leave these seats consecrated to merit and virtue, the great satisfaction of being replaced by citizens equally respectable, and equally anxious for the public welfare with themselves? Union, the safety and the welfare of the states, have been confided to prudent hands, who, by the advice of wisdom, will attract upon themselves the admiration of a people who know how to appreciate justice and talent. Happy are we in having directed the elections to the advantage of the public; we shall see the schemes of the legislator, and the unanimous votes of the Mexican, fulfilled in the first constitutional congress. My heart rejoices at the happiness we enjoy, and at that which it hopes to enjoy still. The magnificent edifice of liberty, which formerly was a beautiful ideal prospect, has been seated on an indestructible basis, and it now shines by the institution which a great nation deserved. The high attributes with which the law and the will of my fellowcitizens have deemed proper to invest me as the depository of the executive power, have enabled me to employ all my exertions for its usefulness. A glance, although a rapid one, over the progressive existence of our affairs, will convince you, gentlemen, that I have caused to be done the greatest good possible, according to the sphere of my ability, in the short time of my presidency-happy if I have succeeded in filling up the vast circle of my duties to the country! The secretary of the treasury will show to congress, that if its situation is not advantageous, neither on account of its income or its duties, we have succeeded, by great exertions, in clothing, arming, and increasing the army and navy, to send succors to New Mexico, to the Californias, and to all the frontiers; to appease the clamors of the officers of the republic, whose pay was in arrears, and to defray, in all its parts, the administration, with the wise and legal use of the foreign loans. The organization of the treasury has, by the last law, considerably improved in its economical branch, and advances, without doubt, towards perfection. May the projects which will be submitted to the house deserve its approbation! The safety of the republic requires sacrifices, but these are always compatible with the state, the exertion and patriotism of its heroic citizens. The federal judiciary not existing, and the government being precluded from the intervention which it formerly had in that of the ancient provinces, its action, in this respect, has been almost null, and will be so until the supreme court be instituted by a law designating the number and local relations of the district and circuit judges, and prescribing rules for territorial tribunals, and the federal district. Notwithstanding this, the end of justice has been effected as far as possible, and the citizens can complain only of the vices of legislation, and of those introduced by the degrading indolence of the Spanish governors. The prisons and houses of correc tion have had the fate of the times; but I do not despair of rendering them useful, without increasing the affliction of the delinquents. The Mexican army, which gthered many laurels, has considerably improved in its discipline. It is to be completed; and that now in existence is well armed, in proportion to the arms contracted for, in order to raise the army according to the dictates of our situation and of law. The secretary of war and marine will elucidate my exertions in this branch. The system happily adopted, confides the internal administration to the people, and to its local authorities. The government, within its orbit, has undertaken to cut off state abuses; and in this, the patriotic laws begin to unfold their beneficent activity. This will be explained by the secretary of the interior. In all the free countries of the universe, wishes are formed for the consolidation of the Mexican independence; and as soon as they are enabled to calculate the immense force which union has given to our individual and collective prosperity, I am persuaded, gentlemen, that they will admit us to the rank of independent and sovereign nations. And is this the people who, for three centuries, was under a ridiculous administration, a wretched government? The Mexicans, deprived of an equitable system, and after having suffered above the limits of human forbearance, broke off their connection with the metropolis. Our villages burnt, our properties invaded, prisons continually full; grief, despair, and death perpetually hanging over our heads; such were the titles, such the characters that stamped with fire and blood the freedom we now enjoy. In recovering our rights, and when the strong arm was uplifted for the glory of the country, we gave remarkable examples of moderation. Our de tractors, now defeated, admire, if for once they can be called just, the empire of the amiable disposition of the Mexican nation, and its more philanthropic system of legislation and government. Citizens of both houses of the general congress of the heroic Mexican nation! Mexican nation! Let not the triumphs of the revolution be lost to us! Let the satellites of the despotic power