Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/765

Rh the acts of the reactionary government, as under the peculiar condition of affairs it had to pursue its course without the pale of law; as regarded the liberals, it was of no use, the constitution of 1857 being their sole recognized code.

The government councils that the Zuloaguista governors organized availed naught; they were both a drag and a heavy burden on the revenue, already scanty, and derived only from extra taxation or loans from the clergy. The means furnished by the clergy, much against their will, being insufficient, the government seized private property to cover the taxes, often employing the armed force in that odious occupation. In this manner the relations with the American legation came to be interrupted. Miramon also committed violent acts against Englishmen in San Luis Potosí.

The failure to subdue the constitutionalists was finally attributed to lack of efficiency of the ministers; whereupon Zuloaga early in July organized another cabinet, with the following members, namely: Joaquin Castillo y Lanzas, of relations; M. Fernandez de Jáuregui, of government; Father F. Javier Miranda, of justice; General J. M. García, of war; Pedro Jorrin, of the treasury; and José M. Zaldívar, of fomento. The retrogressive tendencies of this new ministry may be judged from the fact that Father Miranda's was its leading mind. It promised a more stringent policy, and certainly carried out such a one. Its most objectionable measures were a law against conspirators, and another muzzling the press. This change of policy on Zuloaga's part would have soon brought his rule to an end; but this result was retarded by Miramon's capture of Guanajuato on the 24th of July.