Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/66

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CHAPTER III.

DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN RELATIONS.

1823-1829.

Recognition by Foreign Powers — Negotiations with the Pope — Treaties with United States — Poinsett's Public Career — His Notes on Mexico — Diplomatic Relations With Great Britain And France — Treaties with European Nations — Hostility to Spaniards — Royal Plan of Reconquest — Arenas' Plot — Executions And Banishments — Expulsion of Spaniards — Siege of San Juan de Ulúa — The Spanish Commander Capitulates — Departure of the Spanish Garrison — Commodore Porter and Naval Operations — The War Brig Guerrero — Surrender of Spanish Ships on the Pacific

Before proceeding further with the internal affairs of the country, I will give an account of her foreign relations during the first few years following the establishment of the independence. The earliest diplomatic act of the new nation was the recognition of the Colombian republic as a free and independent power.[1] Her accredited minister was Miguel Santa Maria, whose unpleasant relations with Iturbide have been already mentioned, as well as his reinstatement in his position.

Congress having authorized the appointment of envoys to foreign governments, their instructions were given them by the regency, and did not require the sanction of the congress. Those, however, given to the envoy accredited to the holy see were specially framed by and with the advice and consent of the archbishops and bishops, and afterward submitted to

  1. April 29, 1822, Mex. Col Leyes, Órd. y Dec., ii. 38-9.

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