of which General Santa Anna, in order to be promoted lo the presidency of the republic, pretended to be the defender when, with a show of patriotism, he alleged that it was attacked by General Bustamante. Second. The present situation of the Mexican nation is that of the greatest confusion and disorder, because, all the constitutional authorities having ceased, their places have been supplied by military chiefs, who know no other law than that of the sword and of violence, by which they have put down the civil authorities. The consternation which this has produced among the Mexican citizens has reduced them to a momentary silence, and this silence the military chiefs of Mexico caU tranquilJity, peace and order in the repubLic. Third. To pass over the acts of usurpation committed by General Santa Anna, such as the dissolution of the congress and council-the unconstitutional and violent disposition of the vice-president, Farias-the extension of the powers given to the electors to reform the constitution-the destruction of the civic militia-and others of equal magnitude which in the United States of the North would be sufficient to coiwict the president of treason-the final blow aimed at the institutions in the capital on the 12th day of June, the day on which was declared the destruction of all state legislatures, an act committed under the auspices and protection of the president, Santa Anna, and of the vice-president Barragan, would he sufficient to destroy all claims to obedience which exist, and which can only continue in virtue of the federal compacts. Fourth. While in the capital they were thus destroying the institutions and issuing orders to the military commanders of the states that others should be established, the latter published official notes, swearing in their usual manner that they wouls sustain the constitution and laws, and that their own object was to punish certain functionairies who had transgressed them, thus availing themselves of the power of destroying the constitution under the pretext of punishing delinquents. This may be seen from the official notes of General Cos and Colonel Ugarlechea, in which they seize upon the inexp)jcable sale of lands as a pretext to justify the imprisonment of the governor of this state, Viesca, proceeding immediately to put down the legislature and other authorities of the state, with the exception of those only established in San Felipe and Nacogdoches, which were out of the reach of their power. To make up for this, General Cos thought proper to make these authorities dependent upon himself, and thus making those of
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