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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
Anna, worthy sister of Don Antonio, taking advantage of the latter's position, held an auction of public offices in her house. Anyone wish- ing to obtain one either in the Treasury Department or in the Army had only to give the lady a few ounces of gold, or make love to her, if he was a handsome man, to be certain of obtaining what he desired. Once Don 1\L C. M. aspired to an office in the maritime custom-house for which he arranged with the lady for 75 ounces of gold, but Santa Anna had conferred this same appointment on Don D. S. upon the recom- mendation of the latter's sister, who, besides being very beautiful, was very much attached to him. Consequently, Dona Francisca could not comply with her promise and the interested party claimed his money, but the good Dona Pancha refused to return it to him, protesting that, as she had done everything possible in the matter, she was not responsible for his unhappy state of anxiety. One of the President's friends informed him of this scandalous act, and Santa Anna commanded his sister and Don 1\L C. 1\L to appear. He found out what had happened, demanded the money, which was turned over to him immediately, and told the solicitor- "My friend, offices are not sold here and it is an insult t,9 have offered money; wherefore, you lose your ounces as a punishment, and you," turning to Pancha, "be careful how you become involved in these matters." He dismissed them and kept the 75 ounces. CHAPTER XVII. Santa Anna pretends to place himself at the head of the reforms. He agrees with Congress in all its measures. Retires to Mango de Clava. Conspires against the Federal system. Sends a letter to Mejfa. The latter's reply. Favorable condition of the country for Santa Anna's plans. He returns to the Capital. Plan of Cuernavaca. Santa Anna dissolves Congress by means of force. He annuls their resolutions. His licentious and ungoverned conduct. The new Congress assembles. It shows itself to be central in its principles and serves as Santa Anna's instrument. Santa Anna again retires to Mango de Clava. CongreB1t acts in accordance with Santa Anna's will. Vice-President Farias is deposed and replaced by Barragan. The arbitrary acts of the latter ratified. The two houses assemble in one body and form a National Convention. The Federal system annulled and a Central government declared. Decree issued to disarm the people. Santa Anna's supreme power. Zacatecas appeals to arms against his usurpations. Santa Anna marches against that State at the head of 4000 men. Battle between him and the Governor. Andrade turns traitor to Zacatecas. Horrible butchery. Santa Anna returns to Mexico. Re- tires once more to :Mango de Clava. CHAPTER XVII. We proceed with our story. Having concluded the campaign against Arista and _Duran the President again occupied his chair of State. And what was his procedure? Had he succeeded in convincing Farias, Zavala, Congress, and the other patriots of the country that he was the true friend of the Constitution and the Federation? Far from that. Though sufficiently exalted by the servile press, Santa Anna•knew. very well that his recent movements had not advanced his plan to. reach the Dictatorship. It was not possible for them to dismiss the idea of his connection with Arista and Duran, and they viewed him with as much distrust as formerly. In order to deceive the incautious and igno- rant ones and with more certainty of removing all doubt and suspicion
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