Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/160

140 abrogation of authority as tending to overshadow the royal prerogative deposited with the executive; but the opposition did not long endure. He as well as his companions made strenuous efforts to exclude lawyers, as tending to create confusion, suits, and embroilment generally. But their services were soon found necessary, and gradually the door opened wider and wider for their admission, one condition being that advocates must promise under oath not to aid a client unless he had justice on his side.

The promotion of trade and traffic formed another feature of his measures, and foremost stood the consideration of a suitable port. Villa Rica Harbor was incommodious, inconveniently situated, and unsafe, particularly in being exposed to north gales. The port at Pdnuco was too remote, and that at Goazacoalco proved less suitable than had been expected. Search was accordingly continued, and resulted in the selection of a site on Rio de Canoas, afterward known as La Antigua. The mouth formed a broad bay, sheltered partly by the shore, partly by the sand reefs which formed a lagoon in front of it, and wherein vessels would safely discharge goods into lighters for transportation to the town which lay about a league up the river. To this spot was transferred the Villa