Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/769

Rh thorough reorganization of the military forces. Seven regiments of infantry, designated by numerical order, were formed out of the troops then in the city, the old names by which the different corps had been distinguished being suppressed; an eighth regiment was formed in Vera Cruz, and provision made for the formation of the troops in Nueva Galicia and other provinces into five more regiments, making the number thirteen in all. The cavalry was divided into eleven regiments, also designated by numbers. The new system, however, caused great disgust; the old names were cherished by the troops with veneration as records of military glory, and the offence taken at their suppression was marked by increased desertion. By the end of the year the number of officers of all grades and that of the soldiers were ridiculously disproportionate.

When the junta had concluded what it considered its most important duties, it occupied itself in affairs of little moment, many of which did not belong to the province of legislative power. Much time was frittered away in attention to such matters as the election of female prelates of nunneries, the appointments of provincials of regular orders, and questions bearing upon university regulations. Lengthy discussions, too, were held on affairs of real gravity, without any definite result being attained. Its neglect, moreover, of others was highly blamable, It is inconceivable that it should have taken no effective steps to establish friendly relations with foreign powers. Almost its first duty ought to have been to