war. The latter very be seen by the sequel. But the kingdom of Mexico belongs to the temperate zone. furnishes an extraordinary proof of the wide differ-thinly inhabited, is generally called the internal ence between the peaceful and humane policy of provinces-the former, from the elevation of the the American republic, and that insatiable avarice country, three fifth of the land, even the great plains, which seems to be the great spring of action in being from 6000 to 8000 feet above the level of the monarchical government, especially in the colonial sea, "rather enjoys a cold or temperate than a burndepartment. The remark is made only to excite a ing climate"-Indeed a large part of the country laudable feeling, in prompting us to pause for a mo-may be considered as a great plain situate on the ment and compare our situation with that of any top of a mighty ridge of mountains, on which are other people in the world. piled other mountains of prodigious heights. The descents to the ocean are very gradual; travelling The name of Mexico is of Indian origin, and de- is not much interrupted by those fearful ravines scriptive of the character of the people who inhabi- and precipices usually found in mountainous counted it; for it signifies the "habitation of the God of tries. The region of perpetual snow commences at The present kingdom of Mexico, or that the heighth of 13,500 feet. In the vicinity of the vast extent of country over which the viceroy of city of Mexico is a group of tremendous mountains; Mexico presides, occupies all the southern extre- the four greatest of which, Popocateptl, Iztaccehault, mity of North America from the 38th to the 10th de- Cittateptl, and Nauhcampatepetl, are respectively, gree of N. lat. according to the survey of baron Hum- 17,716, 15,700, 17,371 and 13,414 feet high, accordboldt, but according to several other authorities, ing to the most accurate measurements. and perhaps more properly speaking, from the 40th The ports along the coast of New Spain, possess a to a little south of the 9th degree; bounded on the warm climate like West Indies, and are subject North by regions unexplored, on the South by the to the like diseases; some of them are extremely isthmus of Darien, which divides the two continents; unhealthy, Acapulco, is particularly so, through on the East by Louisiana and the gulf of Mexico, the grand emporium of a vast trade to Asia, Peru, and on the west by the Pacific ocean, thus forming Chili, &c. The city of Mexico has a delightful clian extent of territory more than 2000 miles long. mate-the mean heat of the coldest day is given at Its greatest width is from the Rio Colorado, under 620 of Fahrenheit, and of the warmest 75°. The the parallel of the 30th deg. to the western limits of general temperature of the "table land" of Mexico the province of Sonora, or the South sea, which is is 620-it produces wheat, corn and other vegeta1200 miles. The distance of breadth, however, must bles in great abundance; while the land on the entirely depend upon the issue of an existing disa-coasts, is fertile in cane, indigo, cocoa, cotton, &c. greement between the governments of the United The provinces called internas have climates similar States and Spain respecting the limits of Louisiana, to the United States, The richest veins of silver are lately purchased by the former-the one claiming as situate from 5000 to 6500 feet above the level of the far south as the Rio Bravo, and the other as far] north as the Rio Mexicano. The narrowest part of Mexico with all its advantages has very few nathe continent is fixed by the Baron Humboldt from Tecoantipec,a port on the Pacific ocean, to Vera Cruz, vigable rivers, the chief of which are, the river of on the Mexican gulf; but if we take the limits of the North (Rio del Norte) which has a course of New Spain, as laid down by other geographers, we 512 leagues, and discharges much water into the shall find the narrowest part to be under the parallel sea, but traverses a country very thinly inhabited of the 9th deg. seven degrees further south, where and sterile. The Rio Bravo and the Rio Colorado the distance from sea to sea is not more than 70 both take their rise in the Cordillera under the 46° miles. Various schemes have been formed, accord- of latitude and discharge themselves into the Mexiing to the different views of travellers, for uniting can gulf the former under the parallel of the 140 the two great high roads of the world by means of a and the latter under the 28° N. of latitude. The canal somewhere across the isthmus, none of which Rio Colorado if formed by the Zaguananas and the appear more visionary than some of those noted by Najsa, which derive their sources from two small our author. He mentions "nine points which at rivers which empty into the gulf of California, and different times have fixed the attention of statesmen thus constitute one of the Baron Humboldt's proband merchants,"-the first of which is situate in the able points of communication between the two seas. 45th deg. of North lat. and the last is between the The Rio San Juan and the Rio Quito both arise from 43d and 44th degree of South latitude, a range of a small ravine in the province of Choco; the junction of the Quito, the Andagedu and the Zitara, forms more than 7000 miles of coast!