Chapter V

ADMINISTRATION OF THE INDIES.
1492-1526.

Columbus the Rightful Ruler—Juan Aguado—Francisco de
Bobadilla—Nicolás de Ovando—Santo Domingo the Capital of the
Indies—Extension of Organized Government to Adjacent Islands
and Mainland—Residencias—Gold Mining at Española—Race and
Caste in Government—Indian and Negro Slavery—Cruelty to the
Natives—Spanish Sentimentalism—Pacification, not Conquest—The
Spanish Monarchs always the Indian's Friends—Bad Treatment
due to Distance and Evil-minded Agents—Infamous Doings of
Ovando—Repartimientos and Encomiendas—The Sovereigns Intend
them as Protection to the Natives—Settlers Make them the
Means of Indian Enslavement—Las Casas Appears and Protests
against Inhumanities—The Defaulting Treasurer—Diego Colon
Supersedes Ovando as Governor—And Makes Matters Worse—The
Jeronimite Fathers Sent Out—Audiencias—A Sovereign Tribunal
is Established at Santo Domingo which Gradually Assumes all
the Functions of an Audiencia, and as such Finally Governs the
Indies—Las Casas in Spain—The Consejo de Indias, and Casa de
Contratacion—Legislation for the Indies 247

CHAPTER VI.

THE GOVERNMENTS OF NUEVA ANDALUCÍA AND CASTILLA DEL ORO.
1506-1510.

Tierra Firme Thrown Open to Colonization—Rival
Applications—Alonso de Ojeda Appointed Governor of Nueva
Andalucía, and Diego de Nicuesa of Castilla del Oro—Hostile
Attitudes of the Rivals at Santo Domingo—Ojeda Embarks for
Cartagena—Builds the Fortress of San Sebastian—Failure and
Death—Nicuesa Sails from Veragua—Parts Company with his
Fleet—His Vessel is Wrecked—Passes Veragua—Confined with his
Starving Crew on an Island—Succor—Failure at Veragua—Attempts
Settlement at Nombre de Dios—Loss of Ship Sent to Española
for Relief—Horrible Sufferings—Bibliographical Notices of Las
Casas, Oviedo, Peter Martyr, Gomara, and Herrera—Character of
the Early Chroniclers for Veracity 289

CHAPTER VII.

SETTLEMENT OF SANTA MARÍA DE LA ANTIGUA DEL DARIEN.
1510-1511.

Francisco Pizarro Abandons San Sebastian—Meets Enciso at
Cartagena—He and his Crew Look like Pirates—They are Taken
back to San Sebastian—Vasco Nuñez de Balboa—Boards Enciso's
Ship in a Cask—Arrives at San Sebastian—The Spaniards Cross
to Darien—The River and the Name—Cemaco, Cacique of Darien,
Defeated—Founding of the Metropolitan City—Presto, Change!
The Hombre del Casco Up, the Bachiller Down—Vasco Nuñez,
Alcalde—Nature of the Office—Regidor—Colmenares, in Search
of Nicuesa, Arrives at Antigua—He Finds Him in a Pitiable
Plight—Antigua Makes Overtures to Nicuesa—Then Rejects Him—And
Finally Drives Him Forth to Die—Sad End of Nicuesa 321

CHAPTER VIII.

FACTIONS AND FORAGINGS IN DARIEN.
1511-1513.

The Garrison at Nombre de Dios—Subtle Diplomacies—Vasco Nuñez
Assumes Command—Enciso, his Life and Writings—The Town and
the Jail—Rights of Sanctuary—Valdivia's Voyage—Zamudio's
Mission—Expedition to Coiba—Careta Gives Vasco Nuñez his
Daughter—Ponca Punished—Jura, the Savage Statesman—Visit of
the Spaniards to Comagre—Panciaco Tells Them of a Southern
Sea—The Story of Valdivia, Who is Shipwrecked and Eaten by
Cannibals—Vasco Nuñez Undertakes an Impious Pilgrimage to the
Golden Temple of Dabaiba—Conspiracy Formed by the Natives to
Destroy Antigua—Fulvia Divulges the Plot—Darien Quieted—Vasco
Nuñez Receives a Royal Commission—Serious Charges—Vasco Nuñez
Resolves to Discover the Southern Sea before He is Prevented
by Arrest 337

CHAPTER IX.

DISCOVERY OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
1513.

