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 standard publications. Ordenes de la Corona, 7 vols., partly in printed form but chiefly manuscript, possesses the additional interest of containing numerous originals with the signatures of the kings, from Philip II. to Carlos III., of ministers, prelates, and judges. The last volume of Disposiciones Varios, 6 vols., is peculiar as being reserved chiefly for edicts of the inquisition on books, morals, and articles of faith. Fernando VII., Decretos, Mex. 1836, contains the cédulas issued by this monarch during the stirring times which preceded the independence of the mainland colonies.

Hardly less important than the laws, for a subject like the preceding, are the instructions left by different viceroys to their successors. Not all of these have been preserved, and many of these dignitaries neglected to do their duty in this respect; nevertheless the more important have been issued in manuscript and print, and stand on my shelves as Vireyes, Instrucciones, in two series, partly MS., and relating also to residencias, with several original documents. The value of this class of papers for history, induced the Mexican.government to publish a number of them, together with pertinent letters, under the title of ''Instrucciones que los Vireyes. . . dejaron,'' Mexico, 1867. The most valuable of the instructions are undoubtedly those of Revilla Gigedo the younger, the ablest ruler of New Spain, whose name has found an imperishable monument in the many reforms effected by him, in the embellishments of his capital, and in political writings, notably the Instruccion, 1794, which has been reprinted more than once in quite voluminous form, and widely distributed also in manuscript. The careful arrangement of subjects and paragraphs accords with the clear and pointed style, and enables one readily to grasp the exhaustive review presented of every department of government, with its accompanying criticisms and suggestions. Several of his letters are preserved, and I possess a collection of his decrees forming a folio volume. The importance of the period following Revilla Gigedo's rule has led me to obtain manucriptmanuscript [sic] copies also of their instructions, including Branciforte's and Azanza's, which are modelled on the preceding, though less bulky.

A useful adjunct to this material is presented in the Memorial y Noticias Sacras y Reales, 1646, of Calle, which forms semi-official statistics of districts and towns, sees and offices in the five audiencia districts of the New Spain royalty, together with some account of official routine. Pinelo refers in detail to his several manuscripts on similar subjects. Epitome, ii. 798-9. More particularly devoted to routine and form are Moreno, Reglas, Mexico, 1637, for judicial officers; Martinez, Librería de Jueces, Madrid, 1791, for guidance of unprofessional magistrates; Mexico, Aranceles de las Tribunales, etc., Mexico, 1759, giving duties and fees of courts and court officials; Mexico, Circular Nombramientos, MS., ''Certif. de las Mercedes, MS., and Yrolo, Opera, Mexico, 1605, provide forms for official proceedings; Leyes, Varias Anotaciones, MS., in eight books, concerns chiefly officials and their duties, but the notes are of little value; Ejidos de Mexico, Autos,'' MS., gives valuable information about town lands in connection with legal proceedings by the Mexico municipality for protecting its grants. Official statistics are given in ''Zuñiga y Ontiveros, Calend. Man. y Guia Forasteros,'' Mex. 1789, and in Guia Forast. of later years, while the colonial system finds reviewers in such books as Villarroel, Enfermedades Polit., and Campillo, Nuevo Sistema, Madrid, 1789. Campillo wrote