Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/202

182 The appointment of the duke of Veraguas as viceroy of New Spain had been made more with a view of distinguishing that personage than from political reasons. Foreseeing that in all probability his rule would be only of short duration, the queen regent sent by the same fleet which carried him a sealed letter to the inquisition with instructions for its delivery to the audiencia as soon as his decease should occur. In compliance with this order the document was presented on the 13th of December 1673, and it was learned that Fray Payo Enriquez de Pivera was appointed successor.

The new ruler was a native of Seville, and the son of the duke of Alcalá, viceroy of Naples. In 1628 he professed in the Augustinian order, and having studied in Salamanca, and obtained the degrees of master of philosophy and theology, held subsequently several important offices in Spain till 1657, when he was presented to the see of Guatemala, and thence in 1667 promoted to that of Michoacan. But before reaching his new diocese he learned of his appointment to the archbishopric of Mexico, where he arrived toward the end of June 1668, the see having been vacant since the death of his predecessor, Marcos Ramirez de Prado. The latter having been previously bishop of Michoacan for nearly twenty-six