times during the period 1605-1621 at 28,750, 122,740, and 50,000 pesos; that of clerk to the civil court varied within a dozen years between 65,000 and 30,000 pesos. The twenty-four receivers' offices of the same tribunal ranged between 3,200 and 2,400 pesos. Regidores of Mexico paid between 10,000 and 6,000 pesos.[1] The sale conferred different privileges, some holders being allowed to appoint lieutenants, others to buy for minors and administer ad interim, or to renounce in favor of another, which was equivalent to private sale. Many bought positions merely as a speculation, and tendered other offices in payment.[2]
Yet the latter performances were somewhat hampered by the rule that one half of the value must be paid to the treasury on resigning or disposing of any office for the first time, and one third for subsequent transfers. In cases of private transfers the value was estimated by treasury officials for payment of the deduction.[3] Such transfers were valid only if the seller lived twenty days after the sale;[4] otherwise the office fell to the crown, to be sold anew at auction.[5]
The policy of salable offices is no doubt open to objections, although it does not appear to have been attended with so many evils as might be supposed. Many men invested money in this way to obtain position, or to secure a safe income for themselves or their children, and paid so liberally that the salaries amounted to merely a fair percentage on the investment. This served also as a bond for good conduct. The competition was generally too great to allow of an adequate return in the form of both salary and
- ↑ Further instances in Calle, Mem. y Not., 49-51.
- ↑ Credit was not extended over long terms.
- ↑ Communities had in some cases obtained the right to salable offices, and in case of a new incumbent they also must pay the deduction.
- ↑ The transfer must be laid before the governor or other superior authority within 70 days; within 30 days after landing if resignation was made at sea. Royal confirmation of office must be presented within four years, or it would be sold. Cédula, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xvii. 369-74.
- ↑ Without return of any part of its value to the late holder. In case of resignation to the crown the deduction is made on the estimated value; and the treasury reaped the benefit from any higher sale price. The office could be attached for debt.
