CHAPTER XIV.
VICEROYS MONTAÑEZ AND MONTEZUMA.
1696-1701.
More Insurrections in the Capital — The Baratillo Suppressed — Narrow Escape of the Treasure Fleet — Another Famine — Montezuma Succeeds Montañez — Fair at Acapulco — Obsequies on the Death of Cárlos II. — Rejoicings at the Accession of Felipe V. — Montezuma Suspected of Disloyalty — A Worthy Ruler Deposed — Jesuit Expeditions to Lower California.
On the 27th of February 1696 Juan de Ortega Montañez, bishop of Michoacan, succeeded Galve as viceroy of New Spain, his rule lasting only until the 18th of December following.[1] Between 1662 and 1673 he was inquisitor of Mexico, and in the latter year was appointed bishop of Guadiana, but did not take possession of that see, since in 1675 he was promoted to the bishopric of Guatemala, and being consecrated the same year left Mexico in December. In 1682 he was again transferred, and assumed the prelacy of Michoacan two years later. A rigid disciplinarian in church government, he was no less exact in the performance of his political duties; and though zealous in maintaining the dignity of his rank, he was generous withal and kind-hearted.
Exactly one month after the instalment of Montañez a serious riot occurred, headed by the students
- ↑ In 1695 the conde de Cañete was appointed viceroy, but did not arrive, owing to his inability to pay 300,000 pesos which he had promised for the office. On the 21st of January 1696 a despatch was received appointing Dr Manuel Fernandez de Santa Cruz, the bishop of Puebla, viceroy, but he refused to accept the administration. A second despatch named Ortega as viceroy. Robles, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., 1st ser., iii. 140-1, 181, 186, 189-91.
