Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/200

180 The fleet, then at anchor, suffered also to a great extent; one of the larger vessels broke her chains and was driven on a reef, where she was lost with all her cargo, while two smaller ones foundered. Two years later, in the middle of 1667, earthquakes began to alarm the population, but although the first on July 30th is said to have somewhat injured the tower of the church of Santa Clara at Mexico, and the cathedral of Puebla, subsequent shocks, which occurred at smaller or greater intervals till May 1668, seem to have caused little damage.

A more serious affliction, however, was threatened by a failure of the crops of maize and cacao in the year 1673, producing a famine which caused great hardship to the natives. The viceroy in unison with the city council strove to alleviate the evil, introducing into Mexico grain from other parts. While thus engaged he learned that his successor, the duke of Veraguas, had arrived; and in consequence laid down the government on the 9th of November 1673. A few days later he left the city for Otumba, where he had an interview with the new ruler. He also gave him, by order of the king, a full report upon the condition of the country, together with suggestions for its government.

About the beginning of April 1674 the marquis set