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118 travelling merchants constituted a peculiar and privileged class, and will be considered later when the subject of trade is discussed. The expansion of the power of Mexico brought many other cities under its influence, and these were obliged to furnish tribute in kind, and were also liable to military service. In important cities

a governor, Petlacalcatl,was placed, with a tax-gatherer, Calpixque, under him; in less important districts a governor or a Calpixque resided in the principal city,and the tribute was collected in the surrounding towns by subordinate officials. Apart from a general supervision there was very little interference with the tributary cities; the original rulers were rarely displaced, but continued to govern according to the local laws, and, with the exception that certain lands were often reserved for