ORIGIN OF THE MILITARY CHARACTER OF MEXICO. 247 



coast defence. These fears were, surely, not groundless. The 

 possessions of Great Britain, north of Mexico, on the continent, 

 were growing rapidly in size and importance ; and from the pro- 

 vinces which now form the United States, the viceroy imagined 

 England might easily despatch sufficient troops, without being 

 obliged to transport reinforcements from Europe. Accordingly 

 suitable preparations were made to receive the enemy should he 

 venture to descend suddenly on the Spanish main. The veteran 

 regiments of Savoy and Flanders were sent to the colony in June, 

 1768, and the Marshal de Rubi was charged with the disposition of 

 the army. From that period, it may be said, that Mexico assumed the 

 military aspect, which it has continuously worn to the present time. 



Besides the increase and improvement of the troops of the line, 

 the government's attention was directed towards the fortification 

 of the ports and interior passes. The Castle of San Juan de Ulua 

 was repaired at a cost of a million and a half of dollars. The 

 small island of Anton Lizardo was protected by military works at 

 an expense of a million two hundred thousand dollars. A splendid 

 battery was sent from Spain for the castle, and the inefficient guns 

 of Acapulco were despatched to the Fillipine islands to be recast 

 and sent back to America. In the interior of the country, in the 

 midst of the plain of Perote, the Castle of San Carlos was built in 

 the most substantial and scientific manner ; and although this fort- 

 ress seems useless, placed as it is in the centre of a broad and 

 easily traversed prairie, yet, at the time of its construction, it was 

 designed as an entre depot between the capital and the coast, in 

 which the royal property might always be safely kept until the mo- 

 ment of exportation, instead of being exposed to the danger of a 

 sudden seizure by the enemy in the port of Vera Cruz. Many 

 other points along the road from Vera Cruz are better calculated to 

 defend the interior passes of the country from invasion ; but as the 

 attacks of the enemy were not expected to be made beyond the 

 coast upon which they naturally supposed they would find the 

 treasure they desired to plunder, it was deemed best to establish 

 and arm the fortress of San Carlos de Perote. 



Such were some of the leading acts and occurrences in New 

 Spain during the viceroyalty of the Marques de Croix. His gen- 

 eral administration of affairs is characterized by justice. He lived 

 in harmony with the rigid Visitador Galvez, and although the 

 gossips of the day declared he was too fond of wine, yet, on his 

 return to Spain he was named Captain General of the army, and 

 treated most kindly by the king. 



