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674 whose particular office was the suppression of counterfeiting. From the first introduction of a coined medium into the country false money began to be fabricated, at which illegal craft the natives showed themselves no less skilful than the Spaniards.

This court was composed of six ministers, including the president, one fiscal, and a secretary. There was besides a number of subaltern officers of different grades. The office of president was vested perpetually in the secretary of state for the treasury, who was made judge and superintendent-general of all mints. Two at least of the ministers, as well as the fiscal, were required to be graduates of law. His Majesty conferred upon this court absolute jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to it, without appeal, and free from all interference of the audiencia, other tribunals, or councils.

From the year when the smelter and assayer were made royal officials, other officers from time to time were removed from the service of the lessees to that of the crown, till eventually, in 1732, the mint was incorporated, by royal cédula of the 14th of July, with the royal treasury, under the direction of a superintendent.

When Humboldt was in Mexico this establishment gave employment to between three hundred and sixty and four hundred employés, and its machinery was such that without any extraordinary activity $30,000,000