content to supply the royal coffers with the necessary treasure, so long as they were comparatively free from the attacks of foreign powers. England considered it a much easier task to capture Spanish treasure ships on the ocean than to send expeditions to the mainland, where the deadly climate carried off her soldiers by hundreds. Nothing, therefore, impeded the progress of the provinces; agriculture and mining were developed; the population increased; new lands were occupied, so that in every direction the country became sprinkled with industrious settlers. New Spain had now arrived at the stage when the spirit of conquest disappears; and having outlived the period of early settlement, the people quietly and steadily pursued their course.

Ill-health finally induced Fuenclara to resign, though his salary had been raised to forty thousand pesos. The resignation was accepted by the king in 1745, and in the following year he was relieved by Juan Francisco de Güemes y Horcasitas, conde de Revilla Gigedo, who assumed the reins of government as forty-first viceroy of New Spain. He was appointed while captain-general of Cuba, and assumed office July 9, 1746. The peaceable condition of the country favored the propensities of the new ruler, who had acquired a vast fortune by trading ventures, and throughout Europe was regarded as the richest vassal of his sovereign. His fortune increased enormously during his administration, and in the history of the viceroys he is noted mainly as a shrewd and successful speculator. He would pass by no commercial enterprise or profitable traffic, generally devoting thereto his personal attention, so that the viceregal palace was transformed into an exchange. Nevertheless he had some qualities which gained for him the

17 He returned to Spain, and was appointed ambassador to Vienna, where he arranged the marriage of one of the sons of Philip V. Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 363. See also, for other particulars, Ordenes de la Corona, MS., i. 38-9, 166; Reales Cedulas, MS., 210; Panes, Vireyes, in Mon. Dom. Esp., MS., 45; Lorenzana, list. N. Esp., 33; Villa-Señor, Teatro, i. 7.

respect of his subjects, and chief among them was his personal courage. It is related that when a revolutionary mob once gathered about his palace he rode in among them unattended by any guard, and by his commanding presence and stern rebuke caused the rioters to disperse. Although he devoted much of his time to his individual interests, it cannot be alleged that he neglected the affairs of state. It is even claimed that he augmented the resources of the country, and greatly increased the royal revenue. generous protection extended to Escandon in the pacification of Nuevo Santander is also greatly in his favor.

The

The years 1749 and 1750 were sad ones for the inhabitants of New Spain. The crops were destroyed by unusual frosts in many provinces, occasioning a famine throughout the country, which in its turn was succeeded by an epidemic in the territory under the jurisdiction of the audiencia of Guadalajara. During the same period many and destructive earthquakes occurred, the centres of which seem to have been near the volcano of Colima. Many lives were lost and towns destroyed, though the city of Colima suffered but little.18

Fernando VI., who succeeded to his father Felipe V. on the decease of that monarch in August 1746, had certainly no reason to be dissatisfied with Revilla Gigedo's administration, for his constant demands for gold to replenish the empty coffers of the royal treasury were ever promptly complied with. But the count had now ruled for nine years, and he was rich enough. His resignation was accepted in 1755, on which date he returned to Spain.19 He was succeeded

18 The towns of Sayula, Zapotlan el grande, Amacalpan, and many others of minor importance were destroyed. On May 13, 1752, an eclipse of the sun terrified the inhabitants, and in 1758 the volcano of Jorullo on the hacienda of that name, near Patzcuaro, suddenly became active. Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 162, 169, 172; Rivera, Hist. Jal., i. 117; Hernandez, Estad., 18; Alegre, Hist. Comp., iii. 226-7.

19 On his return to Spain he received the title of captain-general of the army and was made president of the council of war. For other particulars

by Agustin de Ahumada y Villalon, marqués de las Amarillas, who took charge of the government on the 10th of November in that year. The character of the marquis was in strong contrast with that of his predecessor in almost every respect. Indeed, they seemed to have only one trait in common, and that was loyalty to their sovereign. Amarillas was a soldier who had won fame in the Italian wars, and at once devoted himself to correcting the abuses that had crept in under the former administration. But soon after his arrival his health began to fail, and by the advice of physicians he resided for some time at Cuautitlan, and thence removed to the city of Cuernavaca. Not finding relief he returned to Mexico where he died February 5, 1760. While his predecessor was known as the wealthiest vassal of the king, it may be said of Amarillas that he was one of the poorest. Though his administration lasted more than four years, his honesty and generosity had been such that his widow was left in poverty, and became dependent on the archbishop Rubio y Salinas, who provided funds for her return to Spain.20

Francisco de Echávarri, president of the audiencia, took charge on the death of the viceroy, and ruled for several months pending the arrival of his successor. In the carta de mortaja, the governor of Habana, Francisco Cagigal de la Vega, was designated to fill the vacancy ad interim. He was notified of his

concerning Revilla Gigedo's administration, see Instruc. Vireyes, 3–57; Ordenes de la Corona, MS., iv. 190; Doc. Ecles. Mex., MS., v. pt. i. 27; Payno, Rentas Generales, vi.-vii.; Lorenzana, Hist. N. Esp., 33; Castro, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., 1st ser. vi. 84–5; Alaman, Disert., iii. app. 59-60; Zamacois, Hist. Mej., v. 571-9.

