Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/419

Rh themselves in Chilapan, Father Borja had been sent to Santa Fé, a town founded by Quiroga, two leagues from the city of Mexico. Thus five of the seven Augustinians were placed in different parts of the country, while in Mexico the prior and Padre Oseguera labored to support their brethren by the collection of alms, and by forming a system of government for their prospective province.

In June 1534 La Cruz convoked a meeting of his brethren at the central convent of Ocuituco, to consider the prospects of the order and consult upon future measures. Some months later La Cruz returned to Spain and obtained further assistance from his order, which had previous to his arrival appointed him provincial vicar in New Spain. But the prior did not live to fulfil the duties of this higher position. Assiduous labor, rigorous fasts, and exhausting journeys on foot broke his health, and shortly after his return to Mexico he died, on the 12th of July, 1536.

During the absence of La Cruz in Spain, Father Agreda had arrived in Mexico bearing letters addressed