ON THE SPANIARDS. 



267 



solid friendship with the people over whom they 

 had so long held absolute dominion : it was equal- 

 ly contrary to the feelings of the Americans to 

 repose confidence in those w ho had never trusted 

 them. It is due^ however, to Iturbide, to say, 

 that by this idea of uniting the two heartily toge- 

 ther, the blow which was sure to fall eventually 

 on the heads of the Spaniards was deferred ; and 

 more tim^ was given for them to wind up their 

 affairs, and render their fate as little severe as 

 possible. If this was really the object, the device 

 which Iturbide fell upon was ingenious, and 

 statesmanlike.* 



But the poor Spaniards had a very difficult 

 task to perform, and, upon the whole, they did 

 not execute it well. For they could not bring 

 themselves to make a sincere effort to deserve the 

 good- will of the Americans, but viewed, with mor- 



* Note to the Third Edition, ^S'mce the Second Edition 

 of this Work was printed, I have had the satisfaction of 

 conversing with Iturbide' himself in Londoi}, and have 

 been gratified by learning that, as for as his motives and 

 conduct are concerned, he is perfectly satisfied with the 

 accuracy of my statements. 



