CHAPTER XXVI.
END OF MENDOZA'S RULE.
1547-1550.
General Improvements — Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce — Encouragement of Marriages — Aid to Peru — Conspiracy and Revolt — Chichimecs and Otomís — Conquest of Querétaro — Removal of Guadalajara — Coronado Returns — His Resignation — Audiencia at Compostela — Removal to Guadalajara — Discovery of Mines — Settlement of Zacatecas — The Archdiocese of Mexico — Death of Bishop Zumárraga — His Last Will — Character of the Prelate and the Man — A False Visitador's Audacity — Last Acts of the Viceroy — He is Appointed to Peru and is Superseded by Luis de Velasco — Mendoza's Departure for Peru — And his Death.
When the unwelcome visitador, Francisco Tello de Sandoval, had left the shores of New Spain, the colonists began to breathe more freely, feeling again somewhat secure concerning their encomiendas, and affairs fell into the old way. Viceroy Mendoza, notwithstanding his ambiguous Indian policy, showed a characteristic energy in other measures, such as the improvement of the capital, particularly in the way of water supply and macadamizing streets. Pursuant to royal orders, surveys were made along the Atlantic coast with the view of discovering a better harbor, but none being found, the one at old Vera Cruz was improved to some extent; a light-house on Pulpos Island was determined upon, and a tower begun. It was also contemplated for purposes of defence against the frequent uprising of the natives to erect fortresses in all the Spanish towns and settlements, but nothing seems to have been done in that
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