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

SPECIAL AIDS
Such are, without a doubt, the evils suffered "by the
people of these dominions with respect to the circulation
of tlacos . These coins ought to be extirpated;
and this voluntary, intolerable, and despicable coin
should be replaced by a standard coin of a small denom-
ination and general and certain acceptance, as is done
in all civilized countries in proportion to their needs.
I believe there is no greater need in any part of the
world than there is in that territory included within
the vast dominions of New Spain, whose inexhaustible
riches do not remedy the misery of its inliabitants , who
live on a daily wage. Whether this wage be large or
small, it is always converted into imaginary coin for
the acquisition of sustenance; and it is not sufficient
to clothe the most shameless nakedness.
In the extensive and rich Interior Provinces, only
within very recent years have silver coins been circulated
with some regularity; and gold coins only rarely,
since gold coins are introduced there only by chance;
and silver coins are taken there only in sufficient n^'um.bers
to cover one third or one fourth of the money allottments
due the troops on the frontier.
Consequently, the lack of coined money compels the
people, because of that fertile greed of mankind, to
invent imaginary money. This money has not been, nor
can it be, entirely extinguished. Nor does it easily
lend itself to as clear an explanation as I would like
to give it, if the confusing differences encountered in
this unusual matter should permit.
One who possesses regular money is said to possess
everything, for that kind of money is equivalent to anything
he may need. This statement is not true in the
Interior Provinces, where sales and purchases are made
by the barter or exchange of one article for another,
in such a manner that a poor man is compelled to make
many exchanges in order to obtain whatever he needs.
It is true that in place of coin, silver bars are
circulated; but they vary in value because of the different
laws and ordinances. Furthermore, this imaginary,
rough, and uncoined money is to be found only in the
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