tration, the government had paid the pensions of Doña Juana de Zúñiga, the dowager marchioness, and of her brother the friar Antonio,
The marquis died the 13th of August, 1589. It is believed that the sentence of exile in the case of Martin, Doña Marina's son, was never carried out. On the 17th of March, 1568, he was still living in his own house, as appears in a petition asking for an extension of the time he was allowed to enjoy that place as his prison. As he was in bad health it is likely the petition was granted, and he was troubled no more after Muñoz was dismissed. Nothing further is known of him or his family. It is probable that he left no legitimate descendants. Luis Cortés returned to Mexico after the acquittal of the marquis in 1574, and lived almost in obscurity. He never took part again in public affairs, and at his death left to his descendants the name of Cortés de Hermosilla.
exception of the seignorial privileges, the Spanish córtes having abolished all such. Upon the independence of Mexico the estates were sequestered a fourth time, for a while, during Iturbide's short imperial sway. In 1833 they were declared national property, and in 1834 restored to the owner. Such has been the devious course of tenure in the Cortés estates. Terranova y Monteleone, Espos., 63; Mora, Mej. Rev., iii. 226-7; Datos Biog., in Cartas de Ind., 858; Alaman, Disert., ii. 171.
I would here offer my tribute of respect for the prominent writer and accomplished scholar Manuel Orozco y Berra. Probably no Mexican historian of modern times has been so generally held in high esteem both by his countrymen and by scholars everywhere. Enjoying the fullest facilities, with the confidence of the government, and of all who held in possession materials for history; with a sound mind, a facile pen, and a generous sympathy for the just and humane on all questions relating to society and civilization, he was a man of whose name his country may well be proud.
Most important in writing the present chapter, and a work I have freely used, is his Noticia Histórica de la Conjuracion del Marqués del Valle, Años de 1565-1568, Mex. 1853, 8vo, xii. 72, 505 pp. It contains an historical account of the affair which has hitherto somewhat improperly been known as the Martin Cortés conspiracy, some having attributed it to the second marqués del Valle. A sketch of his early life is also given, accompanied by copies of the legal processes against the persons implicated, including the deposed viceroy, the marques de Falces. I notice that the greater part of the legal proceedings, many of the answers of witnesses, and the pleadings of the accusation and defence are omitted, probably on the ground that they would have
