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MEXICO. 231 both in the report for 1826, and in that of the present year, his hopes that it may be ultimately brought down to seven millions of dollars, which he regards as the minimum, until the war with Spain be at an end. The greatest credit is due to General Gomez Pedraza for the zeal with which he has carried the views of the Congress respecting the organization of the Militia, into execution. By no other means could so great a reduction in the troops of the line, (and consequently in the expenses of the War de- partment) have been effected ; and, from what he has already done, I see every reason to believe that, before the expiration of the present Presidency (April, 1829,) the minimum of seven millions of dollars will be attained. But a saving of eleven million of dollars annually, is not the only beneficial change that has been introduced into the War department, during the present Presidency. Nothing could be more deplorable than the state of the army in the Autumn of 1824. The Revolution had destroyed all disci- pline, and all respect for the Civil Authorities ; and the sol- dier, accustomed to the license of a camp, was ready to follow any leadei; that could promise him plunder, in lieu of his arrears of pay. This dangerous state of things ended with the establishment of the Constitution, and the command of money, which the Government obtained by means of the Foreign loans. The troops, well clothed, well fed, and punc- tually paid, were soon brought into subjection. A number of the most turbulent officers were dismissed on half-pay, and the greatest attention was paid to the gradual improvement of the remainder. Arms were distributed in equal proportions to the Militia and the troops of the line, so as to make them serve, in some measure, as a check upon each other ; and as the new system has been, at the same time, gradually taking root, and ac- quiring stability, there has been little difficulty in preserving tranquillity, and repressing partial disorders wherever they