peated occasions to speak in the previous volume. He was often intrusted with civil offices requiring ability and energy, both of which he displayed. Barragan was ever noted for his kindness of heart, probity, and elegance of manners. For the poor and helpless he always manifested in a practical manner his solicitude.
Shortly after Santa Anna's retirement pronunciamientos were made in several places regarding the form of government, and representations were constantly addressed to the administration and congress favoring a central system; in view of which the two houses of congress formed themselves into a general assembly,[1] and on the 3d of October the change was formally established by decree. Under that act the central régime was virtually inaugurated,[2] and a provisional statute therefor enacted on the 23d of October, the chief clauses of which are given synoptically in a note.[3]
In order further to carry out the alleged wishes of the nation,[4] on the 15th of December, congress passed a constitutional law setting forth the rights and obligations of the citizens and denizens of the re-
- ↑ Congress on the 5th of May had declared itself invested with powers to reform the constitution of 1824.
- ↑ State organization was to cease, and departments were to be established with departmental juntas. The governors were to continue in power even after their terms expired, but subject to the national executive; the legislatures were to cease exercising legislative powers, but before dissolving--such as were in recess being ordered to meet — were to choose a 'junta departamental' consisting of five persons selected from their own number to act as a governor's council. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iii. 75-8; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iii. 201-6.
- ↑ The national religion is to be the Roman catholic, and none other tolerated. The government system to be popular, representative, republican. The supreme national authority is to continue divided into three branches, namely, legislative, executive, and judicial; the legislative consisting of two houses, the senate and chamber of deputies; the executive to be held by a president for a term of years and chosen indirectly by the people; the judiciary to be exercised by a supreme court and lower courts. The national territory is to be divided into departıments ruled by governors and departmental juntas. Méx., Bases y Ley. Constituc., 3-7.
- ↑ Barragan's administration, in order to attach popularity to past acts, promoted, in accord with the clergy, those manifestations of popular preference, Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 200.
