RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 30 Nov. 1822 and so recorded in SJL; with Dft of TJ to Monroe, 1 Dec. 1822, on verso. Enclosure: William Taylor to John Quincy Adams, “City of Megica” (i.e., Mexico City), 4 Aug. 1822 (RC in DNA: RG 59, CD, Veracruz), detailing the violent events of 18 May 1822 culminating the following day in a meeting of the Mexican Congress at which Agustín de Iturbide was declared emperor; describing Iturbide’s 21 May coronation, at which “There were not, however, present on this occasion more than 3,000., so unpopular was the act”; estimating that twelve or thirteen Americans, including General James Wilkinson, attended; enclosing a specimen of the medals that were thrown to the crowd; stating that, although Iturbide and his supporters believed his elevation would end internal strife, the opposite has occurred; recounting economic hardships and stating that “poverty is the plea of all, and by most not without reason—for I have never yet seen so much misery and want—as since I came here—The people are Idle, and adverse to labour, The Army & other officers of Gouvernment, are numerous as locusts, ravenous as Wolves”; sending a statement of the money coined in the Mexican mint from 1812 to 1821; noting efforts to resist Iturbide’s rule and inferring that “This Country is about to be involved in a Civil war”; indicating that he recently learned of the recognition of the empire by the United States; stating that he will not return to Veracruz before November both because “the black vomit still rages there” and the local castle, still “being in possession of the Spaniards, leaves me nothing to do”; reacting to the appointment of José Manuel Zozaya as minister to the United States by calling him “a lawyer of some standing but with more intrigue than Talent, more Cunning than principle”; closing with a defense of his own conduct in dealing with Mexican officials and a hope that Wilkinson would send Adams a more detailed view of the situation; and appending a postscript regarding recent events in Veracruz related to Spanish control there and remarking on the conduct of the Colombian minister toward the new Mexican regime.