220 



FAMINE EARTHQUAKE. 



tion of his command in New Spain, Galve had the satisfaction to 

 despatch from Vera Cruz the colony and garrison which were to 

 occupy and defend this stronghold. 



In 1694, the capital and the adjacent province were once more 

 afflicted with scarcity, and to this was added the scourge of an 

 epidemic that carried thousands to the grave. In the following 

 year a dreadful earthquake shook the city of Mexico, on the night 

 of the 24th of August, and at seven o'clock of the following morn- 

 ing. But amid all these afflictions, which were regarded by multi- 

 tudes as specially sent by the hand of God to punish the people for 

 their sins, the authorities managed to preserve order throughout 

 the country, and in 1695, sent large reinforcements for the expedi- 

 tion which the English and Spaniards united in fitting out against 

 the French who still maintained their hold on the island of His- 

 paniola. This adventure was perfectly successful. The combined 

 forces assaulted the Gauls with extraordinary energy, and bore off 

 eighty-one cannons as trophies of their victorious descent. The 

 checquered administration of the Conde de Galve was thus satis- 

 factorily terminated, and he returned to Spain after eight years of 

 government, renowned for the equity and prudence of his adminis- 

 tration during a period of unusual peril. 



