have attempted to accomplish in America what she had effected in Spain by restoring Fernando's absolute power. Mexico would of course have been among the first to experience the effects of Spain's vindication of her supposed rights. England, in view of the victories won by the Colombians over the Spanish forces in Peru, and of the prospect of a stable peace, concluded that the time had come to make a formal recognition of the independence of the Spanish colonies in America. Accordingly Mr Canning, the principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, instructed the diplomatic agents of his government at foreign courts to make known its resolve to enter into direct relations with the new governments of America, and to negotiate with them treaties of amity, commerce, and navigation,[1] to which effect instructions were issued to commissioners previously appointed. Prior to such action, early in January 1824, Lionel Hervey, H. G. Ward, and Charles O'Gorman[2] had been sent out as commissioners to study and report upon the political condition of Mexico. The agents were received in Vera Cruz with high honors by Victoria. On their transit to the capital the route through Puebla was avoided, that city being still agitated and manifesting hostility to foreigners. In Mexico they were entertained by the executive. Unfortunately, they were present during Lobato's revolt, and it is understood that they sent the government a note to the effect that they would leave the country if those disorders were not forthwith quelled, and protection afforded to foreigners.[3]
The British court soon after frankly entered into
- ↑ Alaman, Mem., 3-4; Tornel, Breve Reseña Hist., 32; Zavala, Revol. Mex., i. 322-8.
- ↑ Ward was subsequently accredited as chargé d'affaires to Mexico, and O'Gorman made consul-general.
- ↑ Judging by results, their reports to the British government must have been encouraging. Alaman, Hist. Méj., v. 782; Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., MS., viii. 217, 221; Id., Hist. Iturbide, 195; Zavala, Revol. Mex., i. 269; Ward's Mex., ii. 171-2, 175-7, 256, 262; Suarez y Navarro, Hist. Méj., 51; Gaz. de Mex., 1825, 177; Gregory's Hist. Mex., 46.
