Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/659

Rh the last appointed viceroy of New Spain, Martin Enriquez de Almansa, knight of Santiago, brother of the marqués de Alcañices and the marchioness de Poza. He was, moreover, connected with the highest nobility of Spain, among whom was the famous duque de Candia, who became the second general of the Jesuits, as successor to Ignatius de Loyola, and after his death was canonized as St Francis Borgia. He bore the reputation of a man of sterling character, whose amiable and charitable disposition was united with firmness, and who possessed good administrative abilities. Enriquez was much alarmed at seeing his master's dominion in the hands of a foreigner. He wished to bring the fleet into port; he had been long confined on shipboard and he desired to land. Moreover he had come to rule at Mexico, and not to be shot at Vera Cruz. Hence, when Hawkins sent the Spanish commander word that he had no intention of inflicting injury on any one, least of all on honest and courteous Spanish gentlemen; that he had only fired from habit, or by way of bull-dog salute; that he had permission of the audiencia to purchase at that port certain necessaries; and that as soon as his ships were repaired he would gladly depart — Enriquez listened. The commander answered bluntly that he would hold no intercourse whatever with Hawkins until he should be allowed peaceably to enter the port. Enriquez, however, who thought a viceroy's wits should equal at least those of a pirate, was quite ready to enter into negotiations. Then Hawkins said that if the Spaniards would pledge him their honor and good faith to permit him to depart in peace as soon as he should have completed his repairs, they might enter unmolested. The viceroy agreed, and an exchange of