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Enrico Martínez of New Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2015

Valerie L. Mathes
Valerie L. Mathes*
Affiliation:
City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Enrico Martínez, an important but little known figure in New Spain, was an extremely talented man with a wide range of I interests. Interpreter for the Inquisition, Royal Cosmographer for the Consejo de Indias in Mexico, author, printer and cartographer, Martínez was also the architect and engineer of the drainage system (desagüe) of the Valley of Mexico.

Despite his important governmental positions and the Spanish obsession for record-keeping, Martínez’ national origin remains undetermined. One major documentary source relative to the desagüe states that his true name was Henrí Martin, that he was of French origin and that he later Hispanicized his name to enter Spanish territories legally; however, other sources ascribe his nationality to various other countries. Interested in solving this discrepancy, Joaquín García Icazbalceta stated in a letter to Nicolás León on April 23, 1883, that he had searched for data on Martínez but “was unable to find any material that determined his origin. Nevertheless Francisco de la Maza, author of the introduction to a modern edition of Martínez’ Reportorio de los tiempos e historia natural de Nueva España and his principal biographer, stated that Martínez was definitely German and that his true name was probably Heinrich Martin. According to Maza, Martínez was born in Hamburg between 1550 and 1560 and was probably a Protestant because Hamburg was one of the first German cities to become involved in the Reformation. Martínez spent his first eight years in Hamburg, then journeyed to Sevilla possibly at the request of the Martins, probably German relatives who were printers. Although no definite documentation has been located, it is reasonable to presume that if he were in fact Protestant he must have converted to Catholicism during his stay in Spain, a sine qua non for his immigration to New Spain and for his appointment as translator for the Inquisition in later years. Martínez remained in Sevilla until he was nineteen, returning then to Hamburg for a year and one-half, and at age twenty, he traveled throughout Europe, spent enough time in Paris to graduate with a degree in mathematics, and then traveled on to Poland. From eastern Europe, Martínez returned to Spain where he resided in Madrid, Toledo and Sevilla; and in 1589 he sailed to New Spain on the same fleet as his protector and friend, Luis de Velasco, newly appointed Viceroy of New Spain and Juan Ruiz de Alarcón, later author of a comedy entitled, El Semejante a sí mismo which mentions the desagüe of Mexico.

Type
Articles
Information
The Americas , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , July 1976 , pp. 62 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © Academy of American Franciscan History 1976

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References

1 Memoria histórica, técnica y administrativa de las obras del desagüe del valle de México: 1449–1900, (Mexico: Junta Directiva del Desagüe, 1900), I, 93, 97.Google Scholar

2 Souza, José Mariano Beristaín y, Biblioteca Hispano-Americana Septentrional (México: Ediciones Fuente Cultura, 1816–1821), I, 199 Google Scholar states he was from Ayamonte in Andalucía while Humboldt, Alexander, Ensayo político sobre el Reino de la Nueva España, (6th ed., México: Editorial Pedro Robredo, 1941), II, 160 Google Scholar states that he was German or Dutch. See also, Maza, Francisco de la, Enrico Martinez, cosmógrafo e impresor de Nueva España, (México: Ediciones de la Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística, 1943), 16–17.Google Scholar

3 Cartas de Joaquín García Icazbalceta, annotations by Teixidor, Felipe, (México: Ediciones Porrúa, 1937), 29.Google Scholar

4 Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 17, 19 Google Scholar. Maza, the principal biographer of Martínez, does not cite any documents which substantiate his statement that Martínez was German. The assertion that Martínez was of German origin is substantiated to a degree by Martínez’ own statement made on October 12, 1598 before Martín de Birbiesca Roldán, custodian of the Inquisition as seen in Archivo General de la Nación, México, Inquisición 65. “Cambio de depositario de la imprenta a favor de Enrico Martínez, e inventario de ella.” This document is printed in Castillo, Francisco Fernández del, Libros y libreros del siglo XVI, (México: Publicaciones del Archivo General de la Nación, 1914), 522.Google Scholar

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6 The preceding account of Martínez can be found in Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 17–20 Google Scholar. See also, Torquemada, Juan de, Monarquía Indiana, (Madrid: Nicolas Rodríguez Franco, 1723), I, 30.Google Scholar

7 Archivo General de la Nación, Inquisición 217, “Nombramiento de Enrico Martínez para intérprete del Santo Oficio, 1598.” This document can also be found in Castillo, Fernández del, Libros y libreros, 531–532 Google Scholar. Maza, 13, states that Martínez was literate in Latin, Spanish, German and Flemish.

