unfit to exercise the privilege of electors, and federation was an anarchical system for such a country, which needed a strong central control. Hence a new territorial division was desirable to assist in obliterating the semi-independent state organizations, and a strong army to maintain order, repress highway robbery, and check savage raids, a still larger reserve being formed from inexpensive militia troops. In addition to these more or less veiled suggestions, Alaman undertook to warn Santa Anna against schemers and speculators, flatterers and traitors, who might lead him with hasty measures into difficulties, perhaps to a speedy fall.[1]
These insinuations against his wisdom and prudence, conveyed in a tone of superior knowledge and independent frankness, could hardly please the dictator, now once more surrounded by deferential courtiers and flatterers. They were presumptuous.[2] But they came from the leader of a strong and indispensable party, whose aristocratic ideas conformed to his own ambitious views. He must, therefore, dissimulate a while till they could be safely snubbed. He even appointed Alaman prime minister, the other three portfolios being given to Teodosio Lares, Haro y Taimariz, and J. M. Tornel, for justice, finance, and war, respectively. Within a month two new departments were created for interior affairs: one termed gobernacion, and relieving especially Lares from the interior administration not closely connected with judicial and ecclesiastical matters; the other, known as fomento or improvements, embraced public works, trade, coloni-
- ↑ The celebrated letter of Alaman may be consulted in Arrangoiz, Méj., ii. 334-40, reproduced from the draught given by Rafael, editor of the Universal. It appeared carlier in less authentic form, as in Gac. Guat., Nov. 16, 1855; Cent. Amer. Pap., i., etc. Santa Anna was also urged not to perform the usual retreats to his remote country-seat, to the inconvenience of officials and the peril of administrative affairs. Other party suggestions are given in Santa-Anna, Espos. al Prest., 1-20; Manif. á ta Nacion, 1-8; Dictador confundiendo los Partidos, 1-24; Pap. Var., cc. pt 5; Gutierrez, Carta., pt 2.
- ↑ Suarez y Navarro relates that he was privately consulted about the letter, and condemned it as revealing lack of ability, etc. Santa-Anna Burlándose, 238-50 et seq.
