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352 the capital on December 20th of the same year. He was consecrated by the bishop of Puebla Lardizábal y Elorza, assisted by the bishops of Yucatan and Caracas, who were on a visit to Mexico at the time, and took charge of the ecclesiastical government on the 21st of May 1731, receiving the pallium on the 13th of January 1732. The pastoral administration of the archbishop, which lasted sixteen years, was one of the most peaceful and prosperous recorded in the annals of the Mexican church; and concerning his reign as viceroy, it may be said that he was in every way a worthy successor to Casafuerte; he sent more treasure to Spain than any previous viceroy, without oppressing the people, draining the country of the precious metals, or diminishing the amount usually held in reserve at Mexico.

Though near the close of his administration war was again declared between Spain and England; New Spain remained undisturbed by foreign aggression; on the other hand, we have to record for this period some internal troubles and calamities. The negro and other slaves of the town and vicinity of Córdoba had long meditated revolt, when in 1735 a rumor was circulated by a mulatto that all slaves had been declared free by the king, and that they were now unlawfully kept in bondage by the Spaniards. A general uprising followed in the month of June; and though some of the more timid remained with their masters, the majority, being supplied in secret with arms of every description, gathered and fortified themselves on the hacienda called Omealca, protected by the Rio Blanco and the mountains. The militia of Vera Cruz,