The revolted force assumed the title of 'ejército protector de la constitucion y las leyes.'[1] Its chief presents to us a second time the spectacle of the vice-president heading a revolution to overthrow the government. In this instance perfidy was added, and ingratitude to the man to whom Bustamante really owed the office of vice-president, as well as his military command. In a circular to the congresses of the several states, Bustamante said that Guerrero's government had ignored their wishes, and deprived them of their sovereignty, substituting for their welfare the will of ambitious ministers.[2] Minister Bocanegra on the 7th of November answered the circular in words which explained the ease with which Guerrero's administration came to be overthrown. "The institutions," he said, "cannot be sustained if the general government is unable to fulfil its duties, as will certainly happen if the lack of coöperation on the part of the states causes the failure alike of the coherence and harmony enjoined by the constitution and laws." But the secret of the revolt was that the rebels could not bear the sight of one of Guerrero's race occupying the presidential chair, and ruthlessly destroyed a government whose only faults were excessive liberalism and clemency.
from childhood in Spain, where he served in the army and reached the rank of col of cavalry. He served long under Gen. Elío, King Fernando's tool, and later a famous Carlist chieftain, notorious for his dislike of reforms and constitutional government. Facio returned to Mexico in 1824, and was employed to restore order in Tabasco. On the failure of Montaño's plan, which he had supported, he went to reside in the U. S., whence he came back to take part in the national defence. He then became Gen. Bustamante's secretary at Jalapa. Later, under that chief, he attained high official rank; and, faithful to the political principles he had imbibed in Spain, never understood or respected public opinion; he became notorious for his schemes to destroy his enemies, and for his course in relying mainly on brutal force to uphold the administration of which he formed a part. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, ii. 565-6; Id., Gob. de Méx., ii. 137; Suarez y Navarro, Hist. Méx., 193.
- ↑ Bustamante, Voz de la Patria, v. no. 5; La Cruz, v. 635; Mex. Mem. Guerra, 1831, doc. 1, 12-13.
- ↑ In his hypocritical address he adds: 'Weighed down by taxation, the money taken depletes their treasuries; the nation derives no advantage; the army is wasting away, its needs not being looked after. Such a bad administration has induced in many the belief that the evils are inherent in the federal system.'
