were never taken from their sections, the effective force remaining was 22,211, which, added to 6,000 of the regular force, formed a total of 28,000 men whom the viceroy could place in the field. There were, besides, in Yucatan, one battalion of regular troops, a few regiments of provincials, and the necessary artillerymen. The disciplined militia and the coast divisions formed ten brigrades, each having the military commandant at the head town of the district for its brigadier, excepting those of Mexico, Oajaca, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí which had their regular commanders.[1]
The organization of troops for defence against internal and external foes, however important, was not all that was needed. The defences of the ports and of the whole coast-line on both seas demanded attention, and constantly engaged that of the supreme national government as well as of the local authorities from the earliest days.[2] The port of Vera Cruz with
- ↑ Most of the field and many of the company officers, in both the regular and militia regiments, were from Spain. The sergeants, corporals, and privates were natives of Mexico, taken chiefly from the various castas, the pure Indians being exempt. Alaman, Hist. Méj., i. 78-81; v. 956. We are told by a competent authority, however, that the country, in 1809, lacked muskets, bayonets, sabres, and other things for infantry and cavalry; it had not enough field-pieces, balls, grape, etc., for the artillery, nor tents. It was deficient in almost every material of war nedded to organize a competent force fit to cope with the well provided armies of Europe. Some of them could at that time be obtained in the United States and Jamaica. Cannon and cannon balls and grape could be made in Mexico. Queipo, Represent, al Real Acuerdo, 129-30, 137.
- ↑ From 1570 to 1657 the crown was repeatedly issuing orders for the defence of the country and the improvement of the military service, and particularly of the management of fortresses on the coasts, and garrisons of presidios in towns or frontiers. Most of them are mere matter of routine, which it is unnecessary to give here. Among those which were of general interest may be mentioned: A royal order of May 7, 1570, made it incumbent on all residents at ports to have arms and horses, according to their means, ready to resist and repel foreign aggressions. Another of November 30, 1599, required that in time of danger no man, unless specially exempted by law, should fail to present himself for military service. One of March 26, 1627, prescribed that only military men, known to be possessed of experience in the defence of besieged fortresses, should be nominated for the position of alcaldes. Among the requirements from commanders of forts on the coast, good ones probably, but which often had not the desired effect, they were urged to be dis-
force of all organizations is set down in 1809, before the revolution, at 29,061. Torrente, Rev. Hisp. Am., Introd., i. 19; Zavala, Rev. Mex., i. 26.
