reconsideration, it was carried out with the consent of the latter.
Affairs in Yucatan began to assume a more promising aspect early in 1850, when, after some important victories by the government forces, the Indians saw the necessity of an arrangement.[1] The state government then, on the 2d of February, 1850, issued a decree intended to induce the Mayas to accept peace, granting pardon to all who had been concerned in the rebellion. The hopes of a peaceable solution were not realized, however, the war still continuing. In 1851 the rebels established their headquarters and stronghold in Chan Santa Cruz. General Vega made strenuous efforts to bring them under subjection, several expeditions to Santa Cruz meeting with considerable success.
A treaty of peace was made, or at least an understanding was arrived at, in 1853, with the chief Tzuc, through the good offices of the superintendent of Belize. The arrangement was drawn up in Spanish, and Maya and several other native leaders accepted it afterward. Under it Chichanjá and other towns of that region laid down their arms, though without submitting to the government of Yucatan, in which anomalous and precarious situation they have remained to the present day.
President Peña never lost sight of the great point of securing peace with the United States. Negotiations having that object in view were reopened by the United States commissioner, Nicholas P. Trist, who, though his powers had been withdrawn by his government, continued exercising them on the supposition that, peace being desired by the United States, any treaty honorable to the latter would be ratified without a too close inquiry as to the authority under which it had been accomplished. After several conferences[2] held between him and the Mexican com-
