salazar viceroy colonial feabs. 233 



Don Pedro Castro Figueroa Salazar, 

 Duke de la Conquista and Marques de Garcia-Real, 

 XXXIX. Viceroy of New Spain. 

 1740—1741. 



On the 17th of August the new viceroy reached the capital, and 

 learned from the governor of New Mexico that the French had 

 actually visited that region of the colonial possessions, yet, find- 

 ing the soil and country unsuited to their purposes, had returned 

 again to their own villages and settlements. At the same time the 

 English, under the command of Oglethrope, bombarded the town 

 and fort of San Agustin in Florida, but the brave defence made by 

 the Spaniards, obliged them to raise the siege and depart. 



In 1741 the sky of New Spain was obscured by the approach- 

 ing clouds of war, for Admiral Vernon, who had inflicted great 

 damages upon the commerce of the Indies, captured Porto Bello, 

 and occupied the forts of Cartagena. New Spain, was thus in con- 

 stant dread of the arrival of a formidable enemy upon her own 

 coasts ; and the Duke de la Conquista, anxious for the fate of Vera 

 Cruz, hastily levied an adequate force for the protection of the shore 

 along the gulf, and resolved to visit it personally in order to hasten 

 the works which were requisite to resist the English. He de- 

 parted for the eastern districts of New Spain upon the warlike mis- 

 sion, but, in the midst of his labors, was suddenly seized by a 

 severe illness which obliged him to return to. the capital, where he 

 died on the 22d of August. His body was interred with great 

 pomp, amid the lamentations of the Mexicans, for in the brief 

 period of his government he had manifested talents of the highest 

 order, and exhibited the deepest interest in the welfare and progress 

 of the country committed to his charge. His noble title of "Duke 

 of Conquest," was bravely won on the battle field of Bitonto; 

 and although it is said that Philip slighted him during the year of 

 his viceroyalty, yet it is certain that he was repaid by the admira- 

 tion of the Mexican people for the lost favor of his king. Upon 

 his death the Audiencia took charge of the government, and con- 

 tinued in power until the following November, without any serious 

 disturbance from the enemy. Anson, with his vessels, was in the 

 Pacific, and waited anxiously in the neighborhood of Acapulco to 

 make a prize of the galeon which was to sail for the East Indies, 

 laden with a rich cargo of silver to purchase oriental fabrics. 

 But the inhabitants of Acapulco and the Audiencia were on their 

 guard, and the vessel and treasure of New Spain escaped the grasp 

 of the English adventurer. 



