mine proved valuable, litigations would follow, and the discoverer would too often lose his interest.[1]
At this period the industries of agriculture and stock-raising were fairly prosperous. There was no lack in Nueva Galicia of fertile land, which produced an abundant food-supply, while in ocean and river there were excellent fisheries. Several small vessels were built on the coast for expeditions to California, the workmen being sent from Mexico and encamping at some suitable spot near the mouth of a river, where they felled the timber, built the craft, and then abandoned their camp. Of manufactures there were none, except the rude articles made by the natives for their own use, and the commerce of the country was carried on by native carriers, pack-mules, and wagon-trains, by means of which agricultural products were carried to the nearest market, ore and bullion forwarded from the mines, and tools, machinery, quicksilver, and clothing brought overland from the city of Mexico. To the capital were also sent the few articles of produce which would pay the cost of freight, together with herds of live-stock. At times the privilege of killing and exporting cattle was restricted by the governor on complaint of the ecclesiastical authorities that the amount of tithes was thereby diminished.
The city of Mexico derived much greater benefit from the resources of Nueva Galicia than did the province itself. In the capital alone could any products except those of mine or field be exchanged for money.[2] Men were not wanting who understood these disadvantages, and foremost among them was Mota-Padilla, who never ceased his efforts to separate the country from New Spain, to obtain for her ports a trade with China and with Central and South America; to establish a mint, and make Guadalajara a centre of trade;
