which preceded this auspicious day, a furious hurricane had spread desolation in Acapulco, no less than 124 houses being torn down, while orchards and plantations were destroyed. On the 18th Vera Cruz was visited by a terrible storm which wrecked and damaged much shipping.[1]
The discord in the audiencia was favorable to the development of revolution. Apart from the absence of secrecy which want of unity naturally entailed, the annoyance which each party experienced by the opposition of the other created a feeling of indifference, and a consciousness that efforts to arrest the public will would be unavailing. Consequently apathy and toleration marked the sluggish proceedings of the audiencia, affording anunwonted freedom of discussion on political topics. The spirit of revolt was further aggravated at this time by the unjust illiberality displayed by the regency in the matter of colonial representation at the forthcoming congress of the córtes. If the mother country in her apparent death agony refused to do justice to her American colonies — which in the past had so loyally aided her, and in which she seemed to rest her only hope for the future — no relief from her oppression could be expected in case her arms triumphed.[2] Moreover, the continued proclamations of Joseph Bonaparte, and seditious papers issued by his agents, gave additional impetus in the direction of independence.[3]
- ↑ Gaz. de Mex., 1810, i. 686-7.
- ↑ Mora, Mej. y sus Rev., iii. 372-4.
- ↑ Bonaparte in 1809 openly announced: 'Que era ya llegado el tiempo de que las Americas españoles quedasen independientes, y que el gobierno frances no se opondria a este paso necesario.' Mora, Mej. y sus Rev., iii. 368. The inquisition in vain attempted to suppress the circulation of such sheets. In the months of April, June, and September, 1810, it published proclamations against King Joseph, and under threats of excommunication ordered all papers of the kind to be delivered up that they might be publicly burnt by the executioner. Diario Mex., xii. 463-8; Dispos. Varias, iii. f. 153, vi. f. 58, 60. French emissaries were a constant source of alarm, and measures to
wrote a detailed account of them bearing the title: Memoria piadosa que recordard á la posteridad, la piedad de los Mexicanos manifestada en la venida de Ntra Sra de los Remedios, y contiene dos partes. Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 274-5.
