Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/593

Rh This lack of success suggested the planting of military colonies by the government, which were to serve also as bulwarks for other settlements. Recruits were received for a service of six years, after which they obtained a tract of land, together with certain privileges, as exemption from taxes and aid to till the soil and erect a home. The chronic lack of funds interfered as usual to prevent enthusiasm for the plan; and although a thousand recruits were sent to the front in 1849, with the full staff of inspectors, paymasters, and so forth, they formed rather flying or roaming columns than fixed settlers. In the