Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/552

 

By a private letter from Jalapa, I have received a manuscript copy of the Decree of our most beloved and desired Sovereign, dated Valencia, May 4th, 1814, by which his Majesty declares to be null the Constitution promulgated by the General and Extraordinary Cortes, and reassumes the exercise of that Sovereign power, of which the Congress had despoiled him.

My loyalty as a vassal, — my attachment to the King as a grateful subject, — and my conviction as a good Spaniard, — filled my heart, upon this occasion, with the purest satisfaction; and I instantly ordered the inclosed proclamation to be published, by which I announced to the kingdom at large the happy tidings, and swore, as first Chief of these dominions, in the name of the Sovereign of Spain, Don Ferdinand VII. my ready and sincere obedience to his Royal will.

(Precautions taken against the introduction of any Agents, or Decrees of the Cortes, &c.)

I regard it as a duty to lay before his Majesty a rapid sketch of the state of these countries, and of my own conduct since I assumed the reins of Government on the 4th March, 1813; and I entreat your Excellency to allow me to do this through your Excellency, in order that his Majesty may be enabled to take at once those measures which are necessary for the salvation of his Majesty's dominions here, in which rebellion has increased fearfully, in consequence of the road opened by the Constitution for the execution of its criminal projects.

This Constitution was sworn, and in part established, when I took the command of the country: — nothing could be more discouraging than the aspect of affairs; for the rebels, flushed with the advantages which they had already obtained, threatened the Capital, and were actually in possession of Oaxaca, — Acapulco, — a great part of the Western coast, — the capital of Texas, through which they drew supplies from the North Americans, — in short, of the largest portion of New Spain, as well as of innumerable towns, Haciendas, Mines, and roads.

Under such circumstances my situation was most critical. Compelled to make head against the attacks of an enemy disseminated over eight hundred leagues of country, and protected by the great majority of its inhabitants, with a very small military force at my disposal, and without hopes of succour from the Peninsula; surrounded by concealed enemies,