The Mesta of New Spain: the stock-raisers' court that wrote the first brand law of the Americas

Mexico City's cabildo drew up ordinances for the herds around 1540; the crown confirmed them in 1542 and ordered the institution introduced wherever the same reason held. What it produced is a working range code for a hemisphere: elected alcaldes de mesta with a staff of justice, four ten-day round-ups a year at named towns, compulsory membership above three hundred head, strays cried and returned, and a rule that no two owners may use the same brand.