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diff --git a/12514-0.txt b/12514-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f81f50c --- /dev/null +++ b/12514-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,19293 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12514 *** + +A GENERAL HISTORY AND COLLECTION OF VOYAGES AND TRAVELS, + +ARRANGED IN SYSTEMATIC ORDER: + +FORMING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF NAVIGATION, +DISCOVERY, AND COMMERCE, BY SEA AND LAND, FROM THE EARLIEST AGES TO THE +PRESENT TIME. + + +BY + + +ROBERT KERR, F.R.S. & F.A.S. EDIN. + +ILLUSTRATED BY MAPS AND CHARTS. + +VOL. IV. + +WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH: +AND T. CADELL, LONDON. +MDCCCXXIV. + + * * * * * + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FOURTH VOLUME. + + * * * * * + +Twelve months have now elapsed since the first half volume of this work +was offered to the public. The favourable reception it has experienced +gives the Editor reason to hope that he has fulfilled the engagements +which he came under at its first appearance, and is a powerful inducement +to continue his utmost exertions to preserve and improve the character of +the work. In the four volumes which are now published, several extensive +and important original articles are introduced, which have not hitherto +appeared in any similar collection, and had not even been previously +translated into English. These materially contribute towards the ample +information which was formerly announced, in the Preface to the _first_ +Volume, as a leading object in this Collection. In the subsequent parts of +the work, every effort shall be made to fill up its several divisions with +original articles of similar interest and equal importance. + +Encouraged by a satisfactory and increasing sale, the progress of +publication has been somewhat hastened, beyond what was originally +promised in the Prospectus and Conditions; as the _whole_ of the fourth +Volume is now published, at the period when only its _first half_ was to +have appeared. It is intended to repeat this anticipation occasionally, by +the publication of two numbers or half-volumes at once, when opportunity +offers. While this may gratify one portion of our readers, it is not meant +to preclude others from continuing to be supplied, as before, with the +numbers or half volumes at regular intervals, in their own option. + +EDINBURGH, _1st Jan_, 1812. + + * * * * * + + + + +CONTENTS OF VOL. IV. + + +PART II. BOOK II. CONTINUED. + +CHAP. V. History of the discovery and conquest of Mexico, continued. + +SECT. + VI. The Spaniards commence their march to Mexico; with an account of the + war in Tlascala, and the submission of that nation. + + VII. Events during the march of the Spaniards from Tlascala to Mexico. + + VIII. Arrival of the Spaniards in Mexico, and transactions there till + the arrival of Narvaez to supersede Cortes. + + IX. Expedition of Narvaez to supersede Cortes in the command, and + occurrences till his defeat by Cortes. + + X. Occurrences from the defeat of Narvaez, to the expulsion of the + Spaniards from Mexico, and the subsequent battle of Otumba. + + XI. Occurrences from the battle of Otumba, till the march of Cortes to + besiege Mexico. + + XII. Transactions of Cortes and the Spaniards, from their march against + Mexico, to the commencement of the siege of that city. + + XIII. Narrative of occurrences, from the commencement of the siege of + Mexico to its reduction, and the capture of Guatimotzin. + + XIV. Occurrences in New Spain, immediately subsequent to the reduction + of Mexico. + + XV. Expeditions sent by Cortes to reduce the provinces of the Mexican + empire. + + XVI. Expedition of Garay to colonize Panuco. + + XVII. Narrative of various expeditions for the reduction of different + provinces in New Spain. + + XVIII. Negociations of Cortes at the court of Spain, respecting the + conquest and government of Mexico. + + XIX. Of an expedition against the Zapotecas, and various other + occurrences. + + XX. Narrative of the expedition of Cortes to Higueras. + + XXI. Return of Cortes to Mexico, and occurrences there previous to his + departure for Europe. + + XXII. Narrative of occurrences, from the departure of Cortes to Europe + till his death. + + XXIII. Concluding observations by the Author. + +CHAP. VI. History of the discovery and conquest of Peru, by Francisco +Pizarro; written by Augustino Zarate, treasurer of that kingdom, a few +years after the conquest. + +Introduction. + +SECT. + I. Of the discovery of Peru, with some account of the country and its + inhabitants. + + II. Transactions of Pizarro and the Spaniards in Peru, from the + commencement of the conquest, till the departure of Almagro for the + discovery of Chili. + + III. Occurrences from the departure of Almagro for Chili, to his capture + by Pizarro, being the first part of the civil wars in Peru. + + IV. Expeditions of Pedro de Valdivia into Chili, and of Gonzalo Pizarro + to Los Canelos. + + V. Conspiracy of the Almagrians and Assassination of Pizarro. + +CHAP. VII. Continuation of the early history of Peru, after the death of +Francisco Pizarro, to the defeat of Gonzalo Pizarro, and the +re-establishment of tranquillity in the country; written by Augustino +Zarate. + +SECT. + I. From the revival of the civil wars in Peru, to the close of the + administration of Vaca de Castro, the first governor appointed from + Spain. + + II. Commencement of the Viceroyalty of Blasco Nunnez Vela, and renewal + of the civil war in Peru by the usurpation of Gonzalo Pizarro. + + +[Illustration: Viceroyalty of Mexico Published 1 Jan'y 1812 by W'm +Blackwood Edin'r.] + + + +A GENERAL HISTORY AND COLLECTION OF VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. + + + +PART II. + +BOOK II. CONTINUED. + + * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY AND CONQUEST OF MEXICO, WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1568, +BY CAPTAIN BERNAL DIAZ DEL CASTILLO, ONE OF THE CONQUERORS.--_Continued_. + + + + +SECTION VI. + +_The Spaniards commence their March to Mexico; with an account of the War +in Tlascala, and the submission of that Nation_. + + +Everything being in readiness for our march to Mexico, we were advised by +our allies of Chempoalla to proceed by way of Tlascala, the inhabitants of +that province being in friendship with them and constantly at war with the +Mexicans; and at our requisition, we were joined by fifty of the principal +warriors of the Totanacas[1], who likewise gave us 200 _tlamama_, or men +of burden, to draw our guns and to transport our baggage and ammunition[2]. +Our first day's march on the 16th of August 1519, was to _Xalapan_, and +our second to _Socochima_, a place of difficult approach, surrounded by +vines. During the whole of this march, the main body was kept in compact +order, being always preceded by an advance of light infantry, and patroles +of cavalry. Our interpreters informed the people of this place, that we +were subjects of the great emperor Don Carlos, who had sent us to abolish +human sacrifices and various other abuses; and as these people were allies +of Chempoalla and independent of Montezuma, they treated us in a friendly +manner. We erected a cross at this place, explaining its signification and +giving them information of many things belonging to our holy faith, and +exhorting them to reverence the cross. From this place we proceeded by a +difficult pass among lofty mountains to _Texotla_, the people of which +place were well disposed to us, as they also paid no tribute to Montezuma. +Continuing our march through desert lofty mountains, we experienced +excessive cold, with heavy falls of hail, and came next day to a pass, +where there were some houses and large temples, and great piles of wood +intended for the service of the idols. Provisions were scarce during the +two last days, and we now approached the confines of the Mexican empire, +at a place called _Xocotlan_; to the cacique of which place Cortes sent a +message informing him of our arrival. The appearance of this place evinced +that we were entering upon a new and richer country. The temples and other +buildings were lofty, with terraced roofs, and had a magnificent +appearance, being all plastered and white-washed, so as to resemble some +of our towns in Spain; on which account we called this place _Castel +blanco_. + +In consequence of our message, the cacique and other principal persons of +the town came out to meet us, and conducted us to our quarters, where they +gave us a very poor entertainment. After supper, Cortes inquired +respecting the military power of Montezuma, and was told that he was able +to bring prodigious armies into the field. The city of Mexico was +represented as of uncommon strength, being built on the water, with no +communication between the houses, houses, except by means of boats or +bridges, each house being terraced, and only needing the addition of a +parapet to become a fortress. The only access to the city was by means of +three causeways or piers, each of which had four or five apertures for the +passage of the waters, having wooden bridges which could be raised up, so +as to preclude all access. We were likewise informed of the vast wealth +possessed by Montezuma, in gold, silver, and jewels, which filled us with +astonishment; and although the account we had already received of the +military resources of the empire and the inaccessible strength of the +capital might have filled us with dismay, yet we were eager to try our +fortunes. The cacique expatiated in praise of Montezuma, and expressed his +apprehension of having offended him by receiving us into his government +without his leave. To this Cortes replied, That we had come from a far +distant country by command of our sovereign, to exhort Montezuma and his +subjects to desist from human sacrifices and other outrages; adding: "I +now require all who hear me, to renounce your inhuman sacrifices, cannibal +feasts, and other abominable customs; for such is the command of GOD, whom +we adore." The natives listened to all this in profound silence, and +Cortes proposed to the soldiers to destroy the idols and plant the holy +cross, as had been already done at Chempoalla; but Father Olmedo +recommended that this should be postponed to a fitter opportunity, lest +the ignorance and barbarism of the people might incite them to offer +indignity against that holy symbol of our blessed religion. + +We happened to have a very large dog along with us, which belonged to +Francisco de Lugo, which used to bark very loud during the night, to the +great surprise of the natives, who asked our Chempoallan allies if that +terrible animal was a lion or tiger which we had brought to devour them. +They answered that this creature attacked and devoured whoever offended us; +that our guns discharged stones which destroyed our enemies, and that our +horses were exceedingly swift and caught whoever we pursued. On this the +others observed that with such astonishing powers we certainly were +_teules_. Our allies also advised them to beware of practising any thing +against us, as we could read their hidden thoughts, and recommended them +to conciliate our favour by a present. They accordingly brought us several +ornaments of much debased gold, and gave us four women to make bread, and +a load of mantles. Near some of the temples belonging to this place I saw +a vast number of human skeletons arranged in such exact order that they +might easily be counted with perfect accuracy, and I am certain there were +above an hundred thousand. In another part immense quantities of human +bones were heaped up in endless confusion. In a third, great numbers of +skulls were suspended from beams, and watched by three priests. Similar +collections were to be seen everywhere as we marched through this district +and the territories of Tlascala. + +On consulting the cacique of Xocotla respecting the road to Mexico, he +advised us to go through Cholula; but our allies strongly dissuaded us +from that route, alleging that the people were very treacherous, and that +the town was always occupied by a Mexican garrison, and repeated the +former advice of going by Tlascala, assuring us of a friendly reception +there. Cortes accordingly sent messengers before us to Tlascala announcing +our approach, and bearing a crimson velvet cap as a present. Although +these people were ignorant of writing, yet Cortes sent a letter by his +messengers, as it was generally understood to carry a sanction of the +message which was to be delivered. We now set out for Tlascala, in our +accustomed order of march, attended by twenty principal inhabitants of +Xocotla. On arriving at a village in the territory of Xalacingo[3], where +we received intelligence that the whole nation of the Tlascalans were in +arms to oppose us, believing as to be in alliance with their inveterate +enemies the Mexicans, on account of the number of Mexican subjects who +attended our army. So great was their suspicion on this account, that they +imprisoned our two messengers, for whose return we waited two days very +impatiently. Cortes employed the time in exhorting the Indians to abandon +their idolatry and to reconcile themselves to our holy church. At the end +of these two days, we resumed our march, accompanied by two of the +principal people of this place whom Cortes demanded to attend us, and we +soon afterwards met our messengers who had made their escape, either owing +to the negligence or connivance of their guards. These messengers were in +extreme terror, as the people of Tlascala threatened to destroy us and +every one who should adhere to us. As a battle was therefore to be +expected, the standard was advanced to the front, and Cortes instructed +the cavalry to charge by threes to the front, never halting to give +thrusts with their lances, but urging on at speed with couched lances +levelled at the faces of the enemy. He directed them also, when their +lance was seized by the enemy, to force it from them by the efforts of the +horse, firmly grasping the butt under the arm. At about two leagues from +the last resting-place, we came to a fortification built of stone and lime, +excellently constructed for defence, and so well cemented that nothing but +iron tools could make an impression on it. We halted for a short time to +examine this work, which had been built by the Tlascalans to defend their +territory against the incursions of their Mexican enemies; and on Cortes +ordering us to march on, saying, "Gentlemen follow your standard the holy +cross, through which we shall conquer;" we all replied, "Forward in the +name of God, in whom is our only confidence." + +After passing this barrier some distance, our advanced guard descried +about thirty of the Tlascalan troops, who had been sent to observe us. +Cortes sent on the cavalry to endeavour to take some of these men +prisoners, while the infantry advanced at a quick pace to support the +advanced guard. Our cavalry immediately attacked, but the Tlascalans +defended themselves bravely with their swords, wounding some of the horses +severely, on which our people had to kill five of them, but were unable to +make any prisoners. A body of three thousand warriors now sallied out upon +us with great fury from an ambush, and began to discharge their arrows at +our cavalry; but as our artillery and musquetry were now ready to bear +upon them, we soon compelled them to give way, though in a regular manner, +and fighting as they retreated; leaving seventeen of their men dead on the +field; and one of our men was so severely wounded as to die a few days +after. As the day was near a close, we did not attempt any pursuit; but +continued our march, in which we soon descended from the hills into a flat +country, thickly set with farm-houses, among fields of maize and the +Maguay plant. We halted for the night on the banks of a brook, where we +dressed our wounds with the _grease of a fat Indian_ who was slain in the +skirmish; and though the natives had carried away all their provisions, we +caught their dogs when they returned at night to the houses, and made a +comfortable supper of that unusual fare. Next day, after recommending +ourselves to God, we resumed our march against the Tlascalan army; both +cavalry and infantry being duly instructed how to act when we came to +battle; the cavalry to charge right through, and the infantry to preserve +a firm array. We soon fell in with the enemy, to the number of about 6000 +men in two bodies, who immediately attacked us with great spirit, +discharging their arrows, shouting, and sounding their martial instruments. +Cortes halted the army, and sent three prisoners to demand a peaceable +conference, and to assure them we wished to treat them as brothers; +ordering at the same time the notary Godoy, to witness this message +officially. This message had no effect, as they attacked us more fiercely +than before, on which Cortes gave the word, _St Jago, and on them_. We +accordingly made a furious onset, slaying many with the first discharges +of our artillery, three of their chiefs falling on this occasion. They now +retreated to some uneven ground, where the whole army of the state of +Tlascala, 40,000 in number, were posted under cover, commanded by +_Xicotencatl_, the general in chief of the republic. As the cavalry could +not act in this uneven ground, we were forced to fight our way through as +well as we were able in a compact column, assailed on every side by the +enemy, who were exceedingly expert archers. They were all clothed in white +and red, with devices of the same colours, being the uniform of their +general. Besides the multitudes who discharged continual flights of arrows, +many of them who were armed with lances closed upon us while we were +embarrassed by the inequality of the ground; but as soon as we got again +into the plain, we made a good use of our cavalry and artillery. Yet they +fought incessantly against us with astonishing intrepidity, closing upon +us all around, so that we were in the utmost danger at every step, but God +supported and assisted us. While closely environed in this manner, a +number of their strongest warriors, armed with tremendous two-handed +swords, made a combined attack on Pedro de Moron, an expert horseman, who +was charging through them accompanied by other three of our cavalry. They +seized his lance and wounded himself dangerously, and one of them cut +through the neck of his horse with a blow of a two-handed sword, so that +he fell down dead. We rescued Moron from the enemy with the utmost +difficulty, even cutting the girths and bringing off his saddle, but ten +of our number were wounded in the attempt, and believe we then slew ten of +their chiefs, while fighting hand to hand. They at length began to retire, +taking with them the body of the horse, which they cut in pieces, and +distributed through all the districts of Tlascala as a trophy of victory. +Moron died soon after of his wounds, at least I have no remembrance of +seeing him afterwards. After a severe and close conflict of above an hour, +during which our artillery swept down multitudes out of the numerous and +crowded bodies of the enemy, they drew off in a regular manner, leaving +the field to us, who were too much fatigued to pursue. We took up our +quarters, therefore, in the nearest village, named _Teoatzinco_, where we +found numbers of subterraneous dwellings. This battle was fought on the 2d +September 1519. The loss of the enemy on this occasion was very +considerable, eight of their principal chiefs being slain, but how many +others we know not, as whenever an Indian is wounded or slain, he is +immediately carried off by his companions. Fifteen of them were made +prisoners, of whom two were chiefs. On our side fifteen men were wounded, +one only of whom died. As soon as we got clear of the enemy, we gave +thanks to God for his merciful preservation, and took post in a strong and +spacious temple, where we dressed our wounds with the fat of Indians. We +obtained a plentiful supply of food from the fowls and dogs which we found +in the houses of the village, and posted strong guards on every side for +our security. + +We continued quietly in the temple for one day, to repose after the +fatigues of the battle, occupying ourselves in repairing our cross-bows, +and making arrows. Next day Cortes sent out seven of our cavalry with two +hundred infantry and all our allies, to scour the country, which is very +flat and well adapted for the movements of cavalry, and this detachment +brought in twenty prisoners, some of whom were women, without meeting with +any injury from the enemy, neither did the Spaniards do any mischief; but +our allies, being very cruel, made great havoc, and came back loaded with +dogs and fowls. Immediately on our return, Cortes released all the +prisoners, after giving them food and kind treatment, desiring them to +expostulate with their companions on the madness of resisting our arms. He +likewise released the two chiefs who had been taken in the preceding +battle, with a letter in token of credence, desiring them to inform their +countrymen that he only asked to pass through their country in his way to +Mexico. These chiefs waited accordingly on _Xicotencatl_, whose army was +posted about two leagues from our quarters, at a place called +_Tehuacinpacingo_, and delivered the message of Cortes. To this the +Tlascalan general replied, "Tell them to go to Tlascala, where we shall +give them peace by offering their hearts and blood to our gods, and by +feasting on their bodies." After what we had already experienced of the +number and valour of the enemy, this horrible answer did not afford us +much consolation; but Cortes concealed his fears, and treated the +messengers more kindly than ever, to induce them to carry a fresh message. +By inquiry from them he got the following account of the number of the +enemy and of the nature of the command enjoyed by its general. The army +now opposed to us consisted of the troops or quotas of five great chiefs, +each consisting of 10,000 men. These chiefs were _Xicotencatl_ the elder, +father to the general, _Maxicotzin_, _Chichimecatecle, _Tecapaneca_ +cacique of _Topeyanco_, and a cacique named _Guaxocinga_[4]. Thus 50,000 +men were now collected against us under the banner of Xicotencatl, which +was a white bird like an ostrich with its wings spread out[5]. The other +divisions had each its distinguishing banner, every cacique bearing these +cognizances like our Spanish nobles, a circumstance we could not credit +when so informed by our prisoners. This formidable intelligence did not +tend to lessen the fears which the terrible answer of Xicotencatl had +occasioned, and we prepared for the expected battle of the next day, by +confessing our sins to our reverend fathers, who were occupied in this +holy office during the whole night[6]. + +On the 5th of September, we marched out with our whole force, the wounded +not excepted, having our colours flying and guarded by four soldiers +appointed for that purpose. The crossbow-men and musketeers were ordered to +fire alternately, so that some of them might be always loaded: The +soldiers carrying swords and bucklers were directed to use their points +only, thrusting home through the bodies of the enemy, by which they were +less exposed to missile weapons; and the cavalry were ordered to charge at +half speed, levelling their lances at the eyes of the enemy, and charging +clear through without halting to make thrusts. We had hardly marched half +a quarter of a league, when we observed the whole army of the enemy, +covering the plain on every side as far as the eye could reach, each +separate body displaying its particular device or standard, and all +advancing to the sound of martial music. A great deal might be said of +this tremendous and long doubtful battle, in which four hundred of us were +opposed to prodigious hosts, which surrounded us on every side, filling +all the plains to the extent of two leagues. Their first discharges of +arrows, stones, and double-headed darts covered the whole ground which we +occupied, and they advanced continually till closed upon us all around, +attacking us with the utmost resolution with lances and two-handed swords, +encouraging each other by continual shouts. Our artillery, musketry, and +cross-bows plied them with incessant discharges, and made prodigious havoc +among the crowded masses of the enemy, and the home thrusts of our +infantry with their swords, prevented them from closing up so near as they +had done in the former battle. Yet with all our efforts, our battalion was +at one time completely broken into and separated, and all the exertions of +our general was for some time unable to get us again into order; at length, +however, by the diligent use of our swords, we forced them from among us, +and were able again to close our ranks. During the whole battle our +cavalry produced admirable effects, by incessant charges through the +thickest of the enemy. We in some measure owed our safety, under God, to +the unwieldy multitude of the enemy, so that some of the divisions could +never get up to the attack. One of the grand divisions, composed of the +warriors dependant on _Guaxocinga_, was prevented from taking any share in +the battle by _Chichemecatecle_[7], their commander, who had been provoked +by some insulting language by Xicotencatl respecting his conduct in the +preceding engagement, of which circumstance we received information +afterwords. The circumstance of these divisions not joining in the battle, +slackened the ardour of the rest, more especially after they had +experienced the terrible effects of our cavalry, artillery, and other +offensive weapons; and one of their greatest chiefs being killed, they at +length drew off from the fight, and were pursued to a short distance by +our cavalry. In this great battle, one only of our soldiers was killed, +but seventy men and all our horses were wounded. I had two wounds, one by +an arrow and the other by a stone, but they were not sufficient to make me +unfit for duty. Thus again masters of the field, we gave thanks to God for +his merciful preservation, and returned to our former post, first burying +our dead companion in one of the subterraneous houses, which was filled up +and levelled, that his body might not be discovered by the enemy. We +passed the ensuing night in a most comfortless situation, not being able +to procure even oil and salt, and exposed to excessive cold winds from the +snowy mountains. + +Cortes sent a fresh message by three of our prisoners and those who had +carried his former message, demanding a free passage to Mexico, and +threatening to destroy the whole country in case of refusal. On their +arrival at Tlascala, they found the chiefs much cast down at their +repeated losses, yet unwilling to listen to our proposals. They sent for +their priests and wizards, who pretended to foretel future events by +casting lots, desiring them to say if the Spaniards were vincible, and +what were the best means of conquering us; likewise demanding whether we +were men or superior beings, and what was our food. The wizards answered, +that we were men like themselves, subsisting upon ordinary food, but did +not devour the hearts of our enemies as had been reported; alleging that +though invincible by day, we might be conquered at night, as we derived +all our power from the influence of the sun. Giving credit to this +response, Xicotencatl received orders to make an immediate attack on our +quarters during the night. He marched accordingly with ten thousand +warriors, and made a night attack on our post in