Chapter IV: Part 4

The nighte beyng farre spent, and the _Indians_ that kepte the watch being asléepe, _Cortes_ sente vnto the Spanyardes that watched at the hall dore where the prysoners were, and commaunded them to let goe twoo of the prysoners, as secretly as they might, and to bring them vnto him. The Spaniardes handled the matter so well, that they fulfilled his desire, and brought twoo of them to _Cortes_ his chamber, who looked vppon them as though he had not knowen them, and willed _Aguillar_ and _Maryna_ to demaunde who they were, and what they would haue, and why they had bene in pryson. They answered, that they were vassals of _Mutezuma_, and that they had the charge to receyue certayne tributes, that those of that towne & prouince payde vnto their Lorde. And also (quoth they) we know not for what cause we are nowe imprysoned and so euelly vsed. We rather wöder to sée this new custome and madnesse, for in time past these men were wont to méete vs and receiue vs with great honour & curtesie, shewing all seruice and pleasure. Therefore we thinke that the cause of this alteration is through the fauour of you and your cöpany, who beare the name of immortalitie. We also feare least our felowes which are in prison shal be slaine, before _Mutezuma_ haue knowlege therof. Also said they, these barbarous people dwelling in the Mountaynes, would be glad to rebel if they foüd any succour or ayde, only to put their Prince to cost and charges, as heretofore they haue done. Therefore they moste humbly besought _Cortes_ that hée shoulde not permitte them and their fellowes to be slaine, nor yet to abide in the handes of their enimies wherein he should do singular pleasure to _Mutesuma_ their lord, & otherwise if they should perish, their Lord would be very sorowfull that his olde, faithful and trustie seruaunts shoulde haue such a reward for their good seruice.

[Sidenote: A vvise Captaine.]

_Cortez_ aunswered that it grieued him much, that _Mutesuma_ his friend should be misvsed wher he was, no nor yet his seruauntes euill entreated, and that hee woulde haue as muche care ouer them as of his owne, willing them to prayse the god of heauen, and to be thankful vnto him that had commaunded them to be set at liberty, in the grace and friendshippe of _Mutesuma_: he certifyed that in all haste they shoulde be dispatched, for _Mexico_ with certaine busynesse therefore (quoth he) get you to meate, and make you strög to take in hand that iourney, trusting to your féete least ye should be taken againe to your greate perill and daunger, Iwis their meate was soone eaten with the great hast they had to be gone.

_Cortez_ brought them out of the towne and gaue them victuall to carry with them. And charged for the liberty and curtesie shewed vnto them, that they should signifye to _Mutesuma_ their Lorde, howe that he was his assured friend, and that after he had vnderstanding of his fame, goodnes and mighty power, he much desired to serue him yea and that he helde himselfe happy, to fynde himselfe at such a time & season to loose those his seruaunts, and to shew therin his good wil, likewyse he woulde do all that lay in him to preserue the honour and auctority of so gret a Prince as hee was, & also to defende his subiectes and to loke to his affaires as his owne proper, although his highnesse dyd little estéeme hys friendshippe as appeared by _Teudilli_, who departed from him without bidding him farewell, and likewise absenting all the people of the sea coaste: yet thys notwithstanding he would not let to do him seruice at all times when occasion shoulde serue, and to procure by all meanes possible his grace, fauour, and friendship, and that he was fully perswaded, that his hyghnesse woulde not refuse his good will and friendship, considering that with his acquaintance, God had done much for him, to méete with a seruaunte of the Emperoures, for thereby he might know great secretes of holy things, and also receyue greate benefytes, if then he would refuse the same, the fault shoulde be his: but yet notwithstanding he trusted in his wisedome, that considering the thing well, he woulde be glad both to sée hym, and talke with him, and also to be friende and brother with the King of _Spayne_, in whose most happie name, both he and his company were come thither. And as touching his seruauntes that remayned in prison, hée woulde so vse the matter, that they should escape all perill, promising also to set them at libertie to pleasure him, and that incontinente he woulde haue done it, but onely bycause he woulde not offende the Lorde of the Towne, who had friendly entertayned him with greate curtesie, for which cause he would not presume to controll him in his owne house, nor yet to shewe himselfe vnthankefull. The messengers departed with this message very glad and ioyfull, promising to accomplishe faithfully y^e charge committed vnto them.

The confederacy and rebellion _done by the industrie of Cortez_.

VVhen the _Cazike_ founde missing the two prisoners, he blamed muche the guarde or watch, and pretended forthwith to murther those that remayned. Then came _Cortez_, and requested that their deathe shoulde be pardoned, for so muche as they were but officers obediente to their Lorde and maister, and according to iustice they had committed no offence, nor yet deserued anye correction in the facte, whiche was seruice to their King: but for so muche as they shall not flée as the other two haue done, deliuer them vnto mee, and I will take them to my custody and charge.

[Sidenote: Diuers opinions in counsell.]

Vpon this request the eyghtéene prisoners were delyuered vnto _Cortez_, who sent them aboorde his Shyppes, and there commaunded them to be put in yrons. The Lorde and his counsellors fearing what mighte followe, entred into councell what was best to doe, consideryng that they certaynely beléeued that the two prisoners whiche were escaped, would certifie in _Mexico_ the shame and cruell entertaynemente done vnto them. Some replyed that it was iust and requisite to sende vnto _Mutezuma_ hys tribute, with other presentes, to mitigate hys anger, and to excuse them, and accuse the Christians, who were the causes of the apprehension of his officers, and to craue pardon of their erroure and ouersighte whyche they hadde committed as madde men, in dishonor of the maiestie of _Mexico_. Others aunswered agayne, that it were muche better to cast off that yoke of bondage and slauery, and to giue no longer obedience to the _Mexicans_, who were both cruell and wicked tyrants, and also considering that now they had on their side those halfe Gods, and inuincible horsemen, saying likewise that they should not wante many others their neyghbours and borderers to help and succour them.

