effected with the utmost possible economy to the royal treasury, and it is a well known fact that his remittances of treasure during his short rule amounted to about fifty million pesos, without delays or burdening the people with extra taxation.[1] But all his wisdom and valuable services could not save him from the constant fault-finding of the all-powerful José de Galvez, ministro universal de Indias. He had incurred the enmity of that dignitary, it seems, because he had been called to the viceroyalty, an office which the minister had intended should fall to his brother, Matías de Galvez; but Bucareli's death took place sooner than was expected, and before Matías de Galvez had been commissioned as president of Guatemala.[2] Whatever the motive, Mayorga was the victim of the minister's ill-concealed resentment.
In November, 1781, there arrived in Mexico Francisco Saavedra,[3] a person who later, though but for a short time, became one of the ministers of state in Spain. He made it appear that he held some authority from the court. The common people believed him to be a royal prince travelling incognito. As he presented a grave demeanor, and never gave public offence, a certain mystery and respect surrounded him.
The viceroy's unpopularity at court was soon known in Mexico, and there were not wanting those to take advantage of it. Even the audiencia of Mexico with whom he had endeavored to maintain cordial relations, tried to interfere with his action; but in a dignified manner he upheld his authority. The regente of the audiencia of Guadalajara, Eusebio Sanchez Pareja, took upon himself the title of captain-general, and required the commissioner sent by Mayorga to attend
- ↑ The calls of the war on him were large, but with the assistance of the real consulado he was enabled timely to meet them. Panes, Vir., in Monum. Dom. Esp., MS., 125; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, i. 147.
- ↑ Bustamante, Suplem., in Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 42; Alaman, Disert., iii. app. 71.
- ↑ Mayorga announced it in a letter to the minister of state. It was believed that Saavedra came to spy the viceroy's acts. Bustamante, Suplem., in Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 42.
