Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/609

Rh wholesome restraint which Rayon and others had formerly imposed. They were becoming raiders rather than revolutionists, intent mainly on harassing the royalists, but inflicting at the same time great injury on the country at large, by circumscribing agriculture, mining, manufactures, and trade, as well as by obliging the government to increase rather than diminish its costly operations for guarding the exposed districts and pursuing and besieging the raiders. Calleja, in fact, appealed in August 1814, to Spain, for reënforcements of 8,000 men, and obtained a portion of the force. Under the new condition of affairs disunion seemed indeed favorable to the cause. The explanation of this anomaly lay partly in the greater precautions taken by the leaders to keep the way open for retreat, and to maintain a larger number of strongholds for refuge.

No wonder then that a general feeling of uneasiness continued, notwithstanding the exultant demonstration of successes by Calleja. This feeling was strikingly manifested in the increasing exodus of Spaniards, which assumed such magnitude that it was proposed to limit the issue of passports, and decided to restrict the export of treasure. One cause must be sought in the depression left on all industries by the long struggle to which were added the continual levies by insurgents, especially on farms, and the reckless imposition of loans and taxes by Calleja, who cared above all for the success of his campaign. In the latter part of the year when everybody expected a partial release from burdens, he added six per cent to the excise duty, and a special board was created to apply a large direct contribution on