Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/549

Rh I have in Mendoza," he used to say, "a good Christian, a prudent person, and of excellent qualities; but after all he is human, and a man of the century; wealth he covets, and has need of it, for many are the relatives, friends, and servants for whom he must provide."

The great calamity which had thus befallen the natives of New Spain, the restitution of a measure which had wrought them such injustice was not their sole affliction at this juncture. The epidemics which had now and then appeared in various parts of the country broke out again in 1545 and spread with rapidity. The disease, hitherto unknown, was called by the natives matlazahuatl. Six months this terrible scourge lasted, during which time, it is alleged, some eight hundred thousand natives perished.

Mendoza, the royal officials, and the friars of the different orders did their utmost to alleviate suffering. It was said that the pestilence was caused by supernatural phenomena; and according to Cavo it was allayed by the prayers and religious exercises of Bishop Zumárraga.

Father Domingo de Betanzos had predicted the total destruction of the native races of New Spain, within a comparatively short period, notwithstanding the wholesome laws enacted by the crown. Indeed, it was at no time difficult to predict that what disease failed to do, forced labor in the mines, on farms, and