In this sorte they resolued themselues fully to rebell, and not to lose so good an occasion, wherevppon they besoughte _Hernando Cortes_ to bée their defendor and Captayne, considering that for his sake they had begun that enterprise, and whether _Mutezuma_ shoulde prepare hys army againste them or no, yet they on their parte were fully pretended to hold hym warre, and to desist from seruitude.

God knoweth how glad _Cortes_ was to heare this matter, for he well wayed that it was the high way to hys iourneys ende: yet dissimuling the cause, he aunswered that they should well looke to the thing which they meant to take in hande, bycause (quoth he) I vnderstande that _Mutezuma_ is a mightie Prince, but if ye will valiantly procéede, I will be youre Captayne, and safely defende you, for I do more estéeme your friendship, than the good will of _Mutezuma_, whyche I nothing care for: therefore lette me knowe what number of men of warre yée are able to make. Sir (quoth they) among all our friends wée are able to make a hundred thousande menne of warre. I lyke that well quoth _Cortez_, wherefore incontinente sende youre postes, with aduise vnto all your friendes in league againste _Mutezuma_, and certifie them of this agréemente and succoure of the Christians, not (quoth he) that I stande in néede of your help, for I alone with my company are able to stande againste those of _Culhua_, although they were as manye more, but reason required that they shoulde be warned of your pretence, and to be in readinesse for the same, fearing least _Mutezuma_ mighte sende his army vpon a suddayne, and finde you vnprouided.

With this aduise and encouragement of _Cortez_, & also they themselues being a people heady and of small consideratiö, they dispatched incötinent their messëgers to all the Townes and Villages of neyghbours and friendes, aduertising them what they hadde determined, exalting the strangers aboue the cloudes.

And by this meanes rebelled many _Cazikes_ & townes, and all the whole Mountaynes, so y^t there was not left any collector or other officer of _Mexico_ in al those borders, with open proclamation of warres againste _Mutezuma_, and all his adherentes.

_Cortez_ his intët was on the other side, to stirre vp these Indians, to get both their goodes, willes, and landes, for otherwise, he could not well bring his matter to passe: he only caused the officers of _Mutezuma_, to be taken prisoners, and to be loused agayne, he fayned a greate loue to _Mutezuma_, and stirred his subiectes agaynste him, he offered to be their defendor, and lefte them rebelled, to the intent that they should stand in néede of him.

The foundation of the riche _Towne called Vera Crux_.

At this instant the Fléete was arriued at the port, then wente _Cortez_ to visit them, and carried with him many _Indians_ of the Rebels, both of that Towne, and also of _Zempoallan_, who did good seruice to cutte downe timber, and to carrie stones to the place appoynted, for the building of the Citie, named the riche towne of _Vera Crux_, accordyng to the determination, when the officers were appoynted for the same, and chosen in S. _Iohn de Vlhua_, and in good order made repertition to the inhabitants of the ground, and plottes to builde vpon.

[Sidenote: Embassadors.]

They appoynted also a place for the high Churche, a Market place, a Towne house, a Gayle, store houses, a kay or Wharfe, to lade or vnlade, a butcher row, & other places necessary to the good gouernement and pollicie of a Towne. They also drew out a plot to build the Castel or Fort on, néere the roade in a place conueniente, and in this sort began theyr worke, and their houses made with mudwall, for the earth there is good for that purpose. And euery man being this occupyed in this new worke, came from _Mexico_ two kinsmen of _Mutezuma_, with other four graue learned menne for Councellors, and many seruing men that attended vppon them, as Ambassadors from _Mutezuma_, they presented vnto _Cortez_ certayne cloth of Cotten well wouen, and feathers curiously and fynely wroughte, other péeces of golde and siluer wrought, and a Casket of graynes of golde, as they were founde in the Mynes not molten, which wayed altogyther two thousand & ninetie Castlins, & sayd, y^t _Mutezuma_ hadde sente hym the golde in the Casket, to cure theyr disease, and woulde gladly knowe howe they fared, giuing also vnto him most hartie thankes, for loosing his two housholde seruauntes, and preseruing the others from slaughter, besiechying hym to make accompte, that hée woulde doe the lyke in anye affayres of his, desiring hym also to procure the libertie of the other eyghtéene Prisoners: and bycause those _Indians_ hadde entertayned hym well in their houses, he did pardon their vprore, yet notwithstanding he knewe very well that they were suche a kynde of people, that in shorte space they woulde committe some other offences, whereby they myght bée chastned for all togyther, euen as a Dogge deserueth stripes. And as concernyng the rest of hys request, theyr Lorde was not well at ease, and also occupyed in matters of warre of greate importance, whereby at that presente, there was no remedie to visit eache other, but in processe of tyme his desire shoulde be accomplished.

_Cortez_ welcommed them friendly and ioyfully, and also lodged them in Cotages néere vnto the water side, and sent forthwith for the Lorde of _Chiautztlan_, that had rebelled, who came at his commandement. _Cortez_ sayd vnto him, lo sée what troth I haue vsed with thée, for _Mutezuma_ dareth not to send any army, no nor yet displease anye person where I am. Therefore from this daye forwarde you and all youre lignage and friendes maye accompte your selues frée and exempt from the seruitude of _Mexico_, without rendryng the tributes accustomed. He requested to set at libertie the prisoners, and to restore thë to the Ambassadors of _Mutezuma_. Thys _Cazike_ wylled _Cortez_ to doe what pleased him, for sayde he, euen as wée haue chosen you for oure Captayne, we will not excéede one iote of youre commaundemente: wherevppon hée returned home to his towne, and the Ambassadors toward _Mexico_, all well pleased and content.

Nowe fame flew abroade, blasing that _Mutezuma_ feared the Christians, wherevpon all the _Totonaques_ prepared themselues for the warres, taking cleane awaye from _Mexico_ their tribute and obedience.

The Ambassadors departed from _Cortez_ with theyr prisoners, and manye other things that were giuen thë, of linnen, wollen, skynnes, glasse, and yron, being greately amazed at the things which they had séene.

