Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/746

726 pressed on one side by constitutionalist forces, on the other by conservatives, and at the same time by the coalition of states in the interior, without having a party of his own, was really in a quandary. It has been both asserted and denied that he was at one time on the point of joining the reaccionarios, and becoming a tool of the clergy. Judging by his conduct, the conclusion must be that he never abandoned the plan laid out in his manifesto. As soon as the so-called council of state was installed, the 25th of December, he discovered that the color of the situation was not quite so fully defined as the reaccionarios wanted it. Comonfort expected a great deal from what he called the assiduity and efficacy of the council; but as it was an illegal body, utterly devoid of prestige, and none of the parties would accede to his pretensions, it could accomplish nothing. His phrases had no significance. The states protested against his acts, and continued their preparations for a solution of the difficulties by the resort to arms.

Comonfort realized how dangerous his position was when Vera Cruz, on which he had confidently relied, but which had never been in favor of the reaction, forsook him. This was on the 30th of December; he then tried to save himself by sending emissaries