8 For the following account see Archivo General de la Nación, México, Inquisición, 65. “Cambio de depositario de la imprenta a favor de Enrico Martínez, e inventario de ella.” See also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 13–14, 33.Google Scholar

9 For the following account see Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 33–35 Google Scholar. See also, Igúñiz, Juan B., La imprenta en la Nueva España, (Mexico: Porrúa Hermanos, 1938), 17, 18.Google Scholar

10 A complete listing of the books printed by Martínez can be found in Medina, José Toribio, La imprenta en México: 1539–1821, (Santiago de Chile: El Autor, 1909–1912), I, 330–354; II, 7–38;Google Scholar Martínez, , Reportorio, 279–300;Google Scholar see also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 36–65, 151–161.Google Scholar

11 The only known copy of Huehuetlatolli… is an incomplete copy in the John Carter Brown Library, Providence, Rhode Island.

12 Recopilación de leyes de los Reynos de las Indias, (Madrid: Julián de Paredes, 1681), Lib. II, Tit. 13, leyes 1–5 gives the exact duties of a cosmographer of the Consejo. See also, Enrico Martínez, 21–22.Google Scholar

13 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 372. These maps are published in the following: Mathes, W. Michael, Vizcaíno and Spanish Expansion in the Pacific Ocean: 1580–1630, (San Francisco: California Historical Society, 1968), 60–64, 67–72, 74–83, 85–88, 90–91, 93, 95–97, 99–101;Google Scholar Wagner, Henry R., Spanish Voyages to the Northwest Coast of America in the Sixteenth Century, (San Francisco: California Historical Society, 1929), 186–254;Google Scholar Sollano, Alvaro del Portillo y Díez de, eds. Descubrimientos y exploraciones en las costas de California, (Madrid: C.S.I.C, 1947), 353–417;Google Scholar Mathes, W. Michael, ed. Documentos para la historia de la demarcación comercial de California 1583–1632, (Madrid: José Porrúa Turanzas, 1965), I, 500–565 Google Scholar. See also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 23.Google Scholar

14 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 26. “Copia de los advertimientos generales que se luminaron al Virrey Marqués de Montes Claros,” Acapulco, March 28, 1604. This document is published in Scholes, France V. and Adams, Eleanor, eds. Advertimientos generales que los virreyes dejaron a sus sucesores para el gobierno de Nueva España, 1590–1604. (México: José Porrúa e Hijos, 1956), II, 71–111.Google Scholar

15 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, Patronato 22. See also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 23 Google Scholar. This map is reproduced in the following: Bolton, Herbert Eugene, Spanish Exploration in the Southwest, 1542–1706, (New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1916), 212;CrossRefGoogle Scholar and García, Luis Navarro, Don José de Gálvez y la comandancia general de las provincias internas del norte de Nueva España (Sevilla: C.S.I.C., 1964)Google Scholar, Lamina 8, discussion on p. 521. Navarro does not mention that the map was drawn by Martínez.

16 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México, TL 255. This was engraved in Madrid in 1774 by Tomás Lopez, the Royal Geographer.

17 Archivo de Planos, Servicio Geográfico de Ejército. Sig. LM-8-l-a-núm. 105. This map is published in Servicios Geográfico e Histórico del Ejército, Cartografía de Ultramar, carpeta II, (Madrid: Imprenta del Servicio Geográfico del Ejército, 1953), No. 125.

