Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/200

176 the document just described a series of the most singular proceedings and demonstrations took place in different parts of Mexico. The first federal congress met in January 1825 under President Victoria. Rebellions and pronunciamientos soon followed the opening. Some innovators declared that no Spaniard should be allowed to take any public office whatsoever; others railed at the federation; others scouted the centralizing system. Blood was freely spilt, and insurrections became frequent. Some presidents and officials were imprisoned, others were exiled, a few were executed.

In the first year of Santa Anna's presidency (1833), a pronunciamiento was issued in favour of the church and army; but was summarily subdued by him at Guanajuato. Two or three other declarations followed in as many succeeding years—when a pronunciamiento was produced known as the "Plan of Toluca." Santa Anna then fled to Texas, and was captured there; and Barringon, and Coro, and Bustamente, successively became presidents. Next uprose Mexia with a large army; but at Puebla he was defeated, taken, and shot by his opponent