Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/552

522 the reduction of the rest of the inhabitants to order and obedience, entitle them again to enjoy the general laws of the monarchy, and the protecting goodness of the most worthy of Monarchs.

But as the efficiency of this heroic remedy depends principally upon its being supported by a sufficient force, it is absolutely indispensable that from six to eight thousand soldiers should be immediately sent over, as they must be, at all events, in order to avoid the loss of these dominions.

It is true, that this number of troops is not sufficient to complete the work; but if, in addition to them, arms and clothing were transmitted for twelve or fifteen thousand infantry, and six or eight thousand cavalry, I would fill the ranks with men of the country, which would not be a difficult task, as soon as a few examples of severity have struck terror into the minds of the disaffected, and counteracted, or entirely destroyed the pernicious influence of the Corporations.

For this first step the force already indicated will be sufficient, particularly if it be placed under the orders of officers of merit and discernment, who know something more than merely how to manœuvre their troops, and who, by a seasonable combination of justice with severity, energy with prudence, will inspire at once respect, love, and confidence.

It will then be easy to establish respectable detachments at all the principal points, and to employ flying divisions, in order to clear the roads, and to watch over the interests of the farmer, the miner, and the merchant. The villages will then be reduced to obedience; the thousands, who now live by plunder, will be forced again to seek, by their own labour, their daily bread. The muleteer would resume his former employment, which he has now exchanged for that of Insurgent, perhaps from necessity, or despair:—the same will occur with the miners, whose case is similar: capitals will be again invested: the receipts of the Treasury will increase: want will disappear, blood will cease to flow: many of our present opponents will come over to our side: The well-disposed will be encouraged, and the hopes of those fanatics stifled and destroyed, who profess loyalty only to undermine the monarchy with greater security.