20 Some years previous to the viceroy's death, an aged married couple without heirs, and friends of the family, had donated a large estate to his wife. After much reluctance, the gift was accepted. The case was reported to the king by evil-disposed persons, and the donation was declared void, thus leaving the viceregal family in poverty. For particulars of the case see Reales Cedulas, MS., ii. 225-8. See also Vireyes, Instruc., MS., 1st ser., pt. v. 1-6; pt. vi. 7; 2d ser., pt. iv. 1-2; Doc. Ecles. Méx., MS., i. pt. vi.; Coloquio, Soph. y Leon., MS., 4; Panes, Vireyes, in Mon. Dom. Esp., MS., 47; Lorenzana, Hist. N. Esp., 33; Alaman, Disert., iii. app. 60–1; Rivera, Gobernantes, 379-85.

AMARILLAS AND VEGA.

361

appointment by the audiencia, and arrived at Vera Cruz April 8, 1760, receiving the viceregal baton on the 28th, when he formally entered the city of Mexico. The administration of this, the forty-second viceroy, was void of any important event, and of very short duration. Knowing that his successor would soon arrive from Spain, he abstained from making any changes in the government, and contented himself with upholding for the time the existing laws. "However, during the few months of his rule," says Panes, "he gave evidence of extreme rectitude, zeal, and disinterestedness in the service of the king and the public.

"21

2 I may mention as authorities on the preceding chapters the following: Villa-Señor y Sanchez, Theatro, Mex., i. 33-382; ii. 47, passim; Calle, Mem. y Not., 77, 90; Torquemada, i. 338-9; Papeles de Jesuitas, MS., 521-38; Doc. Ecles. de Mex., MS., i. 4-15, 27-41; ii. 1-3, 43-6, 133; Alegre, Hist. Comp. Jesus, iii. 197-8, 213-18, 261-8; Ordenes de la Corona, MS., i. 29, 38-9, 59, 68; ii. 58-189; iii. 171; iv. 67-70, 139-48, 164–6, 190-4; v. 11, 99, 104; vi. 7; vii. 48-54; Arlegui, Prov. de Zac., 57, 73-89, 94–6, 122–3, 408-44; Providencias, Reales, MS., 1, 8-10, 60-2, 172-5, 219-21; Villena á Regente Roma, MS., passim; Navarro, Misiones de Nayarit, MS., 466, 469; Certifi cacion de las Mercedes, MS., 33-56; Cortés, Hist. N. Esp., 31, 33-4; Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., ix. 179-91; Dávila, Continuacion, MS., 192; Azanza, Ynstruccion, MS., 76-8, 106-8; Lazcano, Vida del P. Oviedo, 276-8; Nayaritas, Relacion de la Cong., passim; Michoacan, Informe de las Misiones, MS., 137, passim; Pinart, Col. Doc. Mex., MS., passim; Nayarit, Fragmento Hist., MS., 1; Id., Informe de la Aud. de Guad., MS., 67-9, 75; Descrip. de America, MS., 107, 123-5; Medina á Regente Romá, MS., passim; Doc. Hist. Mex., série i. tom. i. 330, 362; iv. v. vi., passim; série ii. tom. iv., passim; tom. vii. 31, 278, 435; Medina, Cron. de San Diego de Mex., 181, 256; Vireyes de Mex., MS., série i. 1-19; série ii. 2-17; Reales Cédulas, MS., i. 1, 28-35, 83, 181-3, 203; ii. 109-12, 159, 197, 210, 225-8, 234; Cedulario, MS., i. 66, 88, 114, 209-14, 330-1; iii. 9-11, 34-7, 96, 110-28, 176, 211, 238; Monumentos Domin. Esp., MS., 41–7, 110-17, 309-48; Concilios Prov. 1555 y 1565, 224-6; Salguero, Vida, passim; Cancelala, Ruina de la N. Esp., 73-7; Figueroa, Vindicias, MS., 123; Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iv. 92; v. 79-84; Maltratamiento de Indios, MS., 1; Recop. de Ind., i. 339; Castro, Diario, passim; Soc. Mex. Geog., Bol., tom. i. 135; ii. 6, 18-20, 96-110; vi. 295; vii. 3-40, 138, 300-17, 521-43; ix. 270-5; xi. 200-1; Id., 2da ép. i. 291, 497-500, 570-2; iii. 21-5, 194-9, 307; Id., 3da ép. i. 238, 266; v. 497; Montemayor, Svmarios, 61; Soriano, Prólogo, passim; Arévalo, Compend., 6 et seq.; Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii., passim; iii. 197; Mayer MSS., no. 2, passin; no. 11, 4951; Linares, Instruc., MS., 15-27; Beleña, Recop., ii. 26-58; Orozco y Berra, Not. Hist., 291-2; Frejes, Hist. Cong., 238-40; Humboldt, Essai Pol., i. 57, 155, 203, 257-61, 282-8; Id., New Spain, ii. 180-7, 224–35; Id., Tabla Estad., MS., 7-40; Id., Versuch, ii. 156-60, 186-95; Nueva España, Breve Res., i. 112-14, 139-40; ii. 304–20; Instrucciones á los Vireyes, 5-111; Beltrami, Mex., i. 107-9; Guerra, Revue N. Esp., i. 354; Mayer's Mex. Aztec, i. 228-39; Id., Mex. as it was, 172-3; Payno, Rentas Generales, vi.-vii., passim; Rodriguez, Carta Hist., 43-56; Gonzalez, Col. N. Leon, 4-153, 365-72; Mosaico, Mex., ii. 419; vi. 162; vii. 225-9; Prieto, Hist. Tam., 1-9, 67–8, 75–213; Al

