f 



V. TO 



DON LUCAS ALAMAN, 



MINISTER OF STATE TO TFIE UNITED FEDERAL 

 GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO. 



In testimony of the valuable assist- 

 ance derived from his distinguished 

 countenance and support, by which 

 the writer was not only enabled to 

 acquire the information contained in 

 these volumes, but also to collect 

 and transmit to his native country 

 those articles of antiquity and cu- 

 riosity which have given the Eng- 

 lish nation their first insight into the 

 manners and customs of the depressed 

 but powerful people, with whom they 

 are about to enter into close alliance, 

 — these volumes, are in gratitude, re- 

 spectfully dedicated, 



by his obliged 



and faithful servant, 



THE AUTHOR, 