18 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México, TL 164. This map is published in Espinosa, Joseph Francisco de Cuevas Aguirre y, Extracto de los autos de diligencias y reconocimientos de los ríos, lagunas, vertientes, y desagües de la Capital México y su Valle, (México: Viuda de Hogal, 1748), 42–43.Google Scholar

19 This map is published in Cartografía de Ultramar, Carpeta III, (1955) No. 54. LM-8a-1a-a-núm. 113.

20 This map is published in Cartografía de Ultramar, Carpeta III, No. 56. LM-8a-1a-a-lúm. 90.

21 Torquemada, , Monarquía Indiana, 1, 7.Google Scholar

22 For further information consult, Martínez, Reportorio, passim; Maza, Enrico Martínez, 69–96; as well as Maza’s introduction to Reportorio. See also, Clavijero, Francisco Javier, Historia antigua de México, (México: Editorial Porrúa, SA, 1945), I, 41;Google Scholar Rodríguez, Felipe Pi catoste y, Apuntes para una Biblioteca Científica Española de Siglo XVI, (Madrid: Imprenta y Fundación de Manuel Tello, 1891), 182;Google Scholar and Andradt, Vicente de Paula Ensayo Bibliográfico Mexicano del Siglo XVII, (México: Imprenta de Museo Nacional 1900), 23.Google Scholar

23 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 30. “Autos sobre el estado del desagüe de Huehuetoca, nuevas diligencias y sobre si conviene o no proseguir la obra, 1631.” See also Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 26.Google Scholar

24 Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 27–29.Google Scholar

25 Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 28–29.Google Scholar

26 King of Texcoco from 1418 to 1472. See Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 101.Google Scholar

27 For general material on the flooding of the valley and the various plans to alleviate the problem consult: Memoria histórica, passim; Mathes, W. Michael, “To Save a City: The Desagüe of México-Huehuetoca, 1607,” The Americas, XXVI (April, 1970), 419–38;CrossRefGoogle Scholar Brief Sketch of the Works of the Valley of México, (México: Francisco Díaz de León, 1901), 4–5;Google Scholar Mora, José María, Memoria que informa sobre el orígen y estado actual de las obras emprendidas para el desagüe de las lagunas del Valle de México, (México: Imprenta de la Aguila, 1823)Google Scholar, passim. See also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 101–103.Google Scholar

28 The preceding can be found in Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 101–102;Google Scholar Memoria histórica, I, 63–66; 71–72.Google Scholar

29 Cavo, Andrés, Los tres siglos de México, (México: Navarro, 1852), 76 Google Scholar. See also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 103;Google Scholar and México a través de los siglos, (México: Editorial Cumbre, 1954), II, 538–544 Google Scholar. For a complete discussion of the floods of 1604 and 1607 consult: “Relación de Enrico Martínez arquitecto y maestro mayor de la obra de el desagüe de la Laguna de México.” Huehuetoca, June 20, 1608. Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 27. “Proposiciones que la Ciudad de México hizo en su consistorio, en 28 de Septiembre a la Junta General … para informar a su Excelencia cerca del desagüe de esta Ciudad … año de 1630.” Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 30 discusses the first flood of 1553 and subsequent floods to 1629 which were so heavy that none of the existing works held. For further reference to the flood problem see, “Aviso del estado y causas de la ynundación de aquella ciudad y del cuydado y diligencia con que acudió el Virrey a su reparo…. México, January 29, 1630. Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 318; and Desagüe, Junta del, Desagüe del Valle de México, (México: Oficina Tip. de la Secretaría de Fomento, 1888)Google Scholar, passim.

30 Memoria histórica, I, 87, 89–90 Google Scholar. See also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 103, 108.Google Scholar

31 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 27. “Relación de Enrico Martínez arquitecto y maestro mayor de la obra de el desagüe de la Laguna de México,” Huehuetoca, June 20, 1680. This document is published in Memoria histórica, II, 5–12.

32 A vara is 83.8 centimeters.

33 These distances have been taken from the map entitled, “Descripción del a comarca de México i obra del desagüe de la laguna,” drawn by Martínez and sent to the King by Viceroy Luis de Velasco with his letter of December 17, 1608, in Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 27. This map is printed in Memoria histórica, III, 11; and Maza, Enrico Martínez, 107, 109. See also, Lanzas, Pedro Torres, Relación Descriptiva de los mapas, planos, etc. de México y Florida, (Sevilla: Imprenta de El Mercantil, 1900), 47–48 Google Scholar. There have been many differences of opinions as to these distances and to simplify matters the distances used here have been taken off of the above map. Mateos, Juan, Apunte histórica y descriptiva del Valle de México, (México: Ayuntamiento, 1923)Google Scholar, 15 states the siphon tunnel was 6, 800 varas, while Maza, Enrico Martinez, 108, states the open canal from Zumpango was 8, 600 varas and the siphon tunnel was 6, 600 varas. Martínez in a later report also stated different distances.

