Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/639

Rh still kept apart the leaders of the great movement, for most provinces had by this time tacitly or expressly adhered to it, different sections seeking merely to define its course, some for the maintenance of federalism, some for the revival of the bases of 1843, others for Santa Anna, and still others preferring to leave the decision to the convention. Even monarchists ventured amidst the confusion to raise their voice.

This state of affairs could not long remain unchanged. General Robles, late minister of war, who had been sent to take charge of the government troops lately operating against Guadalajara, retired into Guanajuato, and there came to an understanding with the powerful governor Ledo, a moderate liberal with conservative ties. Both thereupon agreed with Uraga upon a new plan, formally adopted at Arroyozarco, near Querétaro, on February 4th, whereby the latter was empowered to appoint a junta de notables, which had to elect a president with dictatorial power to act till a congress, called within a year, should issue a new constitution. This evident disregard for the federal bond and privileges, together with the determination to permit an aristocratic faction to impose a dictator upon the country, was sure to rouse no little feeling. So far, however, it was only a project for the consideration of the powers at Mexico, which after