give, as a tribute to the ideas of the age and to the progress of civilization in America, the testimonials of its forced and tardy repentance! Let your ardent zeal for the constitution, your constant love of country and liberty, your wisdom and energy, facilitate the inestimable felicity of elevating the MEXICAN UNITED STATES to that high pitch of greatness decreed by the supreme arbitrator of destinies! I have done. REPLY of the President of the Congress to the President of the Republic. The Mexican republic, that beloved country, which, although it broke off its foreign yoke, has not yet been enabled to gather the fruit of so many sacrifices, heroically made, to obtain felicity, has, within that space, received the sacred charter which sanctions its rights, restores her to the great sphere of independent nations, and opens to her the high way to that opulence and prosperity which nature has designed. The nation has, in fact, sworn to the expected constitution; but, what an immense latitude between the oath and its observance. Inclinations, habits, opinions, the fatal result of so many ages of darkness and servitude, are obstacles which can be conquered by the docility and re markable genius of Mexicans; the vast materials for the exertions of experience, for the display of knowledge, and for the sacrifice even of life, should honor require it, for such sacrifices can be demanded of those who have the honor to govern the nation, the general congress and president of the Mexican United States. No constitution, however wisely combined, can stifle the existence of parties in a popular government; they are the offsprings of liberty; and, determined to support our independence, in this point alone we are unanimous: for our honor precludes the belief, that any can dissent to this, or that there exists one single individual who does not feel indignant at the idea of foreign servitude or dependence; unanimous only, I repeat, in this point, we shall have to struggle with opinions from the moment that they will arise from incidents, which we must tolerate to a certain degree; and inasmuch as the law, without destroying the passions, leads them towards right; thus the government, without being enabled to shun altogether actions and reactions, or master the ebb and tide of opinion, has, for its difficult and sublime duty, to balance, moderate and regulate those movements in such manner, as that their jarring eventuate in the peace, the justice, and the reciprocal benefit of both. The federal republic, composed of so many and various elements, is a complicated machinery, whose action requires so much precision, so much delicacy in its direction, that it is reserved to superior understandings. But the congress and president have an infallible support. In order to fulfil their great trust, they can meet, and even surpass the expectation of those whose confidence they possess: they may render their fame adored, placing it on a line with that of Solo, Lock, Penn, Washington and the other benefactors of mankind. In virtue alone is to be found that supporter in that republican virtue, that knows how to lose sight of its personal interest, whose ambition looks up to the public good, and which can distinguish, through the clouds of pas sion, at a clear and perspicacious glance, the path that leads to public felicity. The heart of every Mexican expands at the idea that such will be the guide, the lumina. ry, the soul of its congress and president. This virtue shall identify itself with their opinions, will gather their votes, dictate their statues, render them indefatigable, and will concentrate their strength to secure to the country its liberty and the accumulation of the advantages it deserves. You are going to exhibit to Mexico and to the world, a sublime spectacle, in your rectitude, purity, efficacy and unanimity; and soon you will deserve, from your country and posterity, the applause and tribute due to the sons of republican virtue. You will be the source from which shall flow, on all classes of the Anahuac society, that equitable spirit of benevolence that characterizes and supports good governments. A vast and luminous career is open before you, and at its end is perspectively seen the majestic and safe march of the federal republic of Mexico, the friendly nations, (and all ought to be so,) allied to her, Asia and Europe at her side, connected by important and pacific relations, and felicity dispensing, by the hand of Mexico, its treasures and lights to the inhabitants of the universe. By a happy coincidence, you are going to direct its councils, at probably the most important time, when each instant is critical, each conjuncture decisive: when the new institutions are on the point of breaking off their course, emerging from the obstructions and ruins heaped by despotism and its ministers, by ignorance and fear; and when their irresistible current is to be directed by you, between two precipices, created by slavery and anarchy. To you belongs the ful filling of the pledges given by our constitution, and to prove to other nations that the Mexicans are not only able to reconquer