234.—In the Capital itself, the Viceroy has been forced to take precautions against revolt, and to fortify himself against the public spirit of the day, which has not only caused insurrections, but may repeat them, and consequently renders the presence of a considerable number of troops indispensable.
237-8.—By leaving crime unpunished, all moral force is lost, and society thrown into a state of disorganization: The general wish of the country foments, or openly protects the projects of the Independent party: The august assembly of the Cortes is not only not recognized by the rebels, but its most beneficent acts are turned into ridicule by the malevolent colouring which is given to them; while its views are defeated by others, who assist the schemes of the Insurgents, by an apparent submission to the decrees of the Congress, in as far as this can be reconciled with their common object. The old system is abolished; the new one not yet established; (en el aire): the Constitution, sometimes an object of ridicule, sometimes used as an instrument,—all elective employments, the prey of factious, ambitious, and faithless men;—the government without consideration, or even the necessary authority. Such is the state to which three years have reduced this lovely country, once the envy of the world.
239.—But what shall be the remedy for such transcendent evils? The rebels propose, as the only means of saving the country, those which will only serve to secure their triumph.
242.—The contempt with which all conciliatory measures have been received is the best proof of their inefficiency.
244.—The Audiencia will not omit to point out the only plan which it regards as likely to produce a radical cure.
245.—No doubt can be entertained as to the origin of the evil, which is, undoubtedly, a spirit of Independence now generalized throughout New Spain: This is the real cause of the discord and jealousy which prevail, fomented by the constant opposition of the loyal and patriotic Spanish residents to these ideas of Independence: The struggle would be at an end if they were capable of compromising with their loyalty and devotion to the cause of the Mother-country.
246.—They must, therefore, be supported by powers, of which, however extraordinary, the history of ancient and
