Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/30

10 those clothed with authority. There was an insecurity on the public roads, as often shown; and one occurrence, the attacking and wounding near Orizaba of Captain Aldham, the commander of the Valorous, and others, while on their way to Vera Cruz, added other difficulties in the adjustment of differences with Great Britain.

The bad condition of public affairs caused another ministerial crisis, beginning with the resignation of Prieto, who on retiring suggested what he deemed the only possible means to relieve the financial distress. Ortega, minister of war, was succeeded by Zaragoza. José María Mata, who knew little or nothing about finances, was placed in charge of the treasury portfolio. This change, at the time when the head of the treasury department needed to be thoroughly informed of the financial question in order that he might intelligently reform the maritime and frontier tariffs, was an unfortunate one. It has been said that the other ministers were not equal to their positions, and that but for the fact that their tenure was considered only provisional, they could not have escaped rude attacks, such as were directed against Mata for his measures, chief of which were suspension of payments, sale at public auction of notes payable to the government, and contracts of a ruinous character. These attacks were not altogether just, for the government was in need of means to fight the reactionists, who were already assuming a dangerous attitude.