Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/620

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604
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.

dency, with Yarza as secretary of government, and the formation of the supreme court, which was installed at Ario a few days later, under the presidency of Arriola, with additional festivities.[1] The number of deputies was completed, and a medal struck to commemorate the installation.[2] Curas were instructed wherever practicable to read the constitution and have it solemnly adopted by their flocks, under penalty of chastisement. The royalists made counter-threats to prevent compliance, and ordered the collection and burning of all copies of the constitution and other documents circulated by insur-

Medal of Apatzingan Congress.

    inces it is to be noted that Vera Cruz comprised Tabasco, San Luis Potosí included Tamaulipas or Nuevo Santander, and Sonora covered Sinaloa. The rules governing congress, elections, and several other features are adopted from the Spanish constitution, while the financial and residencia systems are mainly derived from the colonial laws.

  1. At an expense of $8,000. 'Cantidad excesiva, y que debió economizarse,' observes Bustamante. Cuad. Hist., iii. 204-8. Morelos, he adds, danced for joy that day, displaying a glittering uniform and embracing every body. The other judges were Ponce, Martinez, and Castro. A letter from Antequera complains of the cost of type for printing, two to three pesos a pound, and the difficulty of obtaining it. Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 238-9.
  2. The emblems on the balance beam surmounting the temple, a pen, staff, and sword, symbolize the legislative, executive, and judicial powers, respectively.