On December 11th a pronunciamiento was started at the obscure town of Huejotzingo against the congress, as unworthy of confidence, and demanding the installation of a council of notables to revise the constitution.[1] This movement was duly seconded throughout the central provinces by the manipulations of the cabinet and the clergy, and on the 18th, at Mexico, by the garrison. The deputies, who had nearly concluded the discussion on the constitution, could obtain no assurances of protection from the government.[2] Finding the hall of congress closed against them, they recognized the futility of resistance, and dissolved of their own accord on the 19th, announcing the act in a manifest wherein they avowed their loyalty to the people whom they represented and the purity of their motives in framing the proposed organic law.[3] It was not long ere protests appeared against the arbitrary procedures of a faction that prevented the people from deciding in a matter belonging to them and of such vital interest. Of this no notice was taken, however, and as the semi-voluntary dissolution left Bravo at greater liberty, he joined the cabinet[4] in proclaiming that as the public interest demanded the formation of the organic law, the government would appoint a council of patriotic and intelligent men to frame it, assisted by the ministry.[5]
- ↑ Meanwhile the bases of Tacubaya should remain in force. The congress should be dissolved, and the deputies for Puebla, to which Huejotzingo belonged, recalled. Siglo XIX., Dec. 13, 1842; Diario Gob., Dec. 13, 19, 1842. Many attributed the movement chiefly to clerical influence. For sympathetic pronunciamientos elsewhere, see Id., Dec. 20th; Siglo XIX., Jan. 1, 8, 10-11, 14, 1843, etc.; S. L. Potosí, Plan, 1842, 3-10; Pinart, Coll.; La Cruz, v. 633. Rincon of Ulúa fame succeeded Gutierrez as governor of S. Luis Potosí.
- ↑ Bravo and Comandante General Andrade alone assuring them that they had not joined in the pronunciamiento, and would issue no order to dissolve the congress.
- ↑ It was essentially a protest and a defence against the abusive comments on some of the articles passed by them. Text in Bustamante, Diario, MS., xlv. no. 261. Comments in Méx. Cong., 1842, 1-6; Pap. Var., clxv. pt 16.
- ↑ Bocanegra, Velez, and Tornel, Trigueros of the finance department having resigned on Dec. 12th.
- ↑ The council to complete the task within six months. Political attitude during this crisis was to be overlooked. All officials and authorities were obliged to adopt the resolution.
