Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/145

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CHAPTER VI.

THE FEDERAL SYSTEM AND ITS OVERTHROW.

1832-1836.

Administration of Gomez Pedraza — His Subsequent Career, Character, and Death — Biography of Gomez Farías — His Political Principles and Administration — Disturbances in Michoacan — Santa Anna's Paradoxical Action — Arista's Revolt and its Suppression — First Movements in Favor of Centralism — Political Defeat of Farías — Santa Anna's Biography and Character — Downfall of the Federal System — Santa Anna Dictator — Political Parties and Contests — The New Congress — Centralism Inaugurated The New Constitutional Law — Dissatisfaction — Attempts to Reëstablish Federalism.

President Gomez Pedraza in his inaugural address at Puebla reviewed the events of the late revolution, expressing his appreciation of the services rendered by Santa Anna, and making a harangue to Bustamante s army, in which he commended their valor arid patriotism.[1] The cabinet was appointed on the 24th and 26th of December, 1832: Bernardo Gonzalez Angulo, minister of relations; Joaquin Parrés, and in his absence Cirilo Gomez Anaya, of war; Miguel Ramos Arizpe, of justice and ecclesiastical affairs; Valentin Gomez Farías, of the treasury.

Manuel Gomez Pedraza was born in Querétaro[2] about 1788. During the war of independence he served in the royal army, and the capture of Morelos is in a great measure attributed to his advice. As a

  1. The speeches appeared in the newspaper La Aurora, 1832, Dec. 27, supl.
  2. According to information from his relatives. Others make Soto la Marina his birthplace. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 164.
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