Chapter III: Part 3

In Montevideo there are nine tramway lines: 1st Union and Maronas Tramway; 2nd Paso del Molino and Cerro Tramway; 3rd Eastern Tramway; 4th Buceo and Union Tramway; 5th North Tramway; 6th Oriental Tramway; 7th Reducto Tramway; 8th Montevideo Tramway; 9th Central Tramway. In nearly all the streets of Montevideo there is a tramway line and with such a shortening of the distances life and activity are a great deal increased.

In the centre of the town the tramway ticket costs 4 cents, and from one extremity of the line to the other it costs 10 cents.

During the year 1891 all these tramways made 916,798 journeys, which represent 9,285,940 kilometres, they conveyed 18,000,000 passengers. They possess 507 coaches and 3,622 horses. The number of men employed by the tramway companies is 1029. They have 14 stations.

In the town of Paysandu there is also a tramway line.

Telegraph.

The telegraph, as it may be seen on the map, is established all over the Republic and in communication with all the towns of Europe and America. The different telegraph companies are:

Telegraph Cable.

The National Telegraph Co kilom. 951 15
The Platino Brasilero " 829 ...
Rio de la Plata " 233 160
The Western and Brazilian Co.,
Oriental Line " ... 694
Telefonica del Plata " 180 45
The Oriental " 1,362 ...
The Platense, Brasilero, United
States direct " 250 ...
----- ---
3,805 914
Telegraph of the railway lines " 1,568
----- ---
" 5,373 914

There are two telegraph companies more between Salto and Concordia and between Paysandu and Concepcion del Uruguay (Argentine Republic). But they are of little importance.

The number of telegrams sent by the various companies was, in 1891, 256,467.

Navigation Companies.

Many European and American Companies have their agencies in Montevideo. The principal ones are:

Italian Company _La Veloce._
French Company _Chargeurs Reunis._
English Company _Royal Mail Steam Packet Company._
Spanish Company _La Trasatlantica._
French Company _Messageries Maritimes._
French Company _Nouvelle Compagnie Marseillaise._
English Company _Pacific Steam Navigation Company._
N. American Company _United States and Brazil Mail._
English Company _Shaw, Savill & Albion Co., limited._
English Company _New Zealand Shipping Co., limited._
Italian Company _Navigazione Generale Italiana. Societa Riunite_
(_Florio e Rubattino_).
Italian Company _Fratelli Lavarello Fu Gio Batta._
Italian Company _La Genovesse._
French Company _Transports Maritimes a vapeur._
English Company _Lamport Holt Line._
Brazilian Company _Companhia Nacional de Navegacao a vapor._

All these steamers put Montevideo in direct communication with Barcelona, Genoa, Naples, Dakar, Lisbon, Bourdeaux, Rio Janeiro, Saint Vincent, Vigo, Bahia, Pernambuco, Marseilles, Havre, Santa Cruz of Tenerif, Dunkirk, Plymouth, Liverpool, London, New Zealand and also the ports of the Pacific Ocean and those of North America.

Telephone.

In many points of the Republic telephone lines are established. The principal lines in Montevideo are: The Co-operative Co., the Telefonica Nacional Co., the Telefonica de Montevideo Co.

During the year 1891 these lines have had 21,000 daily communications. They have 3,600 subscribers and the wires they employ represent 5,500 miles. They have 10 offices and employ 174 persons, 74 men and 100 women. The capital of each company is: The Telefonica de Montevideo $220,000, the Telefonica Nacional $105,000, the Telegrafica Telefonica del Plata Company has established a telephone line between Montevideo and Buenos Ayres.

Postage.

The movement in the Postoffices of the Republic is greater every day, owing to the continual improvement of the ways of communication.

The following table gives an idea of the movement in the Montevideo Postoffice:

Letters,
Years. Papers, etc.

1885, 12,203,381
1886, 11,407,596
1887, 17,157,345
1888, 20,171,929
1889, 21,366,472
1890, 21,534,209
1891, 20,105,295

The movement during 1891 may be divided thus:

Letters, in general 6,152,654
Business papers, samples 543,127
Official correspondence 423,178
Post-cards 55,955
Papers, etc. 12,930,381
----------
20,105,295

Carriages, Coaches, Etc.

The number of coaches is very considerable in the Republic.

Montevideo alone counts over 4,000 carts and more than 700 carriages.

Public Education.

Primary education is gratuitous and obligatory in all the Republic.

The public schools are at the expense of the State, that gives the books and all the necessary materials.

Since the year 1877, in which was issued the law on public education, the primary education has improved a great deal.

The reform of the primary schools was initiated in the year 1868 by a private society, founded by the great reformer, Jose Pedro Varela, the Horace Mann of Uruguay, under the name of "Friends of Popular Education Society," which created an application school, called "Elbio Fernandez," in honor of one of the founders of the society. Various North American books and manuals were then translated for the use of the schools and masters. Varela's ideas soon were diffused among the people, and the reformer was appointed to a high situation in the Public Instruction Board, in the year 1876. Immediately he reformed all the official schools, and organized the scholar administration, being himself appointed principal director of it, with the title of "National Primary Instruction Inspector."

University.

The number of the students in the University of Montevideo during the year 1891 was 668, distributed thus:

For law, 377
For social sciences, 176
For medicine, 85
For mathematics, 30
---
668

Out of those 668 students, 631 were natives and 37 foreigners.

The professors were 75: 14 for law and social sciences, 23 for medicine, 19 for mathematics and 19 for the preparatory studies; being 58 of them natives, 12 Spaniards, 3 Italians, 1 German and 1 Frenchman.

Public Schools.

In the year 1891 there were in the Republic 483 public schools; that is to say, 143 more than in the year 1886.

The number of pupils was then for the whole Republic 43,676 (24,541 boys, 19,135 girls)--14,763 boys and girls in the capital, and 28,913 in the departments.

All the schools cost $690,574, the education of each pupil representing a value of $13.27.

The professors were 863--272 men and 591 women.

Ninety-four schools were established in buildings belonging to the National Educational Board and representing a value of $448,541, and 11 of them in buildings belonging to the State, with a value of $45,942.

Private Schools.

In 1891 there existed in the Republic 375 private schools, with 21,945 pupils and 930 professors (381 men and 549 women).

We obtain, therefore, the following result:

No. Pupils.

Public schools 483, with 43,676
Private " 375, " 21,945
--- ------
Schools: 868, 65,621

Normal Girl School.

In this national school 114 girls received the title of professor for the first degree, and 29 for the second degree, from the year 1887 to the year 1891.

