After his reception at the palace the last of February, Venegas visited him at his house,[1] and arranged for the surrender of the command. On the 4th of March, 1813, Calleja was conducted in state to the palace, there to receive the staff of office and to take the oath. The attendant ceremonies were celebrated with all the pomp so dear to his heart, manifested further in the formation of a guard in flashing uniforms;[2] but no popular applause greeted his ears.[3]
Among his first acts was a proclamation wherein, alluding to the civil war and its ravages, he pointed out that no further cause existed for discontent, as the new constitution had gone forth enabling the people to choose their own guardians of civil economy and delegates to the national congress, and so prevent abuses. They knew that he could form armies and lead them to victory, but for this he needed funds and expected the necessary aid and temporary sacrifice which would procure the restoration of peace and prosperity. As he had shown himself ready to promote their welfare, so would he prove firm in chastising obstinacy and malevolence.[4] The latter sentence was thoroughly characteristic, and the whole document appeared stamped with the energy expected from a general who had so severely criticised the policy of his predecessor. Nor was he wrong in his condemnation, to judge from the condition of affairs, with the administration in disorder, exchequer empty,
- ↑ He lived in the same house, hotel de Iturbide, where the liberator Agustin I. received his proclamation as emperor.
- ↑ Called 'dragones del virey.' Orders from Spain soon changed the term to 'del rey.' His consort, Francisca de la Gandara, moved the same eight to the palace, where the usual besamanos receptions took place.
- ↑ There was no lack, however, of felicitations, addresses, and celebrations, as at the university and other institutions. Lizardi joined with a eulogistic address in his Pensador Mexicano, sup. pt iii. Cancelada expressed delight in his Telégrafo, 269, and loyal addresses were sent in. See also Torrente, Revol., i. 425-6; Mendíbil, Resúm. Hist., 168. Portrait and autograph are given in Alaman, Hist. Mej., iv. 77, 724.
- ↑ This was the characteristic closing sentence. The opening alluded to his appointment as unexpected and unsought. The clergy and other classes were urged to promote restoration of peace. For full text, see Calleja, á los habitantes, fol. 1-8, dated March 20, 1813; Pap. Var., xxxvi. pt vii.; Gaz. de Mex. . 1813, iv. 355-62; Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 6-10.
