History of Mexico (Bancroft)/Volume 3/Chapter 14

by Hubert Howe Bancroft

 

CHAPTER XIV.

VICEROYS MONTAÑEZ AND MONTEZUMA.

1696-1701.

More Insurrections in the Capital — The Baratillo Suppressed — Narrow Escape of the Treasure Fleet — Another Famine — Montezuma Succeeds Montañez — Fair at Acapulco — Obsequies on the Death of Cárlos II. — Rejoicings at the Accession of Felipe V. — Montezuma Suspected of Disloyalty — A Worthy Ruler Deposed — Jesuit Expeditions to Lower California.

On the 27th of February 1696 Juan de Ortega Montañez, bishop of Michoacan, succeeded Galve as viceroy of New Spain, his rule lasting only until the 18th of December following.^[1] Between 1662 and 1673 he was inquisitor of Mexico, and in the latter year was appointed bishop of Guadiana, but did not take possession of that see, since in 1675 he was promoted to the bishopric of Guatemala, and being consecrated the same year left Mexico in December. In 1682 he was again transferred, and assumed the prelacy of Michoacan two years later. A rigid disciplinarian in church government, he was no less exact in the performance of his political duties; and though zealous in maintaining the dignity of his rank, he was generous withal and kind-hearted.

Exactly one month after the instalment of Montañez a serious riot occurred, headed by the students of the university, during which the pillory in the public square was burned. On the following day the authorities, having taken the necessary precautions to prevent disturbance, proceeded to erect another pillory. The collection of stalls and traders' tables, which had been replaced after the fire of 1692, and more especially the baratillo, where second-hand and stolen goods were bought and sold, were still resorted to by idlers and vagabonds, thieves and assassins. Thither congregated the vicious of all classes, including also the students of the university, and the suppression of such haunts of vice and crime was necessary. The new viceroy accordingly issued a decree ordering the removal of all trading stalls, especially the baratillo, the reërection of which in any part of the city he prohibited under pain of death. Ortega's measures met with opposition, but were nevertheless carried out, though it was necessary that for some time troops should constantly patrol the streets^[2].

In spite of all precautions, however, a serious plot for a general insurrection was discovered at the end of April, which was the more dangerous from the fact that the Indians of the wards of San Juan and Santa Clara possessed fire-arms. The intention of the conspirators was to rise on the departure of the flota, by which a large number of Spaniards would leave Mexico. But the watchful care of the viceroy detected the plot; troops were mustered, the palace guard doubled, and all necessary measures taken to secure peace.^[3] The flota was richly laden this year, and its departure was postponed until long after the usual date. Although the fault of the officials, it was a fortunate circumstance, for soon it was known that a French squadron had been cruising for many weeks off Habana in the hope of capturing the treasure ships. So long was the fleet detained, however, that the enemy supposed their plans discovered, and on the same day the Spanish vessels sailed from Vera Cruz they turned their prows toward Europe.^[4]

The famine which had occurred during the reign of Galve was not yet at an end. From all parts of the country natives thronged to the capital, begging for help to save their families from starving. The mule load of corn which usually sold for six reales had now risen to ten pesos; and other provisions were proportionately high. Cattle perished in large numbers for want of water, and even poultry dropped dead at the homestead door.^[5] Every exertion was made by the viceroy and clergy to relieve the prevailing distress. Ecclesiastics of the city even sold their books in order to supply food to those in need, but in the country thousands were left to starve. The rural clergy seem to have acquired the passion for wealth which marked the encomenderos, and during this period of suffering they withheld the corn which had been sown, reaped, and gathered into their garners by the natives.^[6]

The last days of Montañez' administration were days of mourning caused by news of the death of the queen of Spain. For three weeks the city was draped with funeral emblems, and religious observances were held in honor of the dead.^[7]

In October intelligence reached New Spain that José Sarmiento Valladares, conde de Montezuma, had been appointed viceroy. Connected with the dukes of Lessa, this ruler obtained his title by marriage with Gerónima María, a lineal descendant of the Mexican emperor, and third countess of Montezuma.^[8] Accompanied by his wife he took possession of the government on the 18th of December, and on the 2d of February following made his public entry into the city.^[9]

