The last days of Montañez' administration were days of mourning caused by news of the death of the queen of Spain. For three weeks the city was draped with funeral emblems, and religious observances were held in honor of the dead.[1]
In October intelligence reached New Spain that José Sarmiento Valladares, conde de Montezuma, had been appointed viceroy. Connected with the dukes of Lessa, this ruler obtained his title by marriage with Gerónima María, a lineal descendant of the Mexican emperor, and third countess of Montezuma.[2] Accompanied by his wife he took possession of the government on the 18th of December, and on the 2d of February following made his public entry into the city.[3]
During January and February the attendance at the annual fair at Acapulco was unusually large. The galleon from the Philippines arrived safely with so large and valuable a cargo that eighty thousand pesos were paid in custom duties. Merchants from all parts of New Spain hastened to the fair; but what caused the assembly to be so numerous this year, and trading so brisk, was the arrival of a forty-two gun frigate, with a number of Peruvian merchants, who brought with them two million pesos for the purchase of Chinese goods.[4]
While wealth was thus flowing into the country the
- ↑ Robles, Diario, ii. 205-8.
- ↑ The viceroy's wife was descended from Pedro Johualicahuatzin, whose son accompanied Martin Cortés, the second marqués del Valle, to Spain, where he married Francisca de la Cueva. Vetancvrt, Teatro Mex., pt. ii. 51-2.
- ↑ While passing under the triumphal arch erected near the church of Santo Domingo, the viceroy's horse shied and threw him. 'Y se le cayó la cabellera.' Robles, Diario, ii. 211. This occurrence augured, it was said, that his administration would be far from prosperous.
- ↑ Many of the visitors died as usual from the effects of the climate. The fair closed on February the 25th, on which day and the following severe shocks of earthquake caused much damage in Acapulco and the city of Mexico. Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 89.
November 4, 1697, a royal cédula was issued ordering that in future they should be compelled if necessary to produce all surplus grain. Providencias Reales, MS., 79-80; Cédulas Reales, MS., 161.
