The years between 1623 and 1626 were marked by prosperity and peace both internal and external. This period was accordingly signalized by the appellation of 'el feliz.' The debt with which the provincia had been encumbered was paid off, and money accumulated in the coffers of the convents; twenty-five thousand pesos were expended on a chapel and sacristy for the convent at Valladolid; work on nine different churches was vigorously carried on, and the new priories of Guadiana and Ytuquaro established. About the year 1626 the prosperity of the provincia of San Nicolás appears to have reached its culmination.[1]
In the annals of the provincia of Santísimo Nombre de Jesus the year 1650 is memorable on account of an extraordinary disturbance occasioned by disputes as to the successor of the provincial Fray Diego Pacheco who died during his term of office. On his demise the friars Francisco de Mendoza and Diego de los Rios provincial ad interim, together with the definidores, elected Fray Andres de Oñate of the provincia
- ↑ The increase of rental was estimated at 300,000 pesos. The income of the provincial treasury during these three years was 54,378 pesos, of which 27,236 pesos were expended on the repair of churches and the erection of the Valladolid chapel; of the remainder, 3,000 pesos were allowed the provincial for expenses; 2,136 pesos were spent in supplying assistance to sick and needy friars; debts amounting to 3,323 pesos brought forward from the preceding triennial were liquidated, and 1,360 pesos were transmitted to the general of the order, making the outcome amount to 37,055 pesos, and leaving a balance in favor of the treasury of 17,323 pesos. Salguero, Vida, 19-21.
habits of the order were prohibited from being granted to the latter class. Provincia, in Disturbios de, Frailes, MS., i. no. iv. 167. About the year 1630, however, the Capuchines were compelled to yield to the pressure brought to bear upon them, and the alternative system came into force. Mich., Prov. S. Nic., 189-96. In 1029 a violent dissension occurred owing to the appointment of Juan de Leivana as provincial, without any attention being paid to the 'alternatia.' Eleven voters immediately proceeded to Mexico, and by order of the viceroy formed themselves into a chapter, admitted the alternative system, and elected Padre Vergara provincial. Vergara returned to Michoacan accompanied by an oidor. Fray Leivana opposed his taking possession of the office, and attempted to place Vergara in confinement, whereupon a chapter was held at Valladolid, and Leivana was sentenced to be banished to China. He was afterward sent to Acapulco, but the ships had sailed before his arrival. Salguero, Vida, 87-9; Prov. Mich., August., 192-4. Veraga died in the first year of his office, and was succeeded by P. Pedro de Santa María, for the concluding two years. In 1632 the majority elected P. Damian Nuñez provincial. Id., 194-6. Nuñez was a creole, and appears to have been the first of that class who occupied the office.
