Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/674

654 of great help to the government in its present emergency, and no time was lost to lay hands on the money by special negotiation involving loss. There was now no limit to the despotism of the government and its tools in the departments. An order of banishment was never revoked. The poor were the victims of conscription and general ill treatment; property was not safe from confiscation; justice was only for the despot's favorites.

The spread of the revolution after Santa Anna's escape from Guerrero was now rapid. Engaged in it were not only Álvarez, Comonfort, and Moreno, but Santos Degollado and Vidaurri. An official recognition that revolution existed in many parts, and was likely to break out in others, was at last made on the 5th of June, and departments, districts, cities, and towns seceding from their allegiance would be ipso facto placed under martial law without further declaration.

Santa Anna changed his residence to Tacubaya on the 26th of September. He could now see that the situation was no longer tenable, and desired the conservatives to somewhat modify their policy, which would involve a change of cabinet. The governors of departments were asked for a marked change. The dictator, however, in a circular of October 17th, denied having contemplated a change of ministers, of whose honesty, loyalty, and activity he was well satisfied.