reason of hatred for the French as of any lingering affection for the Spaniards; and this, notwithstanding that the American deputies to the Spanish cortes, in their address on the 1st of August, 1811, represented that the Spaniards of America were so closely connected with the peninsula by the ties of interest and relationship, that leading men among them proclaimed the doctrine that the colonies ought to follow the fate of Spain, even if she succumbed to the power of Napoleon.[1] Some go so far as to at tribute outright the outbreak of the revolution to the fear of subjection to the French.[2] Be this as it may, the repeated defeats of the Spanish arms during the following year, the incompetency of the junta central in the peninsula, and still more its popular origin, destroyed any favorable impression which might have been created in the discontented ranks, and afforded an example to them of delegates, elected by the people, investing themselves with the supreme government. Thus revolutionary impressions became yet more strongly confirmed; for the Creoles could not recognize the right of a mob-appointed government claiming obedience from the subjects of a mighty monarchy.
And during this period, so critical to the existence of Spain's future hold upon the colonies, there was no viceroy in Mexico capable of appreciating the true condition of affairs; none who had the ability either to avert revolution or best serve Spain in accepting the situation. The incompetency and vacillation of the next three viceroys hastened the culmination of events, and during the years 1809 and 1810, the conspiracy to throw off the yoke of Spain spread fast and far throughout the land. It was on the 15th of Sep-
- ↑ Such a course would certainly relieve them from the persecution of Spain, though neither covert irony nor hibernicism were intended. 'Muchos de los mismos gefes y otros Européos preferian á las claras, que la America debia seguir la suerte de la Peninsula, y obedecer á Bonaparte, si ella le obedecia.' Diputac. Amer. Represent., 1 de Agosto de 1811, 6.
- ↑ Id., 8; Guerra, Hist. Rev. N. Esp., i. 138.
