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MEXICO. 259 men may be found, (and these, men of the highest respecta- bility,) not only capable of directing, but desirous to intro- duce them, even at the expense of individual sacrifices, the necessity of which they acknowledge. The vacancy of the principal Bishoprics affords an opening, which will probably be taken advantage of ; and should the overgrown revenues of some of the Dioceses be cut down, and appropriated to the support of the poorer Parochial clergy, I am inclined to think that the measure, in lieu of being opposed, would meet with very general approbation. At all events, a general coalition against it, (which might be dangerous) is not to be apprehended. The Clergy are divided amongst themselves : besides the great leading distinction of Old Spaniards and Natives, the interests of the Parochial clergy are at variance, not only with those of the Convents, but also with those of the Cathedral Chapters ; and this circumstance is particularly favourable to moderate reform. Beyond this point, I sincerely hope that no innova- tions will be attempted ; for a National Church ought to be respectably supported; and if this be done, the Clergy will gain, in real and beneficial influence, all that they lose in an unnatural political importance, which they ought not to wish to retain. I shall close this Section with a few observations upon the important subject of religious toleration, which, in theory, at least, cannot be said to exist at present in Mexico. No sects of religion differing from the dominant religion, are tolerated ; nor is the private, or public exercise of any other allowed. To be a Mexican Citizen, an outward conformity, at least, with the practices of the Roman Catholic faith, is required ; although the facility with which letters of Naturalization have been conceded to American settlers, in the North, proves, that no very strict enquiry upon the subject is instituted. But there are no rights, or privileges, either civil or military, to which any Mexican subject, jpnhlicly pro- s 2