Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/41

Rh cock-pit. Such conduct on the part of the viceroy and his family, though fascinating at first, could not fail to produce the same effect as the over-scrupulous proceeding of his predecessor; the halo of royalty which had protected viceregal authority for centuries was dimmed, and the respect formerly offered to Casafuerte, Revilla Gigedo, and others was now with held.

All the same the viceroy managed to accumulate a large fortune, consisting of coin, jewels, and plate, which was a great comfort, and this notwithstanding his extravagance and the enormous expenses of his court, which far exceeded his salary of sixty thousand pesos.

The desire to visit the rich mines of Guanajuato was obviously natural; he wished to see whence came the wealth he coveted. Without precedent in this respect, and without royal permission, Iturrigaray set out on this journey by way of Queretaro, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. The inhabitants of these regions, who had never beheld a viceroy, were over awed by the magnificence of his appearance, and thousands assembled to pay their respects. His arrival at the city of Guanajuato was celebrated by a triumphal procession and festivities. Among the presents graciously accepted by him was one of a thousand ounces of gold, upon the occasion of his inspection of the Rayas and Valenciana mines. Mining operators soon discovered how to gain the