self for his master, as he called the sovereign, whose orders were to be obeyed without cavil, and on the same principle he allowed no contradiction to his own authority as the king's lieutenant.[1]
The marquis took charge of his offices on the 25th of August 1766, which was the date of his entering the capital.[2] From that time he paid strict attention to his duties, doing all in his power for the improvement and defence of the country, the increase of its revenues, the development of knowledge, and all that might be expected from a conscientious ruler. With the visitador general, José de Galvez, he maintained the closest relations, supporting all his measures, as he had the fullest confidence in his ability and character. The marqués de Croix won for himself the name of an able viceroy, as well as of a pure, upright man. When he arrived he refused to accept the customary gifts, and called for higher pay from the crown, which was granted him. He was somewhat addicted to drink, and evil tongues called him a drunkard.[3] If this was so he was a better man drunk than was many another sober; at all events his measures showed that he was a very sensible man, and that they were planned by no clouded or besotted intellect.
- ↑ Anecdotes were related of him, which, if authentic, and they are given for what they may be worth, go to show that he possessed a vein of humor as well as force of character. Once while holding a command in Spain, the all powerful inquisition sent for him, and he obeyed the summons; but knowing the characters he had to deal with, took with him a squad of artillerymen and four cannon, which he stationed round the inquisitorial quarters, giving orders to his men, before entering the building, that if he did not come out in fifteen minutes they were to demolish it. The inquisitors on learning this dismissed him 'con muchas zalemas y carabanas,' and never troubled him again. Another time a bishop excommunicated him; and on being apprised that this meant cutting off relations between him and the faithful, he resolved to cut off relations of the faithful with the bishop, and laid siege with armed men to the episcopal palace to stop all ingress and egress as long as the excommunication should be in force. The next day the prelate raised the ban, and sent the marquis his apologies, whereupon the troops were removed. Correo Semanario (En° 10, 1827), i. 124-5.
- ↑ He was the first viceroy not to make a public entry, as his regularly commissioned predecessors had done. Panas, Vir., in Monum. Dom. Exp., MS., 50.
- ↑ His stock of wines and liquors was the finest in the country, and his table splendid. His expression of thanks to the sovereign for increase of pay and promotion was no warmer than when he was granted exemption
