Chap. XII. PLAN OF JALISCO. 391 
beautiful plain of Mesilla, with the village, belonged. 
Before this agreement, however, some North American 
speculators had endeavoured to set in motion less peaceful 
means for~ obtaining this desired annexation ; and the 
governor of New Mexico was misled to issue a proclama- 
tion, in which he threatened to take possession of Mesilla 
by force. 
By this step the hot-headed governor of New Mexico 
came in contact with the equally hot-headed governor of 
the State of Chihuahua, then placed in circumstances re- 
commending decisive action. 
The revolution, which dislodged the President Arista 
and for a time placed old Santa Ana at the head, had been 
preparing during the latter half of the year 1852. The 
outbreak occurred in October, in Guadalaraja, and the 
" Pronuneiamiento," or revolutionary programme, under 
the name of the Plan of Jalisco, was rapidly spread over 
all the States of the Mexican Federation. In January, 
Arista was compelled to retire from the Presidency, and 
a few months later Santa Ana assumed the highest autho- 
rity. During the interval the President's chair was vacant, 
and there were many perhaps who might have thought 
themselves able to take possession of it. 
As an entire stranger to Mexican affairs, and being but 
just arrived in the country, my surprise was excessive at 
learning early one morning in December — it was the day 
before Christmas-Day — that the government of Chihuahua 
had been dismissed by a M Pronunciamiento" of the garrison, 
and that General Trias, hitherto military commandant of 
the States, had been summoned to act as provisory governor. 
No one opposed the step, which was accomplished without 
loss of blood, and though individual enmities might 
produce some animosity, General Trias was not the man to 