In the same building is established the "_Museo Pedagogico_, or Pedagogic" Museum, one of the most important institutions of this kind in South America, under the direction of Mr. A. Gomez Ruano.

Art and Professional School.

This important establishment is actually under the care of the "National Charity and Public Beneficence Commission." It is established in a large building of its own, fit for 600 pupils. In 1891 there were 227 of them who received there, besides professional instruction, a very serious general instruction up to the third degree.

In that establishment they study for carpenter, cabinet-maker, ironsmith, shoemaker, bookbinder, typographer, lithographer, mechanican, turner, silversmith, tinsmith, sculptor, painter, etc. There are also classes of telegraphing, drawing, gymnastics, singing, and music. The professors are 46.

_Montevideo Atheneum._--A beautiful establishment is being built for this literary, scientific and artistic institution, the object of which is, delivering gratuitous lectures and publishing reviews, to foment in the Republic the general literary, scientific and artistic instruction.

_Professional League._--Very good results are attained by this institution. In its halls the best professors give every night gratuitous lessons on painting, drawing, architecture and mathematics.

Military School.

This establishment is under the care of the Ministry of War and Navy, and works according to the latest improvements of military science.

It counts with the best professors of French and German tactics, physics and natural philosophy, mathematics, geography and history, lineal drawing and photography, fencing and gymnastics. It possesses also all the necessary apparatus for physics, chemistry, physiology and mineralogy, and has a complete library with the newest and best scientific works.

Religious Schools.

In the Republic there are a great many schools and colleges under the care of religious communities, in which more than 4,200 children are taught.

Educational Patriotic League.

Under this name there exists in Montevideo an important establishment, the object of which is to improve and foment the primary, secondary, superior, artistical and professional instruction, not only in Montevideo but also throughout the whole country. It has also founded an important college.

National Library.

During the 185 days in which that important establishment remained opened, in the year 1891, the number of the readers have been 2,849. The number of the books asked for was 2,698 and 64 manuscripts.

The library possesses over 21,000 volumes and 2,500 manuscripts, a great many engravings, photographs and maps.

There are also the "Archives" where all records are kept, ancient writings and documents that have a relation with the National History.

In nearly every department there is a public library.

_International Book Exchange._--Uruguay is one of the nations that signed the Brussels treaty and in Montevideo there is a very useful office for International Book Exchange.

National Museum.

In the National Museum there are 24,226 objects, that is to say:

Orchæology 814
Numismatics 4,201
History 140
Paleontology 107
Zoology 13,741
Botany 1,812
Mineralogy 3,253
Fine Arts, Industries 158

Newspapers.

Great many newspapers and reviews are published in the Republic. They are agricultural, industrial, scientific, political, commercial, literary, religious, judicial, satirical or philosophical.

In 1891 there were 74 papers and reviews issued in Montevideo and 31 in the Departments: total, 105.

Out of them, 96 were written in Spanish, 4 in French, 1 in English, 3 in Italian and 1 in Portuguese.

26 were daily papers and the other monthly.

93 were morning papers and 12 evening papers.

Societies.

In the capital town of each department there are various societies, the object of which is charity and mutual help.

Among the societies that exist in Montevideo, we must mention the societies called: Amigos de la Educacion, Ateneo de la Mujer, Agricola Italiana, Ateneo Militar, Confederacion Cientifica Literaria, Associacion Rural del Uruguay, Cosmo Italiano, Centro Catalan, Centro Gallego, Ciencias y Artes, Circulo Catolico de Obreros, Idem Napolitano, Clubs Aleman, Espanol, Frances, Ingles, Uruguay, Catolico, Colon, Dramatico Italiano, Societies Garibaldina, Hannemaniana Uruguaya, Homeopatica, La Lira, La Patrie, Laurak Bat, Liga Lombarda, Liga Industrial, Liga Masaniello, Nova Stella di Italia, La Romea, Tiro y Gymnasio Nacional, Union de Obreros, and also the French, Italian and Spanish commercial boards.

The Uruguay Masonry is represented by a Great Orient on which depend many other lodges. There exist also many foreign lodges.

Worship and Churches.

Although the State Religion is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion, all the other religions are tolerated in the Republic owing to the liberality of the laws and to the independent spirit of the inhabitants. There exist Protestant Temples, not only in Montevideo but also in Salto, Swiss Colony, etc.

The budget of the Republic assigns $19,712 for all the expenses of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Republic has 43 churches and 36 chapels. The number of the priests is 161.

Actually they are building 7 more churches.

Public Revenue.

The public revenue is derived from the custom duties, direct taxes on property, licenses to trade houses, stamped paper, stamps, import and export duties, port dues, municipal duties in the capital and in the departments, duties on indirect inheritance, trade patents, cattle marks, etc.

Its amount has been during the three following periods:

1882, $ 9,095,409
1883, 10,928,639
1884-1885 (economical year), 12,373,688
-----------
Total, $32,397,736

1885-1886 (economical year), $11,719,692
1886-1887 " " 12,704,832
1887-1888 " " 13,668,096
-----------
Total, $38,092,620

1888-1889 (economical year), $15,690,293
1889-1890 " " 17,415,154
1890-1891 " " 14,925,363
-----------
Total, $48,030,810

The increase during the second period, if compared with the first one is: $5,694,884, and the increase of the third period compared with the second one is: $9,938,190.

Custom Duties.

They are the principal revenue of the Republic. From the year 1882 to the year 1891, the product of the custom duties, calculated by periods of five years each, has been:

1882, $5,501,360
1883, 6,968,321
1884, 7,749,438
1885, 7,731,264
1886, 6,803,761
-----------
Total, $34,754,144

1887, $ 8,671,243
1888, 8,845,776
1889, 10,786,602
1890, 9,848,735
1891, 8,648,509
-----------
Total $46,800,865

The increase of the second period, if compared with the first one, has been: $12,046,721.

Licenses, Stamped Paper, Stamps.

The licenses for trade houses, shops, etc., stamped paper and stamps have produced during the period 1887-1891:

Stamped
Licenses. Paper. Stamps.

1887, $ 783,179 $203,143 $336,688
1888, 888,543 253,610 379,063
1889, 1,180,118 283,009 452,167
1890, 1,219,943 301,058 485,850
1891, 1,001,405 220,882 414,160
---------- ---------- ----------
Totals, $5,073,188 $1,261,702 $2,067,928

Annual}
Middle} 1,014,637 252,340 413,585
Term. }

Public Debt.

