Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/48

32 by the seizure by Nelson of four treasure-laden ships bound from America to Cádiz.

And now commerce again wanes, being carried on in neutral vessels only, while free intercourse with Spain is greatly interrupted. Moreover, besides being pressed by Napoleon for prompt compliance with the treaty of 1796, Spain is beset with calamities. Famine and pestilence are decimating her population; earthquakes destroy several towns in Andalusia; debts are enormous, and the exchequer empty; and lastly, England has lately seized her treasure-ships, and will probably capture others. More and more urgent, therefore, are the appeals to the viceroy for Mexican silver and gold.

Iturrigaray seems in every respect equal to the emergency. The colonists are made to bleed. From corporations, from the clergy, and from private individuals, thirteen millions of dollars are secured at this juncture, and shipped in four frigates, some five millions more being retained for later transportation. To make up this amount, he has not only seized any deposits, however sacred, he could lay his hands on, and forced money from the poor, but he has resorted to a swindling system of lotteries. It is true that in the matter of forced loans promises to pay are made, and a small annual interest promised.

The French just now are as much feared in New Spain as the English. French ships anchored at Vera Cruz are jealously watched by the viceroy, who refuses to furnish supplies to French troops stationed at Santo Domingo.

Difficulties, moreover, threaten with the United