Clouds and darkness still hover over her lovely valleys and her snow-capped mountains;[1] yet, blessed, as, we may hope, she will one day be, with a firm, stable, and prudent government, it will be easy for her to redeem the past, and to accomplish a high destiny for the future.
But what have the United States gained by the war? — Its necessary consequence, although not its object, has been, the addition to our territory of a tract of country exceeding 500,000 square miles in extent.[2] The importance of the Bay of San Francisco, and the other harbors on the Pacific ocean, embraced within the limits of the territory acquired, has been heretofore noticed[3] Divers opinions are entertained with regard to the value of the acquisition in other respects, and it will, perhaps, be impossible to reconcile them, until its resources, and productive capacity, are fully developed, under the more favorable auspices which always accompany American industry and enterprise.
Recent travellers give no very flattering description
- ↑ The result of the canvass of the vote for President, so often postponed, was officially declared soon after the ratification of the treaty. It appeared, as had all along been supposed, that General Herrera had been duly elected. He, at first, declined to serve; but, as Congress refused to accept his resignation, he entered upon the duties of the office. Paredes at once renewed his efforts to excite a revolt. He collected a large force at Guanajuato, in June, 1818, seized the mint, and carefully fortified his position. On the 18th of July, he was attacked by the government troops, under Generals Bustamente, Lombardini, Cortizar, Miñon, and Ortéga. His troops were routed with great loss: most of his fortifications were carried, and he was forced to fly, and secrete himself for safety. Jarauta, the padre and guerillero, was with Paredes, and was captured in the engagement, and instantly shot.
- ↑ The area of Upper California is 418,691 square miles, and that of New Mexico, 77,387.
- ↑ Ante, pp. 123, 124.