On the 1st of January, 1891, the
public debt was $ 89,848,850
Augmentation of the public debt
during the year 86,182
------------
$ 89,935,032
Redemption in 1891 2,145,059
------------
Public debt on the 31st of
December, 1891 $ 87,789,973

All the external public debt has been unified, including in it what was owed for the guarantee to railways, and also what remained due of the external debt service. The interest to be paid has been lessened and definitely established at the rate of 3-1/2 per cent., and the redemption by the outbidding system has been restored.

The internal consolidated debt has also been unified with an interest of 4 per cent., and redeemable at the rate of 1 per per cent., accumulatively and by outbiddings.

The external consolidated debt (3-1/2 per cent.) is $90,710,000.

The internal unified debt (4 per cent.) is $7,500,000.

The international debts, according to treaties with Italy, France and Spain, are $1,987,125.

All these debts that will be issued when these lines are published will form, more or less, a total of $104,000,000, mortgage bank warranty debt included.

Budget of Expenditure.[1]

[1] Whilst the present monography is being printed the Deputy
Chamber is studying a new project for the budget, the base of
which is the project proposed for the financial year 1891-92,
with a diminution of 10 per cent., which would allow the complete
payment of the expenditure.

The financial year begins on the 1st of July and concludes on the 30th of June of the next year.

From the financial year of 1889-90 it has been the anterior budget which has gone on ruling, with a general deduction of 10 per cent., and with some augments and changes in other parts of the budget.

A new budget for the financial year 1892-93 is going to be voted, which will consist of the following amounts:

_I.--Administration:_
After a discount of 20 per cent. on
the wages $ 5,840,306.41
_II.--House of Legislation_ 582,558.00
_III.--Passive Classes:_
That is to say, annual allowances paid
to pensioners, civil and military,
soldiers disabled by wounds or age,
widows and sons of the 33 Orientals
who assegurated the national independence
in 1825, citizens who took
part in the Independence wars,
etc. After a discount between 4
and 15 per cent 1,324,503.32
_IV.--Public Debt and Guarantee to Railways_ 5,724,620.24
Various credits 144,394.52

So as to attend to this budget the Republic counts with the following incomes:

Customs duties $ 8,577,622.84
Duties on property 1,750,549.54
Licenses 925,535.87
Stamped paper 337,141.31
Stamps 219,548.57
Taxes on manufactures 256,751.59
Postage 203,585.73
Public education 219,251,13
Ports 56,414.46
Duties on Inheritances 127,363.80
Duties on the signature of public acts,
being excepted the value of the
stamped paper 15,162.02
Police Duties 36,473.40
Revenue of the municipalities in the
departments 100,320.92
Duties on amphibious fisheries 7,000.00
Cattle-marks 3,000.00
Duties of 1 per cent. on payments 78,049.51
Civil and military house for pawning 56,534.74
Eventual incomes, and revenue of the
renting of lands belonging to the
State 15,570.41
--------------
Total $12,985,875.84

NEW DUTIES.

Augmentation of the duty on slaughterhouses 80,000.00
Augmentation of the duty on inheritances 140,000.00
Augmentation of the import duties 127,500.00
Augmentation of the municipal duties 100,000.00
A discount of 20 per cent. on the wages
of the clerks of the Montevideo
municipality 65,350.00
----------
512,850.00

RECAPITULATION.

Resources $12,985,875.84
New resources 512,850.00
-------------
$13,498,725.84

Weights and Measures.

The law of the year 1862 established the metrical system throughout the Republic.

Metres.
1 lineal league, = 5,154
1 lineal cuadra, = 85-900 c.
1 lineal vara, = 859 c.
1 lineal foot, = 286 c.

Litres.
1 pipa, or 192 frascos, = 455-424
1 frasco, = 2-370
1 English gallon, = 3-805

Kilogs.
1 fanega, maize, ears, = 274-544
1 " " grains, = 137-272
1 ton, = 918-800
1 quintal (100 lbs.), = 45-940
1 arrobe (25 lbs.), = 11-485
1 livre (pound, libra), = 0-459
1 Pesada (dry hides, 40 lbs.), = 18-376
1 " (salted hides, 75 lbs.), = 34-455

Official Value of Gold Coins.

Argentine Republic, 1 argentino ($5 gold), $ 4 66

Austria, 8 florins, 3 73

Belgium, (the same value as French coins).

{ 20,000 reis, 10 56
Brazil, { 10,000 reis, 5 28
{ 5,000 reis, 2 64

{ 1 condor ($10), 8 82
Chile, { 1/2 " ($5), 4 41

Columbia, $20, 18 66

{ £1 (20 sh.), 4 70
England, { £1/2 (10 sh.), 2 35

{ 100 frcs., 18 66
{ 50 frcs., 9 33
France, { 20 frcs., and also the
{ Italian, Belgian and
{ Swiss 20 frcs. or lire
{ coins, 3 73

Germany, { 20 marks, 4 60
{ 10 " 2 30

Peru, 20 soles (suns), 18 66

Portugal, 1 crown (10,000 reis), 10 45

{ 1 doblon (100 reals
Spain, { and 10 escudos), 4 82
{ 25 pesetas, 4 66

Switzerland, Like French coins.

{ 1 double eagle, $20, 19 32
United States, { 1 eagle, $10, 9 66
{ 1/2 eagle, $5, 4 83

Venezuela, 20 pesos, 18 66

The standard currency in Uruguay is gold.

The nominal unit, $1, 1 peso ($1), has a weight of 1 gramme, 697 mgrm. of gold and 917 mills standard.

The official value of the national silver coin, 1 peso, has a weight of 25 grammes and 900 milles standard.

The other minor silver coins are: $0.50, $0.20, $0.10.

In all accounts, the limited quantity that can be paid in silver, is determined by the law, according to the total amount.

Police.

The police under the care of the Political and Police Chief (jefe politico y de policia) of each department and depending on the Executive power employs a great many persons, the wages of which are relatively very small. However, the police service goes on with a perfect regularity in the capital and in the departments. The whole police administration costs half a million to the state.

Army.

The organization of the Uruguayan army is perfect, as well in regard to the discipline as in regard to the military tactics. They are dressed as well as the best European soldier. They use the Remington gun; but they are going to be provided with the reformed Mauser gun. The artillery regiments have 67 Krup, Armstrong and Nordenfeld cannons.

The army is composed of 23 chiefs, 202 officers and 3,425 soldiers, forming 10 battalions, that is to say: 4 Hunters battalions, 1 artillery battalion, 4 cavalry battalions and 1 light artillery battalion, besides which must be counted the general Artigas fort garrison and the "Prague Nacional" or Arsenal detachment.