Hovv Cortez tooke by force of _armes Tizapansinca_.

Not long after that these things had happened, the _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_ sente vnto _Cortes_, to desire him of succour against the garrisö of _Culhua_, which _Mutezuma_ mainteyned in _Tizapansinca_, who did greately anoy them, in spoyling, burning, and destroying theyr corne in the fieldes, and slew their husbandmen, and toke many prisoners. The Towne of _Tizapansinca_ doth confine with the _Totonaquez_, and with the grounde of _Zempoallan_, and is a good strong Towne, scituated néere the Riuer, and hath a fort standing vpon a high rocke. And bycause this Towne was strong, and planted among them who were alwayes seditious and Rebelles, _Mutezuma_ placed there his garrison, who séeyng the officers of receyuers and auditors come flying thyther for helpe, béeyng persecuted of the Rebels, they wente out to pacifie the Rebellion, and for to chasten them, they burned and destroyed whatsoeuer they found, and also had taken many prisoners.

_Cortez_ hearing this newes, departed towarde _Zempoallan_, and from thence in two dayes iourney with a greate armye of _Indians_ to _Tizapansinca_, which stoode eyghte leagues and more from that Citie.

The garrison of _Culhua_ came into the fielde, thinkyng to haue hadde battayle onely with those of _Zempoallan_, but when they saw the Horsemen and the bearded men, they lost theyr courage, and beganne to flye as fast as they myghte possible: theyr succoure béeyng néere, they were soone in holde: they woulde haue entred into theyr Castell, but for y^e swiftnesse of the Horses which stopped theyr way.

[Sidenote: The valiant courage of Cortez.]

And when the Horses coulde not ascende vp vnto the forte, _Cortes_ alighted with other foure of hys men, and among the preasse of the Townesmen gote into the forte, and béeyng within, they kept the dore tyll theyr companye came wyth manye friendes, vnto whome hée delyuered the forte and Towne, desiring to do no hurte to the inhabitantes, but to suffer them to depart fréely without weapon and standerde. It was a newe worlde to those _Indians_, who did fulfyll _Cortes_ hys commaundemente in all poyntes. Thys done, _Cortez_ returned agayne to the Sea coast, by the same way whiche hée hadde come.

This was the firste victory that _Cortes_ had among the subiectes of _Mutezuma_, whereby all the Mountaynes remayned frée from the vexations of the _Mexicans_, and all our men with great fame and reputation, as well among their friendes, as among their enimies, in so much that afterwardes when any neede did happen among the _Indians_, they would immediately sende vnto _Cortes_ for one of his men, saying, that one man alone of the Chrystians, was sufficient to be their Captayne and securitie.

Thys was a good begynnyng for the pretence of _Cortes_. Now when he came to _Vera Crux_ wyth hys company triumphantly, he founde there _Francisco de Salzeda_, who was come with his caruell which he had boughte of _Alonso Cauallero_, a dweller in _Saint Iames de Cuba_, and was left there to be grounded and dressed at his departure from thence. He brought with him .70. Spanyardes, and nine Horses and Mares, wherewith they all maruellously reioyced.

The presents that Cortez sent to _the Emperour for his fifte_.

_Cortez_ made greate hast in building vp the new town and the Castell, bycause the Citizens and souldiers mighte haue succoure againste winde and rayne, and commoditie of householde, and lykewise to bée assured of defence against enimies if néede shoulde happen, pretending lykewise with all expedition, to enter within the land toward _Mexico_, to visit _Mutezuma_, and to leaue in that newe worke all thing in good order, he finished many thinges, touching as well the peace as the warre.

He commaunded to be brought a lande out of his shippes all the armour & other furniture for the warres, with the Merchandise, victuall and other prouision, and to deliuer it to the rulers of the newe Cittie, accordyng to his promisse. He also signified vnto all his company that it was méete and conuenient, to sende relation to the Kyng of all theyr proceedings and dealings in that countrey, with demonstration of Golde and Siluer there founde.

And (quoth he) to deale vprightly in this case, it is necessary to deuide equally our treasure to euery man his portion, accordyng to the vse of the warres, the deuision beyng made, then firste and principally lette vs deduct the Kings fifte parte. And for the better performance therof, I doe name and appoynt _Alounso de Auila_ Treasurer for the King, and also I doe elect _Gonsalo Mexia_ Treasurer of the armie.

All the newe Magistrates ratified his sayings, and allowed his discretion and wisedome, praysing the election of the newe officers as men moste méete for suche an office, and besought them to accept theyr charge.

This diligence done, he commaunded to bring foorth into the markette place all the goodes and treasure which they had gotten, as well cloth of Cotten, Feathers, Golde, and Plate, whiche mought amount vnto in valew the summe of .27000. Ducates: The same he caused to be delyuered vnto the newe elected treasorers by account, requestyng the whole counsell of the Cittie that they shoulde make deuision thereof. The counsellours and communaltie replyed, saying: Sir here is nothing to deuide, for deductyng the fifte parte whiche appertayneth to the King, all the reste shall be to make payment for the furniture whiche you prepared for this voyage, and you beyng satisfied, then the shippes, munition and furniture shall serue in common for vs all, beséeching him with one assent to take all the treasure, and to sende vnto the kings maiestie his portion or fifte parte, euen as shoulde séeme most conuenient vnto him.

[Sidenote: Liberalitie of Cortez.]

_Cortes_ replied and sayde, that time hereafter shoulde serue to pay him according to their gentle offer: But for this present time my louyng felowes (quoth he) I will receyue no more than the share or portion that appertayneth vnto my office of generall Captayne, and all the residue shal be for the Gentlemen of my company, wherewith yée may beginne to make payment of your debtes, whiche ye ought when ye made your prouision to come with me on this voyage.

And where I haue appoynted certayne things to send to the King, of more value than his fifte parte, it mighte please them, for as muche as they were suche things as coulde not be well deuided, and likewyse the firste fruite of that Conquest, fréely to giue him libertie to vse his discretion in that onely poynt. They al in generall graunted to his request, wherevpon he tooke out of the stocke, these things followyng.