-But the immense chain of mountains, extending from the 70th deg. the Rio d'Atrato which discharges itself into the of N. lat. almost without interruption, to the extre. Atlantic ocean, while the Rio San Juan empties into mity of the southern continent, and in the most the South sea, these two rivers therefore form auo[apparently] eligible places of communication not ther point of the probable communication; and inless than 9 or 10,000 feet (nearly two miles) high, deed, as the same indefatigable researcher tells us, will, it is presumed, for ever present an insuperable a real communication has been opened there since barrier to the accomplishment of so great a design. the year 1788 for loaded canoes, which, by means "Should a canal of communication," says our author, of a small canal cut in the ravine, readily pass dur"between the two oceans be opened, the producti sea. ons of Nootka Sound and of China will be brought The highest of the Alps is about 15,000 feet-of more than 2000 leagues nearer to Europe and the the Pyrenees only 6,500 feet, and of the Pic of TenUnited States. Then only can great changes be efferiffe, the highest land of the old world, 15,395 feet. fected in the political state of eastern Asia; for this Owing, perhaps, to their great humidity-the neck of land, the barrier against the waves of the quantity of rain which falls at Vera Cruz, is estiAtlantic ocean, has been many ages the bulwark of mated at 63 or 64 inches per ann. The general ave. the independence of China and Japan. rage of France is only 37 1-2 inches, "yet with the The whole surface of Mexico contains about exception of a few seaports and deep vailies," says 143,478 square leagues. About one half is situate Humboldt, "New Spain ought to be considered as a under the scorching sky of the tropics; the other country remarkably salubrious." ing the prevalence of heavy rains, from sea to sea. Besides these there are many other considerable rivers. The lakes, and Mexico abounds with them, of which we shall have occasion to speak hereafter, are merely the remains of immense basins of water, which appear to have formerly existed on the high and extensive plains of the Cordillera, and, for the most part, seem to be annually on the decline. TO BE CONTINUED. The Chronicle. The Editor's Department. ter contained in this number and from the expectaThe public will observe from the quantity of mattion held out that several extra numbers will be added to every volume, that our prospectus is not too expanded for the means embraced in the plan. But it will take us some time to get the business in its desired train-many books and papers are yet to be sought for and purchased or otherwise obtained, and various things done to complete the arrangement; but so great is the public liberality that we are encouraged to do all within the compass of our power to meet it as we ought. Among many rare There has lately occurred no important event in and valuable articles already laid off for the RESSpain or Portugal; the French emperor is said to TER, we inform its patrons with much satisfaction, be reinforcing his army; and Wellington, with his that a gentleman of great distinction has kindly strong holds, appears able to make a formidable proffered us the use of the Journal of the Stamp resistance. The ultimate expulsion of the British Act Congress, which assembled at New-York in is a probable event, but whether Bonaparte will 1765, the copy in whose possession, we have reashortly obtain quiet possession of these countries, son to believe, is, perhaps, the only one extantis at least problematical-he has taught the people in the archives at Washington there is no record of to fight, and supposed to have lost in the bloody the proceedings of that illustrious assembly. contest not less than six hundred thousand men. "Ye Gods! what havoc does ambition make." Considering tables similar to those given in this Our accounts from England, to use the language useful and interesting articles we can possibly insert, number (by way of specimen) as among the most of consul O'Brien, are “squally.” The affair of the affording easy reference to important facts, we President frigate and the Little Belt has excited are preparing with much assiduity and care, a much sensibility in England. A squadron of ships, great variety of them, for occasional publication.under the command of rear admiral sir Joseph Yorke, Those relative to the United States will, generally, consisting of four vessels of 74 guns and 2 frigates, be deferred until after the meeting of congrees, has been despatched for our coast, and may be daily, when, from the documents to be laid before that expected. Some of the London newspapers say the body, we shall be able to render them more peradmiral has orders to commence immediate hostilities fect. A new census is about to be taken in Engunless our government shall disavow the conduct land, which shall be, duly noticed.In our of commodore Rodgers. It also appears that some next will be inserted a table of the population of important despatches have been received from Eng-France. land-"a king's messenger," the first officially acknowledged as such in the United States, passed through this city on Wednesday last to the British parte," written by an associate, and commenced in "The history of the invasion of Spain by Bonaminister, Mr. Foster, at Washington. In the mean this number, will manifest that we do not intend to time the British ships of war are making captures come under "French influence."