( 386 ) 



As to the culverin, it went no farther than the city of Seville; his 

 Majefty was pleafed to make a prefent of it to Don Francifco de los 

 Cobos, commendador major of Leon, who melted it down. Its value 

 amounted to twenty thoufand ducats. 



A fuit was commenced by Martin Cortes againft Ribera, on ac- 

 count of the money of which the latter had defrauded him. While it 

 was yet pending, and as Ribera was on a journey, he flopped to dine 

 at the town of Cadahalfa, where, eating fome broiled meat, he fell 

 down dead fuddenly, and without confelTion. God pardon his fins! 

 Amen. 



Cortes continued to rebuild and embellifh the city of Mexico. It 

 was now as well peopled by the natives as it had ever been before. He 

 gave them privileges, exempting them from all tribute to his Majefty 

 until their houfes were completed, as alfo the caufeways, bridges, pub- 

 lic edifices, and aquedudts. In the Spanifh quarter churches and hof- 

 pitals were eredted, under the care of the good father Bartholome de 

 Olmedo, as vicar and fuperior. This reverend father had alfo efta- 

 bliOied an hofpital for the natives, to whom he paid the utmojfl; 

 attention. 



In compliance with our petition to his Majefty, as formerly rela- 

 ted, Don Francifco de los Angeles, general of the Francifcans, fent 

 twelve of his order under the vicarage of father Martin de Valencia. 

 Amongft them came father Toribio de Motolineaj this firname, the 

 meaning of which is, the poor brother, was given him by the Mexicans, 

 becaufe all that he got in charity he diflributed in the fame manner, and 

 was frequently without a morfel to eat. He alfo always went barefoot- 

 ed, and wore a tattered habit, and conftantly preaching to the natives, 

 was very popular among them. As foon as Cortes was informed of 

 their arrival at Villa Rica, he gave dire<5tions for the road to Mexico to 

 be put in good order, houfes to be built at proper ftations for them to 

 lefrerti in, and the inhabitants of all the towns to go out to receive them 



■with 



