Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/743

Rh Escalona for himself and others applied to the ministro general for the requisite permission, which was granted; the new province being named after the father general, Andrés de la Insula, Provincia Insulana, with Escalona for first provincial. They journeyed into the interior, but could find no suitable spot on which to plant themselves. Everywhere they encountered obstacles until they saw the uselessness of further effort, when by common consent they returned and were kindly received into the old fold. At this time, 1554, the order had occasion to send religious to Guatemala, and Escalona started barefooted as the prelate of nine others for that field, where they labored several years ineffectually, and then returned to Mexico.

Another order of Franciscans entered the field of Mexico in 1580 or 1581, consisting of fifteen barefooted friars under Father Pedro del Monte, belonging to the province of Saint Joseph in Spain. They were given habitation in the hospital of San Cosme and San Damian. This was the foundation of the province of San Diego de Alcalá. Through Father Monte's exertions the erection of a convent was effected on the plaza de San Hipólito with the ordinary's permission and the assistance of friends. The construction was begun in 1591, and occupied several years; indeed, it was not finished till 1621. When the barefooted Franciscans had several convents, though not