Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/26

16 of Napoleon in the United States, equally received with demonstrations of favour and of joy, the envoys of these chiefs, and all who had undertaken to support their cause. By good fortune the expeditions against Mexico were attended with no favorable issue; for nature has opposed the obstacles of a rough coast and unpeopled deserts, to the incursions of adventurers. The list of all the conspirators which I sent to the Archbishop, the Viceroy, before the revolution burst forth, and my seasonable advices to the governors of the internal provinces, checked the evil, and contributed to dissipate it, before any fearful consequences could be produced. I transmitted similar intelligence to other portions of our America, when expeditions were in preparation, or when bands of adventurers or emissaries were getting ready in the United States to go and join the rebels in the dominions of the King, or to foment among them the direful spirit of revolution; and I have often enjoyed the pleasure of learning, that my intelligence had arrived in time, and had opportunely frustrated their designs.

There are two periods, then, embraced in the time of my mission; the one during which I resided in that country without being recognized as the minister of the King, and the other from the time of my being received in that character until my departure for Spain.