Inuentary.

Firste the twoo whéeles of Golde and siluer, whiche _Heudilli_ presented vnto him on the behalfe of _Mutezuma_.

A coller of golde of eight péeces, whereat hanged a hüdreth and four score and thrée little Emeraldes, and twoo and thirtie little redde stones, lyke vnto Rubies, of small value: there hanged at the same coller seauen and twentie little belles of Golde, and certayne heads of pearle.

Another coller of foure doubled twiste, with a hundreth and twoo Rubies, and a hundreth and seuentie and twoo Emeraldes, and tenne good pearles well sette, and for border or fringe sixe and twentie belles of golde: both those collers were beautifull to beholde, and had many other fine thyngs wrought in them, than is here declared.

Many graynes of golde of the bignesse of a pease, euen as they were founde.

A Casket of graynes of golde of the same sorte.

A Helmet of woodde champed with golde and besette with stones, and at the beuier fiue and twentie belles of golde, and vpon the toppe a gréene birde, with his eyes, beake, and féete of golde.

A sallet of planches of golde, and belles rounde aboute it, decked with stone.

A bracelet of golde of small weight.

A rodde lyke vnto a roiall Scepter, with twoo rings of golde hangyng thereat, garnished with pearle.

Foure forkes with thrée shepehookes at ech, couered with feathers of sundry colours.

Many payres of shoes made of Déere skinnes, sowed with golde thréede, and in the soales were sette certayne stones of colour white and blewe whiche shyned fayre.

Sixe payre of letherne shoes of diuers colours, garnished with golde, siluer, and pearle.

A Targatte of woodde couered with leather, beset round about with belles of Latton, and the bosse in the midst was planched with gold, and there was engraued vpon the same _Vitsilopucthli_, God of the warres, and also foure heads set crossewise, whiche heades were of a Lion, a Tigre, an Eagle, and an Owle, verye liuely made with feathers.

Many skinnes of beast and foule, curried and dressed in their feathers and in haire.

Foure and twenty targets of gold feathers, and set with pearle both curious and gallant to behold.

Fiue Targets of feathers and siluer.

Foure fishes of gold wel wrought.

Two birdes called Auades, and other birdes of gold.

Certaine Hatchets and a rod of latten.

Diuerse loking glasses garnished with gold.

Many Myters and crownes of gold & feathers wrought of many colours beset with pearle and stone.

Many faire feathers of sundry colours.

Many tuffes of feathers adorned with siluer and gold.

A garment like a coape of cotten, wouen of sundry coulours, and in the middest a blacke whele made of feathers.

Many surplices, vestments, palles, frontals and ornaments of Idols alters and temples.

Many couerlets of cotten of diuerse colours, whyche shewed like vnto vnshorne veluet.

Manye shirtes, Iackettes, headclothes and other naperie.

Many Carpets and hangings of cotten.

Al these things wer more beautiful than rich, although the whéeles were very rich, the workmanshippe of al the rest, was more worth than the thing it selfe. The colours of the cloth of cotten wool was excéeding fine, and the fethers natural.

[Sidenote: Straunge Paper.]

The pounced worke in gold and siluer did excéed our goldsmithes, of whiche things we wil write in an other place. They ioyned with this present certaine _Indian_ bookes of figures which serue to their vse for letters: these bookes are folden like vnto clothes, and written on both sides. Some of these bookes were made of cotten & glewe, and others were made of leaues of a certaine trée called Melt, whyche serue for theyr paper, a thyng straunge to behold.

At that time the _Indiäs_ of _Zempoallan_ had many prisoners to sacrifice. _Cortez_ demaunded them to send vnto the Emperour, but the _Indians_ desired him to pardon them, for if we so do (quoth they) we shall offend our gods, who will take awaye our corne and children from vs, yea and also our liues in so doing.

Yet notwithstanding, _Cortez_ tooke foure of them, and two women which were al yong and lustie.

But it was very strange to sée those that shold be sacrificed, how they wer trimmed and deckt with feathers, and went dauncing through the Cittie, asking almes for their sacrifice & death. It was also strange to sée the offerings y^t were giuen thë. They had at their eares hanging rings of gold beset with turkie stones, & likewise other rings at their lippes, whiche shewed their téeth bare, a griesely sight to sée, but yet estéemed among them a thing beautifull.

Letters from the army and magistrates of _the new towne directed to the Emperour_.

VVhen this present and fift part was layde aside for the king, _Cortez_ required the magistrats to name and appoint two atturnyes, to carry the Emperors portion vnto Spayne. And that he for his part wold giue vnto them his full power, and letter of attourneye, with also one of his beste Shippes for that voyage.

The Counsell of the newe towne chose _Alounso Fernandez Portocarero_, and _Francisco de Monteio_ for that iourneye: whereof _Cortez_ was verye glad, and gaue them _Antonio de Alominos_ for their pilot, with golde and plate sufficiente for tourne and retourne of the voyage. _Cortez_ gaue them instructions, what they shoulde doe particularlye for hym, in the Courte of Spaine as also in Ciuil, and the towne where he was borne. Hee sente to his Father and Mother certaine money, with newes of his prosperitye: hee sente also with them the ordinaunces and actes instituted, and wrote by them a large letter to the Emperour, in the whiche hee gaue full aduertisemente of all things whyche hadde passed from the time of his departure from the Ilande of _Cuba_ vntil that day, and of the discord betwéene hym and _Iames Valasques_, and of their greate traueyle and paynes, with the greate good will whiche they all bare vnto hys royall seruice: hee certified likewise of the riches of that countreye, with the maiestie and power of _Mutezuma_. Hee offered to bring in subiection vnto his royall Crown and state of Castil, al that Empire, & to winne also the greate Citie of _Mexico_, and to bring that mightie king _Mutezuma_ to his handes quicke or deade.

