Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/615

Rh year it was sent to the court, and approved by royal cedilla of May 22, 1783.

A prominent new feature therein was the change of jurisdiction in mining cases. Hitherto with few exceptions miners had been tried in the usual way, by the ordinary courts; now the mining tribunal was given an authority which finally-became exclusive, and which it exercised in the districts through diputaciones. Great stress was laid upon the requirement for the judges to be expert miners, and for conducting the trials in a summary way. Suits for small sums could only be carried on verbally, and in all cases the respective judges had to attempt the reconciliation of the contending parties.

The former regulations for taking up new as well as abandoned mines were reformed, and the rights of previous owners received greater respect. The discovery of new veins was rewarded by a greater allotment of ground. Foreigners could not hold possession of mines or work the same, unless with special permission from the crown, nor were the clergy and