ABSTRACT
When the India House was organized to manage trade with America, it was proposed that a building should be constructed for use of officers; but by a subsequent order of same year, 1503, this plan was set aside, and offices which had been created were kept in the old Alcazar. The historical significance of the organization known as the Casa de Contratacion lay in fact that for a long time it held the key to the New World, and was the efficient agent of Spanish king in carrying out the most rigid system of commercial restriction that was ever framed. It continued to have its seat at Seville till 1717, when it was transferred to Cadiz for greater convenience in superintending the shipping to America, the bulk of which at this time went from, and was received at, this port. The attitude of Spain towards trade and traders was such as to furnish a positive hindrance to commercial development.
