Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Acuña, Manuel

ACUÑA, Juan, marquis of Casaferte, 87th viceroy of Mexico, b. in Lima, Peru, late in the 17th century; d. in Mexico, 17 March, 1774. He was an officer of artillery in the Spanish army. For twelve years, from 15 Oct., 1722. he governed New Spain with great success in all the departments of the administration. During that period many public buildings were erected, among them the custom house, the mint, and the "Newgate" of Vera Cruz, erected 1727, which for many years was called "Puerta de Acuiia." ]Mining received a great impulse, while commerce with Spain and the Philippine islands was increased. Acuiia sent to Texas a colony from the Canary islands, who founded the town of San Fernando.