Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/684

664, alluded to in the plan of Ayutla, could be none other than Álvarez.

The abundant reactionary elements, namely, the large number of military officers and employés thrown out of positions, were on the other hand actively at work forming plans, several of which had appeared. The most dangerous was that of San Luis Potosí, a model of a former one on behalf of religion y fueros. The conservatives, with the aid of the discontented military element, were already organizing their forces to be ready for the coming reaction, which in their opinion was not far off. They were at the same time trying to exonerate themselves from the charge of having been the supporters of the dictatorship.

Carrera threw up the presidency at 11 o'clock on the night of September 11th, leaving the command of the district of Mexico, pursuant to the Ayutla plan, in the hands of Vega, who at once chose a council of government of seven members. The garrison made a declaration to the effect that their recognition of Carrera as president had been an act of expediency; they reiterated their acceptance of the plan of Ayutla, and promised to place themselves under the government emanating therefrom.

Álvarez with his army by slow marches reached Chilpancingo only on the 8th of September, while Comonfort was actively engaged in assembling at Lagos the chiefs of the different plans proclaimed, with the object of inducing them to coöperate with him. On hearing that Carrera had retired, and the capital had accepted the plan of Ayutla without restrictions, Álvarez was formally recognized in Lagos as the chief of the revolution, Haro y Tamariz and