three places at once: But +our outposts kept too good guard to be taken by surprise, and we were +under arms in a moment to receive them. They met with so warm a reception, +that they were soon forced to turn their backs; and as it was clear +moon-light, our cavalry pursued them with great effect, so that they +returned to their camp heartily repenting of their night attack; insomuch +that it was reported they sacrificed two of their priests for deceiving +them to their hurt. In this action one only of our allies was killed, and +two Spaniards wounded; but our situation was far from consolatory. Besides +being dreadfully hard harassed by fatigue, we had lost fifty-five of our +soldiers from wounds, sickness, and severity of the weather, and several +were sick. Our general and Father Olmedo were both ill of fevers: And we +began to think it would be impossible for us to reach Mexico, after the +determined resistance we had experienced from the Tlascalans. + +In this extremity several of the officers and soldiers, among whom I was +one, waited on Cortes, and advised him to release his prisoners and to +make a fresh offer of friendship with the Tlascalans through these people. +He, who acted on all occasions like a good captain, never failing to +consult with us on affairs of importance, agreed with our present advice, +and gave orders accordingly. Donna Marina, whose noble spirit and +excellent judgment supported her on all occasions of danger, was now of +most essential service to us, as indeed she often was; as she explained in +the most forcible terms to these messengers, that if their countrymen did +not immediately enter into a treaty of peace with us, that we were +resolved to march against their capital, and would utterly destroy it and +their whole nation. Our messengers accordingly went to Tlascala, where +they waited on the chiefs of the republic, the principal messenger bearing +our letter in one hand, as a token of peace, and a dart in the other as a +signal of war, as if giving them their choice of either. Having delivered +our resolute message, it pleased GOD to incline the hearts of these +Tlascalan rulers to enter into terms of accommodation with us. The two +principal chiefs, named Maxicatzin and Xicotencatl the elder[8], +immediately summoned the other chiefs of the republic to council, together +with the cacique of Guaxocingo the ally of the republic, to whom they +represented that all the attacks which they had made against us had been +ineffectual, yet exceedingly destructive to them; that the strangers were +hostile to their inveterate enemies the Mexicans, who had been continually +at war against their republic for upwards of an hundred years, and had so +hemmed them in as to deprive them of procuring cotton or salt; and +therefore that it would be highly conducive to the interests of the +republic to enter into an alliance with these strangers against their +common enemies, and to offer us the daughters of their principal families +for wives, in order to strengthen and perpetuate the alliance between us. +This proposal was unanimously agreed upon by the council, and notice was +immediately sent to the general of this determination, with orders to +cease from hostilities. Xicotencatl was much offended at this order, and +insisted on making another nocturnal attack on our quarters. On learning +this determination of their general, the council of Tlascala sent orders +to supersede him in the command, but the captains and warriors of the army +refused obedience to this order, and even prevented four of the principal +chiefs of the republic from waiting upon us with an invitation to come to +their city. + +After waiting two days for the result of our message without receiving any +return, we proposed to march to Zumpacingo, the chief town of the district +in which we then were, the principal people of which had been summoned to +attend at our quarters, but had neglected our message. We accordingly +began our march for that place early of a morning, having Cortes at our +head, who was not quite recovered from his late illness. The morning was +so excessively cold, that two of our horses became so exceedingly ill that +we expected them to have died, and we were all like to perish from the +effects of the piercing winds of the _Sierra Nevada_, or Snowy Mountains. +This occasioned us to accelerate our march to bring us into heat, and we +arrived at Zumpacingo before daybreak; but the inhabitants, immediately on +getting notice of our approach, fled precipitately from their houses, +exclaiming that the _teules_ were coming to kill them. We halted in a +place surrounded with walls till day, when some priests and old men came +to us from the temples, making an apology for neglecting to obey our +summons, as they had been prevented by the threats of their general +Xicotencatl. Cortes ordered them to send us an immediate supply of +provisions, with which they complied, and then sent them with a message to +Tlascala, commanding the chiefs of the republic to attend him at this +place to establish a peace, as we were still ignorant of what had taken +place in consequence of our former message. The Indians of the country +began to entertain a favourable opinion of us, and orders were given by +the Tlascalan senate that the people in our neighbourhood should supply us +plentifully with provisions. + +At this time some of the soldiers resumed their mutinous complaints, +particularly those who had good houses and plantations in Cuba, who +murmured at the hardships they had undergone and the manifold dangers with +which we were surrounded. Seven of their ringleaders now waited on Cortes, +having a spokesman at their head, who addressed the general in a studied +oration, representing, "That above fifty-five of our companions had +already perished during the expedition, and we were now ignorant of the +situation of those we had left at Villa Rica. That we were so surrounded +by enemies, it was hardly possible to escape from being sacrificed to the +idols of the barbarians, if we persisted in our present hopeless +enterprize. Our situation, they said, was worse than beasts of burden, who +had food and rest when forced to labour, while we were oppressed with +fatigue, and could neither procure sleep or provisions. As therefore the +country now seemed peaceable and the enemy had withdrawn, the present +opportunity ought to be taken for returning immediately to Villa Rica, on +purpose to construct a vessel to send for reinforcements from Cuba; adding, +that they lamented the destruction of our shipping, a rash and imprudent +step, which could not be paralleled in history," Cortes answered them with +great mildness; "That he was satisfied no soldiers ever exhibited more +valour than we, and that by perseverance alone could we hope to preserve +our lives amidst those great perils which God hitherto delivered us from, +and that he hoped for a continuance of the same mercy. He appealed to them +to say if he had ever shrunk from sharing in all their dangers; which +indeed he might well do, as he never spared himself on any occasion. As to +the destruction of the ships, it was done advisably, and for most +substantial reasons; and as the most illustrious of our countrymen had +never ventured on so bold a measure, it was better to look forward with +trust in God, than to repine at what could not now be remedied. That +although the natives we had left behind were at present friendly, all +would assuredly rise against us the moment we began to retreat; and if our +situation were now bad, it would then be desperate. We were now in a +plentiful country; and as for our losses by death and fatigue, such was +the fortune of war, and we had not come to this country to enjoy sports +and pastimes. I desire therefore of you, who are all gentlemen, that you +no longer think of retreat, but that you henceforwards shew an example to +the rest, by doing your duty like brave soldiers, which I have always +found you hitherto." They still continued to urge the danger of persisting +in the march to Mexico; but Cortes cut them short, saying, That it was +better to die at once than live dishonoured: And being supported by all +his friends, the malcontents were obliged to stifle their dissatisfaction, +as we all exclaimed that nothing more should be said on the subject. + +Our deputation from Zumpacingo to Tlascala was at length successful; as +after four repeated messages from the chiefs of the republic, their +general Xicotencatl was obliged to cease hostilities. Accordingly forty +Indians were sent by him to our quarters with a present of fowls, bread, +and fruit. They also brought four old women in tattered clothes, some +incense, and a quantity of parrots feathers. After offering incense to +Cortes, one of the messengers addressed him as follows: "Our general sends +these things to you. If ye are _teules_, as is reported, and desire human +victims, take the hearts and blood of these women as food: We have not +sacrificed them to you, as you have not hitherto made known your pleasure. +If ye are men, we offer you fowls, bread, and fruit; if benignant _teules_, +who do not desire human sacrifices, here are incense and parrots feathers." +Cortes replied, That we were men like themselves, and never put any one to +death except in our own defence: That he had repeatedly required them to +make peace with us, which offer he now renewed, advising them no longer to +continue their mad resistance, which must end in their own ruin and the +destruction of their country: That our only object in coming among them, +was to manifest the truths of our holy religion, and to put an end to +human sacrifices, by command from God and our emperor. These men were +spies, who had been sent by Xicotencatl to gain information of the +strength and disposition of our quarters; and we were informed of this by +our Chempoallan allies, who had learnt from the people of Zumpacingo that +Xicotencatl intended to attack us. On this information, Cortes seized four +of the messengers, whom he forced by threats to confess, that their +general only waited for their report to attack us that night in our +quarters. He then caused seventeen of the Tlascalan messengers to be +arrested, cutting off the hands of some and the thumbs of others, and sent +them back in that condition to Xicotencatl with a message, that he would +wait his attack for two days, after which, if he heard nothing farther +from him, he would march with his Spaniards to seek him in his post. On +the return of his spies in a mutilated state, Xicotencatl, who was +prepared to march against us, lost all his haughtiness and resolution, and +we were informed that the chief with whom he had quarrelled, now quitted +the army with his division. + +The approach of a numerous train of Indians by the road from Tlascala was +announced by one of our videts, from which we all conceived hopes of an +embassy of peace, which it actually was. Cortes ordered us all immediately +under arms, and on the arrival of the embassy, four old men advanced to +our general, and after making three several reverences, touching the +ground with their hands and kissing them, they offered incense, and said: +That they were sent by the chiefs of Tlascala to put themselves +henceforwards under our protection, and declared that they would on no +account have made war upon us, if they had not believed we were allies of +Montezuma, their ancient and inveterate enemy. They assured him that the +first attack had been made upon us by the Otomies without their +approbation, who believed they might easily have brought our small number +as prisoners to their lords of Tlascala. They concluded by soliciting +pardon for what had passed, assuring us that their general and the other +chiefs of Tlascala would soon wait upon us to conclude a durable peace. +Cortes in his answer, assumed a severe countenance, reproaching them for +the violence they had been guilty of, yet, in consideration of their +repentance, he accepted their presents, and was willing to receive them to +favour, as he wished for peace; but desired them to inform their chiefs, +if they delayed waiting upon him, he would continue his hostilities till +be had ruined their whole country. The four ambassadors returned with this +message to their employers, leaving their attendants with the provisions +in our quarters. We now began to entertain hopes of their sincerity, to +our great satisfaction, as we were heartily tired of the severe and +hopeless war in which we had been so long engaged. + +The news of the great victories which we had gained over the Tlascalans +soon spread over the whole country, and came to the knowledge of Montezuma, +who sent five principal nobles of his court to congratulate us on our +success. These men brought a present of various articles of gold, to the +value of 1000 crowns, with twenty loads of rich mantles, and a message, +declaring his desire to become a vassal of our sovereign, to whom he was +willing to pay an yearly tribute. He added a wish to see our general in +Mexico, but, owing to the poverty of the country and the badness of the +roads, he found himself under the necessity to deprive himself of that +great pleasure. Cortes expressed his gratitude for the present, and his +satisfaction at the offer of their sovereign to become tributary to our +emperor; but requested the Mexican ambassadors to remain with him till he +had concluded his arrangements with the Tlascalans, after which he would +give them a definitive answer to the message of Montezuma. While +conversing with the Mexican ambassadors, Xicotencatl, with fifty of his +principal warriors all in uniform habits of white and red, came to wait +upon Cortes with great respect, who received them very courteously, +causing the Tlascalan general to sit down beside him. Xicotencatl then +said, That he came in the name of his father and the other chiefs of the +Tlascalan nation, to solicit peace and friendship, to submit themselves to +our sovereign, and to ask pardon for having taken up arms against us, +which had proceeded from their dread of the machinations of Montezuma, who +was always desirous of reducing their nation to slavery. Their country, he +said, was very poor, as it possessed neither gold, jewels, cotton, nor +salt; the two latter they were prevented from obtaining by Montezuma, who +had also deprived them of all the gold their fathers had collected. Their +poverty, therefore, must plead their excuse, for not bringing satisfactory +presents. He made many other complaints against the oppressions of +Montezuma, and concluded by earnestly soliciting our friendship and +alliance. Xicotencatl was strong made, tall, and well proportioned, having +a broad and somewhat wrinkled face, and grave aspect, appearing to be +about thirty-five years old. Cortes treated him with every mark of respect, +and expressed his high satisfaction that so brave and respectable a nation +should become our allies, and subjects to our sovereign; but warned them +seriously to beware of repeating the offences they had been guilty of +towards us, lest it should occasion an exemplary punishment. The Tlascalan +chief promised the utmost fidelity and obedience, and invited us to come +to their city; which Cortes promised to do as soon as he had concluded his +business with the Mexican ambassadors, and Xicotencatl took his leave. + +The ambassadors of Montezuma endeavoured to impress Cortes with distrust +of the sincerity of the Tlascalans; asserting that their professions of +peace and friendship were only meant to betray us, as they would certainly +murder us while in their city. To these representations Cortes answered +that he was resolved to go to Tlascala, that he might ascertain the +sincerity of their professions; and that any such attempt as the Mexicans +surmised would only bring on its own condign punishment. The ambassadors +then requested Cortes to delay his march for six days, that they might +receive fresh instructions from their sovereign, to which he acceded for +two reasons, because of the state of his own health, and that the +observations of the ambassadors seemed to require serious consideration. +He now sent a messenger to Juan Escalente at Villa Rica, informing him of +all that had happened, and requiring him to send some vessels of +sacramental wine, and some consecrated bread, all that we had brought with +us having been used. We at this time got the people of Zumpacingo to +purify and white wash one of their temples, in which we erected a lofty +cross. Our new friends the Tlascalans supplied us amply with provisions, +particularly fowls and _tunas_, or Indian figs; and repeatedly invited us +to their capital, but with this last we could not immediately comply, +owing to the engagement with the Mexican ambassadors. At the end of the +sixth day, as agreed upon, six nobles arrived from Montezuma, with a +present of gold to the value of 3000 crowns, and 200 rich mantles; with a +complimentary message, desiring us on no account to trust the Tlascalans +or to go to their capital. Cortes returned thanks for the present, and the +warning respecting the Tlascalans, whom he said he would severely punish +if they attempted any treachery: and as he was just informed of the +approach of the chiefs of Tlascala, he requested the Mexican ambassadors +to wait three days for his final answer. + +The ancient chiefs of Tlascala now arrived at our quarters, borne in +litters or hammocks, and attended by a large train of followers. These +were Maxicatzin, Xicotencatl the elder, who was blind, Guaxocinga, +Chichimecatecle, and Tecapaneca the allied cacique of Topeyanco. After +saluting Cortes with great respect, the old blind chief Xicotencatl +addressed him to the following effect: "We have often sent to request +pardon for our hostilities, which were caused by our suspicions that you +were in alliance with our enemy Montezuma. Had we known who and what you +were, we would have gone down to the coast to invite you from your ships, +and would have swept the roads clean before you. All we can now do is to +invite you to our city, where we shall serve you in every thing within our +power; and we beg you may not listen to the misrepresentations of the +Mexicans, who are our enemies, and are influenced by malice against us." +Cortes returned thanks for their courtesy, saying that he would have +visited them ere now, but wanted men to draw his cannons. On learning this, +five hundred of the natives were assembled for this service in less than +half an hour, and Cortes promised to visit their capital next day. We +accordingly began our march early next morning, the Mexican ambassadors +accompanying us at the desire of Cortes, and keeping always near his +person that they might not be insulted by their Tlascalan enemies. From +this time the natives always gave Cortes the name of Malintzin, signifying +the lord or captain of Marina, because she always interpreted for him in +their language. We entered the city of Tlascala on the 23d September 1519, +thirty-four days after our arrival in the territories of the republic. As +soon as we began our march, the chiefs went before to provide quarters for +us; and on our approach to the city, they came out to meet us, accompanied +by their daughters and other female relations: each tribe separately, as +this nation consisted of four distinct tribes, besides that which was +governed by the cacique of Topeyanco. These tribes were distinguished from +each other by different uniforms, of cloth made of _nequen_, as cotton did +not grow in their country. The priests, came likewise to meet us, in long +loose white garments, having their long hair all clotted with blood +proceeding from recent cuts in the ears, and having remarkably long nails +on their fingers; they carried pots of incense, with which they fumigated +us. On our arrival, the chiefs saluted Cortes with much respect, and the +people crowded to see us in such numbers that we could hardly make our way +through the streets, presenting Cortes and the cavalry with garlands of +beautiful and sweet smelling flowers. + +We at length arrived at some large enclosed courts, in the apartments, +around which our lodgings were appointed; when the two principal chiefs +took Cortes by the hand and conducted him into the apartment which was +destined for his use. Every one of our soldiers were provided with a mat +and bed-clothes made of _nequen_ cloth. Our allies were lodged close by us, +and the Mexican ambassadors were accommodated, by desire of Cortes, in the +apartment next his own. Though we had every reason to confide in the +Tlascalans, Cortes used the most rigid military precautions for our safety; +which, being observed by the chiefs, they complained of as indicating +suspicion of their sincerity; but Cortes assured them this was the uniform +custom of our country, and that he had the most perfect reliance on their +truth. As soon as an altar could be got ready, Cortes ordered Juan Diaz to +celebrate the mass, as Olmeda was ill of a fever. Many of the native +chiefs were present on this occasion, whom Cortes took along with him +after the service into his own apartment, attended by those soldiers who +usually accompanied him. The elder Xicotencatl then offered a present, +consisting of a small quantity of gold and some pieces of cloth, not worth +twenty crowns altogether, and expressed his fear that he might despise so +paltry a present, which he excused on account of the poverty of their +nation, occasioned by the extortions of Montezuma, from whom they were +forced to purchase peace at the expence of every thing valuable belonging +to them. Cortes assured them that he valued their gift, small as it was, +more than he would a house full of gold from others, as it was a testimony +of their friendship, which he greatly valued. Xicotencatl then proposed +that a strict alliance should be formed between the two nations, and that +our chiefs should accept their daughters in marriage, offering his own to +Cortes, who thanked him for these marks of friendship. The chiefs remained +with Cortes a whole day, and as Xicotencatl was blind, Cortes permitted +him to examine his head, face, and beard with his hands, which he did with +much attention. + +Next day the chiefs brought five daughters of their principal caciques, +who were much handsomer than the other women of the country, each attended +by a female slave. On this occasion Xicotencatl presented his own daughter +to Cortes, and desired him to assign the others among his principal +officers. Cortes thanked him for the mark of regard, but that for the +present the ladies must remain with their parents, as we must first obey +the commands of our God, and the orders of our sovereign, by abolishing +human sacrifices and other abominations, and by teaching them the true +faith in the adoration of one only God. He then shewed them a beautiful +image of the holy Mary, the queen of heaven, the mother of our Lord by the +power of the Holy Ghost, conceived without sin, adding, That if they +wished to become our brethren, and that we should marry their daughters, +they must renounce their idolatry, and worship our God, by which they +would not only benefit their temporal concerns, but would secure an +eternal happiness in heaven; whereas by persisting in the worship of their +idols, which were representations of the devils, they would consign +themselves to hell, where they would be plunged eternally into flames of +fire. This and a great deal more excellently to the purpose, being well +explained to them by our interpreters, the chiefs made answer to the +following effect: That they readily believed all they had now heard +respecting the excellence of our God and his saints, and might in time be +able to understand the subject of his exhortations; but that if they were +now to renounce the religion of their ancestors in their old age to please +us, the priests and people would rebel against them; more especially as +the priests had already consulted their gods, who had commanded them on no +account to omit the human sacrifices and other ancient customs, as +otherwise they would send famine, pestilence, and war into their country: +They requested, therefore that nothing more might be said on this subject, +as they could not renounce their gods but with their lives. When the +subject of this conference was reported to father Olmedo, who was a wise +and good man, he advised the general not to urge the matter any farther +for the present, as he was adverse to forced conversions, such as had been +already attempted at Chempoalla; and that to destroy the idols were a +needless act of violence, unless the principles of idolatry were +eradicated from their minds by argument as they would easily procure other +idols to continue their worship. Three of our cavaliers, Alvarado, de Leon, +and De Lugo, gave a similar advice to Cortes, and the subject was +judiciously dropped, which might have again excited the Tlascalans to +inveterate enmity. + +Soon after this we got permission to clear out and purify one of the +temples, which was converted into a Christian church, and had an altar and +cross erected. Here the ladies who were destined to be the brides of our +officers, having been instructed in the principles of the Christian +religion were baptized. The daughter of Xicotencatl was named Donna Luisa, +and being taken by the hand by Cortes, was presented by him to Alvarado, +saying to her rather that this officer was his brother, with which +arrangement the old cacique seemed perfectly satisfied. Almost the whole +province of Tlascala came afterwards to depend upon this lady, paying rent +and homage to her. She had a son by Alvarado named Don Pedro, and a +daughter Donna Leonora, who inherited her mothers domains, and is now the +wife of Don Francisco de la Cueva, cousin to the Duke of Albuquerque, by +whom she has four or five sons. In right of his wife Donna Luisa, Alvarado +became lord, and almost sovereign of Tlascala. As far as I can remember, +the niece, or daughter of Maxicatzin, named Donna Leonora, and remarkably +handsome, was given to Velasquez de Leon. I have forgotten the names of +the other ladies, all stiled Donnas, but they were assigned to De Oli, +Sandoval, and Avila. After the ceremonies were concluded, the natives were +informed that the crosses were erected in order to expel the evil spirits +which they had been in use to worship. + +Cortes obtained considerable information from the two principal chiefs of +Tlascala, Xicotencatl, and Maxicatzin, relative to the military and +political state of Mexico. They said that Montezuma had an army of an +hundred thousand warriors, occupying all the cities of the neighbouring +states, which were subject to his dominions, with strong garrisons, and +forcing them to pay heavy tributes in gold, manufactures, productions of +the soil, and victims for sacrifice, so that his wealth and power were +exceedingly great; but that all the districts which were under subjection +to him were exceedingly dissatisfied with his tyranny, and inclined to +take part with his enemies. Their own state of Tlascala had been in almost +continual wars with the Mexicans for above an hundred years, and formed a +league for mutual defence with the people of Guaxocingo[9]; but were +principally vexed by inroads from the Mexican garrison in Cholula, from +which city the troops of Montezuma were able to come by surprise on the +Tlascalan territories. They described the city of Mexico as of great +strength, being built in the lake, and only accessible by narrow causeways, +with wooden bridges, and having no access to most of its houses but by +drawbridges or boats. They described the arms of the Mexicans as +consisting of double-headed darts, which were projected by a kind of +slings, lances having stone heads, an ell in length, and both edges as +sharp as a razor, and two-handed swords, edged likewise with sharp stones, +besides shields and other defensive armour. The chiefs shewed large +_nequen_ cloths, on which their various battles were represented, with all +those different kinds of weapons. They alleged that their country was +anciently inhabited by a people of great stature and very barbarous +manners, who had been extirpated by their ancestors, and produced a +thigh-bone which they said had belonged to one of these giants. I stood by +it, and it equalled my height, though I am as tall as most men. We sent +this bone to Spain for the inspection of his majesty. The chiefs told us +that their idols had long ago predicted, that a people was to arrive from +the distant lands where the sun rises, and to subdue their country, and +they believed we were those to whom the prediction applied. Cortes said +that this was certainly the case, and that our great emperor had sent us +to establish a lasting friendship between our nation and them, and to be +the instruments of shewing them the only way of Salvation: To which we all +said Amen! + +While we were in Tlascala a volcano near Guaxocingo threw out great +quantities of flames, and Diego de Ordas went up to examine it, attended +by two Spanish soldiers, and some of the principal Indians. The natives +declined going any nearer to the volcano than the temples of +_Popocatepeque_, but De Ordas and his two Spanish comrades ascended to the +summit of the mountain, and looked down into the crater, which is a circle +of near a quarter of a league diameter. From this peak also, they had a +distant view of the city of Mexico, which was twelve or thirteen leagues +from the mountain. This was considered as a great feat, and De Ordas, on +his return to Spain, got royal authority to bear this volcano in his arms, +which is now borne by his nephew who dwells in La Puebla. This volcano did +not throw out flames for a good many years afterwards, but it flamed with +great violence in 1530. We observed many wooden cages in the city of +Tlascala, in which the victims intended for sacrifice were confined and +fattened; but we destroyed all these, releasing the unhappy prisoners, who +remained along with us, as they dared not to return to their own homes. +Cortes spoke very angrily to the Tlascalan chiefs, exhorting them to +abolish this horrible custom of human sacrifices, and they promised +amendment; but immediately, on our backs being turned, they resumed their +ancient abominations. + + +[1] Clavigero says that Cortes had some troops of the Totanacas, among + whom were forty nobles, serving at the same time as auxiliaries, and + as hostages for the fidelity of their nation.