Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/429

Rh Let us now examine the special military organization of the provincias internas, some of which were at all times immediately dependent on the viceroyalty of New Spain, others being under a government of their own. The expenses incurred by the twenty presidios and three flying companies existing in 1721, amounted to 370,000 pesos per annum. But though the treasury had every year paid out the full amount, the soldiers were defrauded of a large portion of their pay. June 27, 1608, the king decreed that the payment of the presidios should be punctual every four months. Recop., Ind., i. 695-6, 612. The crown had from time to time issued orders tending to the efficiency of the service in the presidios, and providing for the welfare of the men. The following are some of them: Every officer or private soldier, before an expedition started, might with a proper modesty appear before his superior, and express his opinion, and any difficulties he might foresee. If his remarks were well founded they must be heeded; any neglect of the same made the superior amenable to a fine of 500 ducados. See Royal decree of 1622. Vacancies occurring in the office of captain of presidios were to be provisionally filled by the captain-general; after which the names of three officers competent for the position were to be sent to the king accompanied with a statement of the services and qualifications of each; the appointment would then be made from the terna. Mulattoes, negroes, and mestizos were not to be accepted as soldiers in the presidios. No soldier was to be dismissed the service witliout a just cause. Id., 597, 600-2. In 1688 and 1690 the presidios had been fully supplied with men, arms, and ammunition. Those on the northern coast had not been neglected. In former years each presidio had to send a well paid agent to Mexico for its supplies, who, after dancing attendance on and paying much reverence to the officials, obtained and took away the goods to his presidio, at the risk of being plundered on the way by Indian raiders. Under royal orders of 1643, 1663, 1664, and 1672, the viceroys were to attend to those supplies, the treasury officials having little to do in the matter. These injunctions had been overlooked. But in 1688 the situados were taken in coin to those presidios by the armada de barlovento. Sigüuenza y Góngora, Carta al Almirante, MS., 4; Montemayor, Svmarios, 184-91. Other abuses were also committed, such as employing the soldiers away from their presidios in working mines or herding cattle for their captains' profit. Officers had been sometimes despatched by the viceroys to inspect and report upon the presidios, but no advantage had been gained, and matters had gone from bad to worse till a complete demoralization prevailed. Moreover, as the population had in some parts increased, a number of the presidios had become