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298 would be seconded elsewhere, specially in the capital, redoubled its vigilance to avert it. Soon after, on the 6th of June, the extraordinary congress, summoned under the decree of January 26th, assembled, and on the same day began its labors. Paredes appeared before that body and made a solemn declaration in favor of the republican system. On the 12th of the same month congress met and chose Paredes president ad interim, and Nicolás Bravo vice-president. On the 20th the former was authorized to assume personal command of the land forces. The government was also empowered during six months to procure means to carry on the war and for other purposes, though without seizing or hypothecating the property of persons or corporations. Paredes sent large sums, and constantly increased the forces in the north. He adopted every possible precaution to prevent the spread of revolution. But his efforts were of little avail, and he then resolved to surrender the executive [sic]anthority to Vice-president Bravo, who reluctantly, and only as a matter of duty, accepted