eastern extension being twice as long as the northern,[1] and distributed among the intended settlers, with the usual reservations for public buildings.[2] In the central part hardly any of the filled canals were reopened, but beyond the main channels were left intact, and spanned by stone bridges.[3] Of the two squares in the Spanish quarter, by far the largest was the former central temple court, serving now also for marketplace, round which were reserved sites for church, convent, gubernatorial palace, town-hall, prison, and other public buildings.[4] The town-hall was begun in 1528, only, and finished four years later, enlargements having speedily to be made.[5] Private houses were erected on a scale proportionate to the means and aspirations of the owner, both large in so far as an abundance of free labor and material was concerned. The main
- ↑ The streets were but 14 varas wide, sufficient for the traffic of early days, but uncomfortably narrow in later times, so much so that Revilla Gigedo, in the eighteenth century, proposed to widen them, though the scheme was not carried out. See Vetancurt, loc. cit.; Alaman, Disert., 1. 199.
- ↑ Every conqueror received two lots, other settlers one, Cortés, Cartas, 310, with the condition of building a house, and holding possession for 5 years. By cédula of 1523 two caballerías of land were granted to each conqueror near the town chosen for residence. The conditions were frequently evaded by paying an indemnity. See Libro de Cabildo, MS., March 15, April 1, 8, 15, June 10, November 4, 1524, and passim; Herrera, dec. iii. lib. v. cap. ii. The term of residence was afterward reduced to 4 years. Recop. de Indias, ii. 39; see Hist. Cent. Am., i. 496-9, for laws concerning the founding of settlements.
- ↑ One reason for filling the smaller channels was the fetid odors which rose from their shallow waters. Gomara, Hist. Mex., 235-6. Cedar piles were used in soft places.
- ↑ Torquemada's description in the beginning of the seventeenth century is interesting. The plazas are 3, all connected, the principal being in front of the cathedral. The northern extension is the Plazuela del Marqués, so named from Cortés' houses, while the south-eastern is the plazuela del virey, formerly known as el volador, and now also known as de las escuelas, from the schools, the first name coming from the viceregal palace with its officers. The western side of the main plaza was occupied by traders, the southern by the city-hall and prison.Monarg. Ind., i. 299.
- ↑ The first reservation for it covered 6 lots. The neglect to build caused the lots to be occupied by citizens, but a decree of December 16, 1527, restored them to the city. Building began April 17, 1528, and the council took possession May 10, 1532. Adjoining buildings were purchased at different times, 30 to 50 years later, so as to contain also public granary and slaughter-house. In 1692 the building was fired by a famine-stricken mob. See Libro de Cabildo, MS.; also Mexican supplement to Dicc. Univ., viii. 527.
tion of old Mexico. Orozco y Berra incorrectly places the central temple between the main southern and northern avenues instead of facing both. This and some other minor errors are probably due to a misreading of Libro de Cabildo. I must express my admiration for the researches of this scholar.
