Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/410

The careful attention with which the second audiencia examined into the ecclesiastical system, and the suggestions made by them, showed the necessity of reorganization. In August 1531 they represented to the king that the districts comprised in the diocese of Tlascala were unwisely selected, inasmuch as they were distributed at distances from the episcopal town varying from fifty to one hundred and sixty leagues, and they urged the necessity of establishing more bishoprics of limited extent,^[1] and consisting of contiguous districts. Such a system, they argued, would compel the prelates, whose means and power would be curtailed, to confine themselves to the conversion of the natives, and attention to church matters only.^[2] The metropolitan see of Mexico ought, they considered, to be of limited extent, but it was advisable that the bishop should be invested with extraordinary power to decide doubtful questions.^[3] These representations had their effect, and by cédula of March 20, 1532, the bishopric of Tlascala was limited to the districts of the town of that name, and of Huexotzinco, Cholula, Tepeaca, and the newly founded city of Puebla de los Angeles.^[4]

Further, in accordance with Fuenleal's reeommendation,^[5] the India Council expressed their opinion to the king that not only ought there to be four bishoprics in New Spain, the number to be increased as circumstances might require, but that an archbishopric, or

was not until 1626 that the interior was so far completed that the old cathedral, beside which the new one was reared, could be pulled down. Orozco y Berra, in Mex. Not. Ciud.,'71; Not. Mex., in Monumentos Domin. Esp., MS., 320. Vetancurt gives 1655 as the date. Trat. Mex., 18.

1. They advised that the diocese of Tlascala be limited to a radius of 10 leagues. Carta, in Ternaux-Compans, Voy., série ii. tom. v. 166-8.
2. Friars Domingo de Betanzos, Francisco de Soto, and Martin de Valencia are mentioned as being willing to accept so poor bishoprics. Id.
3. Especially regarding native marriages, as the Indians concealed their degrees of relationship when it was their interest to do.
4. The audiencia was also instructed to give its views after due consultation regarding the establishment of other sees. Puga, Cedulario, 76-7, 90-2.
5. He remarks, 'y an de ser personas que anden á pié dó no pudieren andar cavalgando, y que se contenten con el mantenimiento de los indios y con toda pobreza.' Carta, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, xiii. 225.