and Oajaca the Dominicans were quite successful in their efforts.[1]
The Augustinians were first represented in New Spain in 1533, when seven of the order arrived under the leadership of their prior, Francisco de la Crux.[2] Their names were, Agustin de Coruña, afterward bishop of Popayan, Gerónimo Jimenez, Juan de San Ramon, Juan de Oseguera, Alonso de Borja, Jorge de Ávila, and La Cruz.[3]
On their arrival in June they were hospitably lodged in the convent of Santo Domingo, while their application for a grant of land was being considered by the cabildo to whom it had been referred by the audiencia.[4]
They at once began their labors, and the wild districts of Tlapan and Chilapan having been assigned to them, two of their company, Fray Jimenez and Padre Ávila were selected to enter upon the work of conversion. The town of Ocuituco in Mexico was, however, at that time without spiritual imstructors,
- ↑ Fray Gonzalo, specially competent for the position on account of his Knowledge of the native languages, was placed in charge of the mission of Chila; and Oajaca, the district of Villa Alta, and the peaceful valley of Yanguitlan, were occupied by friars in 1538. By the exertions of Fray Domingo Santa Maria, 12,000 families in the latter district accepted the Christian religion and received instruction. Santa Maria acquired the language in one year, and wrote a work on Christian doctrine for the use of the natives. Búrgoa, Geog. Descrip. Oajaca, i. 14-18, 131-3, ii. 262-4.
- ↑ As early as 1527 they had requested permission of the emperor to proceed to New Spain, and made preparations accordingly. Grijalua, Cron. S. August., 2-9. Before departing they met at Toledo in 1532, elected La Cruz prelate, and resolved to make the journey on foot in hempen sandals to the place of embarcation. Fernandez, Hist. Ecles., 123. Hazart states that they entered New Spain in 1532. Kirchen Geschichte, ii. 5832 Medina and Vetancurt follow Grijalva.
- ↑ The above list is from Fernandez. Grijalva mentions Fray Gerónimo de San Estévan, who doubtless is to be identified with Jimenez.
- ↑ Torquemada states that they bought the site for their monastery in the city of Mexico with the alms they received. iii. 70. Icazbalceta, in Salazar, Mex. en 1554, concludes that the cabildo assigned the piece of ground to them, though there is no record of such a grant. The Indians called it Zoquipan, 'in the mire,' because it was always muddy, owing to a neighboring spring. Grijalva says: 'Al fin resoluio la Audiẽcia de señalarles sitio donde fundasen.' Cron. S. August., 11. Fernandez remarks: 'Al principio era muy corta la casa, de Mexico, y assi viuian los Religiogos de dos en dos en vna celda.' Hist. Ecles., 124.
