Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/288

268 doubly a traitor, who, instead of carrying out his instructions for defending the country against a threatening invasion, had increased the peril by stirring civil war for ambitious aims. Such a charge from an unpopular and intriguing administration obtained no weight. The people remembered Paredes' former able stand in favor of reform, and ascribed its misdirection entirely to the holders of the spoils, against whom his charges appeared only too true. As for defending the country against invasion, the government had shown its incapacity by squandering the vast means destined for the purpose, and could not be trusted even with that task, however imminent.

Energetic as ever, Santa Anna resolved to place himself at the head of the army and crush the revolution in its cradle. He entered Mexico on the 18th, midst the customary artificial pomp and demonstration, and after an unsatisfactory meeting with a body of deputies and senators, he caused the acting president to formally invest him with the command of the army, whereupon he set out for Querétaro to enforce his will with the sword. His assumption of the military control was at once challenged by the chambers as unauthorized by them and therefore illegal. War minister Reyes explained that Santa Anna had not reassumed the presidential office and could therefore be regarded only as a general. His further observations proved so weak and defiant that he was hooted out of the house and formally accused. He himself thought it best to resign, probably to the relief of his colleagues, for no objection was made, and