Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/271

Rh Ponce's death so soon after his arrival revived the charge of poisoning, although the doctors under oath declared malignant fever the cause. The disease was even regarded as a pest, for a large number of those who came with Ponce died from the same malady, and also several settlers.

A. few days before his death Ponce had summoned the town council and substituted Marcos de Aguilar as alcalde mayor in place of Ortega, with instructions that he should be recognized as his successor. This recognition was made on the 30th of July; but immediately after, the adherents of Cortés raised the question whether the late judge had a right to transfer his power as governor, and the council, together with the delegates from the other towns, formally called upon Cortés to reassume the post till the king could decide. He refused, however, to take a step that might imperil the opinion of his obedience, and he even counselled Sandoval to decline the proposal to associate him with Aguilar. The latter was accordingly received as governor the 26th of August, and