Nayarit practically ends. There was no farther opposition meriting the name even in comparison with past events; neither do subsequent developments require more than a general glance here. The attention of the Christians was first turned to the destruction of temples on the mesa, with all their paraphernalia of idolatry. Evil influences were exorcised, though not easily, by the zealous conjurations of the friars; a temporary structure for mass was erected without delay; and the bones of the first Nayar were sent with other relics and trophies to Mexico.[1] The new province in accordance with the viceroy's wish was called Nuevo Reino de Toledo, because he attributed the successful conquest largely to the image of our lady worshipped in the cathedral of Toledo. Flores was made comandante of the territory he had won as lieutenant of the captain-general. The natives on the adjoining Mesa del Cangrejo[2] had kept their promise, merely rolling down a few stones where they could do no harm and making some noise during the battle in order to make a good showing in case the Spaniards were defeated. They now came in and offered their submission, and other rancherías followed their example. Soldiers were despatched in every direction, and the whole native population was gradually subdued, though not without considerable difficulty and delay by reason of the abundance of almost inaccessible hiding-places long frequented by apostates.[3]
The missionaries were as usual earnest and industrious; the military guard at first sufficient; and the local troubles and partial revolts less frequent and serious than might have been anticipated from the
- ↑ The trophies arrived in Mexico Feb. 12, 1722, where they were burned with great ceremony for the good of the faith. Gacetas de Mex., Feb. 1722. This author calls the temple Huei Calli, the image of the sun worshipped in it Tonati, and the Gran Nayari whose bones were sent to Mexico Guayco or 'third.' Mota-Padilla calls the temple Caliguei.
- ↑ Their chief is called Cangrejo in Relacion, 20.
- ↑ Mota-Padilla gives more importance to these various expeditions than does the author of the Afanes, and represents the soldiers' sufferings as very great from exposure, scorpions, etc. According to Nayaritas, Relacion, a Franciscan friar, P. Arroyo, accompanied the army.
