request was granted and the rectitude of his rule was established, but the turn affairs had taken so weighed upon him that vexation of spirit soon brought about his death.[1] Salazar and Peralmindez were also held blameless, and Guzman praised them highly to the emperor. Shortly after arriving, the audiencia sought to interfere also in Guatemala, and sent Francisco de Orduña to take the residencia of Jorge de Alvarado, as is related elsewhere.[2]
Among the three members of the audiencia Matienzo was the least culpable, for Delgadillo vied with Guzman in arbitrary acts. All three, moreover, in everything save the paramount matter of moneygetting, were greatly influenced by favorites, and these of both sexes, for all were given to gallantry, Delgadillo excessively so.[3] In this connection they were not ungenerous, but then their liberality cost nothing save bitter denunciation and lament on the part of those from whom the gifts, in treasure and estates, had been wrung.[4]
Even their few aids to progress and beneficent acts were but the means of further extortions. Delgadillo, for instance, fostered sericulture, but his operations were conducted in such a manner as finally to bring upon him a fine. Antequera, the capital of
- ↑ Had Estrada manifested a reasonable amount of spirit in asserting himself, it is not impossible that his appointment as governor might have been confirmed. His old comrades would have stood by him, for they approved of all that he had done. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 227.
- ↑ See vol. ii. Hist. Cent. Am. The charges against the officials are to be found in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xxviii.-xxix., passim. Alcalde Mayor Ortega's case was pending as late as 1541.
- ↑ In open day he forcibly took from the asylum founded by Cortés two beautiful native girls and carried them to his house. He sent another Indian woman, together with 3,000 pesos, to Spain; but the woman was set at liberty and the money seized by the crown. Zumárraga, Carta, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiii. 134; Cartas de Ind., 748. In the most shameless manner this man admitted from the cabildo, in return for his favor, the gift of some land next to that belonging to his brother, Juan Perez Berrio, whom he protected in the tyranny and extortion of which he was guilty as the alcalde mayor of Oajaca.
- ↑ When Albornoz returned from Spain with his bride he received from Guzman the town of Guazpaltepec, belonging to Sandoval. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 228-9. Even the menials of the oidores received valuable grants thus seized,
