yielded well, forming the first wheat crop of New Spain.[1]
Cortés had early endeavored to interest the sovereign in the agricultural interests of the country, and even requested that all vessels for New Spain should be made to bring a number of seeds and plants wherewith to enrich the native varieties. This was, to a certain extent, complied with,[2] though the selfish enmity or short-sightedness of officials at first cast many obstacles in the way. The rulers at Santo Domingo were persuaded at one time that unless restrictions were placed on the export of live-stock and products to New Spain the Islands would suffer irreparably, both from the drain and from the gradual transfer of productions to that country, which must thereby also absorb the trade. A prohibition was accordingly issued against exporting anything from the Islands that might be used for reproduction. The colonists poured in their complaints to Spain, and soon came a decree practically annulling the prohibition.[3] The fears of the Antilles were not unfounded, for their position as an entrepôt was soon lost, and this proved another reason for the increased emigration of its people.[4] Meanwhile New Spain profited by this loss, and Cortés was among the foremost to enrich his dif-
- ↑ This is the account of Tapia, Relacion, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 593, who adds that wheat was soon produced in great abundance, and the very best quality was sold in 1539 at one real the fanega. Although Cortés received wheat from other parts, it was damaged by the sea-voyage, and the actual introduction of this cereal was thus accidental. Gonzalez Dávila, Teatro Ecles., i. 8, says that the first grain of wheat that sprung up was sown by a servant of Cortés, and produced 400 fold. 'Juan Garrido, criado de Hernando Cortés sembré en un huerto tres granos de trigo; perdiose el uno, y los dos dieron más de quatrocientos granos' . . . 'de lo q es de regadio se coge en mayor abundancia; porque un grano produce docientos y mas.'
- ↑ By royal order of June 1523, the Casa de Contratacion of Seville was directed to promote the emigration of artisans and farm laborers, and ordered to send Cortés, in convenient seasons, quantities of plants, trees, and seeds. Herrera, dec. iii. lib. v. cap. iii.
- ↑ Decree of November 24, 1525. Mex. Exctractos de Cédulas, MS., 9, 10. Oviedo, iii. 471-3, waxes indignant with Cortés for his sharp expostulations, as ungrateful to a country which had fostered both him and his colony.
- ↑ Dovalle, Inform., in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., i. 375-438, passim. Abuses of New Spain settlers against the Islanders are also complained of. Id., xiv. 43.