--Clavig. II. 30. + +[2] In Clavigero, II. 29. the army of Cortes on this occasion is stated + to have amounted to 415 Spanish infantry and 16 cavalry.--E. + +[3] In Clavigero, II. 31. Iztacmaxitlan is said to have been the next + stage after leaving Xocotla, and is described as a populous district, + with a strong city or fortress on a high rock, defended by barbicans + and ditches.--E. + +[4] In Clavigero, II. 31. Xicocentcatl Maxicatizin, is given as the name + of one chief; and only _three_ other lords or great caciques are said + to have then borne sway in the Tlascalan republic, Tlekul, Xolotzin, + and Citlalpocatzin. The person named Chichimecatecle by Diaz, is + called Chichimeca Teuchtli by Clavigero: But it is impossible to + reconcile the differences between these authors respecting the other + names of the chiefs, nor is it important.--E. + +[5] Clavigero, II. 37. says the grand standard of the republic of Tlascala, + used on this occasion, was a golden eagle with expanded wings.--E. + +[6] According to Clavigero, II. 37. Xicotencatl, to show how little he + regarded the Spaniards, sent them 300 turkeys and two hundred baskets + of _tamalli_, to recruit their strength before the approaching + battle.--E. + +[7] Called the son of Chichimeca Teuctli by Clavigero; perhaps his name + was Guaxocingo, and Diaz, after a long interval of time, transposed + the names of the father and son.--E. + +[8] It has been already mentioned that Clavigero writes these two as the + names of one man, Xicotencatl Maxicatzin, informing us that the latter + name signifies the elder.--E. + +[9] This place, so often mentioned by Diaz, seems to be the same called + Huexotzinco by Clavigero.--E. + + + + +SECTION VII + +_Events during the March of the Spaniards from Tlascala to Mexico_. + + +After a stay of seventeen days, in Tlascala to refresh ourselves after our +late severe fatigues, and for the recovery of our wounded companions, it +was resolved to resume our march to the city of Mexico, though the rich +settlers of Cuba still endeavoured to persuade Cortes to return to Villa +Rica. This resolution also gave much uneasiness to our new Tlascalan +allies, who used every argument to make us distrust the courteous manners +of Montezuma and his subjects, whom they alleged to be extremely +treacherous, and would either fall upon and destroy us on the first +favourable opportunity, or would reduce us to slavery. In the event of +hostilities between us and the Mexicans, they exhorted us to kill them all +young and old. Cortes thanked them for their friendly counsel, and offered +to negociate a treaty of peace and amity between them and the Mexicans; +but they would by no means consent to this measure, saying that the +Mexican government would employ peace only as a cover for treachery. On +making inquiry as to the best road to Mexico, the ambassadors of Montezuma +recommended that by Cholula, in which we should find good accommodation; +but the Tlascalans earnestly entreated us to go by Huexotzinco which was +in alliance with them, representing the Cholulans as a perfidious people. +But Cortes determined to take the road of Cholula, intending to remain in +that city till he could secure a safe and peaceable reception at Mexico; +he sent therefore a message to the chiefs of Cholula, to inform them of +his intentions, and to express his dissatisfaction at their conduct in not +having been to wait upon him. While engaged in preparations for our +departure, four of the principal nobles of Mexico arrived with a rich +present, consisting of gold to the value of 10,000 crowns, and ten bales +of mantles of the finest feather-work. After saluting Cortes with profound +respect, they said that Montezuma was astonished at our long residence +among so poor and base a people as the Tlascalans, and that he requested +we would come without delay to his capital. Cortes assured them that he +would very soon pay his respects to their sovereign, and requested they +would remain along with him during the march. He also at this time +appointed Pedro de Alvarado, and Vasquez de Tupia, to go as his +ambassadors to Montezuma, with instructions to examine the city of Mexico. +These gentlemen set out accordingly, along with the former Mexican +ambassadors, but were soon recalled, in consequence of a remonstrance from +the army. At this time I was confined by my wounds, and was ill of a fever, +and consequently incapable of attending minutely to all that passed. + +In return to our message, the chiefs of Cholula sent a very dry and +uncourteous answer by four men of low degree, and without any present. As +this was obviously done in contempt, Cortes sent the messengers back to +inform the chiefs, that he would consider them as rebels if they did not +wait upon him personally in three days; but, if they complied with this +requisition, he was willing to accept them as friends and brothers, and +had much intelligence of great importance to communicate to them. They +sent back, saying, that they durst not come into the country of their +inveterate enemies the Tlascalans, who they were sure had grossly +misrepresented both them and Montezuma to us, but engaged to give us an +honourable reception in their city. When the Tlascalans found we were +determined upon taking the road of Cholula, contrary to their advice, they +proposed that we should take 10,000 of their best warriors along with us; +but our general considered this number as too many for a visit of peace, +and would only accept 3000, who were immediately made ready to attend us. +Using every proper precaution for our safety, we began our march from +Tlascala, and arrived that evening at a river about a league from Cholula, +where there is now a stone bridge, and encamped here for the night. Some +of the chiefs came to congratulate our arrival in their neighbourhood, and +gave us a courteous invitation to visit their city. We continued our march +next day, and were met near the city by the chiefs and priests, all +dressed in cassocks of cotton cloth, resembling those used by the +Zapotecans. After presenting incense to Cortes, the chiefs made an apology +for not waiting upon him at Tlascala, and requested that so large a body +of their enemies might not be permitted to enter their city. As this +request appeared reasonable, Cortes sent Alvarado and De Oli, to desire +our allies to hut themselves without the city, which they did accordingly, +imitating the military discipline of the Spaniards, in the arrangement of +their camp and the appointment of centinels. Before entering the city, +Cortes explained the purpose of his mission in a long oration, in the same +manner as he had already done at all the other places during the march. To +all this they answered that they were ready to yield obedience to our +sovereign in all things, but could not abandon the religion of their +ancestors. We then marched on in our usual compact order, attended only by +our allies from Chempoalla, and the Indians who drew our artillery, and +conveyed our baggage, and entered the city, all the streets and terraces +of which was filled with an immense concourse of people, through whom we +were conducted to our appointed quarters, in some large apartments, which +conveniently accommodated our army and all our attendants. + +While we remained in this place, a plot was concerted by the Mexican +ambassadors for the introduction of 20,000 warriors belonging to Montezuma, +who were to attack us in conjunction with the people of Cholula; and +several houses were actually filled with poles and leather collars, by +means of which we were to have been bound and carried prisoners to Mexico. +But God was pleased that we should discover and confound their +machinations. During the first two days, we were perfectly well +entertained; but on the third no provisions were sent us, and none of the +chiefs or priests appeared at our quarters. Such few of the inhabitants as +we happened to see, speedily withdrew with a malicious sneer; and on +Cortes applying to the Mexican ambassadors to procure provisions for us as +usual, some wood and water only were brought to us by a few old men, as if +in derision, who said that no maize could be procured. This day, likewise, +some ambassadors arrived from Montezuma, who desired in very disrespectful +terms on no account to approach Mexico, and demanded an immediate answer. +Cortes gave them a mild answer, expressing his astonishment at the +alteration in the tone of their sovereign, but requested a short delay +before giving his definitive answer to their message. He then summoned us +together, and desired us to keep on the alert, as he suspected some great +act of treachery was in agitation against us. As the chiefs of Cholula had +refused to wait upon him, Cortes sent some soldiers to a great temple +close to our quarters, with orders to bring two of the priests to him as +quietly as possible. They succeeded in this without difficulty; and, +having made a trifling present to the priests, he inquired as to the +reason of the late extraordinary conduct of the Cholulan chiefs. One of +these who was of high rank, having authority over all the temples and +priests of the city, like one of our bishops, told Cortes that he would +persuade some of the chiefs to attend him, if allowed to speak with them; +and, being permitted to go away for that purpose, he soon brought several +of the chiefs to our quarters. Cortes reproved them sharply for the change +in their behaviour to us, and commanded them to send an immediate supply +of provisions, and likewise to provide him next day with a competent +number of people to convey our baggage and artillery, as he meant then to +resume his march to Mexico. The chiefs appeared quite confounded and panic +struck, yet promised to send in provisions immediately, alleging in excuse +for their conduct, that they had been so ordered by Montezuma, who was +unwilling that we should advance any farther into his dominions. + +At this time, three of our Chempoallan allies called Cortes aside, and +told him that they had discovered several pitfals close to our quarters, +covered over with wood and earth, and that on examining one of these they +found its bottom provided with sharpened stakes. They informed him also +that all the terraces of the houses near our quarters had been recently +provided with parapets of sod, and great quantities of stones collected on +them, and that a strong barricade of timber had been erected across one of +the streets. Eight Tlascalans arrived also from their army on the outside +of the town, who warned Cortes that an attack was intended against us, as +the priests of Cholula had sacrificed eight victims on the preceding night +to their god of war, five of whom were children; and that they had seen +crowds of women and children withdrawing from the city with their valuable +effects, all of which were sure signs of some impending commotion. Cortes +thanked the Tlascalans for this instance of their fidelity, and sent them +back to the camp with orders to their chiefs to hold themselves in +readiness for any emergency. He then returned to the chiefs and priests, +to whom he repeated his former orders, warning them not to deviate from +their obedience, on pain of instant condign punishment, commanding them at +the same time to prepare 2000 of their best warriors to accompany him next +day on his march to Mexico. The chiefs readily promised to obey all his +commands, thinking in this manner to facilitate their projected treachery, +and took their leave. Cortes then employed Donna Marina to bring back the +two priests who had been with him before, from whom he learnt, that +Montezuma had been lately very unsettled in his intentions towards us, +sometimes giving orders to receive us honourably, and at other times +commanding that we should not be allowed to pass. That he had lately +consulted his gods, who had revealed that we were all to be put to death, +or made prisoners in Cholula, to facilitate which he had sent 20,000 of +his troops to that place, half of whom were now in the city, and the rest +concealed at the distance of a league. They added, that the plan of +attack was all settled, and that twenty of our number were to be +sacrificed in the temples of Cholula, and all the rest to be conveyed +prisoners to Mexico. Cortes rewarded them liberally for their +intelligence, and enjoined them to preserve the strictest secrecy on the +subject, commanding them to bring all the chiefs to his quarters at an +appointed time. He then convened a council of all the officers, and such +soldiers as he most confided in, before whom he laid an account of the +information which he had received, desiring their advice as to the best +conduct to be pursued in the present alarming emergency. Some proposed to +return immediately to Tlascala, and others proposed various measures, but +it was the universal opinion that the treachery of the Cholulans required +to be severely punished, as a warning to other places. It was accordingly +resolved to inflict condign punishment on the Cholulans within the courts +where we were quartered, which were surrounded by high walls, but in the +meantime, to continue our preparations for resuming the march, in order to +conceal our intentions. We then informed the Mexican ambassadors, that we +had discovered the treacherous intentions of the Cholulans, who pretended +that they acted by orders of Montezuma, which we were convinced was a +false aspersion. They solemnly declared their ignorance of these +transactions; but Cortes ordered them to have no farther intercourse with +the inhabitants of the city, and sent them to his own quarters under a +strong guard for the night, during the whole of which we lay upon our arms, +ready to act at a moments warning. + +During this anxious night, the wife of one of the caciques, who had taken +a great liking to Donna Marina, came secretly to visit that lady, +informing her of the plot, invited her to take refuge in her house from +the danger which was about to overwhelm us, and proposed to give her for a +husband the brother of a boy who was along with her. Donna Marina, with +her usual presence of mind, agreed to every thing proposed with a +profusion of thanks, and said she only wanted some one to take charge of +her effects before leaving the Spanish quarters. In course of this +conversation, Marina acquired particular information of every part of this +mysterious affair, which the old woman told her had been communicated to +her three days before by her husband, who was chief of one of the +divisions of the city, and was now with his warriors, giving directions +for their co-operation with the Mexican troops, and who had lately +received a gold drum from Mexico, as an ensign of command. Donna Marina +desired the old woman and her son to remain in her apartment till she went +in search of her valuables; but went immediately to Cortes, to whom she +communicated all the information she had received, adding that her +informer was still in her apartment. Cortes immediately sent for the old +woman, who being confronted by Donna Marina, repeated every thing exactly +as before, which agreed in all respects with the information he had +already received from others. + +When day appeared, the hurry of the chiefs, priests and people in coming +to our quarters as appointed, and their apparent satisfaction, was as +great as if we had been already secured in their cages. They brought a +much greater number of warriors to attend us than had been required, +insomuch that the large courts in which we were quartered were unable to +contain them. We were all prepared for the event, having a strong guard of +soldiers posted at the gate of the great court, to prevent any one from +escaping. Cortes mounted on horseback, attended by a strong guard; and as +he saw the people crowding in at the gate, he said to us, "See how anxious +these traitors are to feast on our flesh! But GOD will disappoint their +hopes." He ordered the two priests who had given him the information to +retire to their houses that they might escape the intended slaughter. +Every one being arrived in the great court, he commanded the chiefs and +priests to draw near, to whom he made a calm remonstrance on the treachery +of their conduct towards us, which was explained by Donna Marina. He asked +them why they had plotted to destroy us, and what we had done to deserve +their enmity, except exhorting them to abandon their barbarous and +abominable customs, and endeavouring to instruct them in our holy +religion? Their evil intentions, he said, had been obvious, by withdrawing +their women and children from the city, and by insultingly sending us only +wood and water, when we required provisions. He said he was perfectly +acquainted with the ambush which was placed in the road by which we meant +to march, and with all the other contrivances they had made for our +destruction; and that in recompence of our proffered friendship, and of +all the holy services we intended them, he knew that they meant to kill +and eat us, and that the pots were already on the fire, prepared with salt, +pepper, and _tomatas_, in which our dissevered limbs were to be boiled. He +knew that they had doomed twenty of us to be sacrificed to their idols, to +whom they had already immolated seven of their own brethren. "Since you +were determined to attack us," said he in conclusion, "it had been more +manly to have done so openly like the Tlascalans, and not to have resorted +to mean and cowardly treachery. But be assured that the victory which your +false gods have promised is beyond their power, and the punishment of your +treason is now ready to burst on your guilty heads." + +The astonished chiefs confessed every thing which was laid to their charge, +but endeavoured to excuse themselves, by laying the whole blame on the +orders they had received from Montezuma. "Wretches," said Cortes, "this +falsehood is an aggravation of your offence, and such complicated crimes +can never be permitted to pass unpunished." He then ordered a musket to be +fired, as a signal to commence the slaughter, for which we all stood +prepared. We immediately fell furiously on the multitudes who were +inclosed within the walls of our quarters, and executed their merited +punishment in such a manner as will be long remembered by the remaining +natives of Cholula. A vast number of them were put to death on the spot, +and many of them were afterwards burned alive. In less than two hours, our +Tlascalan allies arrived in the city, having been previously instructed in +our plan, and made a terrible slaughter in the streets of the city; and +when the Cholulans ceased to make resistance, they ravaged the city, +plundering it of every thing valuable they could lay hold of, and making +slaves of all the inhabitants who fell in their way. On the day following, +when intelligence reached Tlascala of the transactions at Cholula, great +numbers crowded to the devoted city, which they plundered without mercy. +It now became necessary to restrain the fury of the Tlascalans, and Cortes +gave orders to their chiefs to withdraw their troops from the city, with +which they immediately complied. + +Quiet being in some measure restored, some chiefs and priests who presided +over a distant quarter of the city, which they pretended had not been +engaged in the conspiracy, waited in an humble manner on Cortes, and +prayed a remission of the punishment which had already fallen so heavily +on their townsmen. The two before mentioned priests, and the old woman +from whom Donna Marina had procured such material information, came +forward likewise, and joined in the same petition, and Cortes determined +to shew clemency to the rest of the city, yet seemed still in great rage. +He called the Mexican ambassadors into his presence, in whose presence he +declared that the whole inhabitants of the city and dependancy of Cholula +had richly merited to be utterly extirpated for their treachery; but that +out of respect to the great Montezuma, whose vassals they were, he +consented to pardon them. He then ordered the Tlascalans to liberate their +prisoners, which they in some measure complied with, setting free many of +those they intended to have reduced to slavery, yet retained a prodigious +booty in gold, mantles, cotton, and salt. Having proclaimed an amnesty to +the Cholulans, he reconciled them and the Tlascalans who had anciently +been confederates; and being desired to appoint a new chief cacique of +Cholula, in place of the former who had been put to death, Cortes inquired +to whom that dignity belonged of right, and being informed that the +brother of the late head cacique ought to succeed according to their laws, +he nominated him to the office. As soon as the inhabitants had returned to +their houses, and order was restored in the city, Cortes summoned all the +chiefs and priests to a conference, in which he explained to them the +principles of our holy religion, earnestly exhorting them to renounce +their idolatry, and the odious practices connected with it; and, as an +instance of the uselessness of their idols, he reminded them how much they +had been lately deceived by the false responses imposed upon them in their +names: He proposed to them therefore, to destroy their senseless idols, +and to erect an altar and cross in their stead. The latter was immediately +complied with, but Father Olmedo advised him to postpone the former to a +more favourable opportunity, from a due consideration of our uncertain and +perilous situation. + +Cholula was then a large and populous city, much resembling Valladolid, +situated on a fertile plain which was thickly inhabited, and all its +surrounding district was well cultivated with maize, maguey, and pepper. +There were above a hundred lofty white towers in the city, belonging to +different idol temples, one of which was held in very high estimation, +that principal temple being more lofty even than the great temple of +Mexico. An excellent manufacture of earthen ware was carried on at this +place, the various articles of which were curiously painted in different +patterns, in red, black, and white, and from which the city of Mexico and +all the surrounding countries were supplied, as Castile is from Talavera +and Placencia. In the numerous temples of this city there were many cages; +which were filled with men and boys, fattening up for sacrifice, all of +which Cortes caused to be destroyed, sending the miserable captives home +to their respective houses. He likewise gave positive orders to the +priests to desist in future from this most abominable custom, which they +promised to refrain from, but they forgot their promises as soon as the +authority of our irresistible arms was removed. + +On hearing the melancholy fate of their companions in Cholula, the Mexican +troops who were posted in ambush, with trenches and barricades to oppose +our cavalry, made a precipitate retreat to Mexico, whether they carried an +account to Montezuma of the failure of his plot for our destruction; but +he had already heard the news of his misfortunes from two of his +ambassadors, whom Cortes had dismissed for the purpose. It was reported +that he immediately ordered a solemn sacrifice to his gods, and shut +himself up for two days with ten of his chief priests, engaged in rigid +devotional exercises, on purpose to obtain a response from his gods +respecting his future destiny; and we afterwards learnt that the priests +advised him, as from their gods, to send an embassy to exculpate himself +from having any connection with what had passed in Cholula, and to +inveigle us into Mexico; where, by cutting off the supply of water, or by +raising the bridges on the causeways, he might easily destroy us, or +detain us in slavery to breed people like ourselves for his service. + +Having remained fourteen days in Cholula, Cortes consulted in regard to +our future operations with a council of those officers and soldiers who +were most sincerely attached to his person, as indeed he never engaged in +any matter of importance without taking our advice. In this consultation, +it was determined to send a respectful message to Montezuma, informing him +that we were on our way to pay our respects to him by the orders of our +own sovereign. Our messenger was likewise desired to relate the whole late +events which had occurred at Cholula, where the treachery which had been +concerted against us had come to our knowledge, from which nothing could +be concealed which concerned our welfare, and that we had desisted from +punishing the people of that city to the full extent which they deserved, +entirely out of respect to him, whose vassals they were. That the chiefs +and priests had given out that all they had done or intended to do was by +his orders; but we could not possibly believe that so great a