Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/23

Rh justice and ecclesiastical affairs; Francisco de Arrillaga, of the treasury; and José Ignacio García Illueca, of war and the navy; but this last department, on the death of the incumbent, July 12, 1823, was given to Brigadier José Joaquin de Herrera.

The whole system of administration was soon changed: the capitanías generales instituted by Iturbide were reduced to mere comandancias in each province. The congress and government devoted their energies to repair the evils inflicted on the country during the last days of the empire. Political prisoners were liberated; the appointments for members of a supreme court were made null; the council of state was suppressed. Every mark or badge of the late empire was done away with, it being taken for granted that the future form of government would be republican. The issue of paper money was discontinued, and other important commercial and financial measures were enacted. To provide resources for the current expenses and for other urgent obligations was a matter of paramount necessity. Orders were accordingly issued for the immediate sale at lower than regular rates of all tobacco and cigars in the