Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/611

Rh improved condition of affairs in the peninsula, marked by the return of Fernando VII., under whom promised to blossom anew the prosperity so hopefully connected with a brilliant court. The victory of Vitoria in June 1813 signalized the end of French sway in Spain, and in the following September the new regular córtes elected under the constitution of 1812 met untrammelled by foreign intimidation. But its reign was not to last. Under the pressure of accumulating reverses Napoleon sought in Fernando VII. a means for relief, and readily prevailed upon the imprisoned king to sign a treaty which restored him to the throne on condition that the English should leave Spain. Once beyond the French frontier, which he crossed March 22d, the unreliable monarch cast to the wind his promises, made for that matter without consent from the popular representatives and against his own former declaration.

By this time the servile party, or absolutists, had acquired sufficient strength to adopt a decided attitude against the constitution; and joined by interested nobles and ecclesiastics three score deputies petitioned the king to set aside the córtes, and summon another on the plan prescribed by the ancient monarchical regulations. Nothing could please Fernando better; and