Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/207

Rh among his companions, the apostolic twelve, whom we shall meet frequently in the course of our history.

''Garcia, Hist. Beth.,'' ti. 13, 14; Mosaico Mex., ii. 448-50; ''Abbott's Mex. and U. S., 19-26; Miller, Reisen in Mex.,'' iii. 178-80; ''Zamora, Bib. Leg. Ult.,'' iv. 383-93; v. 320-48; ''Salazar y Olarte, Conq. Mex., n. 207-11; Salazar, Mex. en 1544, 233-6, 248-50; Hefelé, Cardinal Ximenez, 508-30; Helps' Cortés, 11. 149; Mexicanische Zuständte 1, 278-81; Brasseur de Bourbourg, Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 575-93, 712-30; Doc. Ecles. Mex., MS., i. pt. v.; Defensa de la Verdad., 4-6; Burke's Europ. Settl., i. 124-9; Camargo, Hist. Tlax., 158-60; Hazart, Kirchen-Geschichte,'' ii. 531-2; ''Dicc. Univ.,'' ii. 314-15, 601; v. 253; vii. 227; viii. 217-18; x. 739-48; Leyes, Varias Anot., 8-12; Magliano's St Francis, 538-47; Beltrami, Mexique, ii. 52-3; Portilla, España in Mex., 40-5; ''Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, i. 82; Id., Gob. de Mex., 18; Fricius, Ind. Religionstandt, 50-118; Concilio Prov.,'' 1555 and 1565, a iv. 1-10; Clemente, Tablas Chronológ., 227-8; ''Bussierre, L'Emp. Mex., 324-31; Touron, Hist. Gen. Am.,'' iv. 204-19; v. 1, 2, 35-55.

One of the leading authorities on the ecclesiastical history of Mexico for the first period succeeding the conquest, is Father Toribio de Benavente, known as Motolinia, whose family name appears to have been Paredes, for so he signs the preface to the Historia de los Indios. He was born at Benavente in Leon, and early evinced a devout disposition and a leaning for the priesthood. After entering the Franciscan province of Santiago, he was transferred to that of San Gabriel, and came as one of the apostolic twelve to Mexico. Hearing frequently from the wondering Indians who clustered along their route the word Motolinia, and learning that it meant 'poor,' in allusion to their threadbare garments and careworn appearance, he adopted it as an appropriate name for himself, and was ever after so called. He even signed himself Motolinia Fr. Toribio, with true reference to the meaning. ''Vazquez, Chron. Gvat.,'' 527, 534. The name, indeed, became identified not alone with a man of profound humility, but of a zeal that bordered on fanaticism, as instanced by his fiery advocacy of forcing conversion with the sword, which involved him in bitter altercation with Bishop Las Casas. While imbued with views different from those of the apostle of the Indies, he was no less a champion of the oppressed natives, devoting to them his best talents and energy; now appearing in hot contest with political powers in their behalf; now shielding them from cruel taskmasters; and anon following with crucifix in hand the bloody path of conquerors, to act the good Samaritan. Already during the first decade of the Conquest he had penetrated into Central America, wandering through Guatemala and Nicaragua, and adding thousands to the list of converts baptized by his hand. Vetancurt allows him to have baptized 400,000 during this tour alone. Menolog., 85. Torquemada, iii. 441, makes this the total number of his recorded converts 'por cuenta que tuvo en escrito. . . sin los que se le podrian olvidar.' On his return he became superior at Tezcuco; later, comisario, and vice-comisario general for Guatemala, and attained to the dignity of sixth provincial. The last years of his lite were spent at San Francisco convent in Mexico, in devout exercises, and during the performance of one he expired in 1568, says Beristain, probably August 9th, the last of the apostolic twelve, according to