Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/702

682 On the death of Montúfar the archbishopric of Mexico was conferred on the inquisitor Moya y Contreras, and if zeal and ability alone be considered he deserved the promotion. There are some interesting features in the biography of this remarkable man. Beginning his career as a page of Juan de Ovando, president of the royal council of the Indies, in time he became his private secretary. Having completed his studies at Salamanca we next find him chancellor of the cathedral of the Canary Islands, which office he held until 1570. In 1571 he was ordained a presbyter in Mexico, having formerly filled high ecclesiastic positions in the Canaries, Murcia, and Mexico before this. He was exceedingly charitable, and it is told of him that he would often take whatever money there might be at his disposal and give it to the poor, regardless of the amount.

On the 20th of October 1573 the ecclesiastical chapter placed in his hands the administration and government which had been in their charge since Montúfar's death. He had been confirmed in the office by Gregory XIII. since June 15th, but the bulls