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500 in arms, as they would the other Insurgents, without any regard to their sacred character.

123.—This decree was attacked by the clergy of Mexico, and by the author of the Juguetillo (No. 3.); and

129.—Public opinion was so completely corrupted by their artifices, that, in the mobs of the 29th and 30th of November, assembled under the plea of celebrating the election of the electors for the Constitutional Ayuntamiento of Mexico, there were Vivas in honour of the Creoles, of the Insurgents, and of Morelos; intermingled with cries of "Death to the Government,—to the King,—to Ferdinand VII." There were Vivas, too, for the authors of the Pensador and Juguetillo, and for the "Defender of the Mexican clergy." (Dr. Don Julio Garcia de Torres.)

136.—It thus became evident that no laws, however excellent in themselves, are applicable under all circumstances: and that the liberty of the press, which was intended to disseminate that general information which might have remedied the calamities of the country, only increased them by increasing the general corruption. The political writings of the day produced upon the natives the same effect that spirituous liquors cause amongst savages; nor could any restrictions or modifications prevent a law, most beneficent in itself, from being converted into an engine of destruction, by the protection which it afforded to those, whose only aim it was to prepare for a general explosion by inflaming the blackest passions of the multitude.

137.—Such was the unanimous opinion of the sixteen members of this court.

142.—In conformity to it the Viceroy suspended the liberty of the press:—a measure which was too unfavourable to the interests of the rebels, not to be received by them with loud disapprobation.

146.—The Indulto, granted almost by anticipation to traitors, has produced effects almost similar to the consequences of the liberty of the press.

147.—Even were the general opinion not what it is, men would find their interest to write seditious papers,—knowing that they will be well received, and better paid,—and to join the Insurgents afterwards, knowing that the Indulto will secure to