Note 75 — Chapter XX

Melchor Portocarrero, Lasso de la Vega, Conde de Monclove (misprinted in our text Mondova), succeeded the Marqués de la Laguna as viceroy of Mexico, on November 30, 1686; his administration lasted nearly two years, and he was an upright and vigilant ruler. He failed, however, to protect the Indian natives from cruel oppressions by the Spaniards. He was commonly known as Brazo de la Plata, or “Silver Arm,” on account of wearing a false arm, his own having been lost in battle. (Bancroft, Mexico, iii, p. 221.)