Franciscan order was put in charge of the work,[1] and earnest efforts were made for its completion. Although this was not accomplished, greater progress was made than under any of his predecessors, and at a smaller cost.[2] The work was confirmed by his successor, the archbishop Ribera, and concluded in the middle of 1675, inundations which occurred meanwhile having caused operations to be pushed with vigor.[3] A te deum was sung in the cathedral, and other solemnities celebrated the event.
The viceroy's attention was now directed to financial and military affairs, both of which were in a deplorable condition, owing to the indolence and dishonesty of previous rulers. Convinced that the creation of new imposts would not check the evil, and only add new burdens to those under which the inhabitants were already laboring, he began his reforms by improving the administration of the treasury department. When he arrived he not only found the strong-box empty, but was faced by a considerable amount of debts, contracted in preceding years, when the expenses had always exceeded the income. Exercising a strict vigilance, and submitting the officials to frequent inspections,[4] he put an end to the peculations[5] which had been committed in all the different branches
- ↑ His name was Manuel de Cabrera, and a monthly salary of 200 pesos was assigned him. Guijo, Diario, 562-3. Mancera, in the instructions to his successor, calls him Juan de Cabrera in one place, in another Manuel.
- ↑ The excavations made during the time of Mancera extended over 1,693 varas, the expense amounting to 138,550 pesos. See Mancera's report to his successor, in Instrucc. Vireyes, 263-4. This statement is doubtless more reliable than that given by Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 236, who speaks of 1,319 varas with a cost of 105,950 pesos.
- ↑ Still the work seems to have been insufficient, for in 1678 another inundation, which damaged the drain somewhat, has been recorded. Robles, Diario, i. 268. Another peril, though of a different nature, threatened Mexico from the close proximity of the powder-mill and magazine. Mancera averted the danger by removing the establishment to a greater distance, and distributing the powder in several depots, each of which contained only a small quantity. A short time after this was done a flash of lightning struck the factory without causing any damage.
- ↑ 'El primer móvil que da impulso á la corriente y pura recaudacion de los Reales haberes, conteniendo el desórden. . .es el temor de las cuentas.' Mancera, in Instrucc. Virreyes, 290.
- ↑ In the custom-house alone they amounted in less than two years to more than 160,000 pesos. Id., 296.
