Despite the absolutist, inefficient and corrupt regime, the economy improved. Senior government posts went to vassals of the Crown of Castile, while the rest went to Catalans who had supported Felipe V, known as the botiflers. The new authorities extended the persecution of the Catalan language in all spheres of public life, and the repression of the bands of guerrillas who were very active in the years after the defeat was entrusted to the mossos d'esquadra, the origin of the Catalan police, organised by the mayor of Valls, Pere Anton Veciana.