two great markets of the city, one in the Spanish quarter, the other in the native, both of which were subjected to stringent regulations concerning methods of dealing, kind and quality of goods, and prices, all planned with admirable foresight. The manifold products of the soil and sea, of the manufacturer and artist, were displayed in the same profusion as during Montezuma's rule, though varied with novelties of Spanish origin. Even the production of these, however, was fast falling into the hands of native tillers and artisans, who with a keen faculty for imitation watched the operations of Spaniards, and readily supplanted them with their cheaper labor.[1]
Several of the royal cédulas which prompted or modified the preceding ordinances were brought during 1524 by the new revenue officials appointed by
- ↑ For all goods a schedule of market prices was established. The method in the important matter of meat was novel. The rate was determined by public competition. Breeders and drovers had from New-Year's day to Ash-Wednesday within which to make tenders, and at the end of that time the lowest responsible bidder was assigned the contract. Owners of cattle were allowed three months within which to slaughter and dispose of their meats; during the rest of the year the city was supplied by the meat contractor exclusively at the stipulated rate and under vigilant scrutiny as to weight and quality. The slaughtering of cattle within the city limits was strictly forbidden; the disgusting scenes of shamble life that long disgraced England and other portions of the Old World were unknown. Public slaughter-houses, under surveillance of an inspector, were established on the outskirts, anticipating the abattoir of France. Particular directions were given for the breeding of all kinds of live-stock; protection and amenability were secured by having all cattle duly branded and the distinctive marks of ownership properly registered with the city notary. Fish-mongers were the most important tradesmen. The sale of fish, vegetables, and perishable provisions was made the subject of many and particular sanitary laws regulating time, place, price, and quality. Cleanliness was made to be regarded as a cardinal virtue. Bread could be offered for sale only in the markets, Ill-baked bread was subject to seizure and the vendor to fine. The weight of the loaves was fixed and the scale of prices arranged from time to time by the fiel. The duties of the fiel were those of a market superintendent. He was to inspect the condition of all victuals exposed for sale, and to try weights and gauge measures used in sales. Jointly with a regidor he was to determine prices of goods before they were offered for sale. Scales and weights had to be examined every four months. An assayer wag appointed to test the alloy of gold, particularly the uncoined bullion used in lieu of money. Libro de Cubildo, MS., July 29, 1524, January 13, May 16, 1525. Prices of labor were also regulated to some extent, Jd., December 23, 1527, and the charges at inns. See Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xxvi. 170-7, etc., and Cortés, Escritos Sueltos, 29 et seq., in both of which all these admirable ordinances are given, as issued in 1524 and following years.