During January and February the attendance at the annual fair at Acapulco was unusually large. The galleon from the Philippines arrived safely with so large and valuable a cargo that eighty thousand pesos were paid in custom duties. Merchants from all parts of New Spain hastened to the fair; but what caused the assembly to be so numerous this year, and trading so brisk, was the arrival of a forty-two gun frigate, with a number of Peruvian merchants, who brought with them two million pesos for the purchase of Chinese goods.^[10]

While wealth was thus flowing into the country the unfortunate inhabitants of the capital were again threatened with famine, the crops having failed from the usual causes. Provisions became scarce and dear, and on the 8th of March a famished multitude rushed into the square in front of the viceregal palace, and with fierce cries demanded bread. Decisive measures had to be adopted to prevent an outbreak. The viceroy caused cannon to be planted at the entrances to the principal streets, and with the assistance of influential persons succeeded in restoring quiet. Orders also were issued to the farmers to forward at once to the city all the grain on hand. A supply sufficient for two months was thus obtained, and by the beginning of May corn and wheat began to arrive from the tierra caliente, where the second crop of the year had been plentiful.^[11]

This serious trouble being ended, the viceroy, on the 25th of May, took possession of the new palace, which, as the reader is aware, had been for some time in course of construction. The occasion was celebrated with befitting ceremonies. The floors were sprinkled with holy water, and the archbishop in sacerdotal robes, with uplifted hands, implored a blessing upon the future residence of the viceroys of New Spain. The benediction availed little however, for in less than two short months the conde de Montezuma's daughter lay dead within the palace walls.^[12]

Intelligence having been received of the arrival in Spain of the fleet which had sailed from Vera Cruz in the previous year, the safety of which had caused much apprehension, a solemn thanksgiving was offered in the cathedral, at which service the viceroy and members of the different tribunals attended. The value of the prize which had thus escaped the French may be recognized from the fact that the duties paid on the treasure and merchandise amounted to four hundred and twelve thousand pesos.^[13]

The command of the seas by the French, English, and Dutch had not only a depressing effect on commerce, but on all the industries of the country, and especially that of mining. Quicksilver was so scarce this year that the quintal rose from eighty-four pesos to three hundred, and the viceroy addressed the governor of the Philippines on the matter, requesting him to procure. a quantity of the metal in China and ship it to Acapulco. News, however, arrived in 1698 that a treaty of peace had been concluded. Great was the joy at this intelligence; and for a time commerce and industries revived. The rejoicing was short-lived however, for in May 1701 despatches were received from Spain ordering the authorities to put their ports in a state of defence against invasion by the English and Dutch; and though in the following month these instructions were countermanded, in August two sloops arrived from the Habana with intelligence that war had not been averted.^[14]

Meanwhile the death of a Spanish monarch had caused the celebration of royal obsequies to be held in the city of Mexico, and in all the principal towns of New Spain, with the solemnity observed on such occasions. Cárlos II. died on the 1st of November 1700, and intelligence reached the capital the 7th of !March of the following jmar. A courier clad in black, and bearing a banner of the same color, brought the tidings. Each half hour of his journey he fired off his piece as a salute in honor of the dead king. The despatches he bore conveyed the instructions of the queen regent Mariana de Neoburgo relative to the ceremonials to be observed, and were opened with the usual formalities.

In accordance with her commands the viceroy proceeded to arrange the obsequies. Two ministers, conversant with the prescribed etiquette, were promptly appointed, and orders despatched to the authorities of the different towns instructing them how to conduct the ceremonies. The ayuntamiento of the capital was notified to proclaim that the 16th of March was appointed for the public demonstration. Accordingly on that day a cavalcade with trumpets and muffled drums, draped in the insignia of mourning, left the cabildo between ten and eleven o'clock in the forenoon. These were followed by the mace-bearers dressed in black, and after them came the members of the audiencia, the alcaldes, alguacil mayor, and other authorities with their rods of office. The funeral cortege in dismal drapery slowly marched to the residence of the viceroy, where the king's death was publicly proclaimed; then at a given signal the great bell of the cathedral was tolled three hundred times.^[15] With the same ceremonies similar proclamations were made at the archiepiscopal palace, and at the buildings of the inquisition and the cabildo.

