British Government did not consider them worth holding at the Peace of
Amiens. Since that period their mother-country has been blotted out from
the list of nations, and America has unfolded a new sheet of politics. On
one side the Crown of Braganza, attacked by an ambitious chieftain, has
fled from the palace of its ancestors, and now seems fixed on the banks of
the Janeiro. Cayenne has yielded to its arms, La Plata has raised the
standard of independence and thinks itself sufficiently strong to obtain a
Government of its own. On the other side the Caraccas are in open revolt,
and should Santa Fe join them in good earnest they may form a powerful
association.

Thus on each side of _ci-devant_ Dutch Guiana most unexpected and
astonishing changes have taken place. Will they raise or lower it in the
scale of estimation at the Court of St. James's? Will they be of benefit to
these grand and extensive colonies? Colonies enjoying perpetual summer.
Colonies of the richest soil. Colonies containing within themselves
everything necessary for their support. Colonies, in fine, so varied in
their quality and situation as to be capable of bringing to perfection
every tropical production, and only want the support of Government, and an
enlightened governor, to render them as fine as the finest portions of the
equatorial regions. Kind reader, fare thee well!

* * * * *

_Letter to the Portuguese Commander_

MUY SENOR,

Como no tengo el honor, de ser conocido de VM. lo pienso mejor, y mas
decoroso, quedarme aqui, hastaque huviere recibido su respuesta. Haviendo