which they penetrated alone into the country of the barbarous Chichimecs. In 1539 two friars went from Michoacan into that region and baptized many,[1] while in 1540 Fray Francisco de las Navas was the first to administer baptism to the Popolucas who inhabited the valley of Tecamachalco.[2]
The Dominicans were not less zealous and active. Down to the year 1532 the monastic establishments of this order were subject to the jurisdiction of the provincia of Santa Cruz, in Española, which had been made independent of Andalusia. But Padre Betanzos had been sent as a delegate to the general chapter held at Rome in that year, to represent the interests of his convent, and procure, if possible, the creation of a Dominican provincia in New Spain. His efforts were successful, and the provincia of Santiago of Mexico, independent of that of Santa Cruz, was established at the convocation, and approved by Pope Clement VII. on the 2d of July, 1532, Fray Tomás de Berlanga being appointed acting provincial.[3]
Unfortunately for the harmonious working of this decree, the first provincial chapter of Santa Cruz, held in the city of Santo Domingo in August 1531, had included the convent of Santo Domingo in Mexico as a part of its organization, and elected for its prior Fray Francisco de San Miguel, who had recently arrived from Spain with a small party of friars.[4] These appointments gave rise to strife scarcely less unseemly than
- ↑ Friars had previously entered this region. The two mentioned in the text visited about 30 small towns, the population of the largest of which did not amount to 600 inhabitants. Motolinia, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., 1. 173.
- ↑ According to Torquemada Navas baptized 12,000 natives in two months, and told the date of his own death long before the event. He was twice guardian of the convent in Mexico, and at times definidor of the province. iii. 523-6.
- ↑ Chiefly through the instrumentality of Betanzos. Prov. Santiago, MS., 3. The term of the provincial's office at first was three years, but in 1508 it was increased to four years. Dávila, Continuacion, MS., 284.
- ↑ Padre San Miguel was the first prior proper, the government hitherto having been in the hands of vicars. Having served only one year, he was succeeded by Bernardo de Minoya. Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 56; Dávila, Continuacion, MS., 284.
