subjects, such as finance, Indians, the poor, and these last had to be given as much preference as possible. They had also special duties which brought additional revenue, and these were the mo.st acceptable; for considering the dignity to be sustained, their pay of four thousand five hundred pesos was small.[1] They took in turn the posts of judges of appeal from different subcourts, and could also accept missions to investigate and supervise departments in county and town.[2] These missions were independent of the tours of inspection which an oidor had to perform every three years, or oftener if decreed expedient, accompanied by the clerk of the court and other officials, for holding investigation into civil, criminal, and ecclesiastical matters. A liberal sum was allowed him for expenses, since no gifts even of provisions could be accepted.[3]
A number of laws prescribed the ceremonies with which the dignity of this high tribunal should be upheld. Their court chamber itself had an imposing appearance. At the further end rose a dais covered with rich carpets under a canopy of damask garnished with gold lace. Here stood the velvet-covered chair with footstool for the viceroy. On either side sat the oidores, the regente and eldest member nearest. A little lower were seats on both sides for the attorney-general, high sheriff, counsel for the poor, protector and defender of Indians, and lawyers having cases before the court. The nobility and city coun-
- ↑ For oidores, alcaldes, and fiscales; the regente had 9,000, the relatores 700, and fiscales' aids 800. Mex., Circular Nomb., MS., pt. 7. In 1558 the oidores' pay had been increased from 650,000 maravedis to 800,000. Puga, Cedulurio, 20.3. The criminal fiscal was generally promoted to the civil department. The civil relatores had in Calle's time 500 pesos de oro pay, and 250 in fees, but the criminal relatores had only 500. The porteros had 400 ducats. The last two classes were appointed by the president of the Lidia Council. Mem. y Not., 47.
- ↑ An allowance of 12 pesos a day was granted for visiting duty. Ordenes de la Corona, MS., iii. 57-8, 164. Oidores should properly go only in graver cases, and resident judges must be employed whenever possible. Recop. Ind., 346-7. The appointment was frequently made by the viceroy. One supervised the theatre; another the lottery, the cruzada, the drainage, or other department.
- ↑ It was 200,000 maravedis in Calle's time. Mem. y Not., 132. City notaries had to be visited every year
