Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/387

Rh Experience had taught the necessity of a strict supervision by the crown over the management of the treasury. The court, therefore, directed Francisco Armona to come to New Spain as visitador general to inspect and arrange the administration of the royal revenues. The king's minister, Arriaga, sent the viceroy the instructions under which the visitador was to act, and ordered him to aid that officer in every possible way. Armona, who had been given five assistants, died on the passage out, and José de Galvez, an intendente of the royal army, was chosen for the position. He came out in 1761, and before he had fairly begun the discharge of his duties a disagreement sprang up with the viceroy who refused to recognize certain powers claimed by the visitador. Thereupon the latter, referring the questions to the crown, led a retired life and awaited the final decision. The fleet of 1764 brought him powers independent of the viceroy, almost unlimited ones, which the latter could not ignore.

Galvez was endowed with talents of a high order, a sterling fearless character, indomitable will, and uncommon industry, united to great experience in affairs. He has been charged with a harsh, despotic, rancorous disposition, that never tempered justice with clemency, but there were deeply rooted abuses to