Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/511

Rh subjects in the colonies, this time principally from those in the northern provinces, and danger was once more apprehended from the United States. Notwithstanding the recent treaty, it was believed that the government of the latter country was in sympathy with England, and would not prevent her from invading Spanish Florida and Louisiana, with a view to make herself master of the commerce of the West Indies. It was also feared that the people of the United States might attempt to extend their possessions southward.

Though Azanza had dissolved the encampments formed by his predecessor, it now became necessary to have at his disposal an effective force of troops. The brigadier-general, García Dávila, intendente of Vera Cruz, having returned from Habana, was ordered to Mexico to receive verbal instructions concerning the defence of the coast; Pedro Garibay, afterward viceroy, was appointed to the presidency of Guadalajara, and Felix de Calleja, who was destined to play an important part during the revolution in the service of the crown, and also as viceroy, was appointed to take charge of the brigade of San Luis Potosí. During this time brigades were established throughout the country, to which the militia might be assigned for military training. Azanza also proposed measures to avoid the inconvenience caused by the almost independent control of the provincias internas by the comandante general, a matter which former viceroys had not been able satisfactorily to arrange.