History of Mexico, Volume 1, 1516-1521Bancroft, Hubert Howe
History
History of Mexico, Volume 1, 1516-1521
Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Mexico -- History
Benito Martin, the chaplain, who had been sent to obtain the
commission, was rewarded with the benefice of the new discovery at
Ulua, which really comprised all Mexico, while the lately appointed
bishop of Cuba, the Dominican Julian Garcés, confessor to the bishop
of Búrgos, the patron of Velazquez, was promoted to the insignificant
see of Cozumel. These preferments, based on an insufficient knowledge
of the country, were corrected at a later time, when Garcés was made
bishop of Tlascala, while Martin received other compensation.[236]
Before the issue of these grants it appears that Yucatan at least
had a narrow escape from slipping entirely out of Spanish hands. At
the first news of Córdoba’s discoveries the admiral of Flanders was
induced to ask for the land in grant, in order to settle it with
Flemings, and also to petition for the governorship of Cuba as a means
to promote the colony. This was supported by Xèvres, the chief adviser
in such matters, who knew little of the Indies and the vast tracts
referred to, and so the promise was given. Las Casas was in Spain
at the time, and being consulted by the admiral as to the means for
colonizing, became indignant at the rash concession of Cuba, which
he considered as belonging to Columbus. He remonstrated, and warned
those interested to do the same. The result was the withdrawal of
the grant, greatly to the disappointment of the admiral, for whose
account several vessels had already reached San Lúcar, laden with
Flemish settlers.[237]
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