JB_167_286.xml

Title: [[Wrapper enfolding clvxvii. 286-90]]

Description: [Wrapper enfolding clvxvii. 286-90]

Rid Yourselves 1 o

Letter 13 or 27 Better Ultramaria rule Spain

[clxvii. 286]

1820 Aug. 19

Emancipation Spanish

Letter 22 or 27

Better Ultramaria rule Spain

Mode of riddance

In the dissolution of this union thus there would be no difficulty. But in the continuance of it on the other hand I see considerable difficulty: and I can not see how /consistently with the essentials of the Constitution/ the difficulty can be solved.

In every future Cortes in the very next that takes place which will be in less than two years, the numbers of members of the whole deputation, the numbers belonging to each of these two discordant parts and consequently the proportion between the two - members to depend upon the state /quantity/ of the population in the two countries: being to be in a certain proportion to that population: namely one for every 70,000 souls "of a certain description." In the European dominions the population is regarded as determined: the supposition being to be that it is the same as according to a census taken A o 1797 it was at that time: and thus far no difference that can have had place being likely to be attended with any practical inconvenience, /or considerable objection/ no difficulty presents itself. But in every one of the several American provinces, the Census remains to be taken: and in no one of them until the /a/ census have been taken any deputation can there be. The furnishing the Cortes with a deputy from that Cortes will therefore depend upon the local authorities on whom it will depend whether and where this same census shall be taken: an operation which especially in countries so circustanced is not quite so easily /and promptly/ performed as spoken of. In some the Constitution (Art. 30) supposes there exists perhaps at present a Census: but in so far as this happens to be true, /have place/ if he in whose custody or within his reach the census is - chooses that there should be no census, he has but to destroy the paper, and for a long time at least his will is done.

JB_167_289.xml

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

JB_167_288.xml

Title: [[clxvii. 288] 1820 Aug. 19]

Description: [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.