Uruguay

The author has to tender his cordial thanks for the extreme courtesy and for the invaluable assistance rendered during his stay in the country by the Uruguayan officials, and by the British Minister Plenipotentiary, Mr. J. R. Kennedy.

He is desirous of expressing the obligations under which he has been placed by Mr. C. E. R. Rowland, British Consul at Montevideo, for general assistance and information on the seal fisheries; Señor José H. Figueira, for the description of the aboriginal tribes; Señor Ramos Montero, for the commercial technicalities of the pastoral industry; and Mr. V. Hinde, for the paper on the British railways in Uruguay.

Thanks are due to a number of British residents, both in Montevideo and the Campo, greater than it is possible to enumerate individually. The author would more especially acknowledge the courtesy of Messrs. Stapledon, W. J. Maclean, H. Hall-Hall, C. W. Baine, Temple, R. Booth, Piria, Adams, R. B. Harwar, L. L. Mercer, Warren, and J. Storm.

Mr. R. A. Bennett, who accompanied the author for the purpose of photography, displayed an unremitting zeal that must be gratefully recognised. He is responsible for much of the information on Mercedes, the Swiss colony, and the frontier town of Rivera.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

PAGE

SURVEY 27

Geographical situation of the Republic--Boundaries and area--Uruguay as an historical, commercial, and financial centre--The respective positions of Uruguay and Paraguay--Disadvantages of a buffer State--A land of sunshine and shadow--The history of Uruguay--The blending of industry and warfare--Vitality of the nation--Instances of self-sacrifice--A South American Switzerland--A freedom-loving folk--Deeds of arms and the undercurrents of commerce--Montevideo in the eyes of the casual traveller--Factors that make for the progress of the Banda Oriental--Influence of railway--Coming cessation of the North American beef shipments-- Temperament of the Uruguayan--Distinction between Argentine and Uruguayan politics--The clans of the Banda Oriental--The birthright of party convictions-- Education in Uruguay--National points of honour--Liberty accorded the foreigner--The courtesy of officials--An incident at the customs-house--Popularity of the English--A gratifying situation--Satisfactory international relations--The work of Mr. R. J. Kennedy, the British Minister Plenipotentiary--Uruguay's pacific foreign policy--Careful finance--Army and navy--General progress of the nation.

CHAPTER II

HISTORY 37

The discovery of Uruguay--Reception by the Indians--Juan de Solis and his fate--Navigation of the River Plate-- Serrano and Magellanes--Rivalry between Spaniards and Portuguese--The first settlement in the Banda Oriental-- Aggressive tactics of the Indians--Forts destroyed by them--Colonisation under difficulties--The introduction of cattle--A prophetic move--Intervention of the missionaries--Jesuit settlements established--Uruguay's isolation comes to an end--Influence of the livestock-- Cattle-raiders--The first Portuguese invasion--Victory of the Spaniards, assisted by native auxiliaries--Treaties and their attendant troubles--The indecision of old Spain--Partial extermination of the Indians--The town of Colonia as a bone of contention--Introduction of the first negro slaves into the provinces of the River Plate--Unrest on the Spanish Main--Moreau, the buccaneer-- The fate of his expedition--Portuguese invaders expelled by the Spaniards--A fort is constructed on the present site of Montevideo.

CHAPTER III

HISTORY (continued) 48