settlers must hold themselves in readiness for any summons, and in order to supervise the observation of the ordinances, the municipal authorities must hold reviews at certain intervals, exacting penalties for non-compliance.[1] As a mark of honor the emperor accorded soon after to the first settlers and conquerors of New Spain the privilege of carrying certain weapons wherever they went.[2]
The next feature of the ordinance illustrates the training of Cortés as a planter on the Islands. A great change had come over him since he first set foot there, and received the offers made him with the contemptuous reply, "I came to get gold, not to till the soil like a peasant." Necessity and common sense came to his enlightenment, and within a few years we find him a flourishing stock-raiser and farmer. The lessons thus learned were to be applied to the benefit of a great country, and since so many among his companions had had a similar experience, they were ready to lend their coöperation. He required all holders of repartimientos to plant for every hundred Indians, yearly, one thousand vine-shoots or other useful plants of the best kind in the best location and at the fittest time, until for every hundred of such Indians there should be five thousand plants well placed. The planting of Spanish products was especially enjoined. Cortés himself set an example.
Soon after the fall of Mexico there came to him from one of the ports some rice, and in it by chance three grains of wheat, one of which was planted and
- ↑ The penalties were fines for the first two omissions, and loss of repartimientos for the third, or loss of office for failure to hold inspection. Town-criers were to proclaim the date for review eight to ten days in advance. In later times only one annual inspection was held, on St John's day, from which may be due the custom of dressing boys as soldiers on that anniversary, and distributing military toys. Alaman, Disert., i. 178.
- ↑ Even in Spain, Herrera, dec. iv. lib. iv. cap. iv. Previous to this the municipality of Mexico found it necessary for public peace to restrict the weapon ordinance within the city. In May 1525 the weapons were thus reduced to a dagger and a sword, a horseman having also a lance, carried by a page. In February 1527 the lance was restricted to the alcalde and officers of justice, Libro de Cabildo, MS., May 23, 1525, February 15, 1527.