One Hunters Battalion and the four Cavalry ones serve as garrisons in the departments. The other battalions remain in the capital.

Navy.

The national fleet is employed for coast and fort guarding. It is composed of three large gun-boats and 6 small steamers. They all use Remington guns; as for the cannons, they belong to various systems.

Montevideo, the Capital of the Republic.

The great maritime town of Montevideo, the capital of the Republic and the so-called department, was founded in the year 1726 by the Spanish marshal Don Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, with some Spanish families, who came from Buenos Ayres and Canary Islands.

The town is built over a rocky peninsula, in the middle of the salt waters of the River Plate, with a height of over 100 feet above the sea.

It is actually divided into three large sections called the Antigua (old) town, the Nueva (new) town and the Novisima (newest) town. All around the town will run the great boulevard General Artigas. The whole town consists in 1,600 _manzanas_ or square cuadras, more than 600 of which are already edificed; it must be added that every day new buildings are begun everywhere about the town. In all directions new streets are opened and new houses are built and new suburbs created, making Montevideo larger and larger every day.

The streets are all straight and nearly all of them well paved with granite stone. In the old town they are 10 and 11 metres wide and in the new town 17 metres, with broad pavements and trees planted on both sides.

The principal roads that lead to the town are broad, part of them covered with a bed of macadam and the others with a bed of stones.

There are six public squares, called, Zabala, Constitucion, Independencia, Libertad, Treinta y Tres, General Flores, and the smaller ones called Solis and Muelle Viejo.

In all these squares there are trees and banks; they are lit with electric light and the paths that surround them are made of the finest granite.

Most of them are one manzana large, that is to say 7,378 square metres. The square called Independencia is a parallelogram 221 metres long by 232 metres broad with an area of 29,260 metres. In it is situated the government palace. The boulevard called 18 de Julio is the continuation of the Independencia Square, from W. to E., being 26 metres broad.

The common sewer has an extension of 93,000 metres and more than 7,500 are directly its conduits.

The drinkable water comes from Santa Lucia (61 kilometres from Montevideo); the various conduits have an extension of over 180 kilometres.

All the streets and even the suburbs have the electric light; some others have still the gas light.

Three gasometres, two of them 100,000 cubic feet and one 70,000, are employed for the preparation of the gas. The gas pipes represent an extension of 128 kilometres. The power of each light is equivalent to that of 18 candles.

There are two important establishments for the preparation of the electric light, which is now used by a great many trade houses and shops.

The town is composed of over 19,000 houses--20 per cent. of them being houses with two stories; a good many of them have three and four stories. The architecture of the houses is most elegant, especially of those which were built during the last fifteen years.

Among the public buildings remarkable for their importance are: the Cathedral, the Charity Hospital, the Insane Asylum, the Central Cemetery, Solis Theater, Normal School, Government Palace, Parliament House, Custom House, Professional School, National Bank, San Felipe and Cibils Theatres, London Bank, South America British Bank, Uruguay Club, Gas Works, Prison, San Francisco, Capuchin Friars, Concepcion and Carmen Churches, Orphan Asylum, Seminary, English Church, Music Academy, Oriental Hotel, Gounouilhou Baths, etc.

The suburbs and environs are most picturesque, with a great quantity of the most elegant country houses, built all along the avenues called Agraciada, Paso del Molino, Duranas, Miguelete, Sierra, Goes, Suarez, Larranaga and many others.

Being the capital of the Republic, Montevideo is the residence of the three high powers of the state, of the aggregate of foreign ministers and consuls and also of the bishop. It is the centre of all the most important business of the Republic and reputed one of the best markets in the River Plate.

In Montevideo reside all the principal Societies and Associations in the Republic.

The aspect of the town is agreeable and quite that of a European city, and its population is quite a cosmopolitan one.

The census of the year 1891, Dec. 31, gave a result of 234,688 souls for the department of Montevideo, 190,000 more or less belonging exclusively to Montevideo, and 53 per cent. of them being natives and 47 per cent. foreigners.

All the most important trade-houses are in Montevideo, the largest and finest hotels; there are three theatres, fifteen churches and nine chapels, three cemeteries and three markets, etc.

During the bathing season a great many foreigners come to Montevideo, owing to its fine shore and beautiful bathing establishments, like the one called Los Pocitos, where exists a beautiful and elegant building for the foreigners, and those called Romirez and Capurro.

* * * * *

The following table gives an idea of the immense yearly consumption of meat in Montevideo:

======+=============+============+=============+
| OXEN, COWS. | SHEEP. | TOTAL. |
YEARS.| ---- | ---- | ---- |
| Kilogs. | Kilogs. | Kilogs. |
------+-------------+------------+------------ +
1874 | 15,918,875 | 1,373,721 | 17,292,596 |
1875 | 15,379,042 | 1,166,721 | 16,545,763 |
1876 | 14,801,696 | 1,088,199 | 15,889,895 |
1877 | 14,578,711 | 1,009,309 | 15,588,020 |
1878 | 15,208,543 | 1,378,114 | 16,586,657 |
1879 | 13,468,455 | 1,394,751 | 14,863,206 |
1880 | 14,019,236 | 1,420,641 | 15,439,377 |
1881 | 14,228,375 | 1,472,598 | 15,700,973 |
1882 | 15,297,093 | 1,408,497 | 16,705,590 |
1883 | 16,100,322 | 1,448,126 | 17,548,448 |
1884 | 16,380,623 | 1,450,679 | 17,831,302 |
1885 | 19,293,435 | 1,426,345 | 20,719,780 |
1886 | 17,911,894 | 1,738,305 | 19,650,199 |
1887 | 18,027,814 | 1,272,314 | 19,300,128 |
1888 | 20,499,325 | 1,555,743 | 22,055,068 |
1889 | 24,681,622 | 1,733,487 | 26,415,109 |
1890 | 24,724,287 | 1,021,568 | 25,745,855 |
1891 | 25,087,020 | 847,435 | 25,934,455 |
======+=============+============+=============+

Public Beneficence.

There are in the Republic many beneficent establishments, hospitals, charity and mutual assistance societies, that do important services to all who need them without any distinction of nationality.

In the capital there are, under the care of the State and of the National Charity and Beneficence Commission, the Charity Hospital, the Alms House, the Insane Asylum, the Orphan Hospital, the Maternal Asylum and also a small-pox Lazaretto.

There exist also, under the care of private beneficence, the English Hospital, the Italian Hospital, and soon there will be a Spanish Hospital.

