Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/299

Rh declared for his impeachment, on the ground that he had attacked the system of government established by the constitution, dissolving the departmental assembly of Querétaro, and so forth; that he had promoted the decree suspending congress, and that he had risen with armed force against the reëstablished constitutional government. Proceedings were also continued against Canalizo and the ministers, and a large number of the leading officers who had upheld them were suspended to answer for their course. The late party was influential, however to be treated with great severity, and by decree of May 24th the past was consigned to oblivion in a general amnesty, yet this did not restore to the pardoned their offices, and it included Santa Anna, Canalizo, and the four ministers only on condition that they should leave the country, the first-named forever, the others for ten years, giving bonds to answer pecuniary claims against them.