HISTORICAL SKETCH. 243 



all the power and authority to themselves. 

 Opinions, deriving their source from one 

 or other of these considerations, and alter- 

 nately prevailing, have, perhaps, caused that 

 oscillation between monarchy and repub- 

 licanism which has marked the career of 

 public affairs in Mexico. 



Thus a great number of circumstances 

 combine to render it impossible to form 

 any decided opinion as to the future po- 

 litical state of Spanish America ; except, 

 that there is not the slightest probability 

 of its again returning under the dominion 

 of Spain. Indeed, after being placed in 

 a situation to participate in, and appreciate 

 the advantages of a free commerce, it is im- 

 possible to suppose that the Hispano-Ame- 

 ricans would voluntarily surrender them, 

 and give themselves up to the tyranny of 

 Spain. 



r2 



