several years in Spain before sailing for the seat of his government.[1]
Though the Cortés party considered that the choice ought properly to have fallen upon the marqués del Valle, the crown did not evidently deem it prudent to invest with such power one whose possessions in the country were so extensive, his interests so large, and his friends so numerous.[2] The selection of Mendoza, was, morever, a fortunate one. Of noble birth, being son of the second conde de Tendilla, and first marqués de Mondéjar, he was connected with the celebrated naval commander Bernardino de Mendoza, and the equally famous statesman and historian Diego Hurtado de Mendoza. Both as regards character and ability he was well fitted for the place, his governing capabilities being equalled by the integrity of his intentions. Austere in his habits, and practising abstinence to an extent injurious to his constitution, he never relaxed his exertions in the discharge of his duties, while the responsibility of his position increased his anxiety.
Besides his appointment as viceroy,[3] Mendoza was created president of the audiencia in the place of Fuenleal, who was returning to Spain. This office did not, however, entitle him to vote in judicial matters, the administration of justice remaining in the hands of the oidores, whose provisions, sentences, and decis-
- ↑ He received the appointment in 1530, Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iii. 539, but did not arrive in Mexico before 1535. From Puga it appears that his appointment was formally made out April 17, 1535. Cedulario, 98-9.
- ↑ Herrera, dec. v. lib. ix. cap. i.; Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iii. 540-1.
- ↑ He was assigned a salary of 6,000 ducados, 3,000 of which he received as viceroy and 3,000 as president of the audiencia. He was, moreover, allowed 2,000 ducados for the expenses of his body-guard. Puga, Cedulario, 98-9. In 1614 this salary was raised to 20,000 ducats, pay for six months being allowed for the voyage out, and a similar amount for the expenses of returning. Álaman, Disert., iii. app. 25. The 6,000 ducados, at 375 maravedis each, were equal to 5,000 pesos de minas at 450 maravedís, and the laborious investigator Clemencin estimates the value of the pesos de minas in 1497 to have been nine dollars and seventy-five cents, so that Mendoza's salary would be about equivalent to 48,750 dollars of modern coin. But the purchasing power of coin then 'was in some directions five or ten times greater than at the present day; so that it is impossible to estimate accurately the value of coin then as compared with the present. Mem. Valor Moneda, MS., 501 et seg.
