Summary: Election of Iturbide. Public demonstrations of joy, but some dissatisfaction. Congress favorable to the colony, but no progress. Attend to your studies and religion.
I have been here since the 29th of April but my business is not yet
finished, it is before Congress and I am told will soon be dispatched—
Some great events have transpired since my arrival here, and this
great city is now in a State of Commotion and rejoicing— on the
17 the Generalissimo Iturbide resigned, and sent his resignation
to Congress, this produced much sensation, which broke out on the
night of the 18, by firing of Musketry and cannon in the air loaded
with Balls, and loud Shouts from the Soldiers and Citizens
proclaiming Iturbide Emperor under the title of Augustin 1st— the
next day the Congress met at 7 and at 12 elected Iturbide Emperor,
this was Sunday, on Monday the form of the oath was agreed on
and on Tuesday which was yesterday it was administered in
Congress Hall by the President amidst the Shouts of the Multitude,
this day has been a constant scene of rejoicing, the army paraded
and the Bells have kept a constant roar since daylight— I hope
this event will be a fortunate one for the Country, the Emperor I
believe is a very good man as well as a great one, and has the happiness
of the nation much at heart— I shall return as soon as I can, but
it is uncertain when that will be, everything is now at a stand, my
prospect[s] are very good and I think everything will be right—
you must keep closely to your studies and learn the language as
soon as possible— Should you hear anything of the vessel Mr
Little has charge of the cargo and you must aid him to sell the
articles for cash or mules— the Trunks keep safe until I arrive,
there are some things in one of them for the Govr and his Lady—
I was so unfortunate as not to see the Baron [de Bastrop], he left
here early in the morning after I arrived I called at his lodgings not
more than half an hour after he had started give my respects to
him— You must conduct yourself very prudently and attend to
your studies and to Religion (sic), there are some dark clouds
hanging over this part of the Country, many are dissatisfied and
disappointed at the election of Iturbide, and the Republican party
is still restless tho I hope there will be no difficulty, but I fear it
much, I have wrote you since I arrived here and given some account
of this city— it is truly a large and splendid place, Something
larger than N. York and more splendidly built— but the people
are greatly behind the U. S in everything—