Beséeching the Emperours maiestie to haue hym in remembraunce when offices and prouisions shoulde bee sente vnto that newe Spayne latelye discouered at hys great costes, and in recompence of hys paines and trauell.

The Counsell and magistrates of _Vera Crux_ wrote also two letters to the Emperour, the one was touching the successe of their procéedings in his royall seruice. In that letter, went onely the Aldermens firmes, and Iudges.

[Sidenote: A good protestatiö.]

The other letter was firmed by the generalitye and chiefest of the army, the contentes whereof was in substance, that they would holde and kepe that towne and countrey wonne, in his royall name, or ende theyr lyues in the quarrel, if his maiestie did not otherwise determyne.

They also moste humblye besought him, that the gouernement thereof, and of al that hereafter shoulde bee conquered, might be giuen to _Hernädo Cortez_ their guide, generall captaine, and chiefe Iustice by them electe and chosen, saying, that wel he had deserued the same, for that he alone spent more than the whole army vpon that iourney. And that it might please his maiesty to confirm that, which they generally of fréewill had done for theyr owne safegard and securitye, in the name of his royall maiestie.

And if by chaunce his maiestie had already giuen the sayde office of gouernement to any other person, that it might please him to reuoke it.

For so should it be expedient for his seruice, and quietnesse of the countrey. And thereby might be excused, rumours, slanders, perils, and slaughters, that myght ensue, if any other should gouerne and rule as captaine general.

And moreouer they besoughte hys maiestie to graunte them aunswere with breuity, and good dispatch of theyr attourneys, who departed from the porte of _Aguiahuistlan_ in a reasonable shippe the twenty sixe day of July, _Anno_ .1519.

They touched by the way at _Marien_ a port of _Cuba_, declaring that they went to _Hauana_: they passed through the chanell of _Bahama_ without disturbaunce, and sayled with a prosperous winde, till they arriued in Spayne.

The cause why the generaltye had written these letters was, suspecting _Iames Velasques_, who had frends and great fauour in the Court and counsel of _Indias_, and also some secrete friendes in _Cortez_ his campe. For _Francisco Salzeda_ brought newes that _Iames Velasques_ had already obteyned a graunt of the Emperor for the gouernment of that land by the meanes of one _Benito Martinez_ going into Spayne. And although they knew not the certainty thereof, yet it was most true, as shal appeare in another place.

An vproare among the souldiers against _Cortez, and the punishment for the same_.

There wer some in the host y^t murmured against the election of _Cortez_, for thereby was excluded _Iames Valasques_, vnto whö they bare good wil.

Some were _Valasques_ friends, and other some his kinesfolkes, who letted not to say openly, that _Cortez_ by flattery, sutteltie and giftes had gotten and obtayned his purpose.

[Sidenote: Mischefe.]

[Sidenote: Tvvo hanged, and tvvo whipped.]

And that the dissymulation in makyng hym selfe to bee entreated and prayed to accepte that charge and office, was a thing craftily fayned, whereby suche election coulde not bee of anye value, and chieflye without any such authority of the Ierome Friers dame, who ruled and gouerned the _Indians_ as chiefe presidents: how muche more they hadde newes that _Iames Velasques_ had already obteyned the gouernement of that land, and _Yucatan_. Then _Cortez_ began to vnderstande in those matters, and made informatiö who had raysed vp this rumoure, and béeing knowen, he apprehended the chiefest, and sent them prisoners aboorde his Ship: and to molifye their wrath, he shortly releassed them agayne, the which afterwards was cause of more mischief, for these his enimies woulde haue fledde with a Vergantine and killed the maister, pretending to flye vnto the Ilande of _Cuba_, for to aduertise _Iames Velasques_ of the great present sent vnto the Emperour, to the intent it shoulde be taken from their attorners passing néere the porte of _Hauana_, with all the letters and relations of their businesse, bycause the Emperoure shoulde not sée it, to conceyue well of their procéedings. Then _Cortez_ began to be agréeued in earnest, and apprehended diuers of them, whose confessions being taken, the matter was manifestly knowen to be true, and therevppon according to the processe, hée condemned those that were most culpable, and caused forthwith two of them to be hanged, who were _Iohn Escudero_, and _Iames Cermenio_ pilot, and condemned _Gonsalo de Vmbria_ and _Alonso Penate_ to be whipped, and incontinent execution was done, all the rest being pardoned.

With this correction _Cortez_ was more feared, and also estéemed, than before he was, for certainely if he hadde vsed gentlenesse, he should neuer haue tamed them, yea and if he had not loked to them in time, he had bin spoyled: for their pretence was, to haue aduertised _Iames Velasques_, who would haue preuented them of their Shyps and present, and yet afterwarde he sente a Caruell after the sayd Ship, although it were too late.

Cortez caused all his Shippes to be _sunke, and broken vpon the shore, a most worthy facte_.

[Sidenote: A famous facte.]

_Cortez_ purposed to goe vnto _Mexico_, and would not gyue his Souldyers to vnderstand it, bycause they shoulde not refuse the iourney, through the talke of _Teudilli_, especially hearing that the Citie of Mexico was situated vpon water, whyche they imagined to be excéeding strong, as in effect it was: and to the intent that they should all follow hym, although againste their willes, he determined to spoyle all his Shyppes, which was a strange case, perillous, and a great losse. His intent throughly weyed, he little estéemed the losse of his Shippes to withstand his men from disturbance of his enterprise, for doubtlesse they woulde haue stayed him, yea and rebelled, if they hadde knowen his minde and pretended purpose. He did secretly accord with one of the Maisters of hys Fléete in the nighte season to bore holes in them, that thereby they myghte synke, wythoute anye remedie to recouer them agayne.

Also he requested the other Maisters and Pylots to publish among the army, that the Shyppes were so rotten and wormeaten, that they were not fytte to goe to sea agayne, and that they shoulde, when they chanced to espye him and many of his Souldies togither, come and certifie him openly of the estate and force of the sayde Shippes, bycause that afterwardes they shoulde not laye any fault to his charge.

