remnant of federalist bands found encouragement in the spreading discontent, and elsewhere ravages of storms and floods assisted to foster it.[1]
Several departmental assemblies raised their voice in protest against the contribution, notably those of Jalisco and Querétaro. The former had, moreover, been roused from its passive attitude by a demand on the part of the executive for a loan of $150,000 toward certain contracts, and on October 26th, it addressed a formal representation to the congress supported by leading citizens, the governor, and the comandante general, wherein the demand was made for the repeal of the obnoxious tax decree, the exacting of an account from the government for its administration and its disposal of funds,[2] and the reform of the constitution so as to promote the prosperity of the departments.[3] Aware how little a mere protest would be considered under so independent an executive as Santa Anna, the authorities took advantage of the strongly manifested sympathies of the people to procure an armed indorsement of their course. Galindo, the comandante general, accordingly headed the garrison in support of the resolutions, and then appealed to General Paredes, who had so successfully initiated the former revolution to assume the leadership.[4]
It may be readily understood that Paredes was a leading, if not the chief, promoter of the movement. He had several motives for taking the step. His former uprising, to which he naturally ascribed the restoration of Santa Anna to power, had not in his opinion been recognized as fully as it deserved; hence
- ↑ Abeja, Oct. 9-10, 1844. The floods at Durango in the early part of the year were most disastrous, as will be related in Hist. North Mex. States, ii., this series.
- ↑ As required also under the bases of Tacubaya from the provisional government.
- ↑ This was followed on the 30th by an Exposicion signed by the assembly president Barajas setting forth the grounds for the representatious in administrative abuses and sad condition of affairs. Jal., Iniciativa, 1-10. Governor Escobedo, successor of Cañedo, issued an address confirming the hopes of the people for relief.
- ↑ Brig. Romero joined his to the 37 signatures of officers. Id., 11 et seq.
