Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/190

170 Franciscan order was put in charge of the work, and earnest efforts were made for its completion. Although this was not accomplished, greater progress was made than under any of his predecessors, and at a smaller cost. The work was confirmed by his successor, the archbishop Ribera, and concluded in the middle of 1675, inundations which occurred meanwhile having caused operations to be pushed with vigor. A te deum was sung in the cathedral, and other solemnities celebrated the event.

The viceroy's attention was now directed to financial and military affairs, both of which were in a deplorable condition, owing to the indolence and dishonesty of previous rulers. Convinced that the creation of new imposts would not check the evil, and only add new burdens to those under which the inhabitants were already laboring, he began his reforms by improving the administration of the treasury department. When he arrived he not only found the strong-box empty, but was faced by a considerable amount of debts, contracted in preceding years, when the expenses had always exceeded the income. Exercising a strict vigilance, and submitting the officials to frequent inspections, he put an end to the peculations which had been committed in all the different branches