zaba, and the neighboring towns were called out, and a formal campaign opened. A force of six hundred Spaniards attacked the insurgents, who were routed after a stubborn resistance. The ringleaders were executed, and others who were captured were subjected to cruel tortures. Those who escaped fled to the mountains; but hunger caused most of them to return, while a few preferred death from starvation to the fate of their companions.[1]
During the greater part of the following year violent storms prevailed, and in the month of August the epidemic called matlazahuatl made its appearance in Tacuba, and spread with rapidity over the whole country.[2] This terrible disease was similar to that of 1576, which carried off some two millions of natives.[3]
After being relieved from office as viceroy, Vizarron remained in charge of the primacy until the day of his death,[4] and was succeeded in 1749 by archbishop Dr Manuel Joseph Rubio y Salinas, who presided over the affairs of the church no less ably than had his predecessor.[5] He died, after a successful ad-
- ↑ More particulars about this insurrection may be found in Rodriguez, Cart. Hist., 43-6; Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 107-8. In 1737 a Guaima Indian was hanged for inciting the natives to revolt, pretending to be a prophet. At the execution the natives were much astonished that the Spaniards did not turn into stone. Alaman, Disert., iii. app. 56.
- ↑ The cholera morbus of 1833 also broke out in August, at the time when Herschel's comet was expected, though this was not visible in Mexico till Oct. 11, 1835. Bustamante, in Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 137. The epidemic of 1736-7 was also ascribed to the appearance of a comet. In the city of Mexico the deaths amounted to 40,000, according to Alaman, and Cabrera gives 54,000 for Puebla. Alegre claims that in the province of Mexico one third of the population perished, and Villa-Señor states that many towns remained deserted. A remarkable circumstance was that Teutitlan, Ayahualica, Hueyacocotlan, and Notchixtlan in the bishopric of Oajaca, though surrounded by infected towns remained free from contagion. The Spaniards, as usual, suffered less than the Indians. See also Alegre, Hist. Comp., iii. 261-8; Panes, Vireyes, MS., 113-15; Doc. Ecles. Mex., MS., ii. pt. i. 133; Alzate, Gazeta Lit., ii. 97.
- ↑ Our Lady of Guadalupe was supposed to have caused the disappearance of the epidemic. She was therefore declared the patron saint of the city of Mexico, and in later years of the whole country. Alaman, Disert., iii. app. 56.
- ↑ He made a report of the condition of the country and the different branches of the administration to the king, and died Feb. 25, 1747. See Vizarron y Eguiarreta, 4-7, 85-92, in Vireyes de Mex. Instruc., 1st ser. nos. 18, 19; Actos Secretos, in Doc. Ecles. Méx., MS., i. pt. i. v.; Villa-Señor y Sanchez, Theatro, i. 17-19; Alaman, Disert., iii. app. 56; Castro, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., 1st ser., iv. 76-7.
- ↑ This prelate, related to the most prominent nobility of Spain, was born
