Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/597

Rh otherwise tractable people. His own act in taking away nearly all the mules and horses required for agriculture, the interruption of communications, the circulation of copper money which had been introduced, and the effects of the change on his occupation of the capital, had all assisted toward ruin. The appointment of Rayon to the command had been made partly in view to remedy the evil; but he was unknown in the province, and without influence or interest. He did not advance farther than Huajuapan, sending thence San Martin and other agents to organize forces, collect means at Oajaca, and correct abuses; measures which were nullified partly by partisans of Morelos, hostile to Rayon, but mainly by the sudden advance of the royalists.

The conquest of Oajaca, as a complement of Armijo's operations, was intrusted to Colonel Melchor Álvarez, who set out from Tepeaca after the 10th of March, with over 1,000 men. Colonel Hevia accompanied him as far as Huajuapan, there to remain in observation, and to pursue the feeble force collected by Rayon and Rocha. Álvarez marched unmolested to Oajaca, which opened its gates with ovations