UHLAND, Maximilian (oo'-lond), called FATHER
BERNARDINO DE SAN JOSE, German missionary, born near Crefeld about 1475;
died in Mexico in 1538. He became a Franciscan friar, and, being assigned to the
American missions, went to Hispaniola in 1520 with the newly appointed Bishop
Geraldini.
After learning the Indian language, he was attached to a
mission in the interior, but as he opposed the policy of the conquerors, which
brought about the depopulation of the island, he was ordered to leave the
country, and went to New Spain in 1526. There he was appointed guardian of the
newly founded convent of Santiago de Tlaltelolco, but subsequently he was sent
to labor in Guatemala.
In 1535 he was a member of the commission headed by
Father Betanzos which laid before Pope Paul III the wretched condition of the
Indians. Uhland, who was a Latinist of reputation, was instructed to speak
before the congregation of the propaganda, and induced the pope to issue his
celebrated bull entitled "Veritas Ipsa." This for a time improved the condition
of the Indians, but the promoters of the bull were never forgiven by the Spanish
authorities, and Uhland, to avoid persecution, on his return to Mexico did not
leave his convent till his death.
He left a valuable manuscript, which is preserved in the
National library at Paris, entitled "Historia de la fundación de la provincia de
Santiago de Tlaltelolco."
Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.comTM