 On August 22, a royal decree was received in Mexico City, ratifying the transfer of powers granted by Luis Ponce de León to Marcos de Aguilar, but Aguilar had died on March 1.Aguilar had named Estrada governor, and this decree solidified his position.Since Cortés was suspected of poisoning Ponce de León and Aguilar, he was not in a position to challenge Estrada.