monarch, +after the many marks of friendship with which he had honoured us, could be +guilty of such infamous proceedings; being convinced, if he had meditated +hostility, he would have met us honourably in the field of battle: But at +the same time to assure him, that day or night, field or town, fair battle +or villainous stratagem, were all the same for us, as we were always +prepared for every emergency. Montezuma had become exceedingly thoughtful +and alarmed on account of the failure of the plot in Cholula, and now sent +an embassy of six of his chief nobles to wait on Cortes, with a present to +the value of 2000 crowns in gold, and several bales of fine mantles. The +ambassadors saluted Cortes with profound respect, and delivered a message +in which Montezuma endeavoured to exculpate himself from any concern in +the affair of Cholula, and in conclusion, invited the general to his court. +Cortes treated these ambassadors with his usual politeness, and retaining +three of them to serve as guides on our march to Mexico, he sent on the +others to inform Montezuma that we were on our way to his capital. When +the Tlascalan chiefs understood our determination to proceed, they renewed +their former warnings to beware of treachery from the Mexicans, and again +offered to send 10,000 of their warriors along with us. But Cortes, after +thanking them for their friendly solicitude and proffered aid, remarked, +as he had done before, that so large a body of troops was incompatible +with an amicable visit, but requested they would furnish 1000 men for our +baggage and artillery, which they immediately provided. Our faithful +Chempoalan allies, being afraid of the resentment of the Mexicans for +their revolt, begged permission to return to their district, and Cortes +dismissed them with a handsome present, sending letters by them to +Escalente at Villa Rica, containing an account of our proceedings. + +We marched from Cholula in our usual compact order, prepared for +whatsoever might befal, sending out patroles of our cavalry by threes in +front, supported by a detachment of light infantry as an advanced guard. +On our arrival at a small village called Izcalpan, in the district of +Huexotzinco, about four leagues from Cholula, we were met by the chiefs +bearing provisions, and a small present of gold. They requested our +general to consider only the good will of the givers, not the +worthlessness of the gift, as they were very poor; and, while they +endeavoured to dissuade him from attempting to proceed to Mexico, they +also informed him, that, on ascending the next mountain, he would find two +roads, the one of which leading by Chalco was broad and open, while the +other leading by Tlalmanalco, though originally equally convenient, had +been recently stopped up and obstructed by means of trees felled across it +to render it difficult, though it was in reality shorter and more secure +than that of Chalco, on which road the Mexicans had placed a large party +of troops in ambush among some rocks, for the purpose of attacking us by +surprise on the march. They advised us therefore, if we were determined +to persevere, to choose the obstructed road, and offered to send a number +of their people to clear it for us. Cortes thanked them for their good +advice, of which he would avail himself by the blessing of GOD. Having +halted for the night at Izcalpan, we resumed our march early the next +morning, and reached the summit of a mountainous ridge about noon, where +we found the two roads exactly as they had been described to us. We halted +here in order to deliberate on our procedure, when Cortes called the +Mexican ambassadors to explain the meaning of the felled trees. Pretending +ignorance on this subject, they advised him to take the road of Chalco, +where they said he would be well received. Cortes chose however to take +the other road, and sent on our Indian allies to clear the way before us. +As we ascended the mountain, the weather became piercingly cold, and we +even had a considerable fall of snow, which covered the whole country +round about. We at length arrived at certain houses which had been built +on the very top of the mountain for the accommodation of travellers, where +we found an abundant supply of provisions, and having placed proper guards, +we halted here for the night. We resumed our march next morning, and +arrived by the hour of high mass at the town of Halmanalco, where we were +hospitably received. The people of the neighbouring districts of Chalco, +Amaquemecan, and Ajotzinco, where the canoes are kept, waited on Cortes at +this place with a present of about 150 crowns in gold, some mantles, and +eight women. Cortes received them affably, and promised them his +friendship and protection; explaining to them, as on former occasions, the +doctrines of our holy faith, exhorting them to abandon their idolatry and +barbarous immolation of human victims, informing them that he was sent +among them by a powerful monarch to redress wrongs, and to lead them in +the way of eternal salvation. On this the people began to make loud +complaints of the tyranny of Montezuma, who deprived them of their wives +and daughters if handsome, forcing the men to work like slaves in the +conveyance of stones, timber, and corn, and appropriating their lands to +the service of his temples. Cortes gave them kind assurances of speedy +redress, but recommended to them to be patient yet a little while. + +Just as we were going to set out from Tlalmanalco, four of the principal +nobles of the court of Mexico arrived with presents from Montezuma, and +having made their customary obeisance, they addressed Cortes in the +following manner: "_Malinatzin_! our sovereign sent this present to you, +and desires us to say, that he is grieved you should take so much trouble +in coming from a distant country to visit him. He has already made you be +informed that he will give you much gold, silver, and _chalchihuis_ for +your _teules_, if you will give up your intention of coming to Mexico. We +now repeat this request in his name, that you will return; and he will +send after you a great treasure in gold, silver, and jewels for your king, +with four loads of gold for yourself, and a load for each of your brethren. +It is impossible for you to proceed to Mexico, as the whole Mexican +warriors are in arms to oppose you; besides which you will find the roads +bad, and will be unable to procure provisions." Embracing the ambassadors +with much politeness, and having returned thanks for their present, Cortes +expressed his astonishment at the changeableness of Montezuma, who thus +alternately invited and deprecated his presence. He begged them to thank +Montezuma for the splendid offers he had made of treasure to the emperor, +himself, and his soldiers; but it was quite impossible for him to turn +back, especially when so near the capital, as his orders from his own +sovereign were to pay his respects to theirs in person; it was quite +useless, therefore, to send him any more such messages, for he was +resolved to proceed; and if Montezuma should desire his departure after +having seen him, he would be ready at his command to return to his own +country. + +Having thus dismissed the ambassadors, we continued our march, and as our +allies had informed us that Montezuma intended to put us all to death, +after our entry into his city, we were filled with melancholy reflections +on our hazardous situation; recommending our souls therefore to the LORD +JESUS CHRIST, who had already brought us in safety through so many +imminent dangers, and resolving to sell our lives at a dear rate, we +proceeded on our march. We halted at a town named Iztapalapan, one half of +the houses of which were built in the water, and the rest on dry land, and +took up our quarters there for the night. While preparing early next +morning to recommence our march, information was brought by a sentinel +that a great number of Mexicans in rich dresses were on the road towards +our quarters, on which Cortes again dismissed us. Four principal nobles of +Mexico now presented themselves with profound respect before our general, +whom they informed that Cacamatzin, lord of Tezcuco, and nephew to the +great Montezuma was approaching, and begged that he would remain in his +present situation to receive him. Cacamatzin soon followed in vast pomp, +borne in a magnificent litter, adorned with jewels and plumes of green +feathers, set in branched pillars of gold. His litter was carried by eight +nobles, who assisted him to alight, and then swept the way before him as +he came up to Cortes. Our general embraced the prince, and made him a +present of three of the jewels named _margajitas_, which are figured with +various colours. The only purpose of this visit seemed to have been +complimentary, as he addressed Cortes in these words: "I, and these lords, +have come by order of the great Montezuma, to conduct you to your +residence in our city." We then set forwards in our usual array for Mexico, +the road being crowded on both sides with innumerable multitudes of +natives, and soon arrived at the causeway of Iztapalapan, one of those +which leads to the capital. + +When we contemplated the number of populous towns so closely situated in +regard to each other, some on the water, and others on the firm ground, we +could not help comparing this wonderful country to the enchanted scenes we +read of in Amadis de Gaul, so magnificent were the towers and temples and +other superb edifices of stone and lime, which seemed everywhere to rise +out of the water. Many of us were disposed to doubt the reality of the +scene before us, and to suspect we were in a dream; and my readers must +excuse the manner of my expressions, as never had any one seen, heard, or +even dreamt of any thing which could compare to the magnificence of the +scene we now beheld. On approaching Iztapalapan, we were received by +several of the highest nobles of the Mexican empire, relations of +Montezuma, who conducted us to the lodgings appointed for us in that place, +which were magnificent palaces of stone, the timber work of which were +cedar, having spacious courts and large halls, furnished with canopies of +the finest cotton. After contemplating the magnificence of the buildings, +we walked through splendid gardens, containing numerous alleys planted +with a variety of fruit trees, and filled with roses, and a vast variety +of beautiful and aromatic flowers. In these gardens there was a fine sheet +of clear water, communicating with the great lake of Mexico by a canal, +which was of sufficient dimensions to admit the largest canoes. The +apartments of the palace were everywhere ornamented with works of art, +admirably painted, and the walls were beautifully plastered and whitened; +the whole being rendered delightful by containing great numbers of +beautiful birds. When I beheld the delicious scenery around me, I thought +we had been transported by magic to the terrestrial paradise. But this +place is now destroyed, and a great deal of what was then a beautiful +expanse of water, is now converted into fields of maize, and all is so +entirely altered that the natives themselves would hardly know the place +where Iztapalapan stood. + + + + +SECTION VIII + +_Arrival of the Spaniards in Mexico, Description of that Court and City, +and Transactions there, till the Arrival of Narvaez on the coast to +supersede Cortes, by order of Velasquez_. + + +Next day, being the 8th of November 1519, we set out on our way into the +city of Mexico along the grand causeway, which is eight yards wide, and +reaches in a straight line all the way from the firm land to the city of +Mexico, both sides of the causeway being everywhere crowded with +spectators, as were all the towers, temples, and terraces in every part of +our progress, eager to behold such men and animals as had never been seen +in that part of the world. A very different sentiment from curiosity +employed our minds, though every thing we saw around us was calculated to +excite and gratify that passion in the highest degree. Our little army did +not exceed four hundred and fifty men, and we had been told at every step +of our march, that we were to be put to death on our arrival in the city +into which we were now about to enter. That city was everywhere surrounded +by water, and approachable only by long moles or causeways interrupted in +many places by cross cuts, which were only to be passed by means of +bridges, the destruction or removal of any of which would effectually +prevent the possibility of retreat. In these circumstances I may fairly +ask my readers, what men in the world but ourselves would have ventured on +so bold and hazardous an enterprize? + +Proceeding along the broad causeway of Iztapalapan, we came to a place +called _Xoloc_, where a smaller causeway goes off obliquely from the great +one to the city of _Cojohuacan_, we were met by a numerous train of the +court nobles in the richest dresses, who were sent before Montezuma to +compliment us on our arrival, after which Cacamatzin and the other nobles +who had hitherto attended us, went to meet their sovereign, who now +approached in a most magnificent litter, which was carried by four of his +highest nobles. When we came near certain towers, almost close to the city, +Montezuma was lifted from his litter, and borne forwards in the arms of +the lords of Tezcuco, Iztapalapan, Tacuba, and Cojohuacan, under a +splendid canopy, richly adorned with gold, precious stones hung round like +fringes, and plumes of green feathers. Montezuma was dressed and adorned +with great magnificence, his mantle being all covered with gold and gems, +a crown of thin gold on his head, and gold buskins on his legs ornamented +with jewels. The princes who supported him were all richly dressed, but in +different habits from those in which they had visited us; and several +other nobles in fine dresses, went before the monarch, spreading mantles +on the ground to prevent his feet from touching it. Three nobles preceded +the whole, each carrying a golden rod, as a signal of the presence of +their great monarch. All the natives who attended Montezuma, except the +four princes, kept their eyes fixed on the ground, no one daring to look +him in the face. On the approach of Montezuma, Cortes dismounted and +advanced towards him with every token of profound respect, and was +welcomed by the Mexican monarch to his metropolis. Cortes then threw upon +the neck of Montezuma a collar of the artificial jewels called +_margajitas_, being glass beads of various colours, set in gold; after +which he advanced, meaning to embrace Montezuma, but the surrounding +nobles prevented him, by taking him respectfully by the arms, considering +this as too great familiarity. It appeared to me that on this occasion +Cortes offered to yield the right hand to Montezuma, who declined this +mark of respect, and placed our general on his right. Cortes then made a +complimentary discourse to Montezuma, expressing his joy in having seen so +great a monarch, and the great honour he had done him, by coming out to +meet him, as well as by the many other marks of favour he had already +received. Montezuma made a gracious reply, and giving orders to the +princes of Tezcuco and Cojohuacan to conduct Cortes and the rest of us to +the quarters assigned to us, he returned to the city in the same state in +which he had come to meet us, all the people standing close to the walls, +not daring to look up; and as we followed the royal attendants, we passed +on without any obstruction from the multitudes in the streets. It were +impossible to reckon the innumerable multitudes of men, women, and +children which thronged everywhere in the streets, on the canals, and the +terraces on the house tops, during the whole of our passage through the +city of Mexico. So strongly is every thing I saw on this memorable day +imprinted on my memory, that it appears to me only as yesterday. Glory to +our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave us courage to venture on so +hazardous an enterprize, and preserved us amid so many dangers: And +praised be his holy name, who hath permitted me to write this true history; +though not so full and satisfactory as the subject merits. Amen! + +Lodgings were provided for us in the palace which had formerly been +occupied by Azayacatl, not far from the western gate of the great temple. +Here Montezuma had a secret treasury of gold and valuables, which he had +inherited from his father Azayacatl, and we were placed here, because +being considered as _teules_, they thought we were properly lodged in the +neighbourhood of their idols. The entry to this palace was through a large +walled court, and the whole was very light, airy, clean, and pleasant, +with large and lofty apartments. That allotted for our general was +situated on a raised platform; and for each of us mats were provided to +sleep upon, having little canopies over them, after the fashion of this +country. On our arrival at the gate of this palace, Montezuma, who had +preceded us, took Cortes by the hand and led him to the apartment destined +to his particular use, and having placed a rich collar of gold round the +generals neck, he said on taking leave of him, "Malinatzin, you and your +friends are now in your own house, refresh and repose yourselves." We were +distributed to our several apartments by companies, having our artillery +posted in a convenient situation, and every thing was arranged in such a +manner as to be prepared for any emergency. A plentiful and even sumptuous +entertainment was provided for us, to which we sat down with much +satisfaction. This is a full and true account of our adventurous and +magnanimous entry into the city of Mexico, on the 8th of November 1519. + +After Montezuma had taken a repast in his own palace, and was informed we +had done the same, he returned to our quarters attended by a great retinue +of nobles. Cortes received him in the middle of the hall, where Montezuma +took him cordially by the hand, and they sat down together on +magnificently ornamented seats. Montezuma made a very pertinent speech, in +which he observed, "That he rejoiced at the arrival of such valiant +captains and warriors in his dominions. He had before heard of a Spanish +captain who had arrived at Pontonchan, and of another who came upon the +coast in the preceding year with four ships, and had wished to see these +men, but was disappointed. Now that we were actually arrived in his +dominions, he was happy to offer every favour in his power to grant, being +convinced we were those men predicted by the gods to his ancestors, who, +coming from that part of the world in which the sun rises, were to acquire +the government of this country, as we had fought with such astonishing +valour ever since our arrival, representations of all our battles having +been sent him in painting." Cortes replied, "That he and all his brethren +could never sufficiently repay the many favours we had received from his +bounty; that we certainly were those men to whom the Mexican prophecies +related, being the vassals of the great and powerful emperor Don Carlos, +to whom many great princes were subject; and who, hearing of the fame and +magnificence of the great Montezuma, had sent us to request that he and +his subjects would embrace the Holy Christian religion, abandoning their +false gods and senseless idols, and abolishing their barbarous human +sacrifices, by which means he would preserve the souls of himself, his +family, and subjects from perdition." Cortes enlarged on this and other +topics in a most edifying manner, promising to communicate more +particulars hereafter. Montezuma then presented a quantity of valuable +ornaments of gold to our general, with a present of some gold, and three +loads of mantles to each of our captains, and two loads of mantles to each +of the soldiers. After this he asked Cortes if all his soldiers were +brothers and vassals to our emperor. To this Cortes answered that they +were all brothers in love and friendship, men of rank in our own country, +and servants of our great sovereign. Montezuma then departed, with mutual +compliments, after giving orders that we should be amply provided with +every thing we needed; particularly fowls, fruit, and corn, stone mills +for grinding our corn, and women to make bread, and to supply us daily +with plenty of grass for our horses. + +Next day being appointed for making a visit to Montezuma, Cortes went to +the royal palace accompanied by captains Alvarado, De Leon, Ordas, and +Sandoval, with five soldiers. Montezuma met him in the middle of the great +hall, attended by his relations, all others being excluded from the +apartment in which he happened to be, except on certain occasions of +importance. After mutual compliments of ceremony, Montezuma took Cortes by +the hand, and led him to a seat on his own right hand, placed on an +elevated platform in the saloon. Cortes then said, "That he came to him in +the name and for the service of the only true God, who was adored by the +Christians, the Lord Christ Jesus, who had died to save us and all men. He +endeavoured to explain the mystery of the cross, as an emblem of the +crucifixion, by which mankind had been redeemed. He recounted the +sufferings and death of our Lord and Saviour, who had risen on the third +day and ascended to heaven, where he now reigns, the creator of the +heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and all that they contain. He +asserted, that those idols which the natives held as gods, were devils +which dared not to remain wherever the holy cross was planted. That as all +mankind were brothers, the offspring of the same first pair, our glorious +emperor lamented the loss of their souls, which would be brought by their +idols into everlasting flames, and had sent us to apply a sure remedy, by +abolishing the worship of idols, the bloody and inhuman sacrifices of +their fellow men, and their other odious customs so contrary to the law of +God: And that our emperor would send them holy men hereafter to explain +all these things more fully." To this Montezuma replied, "Malinatzin! I am +much indebted to your emperor for sending you so far to inform me of all +these things, of which I have already heard by means of my ambassadors who +have visited you in my name, and to which hitherto we have made no reply. +We have always worshipped our gods, whom we consider to be just and good, +and have no doubt yours are so likewise. It had always been his wish to +see us from the first time he had heard of our arrival on his coasts, +because he believed we were they of whom their ancient prophecies made +mention, and his gods had now granted his desire. That our being refused +entrance into his cities was none of his fault; having been done by his +subjects without orders, who were terrified by the accounts they had +received of us, which reported that we were furious _teules_, who carried +thunder and lightning along with us, that our horses eat men, and other +such foolish stories. That he now saw we were valiant and wise men, for +which he highly esteemed us, and would give us proofs of his favour." Then +changing the manner of his discourse to gaiety, he added "Malinatzin! Your +new friends the Tlascalans have informed you that I am like a god, and +that every thing about me is gold, silver, and jewels. But you now see +that I am like other men, and that my houses are of lime, stone, and +timber. It is true that I am a powerful sovereign, and have great riches, +which I have inherited from my ancestors. You will now treat these reports +with the same contempt that I do the ridiculous stories which I have been +told of your having command over the elements." To this Cortes replied, +that the accounts of enemies were never to be depended on; and made a +handsome compliment to Montezuma on his power and grandeur. Montezuma then +ordered in a rich present, giving Cortes a quantity of gold, with ten +loads of rich stuffs to be divided between him and his captains, and to +each of us five soldiers, he gave two gold collars, each worth ten crowns, +and two loads of mantles. The gold given on this occasion was worth about +a thousand crowns, and the whole was given with so much affability and +indifference, as made him appear truly munificent. Cortes now took leave, +it being the hour of dinner, and we retired impressed with high respect +for the liberality and princely munificence of Montezuma. + +The great Montezuma appeared to be about forty years of age, of good +stature, well proportioned, and rather thin. His face was rather long, +with a pleasant expression, and good eyes, and his complexion rather +fairer than the other Indians. His hair was short, just covering his ears, +and his scanty beard was thin, black, and well arranged. His person was +very clean and delicate, as he bathed every evening; and his manners were +a pleasing compound of gravity and good humour. He had two lawful wives, +who were princesses, and a number of mistresses; but his visits to these +were conducted with such secrecy as only to be known by his most familiar +servants; and he lay under no suspicion of unnatural vices, so common +among his subjects. The clothes he wore one day were not used for four +days after. His guard consisted of two hundred nobles, who had apartments +adjoining his own. Certain persons only among these were permitted to +speak to him, and when they went into his presence, they laid aside their +ordinary rich dresses, putting on others quite plain but clean, entering +his apartment barefooted, with their eyes fixed on the ground, and making +three profound reverences as they approached him. On addressing him, they +always began, Lord! my Lord! great Lord! and when they had finished, he +always dismissed them in few words; on which they retired with their faces +towards him, keeping their eyes fixed on the ground. I observed likewise, +that all the great men who waited upon him on business, always entered the +palace barefooted and in plain habits, never entering the gate directly, +but making a circuit in going towards it. + +The cooks of the palace had above thirty different ways of dressing meats, +which were served up in earthen vessels of a very ingenious construction +for keeping their contents always hot. For Montezumas own table above +three hundred dishes were dressed every day, and more than a thousand for +his guards. Montezuma sometimes went before dinner to inspect the +preparations, on which occasions his officers pointed out to him which +were the best, explaining what birds or flesh they were composed of. It is +said that the flesh of young children was sometimes dressed for his table; +but after Cortes had spoken to him respecting the barbarity of this +inhuman custom, it was no longer practised in the palace. The ordinary +meats were domestic fowls, pheasants, geese, partridges, quails, venison, +Indian hogs or _pecaris_, pigeons, hares, rabbits and many other animals +and birds peculiar to the country; the various meats being served up on +black and red earthen-ware made at Cholula. In the cold weather while at +his meals, a number of torches were lighted up, of the bark of a tree +which has an aromatic smell and gives no smoke; and to prevent the glare +and heat of those from being troublesome, rich screens ornamented with +gold and paintings of their idols were interposed between Montezuma and +the torches. At his meals he was seated on a low throne or chair, at a +table of proportional height covered with white cloths and napkins, four +beautiful women attending to present him with water for his hands, in +vessels named _xicales_, having