In case that other and supernumerary offices shall have been added, this is what you are to reduce, because this number of officers is costly and only serves for expense and the ambition that there be many to command, and that the infantry be in charge of many superiors.

All that is contrary to good military discipline.

Such is usually tolerated in temporary armies when they go out on a campaign, because of the special achievements and undertakings in which they are occupied, all of which is usual in the training of the militia.

In the reductions ordered or made in the armies of Flandes and other places, this order has always been observed.

The contrary is bad government, and means debt where there is no revenue, and causes the accounts to be always in arrears and to be never entirely paid--especially to the common soldiers, to whom the officers are always preferred.