Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/580

560 factions, notably the Santanists, would not hesitate to stir aboriginal prejudices to suit their aim. Nevertheless, while holding aloof from actual revolution, the people and provincial authorities neglected to display that patriotic spirit, and offer that passive if not active coöperation needed by a government charged with so important a task as the reorganization of the administrative departments.

Attention was called foremost to a decree dated June 14, 1848, requiring the reconstruction of the treasury department, the reduction of the civil service force and army list, overcrowded in course of time by a host of supernumerary and useless officials, and the presentation of a plan to the chambers for the consolidation of the debt, to which special funds had not yet been assigned. The latter effort proved most difficult, although a favorable readjustment of the foreign debt had led to equally flattering expectations the interior credits.

This readjustment was prompted by a protest from the English creditors who claimed that, as the cession of territory to the United States affected the landed security tendered them, they were entitled to a share of the indemnity obtained for that cession. The demand was too fair to be ignored; but the minister