Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/713

 Rh effect of unlooked-for causes. Independence was to be brought about by a change of front of the army, directed by a hierarchy, and under the leadership of a late enemy to the cause.

Before continuing the narrative of affairs in New Spain, let us glance once more at doings in the mother country, inasmuch as they had a direct connection with the events leading to the final separation of Mexico.

A triumphant military revolt restored, early in March 1820, the constitution of 1812, and compelled the king on the night of the 7th to accept it, and to pledge himself to its support. The oath was wrung from the reluctant Fernando on the 9th by the ayuntamiento of Madrid, backed by the people; after which he appointed, as was also required of him, a "junta provisional consultiva," presided over by Cardinal Luis de Borbon, archbishop of Toledo, and generally composed of men who used moderately the absolute powers placed in their hands.

Early in April, 1820, the first news of the revolutionary movements in Spain reached Mexico, and, when confirmed, caused much excitement among the Spaniards, some hailing the change enthusiastically, while others deprecated it. Among the latter were the upper clergy, who feared that the liberals would push on the reforms to their prejudice, and therefore awaited with anxiety the installation of the córtes. The friends of independence, on the contrary, were hopeful that the new order of things would afford them means to attain some of their desires, such as a