Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/193

Rh were also sent against British corsairs near Campeche, and in the Laguna de Términos, but their operations were confined to the destruction of some settlements on the coast, as the deep draught and unwieldy shape of the Spanish ships prevented them from pursuing the enemy in the shallow water.

In matters of local interest, as well as in the affairs of state, Mancera proved himself a zealous ruler. Aroused by the comments made in Europe on the slow progress of the cathedral building of Mexico, he set to work energetically to hasten its completion. In 1573, as already mentioned, the construction of a temple worthy the high rank which the capital of New Spain occupied among all the colonies of the crown, had been commenced. The grandeur of its plan was, however, equalled only by the dilatoriness with which it was executed. In 1615 only part of the outer walls had been finished, but in 1623 the vaults of the main sacristy were ready, and three years later the old cathedral was pulled down; the host was transferred to the new building, and divine service performed there. From that time progress was slow, and the great inundation of 1629 caused it to be entirely interrupted till toward the end of 1635, when work was resumed with zeal by Viceroy Cadereita, and continued with good results by his successors.

The activity of Alva de Liste, who brought the completion within the reach of probability as was generally said, and in whose time the construction of a tower over the ciborium was begun, was, however, eclipsed by that of the duke of Alburquerque. Owing to the latter's personal interest, his frequent pecuniary