The Mexican Revolution.
"When Napoleon broke the Bourbon sway in Spain, and seated his brother Joseph on the throne, the distant colonies belonging to that crown > profited by the opportunity to assert their independence. Mexico led the way, and after a few years the provinces in Central America followed its, example. At the present time when Continual ebullitions and msurrections are still fashionable in that part of the world, somo slight account of the political relations and social conditions of these republics may not be unacceptable. The convulsions that shook Central America upon its first emancipation' from Spanish thraldom were very like those that agitated Mexico when a few years before she found herself in a similar position. In 1823 a national assembly was convoked and General Morazan was elected President, but internal or civic war soon arose, and Carrera of Mayne, Reid's novels' celebrity, appeared on the•cene. Soldiers of fortune from all parts assisted to keep up the turmoil and confusion; war suits men whose only capital consists of unbounded effrontery and a sword. The hatred against these soldiers of fortune was at first a prevailing feature of the party, headed by Carrera. The belligerents proposed to inarch to the city of Guatemala. Commandant Galverz, who was Governor had . but few troops in his garrison on whem ' he could reply. The citizens and eoldiers allowed the present leader Carrera to enter the city. He was mounted on a loperb charger, though hi« habiliments were ragged, and his followers were no better clothed; some were ■ armed with muskjets, others with pistols; some had wooden muskets with tin locks to complete the .deception ; some of these followers-of Carrera had never before been in a city, nor was their' leader much advanced in civilisation; Whites, Creoles,. Mestitzoes, Indians, Mnlattoes, and Blacks composed the averted patriot army. One of Carrera s followers entered a store and found a general's laced hat and uniform, which he brought to his chief, who very uncere- . moniously donned it over his rags. ; Here was an unlettered man, simple minded, but ilUdvised, master of a large city. The principal authorities waited on him and entreated him to evacuate the city. He demanded the deposition, ot the Governor Galverea, and money and arms for his motley crew; he evacuated the city upon the payment of ten thousand dollars and a thousand muskets. General Morazan arrived in a few days from-San Salvador, with fifteen hundred soldiers, and pursued Carrera to the mountains with but little success. The aristocrats, 1' however,' secretly supported Carrera; he was placed at the head of the State, and ' made commander in cKiefW the armyhe had commenced his career with thirteen men armed with old muskets, which 'they were obliged to fire-with.cigars. Like Massaniello he preserved his simplicity, living.in.an. humble dwelling,, a' cot,. two chairs, and a table, r. eowtituted his furniture.' Guatemala was the first province that separated from the general federation; in fertility of soil' and salubrity of climate Guatemela yields to no part of America. Every kind of grain and fruit thrives there. In 1836 some British adventurers effected a landing and lettled on the Mosquito coast. They formed a close alliance with the Indians * and defied' the authority of the Spaniards. This British settlement is known, as 'Balize. 1 The States of Balize, Honduras , Nicaragua and, Costa Rica were at per* petual war one with another over the boundary question. When the American < civil war broke out, the restless spirits of; the Central States flocked.away<to take- a part in it. That being over they trans* ferred their services to the Republics in South America. It is in that part of the world that many younger sons of noble English houses are to be found, bearing commissions in military and naval services. Several gentlemen who had served in the New Zealand war are now in Chili and the Brazils endeavoring to carve their way to fortune.
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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3623, 6 August 1880, Page 3
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653The Mexican Revolution. Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3623, 6 August 1880, Page 3
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