The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 41, July 1937 - April, 1938 Page: 297
383 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Santa Anna's Last Dictatorship, 1853-1855 297
moreover, the young licentiate, Ignacio de La Llave, succeeded in
revolutionizing a portion of the vitally important department of
Veracruz. Many millions of dollars and the best of the dictator's
troops were poured into the conflict, but, when resistance was
crushed at one point, new rebel bands invariably appeared behind
the lines of battle.
Unfortunately, the revolution failed to show Santa Anna the
need of adopting an extensive program of far-reaching reforms.
His government continued to be absolute and personal until it
collapsed, and the few remaining powers of the localities were
even usurped after the war began. Not even the conservatives
received political concessions, for a weak cabinet was retained
until the end.' Hence, the administrative policies of 1853 like-
wise were continued during the revolution, although with some
changes in emphasis and method.
A strong army was still sought by the dictator, although greater
attention now was given to efforts to increase its efficiency rather
than its numbers. In the first place, large sums were spent on
improved arms and equipment, and several new vessels were even
purchased for the navy. Secondly, efforts were made to improve
military discipline, by taking measures designed to decrease deser-
tions, and to exact better service from the lax officer class. Finally,
greater efficiency seems to have been sought by consolidating cer-
tain depleted or undermanned units, and by creating a presidential
guard.2
The administration's efforts to increase its revenues naturally
were stimulated by the revolution. As a matter of fact, Santa
Anna's critical financial situation probably forced him to ratify
the revised Gadsden treaty, although the United States Senate
IDubldn and Lozano, Legislaci6n mexicana, VII, 296-311, 396-397, 414-
434; also, Colecci6n de las eyes, deoretos, y 6rdenes, VII, 210; VIII, 228-
230; also, Diario oficial, May 31, 1854; January 17, 1855; January 20,
1855; and April 19, 1855.
2M. Ola.sagarre, Cuenta. de la percepoi6n, distribucidr, e inversi de los
diez millones de pesos que produjo el tratado de la Mesilla . . ., Docu-
ments 64 and 65; Francisco de Arrang6iz y Berzabal, Manifestaci6n de D.
Francisco de Arrang6iz y Berzdbal d sus conciudadanos y amigos, 14,
29-31; Garcfa and Pereyra (editors), Documentos in6ditos 6 muy raros,
II, 111; DublAn and Lozano, Legislaci6n mexicana, VII. 213-218; also,
Diario oficial, March 29, 1854; June 2, 1854; July 31, 1854; August 25,
1854; and January 27, 1855; also, Navarro, Legislaci6n mejicana, June
through December, 1854, pp. 4-5, 322-324; Santa Anna to Corona, May
11, 1855, Crimenes de los generales, II.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 41, July 1937 - April, 1938, periodical, 1938; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101103/m1/325/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.