After the conference at Cholula, Velasco proceeded to the capital, which he entered the 25th of November 1550.[1] His reception by the municipality and people was cordial, every one expecting the best results from his rule.[2]
There were the usual instructions, under date of April 16, 1550, from the king to the viceroy, containing much upon the already hackneyed subject of Indian policy and Indian treatment. It made little difference to the colonists how much was said or ordered by Spain and Rome regarding freedom, conversion, and the like; but when there was talk about enforcing the so-called new laws of 1542,[3] that was indeed a serious matter.
Among other details to insure the further relief of the natives it was ordered that the compensation to collectors of tribute should be paid, not by the Indians, but out of the proceeds from vacant corregimientos.
- ↑ Lorenzana gives his arrival in Mexico city Dec. 5th, and several authors follow him; all evidently in error, for the government record-book shows his first order to have been dated Nov, 28th, and the last one of Mendoza on Oct. 4th. Gob. Pol., in Cortés, Hist. N. Esp., 14; Torquemada, i. 617, makes him arrive in 1551.
- ↑ 'Para dicha y felicidad de la Nueva-España.' Vetancvrt, Trat. Mex., 85 'hombre cabal y pío.' Cavo, Tres Siglos, i. 154.
- ↑ Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xxiii. 520-47.
Peru with the same rank. With this understanding he left his family and interests at home. He was willing to continue his most faithful services to the crown, but if required to go to Peru the king should allow him an adequate salary, say 30,000 ducats, and 3,000 more for travelling expenses; as his means were quite limited and the coming to Mexico brought him 12,000 ducats in debt, which was being paid out of his small income in Spain. Carta al Emp., in Cartas de Indias, 260-2, and fac. sim. 5. He was allowed 2,000 pesos a year more than Mendoza had received. The salary of the oidores was at the same time increased to 150,000 maravedis each. This increase of compensation was coupled with the obligation on the part of the favored officials to abstain from all money-making, and to devote their whole energy to their official duties. Puga, Cedulario, 144. Ata later date the viceroy bitterly complains of his inadequate salary, which compelled his wife and children to be separated from him, in despite of which his expenses in Mexico necessarily exceeded his pay, and he was sinking his small patrimony with increasing and unavoidable debt, adding, 'lo que pretendo es no yrlas á pagar á la otra vida.' He wants the crown either to allow him sufficient compensation or send him his recall, before he is utterly ruined, reminding the king that he deserves some consideration at his hands after his 30 years of faithful service, the petitioner being an old man 2,000 leagues away from his home, family, and relatives. Velasco was a 'caballero profeso' in the order of Santiago. When he left the government of Navarre he was granted 200,000 maravedis a year during his life, or until an equivalent was allowed him. Velasco, Carta al Emp., in Cartas de Indias, 266-7.
