107
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
Bolivar Point. We have also set forth the appointment of Trespala- cios; the Conspiracy of Drennon; the death of Modella and the· departure of l\Iary Crow. In addition to these things we have scattered along our narrative such micellaneous items as we-have been able to glean from our limited resources - in this manner bringing down our history to the period of about the middle of August. And here we will suspend our story for a brief space in order to answer a few questions which we presume will naturally arise in the mind of most of our readers - What was Mexico doing all this time? Was she in a state of tranquility - or of agitation? And what was the course of the Royalists in reference to Texas f Did they attempt to demolish the Independent Government at Gal- vezton - or were the authoitries of the new Republic allowed to prosecute their purposes without molestation 1 We will endeavor to meet these enquiries by a rapid glance at the most prominent. events of what is called the Second Revolittion of Mexico, which occurred during the period of our hero's operations.- The death of Moreles and the dissolution of the Central Govern- ment (22nd December 1815) by Teran may be properly regarded as the end of the first Revolution. The attempt of Mina to revive it was a failure. The struggle was, indeed, continued for a while; but the Chiefs gradually disappeared from the field and the nation sank into repose. In 1819, Guerrero and Arago were nearly the only Generals who still maintained their beligerent attitude; but their forces were entirely too weak and inconsiderable to disquiet the Royalists or to effect any important ends. The people, however, were far from being subdued. They were only fatigued. Their love of liberty was still alive; and they only waited a suitable occasion to break out into- fresh hostilities. Such was the state of the country when the triumph of the Liberal party and the restoration of the Constitution in Spain gave a new impulse to the Mexican nation and awakened a general desire for another struggle. The Constitution was received in l\I;ex- ico in April 1820, with orders from the mother country to have it proclaimed and sworn to; orders which the Viceroy, Apadoca, very readily obeyed although it was extremely repugnant to his feelings. The spirit of libery was now everywhere manifest. The forces of Guerrero were immediately and materially augmented, and the whole country was rapidly maturing for a simultaneous and violent out- break. Besides this effect, the reception of the Constitution produced another consequence decidedly favorable to the cause of freedom and Independence. It divided the Royalists into two parties: the one being in favor of a Constitutional Monarchy, and the other adher- ing to the absolute authority of the King and anxious for the restora- tion of the ancient order of things. Apadoca was greatly bewildered by the conflicting sentiments. Although he had promulgated the Constitution and had sworn to support it, he nevertheless took sides with the King, and commenced in secret to _arrange for the over- throw of that instrument and the re-establishment of the Royal despotism.- He flattered himself that he would have been supported in his designs by the clergy whose cooperation was of the highest importance; but this influencial class, had been converted gener~lly into friends of Independence by some decrees of the Cortez respectmg
Powered by FlippingBook