interested. Nevertheless his words had their effect, and he was sent for from Spain to give advice on measures for ameliorating the condition of the Indians.
Without money,[1] but resolute in his labors, he arrived in Spain about the middle of 1532, and was received at court with every mark of favor. His defence of the religious orders in New Spain, and of his own line of conduct, his description of the condition of the natives and his fervid pleadings in their behalf were listened to with attention. His eloquence and earnestness, his self-negation and poverty, bespoke favor for his cause. The title of protector was confirmed to him, and he was empowered to examine the sytem of tributes, with the object of their reduction, and the audiencia received instructions to assist him and conform to his views as far as possible.[2]
On the 27th of April 1533 he was solemnly consecrated as bishop at Valladolid in the Franciscan church by the bishop of Segovia, in the presence of a large assembly. After the ceremony he journeyed through different parts of Spain for several months, and induced many members of his own order to return with him to Mexico and aid in the labor of conversion.
In 1534 he again arrived in Mexico, having at some time during the same year issued a letter from Toledo erecting his cathedral, establishing the dignitaries of his chapter, and defining the rules by which his diocese would be governed.[3]
It has been a matter of much discussion as to the
- ↑ 'Con harta pobreça de dineros.' Torquemada, iii. 449.
- ↑ Gonzalez Dávila, Teatro Ecles., i. 21; Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 631; Sosa, Episc. Mex., 9 and app. 236.
- ↑ The chapter consisted of a dean, archdeacon, precentor, chancellor, treasurer, ten canons, and six prebendaries. Thesalaries of these ecclesiastics varied from 150 to 35 pesos per month. Nueva España, Breve Res., MS., i. 120-40, contains a copy of the bishop's letter. One fourth of the tithes he reserved for himself and successors; one fourth was appropriated for the payment of the salaries of the cathedral dignitaries and others; the remainder was apportioned for the payment of rectors, the king's tithes, the building of churches, and the support of the hospital. The parishes of Mexico city are mentioned in Maltrat. de Indios, MS., No. 18, fols. 6-11.
