Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/535

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PACIFIC TONE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

477

not be disguised, that their internal dissensions for the past twenty-five years, had brought on all the troubles and embarrassments under which they now suffered. The reply of Congress was also conciliatory, and a vote was soon after taken, defeating a proposition of Señor Otero, to deprive the Executive of the power to alienate any portion of the territory of the republic, which indicated that the war would soon be brought to a close. The governors of the several states likewise met at Queretaro, and in reply to a circular from the Secretary of State, indicated their willingness to consent to a peace. The leading members of the cabinet, Peña y Peña, Secretary of State, and Mora y Villamil, Minister of War, were open and avowed friends of a cessation of hostilities; and the former manifested a great deal more firmness in maintaining his opinions, than he exhibited as one of General Herrera's advisers.^[1]

The pacific disposition of General Anaya was manifested still further, by the appointment of Señores Cuevas, Conto, and Atristain, as commissioners to treat with Mr. Trist. The authority of the latter had been revoked, in the meantime, by the President of the United States, and instructions had been issued to transmit any proposition for peace that might be received, directly to Washington. The Mexican com-

↑ There was a cause for this, perhaps, as the power of the army which the federalists seem all along to have dreaded, more than any thing else, was nearly destroyed. The office of General-in-chief, temporarily held by General Gutierrez, was bestowed on General Bustamente, formerly a prominent centralist, but by no means friendly to Santa Anna. On assuming the command of the army, General Bustamente issued an address, in which he avowed his anxious desire to have an opportunity of retrieving the honor of his country. Overtures were held out to him to join Paredes, and others, who were disaffected, in overturning the government, and renewing the war; but he remained faithful to the trust confided to his hands.

[1] There was a cause for this, perhaps, as the power of the army which the federalists seem all along to have dreaded, more than any thing else, was nearly destroyed. The office of General-in-chief, temporarily held by General Gutierrez, was bestowed on General Bustamente, formerly a prominent centralist, but by no means friendly to Santa Anna. On assuming the command of the army, General Bustamente issued an address, in which he avowed his anxious desire to have an opportunity of retrieving the honor of his country. Overtures were held out to him to join Paredes, and others, who were disaffected, in overturning the government, and renewing the war; but he remained faithful to the trust confided to his hands.

[1]