to the correction of abuses, and succeeded in bringinof about a more healthy condition of the royal treasury, which in 1673 was free from debt. Mancera during his rule increased the revenue $213,000 a year.[1] But this improved state of affairs did not last long. Viceroy Linares in 1716 thus describes the condition of the exchequer and his own position: "The royal treasury is administered like a bankrupt merchant's estate, and the viceroys, playing the part corresponding to that of the assignees, only liquidate the most urgent debts."[2]
In 1765 the revenue amounted to $6,130,314, and in 1790 to $19,400,213; yet with this ever increasing income proportionately increasing demands were made, and Mexico had to bear the burden of wars and the support of sister colonies.[3] But it was during the wars with the English and French that the greatest strain was put upon her. Not only had the colonists to pay increased taxes, but their patriotism was appealed to, loans were raised, and voluntary contributions solicited.[4]
When Viceroy Branciforte entered upon his administration in 1794 he found the treasury exhausted and the sources of supply apparently stopped. But he immediately effected a loan from the commercial
- ↑ He moreover remitted to the king during his term $4,376,312. Mancera, Instruc., in Doc. Inéd., xxi. 523-52.
- ↑ Linares, Instruc., MS., 54. The king required the viceroy to remit him annually $1,000,000, and Linares explains to his successor how impossible it had been for him to do so. Id., 52-6.
- ↑ The appropriations—situados—disbursed by the treasury for the payment of military and civil salaries and the maintenance of garrisons, etc., abroad, during the period 1770 to 181 1, amounted to $3,837,700 annually. Soc. Mex. Geog., 2da ep. i. 421-2. Remittances to Habana, Pensacola, and Cartagena during the five years 1755 to 1759 amounted to $7,884,176. Certif. Merced, MS., 124-31. According to Humboldt, during the years 1788 to 1792 $1,826,000 was sent to the island of Cuba. Essai Pol., ii. 803.
- ↑ Loans were effected in 1748 at three per cent interest. In 1758 the interest was fixed at five per cent. Providencias Reales, MS., 11-12, 153-5. The merchants with great willingness loaned the government $2,800,000 in 1771 sin premio. Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 15. Conspicuous among those ready to lend their aid was Antonio Bassoco, who in 1778 loaned the government the sums of $100,000 and $200,000 without interest. At the same time he made presents to the amount of $115,000 in different sums. Zamacois, Hist. Méj., vi. 561.
