[clxvii. 288]

1820 Aug. 19

Emancipation Spanish

Summary

Mode of riddance

Note the difficulty as to the Negroes, Indians, &c.

Now then in which hemisphere is the greatest number to be found. According to all the Authorities, such as they are, in the American (a).

This being admitted, and all controversies as to what shall be the description of the Electors under Articles 27 and 25 set aside, it is not in Spain that the next Cortes will be to be held, but somewhere in Spanish America. Where then in Spanish America? to this question no answer is to be found /does the Constitution/ [...?]: a plain proof that the possibility of its being any where but in Spain had never presented itself.

Well but suppose it settled that it shall be in Spain, and no where else that the next Cortes shall be held /have its sittings/. This can not last for ever. When the time comes /Supposing the time comes/ when the Spanish Americans are to the end [...?] two to one and thence the Spanish American Deputies are to the end two and one and thence the Spanish American Deputies two to one, will it seem /feel pleasant or even/ reasonable to the two that their convenience should give way to the convenience of the one.

There again in lieu or in aid of reason shall precedent will be looked to?

1 As to the original determination there stands the British Empire with its three kingdoms. In which of the three are /and is/ the seat of the Empire? In the most populous. So it was as between /in the original England and Ireland: so it was in the free [...?] by compact when England and Scotland were united into Great Britain: so it was in the other union by compact between Great Britain and Ireland.

There again as to a change in the seat: and in particular as to a change from the old continent to the new. Is there any /inescapable/ difficulty? Ask his Majesty whose seat was for so many centuries in Portugal and is now in the Brazils.
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  • Title: [[clxvii. 287] 1820. Aug. 19]
    Description: [clxvii. 287]

    1820. Aug. 19

    Emancipation Spanish

    Summary

    ' Mode of riddance

    In particular, in no one of these provinces, until its submission has been perfected and declared can any such Census be made -

    Another difficulty. The proportion between /the number of the/ Deputies and /that of/ primary Electors is fixed: but that of the primary Electors themselves will be continually in the change. If in Spanish America the effect be any thing like to what /bear any resemblance to what/ it has been in English America, that change will be a continual and rapid encrease. Spain will encrease likewise: but in Spanish America the rate of encrease will be still greater: for, so it has been as between England and English America. I speak of that part which has emancipated itself so it has been.

    In which hemisphere then shall be the seat of the world Empire. In the European it is at present: and to the framers of the /Spanish/ Constitution the possibility of its being any where else seems hardly to have presented itself. But where ought it to be? In Spain says a Spaniard. /Nay:/ But in Spanish America says a Spanish American. If wills can not agree, on what principle shall the preference be established? In which shall be the seat of empire? in the most populous, is the answer given by that principle. Ask the Constitution, the answer is the same: it is of the greatest number (says Art. 13) that the greatest happiness is to be the determining object.
  • Title: [1820. Aug. 26. Emancipation Spanish]
    Description: 1820. Aug. 26.

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    30 dec 1820. These three pages are marked (quere when) in the marginals, as

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    This is not all. At what time then under the Constitution as it stands there can be

    any other Cortes passes my comprehension. By Article 108. The Cortes shall be renewed

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  • Title: [[clxvii. 289] 1820 Aug. 19]
    Description: [clxvii. 289]

    1820 Aug. 19

    Emancipation Spanish

    Summary

    ' Mode of riddance

    In the present /existing/ Cortes it being the first these and abundance of other Gordian knots are got rid of /have been cut/: got rid of by being cut. But in the next Cortes destined for existence, they will all knit /renew/ themselves /again/

    When /Supposing/ the seat of /empire/ thus changed, Spanish America will have become the principal, Spain the dependent country: and, unless the plan which has hitherto been pursued and /the pursuit of/ which it seems still in contemplation to be pursued be given up as unjust or impracticable, the tables will be turned, and relief to Spanish America will be looked for at the expence of Spain.

    With this prospect before the eyes of your rulers what will be their conduct their policy? To let the prosperity of Spanish America take its course unimpeded /unrestricted//unshackled/? /If so,/ You see the consequence. To impede it? to keep them poor and weak and blind? to institute and organize a system of misrule to that effect, and pursue it by design or negligence. I hope you /your rulers/ would not be willing: and if willing I am sure you /they/ would not be able. For, as above, they could not blind Spanish America without blinding Spain at the same time