Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/247

Rh The chief effect, so far, is universal idleness in man and beast,—the soldiers and their quadrupeds excepted.

The position of the President, however, is not so bad as at first sight it might appear, or as it will be, if his enemies are permitted to reunite. He has upwards of two thousand men, twelve pieces of ordnance, and, though his infantry are few, and he has little artillery, he has good cavalry. Valencia has twelve hundred men, twenty-six pieces of ordnance, with good infantry, and almost all the artillery. The rebels have possessed themselves of the Acordada, and given liberty to those who were imprisoned for political opinions; a good loophole for the escape of criminals.

Those who understand these matters say, that the principal object of the government should be to reduce the rebels to the citadel only, and to occupy all the important points in its neighborhood, San Diego, San Hipolito, San Fernando, &c.; but as yet this has not been done, and the pronunciados are gradually extending, and taking possession of these points. . ..

3d.—They are now keeping up a pretty brisk fire between San Agustin and the citadel. This morning the streets were covered with coaches filled with families leaving the city.

4th.—Things are becoming more complicated. The rebels now occupy San José, Salto de Agua, the college of Vizcaynas, (from which all the poor girls and their teachers have fled) Regina, San Juan de la Penitencia, San Diego, and San Fernando, a