plates under them, after which they gave +him towels to dry his hands. Two other women attended with small cakes of +bread; and when he began to eat, a large screen of gilt wood was placed +before him, to prevent him from being seen. Four ancient nobles, who were +his relations and served as councillors and judges, stood beside the +throne, with whom he occasionally conversed, giving them a part of what he +was eating, which they received with profound respect, and eat without +lifting their eyes from the ground. Fruit of all kinds produced in the +country was served up to him at table, of which he eat in great moderation; +and a certain liquor prepared from cocoa, said to be of a stimulant and +strengthening nature, was presented to him from time to time in golden +cups. All the time he continued at table his guards and all others in or +near his apartment had to preserve the most profound silence, under pain +of death. Owing to the before-mentioned screen which concealed him from +public view, we could not see all the circumstances here described from +information. But I noticed above fifty jars of foaming chocolate brought +into the hall, some of which was presented to him by the female attendants. +During the repast, various Indians were introduced at intervals for his +amusement: Some of these were hump-backed, ugly, and deformed, who played +various tricks of buffoonery, and we were told that others were jesters, +besides which there were companies of singers and dancers in which he was +said to take great delight; and to all these he ordered vases of chocolate +to be distributed. When the repast was ended, the four female attendants +already mentioned, after removing the cloths, presented him again with +water to wash his hands, during which he continued his conversation with +the four old nobles, who then took their leaves with much ceremony. He was +then presented with three small hollow canes highly ornamented, containing +an herb called tobacco mixed with liquid amber; and when he was satisfied +with the buffoons, dancers, and singers, he smoked for a short time from +one of these canes, and then laid himself to sleep. I forgot to mention in +its proper place that, during the time of dinner, two beautiful women were +employed in making certain small delicately white cakes, of eggs and other +ingredients, which they presented on plates covered with napkins to +Montezuma; and then another kind of bread was brought to him in long +loaves, as likewise plates of a kind of cakes resembling wafers or +pancakes. When Montezuma had concluded his meal, all his guards and +domestics sat down to dinner, and as well as I could judge, above a +thousand dishes of the various eatables already mentioned were served up +to them, with immense quantities of fruit, and numerous vessels of foaming +chocolate. His establishment, including his women and inferior servants of +all kinds, was amazingly numerous, and must have occasioned prodigious +expence, yet the most perfect regularity was preserved amid that vast +profusion. The steward of his household, or major-domo, was at this time a +prince named _Tapiea_, who kept an account of all the royal rents in a set +of books or symbolical representations which occupied an entire house. + +Connected with the palace of Montezuma there were two large buildings +filled with every kind of arms, both offensive and defensive, some of +which were richly ornamented with gold and jewels; such as large and small +shields, some of the latter being so contrived as to roll up in a small +compass, and to let fall in action so as to cover the whole body; much +defensive armour of quilted cotton, ornamented with various devices in +feather work; helmets or casques for the head made of wood and bone, +adorned with plumes of feathers; immense quantities of bows, arrows, darts, +and slings; lances having stone heads or blades six feet long, so strong +as not to break when fixed in a shield, and as sharp as razors; clubs or +two-handed swords, having edges of sharp stones; and many other articles +which I cannot enumerate. In the palace there was a magnificent aviary, +containing every kind of bird to be found in all the surrounding country, +from large eagles down to the smallest paroquets of beautiful plumage. In +this place the ornamental feather-work so much in repute among the +Mexicans, was fabricated, the feathers for this purpose being taken from +certain birds called _Quetzales_, and others, having green, red, white, +yellow, and blue feathers, about the size of our Spanish pyes, the name of +which I have forgot. There were also great numbers of parrots, and geese +of fine plumage; all these birds breeding in the royal aviary, and being +annually stripped of their feathers at the proper season, to supply the +workers in feather-work. There was likewise a large pond of clear water, +in which were kept a number of large birds of a red colour with very long +legs, resembling those called _Ipiris_ in Cuba, and called flamingos by +the Spaniards. In another great building we saw a temple dedicated to the +war gods, in which were kept great numbers of ferocious beasts, as tigers, +lions of two species, one of which called _Adive_ resembled a wolf; also +foxes, and other smaller animals, all of them carnivorous. Most of these +were bred in this menagerie, and were fed upon game, fowls, and dogs, and, +as I was informed, on the bodies of the sacrificed human victims. Their +manner of sacrifice was said to be as follows: They open the breasts of +the living victim with large stone knives, offering his heart and blood to +their gods; they feast on the head and limbs, giving the bodies to be +devoured by the wild beasts, and hanging up the skulls in the temples as +trophies of their misguided piety. In this place likewise there were many +vipers and serpents, the most dangerous of which have a kind of rattle on +their tails, making a noise like our castanets. These are kept in vessels +filled with feathers, where they breed, and are fed with human flesh and +the carcases of dogs. I was assured, after our expulsion from Mexico, that +these animals were fed for many days on the bodies of our companions who +perished on that occasion. These ravenous beasts and horrid reptiles are +fit companions for their infernal deities; and when they yelled and hissed, +that part of the palace might be likened to hell itself. + +The town in which most of the Mexican artists resided was called +_Azcapozalco_, about a league from the city of Mexico, in which were many +shops and manufactories of those who wrought in gold, silver, and +jewellery, whose productions surprised the ablest Spanish artist on being +carried over to Spain. Their painters were also exceedingly expert, as may +be judged from what we still see among them; as there are now three Indian +painters in Mexico, named Marcos de Aquino, Juan de la Cruz, and Grespillo, +who are not inferior to Michael Angelo or Berreguete among the moderns, +and might even have vied with Apelles. The fine cotton manufactures of the +Mexicans were principally brought from the province of Costitlan. The +women likewise of Montezumas family of all ranks, were exceedingly expert +in these kinds of work, and were continually employed; as were also +certain females who lived together in a kind of secluded societies, like +our nuns. One division of the city was entirely inhabited by Montezumas +dancers and posture-makers; some of whom danced like those Italians whom +we call _Matachines_; others played various tricks by means of sticks +which they balanced in many curious ways; and others had a strange manner +of flying in the air. Montezuma had also great numbers of carpenters and +handicrafts of various descriptions continually employed in his service. +His gardens were of great extent, irrigated by means of canals, and shaded +by an infinite variety of trees; having stone baths, pavilions for +entertainments or retirement, theatres for shows and for the singers and +dancers, and many other particulars, all of which were kept in the nicest +order by a great number of labourers who were constantly at work. + +Four days after our arrival in Mexico, Cortes sent a message to Montezuma +by Aguilar, Donna Marina, and a young page named Orteguilla, who already +began to understand the language, requesting permission to take a view of +the city, which was immediately granted; but as he was afraid we might +offer some insult to his temple, he went thither in person attended by a +great retinue, and in similar pomp as when he came to meet us on entering +Mexico; two nobles preceding the cavalcade carrying sceptres in their +hands, as a signal of the approach of the monarch. Montezuma was carried +in his magnificent litter, carrying a small rod in his hand, half of which +was gold and the other half wood: and on coming to the temple, he quitted +the litter and walked up the steps attended by many priests, where he +offered incense and performed many ceremonies in honour of his war gods. +Cortes marched at the head of his small band of cavalry, followed by most +of the infantry under arms, into the great square, accompanied by many of +the court nobles; where we were astonished at the prodigious crowds of +people, the vast quantities of merchandize exposed for sale, and the +amazing regularity which everywhere prevailed; all of which our Mexican +attendants carefully pointed out to us. Every different commodity had its +own particular place, which was distinguished by an appropriate sign or +emblem. There were dealers in gold, silver, feathers, jewels, mantles, +chocolate, skins both dressed and undressed, sandals, manufactures of the +roots and fibres of _nequen_, and so forth. In one place great numbers of +male and female slaves were exposed for sale, most of whom were fastened +by the neck in leather collars to long poles. The market for provisions +was amply stocked with fowls, game, dogs, vegetables, fruit, articles of +food ready dressed, salt, bread, honey, sweet pastry or confectionary of +various kinds, and many other articles. Other parts of the great square +were appropriated for the sale of earthen ware, wooden furniture, such as +tables and benches, fire-wood, paper, hollow canes filled with tobacco and +liquid amber ready for smoking, copper axes, working tools of various +kinds, wooden vessels richly painted, and the like. In another part many +women sold fish, and small loaves of a kind of mud taken out of the lake +resembling cheese. The makers of stone blades were employed in shaping +them out of the rough materials. The dealers in gold had the native metal +in grains as it comes from the mines, in transparent tubes or quills, so +that it could easily be seen; and the gold was valued at so many mantles, +or so many xiquipils of cocoa nuts, in proportion to the size of the +quills. The great square was enclosed all round by piazas, under which +there were great stores of grain, and shops for various kinds of goods. On +the borders of the adjoining canals there were boats loaded with human +ordure, used in tanning leather, and on all the public roads there were +places built of canes and thatched with straw or grass, for the +convenience of passengers in order to collect this material. In one part +of the square was a court of justice having three judges, and their +inferior officers were employed in perambulating the market, preserving +order, and inspecting the various articles. + +After having satisfied our curiosity in the square, we proceeded to the +great temple, where we went through a number of large courts, the smallest +of which seemed to me larger than the great square of Salamanca, the +courts being either paved with large cut white stones, or plastered and +polished, the whole very clean, and inclosed by double walls of stone and +lime. On coming to the gate of the great temple, which was ascended by 114 +steps, Montezuma sent six priests and two nobles to carry up Cortes, which +he declined. On ascending to the summit, which consisted of a broad +platform, we observed the large stones on which the victims were placed +for sacrifice, near which was a monstrous figure resembling a dragon, and +much blood appeared to have been recently spilt. Montezuma came out of an +adoratory or recess, in which the accursed idols were kept, and expressed +his apprehension to Cortes that he must be fatigued by the ascent, to +which Cortes answered that we were never fatigued. Montezuma, taking our +general by the hand, pointed out to him the different quarters of the city, +and the towns in the neighbourhood, all of which were distinctly seen from +this commanding eminence. We had a distinct view of the three causeways by +which Mexico communicated with the land, and of the aqueduct of +Chapoltepec, which conveyed an abundant supply of the finest water to the +city. The numbers of canoes which were continually seen passing between +Mexico and all the towns on the borders of the lake, carrying provisions +and merchandise, was really astonishing. We could see, as we had been +often told, that most of the houses of this great city, and of the others +in the neighbourhood which were built in the water, stood apart from each +other, their only communication being by means of drawbridges or canoes, +and that all their roofs were terraced and battlemented. We saw numerous +temples and adoratories in the great city below, on the causeways, and in +the adjacent cities, all resembling so many fortresses with towers, +wonderfully brilliant, being all whitewashed. The noise and bustle of the +market in the great square just below, was so great that it might easily +have been heard almost at the distance of a league; and some of our +companions who had seen both Rome and Constantinople, declared they had +not seen any thing comparable in these cities, for convenient and regular +distribution or numbers of people. + +After having admired the magnificent prospect around, Cortes requested of +Montezuma to shew us their gods. After consulting with his priests, he led +us into a kind of saloon in a tower, having a timber roof richly wrought, +under which stood two altars highly adorned, and behind these two gigantic +figures resembling very fat men. That on the right was _Huitzilopochtli_, +the god of war, having a broad face and terrible eyes, all covered over +with gold and jewels, and having his body twisted round with golden +serpents. His right hand held a bow, and in his left there was a bundle of +arrows. Round his neck was a string of the figures of human heads and +hearts made of pure gold, intermixed with precious stones of a blue colour. +Close by him stood a small image representing his page, carrying a lance +and shield richly adorned with gold and jewels. Before the great idol +stood a pan of fire, in which three hearts of human victims were then +burning along with copal. The whole walls and floor of the apartment was +stained with human blood, and had a most offensive smell, worse than any +slaughter-house. On the left of Huitzilopochtli stood another gigantic +figure, having a countenance like a bear, with great shining eyes. The +name of this last was _Tezcatlipoca_, who was said to be the god of the +infernal regions, and to preside over the souls of men[1]. He was likewise +considered as the brother of the god of war. His body was covered all over +with figures representing little devils with tails of serpents, and was +richly adorned with gold and jewels. Before this idol lay an offering of +five human hearts. On the summit of the whole temple was a recess having +its wood-work very highly ornamented, where we saw a figure half human and +the rest like an alligator, all inlaid with jewels, and partly covered by +a mantle. He was considered as the germ and origin of all created things, +and was worshipped as the god of harvests and fruits. Here likewise the +walls and altar were stained with blood like the others, and so offensive +that we were glad to retire in all haste. In this place there stood a drum +of prodigious size, the head of which was made of the skin of a large +serpent, which resounded, when struck, with a noise that might be heard at +the distance of two leagues, and gave out a sound so doleful, that it +might be named the drum of hell. This dreadful drum, the horrid sound of +their horns and trumpets, and the shocking sight of their great +sacrificial knives, the remnants of human victims, and their blood-stained +altars and fanes, made me anxious to get away from this horrible scene of +human butchery, detestable smells, and abominable sights. + +Addressing himself to Montezuma, half jest half earnest, Cortes expressed +his astonishment how so wise a prince could adore such absurd and wicked +gods; and proposed to substitute the cross on the summit of the tower, and +the images of the Holy Virgin and her ever-blessed SON in the adoratories, +instead of those horrid idols, assuring him that he would soon be +convinced of the vanity of his idolatry, and the deception practised on +him by these inhuman priests. Montezuma was much displeased with these +expressions, saying that he would not have admitted us to the temple if he +had known we were to insult his gods, who dispensed health, good harvests, +seasonable weather, and victory, and whom they were bound in duty and +gratitude to adore. Cortes dropped the subject and proposed to withdraw, +to which Montezuma assented, observing that he must remain, and atone by +an expiatory sacrifice for having admitted us into the temple. Cortes then +took leave of the king, and we descended the steps, to the great +inconvenience of our invalids. If I am not quite so correct as I wish and +ought to be in many of the things which I relate and describe, I must beg +my readers to consider the situation in which I then served, being under +the necessity of giving more attention to the orders of my officers than +to the surrounding objects of curiosity. The temple which we had just +visited covered a prodigious extent of ground, and diminished gradually +from the base to the platform on the top, having five concavities like +barbicans between the middle and the top, but without parapets. On the +broad platform of the summit there was a tower in which the images were +placed. But as there are many paintings of temples in the possession of +the conquerors, one of which I have, it will be easy to form an idea of +the structure of this temple from these representations[2]. It was said by +the Mexicans, that numerous offerings of gold, silver, jewels, productions +of the earth, and human victims were deposited under the foundations of +this great temple at the time of its erection; and it is certain, when the +ground on which it stood was afterwards dug up for the church of St Jago, +that we found great quantities of gold, silver, and other valuables on +sinking the new foundations. A Mexican also, who obtained a grant of part +of this ground, discovered a considerable treasure, about which there was +a law-suit for the royal interest. This account was confirmed by King +Guatimotzin, who assured us that the circumstances were recorded in +ancient historical paintings. At a small distance from the great temple, +there stood a tower, having a gate or entrance always open, like the mouth +of an enormous monster, ready to devour those who entered this hell or +habitation of the demons. At this horrible door there stood many frightful +idols, beside which there was a place for sacrifice, and within there were +pots full of water ready to boil the flesh of the victims, which formed +the horrible repasts of the priests. The idols were like serpents and +devils, and the place, all smeared over with human blood, was furnished +with knives for sacrifice like the slaughter-house of a butcher. In +another part of the buildings there were great piles of wood, and a +reservoir of water supplied by a pipe from the great aqueduct of +Chapoltepec. In one of the courts there was a temple, all besmeared with +blood and soot, surrounded by the tombs of the Mexican nobility. In +another court there were immense piles of human bones, all regularly +arranged. Every temple had its peculiar idols, and each its regular +establishment of priests, who were dressed in long black vestments, +something between the dress of our canons and the Dominican friars. They +all wore their hair long and clotted with blood, and their ears were all +lacerated in honour of their abominable idols. At some distance from the +temple of the tombs, there was another of which the idols were said to +preside over marriages; and all the courts were surrounded by low houses +for the priests and their numerous assistants. Hard by these was a large +building in which great numbers of the Mexican young women resided, as in +a nunnery, till they were married. They were devoted to the worship of two +female deities, who presided over marriages, to whom they sacrificed in +order to obtain good husbands. I have thus been diffuse in describing this +great temple, as it was by far the largest and most splendid in Mexico; +yet the temple of Cholula was still higher, having 120 steps. This was +built on a different plan from that of Mexico, and was held in high +veneration by the natives. The temple of Tezcuco also was very large, +being ascended by 117 steps, and all these differed in their structure, +though they all agreed in having a number of outer courts, and a double +inclosure. Every province of this country had its own peculiar gods, who +were supposed to have no concern with those of other provinces, so that +its gods and idols were quite innumerable. Having effectually fatigued +ourselves in examining the objects I have just described, we retired to +our quarters. + +As Montezuma was entirely adverse to the proposal of Cortes for converting +the great temple of Mexico into a Christian church, he was exceedingly +desirous to have a chapel and altar in our quarters, and made application +to Montezuma through one of his principal nobles to have materials for +this purpose. This request was immediately complied with, and as abundance +of timber and native workmen were sent immediately, it was completed in +three days. In this new chapel mass was celebrated every day, though we +lamented the want of wine for the holy eucharist, as it had been all +expended during the illness of Cortes, Olmedo, and others, while we were +in the dominions of Tlascala. We were extremely regular in our devotions, +both because it was our duty, and that we might impress a favourable +opinion of our holy religion on Montezuma and his subjects. While our +carpenters were looking out for a proper place in which to fix the holy +cross of our chapel, they observed the appearance of a door in one of the +walls of our quarters which had been closed up. Cortes caused this to be +privately opened, and an apartment was found within, in which countless +riches were deposited. The secret soon transpired, and we went all to view +the concealed treasury. I was then a young man, and it seemed to me that +all the treasures of the world gathered together could not have reached +the amount of what we then saw. It was thought prudent to close up the +door of this place, and to conceal our knowledge of it and its contents to +a proper opportunity. + +About this time Cortes convened a council of four captains and twelve +soldiers, of those in whom he had most confidence, among whom I was, in +order to consult upon our present situation and future procedure. Having +duly considered how obviously we had been hitherto guided and preserved by +the mercy of GOD, and how the natives, though now kind, might soon change +through their native fickleness, and notwithstanding the present +hospitality of Montezuma, he might at any time plot our destruction, we +unanimously resolved, on the suggestion of Cortes, that the most effectual +measure for our security was to make that monarch our prisoner and the +guarantee of our safety. We knew not but we might all be poisoned in our +food, and no gift which he could make us, not even all his fathers +treasures which we had just discovered, could compensate to us for the +continual alarms in which we lived. Some of the officers present at the +council, proposed to induce Montezuma by some plausible pretext to come to +our quarters, when we could easily seize him without resistance or danger. +It was observed by some of our soldiers, that we were not now so +plentifully supplied with provisions by the royal officers as at our first +coming; and that our interpreter, Aguilar, had been secretly informed by +two of our Tlascalan allies, that they had noticed several indications of +evil intentions towards us among the Mexicans, for the last two days. +After a long consultation, we agreed to adjourn the consideration of the +means of executing our resolution till next day; and in the meantime the +reverend Father Olmedo was consulted on the subject, and we prayed GOD to +guide and direct our proceedings for the best, in our present ticklish and +dangerous situation. Next day, two Tlascalans arrived secretly with +letters from Villa Rica, with an account that Escalente and six Spaniards +had been slain in a battle with the Mexicans, and that the inhabitants of +Chempoalla and the neighbouring mountains, who had submitted to us, had +revolted back to the Mexican government, refusing to supply provisions, or +to work on the fortifications, insomuch, that the remaining garrison of +Villa Rica were in much distress and knew not how to act. These letters +said likewise, that the high opinion which the natives had adopted with +respect to the Spaniards was much altered for the worse, since they found +they could be killed like other men. This intelligence gave us much +affliction. It was the first defeat we had experienced since our landing; +and had produced a most alarming change in our situation, and in the +opinions of the Mexicans. Before this, we were in possession of wealth, +and were considered as invulnerable, and almost like demigods; but were +now lowered in the estimation of the natives, almost to a level with +themselves, in whose power we were. It now seemed more necessary than ever +to our very existence that we should secure the person of Montezuma; +considering that if we failed in the attempt, we might as well perish in +what seemed our only chance of safety, as wait to be overwhelmed by the +whole power of the Mexican empire. Before I proceed to narrate the sequel +of our transactions in Mexico, I shall give an account of the misfortune +which befel Escalente[3]. + +It has been already mentioned, that about thirty native chiefs of +districts in the neighbourhood of Villa Rica, had voluntarily submitted to +our government at Chiahuitztla. After our little army had penetrated to +the capital of the Mexican empire, the commander of a garrison belonging +to Montezuma endeavoured to levy contributions from some of these our new +subjects: and when this was represented to Escalente, who commanded at +Villa Rica, he sent orders to the Mexican officers to desist, as otherwise +he would be under the necessity of chastising them, though he wished to +remain in peace and friendship with the subjects of Mexico. To this the +Mexican officers sent a haughty reply, saying that he would find them in +the field. On receiving this answer, Escalente, who was a brave man, set +out with forty of his own soldiers, and two thousand of our allies of the +Totanaca nation to march against the Mexicans, whom he found pillaging the +country, and immediately attacked them. Our allies were always afraid of +the Mexicans, and fled at the first shower of arrows, leaving the +Spaniards to get out of the