Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/702

682 orders were issued for Haro's arrest. A decree of March 31st provided that the governors of Puebla and Vera Cruz should seize the property of the church, and without neglecting public worship, apply the remainder of its revenue to the payment of damages caused by the rebellion to private citizens, and to pensioning widows, orphans, and those crippled by the war. The clergy, of course, made a strong protest against this law.

Though the chief points of policy and war had preferably occupied the government's attention, other matters of general usefulness were not neglected for the advancement of education, trade, and other industries. Among the most important decrees was one of January 9, 1856, to hold Santa Anna, his ministers, governors, and other subordinates, responsible for their illegal acts, both to the nation and to individuals.

So much expedition had been used to bring about the assembling of the constituent congress that the first preparatory meeting took place on the 14th of February. The labors of the chamber were of no particular interest till the 21st, when by 72 votes against seven the decree of Álvarez that called Comonfort to occupy the executive chair was ratified. This confirmation by so large a majority was equivalent to a special vote of confidence; it not only secured Comonfort's position, as it became grounded on