zate, Gazetas, ii. 97; iii. 344, 420; Colima, Representacion, passim; Noticia de N. España, 18-19; Sanchez, Sermon, 1-28; Hassel, Mex. and Guat., 155–68, 212-29; Fransham, World, 8-20; Lacunza, Discursos Hist., no. 35, 509-12; Robertson's Hist. Am. (ed. London), ii. 950, 955, 970-2; Ortiz, Mex. Indep. Libre, 79; Castellanos, Defensa, 26; Alvarez, Estudios Hist., iii. 354, 364-84; Parras, Cong. de Jalisco, MS., 520-1, 742-3; Lerdo de Tajada, Apunt. Hist., no. 5, 294-313, 382-8; Rivera, Descrip. Zac., 50-66; Sosa, Episcop. Mex., 182-91; Zamacois, Hist. Méj., iv. 681; v. 535-95; vi. 301; vii. 7-9, 34-40, 174, 184-94; viii. 49; x. 1372-3; Montanus, Die Nieuwe Weereld, 222–30; D'Avity, Descrip. Gen., ii. 83-4; Kerr's Col. Voy., x. 400-19, 495-513; xi. 1-8, 400-33; Rivera, Gobernantes de Mex., i. 107-8, 222; Sammlung, Aller Reisebesch., xiii. 508-13; Navarrete, Rel. Peregrino, no. 1, 30-C6; Galvez, Informe del Visitador, MS., 42-54; Viagero, Univ., xxvii. 97-112; Mofras, L'Exploration, i. 105; Velasco, Noticias Son., 197; Mexico, Ordenanzas, 7 et seq.; Laet, Am. Descrip., 282-9; Spanish Empire in Am., 103-14; Arispe, Colosso Eloquente, 98, 174; Zavala, Rev. Mex., 65; Salmon's Modern Hist., iii. 159-60; Burke's Europ. Settlement, 228-30; Zamora, Bib. Leg., iv. 284; Lardner's Hist. Marit. Discov., ii. 328; Burney's Discov. South Seas, v. 60-4; Zuñiga y O., Calendario, 103–17; Bury's Exodus, ii. 172-3; Moreno, Relacion del Funeral, 1-155; Betagh's Voy., 190-3; Arispe, Colosso Eloquente, 98, passim; Willie, Noticias Hacienda, 4; Vallarta, Sermon Funebre, passim; Coloquio entre Sophronio y Leonidas, MS., 4-16; Berenger's Col. Voy., iv. 149-51, 268-92; Hernandez, Estadistica, 18; World Displayed, vi. 119–42; Escudero, Not. Son., 61-2, 70; Young's Hist. Mex., 60; Boucher's Bib. Univ., ii. 123-5; Voyages, A New Col., iii. 413-43; Id., New Univ. Col., i. 240-2, 286-8, 395-402; Id., Hist. Voy. round World, ii. 117–19, 202–33; Flint's Geog., ii. 132, 142; Berghes, Zac., 4; Pap. Var., ii. passim; iv. 1-155; x. 3 et seq.; cxlix. 413; ccxv. 17, 61-76; Diario, Mex., iii. 486-8; iv. 1-2; xi. 220-2, 675-6; xii. 252; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, i. 110-18; Alaman, Disert., iii. 53–61, 266–90; Id., Hist. Méj., i. 49–51; ii. 94–6; Gazeta de Mex., i. 42 et seq.; ii.-v., passim; vi. 9-709; vii. 10-475; viii.-x., passim; xi. 9 et seq.; xii. 165-293; xiii. 411-803; xiv.-xvi., passim.