bakers in consequence refused any longer to make bread, for at the price at which they were compelled to sell it they found the business unprofitable, and a disturbance was averted only by the prompt measures taken by the viceroy to insure a sufficient supply.[1]
Murmurs began to be heard on all sides, and notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of the viceroy to provide a supply of grain the suspicious and unreasoning populace would not credit the reported failure of the crops until a special commissioner was sent into the valley to verify the report. From the beginning Galve adopted every measure that experience and prudence could suggest to prevent or at least mitigate the suffering and dangers of a prolonged famine. Officials were sent among the farmers of the valley and interior districts to purchase all the surplus grain, and with orders to seize it if necessary. The sale of grain and flour in the city by private individuals was forbidden, all that could be found being collected by the government for distribution at the public granary.[2] The use and cultivation of the trigo blanquillo which was unwisely forbidden in 1677,[3] was also permitted, the viceroy having induced the church authorities to remove the interdict against it.
The public granary was now placed in charge of the municipal authorities, and grain could be purchased only there. In November of 1691, the daily allowance for each individual was one quartilla[4] and the daily consumption from one thousand to thirteen hundred fanegas.[5] In the surrounding country the suffer-
- ↑ The difficulty with the bakers occurred on the 13th of Sept., and on the following day there was no bread to be had. Robles, Diario, ii. 67; Carta de un Religioso, in Doc. Hist. Mex., série ii. tom. iii. 310-11.
- ↑ 'Sabado 15' (Sept.), 'embargó el corregidor toda la harina á Hurtado y á Guerto y la trajo á la alhóndiga.' Robles, Diario, ii. 67.
- ↑ The trigo blanquillo was a species of wheat, chiefly cultivated in the bishopric of Puebla, of enormous yield, and superior in every respect to all other kinds produced in New Spain. For some reason not clearly explained it was denounced as unwholesome, and its use and cultivation prohibited under heavy penalties by both government and church. Montemayor, Svmarios. 60-1; Sigüenza y Góngora, Carta, MS., 37-9; Carta de un Religioso, 312.
- ↑ Equal to about two quarts.
- ↑ A fanega is about equivalent to a bushel and a half.
