Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/192

172 power for inspecting and revising all financial matters.

The council of state had to frame bills, decide in ministerial disputes, and give advice. The private cabinet, forming the medium of communication for the sovereign, comprised two departments, for civil and military affairs. The country was divided into eight military districts, each in charge of a chief, and at times placed temporarily under a commissary for correcting abuses by officials, inspectors being also appointed to make tours through departments for the same purpose. The departments, fifty in number, were to be ruled by prefects appointed by the emperor, and guided by a departmental council. Districts were placed under sub-prefects, also assisted by councils, and municipalities with no less than 3,000 inhabitants were governed by ayuntamientos, popularly elected. Smaller municipalities were controlled by comisarios. There were five grades of tribunals, of which the