army neglected, insurgents in greater force and control than ever, and public opinion growing more hostile. The reliance in Calleja was based also on his long experience in the country, with which he had in a sense grown up, imbibing lessons from different administrations.
The intimation for funds produced most unpleasant apprehension; for Calleja was as unceremonious in levying contributions as he was prodigal in expenditure. Not long after, indeed, he came forth with a woful complaint. There was a debt of more than thirty millions and a monthly deficit of $260,000, and the sources for revenue were insufficient, the best ones being, moreover, hypothecated for advances.[1] The first necessary step for relief, he declared, was to liberate trade, and mining and other industries, from the crushing weight of oppression by the rebels, who ravaged and kept in perpetual alarm the settlements, and blocked the roads in every direction. To this end funds were above all required wherewith to organize forces; and as the interests of merchants would receive the earliest benefit, he appealed first to the tribunal del consulado for a loan of a million and a half. Although the demand was not fully complied with, the prompt response revealed a flattering confidence in Calleja, united perhaps with a wholesome fear, which proved stronger than the feelings evoked by his discouraging revelation of affairs.[2]
The loan itself drew attention to the main issue, which was means to increase the revenue, a problem intrusted to a council of representatives from different
- ↑ Manifesto dated April 17, 1813. Gaz. de Mex., 1813, iv. 421-2. Many condemned it as dangerous to reveal the condition so publicly, but it was well enough known, from the frequent recourse to forced loans.
- ↑ The interest offered was five per cent, and the security half the revenue of the city custom-houses from Jan. 1814, but which received no corresponding application. In the list of subscribers, published in Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 11-12, are found the names of prominent local nobles, Basoco, Cortina, and others, for sums of $50,000 downward. At the same time the Gaz. de Mex., Jan. 5, 1813 et seq., continued to exhibit respectable donations for Spain.
