that the native ward of Santiago Tlaltelulco was deserted. The most active measures were therefore taken to prevent another uprising, and for the arrest and punishment of the rioters, and the recovery of the stolen property. Orders were issued for the immediate enrolment of all citizens. Several companies of infantry and cavalry were organized, two of the latter at the expense of the royal treasury.[1] For several days the troops patrolled the streets; and, although save a few false alarms everything remained quiet, the stores and schools continued closed, and for three days no church bells were rung nor service held.[2] The saramullos were to be feared, however, no less than the natives, and their contempt for the authorities was expressed by posting, during the night, in conspicuous places, pasquinades ridiculing them for their want of courage and energy.[3]
Great care was now taken that the supply of grain should not fail; and although for a time there was occasional evidence of scarcity, within two months the weight of bread, which a short time before the beginning of the riot had been reduced to seven ounces, was increased first to ten and finally to fourteen ounces.[4]
- ↑ Robles, Diario, ii. 95-6, 99, says eight companies of cavalry, besides two of mulattoes and two of negroes. A commercial battalion and a company of negroes are mentioned in Carta de un Religioso, 329-30, and Sigüenza y Góngora, Carta, MS., 76, mentions two companies of cavalry only.
- ↑ On June 9th, and again two days later, considerable fright was caused by the report that a body of armed Indians were entering the city. A reconoissance, however, showed that there was no cause for alarm. Robles, Diario, ii. 98-9.
- ↑ On the morning of the 9th two pasquinades were found, one fastened to the walls of the palace, one of which read, 'Este corral se alquila para gallos de la tierra y gallinas de Castilla;' the other, 'Représentase la comedia famosa de Peor está que estabá.' Robles, Diario, ii. 96-7.
- ↑ During July the retailing of grain was forbidden by both government and church. Robles, Diario, ii. 103. According to Sigüenza y Góngora, Carta, MS., 76-7, on the 9th the viceroy ordered that the whole supply of grain should be distributed gratis among the populace. Meanwhile a vigorous search had been made for the plunder, and resulted in the recovery of a large portion of it, and the arrest of many natives in whose possession it was found. Most of the clothing, dry goods, and other articles stolen from the stalls was, however, found during subsequent days lying on the streets, where it had been thrown during the night, in all probability by the saramullos, for few of them appear to have been arrested. By Tuesday, goods to the value of 70,000 pesos had been recovered and returned to the owners. Robles, Diario, ii. 98-9.
