Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/550

530 act as the conqueror's tools, found themselves in an unenviable position as soon as the negotiations for peace were initiated.

During that period several newspapers were published at the capital, both in English and Spanish, the former of which freely vented their wrath on the Mexicans.

Soon after the commanding general had completed his study of the revenue system, he prepared an order fixing the amount of the direct taxes, and the duties to be collected on the precious metals. This order was promulgated on the 31st of December, 1847, and the first step toward its execution was to despatch Colonel Withers with the 9th infantry to Pachuca; the next was to station Cadwalader's brigade at Toluca; a few weeks later a detachment was sent to Cuernavaca. The number of troops being too great to be conveniently accommodated in the city of Mexico, Riley's brigade was stationed at Tacubaya, Patterson's division at San Ángel, and a portion of Butler's at Molino del Rey.

The annoyances of the Mexican guerrillas caused the sending of a column of newly arrived troops in January to occupy the towns of Córdoba and Orizaba, where the guerrilla chieftains had held their