that Doctor Mier's prophecy became nearly realized, the threatened evils actually covering a long period of years. However, article five was adopted and solemnly proclaimed; and when the discussion was ended, and the acta adopted on the 31st of January, 1824,[1] both the executive and congress made known to the people the patriotic spirit that had presided at its formation, expressing hopes for the best results.
The adoption of the fifth article, so boisterously demanded, should have acted like oil upon troubled waters; but it did not. Revolutions followed one another with various intents, and arising from different causes. In the tierra caliente, and in Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Guadalajara, and Querétaro the government had to quell disturbances. The infamous mutilator of Spaniards, Vicente Gomez, el capador, was forced to sue for pardon, which was granted him on condition of his living in California.[2] General Echávarri, who had given signs of hostility to the government in Puebla, was removed by force, and Gomez Pedraza sent there to hold the civil and military authority.[3] Disorders in Cuernavaca and Cuautla obliged Guerrero to hasten thither in person. His presence sufficed to restore quiet in the south. The most serious trouble occurred in Mexico in the night of January 23, 1824. It was headed by General Lobato, and had for its pretext the same one advanced in Cuernavaca by Colonel Hernandez, namely, hostility to the Spaniards. The executive authority, now held by Michelena and Dominguez, found itself without other support than a small body of troops. The two triumviri repaired to the hall of congress and reported the alarming state of affairs. Santa Anna, who was then subject to prosecution for his acts at
- ↑ Alaman, Hist. Méj., v. 776-7; Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., MS., viii, 227-31; Id., Hist. Iturbide, 185-9, 199-230, 243, 270-7; Mex. Col. Leyes, Órd. y Dec., iii. 18-24; Actas del Cong. Constituy. iv.; Cong. Constituyente, Manif., 1-16; Mex. Col. Constituc., i. 1-15; Mex. Mem. Hacienda, 1870, 76-7.
- ↑ More of him in Hist. Cal., iii.; Mex. Col. de Leyes, Ord. y Dec., iii. 53.
- ↑ General Guerrero's report to the secretary of war, from Puebla, Jan. 6, 1824, at 11 P. M., in Gaceta Extraord. Gob. Sup. Mex., iii. Jan. 8th, l5-16.