-A history of the on our coast. Important events may be expected, war against Denmark, (Copenhagen!) designed but at present all is rumor and uncertainty. From France our accounts are less gloomy than "British influence" among us-and a narrative of for the historical department, will shew there is no heretofore; several American vessels have been re-the war with Tripoli, with our uniform conduct, leased; rather effected, it would seem, by a whim we trust, will prove us to be influenced only by of the government than in consequence of any ma-American feelings. terial change in its policy. But the present enormous duties on American produce in France forbids The department for News, denominated the Chronicle, is by no means what we intend it to be all hope of a profitable and extensive trade until they It is expected to contain a history of the times, and are reduced, of which a prospect is held out. the country. Few domestic events of much note have reached so it shall-but the arrangement therefore is not yet us during the week. At a meeting held at Vincen-accomplished. By the next publication we hope to nes, Indiana territory, at which were present a large receive all the necessary papers, &c. to render it number of very respectable gentlemen, it was agreed tolerably complete. A concise price-current shall among other resolves, as the opinion of the assembly, occasionally be inserted, to gratify many patrons in "that the persons and property of this frontier can never be secured, but by breaking up of the combination formed by the Shawanoe prophet on the Wabash." It is generally believed in the western coun- friends for any irregularities that may be committed We hope to receive the indulgence of our try that the outrages committed by the Indians in the delivery or address of the WEEKLY REGISare brought about by "British influence." A war, TER, in the first instance-for in this, as well as in however is not expected, the Indians fearing the the other arrangements, it is not only impracticable Americans too much to engage in it. The Spaniards, but morally IMPOSSIBLE that we should, at once, August 7, still possessed the fort at Mobile; but fall into that perfect system by which we hope to were completely surrounded by the American forces, mark our general concern. and had no further control over the navigation of the tice may be left at the office or transmitted to us, of We request that noriver. corrected or supplied. the errors or omissions made herein: they shall be It is ascertained that the late election for electors of a senate of Maryland, has eventuated in favor of the republicans-Thus the character of the state for five years is established. All the returns are not yet received. *There are more than 1500 subscribers to the. WEEKLY REGISTER. Printed and published by H. NILES, Water-street, near the Merchants' Coffee-House, at $5 per annum. Public Papers. A Declaration of Rights by the People of The supreme congress of Venezuela, in its legislative session for the province of Caracas, taking into consideration that to the neglect and disregard of the rights of man, which have hitherto prevailed, must be ascribed all those evils which this people has endured for three centu ies past.and actuated by the desire of re-establishing those sacred principles on a solid basis, has resolved, in obedience to the general will, to declare, and doth now solemnly declare in the presence of the universe these rights unal enable; to the end, that every citizen may at all times compare the acts of the government with the purposes of the social institutions-that the magistrate may never lose sight of the rules by which his conduct must be regulatedand that the legislator may in no case mistake the objects of the trust committed to him. SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE, ARTICLE THE FIRST. It is known to all our readers that the people of South America, generally, have taken up an idea they are capable of best managing their own concerns, and that several of the [late] Spanish provinces have cast off their dependence on the mother country, and assumed to themselves a "rank and name among he nations of the earth." Caracas, or Venezuela (or that tract of country in South America, laid down in the old maps as Terra Firma, ex ending along the northern coast from the Orinoco to the lake of Maracaybo] took the lead in the great atchievement; and, more fortunate than the other colonies, accomplished an almost bloodless revolution. With uncommon pleasure we prepared to REGISTER the Declaration of Rights and of Independence, as issued by the delegates from the several provinces of this new Federal representative Republic, when our joy was much damped by the appearance of a decree for "regulating the liberty of the press," in which we are sorry to observe, the finger of the priesthood; at all times, and in all countries (where established religions exist) the inveterate enemies of reason, justice and truth. We must,| however, make great allowances for this new people, among whom the rights of self government cannot be considered as more than a theory not yet practically understood as in the United States; whose inhabitants, always enjoying a re-right of suffrage, cannot exercise the sovereignty presentative system with a great portion of civil and religious freedom, and accustomed to think and reflect on all political matters, at the first glance could discern the natural and unalienable rights of man. The situation of our brethren of South America is materially different; and we have no doubt, they will cast off all the shreds of slavery, and put on the whole garment of freedom, pure and undefiled, in a short space of time.