[XXXV‑58] 'I may say it,' Chiapas, 'exceedeth most Provinces in the greatness and beauty of fair Towns, and yieldeth to none except it be to Guatemala.' Gage's New Survey, 219.
[XXXV‑59] According to an official census taken in 1611 the population of Chiapas amounted to a little over 100,000. Pineda, in Soc. Mex. Geog., Bol., iii. 400-35.
[XXXV‑60] Speaking of the inhabitants of the town of Chiapas, Gage says 'they are as dexterous at baiting of Bulls, at juego de Cannas, at Horse-races, at arming a Camp, at all manner of Spanish dances, instruments, and musick, as the best Spaniards.' New Survey, 234.
[XXXV‑61] Consisting of not more than 400 Spanish householders and about 100 Indian houses. Id., 221.
[XXXV‑62] The poison was administered in a cup of chocolate or some sweetmeat; hence arose the proverb, 'Beware of Chocolatte of Chiapa.' While Gage was in Ciudad Real—called by him Chiapa Real—the bishop Bernardino de Salazar died with every symptom of having been poisoned. The ladies of the capital were accustomed to have chocolate served to them in the cathedral during mass. This habit the bishop attempted to suppress, and even proceeded to excommunication, but without effect. Then a disgraceful tumult occurred in the cathedral, and shortly afterward the bishop was taken ill, and the physicians agreed that he had been poisoned, which opinion he fully believed in at his death. Gage calls Ciudad Real 'that poisoning and wicked city.' Id., 229-33.
[XXXV‑63] For a list of the governors of Chiapas who ruled from 1590 to 1713, see Pelaez, Mem. Guat., ii. 183.
[XXXV‑64] 'He,' the governor, 'tradeth much in Cacao and Cochinil, and domineers over both Spaniards and Indians at his will and pleasure.' Gage's New Survey, 228.
[XXXV‑65] Gage estimated the bishop's stipend, derived chiefly from offerings received from the great Indian towns, at 8,000 ducats a year. The account of one month's offerings was kept by Gage; they amounted to 1,000 ducats, besides fees due from sodalities and confraternities. Id., 229.
[XXXVI‑1] San Miguel Manche contained about 100 houses; Asuncion Chocahaoc the same number; the other villages less. Juarros, Guat., 270.
[XXXVI‑2] The meaning of Peten is island. 'La palabra Petenes, que es lo mismo que Islas.' There were five petenes in the lake, one large and four smaller ones. When finally subdued the population of these islands was estimated at 24,000 or 25,000 persons. Villagvtierre, Hist. Conq. Itza, 279, 401-2.