The particulars of the debt have only been brought down to the commencement of 1837; for, although the accounts have since been published for another year, I confess I do not sufficiently understand them at this distance to attempt to explain them, further than to say that they show increased difficulties, from the lamentable and unexpected circumstances which have again disturbed the peace of the Republic.
On the party questions which have hitherto agitated the people of these countries, I have purposely said as little as possible; much less have I thought of writing the history of a country which has not been a quarter of a century in existence; the institutions of which are quite in their infancy, and must necessarily require a long period ere they can assume a more definite character.
The generality of my readers, I take it for granted, are acquainted with the nature of the old colonial government of Spain, with the events which led to the emancipation of the South Americans, and with the fact of their having declared for a democratic form of government in all the new states.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Amongst other documents which I obtained through the kindness of the government were some large topographical maps of the province of Buenos Ayres, drawn expressly for me by desire of General Rosas, the present governor, comprising all the data respecting that province, collected by the topographical department up to the year 1834.
[2] A re-calculation by M. Oltmanns, of some of the observations of the Boundary Commissioners, has slightly altered a few of their positions: his corrections will be found in the volume for 1830, of the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences of Berlin.
[3] Noticias Historicas y Descriptivas sobre el gran pais del Chaco y Rio Vermejo, por José Arenales.—Buenos Aires, 1833, 8vo.
[4] Collección de Obras y Documentos relativos à la Historia antigua y moderna de las Provincias del Rio de la Plata, ilustrados con Notas y Disertaciones, por Pedro de Angelis.—Buenos Aires, 1836, folio. The completion of this work has been suspended for want of paper to go on with, owing to the French blockade of Buenos Ayres, since March, 1838.