Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/386

366 del comercio was intrusted with the preservation of public order at the capital, which service it had rendered, on several previous occasions of danger, free of all cost to the royal treasury.

The viceroy visited Anton Lizardo and Alvarado, and caused provisional batteries to be erected to protect the entrance of the bar, and floating: batteries. A hospital was likewise made ready, and barracks for the troops. Every possible measure was adopted to meet the impending attack.

The whole force put under arms remained in active service till all danger had passed, peace having been concluded between the belligerents soon after. The news of peace was brought by a British man-of-war, which found some difficulty in gaining admittance into port; but becoming satisfied of the truth of the report, the authorities finally greeted her with the usual honors. On the 25th of February, 1763, arrived in Vera Cruz the British frigate Trent with the Spanish prisoners captured by the English in the siege of Habana, and a copy of the preliminaries of peace. In September of the same year came several small vessels conveying the garrison, officials, vecinos, and two bands of Indians from Pensacola, which place, by order of the captain-general of Cuba, had been surrendered to the English. The energetic measures taken and personally supervised by the marqués de Cruíllas for the defence of New Spain were highly appreciated, and rewarded by the crown.