Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/549

Rh was created only during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and did not apply to the holders, some of whom received a proportion of pay from other funds after a certain term of service, or when incapacitated. In protection of the pension funds it was required that officials should not marry wives without sufficient dowries, nor without permission.

Before the discovery of America a few offices without jurisdiction, or with minor participation therein, were sold to bidders. The practice soon extended, as the mania for office-holding increased and the royal treasury became greedier, and law after law was added to the list which embraced in particular the positions of clerks, notaries, sheriffs, regidores, persons connected with the collecting and management of funds of tribunals, municipalities, mints, and others. These sales were first authorized in the Indies by decree of June 17, 1559, subsequently amplified in extent and rules, so as to embrace also in a measure pensions and encomiendas. Public notice had to be given of vacancies, and a certain time allowed for bidders to prepare themselves to present qualifications, for restrictions as to class and talent applied also here. The sale was held in the presence of an oidor, or other high official, the highest bidder being entitled to the position, with certain exceptions in favor of able or meritorious persons. Different causes tended to affect prices, such as hard times, which naturally diminished fees, and consequently the valuation. Thus the office of high sheriff to the audiencia at Mexico sold at different