Mexican soldiers arrived in nearly every ship, but there were no barracks for them, no regular mode of living, no regulations for their board and lodging, etc.; hence many had to subsist by serving natives and half-breeds, much to the discredit of the mother country, and consequent loss of prestige. Each time a new expedition was organized a fresh recruiting had to be made at great cost and with great delay. There was practically no regular army except those necessarily compelled to mount guard, etc., in the city. Even the officers received no regular pay until 1754, and there was some excuse for stealing when they had a chance, and for the total absence of enthusiasm in the Service. When troops were urgently called for, the Gov.-General had to bargain with the officers to fill the minor posts by promises of rewards, whilst the high commands were eagerly sought for, not for the pay or the glory, but for the plunder in perspective. In 1739 the Armoury in Manila contained only 25 Arquebuses of native make, 120 Biscayan muskets, 40 Flint guns, 70 Hatchets, and 40 Cutlasses. The first regular military organization in these Islands was in the time of Governor Pedro Manuel de Arandia (1754), when one regiment was formed of five companies of native soldiers, together with four companies of troops which arrived with the Governor from Mexico. This corps, afterwards known as the "King's Regiment" [109] (_Regimiento del Rey_) was divided into two battalions, increased to 10 companies each as the troops returned from the provinces. The 20 companies were each composed as follows:-- 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 sub-lieutenant, 4 sergeants, 2 drummers, 6 first corporals, 6 seconds corporals, and 88 rank and file. The Gov.-General's Body Guard of Halberdiers was reformed, and thenceforth consisted of 18 men, under a captain and a corporal. The Monthly Pay under these reforms was as follows:-- Staff Officers. Regimental Officers Governor-General's P. and Staff P. c. Body Guard P. Chief of the Staff 40 Captain 25 00 Captain 35 Adjutant-Major. 25 Lieutenant. 18 00 Corporal 10 Adjutant. 18 Sub-Lieutenant. 14 00 Guards 5 Captain 12 Sergeant 4 00 Drummer 3 00 First Corporal 3 25 Second Corporal 3 00 Rank and File 2 62 1/2