Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/650

630 Governors and prefects were mostly military men, among whom Santa Anna knew better how to choose devoted followers fitted to carry out his imperious demands by virtue of their training and their control over troops. The distribution of foreign missions served less to reward the recipients than to remove to a safe distance certain persons of influence, such as Uraga, who was sent to Berlin, and Almonte to Washington.

The readiest means for according favor and rallying adherents round the government was to offer appointments in the army, which, to this end, must now be reorganized and increased to 91,500 men. This force was to consist of 26,500 permanent troops and the remainder of active militia, into which latter had to be merged all state militia, for better control by the central government. The dissolution of the popular militia system created much ill-feeling, manifested at Vera Cruz in open though futile revolt. Another cause for discontent lay in the commendable substitution of conscription for the cruel impressment, which had created serious injury to agriculture, interior