Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/204

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190
MEXICO IN 1827.

were full of people as we passed, and, although the "Vivas" with which they saluted us proved that they had rather an indistinct idea as yet of our real character,[1] they at least showed that we were hailed as no unwelcome guests.

It was, indeed, a new epoch in the history of America that commenced with our arrival. It was the first step towards that growing intercourse with Europe, the importance of which to them, and to us, will be every day more generally felt; and as such, it justified the enthusiasm with which the resolution of His Majesty's Government was received on both sides of the Atlantic, before the evils, to which an unbridled spirit of speculation gave rise in this country, taught the disappointed to ascribe to this wise policy the misfortunes, which were to be attributed solely to their own folly.

We remained three whole days at Jălāpă, in hourly expectation of the arrival of carriage-mules, which had been sent for to Lă Pūēblă, as it was impossible for us to proceed any farther with those which had brought us with so much difficulty from Veracruz. At last they came, and on the 24th we recommenced our journey. We had had ample opportunity in the mean time to admire both the beauty of the scenery in the environs of Jălāpă, and the hospitality of the Natives. All the Creoles eagerly sought

  1. Vivan los Embajadores de la Europa! (Long live the Ambassadors of Europe!) was, if I recollect right, the most general cry.