an order was issued that the inhabitants of the capital, in token of their loyalty, should wear on their persons a badge bearing his name. [1] The tribunal del consulado. was instructed to communicate the same order to all corporations within the jurisdiction of that court. [2] The first important step which the new government took in order to insure its stability was the reorganization of the army. Neither the volunteers of Fernando VII. nor the forces at Jalapa were regarded as supports free from objection. The party from which the former were drawn seemed to expect their own political views adopted in the new order of affairs which they had created, and the oidores feared that the freedom of their own action would thereby be impeded. Accordingly the chaquetas were disbanded by Garibay, who would no longer detain such loyal and self-denying persons from their commercial occupations. He thanked them in the name of Fernando for their patriotism, for the ever memorable services they had rendered, and informed them that he should not fail to place a memorial of their merits at the feet of his majesty. [3] In breaking up the encampment at Jalapa the oidores were influenced by still more forcible reasons. The regiments which composed the army stationed there were drawn from the different provinces, and the ranks filled by Mexicans, whose loyalty could not be safely relied upon if the flag of independence should be raised. Orders were therefore issued that each corps should return to its respective district; the reason assigned being that, in view of the alliance which had been formed between Spain and England, [4] the concentration of so large a force for defence was no longer necessary. It was further urged that the government,
- ↑ Gaz. de Mex., xv. 687. Many persons had gold medals made, and wore them on their coat collars. Alaman possessed a collection of them, and states that they were of poor workmanship. Hist. Mej., i. 282.
- ↑ Gaz. de Mex., xv. 699.
- ↑ Id., 804. The order was given on the 15th of October. Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., i. 616-17.
- ↑ England had made peace with Spain in July 1808.