March the 22d was appointed by Montezuma as the day on which he would receive visits of condolence from the different tribunals, royal officials, ecclesiastics, and gentry. The obsequies were celebrated on the 26th and 27th of April, on the first of which days in the afternoon all the bells of the city tolled the vespers for the dead, and the ceremonies were concluded by the delivery of a Latin oration in eulogy of the late king. On the following sunrise the service for the dead was chanted in the churches, the viceroy, archbishop, and nobility attending at the cathedral. A funeral sermon terminated the observances.^[16]

But previous to the performance of the latter ceremonies, others of a different character were celebrated on the 4th and 5th of April on account of the accession of Felipe V. to the throne of Spain. Appointed sovereign by the will of Cárlos II., his reign was a turbulent one for many years; since the transfer of the regal power from the house of Austria to that of the Bourbons involved both Spain and France in a war with the combined nations of Europe; nor can Felipe be considered to have been securely seated on the throne until the treaty of Utrecht in January 1712. During the first years of the struggle the power of Spain was weakened by civil factions,^[17] and much opposition was shown to the change of dynasty; yet Mexico at once espoused the cause of Felipe's party. Thus it was that on the first named day the church bells were pealed, the royal standard unfurled, and the viceroy, audiencia, and all authorities and officials took the oath of allegiance on a beautifully ornamented platform erected in front of the palace. This being done, numbers of caged rabbits, pigeons, and other birds were set free, while a royal salute was fired by the musketeers. On the following day thanksgivings were offered in the cathedral, the mass of the most holy trinity chanted, and a procession formed. In the afternoon a parade of infantry was held before the palace,^[18] and during the night pyrotechnic displays enlivened the scene.

Although the viceroy took the customary oath of allegiance to Felipe an opinion seems to have prevailed that before the death of Cárlos he was opposed to the prospect of a Bourbon successor to the throne of Spain; but more than this, it was whispered that in the event of the monarch's decease, he might be inclined to favor the independence of New Spain, and establish himself as its king.^[19] Whether Felipe apprehended any such possible defection or not, it is certain that he recalled Montezuma shortly after his accession, for in November 1701 a cédula arrived from Spain appointing the oidor, Juan de Escalante, as the juez de residencia of the outgoing viceroy,^[20] Montañez, having been reappointed to the viceregal chair six months previously.

On the 13th of May following, the conde de Montezuma left for Spain, the countess having preceded him, accompanied by the wives of the oidores. Most writers concur in regarding his administration as a wise and prudent one. He certainly exerted himself in improving the social condition of the capital, and was especially active in the suppression of robbers and criminals. With this object he organized an efficient police force, and enacted severe regulations for the punishment of evil-doers.^[21] The riots in 1692 indicated to him the necessity of a more generous treatment of the Indians, and the measures which he adopted for their relief during times of scarcity were energetic and effective. He caused, moreover, the fortifications of the city, which were in a wretched condition, to be put in a better state of defence, while measures were also taken for the protection of the coast during war time.

During his administration physical phenomena from time to time caused distress and damage. Earthquakes destroyed houses and occasioned loss of life; and an eruption of the volcano Popocatepetl in 1697 caused much destruction in the surrounding country. The same year the capital was again inundated, owing to the unusually heavy rains, whereupon the viceroy, aided by contributions, caused the drainage and sewers to be put in order and improved. Indeed, in all cases of calamity he was ever prompt in devising means of relief. Though for political reasons the king may have deemed it prudent to recall him, it cannot be denied that he did his utmost for the welfare of New Spain.^[22]

It was during the administration of Montezuma that the pacification of Lower California was begun by the Jesuits. The settlement of this country had been frequently attempted during the last century, but no success had attended previous efforts. Expedition after expedition under different leaders, most notable among whom were Ortega, Casanate, and Otondo, had successively failed,^[23] and in 1686 the audiencia abandoned the idea of conquest by force of arms. The oidores, however, considered that the subjugation of the Indians could be accomplished by the Jesuits and proposed that they should make the attempt, the exlenses incurred being paid by the crown. The provincial of the order saw fit to decline the offer, alleging that the civil and temporal duties which their missionaries would be obliged to undertake would be inconsistent with the constitution of the society.

