Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/67

Rh the approbation of congress. The government's choice fell on a most learned and worthy ecclesiastic, Pablo Francisco Vasquez, a canon of Puebla, Luis G. Gordoa being made his secretary. The pope, however, refused to receive him, or even allow him to pass the gates of Rome. The envoy continued his efforts, though without avail. Worldly interests swayed the papal counsels. Leo XII. valued too much the good-will of the sovereign, who after the events of 1814 and 1815 restored the pope to his states in Italy. The death of Leo XII. and accession of Pius VIII. did not improve matters, and Mexican affairs remained stationary for several years.

Early in January 1823 the separate independence of Central America was recognized, and in July the executive was empowered by the congress to enter into such relations with foreign powers as it might deem expedient and conducive to the recognition by such powers of Mexican independence. A treaty of amity, league, and confederation was entered into with the republic of Colombia, which with some amendments was approved by the Mexican congress the next year, and a minister appointed to that republic. The opportunity for opening relations with foreign powers was now favorable. The government of the United Stateś gave a courteous reception to José Manuel Zozaya, the minister accredited thereto by Agustin I., but took no action beyond the general declaration recognizing the independence of all the new American states, two years before England did so. President John Quincy Adams despatched on a visit to