Note XVIII‑42 — Chapter XVIII · PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS IN GUATEMALA. 1541-1550.
Reading edition
In this document the petitioners especially brought forward as an injustice a regulation previously passed that only married settlers could hold repartimientos. Id. The cabildo had as early as February 1538 made a representation to the crown on this matter, in which they explained the difficulty and expense attending the procuring of wives from Spain. Arévalo, Col. Doc. Antig., 13-14. It is evident also that in 1543 the cabildo again addressed his Majesty on the subject of their claims, as the viceroy Mendoza acknowledges receipt of 'el pliego que venia con ellas para S. M.,' and adds: 'yo escribo à S. M. ... haciéndole relacion, como conviene al servicio de S. M. alargar las mercedes y no acortallas.' Id., 180.