Note 13 — THE GOVERNMENT AND DEATH OF BUSTAMANTE

Spanish, economica potestad; but the word economica is here applied in an unusual sense, which is not made apparent by the definitions in the lexicons. It is possible that, as used here, it is derived from ecónomo, “he who is appointed to administer and collect the incomes of ecclesiastical posts that are vacant, or are held in trust” (Barcia)—the governor, as possessing this power, endeavoring to force a vacancy in the offices of archbishop and others, that he might use that power. Or, economica may mean “reserve,” applied to powers placed in the governor’s hands in reserve, only to be used in emergencies. ↑