The enforced retrenchments of the government gave rise to a number of internal difficulties tending to weaken its hold on the public, although the blame mainly belonged to the states, legislative bodies, and people generally, which expected too much. One result was an alarming increase in highway robbery and other crimes, owing to the reduced patrol service and the indifference or connivance of underpaid officials;[1] another, the increase of pronunciamientos fostered by factions, and joined in or permitted by a neglected army. One broke out at Guanajuato immediately after the election of Arista; and although the government inflicted a severe lesson in suppressing it, another futile effort was made in July 1851.[2] Similar demonstrations were reported from San Luis Potosí, Vera Cruz, Puebla, Tlascala, and other central parts into the ever-restless Jalisco, and southward, as a rule on
- ↑ See Monitor Rep., Feb. 6-21, 1851, etc.
- ↑ The former outbreak, on January 8th, was started by the brothers Liceaga, guilty of a similar movement in June 1850. Universal, June 12, 1850. They arrested Gov. Arrellano and gained possession of the city and fortress; but Uraga marched quickly to the spot, and regained possession by assault on the 13th, executing several ringleaders. Méx., Mem. Min. Guer., 1852, 5-6. Pardon issued, Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1851, 223-4; Guan., Mem., 1852, 5, etc.; Sonorense, Feb. 21, 1851. The movement in July was headed by Ortiz, a son of the famous Pachon, in favor of Santa Anna; but informers caused it to be suppressed.
July 1847, were somewhat modified, and the rest were to be examined without further loss of time, five per cent interest being allowed on those without assigned funds and three per cent on others; treasury notes for certain portions were to be accepted at the custom-house in liquidation. Decree in Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., vi. 163, 277, with comments in Mex. et l'Espagne, Mem., 251-64. Ramirez was accused of yielding too much to Spain. Ramirez, Acus., i. 1-8; Id., Apuntes Convenciones, 1-20; Id., Observ., 1-11; Pap. Var., clxxxv. pts 14, 16; but he was exonerated. Mendoza, Cuestion Mej., 3 et seq. Certain English claims through Montgomery, Nicod, & Co., Martinez del Rio, etc., amounting to more than $4,700,000, were now to receive three per cent interest and five per cent toward a sinking fund, merging later in the proposed consolidation fund. See also Mex., Debt Rept., i., with report of Apr. 23, 1832. Percy W. Doyle was the English diplomatic agent in the beginning of 1852. Español, Feb. 18, 1852; Universal, Oct. 3, 1850, July 15, 1852. A. de Iturbide figured at London for Mexico. Arch. Mex., Actas, ii. 314. Of the French claim by Serment, Fort, et Cie, somewhat over $1,000,000, received assigned funds in July 1851, but damages for non-fulfilment Ramirez would not recognize. A small claim by Hargous of the U. S. was settled. See Méx., Mem. Min. Hac., 1852; Méx., Mem. Min. Rel., id.; Luchet, Observ., 1-60; Pap. Var., clxxxv. pt x. By decree of Oct. 9, 1851, a consumption tax of eight per cent was levied on foreign effects, to be divided with the states, which stopped their special smaller levies of the same class. Méx., Legis'. Mej., 1851, 323-5.