Departure of Vasco Nuñez from Antigua—Careta's
Welcome—Difficulties to be Encountered—Treacherous Character
of the Country—Historical Bloodhounds—Ponca Reconciled—Capture
of Quarequá—First View of the Pacific from the Heights
of Quarequá—The Spaniards Descend to Chiapes—Take Formal
Possession of the South Sea—Form of Taking Possession—The
Names South Sea and Pacific Ocean—Further Discoveries—Perilous
Canoe Voyage—Gold and Pearls in Profusion—Tumaco
Pacified—The Pearl Islands—The Return—Teoca's Kindness—Ponca
Murdered—Pocorosa Pacified—Tubanamá Vanquished—Gold, Gold,
Gold—Panciaco's Congratulations—Arrival at Antigua 358

CHAPTER X.

PEDRARIAS DÁVILA ASSUMES THE GOVERNMENT OF DARIEN.
1514-1515.

How the Discovery of a South Sea was Regarded in
Spain—The Enemies of Vasco Nuñez at Court—Pedrarias Dávila
Appointed Governor—Departure from Spain and Arrival at
Antigua—Arbolancha in Spain—Pedrarias Persecutes Balboa—The
King's Requirement of the Indians—Juan de Ayora Sent to
Plant a Line of Fortresses between the Two Seas—Which Work He
Leaves for Wholesale Robbery—Bartolomé Hurtado Sent to Bring
in the Plunder—Disastrous Attempts to Violate the Sepulchres
of Cenú—Expedition of Tello de Guzman to the South Sea—The
Site of Panamá Discovered—The Golden Temple of Dabaiba Once
More—Gaspar de Morales and Francisco Pizarro Visit the South
Sea 386

CHAPTER XI.

DARIEN EXPEDITIONS UNDER PEDRARIAS.
1515-1517.

Gonzalo de Badajoz Visits the South Sea—What He Sees
at Nombre de Dios—His Dealings with Totonagua—And with
Tataracherubi—Arrives at Natá—The Spaniards Gather much
Gold—They Encounter the Redoubtable Paris—A Desperate
Fight—Badajoz Loses his Gold and Returns to Darien—Pedrarias
on the War-path—He Strikes Cenú a Blow of Revenge—Acla
Founded—The Governor Returns Ill to Antigua—Expedition
of Gaspar de Espinosa to the South Sea—The Licentiate's
Ass—Robbery by Law—Espinosa's Relation—A Bloody-handed
Priest—Espinosa at Natá—He Courts the Acquaintance of
Paris—Who Kills the Ambassadors—Hurtado Surveys the
Southern Seaboard to Nicoya—Panamá Founded—An Aboriginal
Tartarus—Return of Espinosa's Expedition 412

CHAPTER XII.

THE FATE OF VASCO NUÑEZ DE BALBOA.
1516-1517.

Affairs at Antigua—Different Qualities of
Pacification—Complaints of Vasco Nuñez to the King—A
New Expedition Planned—Vasco Nuñez Made Adelantado and
Captain-general of the South Sea—Pedrarias Keeps Secret the
Appointment—Reconciliation of Balboa and Pedrarias—Betrothal
of Doña María—Vasco Nuñez Goes to Acla—Massacre of Olano—The
Municipality of Acla Established—Materials for Ships
Carried across the Mountains—Difficulties, Perils, and
Mortality—Balboa at the Pearl Islands—Prediction of Micer
Codro, the Astrologer—Rumored Arrival of a New Governor at
Antigua—Meditated Evasion of New Authority—The Infamy of
Garabito—Vasco Nuñez Summoned by Pedrarias to Acla—His Journey
thither—Trial and Execution 432

CHAPTER XIII.

DECLINE OF SPANISH SETTLEMENT ON THE NORTH COAST.
1517-1523.

Dishonesty the Best Policy—Pedrarias Stigmatized—His Authority
Curtailed—Quevedo in Spain—He Encounters Las Casas—The
Battle of the Priests—Oviedo Enters the Arena—Business in
Darien—The Interoceanic Road Again—Its Termini—Pedrarias
and Espinosa at Panamá—The Licentiate Makes another Raid—The
Friars of St Jerome have their Eye on Pedrarias—The Cabildo
of Antigua Shakes its Finger at Him—Continued Attempts to
Depopulate the North Coast—Albites Builds Nombre de Dios—Lucky
Licentiate—Arrival and Death of Lope de Sosa—Oviedo Returns
and Does Battle with the Dragon—And is Beaten from the Field 460

CHAPTER XIV.

