Handbook for translators of Spanish historical ... - University Library

SPECIAL AIDS
procurator general of this city, and from the superintendent
of the mint, who took exception to the official
proposal and objected to the consulting vote of the
royal acuerdo, he accepted the favorable opinion of
Eon Francisco Leandro de Viana, who at that time was
discharging one of the positions of alcalde de corte of
this audiencia .
He had good reasons for accepting it, for the opinion
expressed by this zealous official was substantial,
clear, and the greater part of it was based on knowledge
acquired by him through first-hand experience in the
aforesaid visitation of stores, a commission which
was wisely confided to him in view of his ability, honesty,
and experience, and because he had promoted and
carried out in Manila, with the greatest felicity, the
project under consideration for New Spain.
The Marques de Croix forwarded to the Supreme Council
of the Indies a complete copy of the expediente , together
with a confidential report dated December 25, 1769,
On the same date he forwarded the same information,
likewise confidentially, to the secretaries Marques
de Grimaldi and Era:' Don Julian de Arriaga, recommending
the great advantages to be derived from the most
useful project suggested.
After having seen and examined most carefully and minutely
everything set forth therein abov.t this matter, I
have been so impressed with it that if I were to waste
one instant in promoting it, I should feel that I were
failing in the fulfilment of my strictest duty and
responsibility.
I cannot conceal the facts, knowing that mestiza
stores, cacahuaterfas , or pulquerj!as serve as depositories
for articles stolen by domestic servants who
despoil their masters, by respectable young men who
thus torture their parents, and by gamblers and profligates
who neglect their wives and children and leave
them naked.
The cause of the existence of such disgraceful depositories
for stolen goods is the use of imaginary coins,
which gives rise to disorders and usuary, for jewels
-89-