According to this instruction, the Pylots and Maisters did accomplish his commaundemente: for shortlye after they espyed him among a flocke of his companye, and then came they vnto him, saying: Sir, your nauie is not to make any moe voyages, by reason that they are all leake, and spoyled, rotten, and worme eaten, wherfore according to our duetie, we do certifie you thereof, to prouide therein as you shall see cause. All the Souldiers gaue credite to their tale, bycause the Shippes had bin there more than thrée monethes. And after long talke aboute the matter, _Cortez_ commaunded that they shoulde profite themselues of them the best that they myght, and as for the Hulles, let them sinke or runne a shore, fayning great sorrow for so great a losse, and want of such prouision. And in this manner they lette runne a shore fyue of the best Shyppes, sauyng theyr Ordinance, vittayles, sayles, Cables, Ankers, ropes, and all other tacle: and shortely after they spoyled other foure vessels, but that was done wyth some difficultie, bycause they beganne to surmise the intente of _Cortez_, and beganne openly to saye, that _Cortes_ meant to carrie them to the slaughter house. He then pacifyed them wyth gentle wordes, saying, what is he that will refuse the warres in so riche a Countrey? if there be any of you that wyll leaue my companye, hée or they may (if please them) returne to _Cuba_ in a Shyppe that yet remayneth. And this hée spake, to knowe howe many were the cowards, meanyng in tyme of néede to haue no trust or confidence in them. Then dyuers shamelesse persons demaunded licence to returne to _Cuba_, but they were suche as loued no warres. There wer also others that said nothing, who woulde gladly haue retourned, séeyng the greatenesse of the Countrey, and the multitude of the people, but yet they were ashamed to shewe cowardise openlye.

_Cortez_ knowing his souldyers mindes, commanded the other Ship to be sunke, so that then they were all without hope to goe out of that Countrey at y^t time, exalting and praysing the noble minde of _Cortes_ shewed in that worthy facte. Certaynely it was a déede necessary for the present time, and done by the iudgement of a stout Captayne, although he lost much by his Shyppes, and abode without succour of the sea. There are few of these examples, which are not of valiant personages, as was _Omiez Barbaroza_ with the cut arme, who a few yeares past brake seauen Galleys and Foystes, to winne thereby _Bugia_, as largely I do write thereof in battayles of y^e sea in our dayes.

Hovv the inhabitants of Zempoallan _brake downe their Idolles_.

[Sidenote: Nevves for Cortez.]

Euery day séemed long to _Cortes_, with the desire to sée _Mutezuma_. He nowe began to publishe openly his iourney and departure, and chose out of the body of his host a hüdred and fiftie më, which he thought sufficient to leaue for safegard of the new towne and fort, which was almost finished, and appoynted _Pedro de Hircio_ their Captaine, leauing with them two Horses, and two small péeces of Ordinance, wyth many _Indians_ to serue them, and fiftie Townes round about them in faithfull friendship and league, out of the which Townes they might alwayes haue at their néede fiftie thousande men of warre: and he departed with the residue of his Spanyardes towarde _Zempoallan_, whyche mighte be foure leagues from thence, and was scarcely come to the Towne, when newes was broughte hym that foure Shippes of _Francisco Garray_ sayled along hys coast, and were in sight of _Vera Crux_. With this newes he returned incontinent with a hundred of his men, suspecting euill of those Shippes. At his comming to _Vera Crux_, his Captaine there enformed him how he had gone himselfe to know what they were, and from whence they came, and what they would, but coulde speake with none of them. _Cortes_ beyng informed how they roade at anker, toke Captaine _Hircio_ and certaine of his company to expect their commyng ashore, suspectyng them muche, bicause they roade so farre off, being by signes and tokens willed to come into the Harbor. _Cortes_ hauing wandered neare thrée miles, mette with thrée Spaniardes whiche came from the shippes, the one of them sayde that he was a Notary, and the other twoo were to serue for witnesses in their affayres, which was, to ascite and notifie certaine wrytings, whiche they shewed not: and also to require _Cortes_ by vertue of the same, to come and make repartitiö of that countrey with captayne _Garay_ their generall, for theyr sayd Captaine pretended that conquest (as first discouerer of the same,) certifying moreouer that hée was determined to inhabite twentie leagues distät from that place Westwarde neare vnto _Nahutlan_, whiche nowe is called _Armeria_. _Cortes_ answered, that they should returne vnto their shippes, and to will theyr Captayne to come to _Vera Crux_ with his nauie, and there they woulde commune togither aboute his comming, and if he stoode in néede of any thing it shoulde be prouided. And if it were (as they reported) that he was comen on the Kings affaires, he woulde gladly fauour his procéedings, considering that he and all his were there in seruice of his highnesse, how muche more beyng all of one nation.

They answered, that in no wise their captaine nor none of his army would come ashore, nor yet come where as _Cortes_ was. With this answere _Cortes_ vnderstood the matter, and layde holde of them, and went and placed himself in ambushe behinde a little hill of sande, whiche stoode right ouer agaynst the shippes, beyng neare sunne sette, & slepte there that night till daye approched, and the mornyng farre spent, hopyng that _Garay_ his Pilote or some of his company woulde come ashore, meanyng likewise to apprehende them for to be certified what course they had made, and what hurte they had done, and findyng them guiltie, to sende them prysoners into Spayne, likewise he desired to knowe whether they had spoken with any vassals of _Mutezuma_, and seyng they came not a lande his suspition was the greater.

[Sidenote: A vvise practise.]

_Cortes_ commaunded thrée of his men to chaunge apparell with the thrée messengers that came from _Garay_, and this done, caused them to goe to the Sea side, wauyng with theyr clokes, and callyng for the shippe boate, nowe those of the shippes thought by theyr apparell that they were their owne menne, and came with a dozen persons in the skiffe with Crossebowes and Handgunnes. Then _Cortes_ his men whiche were clothed in other mens garments hidde themselues among bushes, as who woulde say, they were gone into the shadowe, for to flée from the great heate of the Sunne, being at that time highe noone, and bicause they should not be knowen.

