Gentlemen-Our country having increased in prosperity, even beyond the expectation formed from the flattering prospects of the preceding year, having acquired in her course a degree of external respect, which has gratified our most sanguine wishes, and furnished the hope of a happiness without limits, in the development ever progressive of the numerous sources and elements of power and grandeur which abound in this fortunate land, and having at length reaped the fruit of fifteen years of heroic toil, Mexico is placed on a level with the great nations of the universe, and gives promise of gigantic advances in the career of improvement: this wonderful combination of events unrols the magnificent plan traced by Providence, when regulating, with a wise hand, the order, the means, and the fulfilment of the destinies of the republic.

The august ceremony which has surrounded me, to my inexpressible gratification, with the representatives of the illustrious Mexican people, to-day, that they return to the exercise of their important legislative functions, gives me an opportunity to present to the chambers and to the nation a sketch of the year 1825, which will be remarkable in our annals,

tion, while the secretaries of the government fulfil the obligation imposed upon them by the constitution, of rendering an account to congress at the commencement of every year of the affairs of their several departments.

The month of January, of the year which has just closed, has deserved great celebrity from their having been then manifested to the diplomatic agents assembled in London, the disposition of the government of his Britannic majesty to enter into amicable relations with, and to recognize the independence of the new American states. This decisive act of the profound policy of the British ministry has disconcerted the plans and machinations of our external enemies, by surprising the cabinets of the allied powers. Thus has been revealed the secret of their ulterior intentions, and they have been forced to confess that they renounced for the future all armed intervention in subjects relating to the insurgent Americas. It was in agitation to extend and establish beyond the ocean the absurd principles of legitimacy and to abolish liberal ideas in the new world. Protests, repeated acts, a mysterious correspondence with the court of Madrid; all this conspired to found a suspicion that Spain, in order to preserve the remnants of her detestable sway, was endeavoring to procure the assistance of the armies and navies of other nations. The invasion of the Peninsula in 1823, included the fatal design of placing Ferdinand

VII. in a situation to undertake the re-conquest of his former colonies. By his proclamation to the Spaniards, the French generallissimo wished to insinuate that such were the views of his august uncle. Let us acknowledge the generous feeling of the British nation which impelled her to fly to the aid of the cause of reason, of justice, and of liberty-and to redeem the Americas from the evils and disasters of war, by the interposition of her trident. The debt of our gratitude is so much the more flattering, as the resolution of the cabinet of St. James rested on the unanimous approbation of the English, interested in all their relations for the triumph of American independence. A nation eminently industrious, in which politics and commerce turn on an axis, participates in the progress and stability of other nations, which possess the materials that luxury and habit have rendered necessary. An event of such importance has opened a door of communication between the two worlds-and Mexico, called by her happy location to play a conspicuous part in the new order of things, prides herself on the inexhaustible richness of her soil. Our agent in London enjoys, since that period, the diplomatic rank with which he was announced by our government. The charge d'affaires of his Britannic majesty resides in the capital of the republic, and, associated with Mr. Morier, who arrived at Vera Cruz on the 14th of the last month, will be employed very shortly in the conclusion of treaties, which, I confidently hope, will effect a reconciliation of the interests of both nations. The chambers, in fulfilment of the 13th power of the general

congress, will take into considera. tion this grave negotiation, which holds suspended the attention of Europe.

France has solemnly pronounced her anxious wishes to strengthen her mercantile relations with this and the other new republics of America, under guarantees emanating from her government. It is desirable, as well for the advantage of France as for that of the new continent, that the clamors of those Frenchmen should prevail in her cabinet, who have ever been animated with the love of glory, and who seek with earnestness a new and rich market for their abundant industry. However the real aspect of the original act may be considered in diplomacy, by which the independence of Hayti has been recognized, it has justified incontestibly the right of insurrection, and raised the principle of the expediency of the time being, above that other false principle which makes no distinction between communities of men and herds of cattle. With no fear of being in er ror, I consider this fact as a forward step on the part of France, which must lead her on gradually to imitate the glorious example of her dexterous rival. This opinion has been recently strengthened by the consent of the court of Versailles to send out to us a commercial agent, and to receive one appointed by the republic. It may not be improper to remark, that similar measures were taken by England before the final accomplishment of her intentions with regard to the new world. Although it may be the policy of France to postpone the moment of a definitive resolution, it is certain, and a source of gratification to the

friends of humanity, that her actual dispositions towards the republic are by no means alarming.

The king of the Netherlands, a descendant of the house of Orange, that illustrious supporter of liberty, who governs his people with equity and justice, has recognized a provisional consul for Mexico, who is now acting officially in that country, which the active and enterprising genius of its inhabitants have raised upon drained marshes. Mr. D'Quartel, commissioner from the king to this republic, expressed to me, in the name of his government, the adhesion which, it professed to the philanthropic principles of our existence.

The president of the council of government of Prússia, has communicated the appointment of a commercial agent to the republic, who is now in the capital of this confederation. The progress of the commercial company of the Rhine has, without doubt, induced the cabinet of Berlin to open, for the advantage of their country, this path, hitherto unknown to the centre of Europe.

The foreign journals communicate satisfactory notices respecting the intentions of Sweden and Denmark. And although the government is not in possession of such official information as might enable them to assure the chambers of this fact, yet it is reasonable to suppose, that two maritime powers, not within the immediate reach of foreign influence, and which may supply some of the articles formerly derived from the commerce heretofore maintained by Spain, should hasten to form friendly relations with the American nations.

