Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/669

Rh was ratified on the 11th, with a few amendments at Acapulco, by the officers and troops stationed there, and by Colonel Ignacio Comonfort, who was at once recognized as commandant of the fortress and of the military district.

The position of commander-in-chief of the 'ejército restaurador de la libertad' was given to Álvarez, and that of second in command to Moreno. The former had correspondence with the discontented at the national capital, and with the exiles Juarez and others, residing in New Orleans.

This revolution, being favored by public opinion, was sure of victory, though it had to meet at first, with only a few ill-provided men, the numerous hosts at the dictator's command, backed by the influential classes, including the clergy, who supported him with their might to secure the restoration of their own power.

The action at Ayutla had a magical effect. It was hailed by the masses with marks of approbation. The government pretended to despise, as insignificant, this movement, started in that distant and thinly settled region of the country; but it soon found itself impotent to withstand it.