MONTESCLAROS VICEROY INUNDATION ALBAE.RADA. 177 



the midst of civilization and hastened back to the capital to give 

 a bad report of the country which in our day and generation has 

 become the El Dorado of the world. 



The Conde de Monterey, was transferred to the viceroyalty of 

 Peru in 1603, and left the capital amid the general grief of a 

 society whose cordial esteem he seems to have won and retained 

 during his whole administration. 



Don Juan de Mendoza y Luna, Marques de Montesclaros, 

 X. Viceroy of New Spain. 

 1603 — 1607. 



The advent of the Marques de Montesclaros to the viceroyalty 

 of New Spain was distinguished by an unusual degree of tran- 

 quillity throughout the colony. During the preceding adminis- 

 trations most of the subjects of internal discontent were set at 

 rest, and the aborigines who had been subjected to the yoke were 

 now becoming accustomed to bear it. In 1604, the abundant 

 rains in the valley of Mexico during the month of August, caused 

 an inundation which greatly alarmed the population. The city and 

 adjacent country were laid under water, and such was the general 

 distress that the Marques solicited the opinions of skilful persons 

 in regard to the canal of Huehuetoca, which had heretofore been 

 spoken of as the only means of freeing the capital from destruction 

 by the swollen flood of the lakes. The reports made to him, 

 however, represented the enterprise as one of immense labor and 

 expense, as well as requiring a great length of time for its comple- 

 tion. He therefore abandoned the project for the present, and 

 merely repaired the albarrada or dyke which Velasco had already 

 constructed. In addition to this precautionary measure he caused 

 the calzadas, or raised turnpikes of Guadalupe and San Cristoval 

 to be constructed, which, whilst they led to the open country be- 

 yond the city, served, also, as additional barriers against the waters. 

 After the completion of these highways, he next directed his at- 

 tention to those of San Antonio and Chapultepec, which were 

 quickly finished, and merited the name of "Roman works," for 

 the massive strength and durability of their construction. Various 

 other useful municipal works, such as aqueducts and sewers, en- 

 gaged the notice of the viceroy until, in 1607 ; and after the 

 proclamation of the Prince of Asturias ( Philip IV. ) by order of the 

 king, he was ordered to pass from Mexico to Peru where he was 

 charged with the duties of the viceroyalty. 



