Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/563

Rh on their cuffs to distinguish them from folk of lower order, they could boast of oath-bound reputation, for they were sworn under penalty never to aid a bad cause. Such strictness indicates the noble efforts of the crown for the right administration of justice, but also its recognition of human weakness; and in truth abuses were only too frequent in all departments, notably during visits of inspection. Nevertheless it must be admitted that the decisions of the audiencia courts were as a rule creditable, and won for them just respect.

While the Guatemala tribunal was independent of Mexico, that of Guadalajara, after several attempts at freedom, was obliged to take a subordinate place in certain cases of appeal, and to leave to the viceroy the superintendency of war and finance matters. Later, when an intendente with military power assumed the presidency, the subordination decreased. Its jurisdiction varied at different times, Nueva Vizcaya being at one time the easternmost province, but of late it extended from sea to sea, the line running from a point ten leagues north of Rio Pánuco, through San Luis Potosí, along the south border of Zacatecas, and between Ayotitlan and Purificacion to the Pacific.

Both audiencias had their archives, in charge of the canciller, for the preservation of decrees received and issued, of reports and petitions, the latter having to pass through this channel for endorsement, and for elimination of trivial or unsupported statements that might otherwise trouble or perplex the home government. The form of despatches to Spain required half of every page to be left as margin for subsequent