[VIII‑1] See [Hist. Cent. Am., i. 638], this series.
[VIII‑2] Marroquin was a good Latin scholar and was the first to apply the system of studying that language to the Indian dialects. He translated the Catholic catechism into Quiché. Vazquez, Chronica de Gvat., 150.
[VIII‑3] Gonzalez Dávila, Teatro Ecles., i. 142. Torquemada mentions that Francisco Jimenez, one of the 12 Franciscans who first arrived in New Spain, was appointed the first bishop of Guatemala, but declined the position 'por quedar en el estado humilde ... de Fraile Menor,' iii. 445. Vazquez, quoting a royal cédula dated May 24, 1531, proves that a bishop had been already appointed at that date. Chron. Gvat., 36-7. According to Remesal, the emperor appointed Domingo de Betanzos the first bishop, and as he could not be induced to accept the honor, the mitre was given to Marroquin at the request of Alvarado. Hist. Chyapa, 58-9. In Nueva España, Breve Res., MS., ii. 351-76, is a copy of the bull confirming the bishop's appointment, printed in Spanish and Latin.
[VIII‑4] Vazquez relates that Fray Toribio Motolinia, mentioned by Torquemada as the sixth of the first 12 Franciscan missionaries, resided in Guatemala during portions of 1528 and 1529; but this is extremely doubtful. According to the former chronicler he preached and baptized at Quetzaltenango and Patinamit in both years. Chron. Gvat., 20-1; but there is conclusive evidence that he was in Mexico some time during 1528 engaged in violent opposition to the audiencia. Santa María, Lettre, in Ternaux-Compans, Voy., série ii. tom. v. 92 et seq., and was also there on the 15th of April 1529 occupied in the same contention. Procès-verbal, in Id., 104 et seq. It is not very probable that, during the interval, he should have made a journey to Guatemala and as Vazquez claims even to Nicaragua. Consult also Ramirez, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. pp. xlv.-cliii. According to Torquemada, Toribio was sent to Guatemala in 1533 to found monasteries. iii. 489.
[VIII‑5] In 1527, according to Gonzalez Dávila, who states that a hospital was founded at the same time. Teatro, Ecles., i. 140. Remesal, who is more to be relied on in this matter, gives 1529 as the date of Betanzos' arrival in Santiago, and says that he came at the request of Alvarado on his return from Spain. Hist. Chyapa, 15, 42-5.
[VIII‑6] 'Celebrose su consagracion con ostentissimo aparato, assi por ser la primera q̃ en Yndias se hazîa, como por la magnificencia del S. Principe, que le consagrô.' Vazquez, Chron. Gvat., 39.
[VIII‑7] Remesal gives a copy of this constitution, which was signed, 'Episcopvs Gvactemalensis.'
[VIII‑8] Arévalo, Col. Doc. Antig., 182-5; Marroquin al Emperador, in Cartas de Indias, 413-14. The bishop's signature, in his letters addressed to the emperor from 1537 to 1547, is different in almost every letter. On May 10, 1537, he signs himself 'Episcopus Sancti Jacobi Huatemalensis;' on August 15, 1539, 'Episcopus Cuahvtemalensis;' on August 10 and November 25, 1541, 'Episcopus Cuacvtemolensis;' and on June 4, 1545, and September 20, 1547, 'Episcopus Cuachutemallensis.' Cartas de Indias, 425, 428, 431, 433, 443, 450.
[VIII‑9] The tithes, when paid in kind, were of little value unless delivered at convenient places. The king, therefore, issued a cédula ordering that they be taken by the natives to the mines, or some other suitable place, within a radius of 20 leagues around each town. Mendoza, Carta, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., ii. 209; Florida, Col. Doc., 138.
[VIII‑10] Speaking of the provision, he says: 'Recibiré merced la reciban con todo amor y voluntad.' Arévalo, Col. Doc. Antig., 184.