so as to decrease the suffering and induce people to return. Raised sidewalks or causeways were constructed along the houses, canoe traffic was increased, and medical aid provided. In 1634 came a series of earthquake shocks which rent the valley in different directions, and assisted greatly to draw off the water. This was claimed by the native and creole population as a miracle performed by their favorite, the virgin of Guadalupe, while the Spaniards stoutly attributed it to their patron, she of Remedios, intimating that the mediation of the other image had so far effected no good. The dispute between the votaries became quite hot,[1] though they might more reasonably have cursed the agency which, having it within its power to deliver them, had kept them in misery so long. With this occurrence the city saw herself once more free from the lake; and now haste was made to clean the streets and dredge the canals, for to the obstructions in these channels was partly attributed slow drainage.[2]
During the excitement consequent upon the first flood, enemies of the Jesuits sought to direct popular feeling: against them as having broken the dams. Investigation revealed that Martinez, the engineer of the drainage tunnel, had closed this outlet on beholding the vast flow of water, confident that its force and accompanying debris would merely destroy his works, while the latter would be inadequate under the circumstances to aid in saving Mexico. The Jesuits were cleared, but Martinez had to languish for a time in prison for acting without permission.[3]
The importance of drainage and diversion of tributary waters became now more generally admitted, and
- ↑ As Betrani, Mex., ii. 67-8, eagerly points out.
- ↑ The new viceroy Cadereita gave impulse to these operations. Cavo places the cost at 14,000 pesos, which must be a misprint. Cepeda mentions 34,000 for certain work, and Vetancurt, Chrón., 121, states that the Franciscans accomplished, with Indian aid, for 90,000 what others estimated at 140,000. Algate speaks of relics of this period, found in the beginning of this century, under the raised causeways. Gaceta, ii. 124-5.
- ↑ He was also ill provided with funds for work on the tunnel. Cepeda, Rel., pt. ii. 26. It was charged that he had closed the tunnel on purpose to raise the estimation of its value. Humboldt, Essai Pol., i. 214.
