A_handomnent of East Texas
Horses, mules, cattle, food supplies, and other goods seized from the enemy were to be distributed evenly among the soldiers and Indian allies actually engaged in the campaign in which the booty was taken. Captives, howe,·er, were not to be distributed or sold into slavery but regarded as prisoners of war and treated with kindness until they were exchanged or sent to the interior as directed by the viceroy. 26 Economic administration. The source of many of the e,·ils that afflicted the presidios along the frontier was the administration of the commissary departments by the captains. The funds of the company, the supply of rations. and the sale of all goods were now to be in charge of a new officer called H ahilitado who could not be the captain. He was to serve for three years and to be elected and appointed by all the officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, and one duly chosen representative of the soldiers. He was to purchase all provisions and goods as cheaply as possible and to furnish them to the soldiers and their families at the most reasonable prices. He was to keep on hand an adequate .;upply of arms, uniforms, and other things necessary, which were to h! fornished to the soldiers as needed, or as the captain requested after the weekly reviews. The missionaries had long advocated the importance of pay:ng the soldiers in cash. Rubi agreed with them and recommended this innovation which was granted now in part. Each soldier was to be allowed two reales (about twenty-five cents) in cash daily for himself and his family's needs in addition to the daily rations which were to be furnished him in kind by the fl ahilitado. The remainder of his ·pay was to be kept to create a surplus on which the soldier could draw to replenish his supply of horses. The term of enlistment was to be for ten years. E,·ery year twenty to twenty-five pesos from each soldier's pay was to be retained by the If ahilitado of the company until a credit of one hundred jlL"Sos was accumulated. This was to be held for the benefit of his family in case of death, or for his own benefit when he retired on account of age or disability. The Indians enlisted as scouts were to he alloWl'.d one rt·,1/ (about twelve cents) in cash daily. besides their rations for themsch·cs and families. Each year, on an appointed day. the entire company was to be drawn up and in their presence the amounts charged to each soldier n.·ad and the balance due each one paid in cash. This. the regulations obsen·ed.
26 Reglamento e instruccion ... 43-5 t.
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