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634 promoting colonization, and reanimating trade. In this lay some atonement for the heavy increase of taxation demanded by a costly military government, with its many reorganization plans.

By decree of May 14th the revenue was centralized, the government assuming control of all property and general contributions hitherto belonging to the states and territories. This brought the estimated income to fully $17,000,000, less $3,500,000 set aside for special purposes. The expenses were proportionately large, and those who had so long been talking about the economy of a centralized administration became less confident. The estimated expenditure was placed at $11,500,000, without counting a heavy additional sum required for reorganizing the military department, and a sum of $17,000,000 for covering the interest of the interior and foreign debts, partly overdue, and for meeting certain advantageous conventions. The deficit could be covered only by a loan, and as this was not obtainable on reasonable terms, save by offering unexceptionable security, Haro proposed the hypothecation of church property. The clergy understood the government policy too well to admit this or any other encroachment, however glowing the promises for compensation. They raised such opposition that the minister resigned. And now affairs were allowed to drift into