federalist victory, greatly to the disappointment of Santa Anna, who had striven hard by intimidation and other unfair practices to modify the issue,[1] and who from the very day the congress was installed, on June 10, 1842, sought to influence the discussions, although with little success.[2] The deputies exerted themselves only the more to produce a constitution that should meet the evidently liberal feelings of the country and cut short a despotism that threatened even the nation's representatives. Several projects had been presented and rejected, including an elaborate plan partaking of both central and federal systems.[3] This was referred back to the committee, which in November presented a revised outline that received greater favor and promised to pass, for the departments were left to adıninister their affairs with almost the same freedom as under the federal system, electing their own legislatures and governors.[4]
Foreseeing what was coming, Santa Anna had recourse to his now well understood manœuvre of retiring to his estate in Vera Cruz, and thence watching and directing operations, leaving the brunt of the contest to be borne by a proxy, with perhaps the humiliation of defeat, while in case of success he could step forward to reap the fruit. He withdrew
- ↑ As even Bustamante admits. Hist. Santa Anna, 49. See later influence exerted in Diario Gob., Siglo XIX., etc., April 5, 1842, et seq.
- ↑ Thompson, Recoll. Mex., 167-8, pays a tribute to the independent attitude of Mexican deputies toward despots like Santa Anna.
- ↑ This was rejected by a vote of 41 against 36. The minority of the committee urged a revised issue of the constitution of 1824, which Minister Tornel attacked with great heat. Text in Bustamante, Diario, MS., xlv. 165-6, 207, 211. For text and comments on projects, see Méx., Proyecto Constitut. Mayor., 1842, 1-119; Id., Minor., 1-42; Méx., Constituciones, i. pts 1-2; Pap. Var., clv. pt 12; Zarco, Hist. Cong., i. 50-5, 62. Also Plan Proyect. sobre Dictadura, 1842. The northern army had been conspicuous in demanding a plan partaking of those issued in 1824 and 1836.
- ↑ They still remained 24 in number, including Texas, but Aguascalientes was merged into Zacatecas, and the department of Acapulco took its place. Election was indirect, with franchise based on property. Two senators were allowed for every department. The president held office for five years, assisted by five ministers. Text in Constituciones, i. pt iii. 1-44. Tornel characterized the project as anarchical, and the clergy took alarm at the prospect of tolerance being carried. Cabilde de Gualal., Observ., 1-19; Diario Gob., Nov. 9, 1842, etc.; Siglo XIX., Jan. 14, 1843, etc.
