Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/751

Rh have seen that, as a mark of confidence, he gave him command of the brigade stationed in Tacubaya.

At the time of taking possession of the presidential chair, Zuloaga spoke in general terms of his intention to secure the just rights of citizens, but did not lay down any policy. He at once appointed his cabinet, made up of men whose antecedents and political opinions clearly indicated that the civil war would be pushed energetically till the influence of the army and clergy should predominate.

The foreign legations rather hastily recognized his government as one de facto. It would have been difficult for them to say on what they grounded its probable stability.

Among the first acts of Zuloaga's cabinet was the organization of a government council with one representative from each state and territory, regulating its functions and duties. The next steps were to restore the fueros, and generally to annul the reform laws passed during Comonfort's administration. Their retrogressive acts did their cause more harm than the liberal forces ever could; inasmuch as the reform