casa-fuerte's VIRTUOUS ADMINISTRATION LOUIS I. 229 



Don Juan de Acuna, Marques de Casa-Fuerte, 

 XXXVII. Viceroy of New Spain. 

 1722 — 1734. 



In recording these brief memorials of the viceroys of Mexico it 

 has been our purpose rather to mention the principal public events 

 that signalized their reigns, and developed or protected the na- 

 tion committed to their charge, than to trace the intrigues or ex- 

 hibit the misconduct of those functionaries and their courtiers. We 

 have abstained, therefore, from noticing many of the corrupt prac- 

 tices which crept into the . administration of Mexico, leaving such 

 matters to be studied in the summary view we have presented 

 of the colonial government of Spain. But, in sketching the vice- 

 royalty of the Marques de Casa-Fuerte, we cannot justly avoid ob- 

 serving the marked and moral change he wrought in the govern- 

 ment of the country, and the diligence with which this brave and 

 trusty soldier labored to purify the corrupt court of New Spain. 

 Other viceroys had endeavored zealously to aid the progress of the 

 colony. They had planted towns, villages, and garrisons through- 

 out the interior. They had sought to develope the mining districts 

 and to foster agricultural interests. But almost all of them were 

 more or less tainted with avarice, and willingly fell into the habits 

 of the age, which countenanced the traffic in office, or permitted 

 the reception of liberal " gratifications " whenever an advantage 

 was to be derived by an individual from his transactions with the 

 government. 



In the time of Casa-Fuerte, there was no path to the palace but 

 that which was open to all. Merit was the test of employment and 

 reward. He forbade the members of his family to receive gifts 

 or to become intercessors for office seekers ; and, in all branches 

 of public affairs, he introduced wholesome reforms which were 

 carefully maintained during the whole of his long and virtuous 

 administration. 



In 1724, Philip V. suddenly and unexpectedly for his American 

 subjects, resolved to abdicate the crown of Spain and raise his son 

 Louis I. to the throne. Scarcely had the news reached Mexico, 

 and while the inhabitants were about to celebrate the accession of 

 the prince, when they learned that he was already dead, and that 

 his father, fearing to seat the minor Ferdinand in the place of his 

 lost son, had again resumed the sceptre. The Marques de Casa 

 Fuerte, instantly proclaimed the fact to the people, whose loyalty 



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