80 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Political State of Yucatan. — Alliance with Texas. — Presentation 

 to the Governor. — -His Character and Personal Appearance.— 

 A Cordial Reception. — An Arrival of Strangers. — A Citizen of 

 the World. — Another old Acquaintance. — Population of Meri- 

 da. — Climate. — General Aspect of Merida. — An interesting Ed- 

 ifice. — Mode of naming Streets. — Sculptured Figures.— Church- 

 es. — Franciscan Convent — A Memorial of the Past. — Ruined 

 Cities of America. — Former Conclusions confirmed. 



From the time of the conquest, Yucatan existed 

 as a distinct captain-generalcy, not connected with 

 Guatimala, nor subject to the viceroy of Mexico. 

 So it continued down to the Mexican revolution. 

 The independence of Yucatan followed that of Mex- 

 ico without any struggle, and actually by default of 

 the mother-country in not attempting to keep it in 

 subjection. 



Separated from Spain, in an evil hour Yucatan 

 6ent commissioners to Mexico to deliberate upon 

 forming a government; and on the return of these 

 commissioners, and on their report, she gave up her 

 independent position, and entered into the Mexican 

 confederation as one of the states of that republic. 

 Ever since she had been suffering from this unhap- 

 py connexion, and, a short time before our former 

 visit, a revolution broke out all over the country ; 

 in the successful progress of which, during that visit, 

 the last Mexican garrison was driven out of Yuca- 

 tan. The state assumed the rights of sovereignty, 

 asserting its independent powers, at the same time 



