Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/161

Rh in Europe by the Spanish crown, communication with the mother country had become dangerous, and the peril of raids on the coast of New Spain increased. In order to guard against these inroads, the viceroy stationed some soldiers at Vera Cruz, and provided the fleets despatched to Spain with a force at least strong enough to leave them no longer at the mercy of the first pirate or man-of-war they might encounter. It was indeed necessary to take some precautions that the treasure remittances should reach Spain in safety. The money was greatly needed; for it was only by means of the contributions of the colonies, that the monarch was enabled to carry on the expensive wars which were to sustain the glory of Castile. The king was always hard pressed; and confident of the forbearance and patriotic zeal of his subjects in the New World, had seized about a million of pesos belonging to private persons, the amount having been remitted by the fleet of 1649. Viceroy Alva soon after his arrival informed the people of this proof of the confidence of their royal master, but at the same time assured them, under pledge of the royal word, that it would not be repeated, and that measures had even been taken to make repayment in redeemable warrants against the revenue, derived from the media anata.

During the last months of Viceroy Alva's rule, earthquake and drought visited the province of Mexico. The former disaster was portended by the appearance of a comet which was visible from the middle of December of 1652 till the first days of 1653. The shock was severely felt in the capital, and destroyed the walls of several buildings, causing greater damage