In the conduct of the emperor of the Russias, nothing is observa

ble hostile to the happy revolution of the Americas; and as Mexico is, of all the new states, the nearest to the Russian possessions, sooner or later communications will be established with the court of St. Petersburg. Our attention is fixed even now on the memorable ukase of the 28th of September, 1821, prohibiting all persons, not being Russians, from exercising any commerce, fishery, or industry whatever, on the islands or coasts of the northwest part of America, from the straits of Bhering, to the 51st degree of latitude, or on the Allention or Curile islands, or on the eastern coast of Siberia. The protests made by the United States of the north, have explained sufficiently how far this law affected the sovereignty of the seas.

The holy father, uniting in himself the double investiture of sovereign of Rome and head of the catholic church, has high claims on the veneration and affection of the Mexicans, who anxiously aspire to connect themselves with the father of the faithful, in objects exclusively religious and ecclesiastical. The benevolent letter of the 29th July last, addressed to me by Senor Leon XII., is expressive of his ideas of justice, and induces a belief that our envoy, who arrived in Brussels in August of the last year, may be paternally received, and permitted to render homage to the legitimate successor of St. Peter.

And coming to the nations of the happy hemisphere of Columbus, justice and gratitude oblige us first to mention that which is the most ancient in America, and was the first of the civilized world which solemnly acknowledged our

rights, after it had preceded us in the heroic resolution of throwing off the yoke of the mother country. The United States of the north, models of political virtue and moral rectitude, are advancing under the system of confederated republics, whose adoption among us by the most spontaneous act on record, strengthening the most intimate union between the neighboring nations, places us on a level with the country of Washington. A minister plenipotentiary of that nation, residing near Our government, is appointed to conclude treaties, which will soon be submitted to the deliberation of congress. The definitive settlement of the limits between both nations is very important, and the government is endeavoring to facilitate the conclusion of this business upon the unalterable bases of frankness and good faith.

The republic of Colombia, identifying with ours her principles in peace and in war, has concluded a treaty of union, league, and perpetual confederation, which, now solemnly ratified, is the inviolable pledge of harmony between two friendly countries allied by nature. The squadron of Colombia was prepared to sail for our coast, in fulfilment of one of the articles of the convention; but the recent success of our arms rendered, in the opinion of government, its arrival unnecessary.

The great victories of president Bolivar will hasten in Peru its anxiously desired organization. The independence of that province was acknowledged at the time of the protectorate of general San Martin, and since, no minister appointed by any of the various provisiona

ry governments of Peru has yet presented himself in Mexico.

The chief of the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata has professed the firmest and most cordial friendship of that nation towards Mexico.

The Chilian republic, not exempt from momentary changes, cannot delay to communicate with Mexico most intimately and most frequently.

During the past year, some correspondence has been held with the republic of the Centre, in order to preserve entire the state of the Chiapas, and the government, in conformity with the views of congress, will prefer measures of peace and friendship as long as they are sufficient to maintain the honor of the nation. A charge d'affaires to Guatemala has been nominated, who will depart as soon as he obtains the constitutional consent of the chamber of senators.

The desired union of representatives from all the American nations will soon be realized in Panama, to consolidate the alliance, and the most sincere friendship of the great family, which, with repeated prodigies of valor and exertions of constancy, has thrown off forever the Spanish yoke. The plenipotentiaries of Mexico will sail during the course of the present month. I congratulate the chambers and the American continent on the near approach of an event which history will record as the most important which, perhaps, may occur in the nineteenth century.

And viewing the brilliant condition of the interior, new and important triumphs have heightened

the glory of the republic. The Spanish squadron in the Pacific, which encouraged the hopes of the government of Madrid, even after the campaign of Ayacucho, capitulated on the 1st of May, at Monterey, in the Californias-augmenting our naval forces with the ship of the line Asia, now the Mexican Congress, and the brig of war Constante. The importance of this fact is incalculable in politics, and morally presents considerations highly honorable to Mexico which was chosen among all the states which border on the great ocean, to the receive the last spoils of the dying power of Spain in the seas of America. The generosity of the republic, pledged to those unfortunate persons who adopted a new and better country, has paid them the dues of the Spanish government, which withholds from all its engagements, whilst it demands their sacrifices.

The chambers participate, at this moment, in the joy which transports me, remembering that at the end of four years of exertions and useless toils to effect the surrender of the famous castle of San Juan de Ulloa, that the flag is lowered which Cortes hoisted in the Mexican waters. By reason of the organized plans of the government, of a vigorous siege by sea and land, and the daring movement of our marine upon that of the enemy, which a skilful hand directed, our troops took possession, on the 21st of November, of that post which is named the Gibraltar of America, which may be called the Key of Mexico, and which protected the sworn enemies of independence at the gates of the republic. An event of such magnitude, and which has been an object of the

most ardent wishes of patriots, indemnifies the losses the nation has suffered by long years of contest, and is flattering to the congress and government at the success of their efforts exerted for the prosperity of the Mexican states. The republic has attained the highest character, which repeated testimonials daily testify, and has impressed the last seal to the triumph of the great cause of the liberty of America, radically identified with the fate of Mexico. The govern ment, which views the national congress seated on the throne of justice, asks of its august munificence that recompense to the valiant soldiers of the country which they deserve.

The treasury, which in all countries is the barometer of their riches and aggrandizement, is about to experience the most advantageous increase to its receipts. The creation of public funds has inspired our creditors with that confidence which constitutes the magic of our resources. The national credit in foreign markets rises proportionably with the scrupulous observance of our engagements to the houses who have loaned us. That of Barclay, Richards & Co. of London, negotiated advantageously the loan which it was authorised to do by the republic. Happily, very little of it has been paid for ordinary expenses: the purchase of vessels, ar mament, clothing, and equipment for the army, the collection of valuable and productive crops of tobacco, the funding a very respectable portion of the loan contracted in 1823, with the English house of B. A. Goldsmith & Co., and the most punctual payment of the dividends of the interest and ordinary liquidation, have been the objects of