34 Cepeda, Fernando de and Carrillo, Fernando Alfonso, Relación universal legítima y verdadera del sitio en que esta fundada … muy leal Ciudad de México, (México: Francisco Salbago, 1637)Google Scholar 14 verso; Churchill, Awnsham, ed. A Collection of Voyages and Travels, (London: Golden-Ball, 1745) IV, 498;Google Scholar Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 110–111;Google Scholar México a través, 544;Google Scholar Memoria histórica, I, 99.Google Scholar

35 Cepeda, Relación universal, 14 verso; Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 110;Google Scholar see also, Berra, Manuel Orozco y, Historia de la dominación española en Mexico, (México: Robredo, 1938), III, 90.Google Scholar

36 The following is from Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 27, “Relación de lo que en la ocasión pasada y en la presente de la ynundación de la laguna de la Ciudad a causado en ella se ha hecho para su Remedio por los Virreyes Marqués de Montesclaros y Don Luis de Velasco.” México, June 16, 1608. See also, Cepeda, Relación universal, 15 verso; Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 111 Google Scholar. This system of labor appears to be that of the repartimiento, introduced into New Spain in the second half of the sixteenth century, a system of forced labor for wages.

37 Torquemada, , Monarquía Indiana, I, 758.Google Scholar

38 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 27. “Relación de lo que en la ocasión pasada y en la presente de la ynundación de la laguna de la Ciudad a causado en ella se ha hecho para su Remedio por los Vireyes Marqués de Montesclaros y Don Luis de Velasco,” México, November 6, 1608. See also, Cepeda, , Relación universal, 17;Google Scholar Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 112;Google Scholar Memoria histórica, 1, 101.Google Scholar

39 During the process of the work, Father Sánchez, who had been in charge of the original work on the desagüe, asked to be relieved of his position because he strongly disagreed with Martinez.

40 The preceding is from Cepeda, , Relación universal, 17 Google Scholar, 17 verso. There have been conflicting dates as to the first opening of the canal. The date used in the text came from “Relación de Enrico Martínez, arquitecto y maestro mayor de la obra de el desagüe de la Laguna de México.” See also Cavo, Los Tres Siglos, 77 which states the work was completed on May 7, 1608 while Maza, Enrico Martínez, 112 gave May 16 as the date.

41 Cepeda, , Relación universal, 18–19.Google Scholar

42 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 27. “Carta de Luis de Velasco,” México. December 17, 1608.

43 Cepeda, Relación universal, 23 verso, 24. See also, Memoria histórica, I, 109;Google Scholar and Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 117–118.Google Scholar

44 Cepeda, , Relación universal, 28 verso, 29–30;Google Scholar Memoria histórica, I, 110.Google Scholar

45 Memoria histórica, I, 114. Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 119 Google Scholar. Churchill, , A Collection of Voyages, IV, 499 Google Scholar. Boot was a Dutch engineer who, because of his work on the desagüe, was to be called upon by Viceroy Marqués de Guadalcázar in 1615 to strengthen the defenses of the Castillo de San Diego in Acapulco. For further material see, Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 28, “Autos sobre la fortificación que se resolvió se hiciese en el Puerto de Acapulco,” January 25, 1616. The work on the Castillo was completed in April, 1617, and Boot was again called on by Viceroy Marques de Gelves in 1621 to fortify the Castillo de San Juan de Ulúa in the harbor of Veracruz. He was not relieved of his duties on this project until 1623. For further information see, Quijano, José Antonio Calderón, Historia de las fortificaciones de Nueva España, (Sevilla: Escuela de Estudios Hispano-Americanos, 1953), 27, 226.Google Scholar

46 Cepeda, Relación universal, 35 verso, 36, 36 verso; Memoria histórica, I, 115 Google Scholar. For further information on Boot and his plans to repair the desagüe in 1620, see, Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 318. “Relación de Adrian Boot, yngeniero … a Fernando Alfonso de Carillo, escribano mayor del cabildo de la Ciudad de México.” January 31, 1620.

