The movement was received in Vera Cruz enthusiastically; Alvarado and other neighboring towns joined in the revolt, and the knell of the empire had sounded.
Great preparations had been made in the capital for the return of the emperor, where it was thought that he was all this time triumphing over the Spaniards. Moreover, an imperial prince had been born,[1] and the celebration of the auspicious event awaited the arrival of the august parent.[2] But Iturbide was in no humor for baby bell-ringings and baptisms. At Puebla he had received intelligence of Santa Anna's revolt, and though he pretended to make light of it, was none the less conscious of its serious significance. He hurried his departure from the town,[3] and unexpectedly entered the capital by night, December 13th.[4] Measures were at once taken to suppress the revolt. Santa Anna was declared a traitor,
- ↑ On Nov. 30th. Gac. Imp. Mex., ii. 1013-14, 1016-17; Buatamante, Hist. Iturbide, 38-43. For an account of the preparations made to receive Iturbide, see Zavala, Rev. Mex., i. 153.
- ↑ The name given to the prince was Felipe Andrés María de Guadalupe. Ib. The safe deliverance of the empress was made the occasion for several military promotions. Alejo García Conde and Sotarriva were made lieutenant-generals; Armijo, Torres, Barragan, Lobato, and some others were raised to full brigadiers. Gac. Imp. Mex., ii. 1138.
- ↑ The oath of allegiance was celebrated at Puebla, on the occasion of his return, and he did not wait for the completion of the customary festivities.
- ↑ 'A noche á los nueve, inesperadamente, entró sin novedad á esta Capital S. M. I. de regreso de Xalapa.' Id., 1064.
people, cry aloud for their freedom; they say that you have broken your oaths of Iguala and Córdoba; have trampled upon the laws;. . . have unjustly persecuted members of congress, banishing some, imprisoning others, so as to reduce it to what is called a junta constituyente, composed of a few of your favorites. . . . They cry out, too, in consternation against the seizure of the convoy of money in Jalapa, convinced that under your government the sacred right of property will never be respected. Finally, they understand that there are neither means nor wealth sufficient in this America to support a throne with all the ostentation and dignity an emperor requires.' He then hopes that Iturbide will take measures to renounce the crown, and concludes with the ominous words: 'Do not expose your valuable life to the terrible catastrophe which your flatterers have prepared for you.' Bustamante, Hist. Iturbide, 51-3; Niles' Reg., xxiii. 344. Santa Anna states in his Manifiesto á sus Conciudadanos, 7, that he formed the design of liberating his country when the deputies were imprisoned. 'Yo juré en el silencio de la aciaga noche del 26 de Agosto, volver por el honor de la nacion esclavizada.' He was in Mexico at the time, and to carry out his project, sought with urgency the command of the province of Vera Cruz, which was conferred on him. Ib.
