too highly in speaking of the royal revenue and other matters. In letters to the crown from the ayuntamiento, the chapter of the archdiocese, and the provincial and council of the Franciscans, full justice is done to the memory of Velasco.[1] He had undoubtedly promoted the public welfare, and fulfilled his duty to the king by carrying out the policy of Viceroy Mendoza.
One of the viceroy's first acts on assuming office had been to summon the teachers of schools and colleges, and to urge upon them the education of the young, not only in letters, but in morals, meanwhile assuming them of his protection. Shortly after, under royal orders, were established and endowed in the city of Mexico one school for poor girls and another for poor boys; and the authorities were enjoined to watch over and foster them. And still later the site on which had stood the house of Alonso de Ávila was given them. Likewise the higher branches of education no less than Christianity and material improvement had been thought of by the king. In fact, we know from Herrera, that a dozen years previously the court had adopted measures toward that end, which for some reason had not been carried out. Now all former resolves culminated pursuant to three royal orders of September 21, 1551, in the founding of a university in the city of Mexico, together with the appointment of professors and the appropriation of funds for its support, namely, one thousand pesos de oro annually.[2]
No time was lost in carrying out the project, and the institution was inaugurated with great éclat January 25, 1553, its professors being at the same time
- ↑ This last memorial, dated August 28, 1566, tells the king he would soon miss the wise rule of Velasco in New Spain. His son was strongly brought forward for preferment. Torquemada, 1. 627-8; Peralta, Not. Hist., 380-1; Franciscanos, Abandono, in Prov. del S. Evang., MS., No. 12, 172; Beaumont, Crón. Mich., v. 538.
- ↑ Philip II. confirmed it Oct. 4, 1570, and decreed an increase of 3,000 pesos June 25, 1597. Soc. Mex. Geog., Boletin, iv. 207. The foundation of a university had been decreed by the king as early as 1539. Herrera, dec. vi. lib. vii. cap. vi.