scrape as well as they might. They made their +retreat with great difficulty to Villa Rica[4], where Escalente and six of +his soldiers died of their wounds. A Spanish soldier named Arguello, of +great bodily strength, with a large head, and thick frizzled beard, was +taken alive, but died of his wounds. The Mexican captains reported the +whole of this affair to Montezuma, to whom they brought the head of +Arguello; and it is said that Montezuma trembled when he beheld it, and +ordered it to be taken out of the way. He reproached his captains for not +having overwhelmed the whole of that small number of Spaniards with their +numerous forces; but they alleged that a supernatural being fought against +them, assisting and encouraging the Spaniards, and struck terror into +their men. + +Having finally resolved to seize Montezuma, we spent the whole night +before proceeding on that hazardous enterprize in earnest prayer to GOD, +that what we were about to do might redound to his holy service; and in +the morning we arranged the manner in which this our resolution was to be +executed. Our cavalry and infantry were all ordered to be in readiness for +instant action, and as it was usual with us to go always fully armed, this +circumstance gave no suspicion to the Mexicans. Leaving the whole of his +forces prepared to act in case of need, Cortes proceeded to the palace, +attended by five of his captains, Alvarado, Sandoval, De Leon, De Lugo, +and Avila[5], with the interpreters Donna Marina and Aguilar, having +first sent a message to the king, intimating his intention to wait upon +him. Montezuma supposed that this visit of Cortes was on occasion of the +affair which had lately occurred at Chiahuitztla, and that our general was +much displeased on that account, yet sent back that he would be glad to +see him. Our general, _and we that were with him_, immediately went to the +royal apartment, and after paying his respects as usual, Cortes addressed +Montezuma to the following effect through his interpreters: "He was +astonished that so brave and magnanimous a monarch, who had shewn so much +friendship for us on all occasions, should have clandestinely given orders +to his troops in _Totonacapan_[6] to make an attack upon the Spaniards +whom he had left at Villa Rica, in which one of them had been killed, and +our allies the Totonacas had been pillaged and destroyed without mercy." +Cortes intentionally concealed the death of Escalente and his six soldiers, +not wishing that the extent of our loss on this occasion should be known +to the Mexicans. He then charged Montezuma as the author of the treachery +which had been attempted against us in Cholula, saying, that he had +hitherto refrained from speaking on that subject, from motives of esteem +and respect; but, from the late hostile attack by his governor of +Totonacapan, and having learned that the officers of the court were +plotting to cut us off in Mexico, it became necessary for us to use +effectual measures to secure our safety. For this purpose therefore, and +in order to prevent the ruin of the city of Mexico, it was necessary that +his majesty should go immediately to our quarters, assuring him if he gave +the smallest alarm, or made any resistance, the officers and soldiers then +present would put him instantly to death. On hearing this proposal +Montezuma was so petrified with terror and amazement that he seemed to +have lost all sensation for a time. After recovering a little, he +positively denied having given any orders to Quauhpopoca the governor of +Nauhtlan to attack our troops under Escalente; and taking from his wrist +the signet of Huitzilopochtli, which he employed on all occasions of +importance to confirm and enforce his orders, he gave it to one of his +officers whom he commanded to bring Quauhpopoca to court without delay to +answer for his conduct. Then assuming a dignified air, he declined the +proposal of quitting his palace with disdain, declaring that he would not +be constrained to take so humiliating a step. Cortes endeavoured to +explain the necessity of his immediate compliance, and the king persisted +in his refusal, so that the conversation drew to considerable length, half +an hour at least having elapsed. The captains who accompanied Cortes +became impatient of delay, fearing that great numbers of the Mexicans +might collect to the rescue of their sovereign, and that we should be +oppressed under superior force. In this dilemma, De Leon exclaimed in his +rough voice to Cortes: "Why, Sir, do you waste so many words? Tell him, +that if he does not instantly yield himself our prisoner, we will plunge +our swords into his body: Let us now assure our lives or perish." +Montezuma was much struck with the manner in which De Leon expressed +himself, and asked Donna Marina what he had said. She answered with much +discretion, by mildly advising him to consent immediately to go along with +us, assuring him that he would be treated with all the honour and respect +he could desire, whereas she was convinced we would put him to death if he +refused or even hesitated. Montezuma then offered to put his legitimate +son and two daughters into the hands of Cortes, as hostages, and earnestly +entreated that he might not be exposed before his subjects as a prisoner. +But Cortes assured him that nothing short of what had been originally +proposed could satisfy us, and that all remonstrances were unavailing. At +last he was obliged to consent, saying, "I trust myself with you, let us +go! let us go! since the gods will have it so." Our captains gave him +every assurance of their perfect esteem and respect, begging of him not to +be offended at their conduct, which was indispensably necessary to their +own safety, and requested that he would say to his officers that he went +of his own free will, and by the advice of his gods and priests. His +magnificent state litter was now brought for his accommodation, and he +proceeded to our quarters in his accustomed pomp, attended by his guards, +where he was received and entertained with every mark of respect; yet our +posts and centinels were properly placed in every direction to guard +against his escape or rescue. He was soon waited on by the princes of his +family, and all the principal Mexican nobles, who came to inquire the +reason of this change of abode, and whether it was his wish that they +should attack us. But he told them that he intended to remain with us for +a few days, and commanded them to take no steps which might disturb the +peace of the city. + +Thus we accomplished the seizure of the great Montezuma. He was attended +in our quarters with the same magnificence as in his own palace; his wives, +family, and officers being constantly with him, and having always twenty +chiefs or counsellors in his presence. He bathed twice a-day, and appeared +calm and resigned to his fate. Ambassadors came to him from all the +provinces of his empire; some to deliver the accustomed tribute, and +others to transact various affairs of importance, all of which was +dispatched in the usual manner. I perfectly remember that however great +might be the princes or chiefs who had to wait upon him, they always took +off their rich dresses and put on plain and coarse _nequen_ clothes, and +came into the royal apartments in this habit, barefooted, not entering +directly, but making a circuit by the wall. On entering the presence they +kept their eyes cast down on the ground, and after three profound +reverences, always began their addresses in these words, _lord! my lord! +great lord!_ They then displayed certain cloths before him, on which the +business they came upon was represented by painting, the particulars of +which they explained pointing out the figures by means of nicely polished +rods or wands. While this was going on, two old nobles always stood beside +the king, who attentively considered every circumstance, on which they +gave him their opinions, and he then dispatched the affair in few words. +The person who had the business with the king then withdrew without reply, +making three profound reverences as before, always keeping his eyes on the +ground, and his face to the throne till out of sight. On leaving the royal +apartments, they reassumed their rich dresses, in which they walked about +the city. + +The messengers who had been dispatched with the royal signet to arrest the +officers against whom Cortes had complained for the attack on Escalente, +soon returned with them to Mexico. I know not what passed in the royal +presence when they appeared before the king; but he sent them immediately +to Cortes to do with them as he pleased. On their examination, when the +king was not present, they avowed all that had happened in Totonacapan, +but said that they had acted by orders from Montezuma, by whom they had +been commanded to levy the royal tribute, and even to attack the Spaniards +if they should support the refractory subjects of the empire. On Montezuma +being charged with this, he endeavoured to exculpate himself; but Cortes +told him, that although his participation in the guilt of his officers was +apparent, and although he had been commanded by his own sovereign to +punish with death all who had inflicted death on any of the Spaniards, yet +he had so great a regard for his majesty, that he would sooner loose his +own life than do him any injury. Notwithstanding these assurances, +Montezuma was in great fear of being put to death. Cortes sentenced the +Mexican officers to be burnt alive in front of their kings palace, which +was immediately carried into execution; and to prevent any commotion while +this was taking place, he ordered Montezuma to be put in irons. The +unfortunate king could not suppress his sense of this indignity, and wept +aloud when the fetters were put on. After the execution was over, Cortes +went into the apartment of Montezuma, attended by his five captains +formerly mentioned, and took off the irons with his own hands, assuring +him with a cordial embrace, that he loved him more even than a brother, +and that he hoped soon to extend his dominions to more than double their +present size. He is said also to have told him that he was now at liberty +to return to his own palace, if he so wished; but we understood that +Cortes ordered the interpreters to inform Montezuma, that he was inclined +to set him at liberty, but that the other officers refused their consent. +The spirit of the unfortunate king was now entirely subdued, and the tears +ran down his cheeks while Cortes was speaking: He declined the offer with +thanks, well knowing the emptiness of his words; adding, that he thought +it most prudent to remain where he was, to prevent an insurrection in the +city. Montezuma requested Cortes to give him his page, Orteguilla, a youth +who had already made considerable progress in the Mexican language. Cortes +immediately complied, and Orteguilla remained afterwards constantly about +the kings person, as Montezuma took great delight in inquiring from him +many particulars respecting the manners and customs of Europe; and, from +his knowledge of the language, Orteguilla was of great service to us in +the sequel, by communicating every circumstance that was of importance for +us to be made acquainted with. Montezuma continued to reside among us, +always treated with the utmost respect and attention, as no officer and +soldier, even Cortes, ever came into his presence or even passed him, +without taking of his helmet. He always treated us in return with much +courtesey. + +The Mexican officers who were publickly executed, were four in number. Of +these Quauhpopoca was the principal, two of the others were named _Coatl_ +and _Quiabuitl,_ but I have forgot the name of the fourth[7]. As soon as +this punishment was made known throughout the provinces of the Mexican +empire, it occasioned universal terror among the natives, and the people +of Tontonacapan immediately returned to submission to our garrison at +Villa Rica.--Let me now pause, and request my readers to consider the +train of our heroic acts which I have already related. _First_, we +destroyed our ships, by which we cut off all hope of retreat. _Secondly_, +we entered the city of Mexico, in spite of the many alarming warnings we +had received. _Thirdly_, we made Montezuma, the sovereign of that great +and populous empire, a prisoner, in the midst of his own palace and +capital, surrounded by numerous guards. _Fourthly_, we publickly burnt his +officers in front of his palace, and put the king in irons during the +execution. I now frequently revolve upon these great events in my old age, +which still appear as fresh in my memory as if they had only happened +yesterday. I say to myself, it was not we who did those mighty things, but +we were guided therein by the hand of God. For without his direction, how +was it to be conceived that so small a number as we were, not amounting to +four hundred and fifty men, should have dared to seize and put in irons, +and publickly burn his officers for obeying his orders, in a city larger +and more populous than Venice, and 1500 leagues from our own country. + +It was necessary to appoint a successor in the command at Villa Rica, and +accordingly Cortes gave the command to Alonzo de Grado, an indifferent +soldier, but a good speaker, a handsome man, a musician, and a ready +writer, who had always been adverse to our marching to Mexico, and was the +chief orator on these occasions, in conveying the sentiments of the +opposite party to Cortes. On notifying this appointment, Cortes said to +him jocularly, "Senior de Grado, you are now commandant of Villa Rica. See +that you fortify it well; but I charge you not to go to war with the +wicked Indians, lest they kill you as they have done Juan de Escalente." +This was said ironically, as Cortes well knew he would not venture out of +his garrison for any consideration. As we noticed the concealed meaning of +Cortes in these words, we could hardly refrain from laughing aloud. He +then enjoined him to be kind to the natives, and to protect them from +oppression; to use all diligence in completing the fortifications of the +wooden fort, and to cause two large chains to be made from the old iron of +the destroyed ships, by the smiths at Villa Rica, which were to be sent +immediately to Mexico. De Grado, on arriving at his government, assumed a +lofty demeanour, and ordered the neighbouring Indians who were allied with +us, to send him gold and females slaves, neglecting the fortifications, +and spending his time in feasting and deep play. What was still worse, he +plotted with the adherents of Velasquez to deliver up to him the post with +which he had been entrusted. When Cortes learned these things, he repented +of having employed a person whose bad dispositions he well knew in a post +of so much importance, and sent therefore Sandoval, our alguazil-major to +supersede him. Sandoval was accompanied by Pedro de Ircio, who used to +amuse him with anecdotes of the families of the Conde de Ureno and Don +Pedro Giron, by which means he gained the favour of Sandoval, who never +ceased promoting him till he got him to the rank of captain. On his +arrival at Villa Rica, Sandoval arrested De Grado, and sent him prisoner +to Mexico, under a guard of Indians, by order of Cortes, who would not see +him on his arrival, but ordered him to be confined in the stocks, where he +remained two days. De Grado afterwards made his peace, and got the office +of contador, in place of Avila, who was sent over to Hispaniola as +procurador. Sandoval made himself exceedingly popular among the natives in +the neighbourhood of Villa Rica, and diligently applied to complete the +fortifications. He likewise sent to Mexico by order of the general, all +the ironwork necessary for the construction of two vessels which were +ordered to be built for sailing on the lake. + +Every day after mass Cortes went with all his officers to pay his respects +to Montezuma, asking his orders, the king always affecting to be perfectly +contented with his situation. On these occasions the discourse frequently +turned upon the principles of our holy faith, and the power of our emperor +Don Carlos. At other times Montezuma and Cortes used to play at a game +called _totoloque_ by the Mexicans, in which they aim with golden balls at +certain other objects made of gold. Once, when Cortes and Alvarado were +playing against Montezuma and his nephew, the king said in a jocular +manner, that he would not allow _Tonatiu_, for so he called Alvarado on +account of his handsomeness, to mark, as if he cheated; on which we all +fell a laughing, as we knew Alvarado was rather given to exaggeration. On +these occasions, Cortes gave all his winnings among the Mexican attendants +of the king; and Montezuma distributed his among us soldiers of the guard. +Indeed he every day made presents to all of us who attended him, and +particularly to Velasquez de Leon, the captain of his guard, who always +treated him with much respect and attention. One night, a soldier named +Truxillo, was guilty of a very disrespectful action within his hearing, at +which Montezuma was much offended, and asked the page Orteguilla who had +committed this extreme rudeness. Orteguilla told him that Truxillo was a +person of low birth, and knew no better, and then gave him an account of +our different ranks and characters, by which he was much gratified. He +sent next day for Truxillo, and after reproving him for his unmannerly +behaviour, made him a present worth five crowns. Next night, Truxillo +committed a similar rudeness, in hopes to get more gold, but Montezuma +complained to De Leon, who ordered Truxillo to be relieved, after which he +gave him a severe reprimand. Another night, a soldier named Pedro Lopez +happened to be unwell, and cursed that dog of an Indian, meaning Montezuma, +for occasioning so much trouble. The king overheard this and discovered +its meaning, on which he complained to Cortes, who ordered the man to be +whipped. After this, proper discipline and strict silence were preserved +by the guard, which greatly pleased the king, who knew us all, and used to +address us by our names, and was always very kind to us. I was then a +young man, and always behaved to him with much respect. The page had +informed him that I had been twice on the coast of his empire before the +arrival of Cortes, and that I had desired him to say to his majesty that I +would be much obliged to him for a handsome Indian girl. He very +graciously complied with this request, and calling me before him, +addressed me to the following effect: "Bernal Diaz, the young woman I now +present to you is the daughter of one of my principal nobles; treat her +well, and her relations will give you as much gold, and as many mantles as +you can desire." I respectfully kissed his hand, thanking him for his +gracious condescension, and prayed God to bless and prosper him. On which +he observed, that my manner spoke me of noble extraction, and he ordered +me three plates of gold, and two loads of mantles. In the morning, after +his devotions, according to the manner of his country, Montezuma used to +eat a light breakfast of vegetables seasoned with _agi,_ which is a kind +of pepper. He then employed a full hour in the dispatch of business, in +the way I have formerly mentioned, being attended at this time by twenty +counsellors; and in this way, sometimes amusing himself, and sometimes +meditating on his situation, he spent the time of his confinement among us. +He had many mistresses, and he used often to give away some of these in +marriage among his officers and particular friends. Some of these ladies +fell to our lot, and the one I got was a lady of high birth, as she shewed +by her manner; after her baptism she was called Donna Francisca. + +After the iron materials, with sails and cordage had arrived from Villa +Rica, Cortes asked leave from Montezuma to build two brigantines for the +purpose of his amusement on the lake, and also that he would order the +native carpenters to assist in their construction. Montezuma readily +consented, and as there was plenty of oak at no great distance, the work +went on expeditiously under Martin Lopez our principal ship-builder, so +that the two brigantines were soon built, launched, and rigged. While this +was going on, Montezuma begged to be allowed to perform his devotions in +the great temple, that his friends and subjects might be satisfied he +lived among us by his own choice, and the permission of his gods. Cortes +granted this, under a strict caution to beware of doing any thing that +might bring his life in hazard, as he would send a strong guard along with +him, with orders to put him to death instantly if any commotion should +arise among the people. Cortes likewise insisted that no human sacrifices +should be permitted on the occasion. All this being agreed to, Montezuma +set out for the temple in his usual pomp, attended by four of our captains, +and an hundred and fifty Spanish soldiers, Father Olmedo being likewise +present, to prevent any human sacrifice. Montezuma came out of his litter +near the temple, where he was met by a number of priests, who carried him +up the steps. They had sacrificed four Indians the night before to their +accursed idols, as all our endeavours were insufficient to stop that +abominable practice, which we were forced to connive at for a season, +being afraid to do any thing which might occasion an insurrection. After +remaining a short time at his devotions, Montezuma came down from the +temple, and returned to our quarters in much good humour, and made +presents to all of us who had attended him. + +Our two brigantines were now afloat on the lake, fully equipped, and +manned by expert sailors, and were found to obey both sail and oar to a +wish. When Montezuma learnt this, he requested to go a-hunting to a +certain district which was full of game, all other persons being +prohibited from hunting there under pain of death. Cortes granted +permission, giving warning that his life would pay the forfeit of the +smallest attempt to escape, and offered him the use of our ships to convey +him to the hunting ground, which he accepted with much pleasure. The king +and his suit embarked in the swiftest of the two vessels, and the other +accommodated his son and a number of nobles. Four of our captains attended +the king, with a guard of two hundred soldiers, and four brass guns, with +their ammunition and artillery-men, were embarked on the occasion. The wind +was fresh, and our sailors took great delight in exerting their utmost +skill. Our ships seemed to fly along the lake, and left a prodigious +multitude of the canoes of the Mexicans far behind. Montezuma landed at +the place kept for his hunting, which abounded in game, so that he soon +procured a great quantity of various kinds, such as deer, hares, and +rabbits; and having satisfied himself with sport, he reimbarked and came +back to Mexico. We discharged our artillery during the voyage, which gave +him much amusement. He delighted us all by his affability and noble +behaviour, and was held by every one of us in the highest respect. It +happened one day, while three of our captains were in his presence, that a +hawk flew into the apartment in pursuit of a quail, both these birds and +doves being bred about the palace. On this occasion our officers and +soldiers admired the beauty and fine flight of the hawk, and Montezuma was +curious to know the subject of their discourse: It was accordingly +explained to him, as likewise that we were accustomed to tame hawks, and +to fly them from our hands in pursuit of game. On this Montezuma gave +immediate orders to have the hawk caught for us, and the very same bird +was caught and brought to us next morning. + +Cacamatzin prince of Tezcuco, the largest town in the empire next to +Mexico, took great umbrage at hearing that his uncle Montezuma had been +kept many days prisoner by the Spaniards, and that we had opened the +treasury of his ancestors. He therefore called a meeting of his principal +vassals, and of the neighbouring princes or great feudatories of the +Mexican empire, among whom was the lord of Matlatzinco, a renowned warrior +and near relation of Montezuma, who was reported to have some pretensions +to the throne. His intention in summoning these princes was to persuade +them to assemble their forces, in order to attack us, and on making this +proposal to the assembled chiefs, he of Matlatzinco offered to concur with +his whole force, on condition that they would raise him to the throne of +Mexico. But Cacamatzin alleged that he had a preferable claim to that +dignity, and declared he would destroy the Spaniards with his own forces, +for which purpose he entered into arrangements with his partizans in +Mexico. The whole of this plan was reported to Montezuma, who immediately +commanded his nephew Cacamatzin to desist from his preparations, and +communicated the information he had received to Cortes, who had already +received some notice of what was going forwards, but not to the full +extent. Cortes immediately proposed to go at the head of a detachment of +the Spaniards, and a large body of Mexican troops, and to destroy Tezcuco; +but as this proposal did not please Montezuma, Cortes sent a message to +Cacamatzin, requiring him to desist from his war-like preparations, and +declaring his wish to have him for a friend. Cacamatzin answered, that he +would not become the dupe of plausible words like others, and meant soon +to pay us a visit, when he would listen to what we had to say. In a second +message, Cortes warned him not to proceed to hostilities, which would +certainly occasion the death of his uncle; but he replied, that he cared +neither for Montezuma nor Cortes, and was determined to act as he thought +proper. + +Cacamatzin had a brother named Cuitcuitzcatzin, who resided in Mexico, +having been obliged to take refuge there in consequence of a family +quarrel. As this was known to us, Cortes proposed that Cacamatzin should +be brought to Mexico, where we would seize him unless he agreed to +preserve the peace, or might substitute his brother in the government of +Tezcuco. Montezuma agreed to send for him, and assured us if he refused to +come, he would give orders to bring him by force. Cortes thanked the king +for this instance of his fidelity, declaring that he now only remained in +Mexico to protect him against his rebellious subjects, and would feel +happy to reinstate him in his own palace, but could not prevail on the +rest of the Spanish captains to agree to this measure. Montezuma said in +reply, that he would immediately transmit information to Cacamatzin, that +his present residence was entirely of his own free will, and by the advice +of their gods; for Montezuma was perfectly aware of the simulation of +Cortes in his declarations, and endeavoured to fight him with his own +weapons. He accordingly sent a message to the prince in the proposed terms; +but Cacamatzin understood the manner in which his uncle was constrained to +act, and declared his determination to assail our quarters within four +days, saying that Montezuma was a despicable monarch, for having neglected +to attack us at the Port of Chalco, as he had advised. That he was +resolved to be avenged of the wrongs which we had heaped upon Montezuma +and his country, and that if the throne of Mexico should fall to his lot +during the contest, he would liberally reward all who assisted him against +the Spanish invaders. Several of the Mexican chiefs who were along with +Cacamatzin, expressed their scruples about entering into war without the +orders of their legitimate sovereign, and proposed to send