Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/786

770 supporters. Alcocer's motion was received with murmurs of disapprobation, and when the vote which was taken on the matter decided that the reading should be continued, the result was greeted with vociferous applause.

Both Iturbide and his party were well aware that his popularity was on the wane. The congress, moreover, was adopting measures which aimed directly at curtailing his power. After long and angry discussion, it had decreed that the standing army should be reduced to twenty thousand; and was now about to introduce into the regulations for the regency which were being drawn up, an article by virtue of which no member of the executive could hold military command. This decided matters. If his schemes were to be successful, immediate action must be taken. As yet the greater portion of the army could be relied upon; the clergy generally would support any plan suppressive of the liberal principles which threatened their own interests; and of the populace Iturbide was the acknowledged favorite. Open force, how ever, could not be thought of; such a course would be actual usurpation. So intrigue was employed; and measures were concerted for a combined military and popular acclamation. To effect this, recourse was had to the non-commissioned officers. On the night of the 18th of May, Pio Marcha, a sergeant of the 1st infantry regiment, which was quartered in the old convent of San Hipólito, called the troops to