592
VICEROY VELASCO’S RULE.
formally installed.[1] The institution being under royal patronage used the arms of the crown of Castile, and, in fact, enjoyed the same privileges and preëminence as the famous university of Salamanca.[2]
A calamity that befell the city of Mexico in 1553 was the occasion of the display of interest, ability, and energy so common with Velasco. A long drought followed by heavy rains lasting twenty-four hours resulted in a flood, attended with great damage to property. It was the first inundation since the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards became greatly alarmed, but the Indians, who were well informed regarding several previous floods, took the matter coolly.[3] The
- ↑ The site fixed upon was the houses of Catalina de Montejo. Grijalua, Cron. S. August. 80-1. In 1584 the rector, Doctor Sanchez de Paredes, an oidor, being authorized to select a suitable building for the university, chose the property of the marqués del Valle in the plazuela del Volador, and seized it at the price fixed by appraisers. Notwithstanding much opposition on the part of the owner's attorney, Guillen Peraza de Ayala, a building was erected upon the ground, and the university brought to it. The suit was continued and decisions issued from the supreme government in favor of the marquis; but the viceroy, Villamanrique, for divers reasons, ordered the construction to go on, and the university to hold possession. However, on the 9th of July, 1589, the edifice fell to the ground. The rector. Dr Sancho Sanchez de Muñon, then applied to the audiencia for a new building, and the house of the marqués del Valle, on Empedradillo street, was taken at the valuation of 9,000 pesos. In the course of time a second story was added, the sala del general was adorned in the reign of Cárlos II., and nearly the whole edifice renovated in that of Cárlos III. Alaman, Disert., ii. 216-20, 261.
- ↑ The rector or president had judicial authority over the doctors and alumni in light offences, and in all matters strictly within its province. The alumni were exempt from personal service, and had the privileges of the nobility. The title of Pontificia was conferred some years later by the pope. At the time of its foundation the university had seven endowed chairs, the appointments to which were made by the viceroy. The classes were of grammar, Latin and Greek, philosophy, rhetoric, theology, and law in all its branches, mathematics, astronomy, physic and medicine; the Otomí and Mexican languages were also taught. The first rector or president was the oidor Dr Antonio Rodriguez de Quesada. The chairs of civil law and Greek were placed in charge of Dr Frias; the others had the following teachers: holy scriptures, the Austin friar, Alonso de la Veracruz; theology, the Dominican, Fr Pedro Peña; mathematics, Juan Negrete; canon law. Doctor Marrones; grammar, Juan Bustamante. The other branches were also committed to competent men. It is said there was also a chair of Mexican antiquities. During the remainder of this century several laws were enacted affecting the university and its professors and officers. Recop. de Indias, 191-5, 201, 204; Puga, Cedulario, 137-8; Zamora, Bib. Leg. Ult., vi. 106-12; Gonzalez Dávila, Teatro Ecles., i. 32-3; Calle, Mem. y Not., 51-2; Órdenes de la Corona, MS., ii. 109; Vetancvrt, Trat. Mex., passim; Montemayor, Svmarios, 61-3; Alegre, Hist. Comp. Jesus, i. 194-5; Salazar, Méx. en 1554, 1-17; Cavo, Tres Siglos, 159-61.
- ↑ Three are recorded: one in 1419, during the reign of the first Monte-
