Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/245

 MEX IC(3. and Echavari himself, after a few actions in the vicinity of Puente del Rey, finding that public opinion was declaring itself every where against the Emperor, determined upon making common cause with the garrison of Veracruz, and induced his whole army to follow his example. On the 1st of February, 1823, an act was signed, called the Act of Casa-Mata, consisting of eleven articles, by which the armies pledged themselves to effect the re-estabhshment of the National Representative Assembly, and to support it asainst all attacks. This act was the signal for revolt throughout the country : it was adopted by the Provinces in rapid succession, and by most of the Military Commandants ; amongst whom were the Marquis of Vibanco, then commanding a large body of troops at La Puebla, and Generals Guerrero and Bravo, who left the Capital in order to proclaim the new system upon their old scene of action in the West. General Negrete likewise joined the Republican army, and defection soon be- came so general, that Iturbide, either terrified by the storm which he had so unexpectedly conjured up, or really anxious to avoid the effusion of blood, determined to attempt no re- sistance. On the 8th of March, 1823, he called together all the members of the old Congress then in the Capital, and ten- dered his abdication, which was not accepted, because there were not at the time deputies enough to form a house. On the 19th of March, he repeated the offer, and stated his in- tention to quit the country, lest his presence in Mexico should serve as a pretext for further dissensions. The Congress, in reply, refused to accept the abdication, which would imply (they said) a legal right to the Crown ; whereas his election had been compulsory, and consequently null : but they wil- lingly allowed him to quit the kingdom with his family, and assigned to him a yearly income of twenty-five thousand dollars (about five thousand pounds) for his support.