For a long time there have been many Ladies' Beneficence Societies, and many Mutual Assistance Societies: La Junta Central Espanola de Beneficencia, La Fraternidad, Societa Italiana, Circolo Napolitano, Societe Francaise de Seccours Mutuels.

The number of the members of all the societies is more or less 25,000.

_Charity Hospital._--In the beginning of the year 1891, there were 489 ill people in the hospital; from January to December of the same year, there entered 5,361; therefore, during the year 1891, 5,850 persons were attended at the hospital. Out of them 5,022 were cured, 4 ran away and 451 died, remaining 373 persons for the year 1892.

Out of the 5,361 persons who went to the hospital, 1,529 only were natives and 3,832 foreigners.

_Insane Asylum._--In 1891 the number of people attended to was 987. During the year, 58 went out and there remained for 1892, 768 persons.

The 258 people who came to the hospital in 1891, were 107 natives and 151 foreigners.

_Alms House._--Out of 473 beggars living in the asylum, the greatest number, in the year 1891, were foreigners.

_Orphan and Foundling Asylum._--In the beginning of 1891 there were 397 children. During the year there entered 574; thence there were 971 children in the hospital during the year 1891. Out of them 56 foundlings were claimed for by their parents and 22 orphans by their relations; 63 orphans were adopted by various families.

_Maternal Asylum._--The three Maternal Asylums received during the year 1891, 1,937 children of both sexes, who were attended to by the Charity Sisters.

* * * * *

In all the departments there exist Beneficence and Mutual Assistance Societies that do great services to the poor people.

Powers of the State.

EXECUTIVE POWER.

_President of the Republic_--Doctor Don Julio Herrera y Obes.

_Government Minister_--Don Francisco Bauza.

_Minister of Commerce, Industry, Railways and Public Education_--Engineer Don Juan Alberto Capurro.

_Minister of Finance_--(Interium) Don Eugenio Madalena.

_Minister of War and Navy_--General Don Luis E. Perez.

_Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship_--Doctor Don Manuel Herrero y Espinosa.

LEGISLATIVE POWER.

_President of the Senator Chamber and General Assembly_--Don Tomas Gomensoro.

_President of the Deputy Chamber_--Doctor Don Miguel Herrera y Obes.

JUDICIAL POWER--TRIBUNALS OF APPEAL.

_President of the Tribunals_--(1st) Doctor Don J. M. Vilaza. (2d) Doctor Don Trofilo Diaz.

Ministers of the Republic Abroad.

In France --_Minister_, Mr. Alejandro Herosa.
In Italy --_Minister_, Dr. Don Jose Vazquez Sagastune.
_Secretary_, Eurique Rovira.
In Germany --_Minister_, Dr. Don Federico Susviela Guarch.
_Secretary_, Dr. Luis Garabelli.
In Great Britain --_Minister_, Dr. Don Alberto Nin.
_Secretary_, Alfonso S. Zumaran.
In Spain and Portugal --_Minister_, Dr. Don Juan Zorrilla de San Martin.
_Secretary_, Eduardo Herrera y Obes.
In Chile --_Minister_, Mr. Jose C. Arrieta.
In Argentine Republic --_Minister_, Dr. Don Ernesto Frias.
_Secretary_, Dr. Don Pablo Perez Gomar.
In Brazil --_Minister_, Mr. Blas Vidal.
_Secretary_, Julian Alvarez Conde.
In Paraguay --_Minister_, Mr. Ricardo Garcia.
_Secretary_, Dionisio Ramos Montero.

Consuls of the Republic.

_Consul_ _Vice_
_Countries._ _General._ _Consuls._ _Consuls._
Argentine Republic, 1 9 14
Brazil, 1 14 21
Paraguay, 1 1 6
Chile, 1 2 ..
United States of America, 1 6 14
Switzerland, 1 3 1
Great Britain, 1 16 32
Germany, 1 7 ..
Belgium, 1 4 4
Italy, 1 17 17
Portugal, 1 4 15
France, 1 13 7
Spain, 1 26 24
Holland, 1 2 ..
Sweden, Norway, 1 2 ..
Bolivy, 1 1 ..
Austria, 1 .. ..
Venezuela, .. 1 ..
Peru, 1 1 ..
Russia, .. .. ..
Greece, .. 1 ..
Haite, .. 1 ..
Denmark, .. 1 ..
Turkey, .. 1 ..

Foreign Ministers in the Republic.

Italian --_Minister_, Commander Jose Anfora, Duke of Lucignano.
1st _Secretary_, E. Ferrara Dentrice.
2d _Secretary_, Emanuel Berti.
Portuguese --_Minister_, Viscount de Favia.
German --_Minister_, Dr. R. Kranel.
_Secretary_, G. von Pilgrim Ballazzi.
Brazilian --_Minister_, Don Pedro C. Alfonso Carvalto.
Argentine --_Minister_, Don Enrique B. Moreno.
_Secretary_, Solano Torres Cabura.
British --_Minister_, Hon. Ernest M. Latou.
Austrian --_Minister_, Baron of Salzberg.
Spain --_Minister_, Don Jose de la Rica y Calvo.
_Secretary_, A. Alava y Amoros.
Belgian --_Minister_, Mr. Ernest Van Bruyssel.
French --_Minister_, Mr. A. Bourcier Saint Chaffray.
_Secretary_, J. A. Larret.
Saint Marinan --_Minister_, Don Francisco Brin.
_Secretary_, Arthero Brin.
Equatorian --_Minister_, Don. Francisco A. Gomez.
Swiss --_Minister_, Coronel E. Rode.
_Secretary_, J. Choffar.
_Chancellor_, F. Chury.
Paraguayan --_Minister_, Don Jose Segundo Decond.

Foreign Consuls in the Republic.

_Consul_ _Vice_ _Consular_
_Countries._ _General._ _Consuls._ _Consuls._ _Agents._

Argentine Republic, 1 12 5 ..
Brazil, 2 .. 6 3
Chile, 1 .. 1 ..
Bolivy, .. 1 .. ..
Peru, .. 1 .. ..
Equator, 1 .. .. ..
Nicaragua, .. 1 .. ..
Salvador, .. 1 .. ..
United States of America, .. 2 1 1
France, 1 .. .. 8
Italy, 1 .. 1 8
Portugal, .. 1 2 ..
Great Britain, 1 .. 6 ..
Spain, 1 .. 20 ..
Belgium, 1 1 1 ..
Sweden, .. 1 1 ..
Denmark, .. 1 1 ..
Hawai, .. 1 1 ..
Switzerland, .. 1 2 ..
Holland, 1 1 .. ..
Paraguay, 1 .. .. ..
Germany, .. 1 .. ..
Columbia, .. 1 .. ..
Russia, .. 1 .. ..
Austria, .. 1 .. ..
Saint Marinan, .. 1 .. ..
Mexico, .. 1 .. ..
Venezuela, .. 1 .. ..

