Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/205

Rh our acquaintance, and omitted nothing that could render our stay agreeable; but of the Old Spanish Veracruz merchants, we did not, I believe, see one. This was bad policy on their part; for although it was natural that they should give up their hold upon the country with reluctance, still, to show it, was only to afford their enemies a pretext for those violent measures, by which their expulsion from the Republic has been since attempted. No one laments this violence more than myself: it is discreditable to Mexico, inasmuch as it is a violation of the public faith, which was pledged to the Spaniards by the Declaration of Iguala, for the security of the persons and property of all such as chose to remain; and it is disadvantageous to the general interests of the State, by draining it of the capital which the civil war has left, and which was barely sufficient in 1827 to give activity to trade: but at the same time justice bids me add that it was hardly possible that any amalgamation of interests, so directly opposed to each other, should permanently take place. Very few of the Spaniards could learn to treat as equals, men, over whom they had so long exercised almost absolute authority; many betrayed this feeling in the most unguarded manner; and their imprudence contributed not a little to increase that irritation, on the part of the Creoles, which had taken but too deep a root during twelve years of civil war. It is lamentable, however, to reflect upon the number of respectable and useful men, who will be involved in