MAYORGA, Martin de (mah-yor'-gah), viceroy of Mexico, born in Catalonia early in the 18th century; died at sea in 1783. In 1773 he was appointed governor and captain-general of Central America, and after the earthquakes of that year removed the capital from La Antigua to the present site of Guatemala, notwithstanding the strenuous opposition of the bishop and clergy. After the death of Bucareli, viceroy of Mexico, in 1779, the sealed royal order, always provided for such a case, appointed the captin-general of Guatemala as provisional viceroy. The appointment was intended for Matias de Galvez (q. v.), who was on his way to Guatemala, by his brother, the prime minister, but the notice arrived before Galvez had made his appearance, and Mayorga was installed viceroy on 23 August, 1779. After the declaration of war against England in June of that year, he became permanent viceroy, and took active measures to protect the Spanish colonies in the Atlantic against an English attack. He strengthened the fortifications of Vera Cruz, sent money, ammunition, and provisions to Cuba, Yucatan, and Louisiana, and an auxiliary force to Bernardo de Galvez (q. v.) for his attack on Mobile and Pensacola. He also assisted the captain-general of Guatemala to recover the port of Omoa from the British, and, when they threatened Cuba, sent two Mexican regiments to re-enforce the garrison of Havana. At the end of 1779 there was an epidemic of small-pox in Mexico and Puebla, and Mayorga took active measures to establish hospitals, assist the sufferers, and arrest the disease as far as possible. In 1780 he obtained from the widow of the historian Veytia all the documents and manuscripts of her husband about the ancient history of Mexico, and sent copies to the royal archives in Spain for publication. Feeling that his health was failing, he requested to be relieved, and sailed for Spain in 1783, but died in sight of the port of Cadiz.