they were overtaken by messengers, who prevailed on them to return. The gang of miscreants refused, however, to leave the country; and as they did not cease to oppress the natives and vex the souls of the ecclesiastics, Testera[1] and his colleagues were compelled, after a few months, to abandon this field of labor.
In 1537 a second mission, consisting of five friars, was despatched to Yucatan, and though they found the natives tractable and willing to receive the faith, they remained but two years.[2] Not until about 15-45, when an evangelical crusade was undertaken in the New World by one hundred and fifty ecclesiastics from Spain, was any permanent mission established on the peninsula. Of this number several[3] of those sent out to Guatemala were detailed for duty in Yucatan. Arriving at San Francisco de Campeche in charge of Father Luis de Villapando, they were warmly welcomed by the adelantado, who had now returned to the province, and the principal caciques being summoned into his presence, Montejo explained to them the purpose for which they had come. A convent, dedicated to Saint Francis, was founded at this settlement on a site which it occupies at the present day, and the doctrines of the faith were translated into the native dialect. The first to be baptized was the cacique of Campeche, to whom was given the name of Diego Ná, with the title of Don. This convert soon acquired the Spanish language, and henceforth acted as the interpreter of the ecclesiastics.
- ↑ Testera, a native of Bayonne in France, was a man of princely fortune, and though advanced in years was young in enthusiasm. He came to New Spain in 1529 or 1530, and was appointed prelate of the province of the Santo Evangelio. This position he resigned in order to engage in missionary labors in Yucatan. Returning thence in 1533 he was appointed custodian by the chapter-general of Mantua held in 1541, and afterward comisario general of all the Indies. Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 665-6.
- ↑ The little that is known about this mission is related in Torquemada, iii. 337-8.
- ↑ According to Torquemada, iii. 337, where their names are given. In an extract from a letter addressed by bishop Marroquin to the emperor from Gracias á Dios, Dec. 1, 1545, mention is made of 'Fray Luis de Villapando and eight religious, who went from Guatemala and are now in Yucatan.' Squier's MSS., xxi. 140.
