its own favour, on the ground that Coahuila and Texas was chargeable with a proportion of the public debt, which remained unliquidated. Instead, however, of resorting to the remedies prescribed by the Constitution and the laws, the power of the sword-the usual arbiter of Mexican differences-was invoked to rectify the alleged abuse.

The revolutionary proceedings of the party in power in Mexico, were opposed by the people in Puebla, Oaxaca, Zalisco, and other States of the nation. The State of Zacatecas refused to disband and disarm its militia, in obedience to the decree of the General Congress, and in April had recourse to arms, to resist the measures in progress for establishing a Central Republic. On the 22nd of the same month, the Legislature of Coahuila and Texas framed an "Exposition to be presented to the Chambers of the Union, petitioning that no reforms be made in the Federal Constitution, save in the manner therein prescribed."

In this document the petitioners, after lamenting the constant fluctuations in the government for party objects, observed :

"A year has not passed since the plan of Cuernavaca, exciting the fears of the timid and the individual interest of those disaffected by the compacts of Zavaleta, became general throughout the republic. This plan did not acknowledge the legitimacy of the General Congress, and most of the State Legislatures were dissolved, under the pretext of their having passed laws upon religious reforms, and others which were contrary to the Federal Constitution and those of the States. If this single cause produced a general and simultaneous movement throughout the republic, what may be expected from the violent reforms which now occupy the august chambers?

*

"To effect these reforms, opinions have been expressed in that august body, so unreasonable as to suppose the present General Congress invested with the power of changing the constitution at pleasure. It is not understood how a national representation which owes its origin to the existing fundamental compact, can have the right of reforming or changing it according to their caprices. On what principle of constitutional right can this power be predicated? What act of their organization has conferred upon them so extraordinary a prerogative? Did not the electors from whom they received their appointment act in conformity with the same constitution? Then it is certain that the general Congress has not, nor can have, any other power than those defined in the 47th, 48th, 49th, and 50th articles of the Federal Constitution, because it is also evident that the people, in constituting this Congress, were strictly governed by the same.

"Therefore, the State of Coahuila and Texas, legally represented by its legislature, protests, in the most solemn manner, that having been received into the confederation by virtue of the fundamental compact, and on the principles therein established, it does not, nor ever will acknowledge the acts emanating from the General Congress, which are not in strict conformity with the express tenor of the above cited articles; nor will it admit other reforms of the Constitution, than those made in the manner therein prescribed: on the contrary, it will view as an attempt against its sovereignty, every measure in opposition to these legal dispositions. A fatality, ever to be lamented, has caused us to attempt the remedy of one evil by another. While in the south there appears a revolutionary spark, the chambers of the Union are warmly engaged in the discussion of questions of reform, which have engrossed the attention of all: certain laws have been repealed, and others have been passed, giving such a preponderance to the privileged classes, that they, to continue these abuses, are constantly engaged in exciting disturbances. The civic militia is reduced throughout the republic; or, rather, the only bulwark of liberty, and of the rights of the community, is destroyed. The general govern

ment, which ought to turn its attention to the revolutions of the south, is preparing an expedition against a pacific state, as is that of Zacatecas, which has so long been the glory of the nation, checking arbitrary measures and abuses of power. The commandant-general of the Eastern Internal States, interfering, in the most scandalous manner, with the internal administration of the State of Coahuila and Texas, and even issuing orders that certain laws which have been passed by this legislature shall not be complied with, is making arrangements to move the presidial troops from the frontier posts where they are stationed, and where they are so necessary on account of the savage Indians, and is bringing them upon this capital, doubtless to put down the supreme authorities, or to accomplish some nefarious object. The general government, which has been applied to, to check these advances of military power, preserves a profound silence upon the subject; so that everything indicates the dangerous course we are pursuing, and in which reflection, prudence and wisdom alone can prevent us from being involved in the disasters of a civil war.”

Santa Anna, with a body of regular troops, marched in April against Don Francisco Garcia, governor of the State of Zacatecas, a liberal and enlightened man, but an unskilful commander. Withdrawing his undisciplined troops, amounting to 5,000 men, from their strong post in the city, Garcia had the imprudence to give battle to Santa Anna on the prairies of Guadalupe, where, after an engagement of two hours, he was totally defeated with great loss, leaving 2,700 prisoners, with cannon, arms and ammunition in the hands of the enemy. Advancing by a forced march to the city of Zacatecas, Santa Anna took possession of it, and overcame all farther resistance in the State.* While engaged in

* Official account of the fall of Zacatecas, by General Santa Anna, May 11th, 1835.

these operations, he ordered his brother-in-law, General Martin Perfecto de Cos, who had the military command and inspection of the Eastern Internal Provinces, to proceed from Matamoros with a suitable force, for the purpose of punishing the legislature of Coahuila and Texas, the members of which, in addition to their profligate land sales, had incurred his personal displeasure by declaring against him in June 1834.

Difficulties began to thicken around the State Legislature of Coahuila and Texas. The Centralist party was again organised at Saltillo, powerfully seconded by military influence. The Governor Viesca endeavoured to prepare for the approaching storm, by calling out part of the militia, and applied for a levy of one hundred men in each of the three

Departments of Texas. His proclamations called upon the Texans to arouse themselves for the protection of their dearest interests." Your liberty, your property, nay, your very existence," he said to the colonists, "depend upon the capricious will of your direst enemies. Your destruction is resolved upon, and nothing but that firmness and energy peculiar to true Republicans can save you. The present administration wish to reduce Texas to a territory; and if this degradation should not prove sufficient to arouse you to hostility, they mean to heap insult upon insult, disgrace upon disgrace, until you are ultimately compelled to defend yourselves."

So unpopular had the Governor and Legislature become, in consequence of their misappropriation of the public lands, that the appeal was disregarded.*

"It was too much for us to risk, if it was not too much for

At this juncture, General Cos issued an address denouncing the legislature at Monclova, complaining that they had alienated the public domain, refused quarters to the government troops, secreted the exiled Vice-President, Gomez Farias, declared the local militia permanent, and meditated insurrectionary designs, under the pretext of reducing Saltillo, which had disclaimed their authority. The Commandant-General concluded by threatening to put down the "Revolutionists" by military force, unless they manifested speedy repentance and reformation of these and other "criminal acts."

Apprised of the fall of Zacatecas, and aware that Cos was about to execute his threats, the Legislature adjourned, after authorising the Governor, Viesca, to remove with the public archives to Texas, and there fix the seat of government. Having secured the State documents, the Governor commenced his march, escorted by about one hundred and fifty local militia, and twenty Anglo-American colonists. At the Hacienda de Dos Hermanos, about thirty miles on the route, he halted for two days, in order to despatch some indispensable business before leaving Coahuila. This delay was fatal to his resolution. He was informed that he would have to fight his way in crossing the Rio Grande, where Santa Anna had posted some troops; too few, however, to form a serious obstacle in the estimation of determined men. Notwithstanding the urgent advice of the Texans to push onward, he returned with the

him to ask, our blood to sustain those who had wantonly squandered our lands."-Declaration of the Central Committee and Representatives of the Municipalities of the Brazos and Bexar.