Custom-House.

The Montevideo custom-house produces the principal revenue the public treasury counts with. The other custom-houses all over the littoral and in the Brazilian frontiers are comparatively a great deal less important.

Imports have to pay general duties _ad valorem_, which vary between 8 and 51 per cent., and also specific duties, such as for wine, brandy, tobacco, rice, sugar, petroleum, olive oil, beer, matches, etc.

There is a law regulating these specific duties.

According to the law of the year 1888 all national products were free from duty; but in the year 1890 a new law restored the specific duty.

Corn, wheat, flour and lucerne pay also the specific duty.

Since the year 1888 many modifications have been introduced in the custom duties laws, in order to increase the revenue and also to protect national industry.

Besides the duties _ad valorem_ there is also an additional duty of 5 per cent.

Laws.

IMPORTS.

Article 1. All goods imported from foreign countries for consumption will pay a duty of 31 per cent. of its value, excepting the following goods, which will pay:

1, 51 per cent.--arms, powder, ammunitions, snuff, tobacco, perfumery, cheese, butter, ham, preserved meats and all eatables preserved in tin boxes or in bottles, rockets and mine, quarry and gun powder.

2, 48 per cent.--brushes in general, painting brushes, shoes of all sorts, ready-made linen, hats, furniture, coaches, harnesses, medicaments, formularies and business papers either lithographed or printed.

3, 44 per cent.--cakes and pastry of all sorts, chocolate, candles in general, vermicelli, jams, soles and tanned skins.

4, 20 per cent.--lumber in general, iron, either plate, crow, joist or ingot, steel plate, copper and brass ingots, tin plate, lead bar or plate, zinc plate or ingot, fresh fruits, roof tiles, slates, Roman cement, vegetal coal, quicksilver, tin, talc, plaster, tar, pitch, sack-cloth, forage in general and empty match-boxes.

5, 12 per cent.--potatoes of all sorts, even those imported for sowing.

6, 8 per cent.--printed and bound books, typography or lithography machines or presses, printing types, white paper for newspapers, lithography paper, 87 centim. long by 54 broad, printing ink, flower and vegetable seeds, sulphuric, nitric and chlorhydric acids, gums, phosphorus, gold jewels and gold and silver watches.

7, 6 per cent.--printed books without binding, maps and geographical globes and all things necessary for natural, physical and mathematical studies, mineral coal in general, sea or rock salt and precious stones.

Art. 2. All things necessary to divine worship, the introduction of which may be asked by the ecclesiastical authority, shall be free from all duty.

2. All things introduced for the personal use of the foreign ministers and consuls residing in the Republic, provided there be reciprocation for our ministers and consuls.

3. All the machinery for steamers that are going to be built in the country, stamped gold and silver, gold and silver paste or powder, sheep-curing specific, live plants except vines, live-stock and blooded animals, luggage, linen, clothes and instruments and tools for personal use, all special materials to be employed in building ships in the country, ploughs, machinery for ships and industries, common and double sodium, hop, saffron, agricultural machines, hemp, indian cane, rabbit hair, otter and hare skin for hat-making, sewing machines, glass or clay bottles, potash and chlorate of potash for industry, capsules for bottles, dynamite, wires for fencing, lucerne seeds, and sulphur flower.

Art 3. The introducing of all coloring substances employed in the falsification of wine is forbidden, as well as all substances the Public Health Board will consider as hurtful, etc., etc.

Law on Specific Duties.

Article 1. The goods hereafter mentioned, imported from foreign nations since the 1st of January, 1889, shall pay the following specific duties:

Kilogs.
Red Indian dwarf pepper $ 09
" " in powder 14
Almonds 06
" without the shell 11
Canary seed 05
Filberts 04
Prussian blue, for laundresses 01
Car riggings and cordages, indian cane 06
Cocoa 12
" in powder 16
Coffee, grain 08
" powder 24
Chicory 06
Chocolate 30
Indian rockets 40
Preserved vegetables 16
Preserved eatables of all sorts 25
Kerseymere 28
Baize 31
Dry fruits, dainties 40
Fruit syrups 25
Pickled fruits 10
"Farina" 01
Vermicelli, in general 08
Flannel and wool cloth 75
Wool and cotton flannel 62
Cotton flannel 28
Brandy fruits 10
Cotton sail-cloth 25
Iron, bars, plates, joists and rails 01
Galvanized iron, _idem_ 15
Cakes, pastry 16
Lard 14
Soap, in general 08
Hams 24
Cotton white cloth 15-1/2
Butter 35
Nuts 03
Preserved peaches 05
Oysters, lobsters 16
Brown waste paper 05
Raisins. 05
Pickled fish 07
" in bottles or tin boxes. 10
Pickled dry fish, in casks 05
" in bottles or tin boxes 08
Red cayenne pepper 08
Pepper 10
" in powder 16
Cheeses 25
Sausage 40
Tea 25
Candles 14
Vinegar 03
Yerba mate, from Paraguay 5-1/2
Glazed cotton 28
Dry vegetables, beans, French beans,
lentils, etc. 05

Art. 2. The specific duties on common wines, in casks, will be 6 per cent. the litre. Etc., etc.

New Laws on Specific Duties.

ARTICLE 1.

Per kilog.
Havana cigars. $6.00
Cigars of all sorts 3.00
Cigarettes 6.00
Tobacco, black or chewing tobacco 50
Tobacco, in general 1.00
Bitters, brandy, whiskey, etc., that are
not over 20 degrees, per litre 37
The same, in bottles, from 51 centilitres
to 1 litre, per bottle 37
Spirits, in casks, per litre 37
The same, in bottles, from 51 centilitres
to 1 litre, per bottle 37
The same, in larger or smaller bottles, in
proportion with the capacity
Vermouth, fernet, in casks, per litre 37
The same, in bottles, etc., per bottle 37
The same, in larger or smaller bottles,
etc., etc.
Beer, in casks, per litre 16
The same, in bottles, etc., per bottle 16
The same, in larger or smaller bottles, etc.

Per kilog.
Matches $1.30
Preserved vegetables, fish and meat 30
Refined sugar 6
Sugar, without refining 5
Cheese, in general 38

ARTICLE 2.

Per litre.

