He was replaced in May 1851 by General Vega, who recognized that the actual method of hemming in the natives by pushing cantonments had passed its limits, owing to the lack of sufficient resources in the country still unsubdued, and the necessity for letting a large proportion of the starving troops return to attend to their long-neglected farming and other pursuits. He accordingly reorganized the men on the new Mexican system, into guardia móvil and sedentaria, and reduced the occupation along the front to the leading cantonments, where the móvil militia would be relieved at intervals by the sedentaria, which remained at home ready for any call.[1] Vega established his headquarters at Peto, whence he directed occasional expeditions to distract the enemy and gather supplies and prisoners. The natives retaliated in different ways, partly by falling upon the reduced garrisons; and so the contest dropped into a prolonged desultory warfare, wherein several quieted districts joined, notably the eastern, encouraged by the decreased efficiency and activity of their opponents.[2] At the same time party spirit began to add to the disorder in the gulf settlements, the main factions being that of Barbachano, the popular governor, who so stoutly upheld the rights of the peninsula against Mexico; and of Mendez, who sought to strengthen himself by appealing to the military chiefs and other federal adherents, and suc-
- ↑ The móvil was divided into three divisions, under Cadenas, Rosado, and Molas, with a reserve under Llergo. Siglo XIX., no. 156 et seq. Kampocolché was the most advance cantonment.
- ↑ The priests who attended the expeditions only lost influence. Zamacois indulges in a panegyric on their persuasion and zeal. Hist. Mej., xiii. 335-70. The district of Chichanjá, west of Belize, yielded to mediation from the corregidor at Peten, but were soon roused again by Barrera. In 1835 three formidable expeditions left for the east under Col Ruz, for the centre and Chenes districts under O'Horan and others, and for the south under Vega himself, who alone achieved anything important. He took Chan Santa Cruz, Feb. 24ch, relieved Bacalar, and returned to Peto by the end of April. In June Bacalar was again relieved, and Chan Santa Cruz taken once more, involving the fall of Pec. For details, see Universal, Feb.-Oct. 185%; and following: Siglo XIX.; Id., Progreso, June 13, 1850, etc.; Cent. Amer. Papers, ii. 39 et seq.; v. 302; Guat., Gac., Aug. 23, 1810, etc.; Baqueiro, Ensayo, ii. cap. vi., etc.; Ancona, Hist. Yuc., iv. 206 et seq.; Barbachano, Mem. Yuc., 148 et seq.; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iv. 140 etc.