Urged by renewed instructions from Cárlos II. to omit no means of accomplishing the settlement of Lower California, the viceroy in 1690 consulted with Otondo relative to the annual cost of the maintenance of a presidio on the Peninsula. Otondo was of opinion that thirty thousand pesos a year would be sufficient, and the viceroy gave orders for an appropriation to that amount, but the demand from the court for a large sum of money prevented immediate action, and the meditated expedition was indefinitely postponed. And now notwithstanding their former action the Jesuits came forward, and in 1696 proposed to undertake the reduction of the natives, and commenced collecting alms for that purpose. Viceroy Ortega warmly approved the plan, but deemed it proper to consult the audiencia as to the advisability of extending the necessary license. The oidores displayed an inconsistency almost equal to that of the Jesuits, and long debated whether it would be right to intrust such a matter to a religious order.

This hesitation caused much astonishment, but it was finally arranged that the commission should be granted on condition that the society should not make any demand upon the royal treasury, and that they should take possession of the country in the name of Cárlos II. The audiencia, however, conceded to fathers Salvatierra and Kino, the promoters of the enterprise, and to their successors, the right to select the troops and officers which might be required, and to discharge them when they deemed it necessary, after first advising the viceroy. The particulars of the operations of the Jesuits belong properly to the history of Lower California, in which an account of their proceedings will be given; suffice it to say that their efforts were successful, and permanent settlements were established in the country.^[24]

 

 

