of the department, and was able to leave it to his successor free of debts, and with an increased revenue. Besides attending strictly to all the remittances which then were made to the West India Islands, the Philippines, and in support of the various presidios, he still sent more than four million pesos to Spain.
After the death of Felipe IV., whose obsequies were celebrated in Mexico with becoming solemnity,[1] the queen-regent gave to her loyal subjects of New Spain a proof of confidence, not uncommon at that time, by appealing to them for voluntary donations to meet the increased expenses caused by the change in the government. Viceroy and archbishop immediately set the example[2] by subscribing a considerable amount, which in a short time was swelled to more than a hundred thousand pesos. It was only natural that such patriotism should be recognized, and the crown expressed its approval in several cédulas, the last of which, dated June 11, 1672, directed that the viceroy should instruct his successor as to his policy in financial matters.
Mancera's reforms in military affairs were less successful, chiefly in consequence of the lukewarm coöperation of the government in the mother country. The latter indeed issued on one occasion orders reducing the pensions and gratuitous subventions, and appropriated the amount thus saved to the support of a fleet,[3] but contradictory instructions, now directing the vessels to protect the coasts of New Spain and the islands, now recalling them to Spain, left the
- ↑ The king had died on September 17, 1665; his demise was published in Mexico the 26th of May 1666, and all persons were ordered under fine to put on mourning. Early in June the viceroy received the formal visits of condolence from the audiencia, inquisition, chapter of the cathedral, and the religious orders; funeral services were also held, but the exequies proper were not celebrated till July, when they lasted for about a month. After the beginning of November mourning was laid aside. Robles, Dairio, i. 18-27.
- ↑ The former by making a gift of 12,000, the latter one of 8,000 pesos.
- ↑ A royal cédula of July 3, 1669,. reduced all the pensions of 300 ducats or less to 200, and beyond that to one half of their original amount. None were to exceed 4,000 ducats, 'pues en esta forma es bastante la recompensa que. . .pueda recargar sobre el Real Patrimonio, quando se halla tan exausto.' Montemayor, Svmarios, 265-6.
