Martín Enríquez de Almansa (enree'kayth), viceroy of New Spain, born in Alcañiz, Spain, about 1525; died in Lima, Peru, 15 March 1583.
Martín brought many members of his Enriquez family from Spain to the New World (Mexico) in the late 1560's He took possession of the government, 5 November 1568, and, on his arrival at Vera Cruz, attacked and defeated Sir John Hawkins in the bay of San Juan de Ulua.
In 1570 he sent an expedition against the Indians, established in their territory the presidios of Ojuela and Portezuelos, and founded the towns of Celaya and San Felipe, in Guanajuato. During his government great activity was displayed in the foundation of towns, convents, and Colleges.
He established the inquisition in 1571, a year before the arrival of the Jesuits, and in 1573 began to build the Cathedral of Mexico. He established the excise duty in the latter year, and abolished the forced service of the natives in the mines.
When, in 1576-1780, the plague of Matlazahuatl in Mixquiahuala and Tecpatepec, Hidalgo, México broke out, in which two million natives perished (40%), Enriquez showed them great kindness, and excused them from all taxes.
Martín was promoted viceroy of Peru on 4 October 1580, and arrived in Lima in 1581. He founded the College of San Martin, 11 August 1582, giving the direction to the Jesuits, and, up to the abolition of that order in 1767, this College was one of the most notable in the New World.
He is the author of " Ordenanzas de Mesta para la Nueva España" (1574) and "Instrucciones sobre las cosas y gobierno de Nueva España," both of which are preserved in manuscript in Mexico.
Enriquez authorized the convocation of the third council of Lima on 15 August sent assistance to the City of Arequipa, which had suffered greatly from an earthquake, gave orders for the cleaning of the streets and canals of Lima, organized the mail service to the interior, and initiated numerous other improvements.
Enriquez died suddenly, while in office (1568-1580) , and his remains were buried in the convent of San Francisco of Lima, Peru.