1. In 1695 the conde de Cañete was appointed viceroy, but did not arrive, owing to his inability to pay 300,000 pesos which he had promised for the office. On the 21st of January 1696 a despatch was received appointing Dr Manuel Fernandez de Santa Cruz, the bishop of Puebla, viceroy, but he refused to accept the administration. A second despatch named Ortega as viceroy. Robles, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., 1st ser., iii. 140-1, 181, 186, 189-91.
2. The viceroy enjoined the religious orders not to appear frequently in the streets or alone. The students of the university were ordered to wear their hair after the fashion of those of Salamanca, and also to adopt similar collars. Id., 195. Shortly after the erection of the new pillory, a pasquinade was found attached to it beginning with the words: 'Nos los inquisidores.' Id., 195.
3. The crown highly approved of Montañez' action at this crisis, and sent instructions to him and the criminal judges to make every effort to keep order and suppress assemblages of the idle and vicious. At the same time the viceroy was made to understand that any negligence or want of activity on his part would meet with severe displeasure and punishment. Refractory and turbulent persons of the lowest class were to be punished by the infliction of 200 lashes ; others in proportion to their rank. Criminal Spaniards were to be sent to work under guard in the Philippine Islands, Santo Domingo, Cuba, and elsewhere, 'con lo cual no solamente se lograria castigar sino evacuar las cárceles.' Rivera, Hist. Gob. Mex., i. 281-2.
4. Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 86-7; Rivera, Hist. Gob. Mex., i. 280-1. Shortly after the departure of the fleet news reached Mexico of the threatened danger. Prayers were offered, and a religious procession, attended by the viceroy and the archbishop, marched solemnly through the streets of Mexico in honor of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.
5. The common articles of food rose to prices beyond the reach of the Indians. Flour was sold at prices varying from 25 to 30 pesos the carga; beans at the same price; sugar at 10 pesos. During the month of August flour fell to 16 and 14 pesos, owing to a large crop having been gathered from irrigated lands. Robles, Diario, ii. 197, 203.
6. The archbishop of Mexico in July of 1696 informed the king that ecclesiastics who had farms neglected to carry out his orders to supply grain. On November 4, 1697, a royal cédula was issued ordering that in future they should be compelled if necessary to produce all surplus grain. Providencias Reales, MS., 79-80; Cédulas Reales, MS., 161.
7. Robles, Diario, ii. 205-8.
8. The viceroy's wife was descended from Pedro Johualicahuatzin, whose son accompanied Martin Cortés, the second marqués del Valle, to Spain, where he married Francisca de la Cueva. Vetancvrt, Teatro Mex., pt. ii. 51-2.
9. While passing under the triumphal arch erected near the church of Santo Domingo, the viceroy's horse shied and threw him. 'Y se le cayó la cabellera.' Robles, Diario, ii. 211. This occurrence augured, it was said, that his administration would be far from prosperous.
10. Many of the visitors died as usual from the effects of the climate. The fair closed on February the 25th, on which day and the following severe shocks of earthquake caused much damage in Acapulco and the city of Mexico. Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 89.
11. Two crops were annually raised in the tierra caliente districts. Id., 90. The excitement was allayed in part by the arrival of the royal decree permitting the use of pulque. Id., 91-2; Rivera, Hist. Gob. Mex., i. 284.
12. Doñna Fausta Domínica—called by Rivera and Zamacois, Dominga—died of small-pox on the 16th of July 1697. Robles, Diario, ii. 214.
13. Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 90.
14. Robles, Diario, ii. 313-15, 326-7. In June an English vessel was driven into Vera Cruz by stress of weather, and its crew of 17 men were detained as prisoners until an opportunity occurred of sending them to Spain. Two reales a day were allowed each man for his maintenance. Id., 320. War broke out again in 1700, and in 1702 the whole Spanish flota was captured by the combined English and Dutch fleets. Lerdo de Tejada, Apunt. Hist., 292-3.
15. 'A que correspondieron las campanas de setenta y una iglesias, que habia en Mexico, y en sus arrabales.' Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 96-9.
16. Mourning was ordered to be worn for six months. Robles, Diario, ii. 307, 312-13. The viceroy, in order to prevent the exactions of merchants who had bought all the mourning material, fixed the price of it. Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 97.
17. As late as June 1707 the inquisition issued an edict ordering all subjects secular or ecclesiastic to obey the king, under pain of excommunication. Ordenes de la Corona, MS., vi. 135.
18. Three hundred and seventy men mustered on the occasion. Robles, Diario.
19. Mr Vernon, English secretary of state, in letters addressed at the period to the duke of Shrewsbury, makes the following statement: 'It is said that Montezuma, viceroy of Mexico, would not suffer their plate to come into the hands of the French, and the orders from Spain would not be obeyed while they were looked upon to be under the influence of France.' A more remarkable passage written in June 1699 reads thus: 'The Indians there are very earnest with the countess of Montezuma, who is descended of their race, that she would take upon her the title of queen, which she seems willing to accept; but the conde, her husband, refuses it as yet, though it is thought if the king of Spain dies he will set up for himself.' Edinburgh Review, Oct. 1841, 131. Completely at variance with the above is Bustamante's statement that he caused the destruction of all Aztec relics in order to obliterate all traces of his ancestors 'por congraciarse con la corte de Madrid.' Leon y Gama, Dos Piedras, 81-2, note. As I cannot discover that Montezuma was connected with the royal family of the Aztec monarch otherwise than by marriage and the assumption of the name, Bustamante's deduction seems groundless, and I prefer to attribute the viceroy's action to religious bigotry.
20. The auto de residencia was proclaimed on the 19th of the same month, both in the Castilian and Mexican languages. Robles, Diario, 339; consult also 331, 333.
21. On the 15th of June there were 200 prisoners confined in the principal jail of the city. On the 28th of August the miscreants attempted to escape. They made a large hole in the outer wall, and severely wounded the jailer and porter before they were overpowered. On the following day seven of the ringleaders were publicly flogged through the streets. Id., 326-8.
22. In 1699 Cárlos II., by cédula of the 27th of February, granted to Montezuma and his heirs a pension of 4,000 ducados, with the title of duke of Atlixco. This grant was ratified by Felipe V. in 1704, and again by Fernando VI. in 1752. Reales Cédulas, MS., 10-11, 30-42. In Certif. de las Mercedes, MS., 181-2, the amount is given as 4,000 pesos, and the date of the cédula as February 17, 1699. The income was payable from Indian tributes in Peru, Guatemala, and Campeche. Later orders made it payable from tributes collected in Yucatan. The duquesa de Atlixco was the last heir to whom it was paid, probably in 1758.
23. For full particulars of these expeditions see Hist. N. Mex. States, i. 153 et seq., this series.
24. Consult Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 63-4, 69-70, 75-6, 87-8, and Hist. North Mex. States, i. passim, this series.