Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/314

274 MEX ICO. resources of the States, than that adopted in the first instance. This Decree was followed by a second, dated the 21st of the same month, (September, 1824,) abolishing the compli- cated offices, which, under the denomination of Intendencias, Direcciones, Contadurias, Cajas, &c. &c., had so much im- peded the action of the machine under the Vice-regal govern- ment ; and creating in their place a single Commissary -Gene- ral in each of the principal States, who, assisted by a mode- rate number of clerks, and under the immediate orders of the Minister of Finance, was directed to take charge in person of every thing connected with the revenues of the Federation in his district ; to receive the Contingent of the States, and the Custom-house duties, to pay the troops, and to superintend the Post office, and all inferior departments. This wise regulation may be considered as the first step towards the cleansing of that Augean Stable, in which the abuses of three centuries had accumulated. It simplified the whole system of Finance ; and as, on the 16th of the follow- ing month, (October, 1824,) the States entered into posses- sion of their rights, as such, (in virtue of the Decree of the General Congress, No. 82,) and consequently took charge of their own revenues, the attention of the Supreme Govern- ment was thenceforward directed exclusively to the improve- ment of those branches, which had been set apart to cover the expenses of the Federation. Such were the circumstan- ces under which Mr. Esteva took possession of the Ministry. In some respects, he was well qualified for the situation which he was called upon to fill ; for he possessed great bodily and mental activity, and was animated by a sincere desire to introduce order, and regularity, into the chaos by which he was surrounded. But here his recommendations ceased : ac- customed to business upon a small scale, he had no great or comprehensive views ; — no power of appreciating the effects to be produced upon the internal resources of the country by