After the death of Zumárraga the Mexican see was offered to several of the old and distinguished friars, such as Father Gante, who declined the honor, and no appointment was made for a time.[1]
Some months after Zumárraga’s death, which had followed so closely upon that of his friend Cortés, Viceroy Mendoza, who had recently been engaged in reapportioning the repartimientos throughout the country, asked permission to visit Spain, his private affairs needing attention after an absence of fourteen years. The following year several petitions were made to the crown, praying that Francisco, the viceroy's son, be appointed to succeed his father, in case the latter should resign or be removed. Indeed, his health began to fail and a change in the government was therefore soon expected. The several petitions were disregarded by the emperor, and during the same year, 1549, Don Luis de Velasco was appointed to supersede Mendoza. Before this took effect an impostor created quite a stir in the country, and lorded it for a short time over all the royal officials, including Mendoza.
A month before the arrival of Velasco, there landed
- ↑ Padre Pedro Gante was offered the diocese, but did not accept. Vetancvrt, Menolog., 67-8. He nevertheless remained the power at the episcopal court, owing to his great experience, ability, and influence, as archbishop Montúfar admits, and this till his death in June 27, 1572. He was interred in the chapel of St Joseph, one of the many temples built by himself, and there round his grave concentrated all the vast love he had won from Spaniards as well as natives, by his apostolic zeal, his benevolence, and his self-denying life. Ponce, Rel., in Col. Doc. Inéd., lvii. 181; Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 607-11; Torquemada, iii. 426-32; Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 10; Cartas de Indias, 762. Padre Francisco de Soto, then in Spain, was elected to fill the episcopal vacancy, but he also declined. In 1550 he returned to Tlascala, and died in 1551. Id., 92. Bishop Francisco Marroquin of Guatemala was then recommended by Licentiate Cerrato, but the petition was returned with the remark 'Sin duda esto seria solicitacion del opo.' Carta, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 79.
bishop of Mexico. For 43 years Olmos labored in New Spain, and many miracles are ascribed to him. Lighted arrows shot by savages at the roof of his dwelling would fail to ignite it, and when directed against his person they would return as if shot by an unseen force against themselves. He died about 1571, being over 80 years of age; and when this event occurred, perfumes and celestial music were observed by both Spaniards and natives. Torquemada, iii. 475; Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 644-51; Vazquez, Chron. Gvat., 529.
