[XVII‑24] Id.
[XVII‑25] The above are the leading points contained in the memorial, which was a somewhat lengthy document, containing seven different clauses according to Las Casas, Carta Amonest., and Relacion in Squier's MSS., xxii. 140-42; and nine according to Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 374-76, and Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i., lxxvii.-viii. Remesal states that each bishop presented a memorial, that of Las Casas giving less offence than the others.
[XVII‑26] Las Casas and Valdivieso, Carta, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 118-20.
[XVII‑27] Marroquin states that the memorial was 'mucho desacato i mayor desatino: i él, como mas atrevido i favorido (por haverle dado credito á sus proposiciones i fundamentos sacados de su pecho lleno de hipocresias, sobervia, invidia, i avaricia), lo presentó, requirió, i amonestó.' Marroquin, Carta, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 139-40. He speaks rather favorably of Maldonado, but complains of his being remiss, wanting in vigilance, and somewhat careless as to the welfare of the colonists. He declares that there is dissension between the members of the audiencia, and says: 'Á mi no me satisfazen mucho sus letras ni su vida, aunque los he conversado poco.' Marroquin, Carta, in Carta de Indias, 440-1.
[XVII‑28] Maldonado exclaimed, while Las Casas was protesting against being expelled from the hall of the audiencia: 'Estos cocinerillos en sacandalos del conuento no ay quien se pueda aueriguar con ellos.' Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 376.
[XVII‑29] When the audiencia refused to recognize the bishops as protectors of the Indians, Marroquin addressed a letter to the emperor, wherein, after commenting on the disturbances caused by the new code, he concludes: 'Mas, no son tan largas los poderes de los Obispos destas partes como el ruido i sonido. La Audiencia lo manda todo i dá á entender que no hai para que el Obispo sea Protetor i Visitador: asi han proveido Visitadores a deudos suyos, quando V. M. solo quiere fiarlo a los Obispos.' Marroquin, Carta, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 135-6.
[XVII‑30] By order of the audiencia Rogel visited Chiapas for the ostensible purpose of assisting Las Casas in liberating the natives and settling the amount of their tribute.
[XVII‑31] Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 480. Cerrato did not hesitate, however, to censure the bishops severely when he thought it necessary. He complained of their maintaining alguaciles like those of the emperor and of the unjust arrest of persons 'sin haver caso de Inquisicion.' In speaking of the excommunication by the bishop of Nicaragua of certain royal officers because they were unable to pay him his salary, he says that he and Pedraza 'were enough to turn the heads of a thousand judges.' Cerrato, Cartas, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 83, 7.
[XVII‑32] Cerrato, Carta de Setiembre 28, 1548, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 80-1.
[XVII‑33] Even if he had been found blameless he could not have been reinstated, as Cerrato was appointed by the crown to supersede him. He lost his life at sea about two years later. Remesal, Hist. Chyapa, 179.