Artificial wines, besides the duty already
existing on common wines in casks 3

According to another law, January 19, 1891, the following goods pay specific duties:

Per 100 kilogs.
Wheat $ .80
Corn 1.35
Corn flour 2.70
Lucerne, forage 1.00

According to the same law (Article 3) the sulphate of copper, destined to agriculture, is free from all duty.

* * * * *

The law of August 27, 1891, says:

Article 1. The specific duty charged on all foreign brandy, when
its alcoholic strength is not over 20 degrees, shall be $13.60
per litre. If the alcoholic strength be over 20 degrees, each
additional degree shall pay 68.1000.

The duty on the brandy manufactured in the country is raised to
$13.20 per litre, whatever may be its strength.

Article 2. The duty on vermouth, brandy, bitters, artificial
wines (3 and 12 cents per litre) is abolished.

Bitters, whiskey, vermouth (not being over 20 degree), shall be
31 cents per litre.

The same, in bottles from 51 centilitres to 1 litre, also 31
cents per litre.

The same, in larger or smaller bottles, in proportion.

Spirits, in casks, per litre 31
The same, in bottles, per bottle 31
The same, in larger or smaller bottles, in proportion.
Vermouth, fernet, in casks, per litre 31
The same, in bottles, etc., per bottle 31
The same, in larger or smaller bottles, in proportion.

* * * * *

Article 3. The Executive Power may oblige the brandy manufacturers to employ the Tiermen-Halske counters, or others.

Article 4. Are free from duty the liquors the grocers make themselves with peaches or cherries.

Exports.

The law of January 30, 1888, says:

Article 1. All natural products, fruits and goods manufactured in the country are free of all export duty.

Article 2. Are excepted undressed stone, sand and live-stock.

* * * * *

Another law of October 4, 1890, has created the following export duties:

ARTICLE 2.

Per 100 kilogs.
Wool, in general $1.80
Woolly skins 80
Hair 1.79
Fat, tallow, oils 50
Corned meat 40
Preserved meat and tongues 1.00
Clutches 25
Ashes and bones, per 1,000 kilogs 60
Artificial manure, per 1,000 kilogs. 60
Salted hides (oxen and cows), each 25
Dry " " " " 12
Salted hides (horses), each 12
Dry " " " 6
" " (calves), per 100 kilogs. 1.00
Hides (seals), each 16
Horns, per 1,000 2.50
Extract of meat, per kilog. 10

Law on Immigration.

Among other articles the law on immigration of June 12th, 1890, says:

Article 2. The consular agents must give all the information, notices and references, the immigrants, agents of navigation companies, or other persons whoever, may ask them about legislation, statistics and general situation of the Republic.

Art. 3. The agents shall not receive, on pain of being destituted, any particular retribution for the services the present law imposes on them, or those that any future law may impose on them.

Art. 7. Is considered as an immigrant every honest workman who comes to the Republic on board any steamer or vessel, with a second or third class passage, with the intention of fixing here his residence.

Art. 8. Every immigrant on his landing will enjoy the following favors:

1. Introduction, free from all duty, of his luggage, linen, furniture, tools or agricultural machines.

2. Disembarking of all his luggage without anything to pay.

3. All the necessary information is gratuitously taken for him, so as to provide him with the kind of work he has chosen.

The immigrants with their passage paid by the Government have a right:

1. To be lodged and fed during the first eight days.

2. To be taken over gratuitously with his luggage to the place in the national territory he has chosen for his residence.

These last benefits may also be granted by the executive power to the spontaneous immigration.

Art. 10. The immigrant will prove his good conduct and aptness to work by a certificate gratuitously given to him by the consular agent of the port from which he sailed, and duly legalized by the consular authority of his own country.

Art. 24. All ships coming here with immigrants will enjoy all the possible exemptions of taxes.

Art. 25. As a compensation to the anterior article, the immigrants bound for the Oriental Republic will enjoy on board the ships the very same treatment, as regards the food, lodging and comfort, as the immigrants going to other ports in the River Plate.

Art 33. A special inspector shall look carefully over the gratuitous disembarking of the immigrants and their luggage.

Art. 34. He will accompany them until they be put into possession of their luggage, taking good care lest any one should ask them any retribution in the "Immigrants' Hotel."

Art. 36. In case of serious illness, contracted during the journey, their lodging, maintenance and medical assistance shall be at the expenses of the State, even if the eight days granted by the law have passed.

Articles 37, 38 and 40, inclusive, stipulate that the Immigration and Agricultural Board shall attend to all the necessities of the national industry by placing all the immigrants who will submit themselves to this law: That it will note down in a special register the names of all workmen, ploughmen, etc., in search of work; that it will by all means try to place them advantageously; that it will mediate, if it be required, in all contracts, and take good care lest the patrons should not observe them faithfully.

In no case at all shall the Immigration and Agricultural Board receive any commission or retribution whatever.

In case it be necessary to send the immigrant over to some other department the travel would be at the expense of the State.

Historical Sketch.

(A COMPILATION.)

Four years after the River Plate was discovered by Juan Diaz de Solis, Hernando de Magallanes, following the same route as the former, went up the River Plate and discovered part of the rivers Uruguay, Guazu and Parana. But as he could not find the channel, which, he thought, ought to lead him to the East Indies, he soon came back and sailed southward, discovering afterwards the strait.

In the year 1527, Sebastian Gaboto who had travelled over the Rivers Uruguay, Parana and Paraguay, built the first fort on the coast of the River San Salvador at a short distance from the Uruguay, so as to defend himself against the Indians who peopled the territory that now belongs to the Republic.

Then began the first essays of colonization made by the Spaniards, notwithstanding all kinds of difficulties and fights against the Indians who, with great constance and heroism, went on defending the land that was theirs.

In the year 1550, Irala sends from the Asuncion a few people over to the Oriental territory; and the first settlement is there founded, on the banks of the river San Juan, with the name of San Juan Bautista. Two years after the settlers gave up the place and went away, on account of the increasing attacks of the Indians which they could not resist.

In the year 1574, Zarate had a new fort built in the very same place where Gaboto in 1527 had already built one and gave it the name of San Salvador. Two years later, the settlers had to go away for want of resources and on account of the continuous wars with the natives.

In the year 1624, Fray Bernardo de Guzman began founding a new settlement, the most ancient one in the Republic, called Santo Domingo de Soriano, two leagues distant from the mouth of the Black River, Rio Negro.

In 1680 was founded Colonia del Sacramento, by Don Manuel de Lobo, the governor of Janeiro.