to him for +instructions. Cacamatzin was enraged at this proposal, as adverse to his +views of assuming the crown of the Mexican empire, and immediately ordered +three of the most refractory into custody; by which procedure the rest +were intimidated into compliance with his plans. He then sent a message to +Montezuma, representing the disgrace into which he had fallen, by joining +himself with wizards and magicians, and declared his resolution to destroy +us all. Montezuma was much offended by the proud independence assumed by +his nephew, whom he now resolved to circumvent and make prisoner. For this +purpose he entrusted his signet to six of his captains, whom he commanded +to shew it to certain other leaders among his subjects, who were not well +affected to the prince, and to communicate to them his orders to seize +Cacamatzin and bring him prisoner to Mexico. These men went accordingly to +where Cacamatzin was consulting with the confederate chiefs on the +arrangement of his expedition; and shewing the royal signet with which +they were entrusted, they secured him and five of his principal chiefs +without opposition, and brought them away to Mexico. Cacamatzin, being +brought into the presence of Montezuma, was reproached by him for his +disobedience and treason, and then delivered over to Cortes; but the other +prisoners were released. + +Arrangements were immediately made for raising Cuitcuitzcatzin, one of the +brothers of Cacamatzin, to the principality of Tezcuco; who was +accordingly invested with this dignity in the presence, of Montezuma, and +sent over with a splendid retinue to take possession of the government[8]. +This important business being completed to our entire satisfaction, we +continued to reside in Mexico, paying our court to Montezuma with the +utmost demonstrations of respect, yet detaining him always a prisoner in +our quarters. + +Cortes now resumed a proposal which had been formerly made, for Montezuma +acknowledging the sovereignty of our emperor over him and his dominions; +to which Montezuma replied, that he would summon a council of all his +dependent princes, which he did accordingly, and almost the whole of them +attended in the course of ten days. Among a few who absented themselves on +this occasion, was the chief of Matlatzinco, who has been already +mentioned as renowned for his warlike prowess. He sent back an answer, +that he would neither obey the summons nor pay any more tribute. Montezuma +was much incensed by this contumacious message from his vassal, and sent +officers to apprehend him, but they were unable to succeed. The princes +and feudatories being all assembled, Montezuma reminded them of the +ancient prophecies, by which it was foretold to their ancestors, that a +people was to come from the region of the rising sun, to whom the empire +of the country was to be transferred. He added, that he believed the +Spaniards to be the people spoken of in that prophecy; and had sacrificed +to his gods in vain to give him a distinct revelation on the subject, but +they referred him to the former responses, and commanded him to ask no +more. From all this he concluded that they willed him to yield obedience +to the king of Castile, who was the sovereign of these strangers. "I now," +said he in conclusion, "beseech you to agree to this submission, which is +required of me by the Spaniards. During the eighteen years which I have +reigned, I have ever been a kind monarch to you, and you have always been +faithful subjects. Since our gods will have it so, let no one refuse this +instance of obedience which I now ask." The princes, with many sighs and +tears, promised to do every thing he might desire. Montezuma, who was +still more affected than they, sent a message to inform Cortes, that he +and his princes would tender their allegiance to our emperor next day. +This was accordingly done at the time appointed, in presence of all our +officers and many of our soldiers, none of whom could refrain from tears, +at beholding the distress and agitation of the great and generous +Montezuma on this humiliating occasion. + +Some time afterwards, when Cortes and his captains were conversing with +Montezuma on various topics, the general made inquiry relative to the gold +mines of the empire, when Montezuma informed him that the richest of these +were in the province of Zacatula or Zacatollan, and said that the gold was +procured by washing the earth, the small grains of metal sinking to the +bottom during the operation. He also said that it was obtained from two +rivers in the province of Guztepeque, where the natives were not subjects +to his empire; but, if Cortes chose to send some troops to that place, he +would order his officers to accompany them. Cortes accordingly sent the +pilot Umbria and two soldiers to examine the mines of Zacatula; and sent +his relation Pizarro, to the territories of Chinantla and Zapoteca. +Pizarro was then a young man, and at that time his name and that of Peru, +now so famous, were both equally unknown. Pizarro, who was one of our +captains, took with him four soldiers who were used to mining, and four +Mexican nobles; and Montezuma presented Cortes with a map of the whole +northern, or rather eastern coast of the Mexican empire, admirably +represented in painting, extending at least an hundred and forty leagues, +all the way to Tabasco. Among the rivers said to produce gold, was that of +Huatzocoalco, which Cortes wished to have examined, and Diego de Ordas +offering himself for this purpose, was reluctantly accepted by Cortes, as +he was a person on whom he depended for sound judgment and wholesome +advice on occasions of importance. Before his departure, Montezuma told +Ordas, that the power of the crown of Mexico did not extend over the +country to which he was going, but that he was welcome to the assistance +of the frontier garrisons. Umbria returned first from his mission, +bringing with him gold to the value of three hundred crowns and reported +that the mines might be made very productive, if they were as expertly +managed as those of Hispaniola and Cuba. Two principal persons of the +district accompanied him to Mexico, who brought a present of gold to the +value of about a hundred crowns, and offered to submit themselves and +country to the sovereignty of our emperor. Umbria and his companions +described the country which they had visited as extremely rich and +populous, and he and his companions appeared to have done something +handsome for themselves on the expedition, which Cortes winked at in order +to make up for some former differences. + +Ordas, on his return, said that he had passed through very populous +districts, in all of which he was well received. That he found several +bodies of Mexican troops on the frontiers, of whose outrages the natives +of the country made heavy complaints, on which account he had severely +reprehended the commanders of the troops, threatening them with a similar +punishment with what had been inflicted on the lord of Nauhtlan. He had +sounded the river of Huatzcoalco, where he found three fathoms water on +the bar at low tide in the shallowest part, and still deeper within, where +there was a place very proper for a naval establishment. The caciques and +natives treated him with much hospitality, and offered themselves as +vassals to our emperor, but complained loudly against the exactions of +Montezuma and his officers, and pointed out a place where they had lately +slain many of the Mexican troops, which they had named _Cuilonemequi,_ or +the Place of Slaughter of the Mexicans, on whom they bestowed the most +opprobrious epithets. He represented the soil of the country as well +fitted for tillage and the rearing of cattle, and the port as well +situated for trade with Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica; but as inconvenient, +from its distance from Mexico, and unhealthy owing to the morasses in its +vicinity. Pizarro returned from Tustepeque or Tzapotecapan, with gold in +grains to the value of a thousand crowns. He reported, that in going into +the mountains inhabited by the Chinantlans, they flew to arms and would +not permit the Mexicans to enter into their country, threatening to put +them all to death; but admitted him and his Spaniards with great attention. +He brought several of the chiefs of that country along with him to Mexico, +who wished to shake off the Mexican yoke, and to become subjects to our +emperor. Cortes then inquired at Pizarro for the soldiers who had +accompanied him, when Pizarro answered, that finding the country rich and +the people friendly, he had left them to make a plantation of cocoa, and +to explore the rivers and mines. Cortes said nothing to him in public, but +gave him a severe private reprimand for employing the soldiers in such +foolish pursuits, contrary to his orders, and immediately sent a message +commanding their return to head-quarters. + +Cortes now proposed to Montezuma to order a general contribution in gold +to be collected through the whole of his dominions, as a tribute to our +emperor, and also that he should deliver up his treasure for the same +purpose. Montezuma accordingly sent orders to his officers in those +districts where the mines were situated, commanding them immediately to +transmit a certain quantity of gold plates, of the size usually paid as +tribute, two of which were sent as patterns. He remarked at the same time, +that there were many districts of the empire from which gold was not to be +expected in any considerable quantity, as they had no mines, and the +natives had only such golden toys among them as they had inherited from +their ancestors. Much gold was immediately transmitted to Mexico from the +rich provinces in compliance with the order; but when it was communicated +to the refractory lord of Matlatzinco, formerly mentioned, he haughtily +answered, that he would pay no tribute, for he had as good a right as +Montezuma to the throne of Mexico. Montezuma was much enraged at this +insolent message, and immediately sent some trusty officers with his +signet, who succeeded in apprehending this redoubted chief. On being +brought prisoner into the presence of the king, he behaved with so much +insolence that Montezuma ordered him to be put to death; but Cortes +interceded for him, and got his punishment transmuted to imprisonment. He +even endeavoured to make a friend of this chief, and proposed to have him +set at liberty, but Montezuma insisted that he should be kept in chains +along with Cacamatzin. + +Twenty days after the orders had been issued for collecting the tribute, +it was all brought to Mexico, on which Montezuma summoned Cortes into his +presence, along with the captains and the soldiers who formed his usual +guard, and addressed us as follows: "Being indebted to your great king, +whom I much esteem for having sent you as his ambassadors to me from so +great a distance, and as I am convinced by the prophecies transmitted to +us by our ancestors, and confirmed by our gods, that he is destined to +rule over us, take this gold, which is all I could collect on so short a +notice, and also the treasure which I inherited from my ancestors which +you have already seen; send all this to your emperor, and let it be +recorded in your chronicles that this is the tribute from his vassal +Montezuma. Besides all this, I shall give you for your monarch, a quantity +of our most valuable jewels, which we call _calchihuis_[9], every one of +which is worth two loads of gold, and three tubes for shooting darts or +pellets, so richly adorned with jewels that he will be pleased with them. +Accept all this as an instance of my good will, for it is the last of my +treasure." We all immediately took off our helmets, and gave our hearty +thanks to Montezuma for his munificent and liberal gift, which Cortes +promised should be presented to the emperor with a just representation of +the merits of the donor. We were employed for three days in taking to +pieces the gold contained in the various ornamental articles in the +concealed treasury, which was now delivered up to us by the command of +Montezuma, in which we were assisted by the royal goldsmiths from the town +of Escapuzalco. When separated and weighed, these articles weighed to the +value of above 600,000 crowns, besides many other articles of value, and +exclusive of gold in plates and bars, and in its rough state as brought +from the mines. All this gold was melted down by the goldsmiths, and cast +into bars of three fingers breadth, all of which were stamped with the +royal arms, with our entire approbation. The rest of the present of +Montezuma was worthy of great admiration, consisting of the jewels called +_calchihius_ ornamented tubes covered with gold and jewels, beautiful +embroideries of pearls and feathers, plumes of feathers, and an endless +variety of rich manufactures; and it was unanimously agreed by us all not +to take these rich ornaments to pieces. + +After the royal officers had weighed and valued the gold, which exceeded, +as I have already mentioned, 600,000 crowns, exclusive of the silver and +other ornamental articles, it was proposed to deduct the royal fifth, and +to distribute the shares among the officers and soldiers. Cortes proposed +to postpone the division till we acquired more treasure, and had more +exact weights: But the soldiers were clamorous for an immediate division, +as we perceived that above a third part had disappeared since the various +articles were taken to pieces, Cortes and the captains and others being +continually carrying it away and concealing it for their own use. It was +at length agreed to make the division next day, when it was still found to +exceed 600,000 crowns in weight. On making the division, Cortes in the +_first_ place caused a fifth to be laid aside for his majesty; _secondly_, +a fifth for himself, as had been agreed upon; _thirdly_, a portion to +reimburse the naval expenditure incurred by Velasquez, the destruction of +the ships, and all the expences of the expedition from Cuba; _fourthly_, +for the expences of the agents whom we had sent to Spain; _fifthly_, for +the shares of our companions who were in garrison at Villa Rica; _sixthly_, +for the value of the horses which had been killed; _seventhly_, for the +reverend Father Olmeda and our captains; _eighthly_, double shares for the +cavalry, musketeers, and crossbow-men. When all these deductions were made +from the stock, the shares which remained for each soldier were hardly +worth acceptance, not exceeding 100 crowns a-man. We were obliged to +submit, having no one to appeal to for justice; yet many were very +clamorous, whom Cortes secretly endeavoured to appease, giving a little to +one and a little to another in private, and feeding all with fair promises. +Our captains got chains of gold made for them by the Mexican workmen, +Cortes did the same, and had a superb service of gold plate made for his +table. Many of our soldiers, who had been fortunate in secreting plunder, +had golden ornaments made for their use, and gave themselves up to deep +gaming, for which purpose they made cards from drum-heads; and thus we +passed our time in Mexico. One Cardenas, a pilot, who had a wife and +children, seeing that all the immense treasure of Montezuma had dwindled +down to paltry shares of a hundred crowns, made loud complaints of the +injustice he and all of us had experienced. On this coming to the ears of +Cortes, he called us together, and gave us a long honied speech, wondering +how we should be so clamorous about a paltry sum of gold, as the whole +country, with all its rich mines, would soon be ours, by which we would +all have enough to make us lords and princes, and I know not all what. +After this he distributed presents secretly among the most clamorous, and +promised Cardenas to send home 300 crowns to his wife and children. + +All men are desirous of acquiring riches, and the desire generally +increases with the acquisition. As it was well known that a great many +valuable pieces of gold had been abstracted from the treasury, suspicion +naturally fell upon several persons who appeared to have more gold than +their shares amounted to. Among these, it was noticed that Velasquez de +Leon had some large chains of gold, and many trinkets and ornaments of +that metal, in the hands of the Mexican workmen, which the treasurer Mexia +claimed as having been purloined. De Leon resisted this, alleging that it +had been given him by Cortes before the gold was run into bars. Mexia +replied that Cortes had concealed enough, and had already taken too much +from the soldiers, without giving him so great a quantity, and insisted on +restitution. Both were valiant men, and their quarrel rose to such a +height, that they drew their swords, and each of them received two wounds +before they could be parted. Cortes ordered them both under arrest and to +be put in chains; but spoke privately to De Leon, who was his intimate +friend, to submit quietly, and released Mexia in consideration of his +holding the office of treasurer. Velasquez was a strong active man, and +used to walk much in the apartment where he was confined, and as Montezuma +heard the rattling of his chains, he inquired who it was, and interceded +with Cortes for his liberation. Cortes told him that Velasquez was a mad +fellow, who would go about robbing the Mexicans of their gold if not +confined. Montezuma replied, if that were all, he would supply his wants, +and Cortes affected to release him as a favour to the king, but banished +him to Cholula, whence he returned in six days, richer than before by the +king's bounty. + +About this time, the king offered to give Cortes one of the princesses his +daughter in marriage. Cortes received this offer with much gratitude, but +suggested the propriety of having her in the first place instructed in the +Christian religion, with which Montezuma complied, though he still +continued attached to his own false worship and brutal human sacrifices. +Cortes and his captains were much scandalized by this persistence of +Montezuma in idolatry, and thought it their duty as Christians, to run +even the risk of occasioning a rebellion of the Mexicans by destroying the +idols and planting the true cross in their place; or if that could not be +now accomplished, to make a chapel for Christian worship in the temple. On +this determination, seven officers and soldiers attended Cortes and Father +Olmedo to wait upon Montezuma, to whom they communicated their wish, and +their resolution to employ force if necessary. The king was much alarmed, +and earnestly begged leave to consult with his priests on the subject. +Cortes seemed touched with his situation, and made a signal to the +officers and soldiers to retire, leaving him and Olmedo with the king. He +then told him, that he would endeavour to prevail on the officers to be +satisfied for the present, if a part of the great temple was appropriated +for the reception of an altar and crucifix, by which his majesty would +soon be convinced of the falsehood of his erroneous worship[10]. To this +proposal Montezuma reluctantly consented, with the appearance of much +agitation and deep sorrow; and, an altar and crucifix being erected, mass +was solemnly celebrated in the new chapel, for the care of which a proper +person was appointed. + +The whole time of our stay in this city was one continued series of alarms, +sufficient to have destroyed us if we had not been supported by divine +interposition. By this last measure, through the representations of the +priests, acting on the prejudices of the people, our dangers were much +increased. Their gods, as the priests alleged, threatened to desert them, +unless we were destroyed for this violation of the temple, and an +universal determination was formed to obey this manifestation of their +commands. This resolution of the people was conveyed to Montezuma by the +priests, and all his principal warriors; who, besides this subject of +complaint on the score of religion, made many other representations +respecting our misconduct, ever since our arrival in the empire. The page +Orguetilla communicated many alarming circumstances which he had observed, +to Cortes, respecting frequent secret conferences between Montezuma and +his priests and nobles, and the angry and melancholy appearances which he +had frequently seen the king assume on these occasions. Cortes was alarmed +by this intelligence, and immediately waited on the king accompanied by +his interpreters and five of his captains. Montezuma seemed much +distressed during this conference, and declared to Cortes that he was +extremely grieved at the manifestation of the will of his gods that we +should all be put to death or expelled from Mexico: He therefore, as our +sincere friend, earnestly recommended that we should not run the risk of +incurring the indignation of his subjects, but should save our lives by a +retreat whilst that remained within our power. Cortes and the rest were +naturally much alarmed at this; but Cortes answered that he was +principally concerned, because in the first place, he had no vessels for +returning into his own country, and in the next place he would be under +the necessity of taking Montezuma along with him, that he might present +him to our emperor. He therefore entreated Montezuma to use every +influence to restrain his priests and warriors from proceeding to violence, +until we had time to build three ships for our conveyance, and offered +immediately to send our ship-builders to fell timber and construct the +vessels on the coast, requesting the king to order the assistance of his +carpenters for this purpose, that there might be no delay. He repeated his +request, that Montezuma would employ all his influence to prevent any +insurrection in the city, and his endeavours to appease his priests and +gods, providing that no human sacrifices were resorted to for that purpose. +Martin Lopez, our principal ship-builder, was immediately dispatched to +Villa Rica to commence building the three ships, which were put on the +stocks without delay. During this interval, we remained in Mexico full of +terror of being attacked by the whole force of a numerous and warlike +people, exasperated by the insults we had heaped on their sovereign and +their religious belief. Our apprehensions were continually kept alive by +the information we received from Donna Marina, and the page Orteguilla; +who, by understanding the language, obtained much information which must +otherwise have escaped our knowledge. We kept however constant guard over +Montezuma, and the strictest military discipline in our quarters, sleeping +always in our armour, and having our horses saddled and bridled every +night. Without meaning it as any boast, I may say this of myself, that my +armour became as easy and familiar to me as if it had been a soft down bed. +And so habituated am I to this, that now in my old age, when I make the +circuit of my district, I never take a bed along with me, unless attended +by stranger gentlemen, when I do so merely to avoid the appearance of +poverty or avarice. Yet, even when I have one, I always sleep in my +clothes; neither can I rest throughout the night, but get up to +contemplate the stars, walking about without hat or cap, as I used to do +on guard; yet thank GOD I never get cold, nor am I the worse for this +practice. This is to be a true soldier! My readers must pardon this +digression, which does not proceed from vanity, but to let him know what +kind of men we were, the real conquerors of Mexico[11]. + + +[1] Clavigero calls this the god of providence, the soul of the world, the + creator of heaven and earth, and the master of ill things, the + rewarder of the just and the punisher of the wicked.--E. + +[2] Along with the work of Bernal Diaz, and in the history of Mexico by + Clavigero, there are representations of ancient Mexican temples. In + both they consist of six frustums of truncated pyramids, placed above + each other, having a gallery or open walk around at each junction, and + straight outside stairs reaching between each gallery, not unlike the + representations that have been ideally formed of the tower of + Babel.--E. + +[3] Clavigero pretends that the defeat and death of Escalante were known + to Cortes and his followers while at Cholula. This is highly + improbable, both from the narrative of Diaz, and because Cortes would + not certainly have put himself entirely in the power of Montezuma, + after this unequivocal demonstration of resolute enmity.--E. + +[4] In the original of Diaz they are said to have retreated to Almeria, + but this is an obvious mistake. Almeria, according to Clavigero, II. + 55, was the name given by the Spaniards to Nauhtlan, a city on the + coast of the Gulf of Mexico, thirty-six miles north of Villa Rica, + which was governed by Quauhpopoca for Montezuma, and by whom the + Mexican detachment was commanded by which Escalente was defeated.--E. + +[5] It is obvious from a circumstance in the sequel of this story that + Diaz and other soldiers attended Cortes on this occasion. Clavigero, + II. 77. says there were twenty-five soldiers besides the five captains, + who repaired two by two to the palace, and joined Cortes there as if + by accident. This daring transaction took place eight days after the + arrival of Cortes in the city of Mexico.--E. + +[6] Diaz calls this Tuzapan; but as Nauhtlan was in the country of the + Totonacas, called Totonacapan by the Mexicans, we have chosen here and + everywhere else that this could be done with certainty, to adopt the + orthography of Clavigero.--E. + +[7] According to Clavigero, II. 82. Quauhpopoca, his son, and fifteen + other nobles were cruelly put to death on this occasion. Diaz names + the principal chief Quetzalpopoca.--E. + +[8] Diaz says that he assumed the name of Don Carlos on this occasion; but + does not allege even that he had been baptised. This name was probably + merely imposed upon him by the Spanish soldiery; or he may have + acquired it on becoming a Christian after the conquest of Mexico was + completed.--E. + +[9] It is impossible now to say what were these jewels so much valued by + the Mexicans. Clavigero, I. 422, enumerates among their precious + stones, "Emeralds, amethysts, cornelians, turquoises, and others not + known in Europe." In another passage, I. 424, he mentions many small + red stones similar to rubies, as among the Mexican curiosities + transmitted to Charles V. by Cortes.--E. + +[10] We are duly sensible of the divine super-excellence of Christianity, + and the gross barbarism of idolatry joined with abominable human + sacrifices. Yet, the mere change of two crossed sticks and the images + of Saint Somebody or Saint Nobody, for the idols of the Mexicans, + under pretence of introducing the pure religion of the meek and holy + Jesus, seems in our humble opinion a mere _qui pro quo_; and, when + taken in conjunction with the proposed conversion by military + execution, and the introduction of the bloody tribunal of the + Inquisition, not one iota less idolatrous or less barbarous.--E. + +[11] Bernal Diaz neglects to accommodate his readers with the very useful + appendage of dates; it therefore may be proper to remark that the + Spaniards entered the city of Mexico for the first time on the 8th + November 1519; and as Cortes left it in the beginning of May 1520, in + his march against Narvaez, he had now spent about six months in the + capital of a mighty empire, with hardly 450 soldiers.