of the southern coast, Bravo had to acquiesce, and Urrea was bribed with the comandancia general of Sonora, whereupon Santa Anna, now firmer than ever in power, generously issued a general amnesty.[1]
Reforms became now the order of the day, from the nature of the energetic man in control as well as from a politic desire to conciliate parties and remedy glaring defects. The first step was naturally to gratify the army, and so bind closer to the administration its main support, while preparing also a necessary check on the movements of Yucatan and Texas, the latter marked this time by an invasion of New Mexico under McLeod and Cooke, but promptly defeated by General Armijo.[2] Several new regiments were formed, notably the grenadier guard, under stringent drafting resolutions, and with determined efforts to dress, arm, and maintain them.[3] For this and other purposes a depleted treasury had to be filled, and with fresh taxes. But it was not deemed prudent to startle the people by any sudden or heavy contributions from the fondled vision of lighter burdens and rising prosperity. They were still lulled by the removal of the fifteen per cent consumption tax, and a modification of the three per mille impost on estates, while a parade was made of economy by reducing the assignment to home creditors[4] by putting off the
- ↑ Vallejo, Col. Doc. Mex., MS., ii. pt 466. Aguascalientes was made a comandancia general. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iv. 89. Alvarez was promoted to a division.
- ↑ The Texans, including many U. S. men, being sent to languish in captivity at Perote and other places. A full account of this interesting episode is given in Hist. Arizona and New Mexico, this series, based on original sources, as well as on works like Kendall's Narr. Santa Fé Exped., i.-ii.
- ↑ Méx., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1841, 159-61, 188-9. The movements of the officers were subjected to closer control. Vallejo, Col. Doc. Mex., MS., ii. pt 468; Bustamante, Diario, MS., xliv. 3. Charges arose against Arista and others in connection with army contracts. La Minerva, Mar. 25, 1845. During 1840 several decrees appeared for organizing the militia. Méx., Decreto Militia, 1-4; Pap. Var., liv. pt 12, clii. pt 5, 11, clxxx. pt 11; Méx., Mem. Guerra, 1841, 1842.
- ↑ Of the 8, 10, 12, 15, and 17 per cent assigned on custom-house receipts. The holders raised such an outcry against a contemplated total suspension that half the amount was allowed, and subsequently the arrangement of 1830, with different modifications.
