Rivera's Inspection and Removal of Missions to San Antonio 213
defrauding the treasury, or to be lenient with them, might prove to be too great. Pedro de Rivera clzosen for inspection. Solicitous of the royal service, he had looked for and found the man to whom the undertaking could be entrusted with a fair expectation of success. This was Colonel Pedro de Rivera, commander ad interim of the Fortress of San Juan de Ulloa, who had served His Majesty with credit and honor in many posts, both mili- tary and civil, whose loyalty was beyond question, and who was energetic and capable. In order further to bind him to the faithful execution of the important mission which was to be committed to his care, he had promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General and allowed him the full pay of his new rank, by issuing to him one of the blank commissions given to the viceroys by the king to reward those who had served His Majesty well in America. As it was of the utmost importance to the interests of the royal service to take measures immediately to correct the abuses described, the viceroy had commissioned Brigadier General Rivera to undertake the inspection, subject to the final approval of the king. 3 The abundant stream of revenue that flowed into the coffers of the kings of Spain during the first century of the conquest in America had noticeably dwindled and every possible economy was necessary to increase its volume at this time in order to maintain Spanish prestige in Europe. So flattering a proposal to bring about considerable savings to the royal treasury was naturally received with enthusiasm and approved without hesitation. On February 19, 1724, the king expressed his gratification with all that had been done and authorized the viceroy to proceed to the execution of the plan outlined "being as it is in full accord with the best interests of my royal service." He asked to be kept informed with all diligence of everything that was ordered and with the outcome of the inspection.' Instructions given Rivera for ins,pection. By the time the royal cedula reached Mexico on July 28, Brigadier Don Pedro de Rivera was already discussing the details of his important mission with the viceroy. A very careful set of instructions was drawn for his guidance on September 15. His attention was first directed to what the viceroy considered "the root of all the evils." All, or almost all, the soldiers in the various presidios had 1 Casafuerte to the King, May .25, 1723. A.G. I., Auduncia d6 Mexico, 6:a-1-41. 'Real Cedula del Rey. Madrid, February 19, 1724. A. G. I., Audi6ncia u Mexico, 62-1-41 (Dunn Transcripts, 1723-1729).
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