Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/419

Rh spent the day at the hacienda of Señor T e, which is in the neighborhood. The rain has rendered the roads almost impassable, and the country round Mexico must be more like Cortes's description of it at this season, than at any other period. One part of the road near the hacienda, which is entirely destroyed, the owner of the house wished to repair; but the Indians, who claim that part of the land, will not permit the innovation, though he offered to throw a bridge over a small stream which passes there, at his own expense.

24th.—We passed a pleasant day at Tacubaya, and dined with Monsieur S, who gave a fête; in consequence of its being his wife's saint's day.

27th.—Great fête; being the anniversary of the day on which the army called trigarante (the three guarantees) entered Mexico with Yturbide at their head. The famous plan of Iguala, (so called from having first been published in that city,) was also called the plan of the three guarantees; freedom, union and religion, which were offered as a security to the Spaniards, against whom so many cruelties had been exercised. We have had ringing of bells and firing all the morning, and in the evening there is to be a bull-fight, followed by the exhibition of the tours de force of these Spaniards, commonly called here "los Hercules," who have just come to offer us a box in the Plaza.

This plan of Iguala was certainly the only means by which Spain could have continued to preserve these vast and distant possessions. The treaty of Cordova, which confirmed it, was signed in that city