pasture lands afforded a splendid field for this branch of industry; and soon after the conquest, Cortés made importations from the Antilles, of such domestic animals as did not exist in Mexico. They increased rapidly, and before long vast herds of cattle and horses, almost in a wild state, formed, as they do at the present day, an important feature in the wealth of the country. Fostered by special legislation[1] and placed under the jurisdiction of the alcaldes de la mesta, first appointed by Viceroy Mendoza,[2] the raising of stock, and especially of cattle, soon became a favorite occupation. In earlier times cattle were of little value except for their hides, which formed an important article of export. Later, however, they were turned to better advantage, the hides being manufactured into leather, while the tallow was used for making soap. These industries flourished chiefly in Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Puebla,[3] and Mexico, and being undisturbed by the government, competed successfully with those of Spain.
No comment is needed as to the well known qual-
- ↑ In addition to laws already mentioned, one of 1533 ordered all pasture-ground to be free for common use both to Spaniards and Indians. Recop. de Ind., ii. 58. This gave rise to disputes; but the audiencia ordered the spirit of the law to be carried out. Provid. Rentes, MS., 143-4. When cattle became so abundant that they were killed only for their hides, little care was taken to exempt the cows, until a law forbade the slaughtering of all female stock without permission of the viceroy, thus insuring further increase. Mancera, Instruc., in Doc. Inéd., xxi. 404-5. This law was enacted in 1619 and repeated later. Recop. de Ind., ii. 138. Provid. Diocesanas, MS., i. The prices of horses, mules, and other domestic animals about the year 1550 are given by Mendoza in Ternaux-Compans, ser. i. tom. x. 351.
- ↑ The mesta, established after that of Spain, was a league of stock-raisers for the promotion of their interests and held ordinary jurisdiction for the punishment of petty offences, as thefts of cattle, encroachments, and damage to property and the like. Every year the city council appointed two as alcaldes de la mesta from among the owners of cattle. These together with five other members of the league met in session twice a year, on January 16th and August 31st. On these occasions all disputes about the right of property and other questions were decided. Regulations might then also be issued for the guidance of stock-raisers, but required the viceroy's or governor's approval to become valid. Owners of three hundred head of small stock and 20 mares or cows were ipso facto hermanos de la mesta, that is members of the league. Recop. de Ind., ii. 135-8.
- ↑ Puebla produced in the beginning of this century every year about 200,000 arrobas of soap; Guadalajara $268,400 worth, and prepared hides to the value of $418,900. Humboldt, Essai Pol., ii. 449, 666-9.
