The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-29

u,rieO--A slse sgasis, and Reys.biieaa. BY BaAsrx
MArKH, formerly Secretary Of Legation to Mexico 4
vols, octave. Published BY 3 DRAIN x Co, Hartford
The recent with Mexico, while II has served Ia
increase our general knowledge OF the OF that
country aud OF the present political and social character
of lis inhabitants has at the time created an appe
lie in the public mind for minute acquaintance
with lie past history, aud particularly with that portion
which interviewed between the conquest and the war OF
Independence. The truly elegant and valuable work
which Is the subject OF this notice. and for copy OF
which our thanks due 10 It's accomplished author,
iu6ls this desderatum in eminent degree The work
4 moi one OF mere dry historical detail but while with
the True OF the hstoan the author has presented with
due prominence those actions and events which have
A their impress upon succeeding generations, he has at
The same time so interviewer the subject OF which he
treats with minor yet appropriate details 10 arrest
and enchan the attention Of the reader, we'll by the
ease and elegance oil bis style by the intrinsic interest
of the incidents narrated
These volumes are subdyided into six books the first
Of which presents brief history OF the conquest Of
Mexico by fernando Cortez, with a sketch OF Az,ec
civilization In this portion Of the work The author evil
IDENTIFY feels that he Is Ieadng upon ground already fully
occupied by the most elegant historian of The present
century, whose magic pen, while keeping true to hston
cal accuracy, has invested the stern wafuc and bitter
eueies Of the conquest with the rich and glowing Tan
guage Of It necessary, however, TO the
senng the main incidents of the conquest with an inter-
esng biography OF the conquero passes the second
subdivision OF his work, which embraces the period
from 1880 to 1909, aud chronicles the history OF New
Spain under the viceroyal government which is for
The first time presented the world in the English Ian
guage. The third book-which is the last of the first
voume-conlains the history OF The revolution and war
OF Independence OF the Empire under Iturbde, and Of
the Republic which succeeded thereto, together with
historical sketch Of the war with Texas and with the
United States, bringing the political history of Mexico
down to the present time.
The second volume relates chiefly the geological and
geographical structure OF Mexico its political divisions
the habits manners and customs OF itseent races and
classes Of inhabitants, and presents also very valuable
statistical information in reference 10 lis mineral produc
tons its agriculture, commerce. finances, army, navy,
and church. The antiquities of Mexico also receive
due share OF attention. and the whole work is concluded
with brief but highly interesting historical sketch of
New Mexico and California.
With this brief and imperfect notice of historical pro-
duction which has afforded US much both of pleasure
and instruction, proceed TO lay before our readers
few extracts which. think possess general interest,"
and which will afford an opportunity OF judging OF the
style of the work
"0n the i4th of July, 1924, vessel under British
colors perceived on the Mexican coast near The
mouth OF the Saniander. On the next day Polish gem
tepan shore from the ship and, announcing
himself Charles de Beneski visited General Felix la
Cara, commandment OF the district of Soto la Marina He
oiessed 10 visit that remote district, with friend for
ih purpose oil purchasing land from the government on
which they designed establishing a colony. Cara gave
them leave to enter the country for this purpose but
suspicious Were soon aroused against the singular vs
the Pole was stripped OF his disguise the Emperor Iur
bde stood m front OF Cara whom he bad dgaced for
bis anticipation IN The revolt during his brief reign
him TO Pada, where he delivered him TO The authorities
Of Tamaupas- The State legislature being in session.
promptly resolved, N the excess of patriotic ZEAL 10 ex
Apsh, by condemning fhs royal exile to death Short
time given lturbide 10 arrange his affairs He was
allowed no appeal to the general government. He
essed TO priest on the evening OF the 10th OF July,
and led 10 the place OF execution, where he fef
pierced with four balls, two OF which took effect in his
brain and two in his heart
Thus peTished the hero who, suddenly unexpectedly
and e1ecuay, crushed the power of Spain in North
America II IS not far TO judge him by the standards
thai are generally applied TO the life OF distinguished
civilian, or even OF successful soldier, In countries
where the habits and education of the people fit them for
duties requiring orbearance, patience high intellectual
culture lnrbde according TO all reliable accounts
aehhed gentleman; yet he was lyrannical, and some
times cruel Tor il is recorded in his own handw riiing
that on Good Friday 1914 sin honor OF the day, he had
Just ordered three hundred excommuncaed wreches 10
beshot HIS early life passed in the saddle and the
baTIaek room nor had he much leisure TO pursue the
studies Of statesman If his mind had been cspa-
bic Of resolving all their mysteries His temper was not
calculated for the liberal debates of free Senate He
was better fitted 10 discipline army than TO guide ma
hon. Educated in school in which subordinaon is
necessity and where uBquestIonng obedience is exacted
he was unable TO appreciate the rights Of deberavc
semnles he felt, perhaps, that, in the dsorganized
condition OF his county, was needfu TO control the
people by force IN order TO the remnant OF civiiza-
uon IRON complete anarchy But he wanted coDcilia-
oiy manners TO seduce the Congress into obedience 10
MS oehess and he therefore unfortunately and unwse
Ypayed the military despot when be should have acted
lhe part OF quiet dipomaiist Finding himself, in two
years Emperor OF Mexico, after being at the commence.
meht Oh that period, nothing than commander of
regiment, II may be psrdoned IL be was bewildered by
ne rapy oil his rise, and IL the air he breathed in his
extraordinary ascent was too ETHEREAL for man of so ex.
ela0le temperament.
10 every aspect Of his character we must regard
nun as one altogether inadequate shape the destiny OF
haon emerging from the blood and smoke of two rev.
oulons-a nation whose political tendencies towards
absolute freedom at tba, time naturally the posi-
1--WE reverse of bis own
Death sealed the lips OF who might have clam
oeu lof nun IN the course OF few years when the in
su9ofuinae spirit that was soon manifested needed as
ood an arm as that OF lturbde his best days. TO check
~ GUIDE IT. Public opinion decidedly opposed 10 bis
s SUDDEN and cruel slaughter. Mexcans candidly ac-
sno"leaged that their country independence was owing
70 MN and whilst they admitted that Garzas zeal for
Gsvad execution might have been lawful they be-
ne eyenge for his former disgrace, rather than
Ism, lhduced the rash and ruthless soldier TO has.
,bron ne oeath OF the noble victim whom fortune had
1" ns ~ hs lonely path
hoo b a me agiaiors Of the country no one has
A., ~ lufhs so much courted and dreaded rs Santa
anna Ills political history skeched in this volume dis
tsy H. out mol all The features OF his private charac
,yhh Possesed wifu observant patient intellect,
,,a u received very little culture but constant inter.
with ~, w al classes OF men made him perfectly familiar
Tbs sue strength and weaknesses OF his countrymen.
he dJ nos person OF note in the republic whose value
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