Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/250

230 so ably checked the late outbreak by Urrea and Farías. Assisted by his brother-in-law, Colonel Lombardini, he had no trouble in gaining more than 1,000 men for his plan, who on August 31st declared in favor of Paredes' pronunciamiento, with slight variation, and he began at once to fortify himself at different points in the capital. This success was greatly due

to the usual lack of energy and foresight on the part of Bustamante, who now too late took precautions for defence, declaring the capital in a state of siege, and conceding a few of the demanded tax reductions. A remonstrance against violence and strife was added by that nonentity, the poder conservador, whose opinions