The appointment of the duke of Veraguas as viceroy of New Spain had been made more with a view of distinguishing that personage than from political reasons. Foreseeing that in all probability his rule would be only of short duration, the queen regent sent by the same fleet which carried him a sealed letter to the inquisition with instructions for its delivery to the audiencia as soon as his decease should occur. In compliance with this order the document was presented on the 13th of December 1673, and it was learned that Fray Payo Enriquez de Pivera was appointed successor.[1]
The new ruler was a native of Seville, and the son of the duke of Alcalá, viceroy of Naples.[2] In 1628 he professed in the Augustinian order, and having studied in Salamanca, and obtained the degrees of master of philosophy and theology, held subsequently several important offices in Spain till 1657, when he was presented to the see of Guatemala,[3] and thence in 1667 promoted to that of Michoacan. But before reaching his new diocese he learned of his appointment to the archbishopric of Mexico,[4] where he arrived toward the end of June 1668,[5] the see having been vacant since the death of his predecessor, Marcos Ramirez de Prado.[6] The latter having been previously bishop of Michoacan for nearly twenty-six
- ↑ Doubts having arisen whether he was also vested with the presidency of the audiencia, a cédula from Spain, which arrived in February 1675, settled the question by appointing him president. Robles, Diario, i. 177.
- ↑ His name is differently given by the various authorities. Lorenzana, in Concilios Prov., 1555-65, 291, calls him Fray Payo de Rivera. In Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 241, the name has been reversed to Payo de Rivera Enriquez. The same author, following apparently a version of the Dicc. Univ., iii. 207, says he was a natural son.
- ↑ See Hist. Cent. Am., ii. 667-8, this series, for his career as bishop of that diocese.
- ↑ Sosa, Episcop. Mex., 142, makes him bishop of Chiapas and bishop elect of Michoacan at the time of his promotion to the see of Mexico. Zamacois. Hist. Méj., V. 422, says Rivera was then in Michoacan.
- ↑ The appointments being always made optional, his pall did not arrive till October, 1670. Two months later, on the 8th of December, he was formally installed as archbishop.
- ↑ He was a Franciscan and a native of Spain, but being of an advanced age, succumbed to the change of climate, when he proceeded from Michoacan to Mexico. His piety seems to have been equalled by his charity, and great
