matters were, however, very beneficial to the natives, who were to be taught to raise cattle and learn trades. But there was one injunction, which, though well meant, tended |to isolate the Mayas from the other races in the country, namely, that negroes, mestizos, and even Spaniards might not settle in the native towns, or mix with the inhabitants in passing through them.[1] During Governor Solis' term a cacique of Campeche, named Don Francisco, revolted. Solis marched against him, and captured him and two of his lieutenants, who were tried, convicted, and executed.
In 1583 Oidor Diego Garcia de Palacio came to Yucatan clothed with plenary powers from the audiencia of Mexico, as visitador for Yucatan, Cozumel, and Tabasco. He was to act mdependently of the governor, and to correct existing abuses, chiefly those against the natives, and which tended to keep alive in them the spirit of discontent. It is said that he acted with much prudence and to the satisfaction of the audiencia. Some Indian chiefs, accused of relapse into idolatry, he sentenced to hard labor in Habana and San Juan de Ulua. One of those assigned to the lastnamed place, Andrés Cocom, escaped and took refuge in the forests of Campeche. Here he incited the natives to revolt, callnmg himself king and exacting tributes. The governor hastened to the spot with his lieutenant and a strong force. Cocom and his chiefs were taken and put to death, whereupon peace was restored. In 1597 Juan de Contreras made a second raid on Contoy Island, aided by Juan Chan, cacique of Chancenote, and his people, to bring away some fugitives and idolaters.[2] The same year Palomar, lieutenant-governor, sentenced to death the chief, Andrés Chí, who had been acting the part of a new Moses
- ↑ That system, which later obtained the royal sanction, added to other measures, perpetuated the antipathy so natural between the conquering race and the conquered. 'Fué un obstáculo constante para su amalgamiento.' Ancona, Hist. Yuc., ii. 74. Lopez' ordinances may be found in Cogolludo, Hist. Yuc., 292-305.
- ↑ His first expedition, also successful, was in 1592. Cogolludo, Hist. Yuc., 409.
