Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/792

776 however, that to the Mexicans, unaccustomed to home-made princes, his display was somewhat ridiculous. The simple but sterling pageantry of the viceroys seemed to have given place to the glitter of theatrical tinsel. In the exhausted condition of the treasury, the expense, too, was not a welcome burden, and the disaffected soon murmured. Indeed, the pecuniary difficulties of the government were most serious, and threatened to culminate in disturbances. Recourse to arbitrary measures was the only possible means of present relief, and the emperor suspended the permission to ship money out of the country, immense sums having been withdrawn since the decree of March 22d, which removed the previous restriction. To meet the urgency of the moment, it was even proposed by the revenue commissioners that the money which had been conveyed to Vera Cruz by the last conducta, amounting to $1,500,000, should be appropriated by the government. This measure was not adopted, but in face of the unsuccessful efforts that had been made to raise a voluntary loan, the congress, after long debates, felt compelled to pass a decree on June 11th, authorizing the government to exact a forced contribution of 600,000 pesos from the consulados of Mexico, Puebla, Guadalajara, and Vera Cruz, to be raised from the wealthy citizens and the ecclesiastical and secular corporations. For the formation of his government, the emperor had appointed a council of state, composed of thirteen members selected from thirty-one nominees proposed by the congress. Among the counsellors were Negrete, Nicolás Bravo, Almansa, counsel of state under the Spanish government, Velazquez de Leon, and Bárcena, governor of the mitre of Valladolid.