INTRODUCTION. 



from Humboldt, bear the stamp of impartiality with- 

 out any affectation of approving in theory what is bad 

 in practice. Guerra, a learned Mexican, who pub- 

 lished his history of Mexico in London, has treated 

 the subject at large; but has unfortunately manifested 

 so much bitterness and party feeling in his disquisi- 

 tions, as to diminish the weight to which they would 

 otherwise be entitled. The different manifestoes of 

 independence, deal so much in generals, and are so 

 declamatory, that they furnish very little data for the 

 rational mind. 



America, on its discovery and conquest, and grant 

 by the pope, was considered a fief of the crown, inde- 

 pendent of the Spanish possessions in Europe. Every 

 thing relating to the Indies, emanated from the king 

 alone, without any participation on the part of the 

 cortes, or of the council Castile, instituted in its plac© 

 during the reign of Charles V. As the affairs of the 

 Indies grew in importance, its government assumed 

 a higher character. In 1511, the council of the Indies 

 was established by Ferdinand, and perfected by 

 Charles V. in Every thing relating to the In- 



dies was confided to it, the king being always suppos- 

 ed to be present. All other subdivisions of power in 

 the monarchy, were expressly forbidden to interfere 

 in what related to the Indies; and all orders and de- 

 crees to be entitled to any force, had to be signed by 

 the king, and communicated through the council. Be- 

 sides being thus independent of Spain, each district, 

 viceroyalty, or government, was independent of the 

 other, but united under the king as their common 

 head. Humboldt compares them to a number of sep- 

 arate, although confederated, states; but deprived^of 



