Spanish Nationalist’s plea to accept the Mexican Independence

[Anonymous]; Bernard Lambert (1738-1813).

Deberes del Cristiano hacia la potestad pública o principios propios para dirigir a los hombres de bien en su modo de pensar y en su conducta en medio de las revoluciones que agitan las Naciones.

México City, Imprenta de Galván a cargo de Mariano Arévalo, 1830.

8°. [2], 228 p.

Contemporary marbled calf, red title-label, speckled sides.

Only known complete copy of a moral plea for the Spanish in Mexico to accept peace and independence, based on Christian values. This was published at the end of the failed Spanish attempt to reconquer Mexico after its independence was declared in 1821. In September 1829 the final battle was fought that marked the end of the Spanish conquest attempts in Mexico. The present work was published in 1830. Only in 1836 did Spain finally recognise the independence of Mexico by treaty.
                The anonymous author claims that true Christians choose peace over war and therefore the only options for the Spanish is to settle for the independence of Mexico. He or she denounces the Spanish for “having let ourselves be dominated by the passions of anger and hatred”. The work is a spin on a title from 1813: Deberes del Cristiano hacia la potestad pública […] que agitan a los Imperios (Madrid, 1813), in which the French theologian Bernard Lambert tried to convince Christians in Mexico to resist independence, so quite the opposite from the work presented here.

Condition: binding rubbed. Bookplates on front pastedown. Free endpaper partially detached. Faded stamp on title. Inscription on verso last endpaper. Stamps of former owner. Otherwise in good condition.

Reference: only 1 incomplete copy traced, at University of New Mexico.

Not in Medina, Sabin, Palau.