Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-16
MEXICO, OR NEW SPAIN.

NAAS-AlSo, oIN NEW Grain.
From the vast importance this country is
daily acquiring in thu eyes of the politician,
& from want ofmformation as to It's wealth.,
strength and resources, the public, with un-
common avdity, received an account of it
from the pen OF so celebrated a traveller and
nice observer ofthings, as the Baron de Hmm
6oldt OF his work entitled a % Political Es-
say on the Kingdom of New-Spain," the fol-
lowing is an analysis. 1t is by no means our
present intention to go into detail of the orr
ginal discovery and conquest of Mexico.
which would lead to a recital of cruelties
and crimes disgraceful to human nature suf-
ficient it is to say it was made province of
Spain by the daring intrepidity Of fernando
Corfez, very early in the 10th century, un-
der the reign of Charles v. Mexico, the ca
pital OF the empire, was at that time large
populous and powerful city, and had the
state been governed by prince less weak
and pusillanimous than M0nteznna, it might
have withstood an army of Spaniards 90 times
more numerous than the little band Cortez
brought against it, though assisted as he was
by large bodies of allies, natives of the COIN
try. impatient under the yoke of the Empe-
ror, and regarding the Europeans as Gods.t
The country now called fTrIico or .Nezv
Stain, includes much greater extent of ter
rtory than the former empire # Montezu-
ma, which, according to the Able CZavigero
e native of the country was bounded on the
eastern coast by the river GlsdSacualco and
1Hsfan, and on the west by the plains of So
conusco and the port OF ZdcafUlu, including
only the present intendences of Vera Cruz,
Oaxaca, "a Puebia, Mexico and N.nadolid,
the area OF which is estimated ct about 5000
square leagues.
When we contemplate the situation, I'M
Common fertility, and rich mineral produc-
tons OF this extensive and delightful region of
the earth, we must cease to be surprised that
the bold and comprehensive views Of citi-
zen OF the United States pointed it out as a
proper held for the exercise of his daring am
bition that the fascinating picture he was
so fully able to draw Of the country could in
duce many spirits, "above the dull pursuits
of civil life to embark in his enterprise,
however problematical of final Succession
the strength Of Mexico is much greater, and
Its means of defence FIR more powerful, than
we have been accustomed to esteem it, as will
be seen by the sequel. But the Kingdom of
Meaico furnishes an extraordinary proof of
the wide difference between the peaceful and
humane policy of the American republic, and
that insatiate avaricc which seems TO be the
great spring Of action inmonarchical govern
ulNht7, OopSSidliy W tnt COLONIAL department.
This remark is made only TO excite lauda-
bic feeling, in prompting MS to pause for mo-
ment and compare orr situation with that Of
any other people in the world.
The nam" of A1cHiro is OF Indian origin,
and descriptive Of the character Of the peo-
pie who inhabited it for it signifies The Aa-
bfafioa cf f5e G0d Of way' The present
kingdom Of Mexico, or that vast extent Of
country over which the viceroy of Mexico
prsides, occupies all the southern extremi-
~ OF North America from the 9Sth TO the
10Th degree of n. lat. according to the sur
vey OF Baron Rum5oift, but according To Sc
veFal other authorities, and perhaps more
properly speaking, from the doth to little
south ot the 9th scgree; bounded on the ~
by regions tmeTplored, on the South by the
isthmus OfDarien, which divides the two con
tucu1s on the East by Louisiana and the
GGph Of Mexico, and on the West BY the
Pac.Sc ocean, thus forming in extent of ter.
rltOry more than 1000 miles long. its great
CT width IS from the Rio Cutoyudo, under
the parallel Of the 30th deg. to the western
limits Of the province Of Sonoro or the south
sea, which is 1900 niles This distance OF
-
t The Creoles-Spanish Americans--i. G.
the descendant Of Spaniarhs are born in the
country, freq acntly give this appcnation e
European SpaBiaids with great Contempt,
from their arrogant assumptions and intole
rable pride.