* The papers alluded to follow-the two first were 5. The public functionaries shall hold their translated for the Aurora-the last for the Whig.offices for a definite period of time, and the invesother importance or influence than what they actiture with a public function shall not attach any quire in the opinion of their fellow-citizens, by the virtues they may exercise whilst occupied in the service of the republic. * The editor has had the honor frequently to converse with a distinguished gentleman of that country; a man of high consideration at Caracas, possessed of a strong mind and very correct ideas of the great fundamental principles on which a free government should be constituted. On enquiry, some time ago, as to the part the clergy had taken in the revolution, he observed-they behaved better than had been expected; but, added he, we gave into some of their measures for the moment, to secure lasting advantages to ourselves; well knowing that when the government was firmly fixed they could not shake it, though at the onset they might perplex us a great deal, if dissatisfied with our conduct, or words to this effect. The moment I read the decree for "regulating the liberty of the press," the remarks of this gentlemen occurred to me, and I was led to hope it was intended by the legislature The sovereignty resides in the people, and the exercise of it in the citizens, by the medium of the right of suffrage and through the agency of their representatives legally constituted. 2. Sovereignty is by its essence and nature impreseriptible, unalienable and indivisible. 3. A portion only of the citizens, even with the every individual ought to participate by his vote in the formation of the body which is to represent the sovereign authority; because all have a right to express their will with full and entire liberty.This principle alone can render the constitution of their government legitimate and just. 4. Any individual, corporate body, or city, which attempts to usurp the sovereignty, incurs the crime of treason against the people. 6. Crimes committed by the representatives and agents of the republic shall not be passed over with impunity-because no individual has a right to become more inviolable than another. 7. The law shall be equal for all, to punish crimes, and to reward virtues, without distinction of birth or hereditary pretentions. of Caracas as a temporising arrangement to effect some great and permanent good, or, in the language of the hardy fisherman of the eastern states, I compared it to "throwing out a mackarel to catch a cod" I trust, for the honor of Caracas, it will prove so. B RIGHTS OF MAN IN SOCIETY. 1. The purpose of society is the common happiness of the people, and government is instituted to secure it. 2. The felicity of the people consists in the enjoyment of liberty, security, property and equality of rights in the presence of the law. 19. Every individual possesses the right to acquire property, and to dispose of it at will, unless his will be contrary to a previous compact or to law. 20. No kind of labor, art, industry or commerce shail be prohibited to any citizen, save only such establishinents as may be required for the subsis tence of the state. 3. The law is formed by the free and solemn ex- 21. No one can be deprived of the least portion pression of the general will, declared by agents of his property without his consent, except when whom the people elect to represent their will. the public necessity requires it, and then under the 4. The right to declare their thoughts and opin-condition of a jus compensation. No contribution ions, through the medium of the press, is unre- can be required and established, uniess for the gestrained and free, under responsibility to the law neral utility. Every citizen entitled to suffrage, for any violation of the public tranquility, the re- has the right, through the medium of his represenligious opinions, property and honor of the citizen.atives, to advise and consult on the establishment 5. The object of this law is to regulate the man-or contributions, to watch over their application, ner in which the citizens ought to act upon occ-and to require an account of the same from those sions when reason requires that they should con he has elec.ed as his representatives. duct themselves not merely by their individual judgment and will, but by a common rule. 22. The liberty of claiming one's right in the presence of the depositaries of the public authority, in no case can be withheld, nor confined to any particular citizen. 