Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/407

Rh to the palace was adorned with triumphal arches, bearing descriptive devices of his military prowess against the English, and his wise administrative acts in Central America. The services of the Galvez were compared in emblems and verse with those of the Vespasian family in ancient Rome. On the same day he took the oath of office, before the real acuerdo, administered to him by Regente Herrera.

With the conclusion of peace between Spain and England Galvez was free to devote his attention to public affairs. Many improvements in the capital and elsewhere were made; he was zealous in the king's service, and jealous of anything that might prove detrimental to the authority of his sovereign. Hence his disapproval of the aid given the revolted colonies of North America to attain their independence, and of the treaties afterward concluded with them. He foresaw dangers to Spanish domination in America from the presence of a democratic republic. Amidst high duties well performed came death. On the 16th of September, 1784, he lay ill at Tacubaya, unable to sign his name, and some Indians brought him to the city on a litter. After receiving the sacrament and executing his last will, he breathed his last the 3d of November. The 4th being the king's birthday, the remains could not be laid in state, so the ceremony was postponed to the next day, when the death was promulgated by firing three guns; after that, one gun was fired every half hour till the morning of the 8th, when the funeral cortége left the palace for the