Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/323

Rh priest, and to Deacon Minaya, who in the middle of 1529 founded the first convent at Antequera, about the time that Betanzos had undertaken his apostolic tour to Guatemala, there to lay the foundation of Dominican labors.

When Cortés returned from Spain in 1530 he brought twelve friars of the order of mercy, endeared to him by the sage and gentile influence of Father Olmedo. Their leader, Juan de Leguízamo, acted as confessor to his family. Under the special care of the marchioness came besides a number of Concepcion nuns, who founded the first nunnery under the name of Concepcion Purísima. It was endowed by four young ladies who had already sought shelter from the world in the house of Andrés de Tapia, and who now assisted in spreading the order throughout New Spain, and in training its noble maidens.

Cortés had meanwhile embarked with friends, and after touching at the Islands to display his retinue and riches, he entered the famous little seaport of