them under circumstances which required the greatest prudence, good judgment, and courage.[1]
It is refreshing to be able to speak well of one of Spain's rulers in America. Mendoza made every effort to carry out the instructions he had received. The duties of his position had been rendered somewhat less difficult of performance by the previous exertions of the second audiencia in the work of reform; nevertheless it was no easy matter to rule with satisfactory results a community divided into factions, whose opposing interests were asserted with jealous claims of merit and equal expectations of support. The number of provinces, and the varied condition of the native tribes in different parts, rendered it impossible to apply the same rules in all cases. Regulations which were beneficial and necessary in some districts were inapplicable in others; hence discontent and charges of capriciousness against the viceroy. Moreover, each ruler of a province and each encomendero wished the government to adopt his own particular views, and the advice offered to Mendoza was so multifarious that he found it the best plan quietly to listen to all without dissenting, and then do as he thought best,[2] as contradiction on his part led to interminable wrangling. The adjustment of existing jealousies between the conquerors proper and the new settlers was a difficult task, but much more so was the enforcement of the new laws relative to the treatment of the natives; and though he was
- ↑ Speaking of President Fuenleal, Gonzalez Dávila attributes to his care and prudence all the good that was effected in New Spain during this period, and adds that he returned to the Peninsula without gold or silver. Teatro, Ecles., i. 262. On his return he was appointed to the see of Tuy; afterward. he was made bishop of Leon, and finally of Cuenca on the 25th of July, 1542. At the same time he was chosen president of the audiencia of Valladolid, where he died January 22, 1547. He was buried in the Dominican convent of Santa Cruz, founded by himself in his native place. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 230; Herrera, dec. v. lib. ix. cap. i.; Oviedo, iii. 534-5; Torquemada, 1 608; Cartas de Indias, 829-30.
- ↑ 'En verdad,' says Mendoza to his successor, 'que si hubiese de hacer lo que se aconseja, que ya la tierra estuviera trastornada de abajo arriba viente veces.' Relacion, 11 Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., vi. 509-11.
