Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/268

248. Had he not revolted, Santa Anna would not have left Perote, nor Paredes himself have passed on unmolested. . ..

The Conservative Body has been invited to go to Tacubaya, but has refused. The majority desire the election of Paredes, or of any one who is not Santa Anna or Valencia; but Paredes himself, while drawing no very flattering portrait of Santa Anna, declares that he is the only man in the Republic fit for the Presidency; the only man who can make himself obeyed; in short, the only one capable of taking those energetic measures which the safety of the Republic requires. He flatters himself that he, at the head of his division, will always keep Santa Anna in check; as if Cortazar, who deserted Bustamante in a moment of difficulty, could be depended on!. . ..

Meanwhile They are fortifying Mexico—and some suppose that Bustamante and his Generals have taken the rash determination of permitting all their enemies to unite, in order to destroy them at one blow. . . ..

29th.—There being at present an armistice between the contending parties, a document was published yesterday, fruits of the discussion of the Allied Powers at Tacubaya. It is called "las bases de Tacubaya;" and being published in Mexico by General Almonte, many expected and hoped that a new pronunciamiento would be the consequence; but it has been quietly received, and the federalists welcome it as containing the foundations of federalism and popularity. There are thirteen articles, which are as follow: