IV.
A NEW EVENT IN MEXICO.
Palace of the President.—The President.—How he looks.—What he pledges.—Former Property of the Church.—Its Consequences.—Corruption.—Prospects and Perils.
The first official recognition by the head of the Mexican nation of any other Church than the Roman Catholic, which was till within a few years the only possible religion, was so frank, cordial, and free as to show how complete is the executive and, therefore, political and constitutional changes in this important republic.
At 4 o'clock, Tuesday, Jan. 14th, the American minister, Hon. Thomas H. Nelson, accompanied by his secretary, Mr. Bliss, son of Rev. Asher Bliss, long missionary among the Seneca Indians, a gentleman of remarkable scholarship and hardly less remarkable wit, took three Americans into the presence of the President of Mexico. One was General Palmer, the Philadelphia representative of the Mexican railroad movement; another was Mr. Parish, of Europe, co-operator abroad in these American enterprises; and the third was a Methodist minister, come hither to arrange for the planting of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this country.
The palace occupies a side of the Grand Plaza on which the cathedral fronts. Through long and handsome apartments we are led to one richly furnished in its hangings, marbles, and paintings, chief of which is the portrait of Emperor Iturbide, who more than any other man was the Washington of Mexico, and secured her independence.
The President soon enters. A small man, with small, well-shaped head and features, hair thin, well-nigh to baldness, with pleasant, bland smile, tone, and manner. We are introduced by Mr. Nelson