their liberty, but, moreover, to allot to themselves the most permanent and wise institutions; that it has within itself the means to cause itself to be respected and looked upon with admiration by others; and that, lastly, it is capable of completing the remarkable work of its felicity, as inspired by Providence. Such must be the result of the virtue that animates the congress and president of the Mexican republic. PROCLAMATION of the PRESIDENT of the UNITED MEXICAN STATES to his fellow-citizens. Fellow-citizens-The standard Vera Cruz, the illustrious Vera of the republic waves on the castle of Ulua. I announce to you, with indescribable pleasure, that now, after the lapse of three hundred and four years, the flag of Castile has disappeared from our coast. It was my first care on ascending to the seat of power at your will, to attempt, with confidence in your assistance, to reduce the dominion of the obstinate Spaniard to its ancient limits. A day of so much happiness and glory to the country has arrived. Mexicans! By a path of blood, drawn from the town of Dolores,* you have marched with resolution to obtain the decisive triumph. It has cost you the life of your heroes, the sacrifice of innumerable victims, the ruin and the desolation of your firesides. Despotism has been drowned in the sea of blood and tears. Cruz, invoking the national cause, has carried this mighty work to its final accomplishment. There a handful of brave men, facing the dangers of the climate, and death in all its shapes, have triumphed among the ruins of the heroic city. A page of mourning and horror will forever preserve the memory of the invincible people, who alone, and deprived of the resources of war, opposed to the last, every attempt to encourage the hopes of tyranny. Vera Cruz has acquired immortal fame, which shall carry her name to the extremities of the earth. She merits the national gratitude. I was a witness of her unlimited exertions. The authorities of the nation are apprized of them. Vera Cruz has every thing to hope from their being fully ap preciated. Fellow-citizens, Providence has brought about a state of things enThe place where the revolution began. tirely new. Every wound is to be closed; doubt and suspicion are gone. All opinion, and all parties now assemble under the national banner. Causeless fears and hopeless seditions, will return no more to disturb the peace of your great family. Passion is dead; and union is secure in the common interest, good intelligence, generous principles, and the nobleness of your breasts. Woe to him who shall disseminate discord, or break your fraternal bonds. The country shall be revenged on him. : My friends! The past belongs to history to secure a happy futurity belongs to you. Time is short, and Mexico will proceed under your direction, to the height of her glory. Who does not see beginnings of your power and credit which shall increase without end? Mexico, presenting one coast to Europe, and the other to Asia, opens her mines to facilitate commercial and political operations. Mexico, shaking off the chains of slavery, with the majesty of the ancient and modern free states, exhibits a sublime and august character, which policy had made subservient to its designs, and cabinets had humbled to their service. The colossus of Spain has fallen and been trampled under her feet. Great nations have been born among its ruins. Mexico raises her head. The perception of her dignity fills the universe. This, fellow-citizens, is the work of your hands. My friends, in communicating to you this inestimable news, I make known to the public my feelings and my exertions. Now that the conclusion corresponds with my wishes, I rejoice, and my happiness is not without cause, since the year 1825 approaches a termination no less prosperous than its beginning was propitious. The nation may yet reap laurels in a spacious field. If the cabinets of Europe reconcile themselves with the favorite lights of the age, and accommodate their policy to the plain and solemn interest of their continent, we shall cultivate free relations of peace and friendship with the whole world. The great republic will be no less esteemed and applauded for the riches of its soil, than for the equity and benevolence of her citizens. Mexicans! An epoch approaches of immeasurable promise. Glory, my countrymen, to the gallant general who has completed the labors of four years by the reduction of the enemy's fortress! Glory and honor to the brave men who have made this day a jubilee, at the expense of their fatigues, blood and sufferings. The country, grateful for such distinguished services, will know how to recompense them. Fellow-citizens, long live the Mexican republic. GUADALUPE VICTORIA. Mexico, Nov. 23, 1825. ADDRESS of the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES OF MEXICO, to the two Houses of Congress, at the opening of their extraordinary session, on the 4th day of August, 1825. Gentlemen-You are convened by that article of the constitution which authorises the president, when necessary, to call extraordinary sessions of the congress. I congratulate myself, the nation, |