Early the following morning, July 16th, the contest was resumed. The revolutionists had secured possession of the treasury and made use of it to gain adherents, but the government displayed greater strength and activity than had been expected, and they feared a bitter fight. Intimidation having no effect on the president, who would promise nothing beyond efforts to prevent bloodshed if consistent with honor, it was determined to release him and try negotiations. They demanded a reëstablishment of the constitution of 1824, pending its revision and acceptance by the state legislatures as existing in 1834; the installation of a provisional government, restricted to directing foreign relations, the states being left at liberty to organize their interior administration; and the abolition of excise.[1] These proposals were not entertained, as may be supposed, and the fight burst forth anew, varied by sallies, pursuits, and siege operations, with great injury to the city, stagnation of trade, and suffering to the inhabitants, of whom a large proportion had to flee from their houses into the suburbs and country. This state of affairs continued for twelve days, at the end of which the plaza especially presented a woe-begone appearance, with business buildings in ruins and the palace disfigured, its rich furniture and even the archives scattered and ruined in barricade service. All this time reënforcements had been received by the government, and larger bodies were on the way under Santa Anna
- ↑ Within 8 months, the recent 10 per cent increase on the consumption tax being returned. Four deputies from each state to join in revising the constitution. Among the reforms must be full political liberty of the press. The provisional president to be elected at once by liberal members of congress and military and judicial courts. Military and proprietary civil positions to be respected. Amnesty granted for past political offences. This was signed by Farías as general in chief, Urrea, and a host of followers. The Monitor of Vera Cruz, Cosmopolita, and Diario Gob., July, 16, 1839, etc., also Aug. 29, contain interesting details on the outbreak. In Jal., Gaceta, i. no. 84, is a letter of Bustamante on his conduct as prisoner. Immediately after he issued a proclamation promising to enforce obedience. The other side replied. The text may be consulted in English, in Calderon's Life Mex., i. 351-4; Robinson's Mex. and her Mil. Chieftains, 224 et seq.
