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With the exception of some discontents occasioned by pronunciamentos of Robato, Padre, Arenas, and others, Victoria's administration was encouraging to the friends of republicanism, until his term of office had nearly expired. All parties had then merged into two, the Escoceses and Yorkinos, or Scotch and York parties-the first strongly opposed to republicanism, the second in favour of it. In December, 1827, General Bravo placed himself at the head of the Scotch party, and marched against the president; but he was defeated by the latter and banished. In the succeeding election, however, the Escoceses elected their presidential candidate Gomez Pedraza, by a majority of two votes. The exasperated republicans were not disposed to submit to this defeat with a good grace; and even before Pedraza was installed, Santa Anna marched against him with a small force. The Indians flocked to the standard of the insurgents, and, on the 4th of December, 1828, a pronunciamento was issued in favour of Guerrero, the president's political opponent. The city of Mexico was rifled, and Pedraza compelled to fly to the United States. Immediately after, congress declared in favour of Guerrero for president and Bustamente for vice-president. The latter act was most unfortunate. The new administration had scarcely gone into operation when the vice-president raised an army, induced Santa Anna to join him, overthrew Guerrero, and seized the government. Not long after, (September 11, 1829,) Santa Anna broke the remaining Spanish influence in Mexico, by the victory of

Barradas.

Guerrero was executed by order of the government, in 1831; and in the following year, Santa Anna took up arms against Bustamente. After various successes, he induced the president to permit the recall of Pedraza, who was immediately elevated to his former dignity, and served out his term of office. At its expiration, May 15, 1833, Santa Anna was elected to succeed him.

Santa Anna's energy of character and skill as a general were known, and dreaded throughout Mexico; but he was subjected to the same dangers from insurrections, declarations, and other symptoms of discontent, as his predecessors had been. The most formidable to the constitution was the "Plan of Tuluco," substituting a central for a federal republic, abolishing the individuality of the States, and constituting the chief magistrate a military chieftain. It gave rise to the Texan revolution, during which the president marched into the disaffected department; and, after alternate success

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and disaster, was entirely defeated and taken prisoner at San Jacinto. On returning from the United States, he found his influence destroyed, and retired to his farm at Manga de Clavo. During his absence and retirement, affairs were conducted by Barragan, Coro, and Bustamente.

The insurrection of Alexia, in 1838, afforded the first opportunity for Santa Anna to reappear in public life. The insurgents were defeated, and their leader put to death. The blockade of Vera Cruz by the French, during the ensuing winter, was another step towards regaining popularity. He there received a severe wound in the leg, which rendered amputation necessary; but this mischance he knew well how to appropriate to his own benefit.

In July, 1840, Urrea attempted to overthrow the government, but was defeated; but one year after, Valentia, Lombidini, Alaman, Paredes, and Santa Anna, pronounced against Bustamente. This revolution was one of the most fearful of all that have distracted Mexico since the days of the viceroys. The armies fought more than a month in the streets of the capital, after which it was subjected to

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bombardment. The president was finally overthrown, and Santa Anna inaugurated military dictator, (January 1, 1841.)

The dictator held his power with great firmness until 1843, when he ordered Paredes to be arrested at Tula, in consequence of his having joined Valencia in a proposed insurrection. This measure incensed the friends of Paredes, and they collected in small parties preparatory to revolting. The dictator then changed his policy, and invited the general to accept the government of Sonora and Sinaloa.

This, however, was ineffectual; and, leaving Canalizo at the capital, Santa Anna marched against the insurgents. A civil war was the consequence. This was ended by the indiscreet zeal of Canalizo, who, on the 2d of December, 1844, closed the sitting of congress, and declared Santa Anna supreme dictator. Incensed at this act, the people and army rose, en masse, imprisoned Canalizo, and caused Herrera to be proclaimed president, by congress. Santa Anna was left almost entirely alone, and, after the most violent efforts at the head of a small force, he was taken prisoner. After Long deliberation, congress condemned him to perpetual exile. In June, 1845, he embarked for Havana, in company with his wife, nephew, and a few friends.

Congress now proclaimed a general amnesty, and passed a vote recognising the independence of Texas, on condition of its not becoming a part of the United States. This state of quiet was of short duration. The separation of Texas from the parent government was, of all measures, the most unpopular in Mexico; and soon Paredes, aided by Arista, was in arms against Herrera. The latter was deposed, Paredes assumed the reins of government, and the United States minister was ordered from the country. In the ensuing war, Paredes marched with the army to the north, leaving the management of affairs in the hands of General Bravo. His efforts were attended with uninterrupted misfortune, and the nation again turned its gaze towards Santa Anna, as the only one capable to retrieve its disgraces. Vera Cruz and other cities declared for him, and General Salas assuming provisional authority, imprisoned Paredes, and invited Santa Anna to return. He arrived at Vera Cruz, August, 1846, and was immediately appointed president and dictator. His subsequent public career, together with that of his country, is identified with the recent war waged against the United States, of which a history will be given in a subsequent part of this volume.

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CHAPTER VI.

CENTRAL AMERICA.

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HE term Central America is usually applied to the region formerly known as Old Guatimala. In a geographical sense, however, it may be applied still more extensively, including the provinces of Guatimala. Yucatan, and the Balize.

Guatimala is an extensive region, stretching between the Pacific Ocean and Carribean Sea, from the southern boundary of Mexico, to the Isthmus of Darien. In its climate, soil, productions, and geographical features, it much resembles the West Indies, except that the Andes render it one of the most mountainous of American countries. The western shore is subject to the most violent earthquakes; the interior is but little known. Politically, it is divided into the states of Guatimala, Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

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