rounding the city; and the lowlands of the Huehuetoca, distant about ten leagues, were chosen as the most suitable place into which to carry the water.[1]
In the midst of the viceroy's efforts at drainage, orders arrived from the court at Madrid relieving him of his office, pursuant to his repeated requests, during the past four years, on the plea of ill health, and transferring him to Peru with the same rank and powers.[2] He surrendered the government to his successor October 4, 1580.
Suggestions had been made between 1570 and 1580 to Philip and his council, probably by command, for the better government of the Indies. It was urged that viceroys should hold office no longer than twelve years, and oidores, alcaldes de corte, and other judicial officers, as well as the chief treasury officials, only six; and that all, without exception, should have their official conduct strictly investigated at the end of their respective terms.[3] No more corregidores or lieutenants of such officers should be appointed,[4] but in place of them twelve alcaldes mayores, to reside in the chief cities, and yearly visit the towns in their respective districts, without ostentation and without laying burdens on the inhabitants.[5]
- ↑ Nothing more was done toward it. Cepeda, Rel., i. 6. The Indians were accused of attempting some time before 1572 to overflow the city; 'but they which should haue bene the doers of it were hanged: and euer since the city hath bene well watched both day and night.' Hawks' Rel., in Haklvyt's Voy., iii. 463.
- ↑ A previous request having been denied him, he repeated it in October 1576, alleging the same cause. Enriquez, Carta al Rey, in Cartas de Indias, 335, and fac-sim. T.
- ↑ In 1570 it was urged among other things that the viceroy should be directed to visit in person the chief town of each district or province, to make sure that the local authorities were true to their duties, for residencias, as then practised, were mere farces; the officials who had robbed the Indians always used the friars and others to intercede with the victims that they might prefer no charges; restitution was therefore never made: 'les echan frailes é ahutatos é otras personas, para que les rueguen que no les pidan coso alguna en residencia.' Robles, Memoriales, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xi. 5.
- ↑ They were in the habit of robbing the natives. Escobar, Carta, Felipe II., in Id., xi. 194.
- ↑ A royal order of October 2, 1575, forbade the oidores to take with them on such visits their wives, members of their own or of other families; or more
