Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/753

Rh earnest desire to save the country from further bloodshed. It is true that the position in which he found himself on his arrival as viceroy was such as to preclude any other system of political action. Indeed, he had no alternative but to return to Spain, and thereby compromise the advantages which the Mexicans were still inclined to concede to the Spanish government. He recognized the importance at so critical a point in affairs of securing not only the lives and property of Spaniards in New Spain, but the right of the house of Bourbon to the Mexican throne. He was, moreover, of liberal principles, and, not blind to the justice of the colony's cause, had the courage not to shirk grave responsibility by unmanly departure; nor can he by so doing ever be regarded as having betrayed the interests of Spain. O'Donojú was circumspect, and bore a reputation for exacting strict obedience to orders. At a later date, vague and unjustifiable imputations against Iturbide relative to the cause of O'Donojú's death were rumored. Although his demise removed from the former's course the possibility of future opposition, no credence whatever can be given to such malicious reports. In recognition of the services rendered by his conciliatory line of action, the junta decreed a yearly pension of $12,000 to O'Donojú's widow, and recorded that positions should be given with preference to such members of his household as might wish to remain in the service of New Spain.

The election of a new member to fill the vacancy caused by O'Donojú's death fell upon the bishop of Puebla; and to supply his place as president of the junta Archbishop Fonte was appointed to that position. Fonte was, however, of too cautious and unambitious a nature to accept a distinction which entailed a compromised course of action; he therefore declined the honor on the plea of failing health, and Doctor José Miguel Guridi y Alcocer was elected in his stead.