XIV PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 
Nearly four years ago, I took occasion, in a private interview with a 
distinguished statesman then in power, to indicate the probable disruption 
of the soi-disani Republic, of which this seems to be the premonitory 
symptom. The people of the Mexican Provinces will no longer consent 
to be the prey of the central chiefs, who make a Paris of the city of Mex- 
ico, and control the nation when they hold the key of the capital. Dis- 
tracted, dissatisfied, divided, fragmentary, each one will, perhaps, set up 
for itself — Zacetecas, Durango, Coahuila, California, and the rest, going 
off in separate discontent and establishing themselves as petty principal- 
ities. Each of these, in the course of a few years, will grow into little 
Mexicos. The concentrated venom of the whole Republic will be diffu- 
sed in weakened virus among the lopped members. Every clipped head 
of the original hydra will sprout into mimic serpenthood, and, although 
the hiss of the rattlesnake may not be as dangerous as the fang of the 
monster, yet the ultimate task of the Eagle, in controlling the dangerous 
brood, will be infinitely multiplied. 
I beg leave in writing thus of Mexican matters to be distinctly under- 
stood as not encouraging the conquest of that country or endeavouring to 
cherish the war and plunder spirit that would eagerly prey on the fair do- 
main of the invaded Republic. No such idea is seriously mine for a mo- 
ment ; but it is time that Mexico should be aroused to a sense of her own 
position, and it is still more important to have her future policy distinctly 
defined in relation to the affairs of this Continent and Europe. 
It has recently been asserted by an American writer that the Province of 
Rio de la Plata has been decimated during the administration of the celt' 
hrated Rosas, and the allegation is enforced by an extract from the " Tables 
of Blood," of which the following resume is given by Don Jose Rivera 
Indarte • 
Poisoned, 4 
Throats cut, 3,765 
Shot, r 1,393 
Assassinated, 722 
Slain in battle, 14,920 
Killed in skirmishes, Military punishments, &c., &c., 1,600 
22,404 
"During the frightful massacres of October, 1840, and April, 1842, 
the heads of well known citizens were paraded through the streets in 
carts, accompanied by indecent music and followed bv the cries of 'who'll 
huy f caches ? Who'll huy oranges ?' The bodies of other victims were 
exposed, naked, in the public market place, the severed heads adorned 
with blue ribbons — labeled, ' Beef with the hide on — Came con cuero !' 
One of the ornaments of the drawing-room of Rosas, which has been seen 
again and again by foreigners visiting at his house, is a glass case contain- 
