indignant murmurings of reprobation at his conduct were heard on all sides. "By what authority," it was demanded, "had Iturbide held communications with Dávila without the knowledge or consent of congress?" And when Odoardo replied with the ominous words, "Cæsar has passed the Rubicon," the excitement for a time was uncontrollable. When quiet was restored, a commission was sent to Iturbide, requesting him to supply other documents in support of his accusation, as those produced failed to inculpate any individual members. Whereupon he returned to the hall and designated by name eleven of the deputies, among whom were the president Horbegoso,[1] Fagoaga, Odoardo, Echarte, and Lombardo. All those denounced were held in high esteem by the congress, and their accusation was heard with angry resentment, which was not mollified by Iturbide once more repeating the oft-told narration of his services, and the thread-bare profession of his disinterestedness. Truly, it was a contemptible part he was playing. When he had retired, it was only through the cooler representations of Fagoaga that the vote was not passed declaring him a traitor. Meantime the public agitation was intense, while the members were in momentary expectation that Iturbide would dissolve the congress by force.[2] On the following day congress, in secret session, occupied itself with the accusation made by Iturbide, and unanimously passed a vote to the effect that the deputies accused by the generalissimo had not merited any want of confidence, but, on the contrary, the assembly was fully satisfied with their conduct. This declaration was publicly announced. Thus Iturbide was beaten at all points. His scheme to enhance his own importance had only placed him in a humiliating position, while the frivolousness of his charge against the deputies greatly diminished his popularity. As for
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THE FIRST CONGRESS AND FIRST EMPEROR.
