Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/278

258 The flota was richly laden this year, and its departure was postponed until long after the usual date. Although the fault of the officials, it was a fortunate circumstance, for soon it was known that a French squadron had been cruising for many weeks off Habana in the hope of capturing the treasure ships. So long was the fleet detained, however, that the enemy supposed their plans discovered, and on the same day the Spanish vessels sailed from Vera Cruz they turned their prows toward Europe.

The famine which had occurred during the reign of Galve was not yet at an end. From all parts of the country natives thronged to the capital, begging for help to save their families from starving. The mule load of corn which usually sold for six reales had now risen to ten pesos; and other provisions were proportionately high. Cattle perished in large numbers for want of water, and even poultry dropped dead at the homestead door. Every exertion was made by the viceroy and clergy to relieve the prevailing distress. Ecclesiastics of the city even sold their books in order to supply food to those in need, but in the country thousands were left to starve. The rural clergy seem to have acquired the passion for wealth which marked the encomenderos, and during this period of suffering they withheld the corn which had been sown, reaped, and gathered into their garners by the natives.