Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/440

420 In 1790 the same arrangement continued, the governor being also commandant of the fort. This fort called San Diego de Acapulco, of more modern construction, underwent in 1794 some repairs. It then had only ten brass and fifty-eight iron guns in good condition, and more that were unserviceable. The provision of muskets, pistols, and side-arms was abundant.

The naval department at San Blas was established to aid the government in its efforts to occupy vacant coasts and islands adjoining its settled provinces, especially the west coast of North America, Arsenals, ship-yards, and warehouses were established. All orders given to expeditions passed through the hands of its chief. It was, however, on the point of being abandoned, when Father Junípero Serra's suggestions in 1773, on its usefulness for supplying the Californias, led to its being continued and carefully sustained. Toward the end of the century the naval force consisted of three ships, two brigs, three schooners, and one sloop. The personnel consisted of a naval commander, seven other naval officers, one comisario and his assistant, eight clerks, seven chaplains, six surgeons, thirteen sailing masters, seven artillerymen, and five hundred and five petty officers, seamen, and landsmen, besides a number of mechanics and laborers in the navy-yard. Conde de Revilla Gigedo during his rule strongly urged removal to Acapulco; but it was not removed, and in 1803 remained at San Blas without change. For defence, aside from its own garrison, it could rely on the forces in Nueva Galicia