RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY. 125 spirit of the storm. The introduction of steam power into the national marine must of course greatly modify the character of coast defences; but we would deem it not only unwise but imbecile to abandon altogether a work which at least makes, if it does not perfectly protect, an important harbor. The city of Vera Cruz, itself, is a regular fortification, and with some important improvements and repairs, may not ultimately require San Juan de Ulua to defend it from assault. These two strongholds, combined, under the command of skilful generals and garrisoned with efficient soldiers, would offer a churlish welcome to any modern power either maritime or military. Their seizure, during the winter months of tempest, would be almost impossible, and their occupation, during the summer would be as fatal, as was unfortunately proved by our troops in the June, July, and August, after the brilliant siege and inglorious surrender. The following tabular sketch prepared from Ministerial reports, exhibits the condition of the Mexican forces at this epoch. TABULAR VIEW OF THE RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE MEXICAN ARMY IN 1849. 126 TABULAR VIEW OF MEN AND MATERIEL. THE ARMY AS REQUIRED BY LAW OF 4TH NOVEMBER, 1848. 17 Colonels. 16 Lieutenant colonels. 11 Commanders of squadrons, battalions and chiefs of division. 92 Captains. 108 2d adjudants, and lieutenants. 176 Sub-adjudants, sub-lieutenants and ensigns. 17 Chaplains. 133 1st serjeants; tambour majors; armorers; smiths. $84 2d serjeants. 1124 Corporals. 356 Musicians. 7954 Privates. 32 Wagon masters. 196 Drivers. 54 Arrieros. 1800 Cavalry horses. 214 Artillery horses. 687 Mules for purposes of traction. 422 Pack mules. TABLE OF MILITIA REQUIRED IN ACTUAL SERVICE BY A DECREE OF 1ST DECEMBER, 1847. The coast of the republic, now greatly reduced by the treaty of Guadalupe, extends on the Gulf of Mexico, from the Rio Grande or Rio Bravo del Norte, to the port of Bacalar on the east of the peninsula of Yucatan, and comprehends in this distance, about five hundred and eighty-four leagues. The Pacific coast begins one league from San Diego in Lower California, and terminates at the Barra de Ocos in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, a distance of one thousand five hundred and twenty leagues, including the coasts of the Gulf of California, or sea of Cortéz. Consequently the coasts of the republic extend, in all, two thousand one hundred and four leagues, demonstrating the admirable situation of this country for commerce with all the world. The ports which are open for foreign trade in the Mexican Gulf, are Matamoros, Tampico, Vera Cruz Campeché, Sisal, and the island of Carmen; while, on the Pacific, there are the ports of Guayamas, Mazatlan, San Blas, Manzanillo, and Acapulco, the latter of these being the best in the possession of Mexico, on the great western ocean. Its harbor is excellent; its distance from the capital is comparatively short; its population is larger than that of other towns on the coast, and in consequence of the difficulty of landing elsewhere than in the actual port, the government is effectually secured against illicit trade. It is a site 128 NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT VESSELS. which should unquestionably be protected and fostered, not only on account of the advantages we have mentioned, but because it will become a source of riches to the new state of Guerrero, whose government will contribute to cement the peace and tend to establish the permanent dominion of good order in that quarter. The navy of all countries originates in their commerce, but Mexico, although situated as we have shown most advantageously for trade, has hitherto possessed but few merchantmen and a small marine. The vessels of war owned by the republic, previous to the conflict with the United States, were either sold, or disarmed, dismantled and laid up, when the nation was menaced with an attack. It was evident to the Mexican cabinet, that the navy could not cope with ours, and in order to prevent its total loss, the few vessels were voluntarily withdrawn from the sea. The officers, however, were generally employed in land duties during the contest, and most of them remained in service until the summer of 1848, when the most efficient were permanently confirmed in their employments, whilst the rest were allowed to retire on unlimited leave. In considering the actual condition of the national trade and treasury, the government did not believe, on the re-establishment of peace, that it would be justified in creating at once an extensive naval establishment, nevertheless it was convinced that the security of the coasts, the protection of its own small trade, and the interest of its maritime custom houses, rendered the creation of a flotilla indispensable. With this view the minister of war and marine recommended in 1849 the naval establishment which is shown in the following table. NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT OF MEXICO, 1849. The actual naval force consists at present of 1 schooner only; but the secretary of war recommended, in addition, the construction of: VESSELS. 1 steamer mounting { 1 swivel 32 paixhan, and 2 short 12 pounders. 2 cutters suitable for coast service, capable of passing the shallow bars of rivers, of 70 or 75 tons, and carrying 1 swivel 18 pounder, and one 12 pounder each. 4 launches of 20 oars, each of which must be capable of carrying an 18 pounder. EXPENSES OF WAR AND NAVY OF MEXICO, 1849, ESTIMATED Detall de plazas, Engineers, sappers, military college and school, Permanent artillery, political ministry, workmen and baggage train, 8 Battalions of permanent infantry, 1 Battalion of active infantry and 6 companies, Medical staff and ambulance companies, Invalids, Staffs of the army, divisions and brigades, $55,890..0..06 82,770..7..00 133,500..0..00 10,345..4..00 50,399..2..06 234,378..5..00 10,320..0..00 218,788..5..06 670,985..0..00 . 1,290,567..1..00 253, 109..7..06 628,886..0..00 727,572..0..00 144,025..4..00 5,038..2..00 84,122..7..06 43,460..3..00 Officers who by the law of 4th November, 1849, are to Expenses of establishment of military colonies, Military commission of statistics, 500,000..0..00 498,635..4..00 12,098..0..00 55,623..7..00 $7,685.733..6..06 |