The latter work is but a Spanish transcription or version of the first. The importance of both is in their clear "exposé" of the principles of right and law, according to which the Spanish Indies were governed.—We are thereby enabled to judge of the true relations existing between the conquering and conquered races, and to detect, how far the original condition of the latter was understood or misunderstood by the former—(and misrepresented?)
The "Museo Nacional," at Guatemala, has the following manuscripts besides those already mentioned:
"Historia de la Provincia de Predicadores de San Vicente de Chiapa y Guatemala."—A fragment, possibly by Fray Augustin Cano.
"Solicitud que el Padre Fray Augustin Cano hizo al Ill'mo Sr Obispo de Guatemala ... que se hallaba de visita en el pueblo de Cajabon pidiendo amparo para reducir á los indios Choles."
"Informé dado al Rey por el Padre Fray Augustin Cano sobre la entrada que por la parte de la Verapaz se hizo al Peten en 1695."
"Suma de los Capítulos generales y principales, ordenaciones, &c., de la Provincia de Predicadores de Chiapa y Guatemala." by Fray Lope de Montoya.
"Vidas de varios Padres de la Provincia de Chiapa y Guatemala del Orden de Indicadores," by Fray Antonio de Molina.
Whether the "Noticia ó Relacion de los Padres de la Orden de Predicadores que florecian en la Provincia de los Zoques" (anonymous MS.), belongs to the 17th century, I am unable to say.