A measure of this kind could not fail to meet with much opposition, and as will be seen later the division of lands and the system of repartimientos caused much dissension among the colonists; yet in the present instance the cabildo acted with all possible discretion and fairness in the matter. Those grants of land which were less fertile, were of greater extent than the more barren portions; men distinguished for their services received larger shares to correspond with the degree of their merit; growing crops were the property of those in possession at the time of the redistribution; and if any occupant had made improvements and was removed to another grant, his successor was required to make others of equal value on the new land assigned to him. Complete title-deeds were promised by the cabildo in the name of his Majesty;[V‑23] the citizens were ordered to enclose and keep in good condition the portion of the street corresponding with their allotments; the exorbitant charges of artisans were regulated; and such was the thrift of the inhabitants that within little more than a year after its foundation the town was surrounded with cornfields and orchards, and the valley of Almolonga soon became one of the most flourishing colonies throughout the breadth of Central America. CHAPTER VI. INDIAN REVOLTS AND CIVIL FACTIONS IN GUATEMALA. 1529-1530. ALVARADO RETURNS TO SPAIN—HE IS ARRAIGNED BEFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE INDIES—HIS ACQUITTAL—HIS MARRIAGE—HE RETURNS TO MEXICO—HIS TRIAL BEFORE THE AUDIENCIA—FRANCISCO DE ORDUÑA ARRIVES AT SANTIAGO—AND TAKES THE RESIDENCIA OF JORGE DE ALVARADO—THE CONFEDERATED NATIONS IN REVOLT—JUAN PEREZ DARDON'S EXPEDITION TO THE VALLEY OF XUMAY—THE SPANIARDS ATTACK THE STRONGHOLD OF USPANTAN—THEIR REPULSE AND RETREAT—THE PLACE AFTERWARD CAPTURED BY FRANCISCO DE CASTELLANOS—THE CIRCUS OF COPAN BESIEGED BY HERNANDO DE CHAVES—GALLANT CONDUCT OF A CAVALRY SOLDIER—ALVARADO'S RETURN TO SANTIAGO—DEMORALIZED CONDITION OF THE PROVINCE. [Sidenote: ALVARADO IN SPAIN.]