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 dare say, only the harbinger of the civil wars which are about to break out over all South America. It was reported in Santiago that I had been killed in the affair of San Fernando ; I hope the report will not, by any channel, have reached you. Since these things came to pass, the congress has sanctioned a constitution, which many think is likely to allay our political effervescence, while others imagine it will prove another apple of discord ; for my part, I am of opinion that the elements of political organization are throughout South America inefficient to the establish- ment of good government, and, perhaps fortunately for these states, that despotism, which is the child of anarchy, will ere long crush in its iron grasp as well the seeds of discord as the tree of liberty.

" E'en now While yet upon Columbia's rising brow The showy smile of young presumption plays, Her bloom is poison'd and her heart decays. Even now in dawn of life her sickly breath Burns with the taint of empires near their death, And like the nymphs of her own withering clime She's old in youth, she's blasted in her prime!"

Moore.

"August 18. — I have been compelled to melt the seal of this letter to inform you that a very dangerous conspiracy was discovered last night, of which the object was, as usual, to drive the president from his situation. It is ascertained that the intention of the conspirators was to murder the president, General Borgono, myself, and about ten others, among them and the dragoons had already entered into the conspi- racy. The principal persons accused have absconded, and we have only been able to seize three of the subordinate agents."

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