Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/289

Rh General Basadre took his place. The cabinet continued to maintain a firm attitude, relying on Santa Anna's promptness and strength and the expressions of loyalty from different quarters, although influenced by subservient officials and dictated mostly by fear. Congress received still more assuring notices, thanks to the energy of Paredes. Aware of the necessity for obtaining a wide indorsement of his plan before the imposing appearance of a strong army should spread dismay and silence the outbreak, he had lost no time in sending circulars to the departmental authorities, and scattering inspiring proclamations throughout the country, with effective allusions to the precarious position of the government and the strength of his own just cause. Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, and Querétaro at once signified their adhesion, Tamaulipas followed, Michoacan, San Luis Potosí, and other provinces were preparing to overcome the still hesitating garrisons, and Guanajuato was certainly not friendly to the central authorities.

Santa Anna reached Querétaro on November 25th, without meeting any resistance, for the garrison had stood aloof during the late agitation, but so chilling