23. There is individual oppression when one member of society is oppressed-there is also the oppression of a number, when the social body is oppressed. In these cases the laws are violated, and the citizens have a right to demand the observance of the laws. 6. When a citizen submits his actions to the law which his judgment does not approve, he does not surrender his right nor his reason, but obeys the law because he should not be influenced by his own private judgment against the general will to which he ought conform. Thus the law does not exact the sacrifice of reason nor the liberty of those who do not approve it, because it never makes an attempt upon liberty unless when the latter violates 24. The house of every citizen is an inviolable social order or swerves from those principles which asylum. No one has a right to enter it violently, determine that all shall be governed by one com-urless in cases of conflagration, deluge or applicamon rule or law. 7. Every citizen cannot hold an equal power in the formation of the law, because all do not equally contribute to the preservation of the state, to the security and tranquility of society. tion, proceeding from the same house: or for objects of criminal proceedings in the cases, and with the essentials determined by law, and under the responsibility of the constituted authorities who have issued the decree. Domiciliary visits, and 8. The citizens shall be ranged in two classes-the civil executions, shall take place openly in open one with the right of suffrage, the other without it. day, in virtue of the law, and with respect to the per9. Those possessing the right of suffrage, are son and object expressly pointed out in the act ausuch as are established in the territory of Venezue-thorizing such visitation and execution. la, of whatever nation they may be, and they alone constitute sovereignty. 10. Those not entitled to the right of suffrage, are such as have no certain place of residence those without property, which is the support of society. This class, nevertheless, enjoy the benefits of the law, and its protection, in as full a measure as the other, but without participating in the right of suffrage. 11. No individual can be accused, arrested or confined, unless in cases explicitly pointed out by law. 12. Every act exercised against a citizen without the formalities of the law,is arbitrary and tyrannical. 13. Any magistrate who decrees or causes an arbitrary act to be executed, shall be punished with the severity the law prescribes. 14. The law shall protect public and individual liberty against oppression and tyranny. 15. Every citizen is to be regarded as innocent, until he shall have been proved culpable. If it becomes necessary to secure his person, unnecessary rigor for the purpose shall be repressed by law. 25. Every foreigner, of whatever nation he may be, shall be received and admitted into the state of Venezuela. 26. The persons and properties of foreigners shall enjoy the same security as the native citizens, provided always, that they acknowledge the sovereignty and independence, and respect the catholic religion, the only one in this country. 27. The foreigners who reside in the state of Caracas, becoming naturalized, and holding property, shall enjoy all the rights of citizenship. DUTIES OF MAN IN SOCIETY. ARTICLE FIRST. The rights of others in relation to each individual, have their limit in the moral principle which determines their duties, the fulfilment whereof is the necessary effect of the respect due to the rights of each of the individuals. Their basis is these maxims: Render to others the good which you would they should render unto you. Do not unto another that which you do not wish to be done unto you. 16. No person shall be sentenced or punished, 2. The duties of every individual, with respect without a legal trial in virtue of a law promulgated to society, are: To live in absolute submission to previously to the offence. Any law which punishes the laws to obey and respect the legal acts of the crime committed previous to its existence, is tyran- constituted authorities; to maintain liberty and nical. A retroactive effect assumed by the law, is a crime. 17. The law shall not decree any punishment not absolutely necessary-and that shall be proportionate to the crime, and useful to society. equality. To contribute to the public expenses.To serve the country in all its exigencies-and, if it becomes necessary, to render to it the sacrifice of property and life; in the exercise of these virtues consist genuine patriotism. 18. Security consists in the protection afforded 3. Whoever does openly violence to the lawsby society to each of its members, for the preserva-whoever endeavors to elude them declares himself tion of his person, his rights and his property. an enemy to society. 4. No one can be a good citizen unless he be al The disorders of Europe had increased the evils good parent, a good son, a good brother, a good under which we before suffered; by obstructing friend, and a good husband. complaints and frustrating the means of redress; 5. No one can be a man of worth unless he be aby authorising the governors placed over us by candid, faithful and religious observer of the laws: Spain, to insult and oppress us with impunity, the exercise of private and domestic virtues is the leaving us without the protection or the support of basis of public virtue. DUTIES OF THE SOCIAL BODY. ARTICLE FIRST. the laws. continent. It is contrary to the order of nature, impracticable in relation to the government of Spain, and has been more afflicting to America, that terrories so much more extensive, and a population incompaThe duty of society with respect to its individual rably more numerous, should be subjected and members, is the social guarantee. This consists in the obligation on the whole to secure to every ind.