In 1724 the field-marshal, Don Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, founded the town of Montevideo.

From that time many more towns and important settlements went on being founded. In 1762, Villa de San Carlos, in 1763, the town of Maldonado, in 1778, Villa de San Juan Bautista, now Santa Lucia, 1782, the settlement of Paysandu, in 1783, Minas and in 1793, Rocha.

Early in the nineteenth century, the question of dominion was finally settled in favor of the Spaniards; and in the mean time, in spite of wars, the Banda Oriental was being peopled and civilization continued to advance. In the central districts, as well as on the coasts of the Atlantic and of the large rivers, the Spaniards had founded many small towns and ports, the most important of which was Montevideo.

In the early days of the Spanish settlements in these regions, the whole of the River Plate district was included in the Viceroyalty of Peru. Subsequently a separate viceroyalty was created in Buenos Ayres and the Banda Oriental, which had been subject to the Colonial Government of Paraguay, was transferred to that of Buenos Ayres. At the beginning of the century, Montevideo was ruled by a military and political governor appointed by the Crown of Spain. Since the year 1730, Montevideo had a _Cabildo_ or Municipality.

Soriano, Maldonado, Colonia and other places were subject to military commands and also had their own cabildos. The population of Montevideo was then about 15,000 inhabitants; the same number of people existed in the interior of the province.

At the beginning of the century Montevideo already possessed a gratuitous school, paid by private persons, and also primary schools, under the care of friars of the Order of St. Francis; it had a comedy hall, had finished giving names to all its streets, and established the light service in the principal ones; and its cabildo or municipality, listening to the proposals made by the Governor Bustamante y Guerra, was already thinking of providing the town with a good hygiene service, with pavement, with causeways, with a regular drinkable water service, with a public washing place, with a complete service for the cleaning and conservation of the port, with the building of bridges over the Miguelete, Paso del Molino and Arroyo Seco, designing for the public municipal service the amount of $47,600, which would be taken from the product of the cattle outbidding sales for the slaughterhouses during the years 5th and 6th.

Undoubtedly the administration of the Governors Bustamante y Guerra and Ruiz Huidobio was an era of prosperity for Montevideo (1797 to 1807). Uruguay had lived under despotism until those governors came and raised it to the very rank it deserved by its topographical position and natural riches.

Such was the situation of Montevideo when took place the English invasions in the River Plate.

On the 27th of June, 1806, Buenos Ayres fell to the power of the expedition commanded by Berresford and Popham.

Montevideo, with all its war elements and all the popular elements enrolled in the very moment, succeeded in reconquering Buenos Ayres. The first English invasion was repelled. A new attack of the English gave as a result the taking of Montevideo after a furious fight on the 3d of February, 1807.

Seven months later the English had to withdraw from Montevideo after the defeat suffered in Buenos Ayres by General Whitelock, who, on capitulating, had to surrender Montevideo and all other places occupied by his troops.

On the 25th of May, 1810, the people in Buenos Ayres gave the first decisive step for the conquering of the independence of this continent.

The Governor and Municipality of Montevideo did not join then the movement.

The Junta or Revolutionary Committee, established in Buenos Ayres, sends regular troops to the Banda Oriental. General Don Jose G. Artigas commands the Oriental troops.

After various encounters and fights that were all favorable to the Revolution, the Spanish power was forever destroyed in the River Plate, on the 23d of June, 1814.

General Artigas does all he can that the Banda Oriental be one of the confederate provinces among the united ones of the River Plate. There occur some difficulties and the general government is obliged to surrender Montevideo, and the troops retire on the 23d of February, 1815.

The Portuguese, who greedily sought after possessing this territory, invades it then with a powerful army. Fortune is first favorable to them; and, on the 20th of January, 1817, General Lecor takes possession of Montevideo and other places, giving to the Banda Oriental the name of Cisplatine State (Estado Cisplatino).

The Brazilians part from the crown of Portugal, and after they have declared themselves independent the new Cisplatine state becomes a dependence of the Brazilian empire, the troops of which enter into Montevideo on the 28th of February, 1824, and take possession of the whole land.

Some emigrated Orientals, residing in Buenos Ayres, do all that they possibly can so as to conquer again their independence and native country.

They join the few elements they can dispose of and on the 19th of April, 1825, thirty-three fearless patriots, under the command of the Oriental General D. Juan Antonio Lavalleja, tread the shore of the Agraciada, near Nueva Palmira, and with the device, "_Libertad o Muerte_" (Liberty or Death), written on the national flag, begin the heroic campaign--the liberating expedition to which the whole country joins.

The first encounters were favorable to the Oriental arms. General Lavalleja convokes the people for the electing of Deputies, and in the Villa de la Florida establishes itself the Deputy Chamber, which, on the 25th of August, 1825, sanctions--giving the strength of a law--the Declaration of the Independence of the River Plate Oriental Province.

The Brazilians complain to the Argentine government on account of the decided protection it had given to the Oriental Revolution, and a war ensues between both nations that obliges the Argentines to send an auxiliary army to this territory.

The struggle went on, being a series of victories for the united republican arms: the Imperial power was defeated, the last encounter, that put that memorable campaign to an end, taking place in Bacacay. Negotiations of peace were undertaken, and on the 27th of August, 1828, the preliminary treaty was signed, by which the Oriental Province of Uruguay was declared sovereign and independent.

A provisional government was appointed and, after the country had recovered peace and quiet, a constituent and legislative Assembly was elected which compiled and published the Constitution that nowadays is still ruling, and that was solemnly sworn amid the greatest popular joy on the 18th of July, 1830.

It was at this period that a man rose into note in the Argentine Confederation who was destined to exercise an overshadowing and pernicious influence on both sides of the River Plate. In 1829 Don Juan Manuel Rosas became Governor of Buenos Ayres. Possessed of great capacity he maintained tranquility in his native province and extended his sway over the neighboring states of the Confederation; but his system of government was despotic, and his rule was for some years one of sanguinary terror. His intervention in the intestine quarrels of the Republic of Uruguay, and his attempt to close the River Parana to foreign vessels, led him into hostilities with England and France, whose joint naval squadrons protected Montevideo from his attacks by sea, whilst his troops and their Oriental allies, under General Oribe, besieged the city. The siege of Montevideo by the _Blancos_ or _Whites_, as the Oriental partizans of Oribe were called, continued for nine years, and for that period, from 1843 to 1851, the history of the Republic of Uruguay is the history of the defence of Montevideo.

The defence concluded with a treaty of peace on the 8th of October, 1851, in which it was declared that there were neither conquered or conquerors.