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JULIAN GARCÉS, BISHOP.
297

Tlascala, the latter being designated as the centre and episcopal seat, chiefly as a mark of favor to this loyal little state, and partly because of its location.[1]

Thus commissioned, Father Julian presented himself in October 1527[2] to assume charge, and was hailed with all the demonstrations properly attending the reception of the first prelate. A septuagenarian of a noble Aragonese family and of brilliant attainments, which had procured for him the position of royal chaplin,[3] he could not fail to command great respect, even if his influence was not widely felt among the tumultuous factions which kept the country in a ferment. He arrived in the midst of the disputes between Cortés and Estrada, and exerted himself to conciliate these unquict spirits; after which he retired to Tlascala, there to pursue his duties with the zeal and energy of a younger man, holding aloof as much as possible from political affairs.[4]

The limits assigned to his see indicated that another was already under consideration, to embrace the more important districts of the lake valley and the promising regions west and south. The bishopric was indeed decided upon about the same time that Garcés obtained the Tlascala see,[5] and was offered to the deserving and highly esteemed Pedro de Gante, who since 1523 had labored as Franciscan lay brother in

  1. For limits, see Concilios Prov., 1555-65, loc. cit. The papal bull was dated October 13, 1525, corresponding to 1526, and the royal decree, September 19, 1526.
  2. Mex. Extractos de Cédulas, MS. 7.
  3. Born at Munebrega in 145?, he had studied at the university of Paris, and attained a high record for learning, which assisted to advance him in his order. 'Llamábanle por su eloquente Latinidad el segundo Nebrija, y redivio Ciceron.' Granados, Tardes, 324. Fonseca first designated him for the see of Cuba, ere he proposed the delusive advancement to Cozumel. Herrera, dec. ii. lib. ii, cap. xi., and previous authorities; also Las Casas, Hist. Ind., iv. 465-6; Fernandez, Hist. Ecles., 112-13; Morelli, Fasti Novi Orbis, 104; Camargo, Hist. Tlax., 192.
  4. The cathedral erected by him was 'dedicada a la Concepcion Immaculada de Maria.' Medina, Chrón. S. Diego, 243.
  5. It was created October 13, 1525. Morelli, Fasts Novi Orbis, 104; Villa Señor, Theatro, i. 28. This date is confirmed by the very limitation of the Tlascala see, and despite the assertions of Lorenzana and other authorities, who confound the bull of 1530 for the bishop and cathedral with that for the see.