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704 that they should be only excluded from public office were severally advocated as means of attaining it. As to the form of government, absolute monarchy, a limited monarchy with the Spanish constitution, or with one expressly framed for Mexico, a federal republic, and a central republic were the various systems discussed, each of which found supporters. Iturbide from the first manifested his repugnance to democracy in any form, and his preference for a moderate monarchy. His first intention was to make himself master of the capital; but it was finally concluded by his party that it would be safer to begin operations in the provinces, with the capital as the objective point. Accordingly he applied to the viceroy for a military command, and was appointed to succeed Colonel Armijo as comandante general in the south. On this occasion he had a long private conference with Apodaca, but what was said has never transpired. All that the public knew was that Iturbide was going south to extinguish the last embers of rebellion, with instructions, delivered verbally, to induce if possible Guerrero to accept the indulto. Having asked for the Celaya regiment, of which he was colonel, he started for his post, provided with short notes for Parrés, Echávarri, Anastasio Bustamante, Roman of Teloloapan, and Arce of the plains of Apam.

The plan formed was, that the deputies then about to leave for Spain should constitute themselves into a national independent congress at Vera Cruz, while Iturbide simultaneously proclaimed independence in the south. With this understanding, Iturbide had started for Cuernavaca, and the deputies Gomez Pedraza, Molinos del Campo, and Gonzalez Angulo for Puebla; but nothing was accomplished by them or