The restrictions imposed upon commerce by the Spanish colonial system paralyzed the productive industries of her colonies. Their trade was restricted to certain channels, marked out by the Consulado of Cadiz. The ports of Monte Video and Buenos Aires were closed to foreign merchants and to foreign ships. Belgrano proposed to throw open the port of Buenos Aires to English ships and to invite English merchants to settle there, satisfied that a brisk trade would soon spring up, upon which a revenue might be levied ample for all the purposes of Government. With the approval of the Viceroy, he proceeded to draw up an extensive memorial on the subject. Previous to submitting it to the Viceroy himself, he wished to discuss it in detail with the members of the secret committee. In April a shooting excursion was planned to the neighbourhood of Quilmes; Don Manuel Belgrano was of the party, carrying his memorial with him. It was evening, most of the sportsmen had returned to the city, but two of them, Don Carlos Evaña and Don Manuel Belgrano, rode off together to the Quinta de Ponce. "Marcelino was not with you to-day," said Doña Constancia, as she sat with her two guests under the verandah. "No, he could not leave the city," replied Don Carlos; "I shall see him to-morrow, have you any message for him?" "You will not have to wait till-to-morrow, for here he comes," said Dolores, jumping up from her chair as a horseman passed along the road, and walking away to greet him as he dismounted. "Is Carlos here?" asked Marcelino, as he walked with his sister to the house after giving up his horse to a slave. "Yes, and Don Manuel Belgrano," said Dolores; "they did not expect you, they said you were too busy to leave the city." "I have news. I could not have slept to-night if I had not seen Carlos to tell him." "It is good news, I can see by your face. Is Juan Carlos coming back?" "No, but some one has come." "Who?" "Guess." "The Princess Carlota?" "No such luck. But what do you know of the Princess Carlota?" "Oh! I know things. I know more than you think." "Then as you are so wise I will tell you. A new Viceroy has come from Spain." "A new Viceroy!" exclaimed Dolores; then, breaking from him she ran before him to the verandah. "Mamma!" said she, "great news, there is a new Viceroy, who has come out from Spain. Now we shall be all quiet again, there will be no more quarrels, papa said so, don't you remember?" As she spoke, Don Carlos started to his feet, and Don Manuel Belgrano, biting his lip pressed his hand upon the breast of his coat, in the pocket of which there was a thick roll of paper. Marcelino, bending over his mother, kissed her, and then turned to shake hands with his two friends, who stood silent, waiting for him to speak.