The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902 Page: 271
370 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Governor Smith and the Council. 271
government and re-establish the absolute rule of the king. After
coming to an agreement with the insurgent chief, Guerrero, Itur-
bide issued the famous plan of Iguala, February 24, 1821. In this
document he declared himself in favor of a constitutional mon-
archy, independent of Spain, with Ferdinand or some prince of the
royal family at its head.1 By the treaty of Cordova the new vice-
roy, O'Donoju, acknowledged the independence of Mexico. A pro-
visional junta was formed and Iturbide was elected president of
the council of regency created to administer the government until
a permanent arrangement in accordance with the plan of Iguala
could be perfected.
A constituent congress was at once elected in which there were
three parties: one desirous of a constitutional monarchy with a
Bourbon prince at its head, according to the original plan; a sec-
ond favoring the election of Iturbide as emperor; and a third com-
posed of those who wished to establish a republic. By a coup d'
'tat, on the night of May 18, 1822, Iturbide triumphed, and on the
following day he was formally elected emperor. He had acquired
the throne only by overcoming a strong opposition, but, instead of
attempting to conciliate his enemies, he proceeded to rule arbitra-
rily, dissolved congress, and governed through a junta established
by himself. A revolt was at once begun under Santa Anna, Vic-
toria, and other republican leaders, and on the 19th of March, 1823,
Iturbide was compelled to abdicate. The generals Victoria, Bravo,
and Negrete now formed a provisional regency to administer the
government until a constitution could be adopted.
A second constituent congress was elected and met in November,
1823. After some debate, it adopted the Acta Constitutiva, Jan-
uary 31, 1824, declaring in favor of a federal system. Work on
the constitution itself went on through the year 1824. Each part
of it, as soon as it was passed, was given the force of law, and on
the 4th of October, 1824, the constitution was formally adopted as
a whole. Inasmuch as this constitution was the basis of the fed-
eral system and was often appealed to by the Texans in their strug-
gle against centralism, a brief summary of its leading features
may not be out of place. In the first place, it is modeled after the
constitution of the United States. Eighteen states and three terri-
tories were recognized, Coahuila and Texas being united to form
'For an epitome of the plan of Iguala, see Bancroft, History of Mexioo,
IV 710.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902, periodical, 1902; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101021/m1/277/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.