Spain formed a base sufficient for the suggestions which now came to Charles, from the colony itself as well as from the wiser among his advisers, that no man unassisted was able to bring order out of the chaos. Aided by the deliberations of the India Council, the emperor determined to send to Mexico an audiencia such as had been established at Santo Domingo,[1] which should hear and determine the affairs of the settlers in New Spain; which should put an end to quarrels among Spaniards and protect the long-suffering natives; which should submit Cortés to the residencia he demanded, and the royal officials to an examination of their accounts and conduct. At the time the crown was unable to fix upon a capable man for the presidency, but the oidores were appointed. These were four licentiates: Francisco Maldonado, a native of Salamanca; Alonso de Parada, who had lived in Cuba for several years; Diego Delgadillo of Granada; and Juan Ortiz de Matienzo, a Biscayan.[2] They were ordered to embark at once, and in order that they might be treated with greater respect on the voyage they were given command of the vessels which conveyed them. Since in the city of Mexico there was no public building suitable for their reception, the emperor wrote to Cortés requesting him to give them accommodation in his palace.
Soon after the arrival of Albornoz, tidings came to court that Fray Diego Altamirano and Pedro de Salazar, sent by Cortés with gold for his father, intended to land in Portugal that they might smuggle the treasure, and any letters they might bring, into Medellin.[3] Orders were issued at once to watch for and seize the vessel, and the Portuguese authorities were requested to receive the treasure for account of the
- ↑ See Hist. Cent. Am., i. 269-70, this series.
- ↑ Herrera and other early authors, as well as modern writers who have followed them implicitly, are wrong in giving Matienzo's Christian name as Martin; he signed himself Juan, and it is so written in the records. Libro de Cabildo, MS., Jan. 1, 1529.
- ↑ A comparatively easy matter since the town lies within a day's journey to the Portuguese frontier.
