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128 the vice-president elect, Gomez Farías, Santa Anna being absent from the city, intentionally, as believed by many, to permit the initiation by Gomez Farías of the reforms demanded by the radical wing of the progressive party, without incurring himself any responsibility in the event of those innovations not finding general support.

After his presidential term ceased, Pedraza continued to use his influence in national affairs. In 1838 he was again minister of war. Acting in opposition to his principles, he served as minister of relations in 1841, sustaining the most absolute power that ever existed in the country since the rule of the oficiales reales shortly after the conquest, because he expected good results from it. Seeing his error, he retraced his steps, returning to the support of federalist policy. In 1842 he was a member of the constituent congress, and by his eloquence wielded great power in the chamber. In 1844 he became a senator; in 1845 a presidential candidate, but was not elected. After this he showed none of his charteristic activity till 1846, when he was a member of the council of state. In 1850 he was again defeated for the presidential office. His last official act was in the capacity of plenipotentiary to negotiate a convention with the United States.

Gomez Pedraza possessed high intellectual powers, and was energetic in action. His education, political as well as literary, began late, and though the last twenty years of his life were devoted to study, his ignorance of fundamental facts often showed itself even in his best discourses as minister or senator. In the general intercourse with men he was brusque, economized words, and affected some stoicism; but