Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ...Ejidos. These were commons surrounding the town; in front of the gates; they were kept open; not cultivated. Here the people thrashed their grain or resorted for recreation. "5. Prados--fields. "6. Pastos--pastures. "7. Aguas--waters. "8. Salinas--salt springs. "9. Abreveduras--places for watering cattle. "Valdios--terminos not devoted to special use. "All the inhabitants, under regulations designed to secure the utility of the lands and secure equality, could use all these lands. "Then there were the lands devoted to churches and the propios. These were generally the lots fronting on the plaza, and were rented for stores, shops, etc. The rents were for the use of the pueblo. Among them were the alhondijas, a house set apart for strangers who came there to trade. "I do not understand that these properties were commons in the common-law sense. They were communal property, subject to be administered by the pueblo authorities. The public could be dispossessed and the character of the lands changed. They might be sold or converted into solares or suertes, which could be reduced to private ownership. They were not dedicated to the public. "Now, the waters of all rivers were, under the Spanish and Mexican rule, public property, to be administered and distributed for the use of the inhabitants. Apparently this was sometimes done by the pueblo authorities outside the pueblo lands. It must be remembered that towns and villages were greatly favored under the Mexican system; that to establish them was the mode adopted for the settlement of the country. Contractors (capitulantes) were rewarded for organizing them. The ordinances of the king of Spain and the provisions of the government of Mexico in...
