cussed the question of form of government. Some were of the opinion that the restoration of the constitution of 1824 was the only possible means of saving the country; others favored the central régime; and there was not wanting a number among the property owners and merchants who advocated the supposed advantages of a constitutional monarchy with a foreign prince.[1] At last the expected convocation was decreed on the 26th of January, 1846, its authorship being attributed to Lúcas Alaman. This document conveyed the idea that the extraordinary congress would carry out the fifth proposition of the San Luis plan of December 14, 1845, and also take into consideration such measures as the executive should suggest to save the rights and dignity of the nation.[2]
The law met with a strong opposition on the part of all republicans, who suspected in the government the project of carrying out Iturbide's plan of Iguala. With powerful arguments they maintained that the idea of a monarchy in Mexico was not only contrary to the wishes of the Mexican people, but also one that was not at all feasible, there being no such thing as a nobility in the country.
Meantime the government was convinced that a war with the United States was inevitable, and made strenuous efforts to create resources wherewith to support an army in the field. The opposition press did
- ↑ The idea of a monarchical government found a freer expression in the fact that many, and perhaps the chief, persons appointed to draw up the convocation were believed to have monarchic proclivities. The newspaper El Tiempo now appeared, boldly upholding those preferences, among whose chief contributors were Alaman, Diez de Bonilla, Tagle, Elguero, and other able writers. About this time there were rumors of a Spanish invasion to place a Spanish prince on a Mexican throne. Arrangoiz, Méj., ii. 271; El Tiempo, Ap. 4 and 17, 1846; Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xii. 416-17; Bustamante, Nuevo Bernal Diaz, i. 127-62; Id., Mem. Hist. Mex., MS., iv. 21-8, 47-182, passin; Memor. Histór., Feb. 7 and 23, 1846.
- ↑ Congress was to be composed of 160 deputies, representing the following nine classes, namely: real estate owners and agriculturists 38; merchants 23; miners 14; manufacturers 14; literary professions 14; magistracy 10; public functionaries 10; clergy and army, each 20. The deputies were to be chosen by the respective classes. The qualifications required of them may be seen in the decree. El Tiempo, Jan. 28, 1846: Memor. Hist., Jan. 28, 1840; Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xii. 421-5; Méx., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1844-6, 316-47.