The Mariners of the skiffe set a lande twoo men with Hargabushes, and other two më with Crossebowes, and and _Indian_ who went straight way to the bushes, thinkyng to finde their fellowes. Then stept forth _Cortes_ and caught them before they coulde gette aborde the skiffe, although they meant to haue defended themselues, so that one of them who was a Pilote, hauing his Hargabushe ready charged, & would haue shot at captaine _Hircio_, & assuredly if his match and pouder had bene good he had slayne him. When the general aborde the ships perceiued this deceit, would abide no longer, & cömaunded to make saile, not tarying for his skiffe. By these seuen më taken at two times _Cortes_ was satisfied, & also certified how captain _Garay_ had sayled along the coast séeking _Florida_, and arriued in a riuer, the King of that prouince was called _Panuco_, where they founde little golde, barteryng aborde their shippes, all theyr golde passed not thrée thousande Castelins, but in exchaunge of things of small value, nothing contented _Garay_ on that voyage, bycause the quantitie of golde was small and not fine.

With this newes _Cortes_ returned to _Zempoallan_ with his men which he brought in his company: and there concluded and fully agreed with those _Indians_ to pull downe theyr Idols & sepulchres of their _Cassikz_, whiche they did reuerence as Gods, perswading them to worship the God of heauen. And after this doctrine their league of friendship was effectually established, and with other townes adioyning against _Mutezuma_. Those _Indians_ gaue vnto him gagues to be alwayes faithfull of worde & promisse, and offered vnto him as many men fitte for warre & seruice as he would require. _Cortes_ receiued the gagues which were of the principallest persons of the townes, as _Mamexi Teuch_, and _Tamalli_, he tooke also a thousand _Tamemes_, that is to say, men that are carriars, who ordinarily taketh his burden vpon his backe which is halfe a hundred waight, and those fellowes followe the campe with their bagge & bagage: These men serued for horses to draw the ordinance, and to carrie other munition and victuals.

Hovv Olintlec exalted the mightie _power of Mutezuma_.

_Cortes_ departed frö _Zempoallan_, leauing that towne named _Siuillia_, towarde _Mexico_ the sixtene day of August of the same yéere, with 400. Spaniardes and fiftene horses, & sixe péeces of ordinance, and 1300. _Indians_ w^t the carriers & më of _Cuba_. And whë _Cortes_ departed frö _Zempoallan_ he had not one vassall of _Mutezuma_ in his campe to leade them the way towarde _Mexico_, for al were fledde, seing the new league, or else by commaundement of their Lord, and the _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_ knew not well the way.

The first thrée dayes iourney the army passed through countrey of their friendes, and were louingly receyued and lodged, especially in _Xalapan_. The fourth day they came to _Sicuchimatl_, whiche is a strong place situated on a hill side very craggy, and the way to passe therevnto is made with force of mans hande as a stayre. And if the inhabitants thereof would haue resisted the entraunce, with greate difficultie bothe footemen & horsemen mought haue entred the towne, but as afterwarde appeared, they were commaunded by _Mutezuma_ to lodge them and also to honour them. The rulers of that towne sayde to _Cortes_, that for as muche as he wente to visite their Prince _Mutezuma_, he should assure himselfe that they were and would be his friendes. This towne hath many villages and farmes beneath in the playne, for _Mutezuma_ was alwayes prouided there of .5000. men of warre.

_Cortes_ gaue great thankes to the Lorde for his curtesie and good entertaynement, muche estéeming the good will of his Lorde _Mutezuma_, and so departed from thence, and wente to passe ouer a mountayne very high, the passage whereof he named _Nombre de dios_, bycause it was the first that he had passed, beyng so asperous and highe, that there is none suche in all Spayne, for it conteyned directly vpright thrée leagues, and hath in many places grapes and trées with hony. And discendyng downe on the other side of that hill, they came to a towne called _Theuhixuacan_, whiche is a forte and friende to _Mutezuma_, where our army was receyued and entertayned as in the other towne behinde.

[Sidenote: Troubles.]

And from thence he traueled thrée dayes in a countrey inhabitable, and passed some necessitie of hunger, & much more of thirst, bicause all the water that they founde was saltishe, and many of his men for wante of other dranke thereof, whereof they fell into sickenesse: and sodainely fel a meruaylous Hayle with great colde, whiche increased their griefe, yea and the _Indians_ of their company thought there to ende theyr liues, & some of the _Indians_ of _Cuba_ died there through nakednesse, not being accustomed to so cold a countrey. After the fourth iourney of euill way they ascended vp an other hil, and vpon the toppe therof, (to their iudgement) they founde a thousande carte loade of wood ready cut, neare to a little tower of idolles: they named that place the porte of wood: & hauing passed twoo leagues from the porte of wood, they founde the countrey barren and poore, but soone after the army came to a place whiche they named white Castell, bicause the Lordes house was of stone very white and newe, and the beste that they had séene in all that countrey, and so curiously wrought, that they meruayled thereat: that towne in their language is called _Zaclotan_, and the valley neare vnto it is name _Zacatami_, and the Lordes name is _Olintlec_, who receyued _Cortes_ honorably, and prouided for him and his company abundantly, being so commaunded by _Mutezuma_, as hée reported afterwarde.

[Sidenote: A straunge ioy.]

