abstractions or with the selfish view of working the colonies for the advantage of the Spanish crown rather than for the gradual and beautiful development of American capabilities. The mines of this continent first attracted the attention of Spain, and the prevailing principle of the scheme adopted in regard to them, was, that the mother country should produce the necessaries or luxuries of life for her colonial vassals, whilst they recompensed their parent with a bountiful revenue of gold and silver. The bungling, blind, and often corrupt legislation of the Council of the Indies soon filled its records with masses of contradictory and useless laws, so that although there were many beneficent acts, designed especially for the comfort of the Indians, the administration of so confused a system became almost incompatible with justice. If the source of law was vicious its administration was not less impure. The principal courts of justice were the AUDIENCIAS REALES, or Royal Audiences. In addition to the president,--who was the Viceroy, or Captain General,--the _audiencia_ or court was composed of a regent, three judges, two _fiscales_ or attorneys, (one for civil and the other for criminal cases) a reporter, and an _alguazil_, or constable. The members of these courts were appointed by the king himself, and, being almost without exception, natives of old Spain, they possessed but few sympathies for the colonists. After the Royal Audiences, came the CABILDOS whose members, consisting of _regidores_ and other persons appointed by the king, and of two _alcaldes_ annually elected by the _regidores_ from among the people,--constituted a municipal body in almost every town or village of importance. These _cabildos_ had no legislative jurisdiction, but superintended the execution of the laws within their districts and regulated all minor local matters. The office of _regidor_ was a regular matter of bargain and sale; and, as the _regidores_ subsequently elected the _alcaldes_, it will be seen that this admitted of great corruption, and tended to augment the direct oppression of the masses subjected to their jurisdiction. It was an instrument to increase the wealth and strengthen the tyrannical power of the rulers.