Puebla, where he entered nine days later, Governor Codallos having withdrawn to assist Bustamante at Mexico. Before the arrival of the reënforcement the increasing descrtion and news from the interior had so intimidated the government that it submitted to the poder conservador a plan for peaceable arrangement, in convoking an extraordinary congress of one chamber, specially elected for January 1, 1842, to reform the political organization and choose a ruler; meanwhile the actual congress and all constitutional authorities should subsist, the president accepting as associates Nicolás Bravo and Santa Anna. The poder regarded the project as unconstitutional, but deferred its decision till the aspect of affairs should become more defined.
One reason for the delay was the confidence infused by the arrival of 1,200 loyal troops. Believing that he could now face the enemy, Bustamante, on September 22d, intrusted the presidency to Javier Echeverría, vice-president of the council,[1] left a strong force in the city under Codallos, and moved with the remainder, assisted by General Canalizo, from one point to another in the vicinity, fortifying them, but making no efforts to oppose the hostile forces now marching up from the north and east, although the attempt could well have been made in detail. He probably doubted his soldiers, and the hesitation was not groundless, for the defection continued, Galindo among others passing over to Valencia with
- ↑ During the absence of Bravo, the president. Méx., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1841, 81-2; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iv. 32. Fco J. Echeverría was born at Jalapa in 1797, and followed the vocation of his father as trader. Later he came to Mexico, after serving in the legislature of his state. In 1834, and again in 1838 and 1839, he was called to the ministry of finance. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 238. All this time he retained his interest in the trading firm, and influenced in its favor a number of government contracts. He gained little credit by his public career, but stands prominent as a patron of arts and useful institutions. L. G. Vieyra was governor of Mexico at this time. Pap. Var., xliv. pt 30. The prior claim to the presidency appears to have been held by the absent J. A. Romero.
justify any uprising to overthrow an impolitic, arbitrary, and unworthy administration. Comments on Santa Anna's attitude by Álvarez, in Pap. Var., cxxii. pt 2.