And in token that he had receyued that cömission from his Lorde, he commaunded fiftie men to be sacrificed for ioy, whose bloud they sawe newe and freshe. The townes men of that towne caried the Spanyardes on their shoulders, on suche beares as we carry dead men to Churche. _Cortes_ enformed them (by his enterpreters) of the cause of his comming into that countrey, as he had vsed in other places, & demaunded whether he the Lorde of this towne were tributary to _Mutezuma_. This _Cazike_ being amazed at his question, answered, saying: What is he that is not eyther slaue or vassall to the great _Mutezuma_. Then _Cortes_ certified him, who and what the Emperour king of Spayne was, willing him to be his friend and seruitour, & further enquired if he had any golde to sende him some. This _Cazike_ answered that he would do nothing without the commaundement of his Lorde, nor yet send his king any golde although he had inough. _Cortes_ dissimuled the matter, and helde his peace, yet by and by he desired to knowe the Maiestie and mightie power of _Mutezuma_, the _Cazike_ answered, that _Mutezuma_ was Lorde of the whole worlde, and that he had thirtie Vassals who were able to make a .100000. men of warre: eche one of them he also certified that he sacrificed .20000. men yerely to his Goddes: And also his dwellyng was in the most beautyfullest and strongest cittie of al that euer was enhabited, likewise (quoth he) his house and courte is moste greate, noble, and replenished with Gentlemen, his riches incredible, and his charges excessiue. And truely therein he sayde the very troth, excepte in the sacrifice wherein he something enlarged, although the slaughter of men for sacrifice in euery temple was very great, yea and some hold opinion, that some yéeres were sacrificed aboue .50000. men. Being in this conuersation, came two Gentilmen of that valley to sée the Spanyardes, and eche of them presented vnto _Cortes_ foure women slaues, & certayne collers of golde of small price. _Olintlec_ although he was vassall to _Mutezuma_, was a greate Lorde, and had .20000. vassals, and thirtie wiues altogither in his house, beside a hundreth other women that attended vpon them. And had for his garde and houshold .2000. persons, his towne was great, & had .13. temples in it, & eche temple many idolles of stone of diuers fashiös, before whom they sacrificed men, doues, quayles, & other things w^t perfumes & great veneratiö. In this place and territorie, _Mutezuma_ had .5000. souldiers in garrison, and ordinarie postes from thence to _Mexico_. Vntill this time, _Cortez_ had not so amply vnderstoode the mighte and power of _Mutezuma_, yea and though many inconueniences, difficulties, feare, and such like, did represent it selfe vnto him in his iourney to _Mexico_, whiche perhaps would haue amazed some valiät persons, yet he shewed not one iote of cowardise, hauyng hearde suche a reporte of that mightie Prince, but rather his desire was so much the more to sée hym.

Considering now that he shoulde passe through _Taxcallon_ to goe to _Mexico_, being _Taxcallon_ a greate & strong Citie, and warlike people, he dispatched four _Zeampoallanezes_ to the Lordes and Captaynes of that Citie, on the behalfe of _Zempoallan_ and his owne, offering vnto them his friendship and fauour, giuing them to vnderstande, that those few Christians woulde come vnto their Citie to serue thë, desiring thë to accept the same, thinking assuredly that those of _Taxcallon_ would haue done with him as the _Zempoallanezes_ had done, which were both good and faithful, who had always vsed trouth with him, euë so he thought that now he moughte credite them, for they had enformed him, that the _Tlaxcaltecas_ were their friendes, and so would be his, considering that they were vtter enimies to _Mutezuma_, and willingly would goe with him to the siege of _Mexico_, with desire of libertie, and to reuenge olde iniuries and griefes, whiche they had susteyned many yeares before of the people of _Culhua_. _Cortez_ refreshed himselfe in _Zaclotan_ fiue dayes, where is a fresh riuer and quiet folke, pulling downe the Idolles, and placed a remembrance of Christ crucifyed, as he hadde done in all the Townes that he had passed.

He toke his leaue of _Olintlec_, leauing him wel pleased, & went to a town two leagues frö thëce along y^e riuer side, whereof was Lorde _Iztacmixtlitan_, one of the Gentlemen who had giuen him the slaues and collers of golde.

This towne standeth in a playne grounde of two leagues compasse, which is replenished with so many houses as doth séeme to touche one an other, in that way that our army passed--and the towne it selfe doth contayne fiue thousande householdes, standing on a hill, and on the one side thereof is the Lordes house with a strong forte, being the beste yet séene in those parties, walled with good stone with barbucan and déepe ditche. There _Cortes_ rested himselfe thrée dayes, abiding the foure messengers whiche he sent from _Zacloton_, to knowe the answere that should be brought.

The first encounter that Cortez had _with the men of Tlaxcallan_.

[Sidenote: A straunge vvall.]

_Cortes_ seyng the long tarying of the messengers he departed from _Zaclotan_ without any intelligence from _Tlaxcallan_. Our cäp had not marched much after their departure from that place, but they came to a great circuite of stone made without lyme or morter, being of a fadom and a half high, and twentie foote brode with loupe holes, to shoote at: that wall crossed ouer all the valley from one mountayne to another, and but one onely entraunce or gate, in the whiche the one wall doubled against the other, and the way there was fourtie paces brode, in such sort, that it was an euill and perilous passage, if any had bene there to defend it. _Cortes_ demaunded the cause of that circuite, and who had buylte it, _Iztacmixtlitan_ that wente to beare him company, tolde him that it was but a deuision from their countrey and _Tlaxcallan_, and that their antecessors had made the same to disturbe the entrance of the _Tlaxcaltecas_ in time of warre, who came to robbe and murther them, bycause of the friendship betwixte them and _Mutezuma_, whose vassals they were.

That strange and costly wall, séemed a thing of greate maiestie to our Spanyardes, and more superfluous than profitable, yet they suspected that the _Tlaxcaltecas_ were valiant warriers, who had suche defense made agaynst them. And as _Cortes_ and his army stoode beholding thys worke, _Iztacmixtlitan_ thought he had bin afrayde to procéede forward, and prayed him (for so much as he was his Lordes friend) not to passe that way, nor yet through the Countrey of _Tlaxcallan_, for so muche as he wente to visite his maister, for (quoth he) if they knowe you to be my Lordes friende, they will séeke youre displeasure, as they haue done to others, and I will prouide you of guides to leade you continually through the dominion of _Mutezuma_, where you shall be well receyued and prouided, vntil you come to _Mexico_.