- dependant on a peninsular corner of the European vidual the enjoyment and preservation of his rights, The cession and abdication made at Bayonne,' which is the foundation of the national sovereignty. the transac ions at the E. curial and at Aranjuez; 2. The social guarantee cannot exist unless the and the orders issued by the imperial lieutenant the law clearly determines the bounds of the answers marshal duke of Berg to America, authorized the vested in the functionaries-nor when the respon-exercise of those rights, which till that period the sibility of the public functionaries has not been ex-Americans had sacrificed to the preservation and pressly determined and defined. integrity of the Spanish nation. 3. Public succor is a sacred duty of society; it The people of Venezuela, were the first who ought to provide for the subsistence of the unfortunate citizens, either by ensuring employment to integrity, never forsaking the interests of their generally acknowledged, and who preferred that those who are capable of acquiring means of sub-European brethren while there remained the least sistence, or else by affording the means of support prospect of salvation. to such as cannot acquire it by labor. 4 Instruction is necessary for all: Society oughtable and was bound to ake charge of her own safety America has acquired a new existence; she was to promote with all the means in its power, the enlightenment of the public mind, and place instruction within the attainment of every individual. This our solemn declaration, is to be communicated to the supreme executive power, in order to be proclaimed for the information of all, by such means as it may judge most expedient. Given at the palace of the government of Vene- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. In the Name of the Most High. and prosperity; she was at liberty to acknowledge or to reject the authority of a king who was so lit le safety more than that of the nation over which he deserving of that power as to regard his personal had been placed. All the Bourbons who occurred in the futile the Spanish territory contrary to the will of the stipulations of Bayonne, having withdrawn from people, abrogated, dishonored, and stamped upon all the sacred obligations which they had contracted with the Spaniards of both worlds, who wid their blood and treasures had placed them on the throne,in opposition to the efforts of the house of Austria: such We, the representatives of the federal provinces conduct has rendered them unfit to reign over a free of Caracas, Cumana, Barinas, Margarita, Barce-people, whom they disposed of like a gang of slaves. lona, Merida, and Truxillio constituting the con- The intrusive governments which have arrogatfederation of Venezuela, on the southern continented to themselves the authority which belongs only of America, in Congress assembled; considering, to the national representation, treacherously availed that we have been in the full and entire possession themselves of the known good faith, the distance, of our natural rights since the 19th of April, 1810, and effects, which ignorance and oppression haď which we reassumed in consequence of the trans-produced among the Americans, to direct their pas actions at Bayonne, the abdication of the Spanish sions against the new dynasty which had been imthrone, by the conquest of Spain, and the accession posed upon Spain, and in opposition to their own of a new dynasty, established without our consent. principles, kept up the illusion amongst us in favor While we avail ourselves of the rights of men, of Ferdinand, but only in order to baffle our national which have been withheld from us by force for hopes and to make us with greater impunity their more than three centuries, and to which we are prey; they hold forth to us promises of liberty, restored by the political revolutions in human af- equality, and fraternity in pompous discourses, the fairs, we think it becoming to state to the world more effectually to conceal the snare which they the reasons by which we are called to the free ex-were insidiously laying for us by an inefficient and ercise of the sovereign authority. degrading shew of representation. We deem it unnecessary to insist upon the un- As soon as the various forms of the Spanish goquestionable right which every conquered country vernment were overthrown, and others had been holds to restore itself to liberty and independence; successively substituted, and imperious necessity we pass over in a general silence, the long series of had taught Venezuela to look to her own safety, in afflictions, oppressions, and privations, which the order to support the king, and afford an assylum to fatal law of conquest has indiscriminately involved their European brethren against the calamities by the discoverers, conquerors, and settlers of these which they were menaced, all their former services countries; whose condition has been made wretch- were disregarded; new measures were adopted ed by the very means which should have promoted against us, and the very steps taken for the preserva their felicity: throwing a veil over three centuries tion of the Spanish government were braided with of Spanish dominion in America, we shall confine the titles of insurrection, perfidy and ingratitude, ourselves to the narration of recent and well known but only because the door was closed against a facts, which prove how much we have been afflicted; monopoly of power which they had expec ed to & that we should not be involved in the commotions, perpetuate in the name of a king whose dominion disorders, and conquests, which have divided Spain. I was imaginary. |