Spain he proved himself well fitted for the position. The abuses which his predecessor had permitted in the management of the public water-works and the granary were corrected; crime was severely punished; and frequent public sessions were held, often presided over by the viceroy himself.[1] The affairs of the royal treasury, of late a mine of wealth for unscrupulous officials, were reorganized, but Palafox himself did not draw any of the salary due him as visitador and viceroy.
Vera Cruz and Acapulco were fortified according to orders from Spain, the duties of maestre de campo more clearly defined, and twelve new companies of militia organized for purposes of defence. The viceroy then directed his attention to the improvement of ecclesiastical and educational matters. He made reforms in the affairs of the church, visited the convents, framed statutes for the university, and, though a protector of the Indians, was sometimes severe in his endeavor to outroot such superstitions as still lingered in their minds. To that end a number of ancient statues and idols, kept by preceding viceroys as tokens of victory, were demolished.[2]
In the mean time a new viceroy had been appointed by the crown, and to him Palafox delivered the reins of power, after a rule of five months,[3] during which brief term he gave unquestionable proof of ability and disinterestedness. By order of the king, he gave to his successor a collection of 'instructions' to guide
- ↑ 'Dió audiencia. . .en que hablaban en dos dias cuantos no habian podido hablar á S. E. en dos años.' Palafox, el Ven. Señor, 23.
- ↑ This iconoclasm has been severely censured, and justly so, because a number of curious and doubtless valuable relics have thus disappeared. If he had simply put them among other objects of idol-worship, the bishop would also have attained his purpose and remained exempt from the just charge of intolerance and fanaticism.
- ↑ Touron is in error when he states that Palafox ruled three years as viceroy. Hist. Gen, Amérique, vii. 361.
Ribera, confine themselves to a mere statement of the facts, without expressing their opinions. In addition to the authorities already quoted I refer the reader for more details to Vetancurt, Trat. Mex., 14; Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 11-15; Alegre, Hist. Comp. Jesus, ii. 237-8; Alaman, Disert., iii. app. 28-9; Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 132-41.
