Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/713

Rh, forming elements for an explosion. Harmony between the president and congress appeared impossible; but as the former had taken no irretrievable action, the much-desired accord was happily brought about in a great measure by the 'ley de desamortizacion civil y eclesiástica,' enacted by the executive on the 25th of June, 1856, and which having been framed by Miguel Lerdo de Tejada, the secretary of the treasury, came to be known as the ley Lerdo.

This law, after a warm discussion, during which the radicals opposed it as insufficient and favorable to the clergy, was confirmed on the 28th by a large majority, and became a bond of union between the executive and the representatives of the people. The president and his ministers received popular ovations. Beneficial results were expected from the law; and many believed that the enlightened portion of the clergy would look upon it as a beneficent measure, and be grateful to the government for having adopted it. This hope, however, was groundless. The partisans of the old blunder transmitted from colonial times, by which three fourths of the landed property in the