Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/110

90 The tidings of the defection at Jalapa almost overwhelmed Guerrero. He looked around him, but found no one to aid or advise him. For a time the old spirit asserted itself, and he resolved to place himself at the head of the few troops still remaining faithful amidst the general desertion; for the bad example shown at Jalapa had been followed elsewhere. He summoned congress, and on the 11th of December tendered a resignation of his dictatorial powers, about which so many complaints had been uttered. Such an offer, had it been accepted, which it was not, would have deprived him of the only resource he had to keep his enemies in check. He ought rather to have resigned the presidency.

The step of summoning the chambers was a fatal one, for the reason that the senators and a large minority in the lower house worked in accord with the revolutionists. The president signifying his intention to command the army in person, the congress chose José María Bocanegra president ad interim. Contrary to the advice of his friends — among whom was Santa Anna — who counselled him to make a firm stand in the capital, assuring him that they would begin operations against the rebels, Guerrero left the city at the head of 2,000 or 2,500 men, and marched in the direction of Ayacapiztla. He had been called to Puebla, by a numerous party in that city, where, before the enemy occupied it, he could have reënforced his small army with 4,000 well armed civic troops; he could also have drawn to his aid the national guard of the state of Mexico. Thus with 10,000 men and the popular favor he could easily have defeated the small rebel force of 3,000. But he failed to take his friends' advice; he had evidently lost his old spirit. While he was on the march,