Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/536

 496 APPENDIX. of the Peninsula. We will suppose that the Creoles desire the last, as ig affirmed in many of the papers of the day, and, I believe, by most people. Still the great and principal cause of their criminal intentions will be found in the state of oppression in which they have lived for so many years. This impelled them to take advantage of the fii-st opportu- nity to shake off the yoke. Without it, they would have acknowledged the Government, although regarding it as illegitimate, in order to con- form with the rest of the nation. Bad Government alone has been the cause of the dissatisfaction of the Americans. In order to form a just idea of the effects produced, and the system pursued, let us consider the Creoles as men, as individuals, and as mem- bers of a political community. As men, they believed themselves de- ^aded by the Government, which regards them with contempt as colo- nists ; i. e. as an inferior class, or species of men, who have never enjoyed the rights due to all. The consequence of this is, that the Creoles have been loaded with abusive terms, sarcasms, and oppi-obrious epithets, by those who fancy themselves superior, only because they are natives of a different soil. As individuals who, for food and raiment, are in want of the fruits of the earth, they complain of restrictions which prevent them from turning the advantages of their soil to account, and manufacturing what they require. As members of society, they lament to see them- selves bowed beneath the cruel yoke of des])otic governors, who are often sent out to oppress them. The disturbances and commotions which have now commenced will not cease until the motives for discontent are removed. It would be acting contrary to nature to endeavour to put a stop to effects, while the causes which necessarily produce them are still in existence. The flame might be extinguished in one of the Px'ovinces, but it would appear in another ; and while the remedy is applied to one, it would re- turn to the other. It would not be sufficient even to destroy all the in- habitants of America, and convey a new population there, because the sons of those who must necessarily be born there, (it being impossible to send all the women to be confined in Europe,) would love their native soil, and be equally indignant at the oppression to which they would find themselves subjected. Why is not this to be remedied, when your Majesty can do it with such trifling sacrifices, as we have shown ? Is it possible that the wish to continue to regard the Americas as colonies, although the name has been abolished, should prevail against the philanthi-opy, the liberality, and knowledge of the National Congress ? This would be to act in such a way that the blame must fall upon the nation, which, till now, has been imputed only to the Government. Cadiz, 1st August, 1811. (Signed) Vicente Meraleo, &c. &c, &c.