Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/522

502 Reforms of a different nature and of more import had begun to mark the progress of the age. The Spanish government had issued laws tending to re- strict the abuses committed by ecclesiastics in their capacity as confessors, who would induce repentant sinners, and persons on their death-bed, to make over to them their property, apparently for charitable pur- poses, to the injury of the lawful heirs and the state. The council of the Indies had therefore declared all such bequests void; but this had not the desired effect until Cárlos IV. forbade notaries to legalize such transactions in any form, or under any pretence whatever.

The English fleet continued to damage the com- merce of New Spain and to blockade the harbor of Vera Cruz in sight of the fortress of Ulúa and the gun-boats. The poor construction of the latter never enabled them to do any harm to the more powerful enemy, who had control of the gulf of Mexico, and was ready to capture Spanish craft that might ven- ture into or out of any port on the coast. Marquina repaired to Vera Cruz where a council was held as to the feasibility of sending out the naval forces to engage the enemy and oblige him to retire from the coast. The plan was disapproved, but on the 27th of the same month when an English frigate appeared in front of Vera Cruz, the four available craft in the harbor were sent out to engage her; they soon re- turned, however, not being in a condition to risk an attack. All the public treasure located in the port was transported to Jalapa for safety; provisions and ammunition were stored in Ulúa in expectation of an attack. Instructions also were given that if the place could not be held, the commander should cut his way through, and retreat toward the capital as best he might.