GIL GONZALEZ IN COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA.
1519-1523.

Andrés Niño and his Spice Islands—Fails to Obtain Authority
to Discover—Applies to Gil Gonzalez Dávila—Agreement with
the King—Royal Order for the Ships of Vasco Nuñez—Pedrarias
Refuses to Deliver Them—Gil Gonzalez Transports Ships across
the Mountains—Embarks from the Pearl Islands—Gil Gonzalez
Proceeds by Land and Niño by Sea—Visit to Nicoya—And to
Nicaragua—The Captain-general Converts many Souls—And Gathers
much Gold—Fight with Diriangen—Nicaragua Apostatizes—The
Spaniards Terminate the Discovery and Hasten to their
Ships—Niño's Voyage to Fonseca Bay—Return to Panamá 478

CHAPTER XV.

SPANISH DEPREDATIONS ROUND PANAMÁ BAY.
1521-1526.

European Settlement on the West Coast of America—Progress of
Panamá—Laws Respecting Spanish Settlements in America—Final
Abandonment of Antigua—Administration of the South Sea
Government—Piracy upon Principle—Pascual de Andagoya Explores
Southward—Conquers Birú—Return to Panamá—Colonies of Veragua
and Chiriquí—The Chieftain Urracá Takes up his Abode in
the Mountains and Defies the Spaniards—Pizarro, Espinosa,
Pedrarias, and Compañon in vain Attempt his Overthrow—Building
of Natá—Compañon as Governor—Hurtado Colonizes
Chiriquí—Conspiracy—Capture and Escape of Urracá—Several Years
more of War 495

CHAPTER XVI.

THE WARS OF THE SPANIARDS.
1523-1524.

Oviedo in Spain—He Secures the Appointment of Pedro de los
Rios as Governor of Castilla del Oro—Pedrarias Determines
to Possess Nicaragua—He Sends thither Córdoba, who Founds
Brusélas, Granada, and Leon—And Carries a Ship across the
Land from the Pacific to Lake Nicaragua—He Makes a Survey of
the Lake—Informed of Spaniards Lurking thereabout—Development
of the Spanish Colonial System—Gil Gonzalez Escapes with
his Treasure to Española—Despatches Cereceda to Spain with
Intelligence of his Discovery—Sails from Santo Domingo to the
Coast of Honduras—Arrives at Puerto Caballos—Founds San Gil
de Buenavista—Encounters Hernando de Soto—Battle—Cristóbal de
Olid Appears—Founds Triunfo de la Cruz 511

CHAPTER XVII.

COLONIZATION IN HONDURAS.
1524-1525.

Cortés in Mexico—Extension of his Conquests—Fears
of Encroachments on the Part of Spaniards in Central
America—Cristóbal de Olid Sent to Honduras—Touching at
Habana, He is Won from Allegiance to Cortés—Triunfo de la
Cruz Founded—Olid as Traitor—Meeting with Gil Gonzalez—The
Wrath of Cortés—Casas Sent after Olid—Naval Engagement in
Triunfo Harbor—Casas Falls into the Hands of Olid, Who is
soon Captured by the Captive—Death of Olid—Return of Casas
to Mexico—Trujillo Founded—Interference of the Audiencia of
Santo Domingo 522

CHAPTER XVIII.

MARCH OF CORTÉS TO HONDURAS.
1524-1525.

Doubts concerning Casas—Cortés Tired of Inaction—Determines to
Go in Person to Honduras—Sets out with a Large Party—Arrives
at Goazacoalco—The Gay Army soon Comes to Grief—The Way
Barred by Large Rivers and Deep Morasses—Scarcity of
Provisions—Sufferings of the Soldiers—The Trick of the
Merchant-cacique—Killing of the Captive Kings—Apotheosis of
a Charger—Fears of Rebellious Spaniards Dissipated on Nearing
Nito 537

CHAPTER XIX.

CORTÉS IN HONDURAS.
1525-1526.

He is Master of all the Miseries there—Miasma and Deep
Distress—Exertions of Cortés in Behalf of the Colonists—A
Vessel Appears with Provisions—Cortés Sends out Foragers—He
Seeks a Better Locality—Sandoval at Naco—Others Settle at
Caballos—Cortés at Trujillo—Vessels Sent to Mexico, Cuba,
and Jamaica—Troubles in Mexico—Cortés Irresolute—Starts for
Mexico—Is Driven back by a Storm—Pacification of Adjacent
Pueblos—Cortés Sends Presents to Córdoba—Shall Cortés Make
himself Master of Nicaragua?—Arrival of Altamirano—Return of
Cortés to Mexico 566

CHAPTER XX.

