ITUllBIDE. 441 



proclaim the constitution, to which, in con- 

 sequence of the new revolution that had 

 taken place in Spain, Ferdinand the Vllth 

 had been compelled to swear. This, how- 

 ever, was refused by the Viceroy ; who, it 

 was supposed, acted upon the authority of 

 secret orders received from the King. The 

 whole affair becoming generally known, the 

 consequence was a great excitement of 

 public opinion. Apodaca and some of the 

 principal generals having determined to re- 

 sist the establishment of the constitution, 

 raised new levies of troops ; and General 

 Don N. Armigo, being well known to be 

 attached to the constitutional cause, was 

 dismissed from the command of the division 

 stationed between Mexico and Acapulco, 

 and Don Augustin Iturbid^ was appointed 

 to succeed him. 



Iturbid^ was a native of Mexico ; but he 

 was believed to be a steady adherent to the 

 royal interest, and he had the implicit con- 



