggrandizement of the colonizing country. In both divisions of the American continent this policy was more rigorously pursued as the colonies became more populous and wealthy, and as a jealousy and apprehension of their independence increased. This illiberal policy necessarily led to a separation, and has resulted in the independence and freedom of the greater part of America. Notwithstanding the vast extent of the new world, its various and happy climate, its magnificent rivers and mountains, its unrivalled fertility of soil, and capacity of sustaining a population almost surpassing conception, the beneficial influence which it has had on the cause of civil liberty and the moral character of man, is infinitely more important than all the other advantages which its discovery will confer on the world. If it had contributed to |