Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/30

10 by a canal to Rio Tula. On May 15, 1608, the first canal was completed, and on September 17th water passed through the tunnel in presence of the viceroy, amidst the rejoicings of the colonists who had reason to be proud of an engineering feat so rare at that time. It was not long, however, before the inefficiency of the work became apparent, the conduit being too small, on too high a level, and so poorly vaulted and faced as frequently to choke with its own debris. The efforts to remedy the latter defect proved of no avail, and it was even proposed to construct another channel, for which, in 1611, Alonso de Arias made surveys. Martinez could not well be held to answer, for he had submitted other more thorough plans than the cheap and speedy one adopted. Three years later the celebrated Dutch engineer. Boot, reported in favor of the ancient Aztec dike system for the capital, on the ground that the southern lakes were fully as dangerous as the northern. Martinez agreed to some of his views, but insisted that it was above all necessary to maintain the tunnel outlet.