funds. He concluded by submitting his conduct to the decision of the congress and people.[1] The new cabinet was formed on the 7th with the following iministers, namely: Lucas Alaman, of relations;[2] José Ignacio Espinosa Vidaurre, of justice and ecclesiastical affairs; Rafael Mangino, of the treasury; and José Antonio Facio, of war and the navy.[3]
The question now occurred what to do with Guerrero. His election could not be declared illegal, for such a declaration would equally disqualify Bustammante. In the senate it was moved to declare Guerrero morally incapable. After the motion had been warmly discussed in the lower house — for the sake of appearances, it is presumed — it was enacted on the 4th of February, 1830, that the man decorated for his eminent services with the title of 'benemérito de la patria,' whom that same body had only one year ago chosen to fill the chief magistracy, was not able to govern the republic.[4] His acts were repudiated.[5] The law was published at once.
The change was not favorably received in the south, where numerous parties took up arms and labored to bring on a general revolution on strictly federal principles. Juan Álvarez raised the standard of revolt, and the government had to meet its enemies
- ↑ Bustamante, Manif., 1-20. Consequent upon which the legislature of Chihuahua, Jan. 28th, petitioned congress to make a thorough investigation into the conduct of President Guerrero and his ministers, including also that of Vice-president Bustamante from the time he took command of the reserve army. Atleta, 1830, Jan. 2, 56, March 6, 306-7.
- ↑ Alaman had held no public office since he resigned this portfolio in 1825.
- ↑ This portfolio was offered to Mier y Teran, who declined it. Arrillaga, Recop., 1830, 4. The four appointees were certainly able men. But they were not federalists, and did not enjoy public confidence for that reason. Atleta, 1830, Jan. 9, 83-4.
- ↑ 'Tiene imposibilidad para gobernar la república.' Mex. Col. Ley., 1829-30, 89; Dublan and Lozano, Legis. Mex., ii. 223; Arrillaga, Recop., 1830, 3, 72; Atleta, 1830, Jan. 20, 31; Zarala, Revol. Méx., ii. 267.
- ↑ Gen. Barragan refused a comandancia general tendered him, as he would have to affix his signature to the act of Dec. 23, 1829. He argued that if Guerrero had been a nonentity, then he had no power to set aside the law under which he and others were exiled; he, Barragan, must therefore go again into exile. Atleta, 1829, Dec. 28.