PEDRARIAS REMOVES TO NICARAGUA.
1525-1527.

Córdoba Meditates Revolt—Soto and Compañon Object—Their
Flight—Pedrarias Nurses his Wrath—Secret Motives for his
Departure for Nicaragua—Córdoba Loses his Head—The Governor
Covets Honduras, and Comes to Blows—The Indians Follow
the Example—Bloody Scenes—Pedrarias Interrupted in his
Reverie—Pedro de los Rios Succeeds as Governor at Panamá—His
Instructions and Policy—Residencia of Pedrarias—Triumphant
Result 584

CHAPTER XXI.

RIVAL GOVERNORS IN HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA.
1526-1530.

Colonial Policy—Salcedo Displaces Saavedra in the
Government of Honduras—Saavedra's Escape—Pedrarias'
Envoys Trapped—Salcedo Invades Nicaragua—His Cruelty
and Extortion—Distress among the Colonists—Rios
also Presents Claims, but is Discomfited—Pedrarias
Follows Triumphant—Salcedo's Ignominious Fate—Estete's
Expedition—Slave-hunting Profits and Horrors—Gladiatorial
Punishment of Revolted Natives—Pedrarias' Schemes for
Aggrandizement—He Grasps at Salvador and Longs for Peru—Both
Elude Him—Further Mortification, and Death—Character of the
Conquerors 597

CHAPTER XXII.

MARCH OF ALVARADO TO GUATEMALA.
1522-1524.

Rumors in Mexico concerning the Country to the
South-eastward—Pacification in that Quarter—The Chiefs of
Tehuantepec and Tututepec—At the Gate of Guatemala—Summary
of Aboriginal History—Allegiance and Revolt—Preparing of an
Expedition—Delayed by the Troubles at Pánuco—A Second Army
Organized—The March—Subjugation of Soconusco—The Taking of
Zapotitlan 617

CHAPTER XXIII.

CONQUEST OF GUATEMALA BEGUN.
February-March, 1524.

Overtures of Kicab Tanub to the Lords of the Zutugils
and Cakchiquels—Death of the Quiché King—Tecum Umam his
Successor—Gathers a Great Army—Intrenches Himself at
Zacaha—Passage of Palahunoh by the Spaniards—A Skirmish—A
Bloody Engagement—Quezaltenango Established—The Army Advances
on Xelahuh—The City Deserted—Battle of Xelahuh—Tecum Umam
Slain—Forcible Proselyting 632

CHAPTER XXIV.

DOWNFALL OF THE QUICHÉ NATION.
April, 1524.

Utatlan, Capital of the Quichés—Its Magnificence—The Royal
Palace and Pyramidal Fortifications—Private Apartments and
Gardens—Plan to Entrap the Spaniards—A Feast Prepared—The
Enemy Invited—The Treachery Discovered—Masterly Retreat of
Alvarado—The Quiché King and Nobles Entrapped—They are Made
to Gather Gold—And are then Destroyed—Utatlan Burned and the
Country Devastated—Subjugation of the Quichés Complete 643

CHAPTER XXV.

THE CAKCHIQUELS AND ZUTUGILS MADE SUBJECTS OF SPAIN.
April-May, 1524.

March to the Cakchiquel Capital—With a Brilliant Retinue
King Sinacam Comes forth to Meet the Spaniards—Description
of Patinamit—Occupation of the Cakchiquel Capital—Expedition
against Tepepul, King of the Zutugils—The Cliff City of
Atitlan—A Warm Battle—Entry into the Stronghold—Reconciliation
and Return to Patinamit—Love Episode of Alvarado 652

CHAPTER XXVI.

EXPEDITION TO SALVADOR.
1524.

Campaign against Itzcuintlan—A Rough March—The Town
Surprised—Desperate Defence—Alvarado Determines to Explore
still farther South—Crossing the River Michatoyat—The
Spaniards Come to Atiquipac, Tacuylula, Taxisco,
Nancintlan, and Pazaco—The Towns Deserted—Poisoned
Stakes and Canine Sacrifice—Enter Salvador—Moquizalco and
Acatepec—Battles of Acajutla and Tacuxcalco—Blood-thirstiness
of this Conqueror—Entry into Cuzcatlan—Flight of the
Inhabitants—Return to Patinamit 663