It imported horses and cattle from Spain, took steps to import a printing press, founded the Imperial College of Santiago Tlatelolco for higher learning for young indigenous men, renewed exploration, and continued work on the cathedral of Mexico City.
Beltrán de Guzmán was absent from the capital, but the other two corrupt officials were sent back to Spain as prisoners.
[2] In 1535, Pedro de Alvarado, previous governor of Guatemala, returned in defeat from Peru.
In 1537 Maldonado granted Fray Bartolomé de las Casas jurisdiction over the territory of Tezulutlán, or Land of War, in Guatemala.
[3][4] In 1539 Alvarado returned from Spain, bringing with him royal privileges and concessions granting immunity from the threatened trial and replacing Maldonado as governor.
His contacts in the Spanish Court, coupled with his diplomatic skill, had returned control of the government to him.
After spending five months in Honduras, he entered Santiago de los Caballeros (Antigua Guatemala) on September 15, 1539, replacing Maldonado.
Also arriving with Alvarado was a group of single women seeking husbands among the colonists and conquistadors of Santiago.
[6] Pedro de Alvarado died in 1541, and his widow Beatriz was elected governor of Guatemala.