BUSTAMANTE DEPOSED SANTA ANNA PRESIDENT. 325 



battle when they were removed from the protecting shelter of walls 

 and houses. At length, the intervention of Mexican citizens 

 who were most interested in the cessation of hostilities, produced 

 an arrangement between the belligerants at Estanzuela near the 

 capital, and, finally, the Plan of Tacubaya was agreed on by 

 the chiefs — as a substitute for the constitution of 1836. By the 

 seventh article of this document, Santa Anna was effectually invest- 

 ed with dictatorial powers until a new constitution was formed. 



The Plan of Tacubaya provided that a congress should be con- 

 vened, in 1842, to form a new constitution, and in June, a body of 

 patriotic citizens, chosen by the people, assembled for that purpose 

 in the metropolis. Santa Anna opened the session with a speech 

 in which he announced his predilection for a strong central govern- 

 ment, but he professed perfect willingness to yield to whatever 

 might be the decision of congress. Nevertheless, in December of 

 the same year, after the assembly had made two efforts to form a 

 constitution suitable to the country and the cabinet, president Santa 

 Anna, — in spite of his professed submission to the national will 

 expressed through the representatives, — suddenly and unauthor- 

 izedly, dissolved the congress. It was a daring act ; but Santa 

 Anna knew that he could rely upon his troops, his officers, and the 

 mercantile classes for support. The capital wanted quietness for a 

 while ; and the interests of trade as well as the army united in con- 

 fidence in the strong will of one who was disposed to maintain 

 order by force. 



After congress had been dissolved by Santa Anna, there was, of 

 course, no further necessity of an appeal to the people. The 

 nation had spoken, but its voice was disregarded. Nothing there- 

 fore remained, save to allow the dictator, himself, to frame the 

 organic laws ; and for this purpose he appointed a Junta of Nota- 

 bles, who proclaimed, on the 13th of June, 1843, an instrument 

 which never took the name of a constitution, but bore the mongrel 

 title of "Bases of the Political Organization of the Mexican Repub- 

 lic. " It is essentially central, in its provisions ; and whilst it is 

 as intolerant upon the subject of religion, as the two former funda- 

 mental systems, it is even less popular in its general provisions than 

 the constitution of 1836. 



42 



