defence, the viceroy is told to furnish Habana, Puerto Rico, and other exposed points with the necessary supplies. He is moreover authorized to increase the permanent forces by enlisting natives for service on the frontier, the veteran troops not being sufficient for that purpose. Two Spanish regiments stationed in Cuba are also ordered to Mexico.
But the viceroy is more clever than his master. Notwithstanding the many difficulties in the organization of troops, he soon has nearly 18,000 men at his command.[1] Recruiting offices are established throughout the country; deserters are pardoned; the old militia, scattered or disbanded, are reunited and increased in number. The defences of San Juan de Ulua, where Lieutenant-colonel Juan María Soto is in command, are improved. To discipline the troops a camp is established at Jalapa. Command of the army is given to García Dávila, governor of Vera Cruz, efficient and experienced. Indeed, he is the only officer of rank in New Spain competent to fill the place. There are two other generals, Pedro Ruiz Dávalos and Pedro Garibay, but both octogenarians and subject to consequent infirmities.
The troops are exercised and drilled under the eye of the viceroy. There are reviews and manœuvres which awaken a military spirit in the Mexicans, who have never before witnessed spectacles of the kind. [2]
In 1806 intelligence of two events is received which spreads alarm throughout the country—the destruction of the combined Spanish and French
- ↑ Bustamante says 18,000 well disciplined troops. Medidas para la Pacif., MS., 58. Queipo, in Pap. Var., 164, no. i., states that there were stationed in the canton of Jalapa, serving under the viceroy's orders, 11,000 men, and that there were 6,000 more elsewhere ready to march when called upon. Alaman gives the number as 'cosa de catorce mil hombres' in the year 1806. Hist. Mej., i. 146.
- ↑ Mex. Mem. Guerra, 10. On October 14, 1805, the spectacle of troops being landed and engaging in sham-fight with the enemy was witnessed by the inhabitants of Vera Cruz, the viceroy displaying great enthusiasm, taking part in the exhibition. 'No pudo el ingenio militar de Su Esciá olvidar su aficion, y montando a caballo mando por esquadrones varies rnovimientos de exercicio á los lanceros.' Diario de Mex., i. 92.
