authorities who treat of this subject agree that the new system was productive of confusion and evil consequences, and that Spaniards as well as Indians suffered from it.[1]
A large portion of the most worthy Spaniards disapproved of the course adopted toward Velasco. Even the ayuntamiento of Mexico objected to it without showing any factious spirit. It chose two of its members, Gerónimo Ruiz de la Mota and Bernardino Albornoz, to represent at court the evils arising from the late enactment. They were joined by three prominent fathers of the Franciscan, Dominican, and Austin orders, who had been despatched on the same errand, one of whom was Francisco de Bustamante, the Franciscan comisario general. The viceroy, on his part, while obeying the royal mandate, reiterated to the king his desire that a visitador should be sent out. The agents reached Spain in 1562, presented their case, and the royal counsellors, to quiet them all, advised the appointment of a visitador. The licenciado Valderrama was accordingly commissioned with instructions to consult public exigencies, and promote, as far as possible, the welfare of New Spain. In due time will be presented to the reader his arrival, and the manner in which he discharged his trust.
Most of the measures enacted of late years by the crown for the administration of affairs in New Spain emanated from Prince Philip, who was in charge of the government, owing to the emperor's failing health and absence in his German dominions.[2] In January 1556
- ↑ 'Se experimentó que encallaban cada dia mas los negocios de los Españoles, y se olvidaban de los naturales.' Cavo, Tres Siglos, i. 170. Mendieta speaks of the contempt that was thrown upon the royal representatives in the country. Even the natives had learned to pay no respect to their decisions, having been prevailed on to look to the audiencia as the real superior authority; 'no hagais cuenta de lo que este os ha dicho, ni de lo que dexa mandado, que no es sino vn hombre por ai, que pasa de camino, y no puede nada, que allà en Mexico, estàn los Tlatoques. . . que nos favorecerán, y haràn lo que quisièremos.' Torquemada, i. 625-6.
- ↑ He wrote to the audiencia of Mexico, May 10, 1554, to announce his approaching marriage with Queen Mary of England, and to order that during
