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FLORE S VICEROY HIS SYSTEM OF RULING 



Don Manuel Flores, 

 LI. Viceroy of New Spain. 

 1787 — 1789. 



Don Manuel Flores assumed the government of New Spain on 

 the 16th of May, 1787, but his power over the finances of the na- 

 tion was taken from him and given to Fernando Mangino, with the 

 title of Swperintendente sub-delegado de Hacienda. Flores was 

 thus left in possession solely of the civil administration generally, 

 and of the military organization of the viceroyalty. Being satisfied 

 that the ordinary militia system of New Spain was inadequate for 

 national protection during war, he immediately devoted himself to 

 the forced levy and equipment of three regiments of infantry, 

 named a Puebla," "Mexico" and "New Spain. " The command 

 of these forces was given to the most distinguished and noble young 

 men of Mexico ; — and as the minister Galvez died, and Mangino 

 was, about this period, transferred to the Council of the Indies, the 

 superintendence of the finances of Mexico, was appropriately re- 

 stored again to the viceroyal government. 



The northern part of Mexico, in 1788 and for many previous 

 years had been constantly ravaged by the wild Indian tribes that 

 ranged across the whole frontier from the western limits of Sonora to 

 the Gulf of Mexico. Immense sums were squandered in the support 

 of garrisons or the maintenance of numerous officers, whose duty 

 it was to hold these barbarians in check. But their efforts had 

 been vain. The fine agricultural districts of Chihuahua, New 

 Leon, New Mexico and even in parts of Texas, had attracted large 

 numbers of adventurous pioneers into that remote region ; yet no 

 sooner did their fields begin to flourish and their flocks or herds to 

 increase, than these savages descended upon the scattered settlers 

 and carried off their produce and their families. Whenever the 

 arms of New Spain obtained a signal victory over one of these 

 marauding bands, the Indians would talk of peace and even con- 

 sent to bind themselves by treaties. But these compacts were im- 

 mediately broken, as soon as they found the country beginning to 

 flourish again, or the military power in the least degree relaxed. 



Flores appears to have understood the condition of the northern 

 frontier and the temper of the Indians. He did not believe that 

 treaties, concessions or kindness would suffice to protect the 

 Spanish pioneers, and yet he was satisfied that it was necessary to 



