Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Introduction
- Descriptive Outline of the Pampas &c. &c.
- The Town of Buenos Aires
- Mode of Travelling
- Town of San Luis
- Journey to the Gold Mines and Lavaderos of La Carolina
- Mendoza
- The Pampas
- The Pampas Indians
- Passage Across the Great Cordillera
- Convent at Santiago
- Journey to the Gold Mine of El Bronce de Petorca
- Gold Mine of Caren
- Journey to the Silver Mine of San Pedro Nolasco
- Departure from Santiago
- Return to Mendoza
- The Pampas
- A Few General Observations Respecting the Working of Mines in South America
- Conclusion
- Frontmatter
- Introduction
- Descriptive Outline of the Pampas &c. &c.
- The Town of Buenos Aires
- Mode of Travelling
- Town of San Luis
- Journey to the Gold Mines and Lavaderos of La Carolina
- Mendoza
- The Pampas
- The Pampas Indians
- Passage Across the Great Cordillera
- Convent at Santiago
- Journey to the Gold Mine of El Bronce de Petorca
- Gold Mine of Caren
- Journey to the Silver Mine of San Pedro Nolasco
- Departure from Santiago
- Return to Mendoza
- The Pampas
- A Few General Observations Respecting the Working of Mines in South America
- Conclusion
Summary
Having now completed a very rough and defective sketch of the Pampas, &c., and some of the provinces of the Rio Plata and of the governments and habits of the people, it is natural to consider how powerful this country must necessarily become, when, animated by a large population, enriched by the industry and intelligence of man, and protected by the integrity and power of well-constituted governments, it takes that rank in the civilized world which is due to its climate and soil; and as, in Nature's great system of succession, “nations and empires rise and fall, flourish and decay,” it is possible that this country, availing itself of the experience of past ages, may become the theatre of nobler actions than any of the nations of the Old World, whose obscure march towards civilization was without a precedent to guide them, or a beacon to warn them of their dangers. And far from being jealous of the superior strength and energy which a young country may attain, it is pleasing to anticipate the prosperity which may await it, and to indulge a hope that its young arm may assert the dignity and the honour of human nature; that it may liberate the slave, and against every threat or danger support freedom, when the infirmities of an older nation may have rendered her incapable of the task.
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- Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009First published in: 1826