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DEPREDATIONS OF BRITISH CRUIZERS. 



Spaniards. The narrow, protective system of Spain, had, as we 

 have related in our introductory chapter, closed the colonial ports 

 against all vessels and cargoes that were not Spanish. This, 

 of course, was the origin of an extensive system of contraband, 

 which had doubtless done much to corrupt the character of the 

 masses, whilst it created a class of bold, daring and reckless men, 

 whose representatives may still be found, even at this day, in the 

 ports of Mexico and South America. This contraband trade not 

 only affected the personal character of the people, but naturally 

 injured the commerce and impaired the revenues of New Spain. 

 Accordingly the ministers in Madrid negotiated a treaty with 

 Charles II. of England, by which the sovereigns of the two nations 

 pledged themselves not to permit their subjects to trade in their 

 colonies. Notwithstanding the treaty, however, Governor Lynch, 

 of Jamaica, still allowed the equipment of privateers and smug- 

 glers, in his island, where they were furnished with the necessary 

 papers ; but the king removed him as soon as he was apprised of 

 the fact, and replaced the conniving official by a more discreet and 

 conscientious governor. Nevertheless the privateers and pirates 

 still continued their voyages, believing that this act of the British 

 government was not intended in good faith to suppress their 

 adventures, but simply to show Spain that in England treaties 

 were regarded as religiously binding upon the state and the 

 people. They did not imagine that the new governor would, 

 finally, enforce the stringent laws against them. But this per- 

 sonage permitted the outlaws to finish their voyages without 

 interference on the high seas, and the moment some of them landed, 

 they were hanged, as an example to all who were still willing to 

 set laws and treaties at defiance. 



In 1670, the prolonged Tarahumaric war was brought to a close, 

 by Nicolas Barraza. An Indian girl pointed out the place in 

 which the majority of the warriors might be surprised ; and, all the 

 passes being speedily seized and guarded, three hundred captives 

 fell into the victors' hands. In 1673, the viceroy departed for 

 Spain, after an unusually long and quiet reign of eight years. 



