Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/790

774 It may be that in the provinces the masses, represented by ayuntamientos and provincial governments presided over by military chiefs whose interests were centred in Iturbide, had little voice in the matter, and witnessed the change with indifference. But, since they were to have a king, it was well that he should be of their own country and blood. When, therefore, the news sped through Mexico, it was received with joy, and the provinces hastened to felicitate Iturbide and do homage to him as their emperor; while in many cities the effigies of the Spanish monarchs were pulled down.

The effect on the defeated political parties was different. Many of the monarchists who had lingered in the hope of still seeing the plan of Iguala carried out left the country in disgust, and the republicans, though crushed for the time and void of plan, were none the less hostile to Iturbide, silently watching for an opportunity of dethroning him. Thus the Bourbonists disappeared from the political arena, and the contest was confined to the Iturbidists and republicans.

As for congress, it resigned itself to the situation, and at first showed a conciliatory disposition. Avoiding any allusion to the pressure which had been put upon it, it decreed that the formal proclamation of Iturbide's elevation should be published, and appointed the 21st as the day on which he should take the oath which it prescribed. Accordingly Agustin, 'emperor of Mexico by divine providence and appointment by the congress of the nation's representatives' swore to observe and cause to be observed the constitution which the said congress should form, and all