La lucha contra la corrupción judicial y gubernativa en Nueva España en las primerias del siglo XVIII: la visita general de Francisco Garzarón (1716-1721)
Resumen
Palabras clave: Corrupción Venalidad Siglo XVIII Visita general Imperio español
The fight against judicial and governmental corruption in New Spain in the early 18th century: the general visit of Francisco Garzarón (1716-1721)
Abstract: It was accepted by the Bourbon dynasty that Spanish Crowns reinforcement over American colonies inevitably began with the end of institutionalized corruption. As soon as the War of the Spanish Succession finished, the Crown of Castile took extraordinary legal actions (visitas generales) in order to purge public offices who abused of their position. New Spain was the first viceroyalty where corruption was prosecuted as a way to rebuild the Empire because since the middle of the 17th century Mexico had been the main silver supplier in Spain. Two administrative branches were affected: financial and judicial. This work analyses the only judicial investigation prosecuted against the magistrates of the Royal Audience of Mexico: the general visit of Francisco Garzarón (1716-1721). Its purpose was to punish men who abused of judicial administration and political base. As will be outlined later, social ties were considered as felony because impartiality depended on the personal life of the magistrates. In view of the above, this kind of charges will be analysed so as to clarify whether born place and forbidden social ties were decisive reasons for losing royal power over its colonies.
Keywords: Corruption Venality XVIII century Visita general Spanish Empire