fic, and other branches, by driving the Indians into hiding. The superior mixed and white races had learned to regard them as the proper material for the rank and file, and made such opposition to filling the quota assigned to each department that local and general authorities had to close their eyes to the law and accept the contingent without questions, regardless of the tearful appeals from bereaved wives and orphaned children. As it was, the required number could not be obtained,[1] despite the allurements offered in privileges, and in several instances glittering uniforms and larger pay, whereof the new grenadier guard presented a striking example. The reconstruction was based on the latest systems, and instructors were introduced from Europe,[2] whence came also improved arms and cannon for the long-neglected fortresses, as well as ships, with which it was proposed to swell the navy to twelve vessels.[3]
- ↑ A conscription decree of March 15, 1854, places the total army at only 16,000 permanent troops and 30,000 active militia.
- ↑ Santa Anna even proposed to engage three regiments of Swiss soldiers, partly for checking mutinies, as shown by letters in Méx., Hist. Rev., 1833, 55, ap. iii.-v., although he has denied it. The lack of money appears to have assisted in defeating the project. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iv. 501, 523, notes the arrival of Prussian teachers.
- ↑ Six for each coast. Regulations for navy, admiralty court, etc., in Méx., Col. Ley., Dec. y Ord., 1854, vi. 31-4, 41-6. In 1854 there were two barks and two schooners in the Pacific, in bad order, with about 170 men. Soc. Mex. Geog. Bolet., vii. 331-2. Military colonies were fostered, by decrees at least, Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1853, 86-7; Méx., Col. Ley., Dec. y Ord., 1853, iv. 210-11, and a decided impulse was given to the military college for providing devoted and efficient officers. Id., iv. 220-5, vi. 1-27; Méx., Regl. Col. Mil., 1854, 1-30. A military conference society was to develop the actual officers. Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1833, 463-7. The army had the preference in receiving pay. The conscription of 91,499 was based on a population of 7,661,520, for six years' service. Of the state militia, married men and family supporters were exempt from entering the new militia. Méx., Decreto Reemplazar Ejército, 1854, 1-26; Méx., Col. Ley., Dec. y Órd., 1853, iv. 378, v. 10-11, 163-4, 232-76; 1854, vi. 148-71, vii. 142-3. Indians were declared exempt by paying poll tax, etc. Regulations for grenadiers, body-guard, lancers, and medical corps, in Id., 1833, iv. 17-19, 29-33, 376-7, v. 519-20; 1854, vii. 15-22. Further regulations, general and special, in Id., 1853-4, iii.-vii., passim. Arch. Mex., Actas, ii. 30-392, passim; Id., Col. Ley. y Dec., i. 400-1; ii. 179; Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1853-4, passim; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., vi. and beginning of vii. The pay-rates, in Zambrano, Tarifa Sueldos Mil., 1-239, allow $15 to infantry soldiers, $1 less to active militia, $15 to cavalrymen, $16 to artillerists, and $21 to grenadiers and lancers. Méx., Anales Min. Fomento, i. 705–6. Richthofen, Rep. Mex., 433-6, 460-4, comments on the preceding condition of army; Tempsky, Mitla, 85-90, on dress and appearance;
