Note 59 — LETTER OF FRIAR JUAN SOLANO, BISHOP OF CUZCO[59] TO THE KING

Friar Juan Solano, born 1507, a Dominican monk, was a native of Archidona and belonged to the monastery of San Estevan at Seville. On March 1, 1543, the King made him Bishop of Cuzco, to succeed Valverde. He did not reach Cuzco until Nov. 3, 1545. He placed the first stone of the cathedral on March 13, 1560, and created the parishes of San Cristoval, San Sebastian, San Blas, and Santa Ana.

He signed the agreement to appoint Gonzalo Pizarro Governor of Peru when in Lima. He went over to the other side and accompanied Diego Centeno to Huarina; but escaped from the battlefield or Carbajal would certainly have hung him. Carbajal did hang his brother Jimenes. He joined Gasca at Xauxa. He was at Sacsahuana and then resided at Cuzco. He returned to Spain and went to Rome, where he lived for many years in the convent of La Minerva, and died on Jan. 14, 1580, aged 76.