47 Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 119;Google Scholar Cepeda, , Relación universal, 35 Google Scholar, 35 verso; Cavo, , Los tres siglos, 81;Google Scholar México a través, 562; Churchill, , A Collection of Voyages, IV, 499;Google Scholar and Memoria histórica, I, 116.

48 Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 119;Google Scholar and Memoria histórica, 116.

49 Memoria histórica, I, 117;Google Scholar and México a través, 562.

50 Cepeda, , Relación universal, 37 verso, 41–44;Google Scholar both Cavo, , Los tres siglos, 81;Google Scholar and México a través, 562 stated that permission to continue was given on April 3, 1616.

51 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 318. “Aviso del estado y causas del ynundación de aquella ciudad y del cuydado y diligencia con que acudió el Virrey a su reparo….” México, January 29, 1630.

52 Memoria histórica, I, 125–127; Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 121–122.Google Scholar

53 Museo Naval, Madrid. Colección Martín Fernández de Navarette, XIX, Doc. 19. “Parecer de Enrico Martínez sobre expediciones a California.” Gueguetoca, July 30, 1629. See also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 23.Google Scholar

54 Cepeda, Relación universal, 57 verso; Memoria histórica, I, 136–137;Google Scholar and México a través, 585.Google Scholar

55 Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 122–125;Google Scholar Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 318. “Aviso del estado y causas del ynundación de equella ciudad y del cuydado y dilingencia con que acudió el Virrey a su reparo …” México, January 29, 1630.

56 Memoria histórica, I, 137;Google Scholar Cepeda, Relación universal, 57 verso; see also, Medina, , La Imprenta en México, xvi Google Scholar, and México a través, 585 Google Scholar. No conclusive documentation had been located to prove that Martínez actually closed the desagüe although he threatened to do so. Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 30. “Autos sobre el estado del desagüe de Huehuetoca, nuevas diligencias y sobre si convience o no proseguir la obra, 1631.”

57 Cepeda, , Relación universal, 58;Google Scholar see also México a través, 585;Google Scholar Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 126;Google Scholar Memoria histórica,”, I, 137–138.Google Scholar

58 Cepeda, , Relación universal, 60.Google Scholar

59 Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 30. “Copia de concierto de Enrico Martínez, Maestro mayor de la obra del desagüe.” Huehuetoca, October 25, 1630. Memoria histórica, I, 147;Google Scholar Cepeda, , Relación universal, 68 Google Scholar, and Churchill. A Collection of Voyages 499 all state that Martinez’ plan would take 21 months to complete with 300 Indians and laborers daily.

60 The preceding can be found in Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, México 30. “Autos sobre el estado del desagüe de Huehuetoca, nuevas diligencias y sobre si conviene o no proseguir la obra, 1631.” See also, México a través, 590;Google Scholar Memoria histórica, I, 160;Google Scholar and Cepeda, Relación universal, 84 verso.

61 Fray Andrés was an accomplished architect and writer as well as a Carmelite priest who showed more cruelty in his reproach of Martínez than Villabona ever did. Fray Andrés even went so far as to state that the Marqués de Montesclaros, in 1605, felt that Martínez was deceitful and meddling in the desagüe and was determined to hang him. Fray Andrés is confused for Martinez was still busy with his printing in 1605 and did not even present a plan for the desagüe until 1607. Possibly he was jealous of Martinez who was highly thought of at the time and was equally as competent in the same fields as he. However, if Montesclaros felt that strongly about Martínez, it would seem strange that Martínez would have dedicated his Reportorio to Montesclaros. See Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 143–144.Google Scholar

62 Cepeda, , Relación universal, 89 Google Scholar. See also, Memoria histórica, I 161, which states that Diego Pérez was his successor; however Pérez had assisted Cévicos and that could possibly be the cause of this confusion.

63 Memoria histórica, I, 161;Google Scholar see also, Maza, , Enrico Martínez, 146.Google Scholar

64 Cartas de Joaquín García Icazbalceta, 29. See, Memoria histórica, I, 96–97 Google Scholar for a photograph of the statue. Maza, , Enrico Martinez, 163–164 Google Scholar states that the statue was erected in July, 1877, although the picture shows the years to be 1878.