Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/24

14 as far as my situation rendered it possible, and in setting forth to the Anglo-American government every occurrence that violated the peace subsisting between the two nations. Upon the first movements of the revolution in Spain, the ambition of the Anglo-American people was excited, and in the enthusiasm of their presumptuous pride, and their gigantic projects, they believed that the time had arrived, when a considerable portion of Spanish America was about to fall into their power, and the rest, after being emancipated, to submit to their influence. Their spies, emissaries and agents, penetrated immediately into Mexico, Venezuela, and the kingdom of Santa Fé, and successively wherever circumstances favoured their entrance. They ceased not every where to inflame the minds of the people against the Spanish government, and to promote the revolution, by exaggerating the account of the evils which they suffered under the dominion of Spain, and the happiness they might acquire, if they would profit by the easy opportunity which the destinies offered them, of obtaining their emancipation, liberty and political independence. Increased associations of adventurers were immediately formed at various points of the Anglo-American territory, to assist the malcontents of Spanish America; and from the moment that Napoleon despaired of being able to corrupt and gain it, for himself or his brother Joseph, and lent his ostentatious