385
. PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
of fexico. Under those circumstances, I will not say any thing in reference to the war of Independence in Mexico; and shall only confine myself to the present change of the constitution of that country. You are aware no doubt, that Mexico before its independence was under the controll of a single power that that power was exercised by the viceroy of Spain; that for the administrat[ion] of the country it was divided into a number of Provinces: That laws were framed in Spain for all those Provinces and that no body had ever legislated in Mexico. Under those circumstances the independence of Mexico is declared and soon after obtained; but the difficulty was how should be l\lexico constituted? 1any were of opinion that a Prince of Spain hould be called to the throne of l\Iexo others that a native mexican had more titles to the crown of his own country than any foreigner; and •finally others who contendep that Iexico ought to be a Republic. Now, if we take in con ideration the condition of the mexican popu- lation before the independence: .if we reflect on the means of intelec- tual capacity they possessed, and ultimately examine the situation of the country and the origine of its inhabitants it would not be difficult fer any impartial man to decide in regard to the form of Government that 01wht to be e tabli bed in Mexico. Bnt unhappily, it wa not so judged by the mexican politicians and although that a monarchy was e tablLhed, it could not su tain it.$elf, because it was against the aprobation of the leading men of the country. Soon after the Empire cf 1 turbide, that only existed nine months, wa overthrown, the fed- eral Republic wa established and in 1824 the Constitution was pro- mulgated. The country, after a series of revolutions, which were the inevitable result of a form of Government for which they were totally unprepared, became neces arily disatisfied of it, and the change in those institutions wa thought of the greatest importa'.nce. Under those considerations General Santa Anna was unable to undertake to sustain by him elf the federal sy tern, and in that state of things he could do no better for his country than to carry on into execution the change of Government thns contemplated, with the least disturbances possible seing that no bani hments should take place, that no per e- cutions and private re entiments should be indulged by the reformers and traying [tryin(J'] a much as it would be in hi power to avoid any excesses committed. In this situation the difficulties between Texas and l\Iexico commenced. At fir t it was tated that Texa wi bed only to have the federal sy tern established in :Mexico a thing totaly impossible· after-wards it was rumored that the emancipation was desirned; and ultimately that the true object was to unite Texas to the nited States and that to effect this purpose a secret ne"ociation was on foot with General Santa Anna, he being offered for his co- operation the um of a million of Dollar ! What then can could [sic] be the feelings of the MexicansT Indignity. Santa Anna himself was neces arily compelled to tend his service , and from his country seat (for at the time he was not at the head of the Government) he marched to Mexico, placed himself at the disposition of the President pro-ternpore, Gral [General] Barra.,.an, and took the command of the army that was to operate in Texas. · He hatl never the le , to
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