South America is recovering rapidly from the destructive effects of
civil conflicts. Should the country continue in its present com- paratively tranquil state, our manufacturers and merchants may at length reap profit from their trading adventures in that part of the world. Hitherto, it is to be feared that the balance has been on the wrong side of the account. We extract from the Times of this morning a description of the present political condition of some of the principal States. " It cannot fail to have been noticed by all persons taking an interest in the progress of the new South American States, that the accounts received by the mails from Colombia for some time past indicate the different sections of that country to be in a state of tranquillity and improvement, with a rational expec- tation of their continuance. This is accounted for by all grounds of civil dis- sension having totally disappeared in consequence of the separation of that country into three independent states, having the same natural limits that pre- vailed under the Spanish regime. During the time that the great departments of Venezuela, New Granada, and Quito (now the State of the Equator) formed the Central Colombian Republic, the natural jealousies and different habits of the people of those large districts produced constant difficulties and irritating collisions. The Venezuelans in order to second the views of their countryman, General Bolivar, were placed by him in all the leading situations of trust and importance; and thus the most rancorous jealousy and ill-feeling prevailed towards them on the part of the New Granadians and Quitaneans. The mass of the people desired to have the same separation in the administration of their affairs as existed under the Spanish Government ; and it would have much earlier taken place, but for the ambitious views of Bolivar. Before his death even, the public feeling for a separation may be said to have virtually succeeded ; but that event removed every obstacle, and these great sections of territory (each sufficiently large for an empire) immediately settled down into quietude, have established their particular and separate institutions, proving—a fact well known to all persons who have visited the extensive regions of Colombia—that the people of these newly-formed states never can be amalgamated under one government. They will, probably, therefore, prosper under their present insti- tutions, respectively adapted to their natural wants and habits; and they have now no motive whatever to interfere hostilely with each other. The large mili- tary force of Bolivar is disbanded, and each state has reduced its military esta- blishment to an economical footing.
" The Plenipotentiaries of Venezuela and Quito were to arrive in Bogota in August (the last month), for the purpose of agreeing on the basis of a fair sepa- ration of the public debt, which it is expected will be settled on the principle of population and revenue, as well as a mutual guarantee to the creditors."
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