( 46j ) 



commanded him to be put to the torture by burning his feet-, and after- 

 wards upon fome trifling and falfe allegations caufed him to be hanged, 

 which was one of the wickedeft and cruelleft a6tions ever committed 

 by an officer, and as fuch it was confidered by every Spaniard in his 

 army. He brought from this province alfo a number of natives loaded 

 with booty, to the city of Compoftello, which he founded at a heavy 

 expence to his Majefty and the inhabitants of Mexico. Here Guzman 

 remained until his arreft. 



As I have before related, in confequence of the injuftice pradifed 

 by the former court of audience, his Majefly was pleafed to fupprefs it 

 and cancel all its grants. He alfo appointed a new one, compofed of 

 wife and upright members, whereof D. Sebaftian Ramirez de Villaef- 

 cafa bifhop of St. Domingo was prefident, and the licentiates Maldo- 

 nado de Salamanca, Zainos de Toro, Vafco de Quiroga de Madrigal 

 afterwards bifliop of Mechoacan, and Solomon de Madrid were oy dors. 

 Thefe officers being arrived, the court opened its fittings, which was 

 notified by a proclamation, in confequence whereof there aflembled fuch 

 crouds of complainants, from city, towns, and country, of all defcrip- 

 tions, fettlers, agents, and native jchiefs, alledging adls of partiality 

 and oppreffion againft the former court, and demanding juftice, that 

 the members were quite aftoniflied. The demands of the agents of 

 Cortes for what had been unjuftly alienated from him, if they had 

 been all to be now repaid, would have amounted to above two hundred 

 thoufand crowns. Nuno de Guzman being abient, the whole blame 

 was laid upon him by the other members of the old court, who alledged 

 that they were compelled to adl as he thought proper to order them. 

 He was accordingly fummoned to appear, which he did not think pro- 

 per to do, and in the prefent circumftances it was judged moft expedi- 

 ent to refer the affair to the fupreme court in Europe: which being 

 done, a civil officer named Torre, a licentiate and native of Badajos, 

 was fent with full power, to the province of Xalifco, and with orders 

 to tranfmit Guzman to Mexico and commit him to the common goal. 



Ooo He 



