Ottr Catholic Heritage in Texas
to govern in his absence, he was in turn subjected to an investigation by royal officials. Fearful of the justice that awaited him, he had made arrangements to flee from the country, but was captured and put in prison in Mexico by a clever ruse of his luez de Residencia. He remained in prison a year, after which he was released under bond to appear before the court in Spain. The Council of the Indies ordered him to establish his residence not less than eight leagues from the Spanish court. In the little town of Torrej6n de Velasco, the proud but heartless conquistador of western Mexico and ex-governor of Victoria Garayana spent his last days in a futile effort to vindicate himself. Having lost the greater part of his wealth, Guzman, towards the end of his life, experienced actual want. Cortes, while in Spain, learned of the plight of his former enemy and with characteristic generosity offered him help which he proudly refused. He died obscure and almost forgotten in 1544. 89
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19 Mota Padilla, Conq11isla del Reino de la N11e11a Galicia, 105-106.
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