Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/240

220 The success of the Yucatan movement aroused fresh hope among the federalists. General Urrea had been rearrested and placed under restraint at Mexico, yet not in a manner to stop intercourse with his friends. Of this privilege he availed himself to continue his machinations, encouraged greatly by the strain between the executive and the other powers. Several influential people joined in the conspiracy, and two battalions were won, besides a number of officers. Before dawn on the morning of July 15, 1840, some of the latter broke into the old inquisition building and released Urrea, who thereupon placed himself at the head of the movement. With a force of selected men, stripped of their boots, he silently gained the palace and surprised the guard, nearly all asleep. On the upper floor, however, the squad before the president's private apartments, sixteen strong, challenged the intruders. They had come to relieve them, was the answer, and while hesitating they were overpowered, Urrea passing into the inner rooms. The noise had awakened Bustamante, and as the conspirators entered he jumped half-dressed for his sword. "Fear not, general, I am Urrea," said the leader. "Ungrateful rascal," retorted the other, at which the soldiers raised their muskets, but were restrained by the officers. The president was assured that his person would be respected, but he remained in his rooms a prisoner. General Filisola was also arrested, but Almonte, minister of war, escaped to the citadel, and there made preparations for suppressing the revolt, summoning all the reliable troops in the vicinity of the capital to his aid.

By this time Gomez Farías had been invited to