[Footnote 24:  Washington Irving says January.]

CHAPTER X

DISSENSIONS—­TRANSFER OF THE CAPITAL

1515-1520

The total number of Spaniards in the island at the time of the rebellion did not exceed 200.  Of these, between 80 and 100 were killed by the Indians.  The survivors were reenforced, first by the followers of Ceron and Diaz, then by some stray adventurers who accompanied Diego Columbus on his visit to the island.  We may assume, therefore, with Mr. Acosta,[25] that at the time of which we write the Spanish population numbered about 400, who Arango, in a memorial addressed to the Cardinal Regent, classifies as Government officials, old conquerors, new hirelings, and “marranos hijos de reconciliados,” which, translated, means, “vile brood of pardoned criminals,” the latter being, in all probability, the immigrants into whose antecedents the king had recommended his officers in Seville not to inquire.

This population was divided into different hostile parties.  The most powerful at the time was Ponce’s party, led by Sedeno, the auditor, and Villafranca, the treasurer; opposed to whom were the partizans of Ceron and Diaz, the proteges of the Admiral, and those who had found favor with Velasquez, all of them deadly enemies because of the unequal division among them of the unhappy Indians.

The expedition to Florida and the honors conferred upon him by the king naturally enhanced Ponce’s prestige among his old companions.  Diego Columbus himself was fain to recognize the superior claim of him who now presented himself with the title Adelantado of Bemini and Florida, so that the captain’s return to office was effected without opposition.

With his appointment as perpetual prefect, Ponce assumed the right to make a redistribution of Indians, but could not exercise it, because Sancho Velasquez had made one, as delegate of Pasamonte, only the year before (September, 1515).

In virtue of his special appointment as judge auditor of the accounts of all the crown officers, he had condemned Ponce during his absence to pay 1,352 gold pesos for shortcomings in his administration of the royal estates.[26]

The licentiate’s report to the king, dated April 27, 1515, gives an idea of the state of affairs in San Juan at the time. " ...  I found the island under tyranny, as will be seen from the documents I enclose.  Juan Ceron and Miguel Diaz are responsible for 100,000 Castellanos[27] for Indians taken from persons who held them by schedule from your Highness.”

“It would be well to send some bad characters away from here and some of the Admiral’s creatures, on whom the rest count for protection.”

“The treasurer (Haro) and the auditor are honest men.  The accountant (Sedeno) is not a man to look after your Highness’s interests.  The place of factor is vacant.”

“To your Highness 200 Indians have been assigned in Puerto Rico and 300 in San German.”