[Mexico]. [Mining]

Don Matias de Galvez Teniente General de los Reales Exercitos de S.M. Virrey, Gobernador y Capitan General del Reyno de Nuevo España... Con el Importantisimo Objeto... [caption title and first line of text]

Mexico City: January 15, 1784. [3]pp. Folio on a folded sheet. Light soiling and wear. Very good. Item #5741

In 1783, Spain passed an expansive reform of mining laws in its colonial empire that centralized the industry under royal control. Amongst other measures, the new law created a guild of mine owners, the Real Cuerpo de Minería; a tribunal for resolving mining disputes and violations; a specific new bank for the mining interests and money only; and a privilege for the industry that exempted it from some general colonial law. The present decree, which accompanied the promulgation of the laws in New Spain on January 15, 1784, orders in no uncertain terms that its articles be followed to the letter by all colonial government officials, with no exception for custom, local practice, or tradition:

"Se arreglan precisamente à ellas, executándolas y observándolas con la mayor exactitud en lo que corresponda à cada uno, teniendo todo lo contenido en ellas por Ley y Estatuto firme y perpetuo, y guardándolo y haciéndolo observar inviolablemente sin embargo de otras qualesquiera Leyes, Ordenanzas, Establemientos, costumbres ó practicas que hubiere en contrario, pues en quanto lo fueren las revoco expresamente, y quiero no tengan efecto alguno; prohibiendo, como prohibo, el que se interpreten ó glosen en ningun modo, porque es mi voluntad se esté precisamente á su letra y expreso sentido."

It goes on to order that the law be distribute by bando to the relevant cities, towns, and mining centers, and threatens grave penalties for the violation of its terms. The order is signed in print by the Viceroy, Matias de Galvez. OCLC locates only two copies, at Texas A&M and the BNE.

Price: $600.00