Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/80

60 of the country, since no armed force was sent to put them down. Governor Zavala of the state of Mexico was also accused of favoring the hostility toward the Spaniards, but he explicitly denied it in the lodges and in official addresses to the legislature. The rioters of Ajusco and Toluca retired to their homes, but those of Apam and Acapulco continued in arms. Even the state of Vera Cruz decreed the dismissal of Spaniards from public office. Leaving the subject of Spaniards to the legislative authority was tantamount to a decision against them. The legislature of Jalisco was the first to decree their expulsion; that of Mexico imitated it, and in the course of time the legislatures of all the other states followed the example.

The final decree of expulsion, dated December 20, 1827, was issued by the national congress in obedience to the demands of the state legislatures, but not without opposition in both houses on the part of some prominent members. But for the pressure of state governors, there would have been no majority in favor of the bill. The law as passed, fortunately for the country s good name, contained no clause confiscating property or prohibiting its exportation by the owner.