POPULATION, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

Want of an exact census-Census made annually by the curates-Division of the population-Difficulties which the Spaniards experience in going to America-Those which foreigners experience are still greater-Mortifications which foreigners incur, who settle in the Spanish possessions-Hardly any emigration from Spain to Terra Firma-Attachment of the Creoles to their country-Public education— Aptitude of the Creoles for science-Reform in their costume-Habit of the afternoon nap-Marriages-The Spaniards marry very young-The power of the parents over their children is less than in other countries-Happy reform-Causes of unhappy marriages-Apparent submission of the children to the parents-Etiquettes-Their bad effects-The Spaniards are religious-Extremely prudent in their undertakings-Conspiracy of Venezuela-Causes-Formed by three state-prisoners-Its discovery-Measures of government-Honourable act of Charles IV.-Prosecution by the tribunals-Reflections on that conspiracy-Slaves-The Spaniards do not carry on the slavetrade-Number of slaves-How they are treated-Every thing is done to make them good christians-Carelessness of the masters with respect to the wants of the slaves-Reforms contemplated-Advantages which the laws offer to slayes-Freed-men-Their numberRestrictions imposed on their freedom-Causes of these restrictions -The freed-men can hold no public office—The law subjects them to an impost, which they do not pay-Sumptuary laws with respect to freed-men-Case, where the freed-man forfeits his freedom-The king gives dispensations for colour-Marriages between white persons and those of colour-Some are yet to be seen amongst men of colour and whites-That is owing to the horrid practice of exposing illegitimate children-The necessity of an hospital for foundlingsFreed-men are allowed to practise physic.

Want of an exact Census.

AFTER the most diligent researches, I have not been able to procure a correct statement of the population of the provinces dependent on the captain-generalship of Caraccas. In the archives of government no papers are deposited by which it appears that any census has ever been taken of the inhabitants of a country subject to its authority. The registers of the intendancy are also, altogether unprovided with those documents, which in all political establishments are most carefully preserved, as the most essential provision to form the basis of an enlightened administra

tion. It was not till I had sacrificed much time, and labour, that I discovered that the ecclesiastical authority performed in favour of religion, what the civil authority had neglected in favour of political economy. The active interference of a friend, whose name it is painful for me to be under an obligation to conceal, speedily procured for me, from the official records of the bishop, statements of the population of Caraccas, for the years 1800 and 1801, particularly specifying that of cities, towns, and villages. But the opportunity which I have had of observing by what process these statements were acquired, left an impression on my mind, which did not permit ' me for a moment to hesitate what degree of credit I ought to attach to their accuracy. Their nature and object will be discerned from the particulars which are here subjoined.

Census taken annually by the Curates.

In the Spanish domains the duties of religion are not left as in all other christian countries, to the discretion and conscience of the faithful. The ministers of the church exercise, in this respect, a superintendence, which extends to all religious practices, but principally to the annual confession. Whoever fulfils the paschal duty, receives from the confessor a small ticket, upon which is written the year; after that this single word confeso, together with the signature of the priest. At church, when they receive the sacrament, they present to the curate the ticket of confession, which he keeps; he then gives another

signed by himself, and under the year, is written the word comulgo; he has received the sacrament.

In Lent, the curate, or one of his superiors, goes round to each house, takes down all the persons who are or are not arrived at the age necessary to make confession. After Easter is passed, the same priest, or another in his behalf, returns to their houses, to take up the communion or at least, the confession ticket; and on closely comparing the number of tickets with that of the persons whose names he had marked down on his first visit, he detects frauds and proceeds accordingly. This ungracious custom, which creates aversion instead of attachment to the tribunal of penitence, is a temptation to try every expedient to impose on the pastor. Old women during Easter, go divers times to confession, and receive a ticket each time. They reserve one for themselves and sell the rest. Their ordinary price is one dollar; it rises in proportion as the term of exhibition approaches. Those who can conveniently leave their homes, chuse the very season when the confession-tickets are to be collected, to indulge themselves in excursions on business or pleasure. Others, on the first visit of the curate, inform only against a part of those who live in the house, or compose the family; finally, there are some who, on the approach of the collector, shut their doors and leave him to knock till some neighbour informs that nobody is at home.

Had I undertaken to prove the inutility of the precautions which are taken to make good christians, the subject would furnish matter for a long disserta

tion; but my object is to show, that the census which occasioned them, is imperfect. Indeed, according to the comparison which I have made of it with the population of some cities accurately calculated, it appears that it contains one fourth, or beyond all doubt, one fifth less than the real number of inhabitants. Yet the government is so strongly persuaded, that no better means can be adopted, that on the king's requiring, in 1801, a statement of the population of the Captain-generalship of Caraccas, no other arrangement was made, than to transmit the order to the bishops, who would execute it according to the established custom, so as to be liable to those imperfections, which we have endeavoured to point out.

Division of the Population.

Thus, after all the information I have endeavoured to procure, I am authorised to allow

In this population, the whites are computed at two tenths, the slaves at three, the descendants of freedmen at four, and the Indians compose the remainder.

This population, upon a soil whose fertility and extent might not only subsist, but enrich a hundred times the number, is certainly extremely moderate. VOL. I.

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That the portion of Europeans which it contains, may not appear inconsiderable on a comparative view, reflect only on the small population of the metropolis, which supplies it; on the vast possessions of the Spaniards abroad, which are settled by emigration from the mother country; on the national passion for money, which attracts to Mexico and Peru all the Spaniards whom avarice tempts from Europe; on the imaginary misfortune attached to the provinces of Caraccas, because, to men, whose darling object is bullion, it only affords the slow, periodical and diversified productions of a land which demands toil and perseverance; and, finally, on the restrictions which the Spanish government are obliged to impose upon the passage of Europeans to the West-Indies, in order to prevent the depopulation of the ancient domains.

Difficulties which Spaniards experience in going to America.

No person is allowed to embark for Spanish America, without obtaining permission from the king, which is never granted but for commercial purposes, duly verified, and for a time commonly limited to two years. For a permanent establishment it is very difficult to obtain permission. Priests and friars are equally subjected to the same formality. The creoles who make a temporary residence in Spain, cannot return to their property and relations, without the express permission of the king. This prohibition extends to the female sex. Women must apply for the royal