Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/430

410 unnecessary. Viceroy Casafuerte recommended the promotion of Colonel Pedro de Rivera to the rank of brigadier, and his appointment as special inspector and regulator of presidios, which was done by the sovereign in 1724. Accompanied by the lieutenant colonel of engineers, Francisco Álvarez Barreiro, who was to make plans, Rivera proceeded on his mission. The task occupied him four years, during which time he journeyed three thousand leagues, and reorganized the presidios in the best possible manner. The government Gazeta of June 1728 mentions his return to Mexico from his arduous labors, when he made his report to the viceroy.

In 1729 the number of presidios was fixed at twenty, that of New Mexico being the most distant, with seventy-seven men and three commissioned officers. On the 20th of April was issued the new reglamento, under which the annual expenditure for such troops was reduced from 444,883 pesos to 283,930 pesos; the prices of goods and provisions sold to the soldiers were fixed, and captains of presidios were required to reside permanently in their presidios. The law also prescribed the circumstances under which Indians might be aided against hostile tribes.

The king, accepting the viceroy's suggestions,