With corruption present in the grand tribunal, and purity of intention on the part of the king's representative it was natural that questions regarding the powers of the viceroy should arise. Velasco, as well as others, appealed to the emperor to make clear his duties. Theoretically, the viceroy's powers had been, and continued to be till 1560, unlimited in matters of government. As a matter of form, Velasco had, on difficult affairs, invariably asked the audiencia's advice. That body together with some wealthy Spaniards, whose abuses he had suppressed, or attempted to check, labored not only to undermine his standing at court, but to restrict his powers. They were aware that they could not influence the king against Velasco personally, whose pure motives and good services were much valued; still, they brought to bear plausible pretences, and won to their views some of the king's counsellors. Velasco's health was represented as broken, which might affect his mind, and render his decisions not always judicious. For this reason they claimed it was expedient to appoint him a council, whom he should consult upon state affairs before adopting any resolution. Such a course would insure the proper deliberation, and relieve him of much responsibility. By such means the king was finally brought to accede to the suggestions of his counsellors, and decreed that in future the viceroy of New Spain should adopt no action without the previous advice and consent of the audiencia, which became thus constituted as a viceregal council. All the
Spain provisions were scarce, and the villas of Purificacion and Pánuco were in 1553 already becoming depopulated. Valasco, in Cartas de Indias, 263-5. The women were so extravagant in the use of jewelry that the country felt its bad effects. No improvement was gained by the royal measures to check vice. The second marqués del Valle complains bitterly of indolence, increasing want, and vice; truth was almost a stranger in the country; lying and perjury had become a staple, 'porques cosecha desta tierra.' Cortés, Carta, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., iv. 455-6, 458-9. Still later, in 1570, vagabondage and lawlessness were still rampant. Mendieta, Carta á Joan de Ouando, in Prov. del Sto Evang., MS., No. 16, 208-9. An Englishman who visited the city of Mexico in 1572 declared, 'the men ... are marvellous vicious; and in like manner the women are dishonest of their bodies.' Hawks' Rel., in Haklvyt's Voy., iii. 463.
