he could not gratify that thirst for plunder which possessed the immense legions by which he was followed. Besides, it was as difficult to establish independence while the Europeans remained in power, as it was to prevent these vile and cruel traitors from giving loose to their rage against those who had from the first opposed its establishment.
42.—The flame which Hidalgo lighted in the little town of Dolores spread through the country with the rapidity of atmospheric pestilence. The clergy were the first to declare in favour of a liberty, unjust, premature, and the forerunner of a thousand calamities: they profaned the pulpit and the confessional by making them vehicles for disseminating doctrines subversive of all true religion and all submission to the constituted authorities. They even put themselves at the head of the rebellion, fancying that their sacred character would shield them from punishment, as, from the mistaken piety of our monarchs, has been but too often the case.
44.—Such were the circumstances under which our new political institutions were announced here, towards the establishment of which this tribunal has contributed by every means in its power. The result has proved how vain were the hopes that this change of system would produce any beneficial effect. Morelos, at the very moment of the publication of the Constitution, in return for this benefit, sacked the town of Orizava: every European who has since fallen into the hands of the rebels has been put to death, even at the very gates of the capital; nor has there been one example of a single individual belonging to the rebel armies having recognized your Majesty's authority, or laid down his arms out of respect for the Constitution. Yet they affirm in the twentieth Number of the Correo Americano del sur, of the 8th of July, 1813, that the Constitution has been violated; that it is for this that they are in arms; and that upon its strict observance depends the peace of America.
45.—But the effrontery with which they change their ground, in order to excuse their conduct, is scandalous.
46.—Your Majesty may judge of what they think of the Constitution by what they say of its authors.
47.—In the Correo, Number twenty-one, they affirm, "that
