600 horsemen sent from Morelia to sustain the president. Within the city, however, the fight had begun, and bombs and shells were once more spreading devastation.
Santa Anna occupied Tacubaya on September 25th, and there as general-in-chief reviewed the army, swelled by the forces of Paredes, Cortazar, and others. Three days later was issued the revised political plan known as the Bases of Tacubaya, by which the supreme powers established by the constitution of 1836 were declared removed, except the judiciary. A council composed of two deputies from each department, selected by the general-in-chief from those at Mexico, should choose a provisional president, and summon a congress, to meet within eight months," for the sole purpose of framing a new constitution. The president was to have all the power necessary to reorganize the public administration, assisted by four ministers[1] and a council composed of two persons selected by each department.[2] For this virtual self-election by Santa Anna as dictator he possessed both the influence and power, and under the circumstances a strong rule concentrated in one hand was undoubtedly necessary. The only question was its abuse.
The plan granted the government two days for deciding upon its course,[3] during which several schemes were considered, among them the resignation of Bustamante; but this was opposed by the senate.[4] Al-
- ↑ For foreign and interior affairs, public instruction and industries, finance, and army and navy.
- ↑ Till this meets the junta above mentioned should act. The provincial authorities continued in office if in accord with national opinions. This document, in 13 articles or bases, dated September 28, 1841, is signed by a long list of army men, headed by Santa Anna and by Valencia, Paredes, and Gutierrez, generals of the 3d, 1st, and 2d army divisions respectively. Méx., Col. Ley. Fund., 219-26; Boletin Ofic., Sept. 29, Oct. 1, 1841; Mex., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1841, 82-6, 92-4; Ramirez, Tehuan. Mem., 1-3; English text in Mex. in 1842, 25-8; Robinson's Mex. and her Mil. Chieftains, 184-7. Otero, Ensayo, 22-3, while in favor of Santa Anna shows opposition to the dictatorship.
- ↑ Bustamante and others say three, but not so the documents on the point, in Santa Anna, Apunt., 1842, 1-24.
- ↑ The deputies agreeing, however.
