indicated to him the necessity of a more generous treatment of the Indians, and the measures which he adopted for their relief during times of scarcity were energetic and effective. He caused, moreover, the fortifications of the city, which were in a wretched condition, to be put in a better state of defence, while measures were also taken for the protection of the coast during war time.
During his administration physical phenomena from time to time caused distress and damage. Earthquakes destroyed houses and occasioned loss of life; and an eruption of the volcano Popocatepetl in 1697 caused much destruction in the surrounding country. The same year the capital was again inundated, owing to the unusually heavy rains, whereupon the viceroy, aided by contributions, caused the drainage and sewers to be put in order and improved. Indeed, in all cases of calamity he was ever prompt in devising means of relief. Though for political reasons the king may have deemed it prudent to recall him, it cannot be denied that he did his utmost for the welfare of New Spain.[1]
It was during the administration of Montezuma that the pacification of Lower California was begun by the Jesuits. The settlement of this country had been frequently attempted during the last century, but no success had attended previous efforts. Expedition after expedition under different leaders, most notable among whom were Ortega, Casanate, and Otondo, had successively failed,[2] and in 1686 the audiencia
- ↑ In 1699 Cárlos II., by cédula of the 27th of February, granted to Montezuma and his heirs a pension of 4,000 ducados, with the title of duke of Atlixco. This grant was ratified by Felipe V. in 1704, and again by Fernando VI. in 1752. Reales Cédulas, MS., 10-11, 30-42. In Certif. de las Mercedes, MS., 181-2, the amount is given as 4,000 pesos, and the date of the cédula as February 17, 1699. The income was payable from Indian tributes in Peru, Guatemala, and Campeche. Later orders made it payable from tributes collected in Yucatan. The duquesa de Atlixco was the last heir to whom it was paid, probably in 1758.
- ↑ For full particulars of these expeditions see Hist. N. Mex. States, i. 153 et seq., this series.
