Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/538

 498 APPEN DIX. the country will be established also, in favour of which the great majority of the natives is undoubtedly decided. 12. — This last assertion may, perhaps, require some proofs, but, unfor- tunately, it is but too easy to adduce them. No rebellion can prosper without it be countenanced by public opi- nion ; — on this account, the French made no progress in Spain ; but here, without any other protection or assistance, the rebels have sus- tained themselves for three years against the heroic valour and fidelity of the troops of the country, against the forces which have been sent from Spain, and against the efforts of many loyal Americans, and of all the European residents. 13. — This fact alone proves that the general wish here is the same as that which has been manifested in various other parts of America. It is confirmed by the spontaneous breaking out of the Revolution in the different Provinces, without any sort of compulsion being necessary in order to induce them to declare against the government ; (although force has been hitherto applied in vain, in order to oblige them to return to their obedience,) by the conspiracies and disturbances in the Ca- pital ; and by the result of the elections, in particular, which were cele- brated by the rebels, (as well they might be,) since they themselves could not have selected persons more after their own hearts. 14 — The Audiencia does not deny that many Americans of all classes, besides the troops, have given proofs of exalted loyalty ; and it admits that, in many instances, it was impossible for defenceless towns and vil- lages to attempt any resistance against an armed banditti ; but it is not the less true that the majority of the people, and almost all the towns, are in favour of the rebellion ; and that whereas, in Spain, although some few traitors have sided with the French, not a single village has declared in their favour ; here, on the contrary, although many indivi- duals have embraced the just cause. Provinces, towns, and villages, have all shown a disinclination to support it. 18. — Your Majesty has heard that the rebellion by which this, and other countries of America, are devastated, *' was caused by Napoleon, — by the Council of Castile, — ^by the Junta of Seville, which, by means of its commissioners, threw all Mexico into confusion, — by the arrest of the Viceroy Iturrigaray, — by the fear of falling under the dominion of the French, or by the desire to continue subject to Spain." At other times, it has been said that the number of strangers admitted by Spain into her colonies has occasioned the loss of her sovereignty there ; and that the improvement of the natives, has both taught them their rights, and made them impatient to recover them, — Others again have urged, — " the natu- ral propensity of the Creoles to idle change ; — their desire to obtain their share of honours, public employments, and full liberty, — their wish, in every thing, to vie with the Europeans, — the terrible inequality of their present lot, — the small proportion of American representatives, — the in-