It had been supposed that Iturbide, in conformity with remarks which he had made in the proclamation that he issued relative to the elections, would resign his position in the regency when congress met;[1] but it was immediately evident that he had no such intention, and discord was soon established. He had shown that he had taken umbrage at the humiliation to which he had been subjected by Obregon's action on the day of the installation, and had addressed a letter couched in harsh terms to the congress. This did not tend to foster a friendly spirit, and a few days later when, accompanied by the generals and chief military officers, he visited congress for the purpose of paying his respects, his displeasure was further increased by what he considered a slight to the army. Without taking the seat assigned to him,[2] he remarked that he had come with his companions in arms, and observed with regret that only the generals were allowed to enter the hall. This was evidently designed to create an ill feeling on the part of the military against the members. Moreover, Iturbide had shown in a significant manner his want of sympathy with the old insurgent leaders, and drawn a broad line of distinction between the insurrection inaugurated by Hidalgo and his own successful revolution. He would have excluded the first heroes of independence from any share in the nation's gratitude. The congress thought otherwise; and the 16th of September was appointed as a day to be observed among the national festivals, whereby additional offence was taken.[3]
But the question of most urgent importance, and that which at once placed the congress and Iturbide in direct antagonism, was the condition of the treas-
- ↑ His words were: 'En cuanto á mí, yo aguardo con impaciencia el venturoso dia en que instalado el Congreso nacional, logre presentarme como simple ciudadano en aquel santuario de la patria, para entregar el sagrado depósito que se ha querido confiarme.' Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., vi. 45.
- ↑ The one on the left of the president, which the congress insisted that he should occupy, though his party used every effort to obtain the higher one for him.
- ↑ Gac. Imp. Hex., ii. 59.
