for their control over the soldiers and colonists, but for their influence at court, to which they would report directly or indirectly concerning the condition of the country and the management of the royal interests; reports that would have more weight than those from other sources. Then, again, these friars were destined to exercise control over the natives far more effective than that obtained by force of arms, and thereby assure possession of the conquest to the crown and of grants and serfs to the conquerors. It was well, therefore, while propitiating these men to impress on the natives their sacred character, and to set a striking example of the respect that should be paid to them. This politic deference Cortés constantly maintained, and with good effect on all concerned. On one occasion it is related that the inhabitants of Tezcuco were indignant because one of their chiefs had been flogged for not attending mass. Informed of this, Cortés concluded for a little by-play to assume the role of martyr. Informing the priests of his purpose, he absented himself from mass; for which delinquency he was sent for, and stripped and flogged by the friars in the presence of a number of the mutinous natives, and thus reconciled them to the despotic acts of their spiritual guardians.[1]
Shortly after his entry into Mexico, Valencia summoned the five friars who were already in the country,[2] and thus seventeen were gathered in chapter to consult on the best manner of proceeding with the conversion. On this occasion, the 2d of July, 1524, the custodia was formally established, and divided into four districts centring round Mexico, Tezcuco, Huex-
- ↑ Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iii. 186; Vetancurt, Chron., 2; Cortés, Cartas, etc., in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., iv. 456, v. 449-50. The natives have commemorated several of these acts in their picture-writings. Torquemada, iii. 21-2; Herrera, dec. iii. lib. ii. cap. ix.
- ↑ The three Flemings, Varilla who came with Zuazo, and Olmedo probably. Yet Mendieta speaks of the fifth also as a Franciscan, he as well as the fourth 'vinieron . . . al tiempo de la conquista.' Hist. Ecles., 215. 'The meeting or chapter was held a fortnight after arrival. Motolinia, Hist. Ind., 143. 'Dia de la Visitacion de Nuestra Señora,' says Mendieta.
