buying enough for ten days, which he could do, it would hold out with the rest of the rations, yet it had to be reported to the commander-in-chief that, if not relieved or provisioned by the first of June, the "Tacony" would have to leave her station. Commander Roe was, therefore, doubly anxious to put an early end to the chaotic state of affairs on shore; and the pleasant relations that he enjoyed with the Liberals, coupled with the respect he had won from the Imperialists, made his continued presence seem very desirable to all parties.
Although the port was not blockaded, trade was seriously interfered with by petty acts of tyranny on the part of the city authorities, and complaints were constantly being made of such acts. But grievous as it all was, it was beyond the "Tacony's" sphere of action. Captain Roe recommended that the merchants suspend trade for the remaining short time that it could last; if local revenues were cut off by such temporary suspension of business the whole question of the occupation of the city might quickly be settled. This, however, was a matter in which the merchants would have to act by and for themselves, as it was not a case for armed interference.
On May 15th, however, word was received from Mr. Saulnier that the authorities contemplated levying a heavy war tax by armed force upon the
