LA CUEVA VICEROY. 



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Don Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva, 

 duque de alburquerque. 

 XXXIV. Viceroy of New Spain. 

 1702 — 1709. 



As soon as the Duke of Alburquerque assumed the government 

 of Mexico, he perceived that more than ordinary care was neces- 

 sary to consolidate a loyal alliance between the throne and its 

 American possessions, during the dangerous period in which por- 

 tions of Spain, in the old world, were armed and aroused against 

 the lawful authorities of the land. Accordingly the new viceroy 

 immediately strengthened the military arm of the colony, and ex- 

 tended the government of provinces and the custody of his strong- 

 holds and fastnesses to Spaniards upon whose fidelity he could im- 

 plicitly rely. Without these precautions, he, perhaps, justly feared 

 that notwithstanding the loyalty manifested in New Spain upon the 

 accession of Philip, the insubordination of certain parts of the 

 Spanish monarchy, at home, might serve as a bad example to the 

 American colonists, and, finally, result in a civil war that would 

 drench the land with blood. Besides this, the foreign fleets and 

 pirates were again beginning to swarm along the coasts, lying in 

 wait for the treasure which was annually despatched to Spain ; but 

 to meet and control these adventurers, the careful duke increased 

 the squadron of Barlovento, who was instructed to watch the coast 

 incessantly, and to lose no opportunity to make prizes of the ene- 

 my's vessels. 



Peace was thus preserved in New Spain both on land and water, 

 whilst the Jesuits of California still continued their efforts, unaided 

 by the government, whose resources were drained for the wars of 

 the old world. Thus, after eight years of a strong but pacific reign, 

 during which he saved New Spain from imitating the disgraceful 

 dissensions of the parent state, the Duke of Alburquerque resigned 

 his government into the hands of the Duke of Linares. 



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