DISTRIBUTION OF CHURCH PROPERTY. 351 
There is one thing which, I confess, I desire particularly to see Gene- 
ral Santa Anna efTect ; and that is, an act for which the reign of Henry 
Vin. is chiefly commendable. I mean the seizure and distribution of the 
church property. 
It is true, that the President may have yet to fear a power which 
the brotherhood possess, not only over the common people, but over the 
very common materials of which the army is composed ; — but dangerous 
diseases require dangerous remedies, and a bold and trustful hand to apply 
them. Henry VIII. did this in an essentially Catholic country and in a 
most superstitious age, and it has been recently effected in Spain and 
Havana. In order to effect this object, successfully, and in the most 
beneficial manner, not only to the church but to the mass of the people, 
it would be well for him, in his present increase of the army, to press 
into the service every idler, vagabond or Upero, with whom the city and 
the suburbs swarm ; and after due drilling, and accustoming them to 
military obedience, to colonize these troops in the different parts of the 
Republic, giving, as bounties for their services, portions of the estates 
now held by the priesthood, reserving the rest for sale at moderate 
prices to the Indians who labor for the church. In doing this he would 
benefit the nation by bringing a large property into the common weal, 
and by giving employment to thousands, whose utter vagrancy and vaga- 
bondism are unparalleled in any other part of the world. 
The territory thus acquired, and sold or distributed, — what a picture of 
dawning civilization would spread over the land ! The half-starved slaves 
of the church, and of the large proprietors, erected suddenly into manli- 
ness, would stand up feeling that they were truly human, and a speedy 
intellectual progress would commence with the acquirement of property. 
The increased productions of the soil would naturally require new 
markets — markets would produce new roads — new means of transporta- 
tion — new inventions of agricultural implements — new wants in articles 
of taste, luxury and refinement. Men would begin to travel on the new 
roads. Mexico would become acquainted with herself. The idle spirit 
created by lavish productions of the mines, would be aroused from its 
lethargy. There would be a gradual infusion of foreign blood, making 
her citizens emulous of other nations ; and thus, in a ^ew years, Mexico 
would behold her own ships bearing abroad her own products — would 
learn that she had within her soil other sources of wealth besides her ores 
— would attract back some of the millions she has furnished the world for 
the last three hundred years, and, in fine, become in every respect inde- 
pendent. 
These are beautiful objects to present for a patriot's ambition. If he 
possesses the power and influence, which I think he does, Santa Anna can 
effect all this if he lives, for he has talents and energy competent to the 
task ; but if he fails and assumes the Imperial purple, I shall be as mis- 
taken as I shall feel grieved to see so glorious a chance for a splendid 
immortality lost by a hero. 
