viceroy. The few wealthy settlers had died, and those remaining were in distress; their condition was such that in the absence of fortresses or other defences[1] they were in continuous fear of the Indians. The whole number of Spaniards in the city was scarcely thirty, and these were anxious to depart. Contrary to the opinion of Zárate,[2] Mendoza claimed that the site of Antequera was a good one, being where Montezuma had his garrison of Mexicans. When the Spaniards went to live there they took possession of the Indian dwellings. Cortés had a house upon a temple and Francisco Maldonado another.
Between 1551 and 1580 affairs assumed a new aspect, and much religious progress was made; and what was no less important to the apostolic laborers, a large extent of country was secured for the aggrandizement of the order which in 1555 already had a good supply of priests, and in Antequera a vicar-general of the provincial for the government of the Zapotec, Miztec, and Mije regions. The convent of Tehuantepec was in 1551 attached to the province of Guatemala, as being nearer thereto, and one hundred and thirty leagues from that of Mexico; but three years later that arrangement was found inconvenient, and the convent was restored in 1555 to the latter.
In 1554 was founded an establishment in Guajolotitlan, and in 1555 one in Cuilapa, and another in Ocotlan. These foundations were followed by others in Villa Alta de San Ildefonso, Xustlahuaca, Achiuhtla, Xaltepec, Tecomastlahuaca, Nochistlan, Tilan-
- ↑ In 1550 the settlers petitioned for a fortress; but the government declined. Mendoza, Rel., in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., vi. 514.
- ↑ Bishop Zárate affirms that the city of Antequera, or Oajaca, was founded on an unsuitable spot with the evil intent of injuring the marqués del Valle, and that the settlers had been the sufferers, for the Indians had increased in numbers and occupied the environs. Thus the Spaniards had no outlet for their live-stock, no pastures, nor lands to cultivate. Carta, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., vii. 546-51. Father Santa María stated in 1548, that the Indians of Tepoxcolula, a town 16 leagues north-east of Antequera, desired to settle near the monastery, and the bishop would not allow it; a royal decree should be issued permitting it, as it would prove beneficial to the natives. Carta, in Id., 207.
