[XX‑26] Both the date and number of friars are matters of dispute. Torquemada states that Motolinia was sent in 1542 to Guatemala by Jacobo de Testera, comisario general of the order, with twelve of the 150 friars whom he had brought to Mexico that year. Torquemada, iii. 337, 339. He follows Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 385. Figueroa, in Pap. Franciscanos, MS., i. No. 1, 37 et seq., supports Torquemada as to date but maintains that the number of friars was 24. Vazquez, on the authority of Fund. de la Prov. de S. Franco de Guat., MS., 1583, Lizana, Hist. Yuc., a letter of Motolinia dated October 21, 1545, and the minutes of the cabildo, concludes that Motolinia arrived at Guatemala in 1544, with 20 or 24 friars. Chron. de Gvat., 42-3, 102, 105-6, 440.

[XX‑27] The convent next founded after that at Santiago was the one at Atitlan by Fray Gonzalo in 1541; then followed others at Tecpanatitlan and Comalapa. Id., 84-5, 340. There is some doubt as to the date of the founding of the Franciscan custodia in Guatemala. Torquemada states that it was established in 1551, following Mendieta. Vazquez is contradictory, giving the years 1544 and 1549 as the dates. Chron. de Gvat., 102, 123, and furthermore quotes on pp. 144-6, Fund. Prov. S. Francisco, MS., 1583, as follows: 'Digo, que lo q̃ ay en el caso es: que esta Provincia fuè veinte años Custodia de la Provincia del Santo Evangelio de Mexico.' As this refers to the erection of the order into a province in 1529, it would appear that there was a Franciscan custodia in Guatemala in 1539. Figueroa, in Pap. Franciscanos, MS. i. No. 1, 37, gives 1542 as the date.

[XX‑28] The number of friars sent to Yucatan as variously given by the authorities already quoted, was four or six. But Marroquin, writing to the emperor December 1, 1545, states that Fray Villapando was in Yucatan with eight of the order, whom he had taken from Guatemala. Squier's MSS., xxii. 140. For mention of Villapando's labors in Yucatan see Hist. Mex., ii. 452 et seq., this series.

[XX‑29] Torquemada, iii. 339. The cabildo of Santiago in December 1545 petitioned that Motolinia should be sent back. The comisario general in Mexico replied, in February 1545, that more friars would be sent but that Motolinia's services were more needed in Mexico. Vazquez, Chron. de Gvat., 105-6.

[XX‑30] Ibid.; Audiencia al Emperador, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 132.

[XX‑31] Torquemada, iii. 339, 374-5; Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 385.

[XX‑32] Many through inability to master the difficulties of the languages had left. Squier's MSS., xxii. 39-40.

[XX‑33] Zapata, Carta, 'Destruyen i no edifican.' Id., 40.

[XX‑34] Las Casas, in Quintana, Vidas, 207-8.

[XX‑35] According to Motolinia, Hist. Ecles., 259, 268, Fray Betanzos wrote a letter to Las Casas attributing much evil and scandal to his mode of proceeding.