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278 merit, and against the presumption, as he termed it, of bringing to trial the constitutional president of the country, guiltless as he was at least of treason. Nevertheless, he considered it best to present a de fence of his late attitude. As virtual president, it was his duty to take steps to suppress the revolution of Jalisco, which threatened the peace of the country and stood arrayed against the constitution itself. If in so doing he had among other acts proceeded arbitrarily

against the authorities at Queretaro, it was because they stood as the avowed accomplices of rebels. The grand jury of congress nevertheless