as I think that they do not further our purpose in any way. Their
annulment was asked for, for experience has shown that they have been
productive of little good, and that the province had not need of so
great rigor as they contain.




CHAPTER XXXV

_Of the election of our father Fray Vicente de Sepúlveda_


Our father visitor-general thought that he had complied with
his obligation, and that the affairs of the province were in good
condition. He set about returning to España with the results of his
labor, although for the completion of the visit there was no time
allotted; for he had ample license to remain in the province as long as
he judged it advisable for its advantage and greater good. He did not
have good fortune on that voyage, for, either the poor equipment or
the late departure caused both the almiranta and the flagship to put
back in distress. Our father visitor also came back and resumed his
office, as it was one of which he had made no resignation. Now came
the time for the chapter which was to be held in Guadalupe, according
to the decision made. In this chapter the number of votes was very
much less, in obedience to the acts of the intermediary chapter, and
the father visitor was to be the president as was necessary in that
chapter also, for thus was it ordered in his letters-patent. Some
must have been sorry for it. Finally, the matter arranged itself in
such a way that our father master Fray Diego de Guevara resigned any