States. In 1801 Philip Nolan makes an incursion into Mexican territory as far as Nuevo Santander, under the pretext of purchasing horses, and erects some small forts. He is, however, attacked on the 21st of March by a force sent against him by the viceroy, and slain, his followers being dispersed or made prisoners. A few years later Burr attempts the invasion of Texas. During this period the first cloud arises between the United States and Mexico on the question of limits. Monroe's efforts at Madrid to arrange an amicable settlement are fruitless, and the American government orders troops to her southern frontier. [1]
Having thus the United States to watch, the long coast lines to guard against the English, and the ever-present pirates to beat off, Iturrigaray is like a hyena at bay. It is no easy matter amidst the dissatisfaction attending the royal robberies to enlist the colonists to fight. Of what avail is this pouring-out of their treasure if the old mother cannot protect them from her enemies?
It is in 1805 when the news of this rupture of Spain with England reaches Mexico, and spreads consternation among the people. Besides orders to prepare for
- ↑ Alaman, Hist. Mej., i. 145-6. In 1805 James Monroe, U. S. minister at London, and Mr Pinckney, minister at Madrid, failed to agree with the Prince of Peace as to the limits of Louisiana, Texas, and Florida; the relations between the two countries assumed a delicate nature, and Monroe asked for his passport and returned to London. Consult Amer. State Pap., xii. 1-327; ii. 596-695, 798-804. On the feeling at this time in New Spain against the United States, I quote from the irascible Bustamante, who, in connection with the viceroy's military preparations, thus gives vent to his ire: 'Esta nacion, si puede dársele tal nombre á un ernambre espesísimo de aventureros, emigrados de la Europa por la miseria ó por sus crimenes, presenta la anomalia mas extraña y ridícula en la historia.' 'She proclaimed,' the author continues, 'the freedom of nations; developed the theories of Rousseau's social contract, which was followed by France and cost torrents of blood,' winding up with a pious exhortation against American slave-holders. See Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 217-1 8. Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 525-6, limits himself to stamping the claims of the U. S. against New Spain as 'el colmo de la injusticia y de exhorbitantes pretensiones, hijas de la ambicion. . . inicua. . . absurda.' Of what the Spanish population in Mexico consisted at the time, a contemporary of Bustamante gives, us an idea in El Indicador, iii. 216-17: 'Unos hombres semi-salvages, como los espanoles avecindados en el pais, que nacidos los mas en su pátria, en una condicion muy obscura, apenas habian podido medio civilizarse en Nueva España'
HIST. MEX., VOL. IV. 3
