position were guaranties not only of his loyalty but of his freedom from the excessive avarice and vile ambition native to men like Guzman. But time was required both for selecting such a person, and to enable him to make preparations; and as the ills of New Spain demanded an immediate remedy, it was decided to send a new audiencia composed of members well known for prudence and rectitude.[1] Some trouble was encountered in the selection, several persons excusing themselves; but finally the presidency was conferred upon Sebastian Ramirez de Fuenleal, sometime inquisitor of Seville and oidor of Granada, and then bishop of Santo Domingo and president of the audiencia of that island.[2] He was informed immediately of the appointment, and ordered to be ready to join his colleagues on their arrival at Santo Domingo.[3] The selection of the oidores was intrusted to the venerable bishop of Badajoz, president of the audiencia of Valladolid, with instructions to choose only those worthy of association with the ilustrious prelate. The bishop, after due deliberation, named Juan de Salmeron, Alonso Maldonado, Francisco Ceynos,[4] and Vasco de Quiroga for these positions; and the nominations were accepted without question by the empress.
Salmeron had acquired both skill and reputation as alcalde mayor of Castilla del Oro, and Ceynos as late
- ↑ The appointment had been determined upon early in March 1530 — see the queen's decree in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xi. 404 — but the oidores were not officially named until the 12th of July following. Puga, Cedulario, 37.
- ↑ Of the family of the count of Villaescusa de Haro, born in the province of Cuenca, and well educated at the college of Santa Cruz at Valladolid. He had been made third bishop of Santo Domingo in 1524, and three years later, president of the audiencia established there. Herrera, dec. v. lib. 1x. cap. 1; Datos Biog., in Cartas de Ind., 829; Mex., Not. Ciudad, 266. Oviedo, 1. 82, says that he was also bishop of Concepcion de la Vega in the island of Santo Domingo.
- ↑ The order was dated April 12, 1530. Gonzalez Dávila, i. 262.
- ↑ I have preferred the spelling of Puga, Cedulario, 56, and of Cortés, Real Cédula, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiii. 241. Torquemada, Monq. Ind., i. 603, twists the name into 'Cavnos.' Lacunza, Discurso, Hist., 459, says 'Cainos.' They came respectively from Madrid, Salamanca, Toro, or Zamora, and Madrigal. Bernal Diaz, Hist, Verdad., 230.
