English bondholders, who were finally appeased with a small concession,[1]by resuming the management of the tobacco department, and by other measures. In April of the following year, however, several direct contributions were imposed on industries, on articles of luxury, and on incomes, together with a capitation tax.[2] Meanwhile, to cover immediate and additional needs, the archbishop was obliged to provide $200,000, surrender the inquisition building, and witness the sale of a fine estate formerly belonging to the Jesuits,[3] and subsequently the seizure of the California pious fund.[4] And so the clergy had to pay for their share in the revolution.
A part of the sums thus obtained were appropriated for redeeming the copper money, about fourteen millions, mostly false, which circulated at half its face value, to the prejudice especially of the poor. The new coin, worth an eighth of a rial and weighing half an ounce,[5] proved a great relief; but the abrupt manner of calling in the old money caused great mischief.[6] Santa Anna took special pains to remove
- ↑ Lizardi & Co. arranged at first for allowing them one fifth of the receipts at Vera Cruz and Tampico custom-houses, they surrendering half of the four years' interest due; but this not being allowed by the government, the latter, on October 10, 1842, assigned 313 per cent added to the duties at these ports.
- ↑ The latter one rial per month, the income tax from 18 to 14 per cent. Also 15 per cent on legacies to corporations. Méx., Mem. Hac., 1841, 1842; Romero, Mem., 215 et seq.
- ↑ That known as La Compañia, near Chalco. The $200,000 were in response to $500,000 demanded. Bustamante, Gabinete Mex., ii. 122-5; Apuntes, Santa-Anna, 15-17, at this time made a vain appeal for restoring the Jesuits. Other petitions in Mendizábal, Repres., 1-26; Pap. Var., clxxi. pt 14; Méx., Doc. y Obras sobre Jesuitas, 1-8, on a proposed issue of Jesuit documents.
- ↑ Serving to sustain its missionary and clergy. The government for a while allowed an equivalent. See Hist. Cal., iv., this series. A decree of October 13th forbade the sale of mortmain property without government permission. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iv. 35-6. The bishops and orders were besides obliged to accept drafts for different amounts. Bustamante, Apuntes Santa-Anna, 47-8. Valencia was rewarded by the grant of seized property and the management of the pious fund. Rivera, Gob, de Méx., ii. 245.
- ↑ Bearing on the face a figure of liberty and on the reverse a civic crown with the value mark in the centre and round it the words República Mejicana.
- ↑ The decree, dated Nov. 4, 1841, forbade the circulation of the old money after 30 days in the department of Mexico, and after 60 days elsewhere, yet offered the new coin only six months after the surrender of the other.
