310 CONSTITUTION OF 1824 ECHAVARI REVOLTS. 



in its efforts to support centralism., as the true political principle of 

 Mexican government. 



On the 4th of October, 1824, a federal constitution, framed 

 partly upon the model of the constitution of the United States, with 

 some grafts from the Spanish constitution, was adopted by Con- 

 gress ; and, by it, the territory comprehended in the old viceroyalty 

 of New Spain, the Captaincy General of Yucatan, the commandan- 

 cies of the eastern and western Internal Provinces, Upper and 

 Lower California, with the lands and isles adjacent in both seas, 

 were placed under the protection of this organic law. The religion 

 of the Mexican nation was declared to be, in perpetuity, the 

 Catholic Apostolic Roman ; and the nation pledged its protection, 

 at the same time prohibiting the exercise of any other ! 



Previous, however, to these constitutional enactments the coun- 

 try had not been entirely quiet, for as early as January of this year, 

 General Echavari, who occupied the state of Puebla, raised the 

 standard of revolt against the Triumvirate. This seditious move- 

 ment was soon suppressed by the staunch old warrior, Guerrero, 

 who seized and bore the insurgent chief to the capital as a prisoner. 

 Another insurrection, occurred not long after in Cuernavaca, which 

 was also quelled by Guerrero. Both of these outbreaks were 

 caused by the centralists, who strove to put down by violence the 

 popular desire for the federal system. Instead of destroying the 

 favorite charter, however, they only served to cement the sections, 

 who sustained liberal doctrines in the different provinces or states 

 of the nation, and finally, aided materially in enforcing the adop- 

 tion of the federal system. 



Another insurrection occurred in the city of Mexico, growing 

 out of the old and national animosity between the Creoles and the 

 European Spaniards. The expulsion of the latter from all public 

 employments was demanded by the Creoles of the capital, backed 

 by the garrison commanded by Colonels Lobato and Staboli. The 

 revolt was suppressed at the moment ; but it was deemed advisable 

 to conciliate feeling in regard to the unfortunate foreigners ; and, 

 accordingly, changes were made in the departments, in which the 

 offices were given to native Mexicans, whilst the Spaniards were 

 allowed a pension for life of one-third of their pay. At this period, 

 moreover, the supreme executive power was altered, and Nicolas 

 Bravo, Vicente Guerrero, and Miguel Dominguez, were appointed 

 to control public affairs until a president was elected under the 

 new constitution. 



