Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/391

Rh work, and as the inspector-general of cavalry. Lastly, he was called to be governor and captain-general of Cuba, where he again rendered valuable services to the crown, which were rewarded with the promotion to the viceroyalty of New Spain, Nor was this the only reward. He was not only permitted to grant offices to twelve of his friends and attaches, a privilege that had been withheld for some years from his predecessors, but was given by royal order of January 22, 1777, an increase of $20,000 a year above what had been the viceroy's salary, making it $80,000, as a mark of special favor.

The newly appointed viceroy left Habana August 14, 1771, and arrived at Vera Cruz on the 23d; started thence September 9th, and travelling slowly, via Antigua, Rinconada, Plan del Rio, Jalapa, Vigas, Perote, Haciendas de Soto, Tonquito and San Diego, Piedras Negras, Buenavista, Apam, Otumba, and San Cristóbal, accomplished the journey of 84 leagues to the capital on the 23d. This route was the shortest as well as most convenient, avoiding the entry into Tlascala and Puebla, in both of which cities the municipal authorities and people, particularly the Indians of the former, would have insisted on entertaining the viceroy, and their wishes could not well have been slighted, entailing upon him the delay of two or three days at each place, and upon those communities expenditures that would have weighed heavily on them for a long time. At San Cristóbal the real audiencia and other officials, among them the representatives of the city of Mexico, paid their homage to the incoming ruler, who received the baton of command from his predecessor the 22d of September, whereupon the city authorities escorted him to the capital. His public reception was magnificent, for the citizens believed him deserving.