Martín de Mayorga

Martín de Mayorga (1725, Spain - 1783, Spain) was a Spanish officer, governor of the Guatemala (of June 1773 with 1779) and Vice-roi of News-Spain (of the August 23rd 1779 with the April 28th 1783).

Martín de Mayorga is Brigadier in the Spanish royal army, knight of the Ordre of Alcántara. He is governor, president of the Audiencia and general captain of the Guatemala at the time or an earthquake devastates Guatemala City, on July 23rd 1773.

He always occupies these functions at the time of died of the Viceroy of News Spain Antonio María de Bucareli there Ursúa with Mexico City. When the Audiencia of Mexico City opens the instruction sealed in the event of dead of Bucareli, they can read that the general captain of Guatemala replaces it. When these instructions were written, it was awaited that Matías de Gálvez there Gallardo, brother of Jose de Gálvez, Minister of the Indies, occupies the post of general captain then. Although, Gálvez, was named at this station, it did not arrive yet at Guatemala. Audiencia of Mexico City thus names Martín de Mayorga, Vice-roi of Spain News.

Mayorga arrives at Mexico City the August 23rd 1779 and takes its functions there. Its first task relates to the preparations of defense in the war that France and Spain recently declared in England. It reinforces Havana, takes precautions supplémetaires with Veracruz and sends a forwarding carried out by Bernardo de Gálvez in Florida to support there the English colonists in their revolution against their motherland. It starts also the combat with English with Belize.

In 1779, bursts an epidemic of Variole which is spread in the cities of the colony and causes many deaths. Mayorga spends of the considerable sums to help sick and dying. It offers its resignation but this one is refused.

In January 1780, the natives of Izúcar (current state of Puebla) raise themselves due to ill treatments. The captains Jose Antonio de Urízar and Tomás Pontón are sent to subdue the rebellion. A great number of rebels are to send with Havana to be used for it in the fleet.

Mayorga makes much to improve the capital, making pave the streets, clean the aqueduct and rivers in order to prevent a new epidemic.

In 1780 it orders to the governor of Puebla to gather the document concerning with the history of News-Spain, while starting with the Historia Antigua of Nueva España of the father Mariano Veytia and the writings collected by Lorenzo Boturini Bernaducci. This initiative will make it possible to save many documents which, today, if not would have disappeared.

In L783, the Viceroy again offers his resignation which this time is accepted. He gives the government of the colony to his substitute, Matías de Gálvez, the April 28th 1783, and leaves for Spain. He dies can after having reached the port of Cadiz. Some claim that it was poisoned by its successor. (Both were enemy and Gálvez had never forgiven him to have occupied the viceroyalty in its place). This was remainder never proven.

Sources

García Puron, Handbook, Mexico City known there gobernantes , v. 1. Mexico City City: Joaquín Porrua, 1984.
Orozco L., Fernando, Fechas Históricas of Mexico City . Mexico City City: Leading panorama, 1988.
Orozco Linares, Fernando, Gobernantes of Mexico City . Mexico City City: Leading panorama, 1985.

Random links: