Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/547

Rh had to be given them; but it was small, very small considering the superior claims of their ancestry, Who had won and loyally transmitted domains so rich. In addition to the discontent created by the partiality for Spanish-born subjects, the position and favor enjoyed by the latter made them arrogant, and tended to render more marked the caste distinction, all of which must in due time bear fruit.

Nearly all high offices, especially those with jurisdiction, were reserved by the king for his own appointment, and the viceroy or president of audiencia could fill the post only temporarily; yet his recommendation had weight. It had frequently been declared that descendants of conquerors should be given preference for most offices; then settlers and those born in the country, with special attention to meritorious and married men; but ceaseless intrigues and the pressure of personal interest assisted to nullify this. In the magistracy, ability should receive superior weight; traders could not be given treasury offices; those who had been artisans could not hold alcaldias mayores, corregimientos, and similar positions; planters, mulattoes, mestizos, and natives were also debarred from the higher offices. Adherents and relatives within four degrees of the high dignitaries were declared ineligible for many offices within the same state, but supplementary laws practically annulled this, as well as many other rules, as we have seen.

While meritorious service formed a main feature in the application for office, it was above all necessary