--E. + + + + +SECTION IX. + +_Expedition of Narvaez to supersede Cortes in the command, and occurrences +till the Defeat of that Officer by Cortes at Chempoalla_. + + +The Bishop of Burgos, who was president of the council of the Indies, bore +unlimited sway in that department of the Spanish government during the +absence of the emperor in Flanders. Owing to the representations of +Velasquez against Cortes, he sent orders to him to seize and make us all +prisoners at every hazard, as rebellious subjects. Velasquez therefore +fitted out a fleet of nineteen ships from the Island of Cuba, in which he +embarked an army of fourteen hundred soldiers, eighty of whom were cavalry, +eighty musketeers, and eighty crossbow-men, with twenty pieces of cannon, +and all necessary ammunition and appointments, giving the command in chief +to Pamphilo de Narvaez. Such was his animosity against Cortes and us for +having thrown off our dependance upon him, that he made a journey of above +seventy leagues from the Havanna on purpose to expedite the preparations. +At this time, the royal audience of St Domingo and the brethren of the +order of St Jerorimo, being satisfied of our loyalty and great exertions +in the service of God and the emperor, sent over the oydor Lucas Vasquez +de Aillon to Cuba, with positive injunctions to stop the sailing of the +armament against us; but as Velasquez was confident in the support of the +bishop of Burgos, he gave no heed to the orders communicated to him by +Aillon, who therefore went along with the armament, that he might +endeavour as much as possible to prevent injury to the public service by +his mediation and influence, and be at hand if necessary, to take +possession of the country for the emperor, in virtue of his office. + +Narvaez arrived safe with his whole fleet in the harbour of St Juan de +Ulua, except that he lost one small vessel during the voyage. Soon after +his arrival, the soldiers who had been sent by Cortes to that part of the +country in search of mines, went on board, and it is said gave thanks to +God for being delivered from the command of Cortes and the dangers of the +city of Mexico. Finding them in this mood, Narvaez ordered them to be +plentifully supplied with wine, to make them more communicative. Cervantes +the jester, who was one of these soldiers, under pretence of facetiousness, +exposed to him all the discontents of our soldiers respecting the +distribution of the treasure we had obtained, and informed him also of the +bad state of the garrison in Villa Rica under Sandoval. The arrival of +this new armament was soon communicated to Montezuma, who concealed the +intelligence for some time from Cortes, and opened a private +correspondence with Narvaez, to whom he sent many rich presents. Narvaez, +in his correspondence with Montezuma, said every thing that was bad +against Cortes and his troops, representing the whole of us as outcasts +and robbers, and that the emperor, hearing of our evil conduct, and that +we detained the great Montezuma in custody, had sent the present +expedition for the express purpose of liberating him and putting us all to +death. This intelligence gave great satisfaction to Montezuma, who thought +we must necessarily be all destroyed, as he had got an exact account of +their force represented to him in paintings: He accordingly transmitted +very magnificent presents to Narvaez, and could ill conceal the +satisfaction he had derived from the intelligence. Montezuma concealed the +news of this armament from Cortes, who observed and was astonished at the +alteration which it had produced on the kings manners and behaviour. At +length however, from the circumstance of Cortes making him two visits in +one day, Montezuma became apprehensive of the general procuring +intelligence from any other quarter, and told him the news, pretending +only to have just heard of it himself. Cortes expressed the utmost joy at +the intelligence, and Montezuma shewed him the representations which had +been transmitted to him, by which he learnt every thing he wished to know +on the subject. He immediately left the king and communicated the +intelligence to the troops, who got immediately under arms, and fired +several vollies in token of our joy. We soon noticed, however, that Cortes +was exceedingly pensive when alone, of which we could not divine the cause; +till he soon afterwards convinced us, and explained that the armament was +evidently designed against us; and he now, partly by promises and partly +by gifts, as from his bounty of what was ours by good right, made interest +with us to stand firmly by him in the approaching contest with Narvaez. + +From what had been told him by Cervantes and our other deserters, Narvaez +was induced to send a deputation to Sandoval, demanding him to surrender +the port of Villa Rica. He appointed three persons on this errand, Guavera +a clergyman of abilities, Amarga, a relation of Velasquez, and one Vergara, +a scrivener. Sandoval had received information of the arrival of the +armament, and prepared to defend his post, as he rightly guessed that it +was destined to act against us. He sent off all his invalids to an Indian +village at some distance, and exhorting his soldiers to stand by him, he +erected a gibbet, and placed a guard on the road to Chempoalla. On the +arrival of the deputation from Narvaez at Villa Rica, they were astonished +to meet none but Indians, as Sandoval had ordered all the soldiers to +remain in their quarters, and remained at home himself; they knew not well +how to proceed, but at length guessing by the appearance of the house that +it belonged to the governor, they went in. Guavera immediately began the +conversation, by representing the greatness of the force under Narvaez, +and its object, which was to arrest Cortes and all his followers as +traitors, and concluded by summoning Sandoval to surrender himself and his +post to general Narvaez. Sandoval was much displeased, and told him, if it +were not for the protection of his holy function, he would punish his +insolence in calling those traitors who were more faithful subjects than +either Narvaez or his employer Velasquez. He desired him to carry his +demand to Cortes at Mexico, who would settle the business with him at that +place. Guavera insisted to execute the commission on which he was sent, +and ordered the scrivener Vergara to produce the authority under which +they acted. But Sandoval stopped him, saying, "I know not whether your +papers be true or false; but if you attempt to read any here I will order +you to receive a hundred lashes." On this, Guavera exclaimed, "Why do you +mind these traitors? read your commission." Sandoval, calling him a lying +rascal, ordered them all to be seized: On which a number of Indians, who +had been previously instructed, came in and threw nets over them, and +instantly set out with them on their backs for Mexico, to which they were +carried post by relays of Indians, through the several large and populous +towns by the way, with a rapidity that confounded them, hardly knowing +whether they were alive or dead, the whole seeming as if done by +enchantment. Sandoval sent Pedro de Solis to accompany them, by whom he +wrote a hasty letter to Cortes, giving him an account of all he knew. When +the general got notice of their arrival in Mexico, he ordered us all under +arms, released them immediately from their trammels, and made an apology +for the rudeness of Sandoval, whom he greatly blamed. He entertained them +with great hospitality and respect, giving them plenty of gold, and sent +them back in a few days as gentle as lambs, who had come out against him +as furious as lions. + +Our general was one whose resources were never exhausted, and it must not +be concealed that his officers and soldiers supported him through all his +difficulties by our valour in the field and our wisdom in council. On this +occasion, we determined that it was proper to send letters to Narvaez and +others of the new army, which they might receive previous to the return of +Guavera. In these, we earnestly urged that no rash steps might be taken to +endanger our general interest, by inciting the Indians to rise upon us; +and held out every inducement of interest and friendship to the followers +of Narvaez to bring them over to our party, not forgetting to treat +secretly with such as we thought might be easiest wrought upon, as both +Guavera and Vergara had informed Cortes that Narvaez was by no means on +good terms with his officers, among whom gold well applied would work +wonders. In his letters to Narvaez, Cortes adjured him by their former +friendship, not to give encouragement to the Mexicans to rise and destroy +us, seeing that they were ready to have recourse to any extremity to +liberate Montezuma, whose dispositions were much altered for the worse +since the arrival of this new armament, and the opening a correspondence +between him and Narvaez. He was convinced, he said, that the expressions +which Narvaez had been reported to use, could never have come from so wise +a man, but must have been fabricated by such wretches as the buffoon +Cervantes; and he concluded by offering an unlimited submission to the +authority of Narvaez. Cortes wrote also to the secretary Andres de Duero, +and Lucas Vasques the oydor, taking care to accompany his letters with +valuable presents of gold. On receiving the letter from Cortes, Narvaez +turned it into ridicule, handing it about among his officers, speaking of +us all as traitors whom he would put to death without mercy. He declared +he would cut off and eat the ears of Cortes, and a great deal of such +braggart nonsense, and of course made no answer to the letters. Just at +this time Father Olmedo arrived, bringing with him the private letters and +presents. He went in the first place to wait upon Narvaez, intending to +assure him that Cortes would be proud to serve under his command; but +Narvaez would not listen to him, and did nothing but abuse both Cortes and +him. He accordingly desisted from that part of his commission which +related to an agreement with Narvaez, and applied himself to the +distribution of presents among the officers with so much judgment and +success, that he soon won over all the principal officers to our party. +If the oydor Vasques was originally disposed to favour Cortes, he was +entirely so on seeing the magnificent presents which were now distributed +with so much liberality; which formed a striking contrast with the avarice +of Narvaez, who used to enjoin his major domo to take heed that not a +mantle were missing, as he had marked down every article committed to his +charge. This penuriousness set all his officers against him, which he +attributed to the intrigues of Vasques; and as there was a difference +between them, because Narvaez neglected to inform him respecting every +thing sent in by order of Montezuma, of which he ought to have been +informed as oydor, an irreconcileable quarrel ensued; and depending on the +favour of the bishop of Burgos, Narvaez caused the oydor to be arrested, +and sent prisoner to Cuba or Spain, I know not which. But during the +voyage, Vasques prevailed on the captain of the ship to land him in +Hispaniola, where he so represented the treatment he had received to the +Audience and the Jeronimites, that they complained to the council of +Castile, but ineffectually, owing to the influence of the bishop of Burgos +in favour of Narvaez. About this time too, a gentleman named Oblanco, made +remonstrances to Narvaez respecting his violence, saying a good deal in +favour of Cortes and his troops, with which Narvaez was so much offended +that he threw him into prison; which Oblanco took so much to heart that he +died three days after. + +Soon after the arrival of Father Olmedo, Guevara and his two companions +returned from Mexico, and launched out in praise of Cortes, reporting the +many expressions of respect he had used in speaking of Narvaez; and, +commending the services he had already performed to our emperor, they +expatiated on the advantages which would result from uniting their forces, +instead of fomenting a civil war. All this put Narvaez into such a rage +that he refused to see them any more, and commanded them to be silent on +this hateful subject. They carried their discourse therefore among their +comrades; and when they saw how well furnished with gold these men had +returned from Mexico, they began seriously to wish themselves in the army +of Cortes. + +Narvaez now quitted the coast with his army and took possession of the +town of Chempoalla; immediately on his arrival seizing by force the young +women who had been given to the officers of Cortes by their parents, with +all the gold and mantles which had been left in the custody of the fat +cacique along with the ladies, when we set out on our march to Mexico. +When the cacique complained of this to Narvaez, and of the robberies +committed by his soldiers, saying that Cortes and his soldiers conducted +themselves in quite a different manner, a bragging fellow called +Salvatierra exclaimed, "See what fear these Indians are in for the sorry +fellow Cortes!" yet this boaster, who was so ready with his tongue, was +the most cowardly wretch I ever beheld, when we came afterwards to attack +the army of Narvaez. About this time, Narvaez transmitted to Cortes a copy +of the commission he had received from the governor of Cuba, the +particulars of which I shall detail hereafter. Cortes received regular +intelligence of every thing done by Narvaez, partly from the friends he +had made in the adverse army and partly from Sandoval, who now informed +him that five persons of consideration had joined from the army of Narvaez, +who alleged for their reason, that being the relations of the oydor +Vasquez, who had met with such injurious treatment, they had little hopes +of being themselves well used; and he added, that these persons said +Narvaez meant very soon to march to Mexico against us. On this being made +known to such of us as Cortes used generally to consult with, he agreed +with us in opinion that it was advisable for us to march immediately +against Narvaez and his army, leaving the command in Mexico with Alvarado; +and we left under his charge all those men who were not inclined to be of +the present hazardous expedition, and all whom we suspected to have an +inclination for the party of Narvaez or Velasquez. We also left with +Alvarado a sufficient supply of provisions, in case the Mexicans should +refuse to supply him, and because the late harvest had been deficient, in +consequence of too dry a season. Our quarters were strengthened by the +addition of a good pallisade, and, besides four heavy guns, we left a +garrison of eighty-three men, twenty-four of whom were armed with muskets +or cross-bows: a very inadequate force, surely, for keeping the great and +populous city of Mexico in awe. + +Previous to our departure, Cortes paid a visit to Montezuma, who +questioned him very anxiously about the difference between him and Narvaez, +as both were vassals of the same sovereign, and desired an explanation of +the charges which the new comers had made against us, that we were +outcasts and traitors. He likewise asked if he could serve us in any way, +expressing an apprehension of our safety, considering the great +superiority under Narvaez. Cortes replied in a cheerful manner, that he +had not sooner informed him of our intended departure, lest it might give +him concern; that we certainly were all subjects to the same monarch, but +that the report of our being traitors and fugitives was utterly false, as +we had come into his country with full authority from our sovereign. As to +the other party destroying us by their superiority in numbers, that did +not depend on them, but on the will of our Lord and his holy mother, who +would support us. He added, that our sovereign ruled over many different +countries, the inhabitants of some of which were more valiant than those +of others; that we were all true Castilians, while the commander of our +opponents was a Biscayan, and his majesty would soon see the difference +between us, as he trusted by the blessing of God to bring them all back as +prisoners. He concluded by recommending in the strongest terms to +Montezuma, to use his utmost endeavours to prevent any insurrection in the +city during our absence; as, on his return, he would assuredly punish all +in a most exemplary manner who behaved amiss. Montezuma promised to do +every thing which Cortes required, and even offered to assist us with five +thousand of his warriors, which Cortes politely declined, knowing indeed +that the king had not that in his power, if he even wished to have done so. +Then requesting Montezuma to cause due respect to be paid to that part of +the great temple which had been consecrated to the Christian worship, he +embraced Montezuma with much cordiality and took leave. He then called +Alvarado and the garrison which was to remain in Mexico, all of whom he +strictly enjoined to be extremely watchful, and to take special care not +to allow Montezuma to escape; promising to make them all rich on his +return, if he found they had done their duty. On this occasion of leaving +Mexico, he left the clergyman Juan Diaz with Alvarado, and some other +persons whose fidelity he questioned. + +We began our march from Mexico in the beginning of May 1520[1], making our +first halt at Cholula. From that place we sent a message to the senate of +Tlascala, requiring them to assist us with four thousand of their warriors. +They sent us twenty loads of fowls, saying that they were ready at any +time to join us in war against Indians, but begged to be excused if we +were marching against our own countrymen. At this time likewise, Cortes +sent orders to Sandoval to join our little army with the whole of his +garrison that was fit for duty, at a place named Tampinequeta or +Mitalaquita[2], twelve leagues from Chempoalla. We marched in regular +order without baggage, having always two confidential soldiers in advance +about a days journey, who were directed not to keep the main road, but to +go always by those in which cavalry could not march, and whose especial +business was to inquire for intelligence respecting the motions of Narvaez, +which they were to communicate without delay to Cortes. When we had +proceeded a considerable way on our march, one of our advanced parties +fell in with four Spaniards belonging to the army of Narvaez, who were +bringing to Cortes a copy of his commission and instructions as +captain-general in New Spain. On being brought to the general, they +saluted him respectfully, and he immediately dismounted in order to hear +what they had to say. Alonzo de Mata, who was at the head of the +deputation, produced his papers and began to read them; but Cortes stopt +him short, demanding if he were a royal notary; as in that case, by +shewing his commission, he would be implicitly obeyed, but if he had no +such authority, he certainly would not be allowed to read any pretended +orders. "The commands of his majesty," said Cortes, "I shall submit to +with the utmost humility; but, I desire that the original may be produced." +Mata was confounded at these words, as he held no office whatever under +the crown, and was entirely at a loss how to proceed. But Cortes relieved +him from his embarrassment, telling him our destination, and that he was +ready to receive any message from his general, of whom he always spoke +with great respect, but would listen to no orders that were not sanctioned +by the royal authority. We halted for some time at this place, and Cortes +had some private conferences with these agents of Narvaez, with whom he +used such powerful arguments that he made them his firm friends. They +returned to Chempoalla, quite loud in their praises of Cortes, crying up +his generosity to the skies, and made a magnificent report of the riches +of our soldiers, many of whom had ornaments of gold on their arms, and +some of them gold chains and collars about their necks. + +Next day, Sandoval joined with the garrison of Villa Rica, to the number +of about seventy men, with whom came the five Spaniards who had deserted +from Narvaez, who were very graciously received by Cortes. Sandoval +reported that he had sent two of his soldiers, a little time before into +the quarters of Narvaez, who went disguised like Indians, having each a +load of fruit for sale, and their complexions so completely resembled the +natives that they were never suspected. They went immediately to the +quarters of the braggart Salvatierra, who gave them a string of yellow +beads for their fruit, and sent them to cut grass for his horse on the +banks of a small rivulet. They brought home the last load of grass in the +evening, and having fed the horse, they remained about the place till +night, listening to the conversation of Salvatierra, whom they heard +observing to some of his companions, how luckily they had come at the +present moment to deprive the traitor Cortes of the 700,000 crowns which +he had obtained from Montezuma. When it was dark, our disguised soldiers +got privately out of the house, and took away Salvatierras horse with the +saddle and bridle, and meeting another horse by the way, which happened +to be lame, they brought it along with them. Cortes laughed heartily at +this exploit; and we learned afterwards that Salvatierra gave much +amusement to the soldiers of Narvaez, by his absurd behaviour on +discovering the trick which had been played upon him. + +It was now resolved in a general consultation of our little army, to send +a letter in all our names to Narvaez, by the hands of Father Olmedo, of +which the following is the purport: "We had rejoiced on hearing of the +arrival of so noble a person with so fine an army, by which we expected +great advantages to have been derived to our holy religion and to the +service of our sovereign; but on the contrary he had reviled us as +traitors, and had occasioned the whole country to revolt. Our general had +already offered to resign to him whatever provinces or territories he +might be inclined to occupy, but nothing would serve him except treating +our general and us as rebels, who had proved ourselves by our actions +faithful subjects to the emperor. If he came by the authority of a +commission from his majesty, we demanded to see the original within three +days, for which purpose we had advanced to this place, and were ready to +obey it in all humility and reverence: but, if he had no such authority, +we required him to return immediately to Cuba, and not to make any attempt +to throw the country which we had conquered into confusion; as otherwise +we should deem it our bounden duty to send him as a prisoner to his +majesty, to be dealt with according to his royal pleasure. We declared +that he was answerable for all the lamentable consequences which might +follow from his unlawful conduct; and that we had sent this letter by its +present conveyance, since no royal notary could undertake to deliver our +remonstrance in due form, after the violence which he had committed +against his majesties oydor Vasquez, a treasonable act, the perpetrator of +which our general was bound to apprehend and bring to justice, and for +which we now cited him to appear and answer for his conduct." This letter +was concluded in terms of great respect, and was signed by Cortes, all the +captains, and several of the most confidential of the soldiers. It was +sent by the reverend Father Olmedo, accompanied by a soldier named Ulagre, +whose brother was in the army of Narvaez as commander of his artillery. +Olmedo waited on Narvaez with great respect on his arrival at Chempoalla; +and proceeded afterwards to execute the secret commission with which he +had been entrusted, by a liberal distribution of gold among certain +officers of the army of Narvaez, among whom were Rodrigo Mira, Ulagre, and +Andres de Duero, which last he invited to pay a visit to Cortes. Narvaez +soon began to suspect the real object of Olmedo, and was much inclined to +have made him a prisoner: but Duero, who had much influence over Narvaez, +both on account of his situation and because they were in some degree +related, represented the impropriety of such an outrage against a person +of his holy functions, and dissuaded him from doing so. He also suggested +to him the great probability of his being able to gain over the soldiers +of Cortes to his party, by means of a little policy. By these arguments he +appeased Narvaez for the present, and went immediately to Olmedo whom he +informed of all that had passed. + +Shortly afterwards, Narvaez sent for Olmedo, who requested to speak with +him in private; when he told him good-humouredly that he knew his +intentions of making him a prisoner, in which he was much to blame, as +there was no one whatever more devoted to his service, and he knew that +there were many persons with Cortes, who would gladly see their commander +delivered up to his excellency; in proof of which he had a letter which +Cortes had written at the suggestion of these very persons who wished to +deliver him up; which letter was so full of ridiculous absurdities that he +was frequently tempted to throw it away, but would now with his permission +lay it before him. He accordingly went, as he pretended for the letter, +which he alleged was with his baggage, but in reality to bring Duero and +others along with him, that they might witness its delivery. In order to +contrive an interview with Cortes, Duero proposed that a communication +should be opened between Narvaez and him; and Augustin Bermudez, a secret +friend of Cortes, proposed that Duero and Salvatierra should be sent on +this business, well knowing the character of Salvatierra to be disinclined +to any such employment. It was at last settled that Duero should wait upon +Cortes, and invite him to a conference with Narvaez at a convenient place +between the two armies, where they might treat of an accommodation and +arrange their future measures: And it was resolved that Narvaez should +make him prisoner at the conference, for which twenty of his most +confidential soldiers were prepared. Duero carried intelligence +immediately to Cortes, and Father Olmedo remained at the quarters of +Narvaez, having scraped acquaintance with Salvatierra, under pretence of +relationship, with whom he dined every day. + +On first learning the arrival of Narvaez, Cortes sent one of his soldiers +named Barrientos, who had served in Italy and was well acquainted with the +management of the pike, to the province of the Chinantlans, who had lately +entered into alliance with us. That nation used lances or pikes much +longer than ours, having heads of sharpened stone, and Barrientos was +directed to obtain 300 of these lances for our use. There was plenty of +excellent copper in the country of the Chinantlans, and Barrientos was +directed to get two heads of this metal for each lance, and these were +executed so ingeniously that they were better made even than the pattern +sent. He also obtained a promise of 2000 warriors of that nation to join +us, who were to be armed in the same manner, but they did not arrive till +after we had overcome Narvaez. All this being settled, Barrientos arrived +at our quarters attended by 200 Chinantlans carrying the lances he had +procured. On trial these were found excellent, and we were immediately +exercised in their use. A muster was now made of our force, which amounted +to two hundred and six men, including fife and drum, with five mounted +cavalry, two artillery-men, few cross-bows, and fewer musketeers. This +being the force, and such the weapons, with which we marched against and +defeated the vastly superior army of Narvaez. + +I have formerly mentioned that the secretary Duero and the contador Lares +had negociated the appointment of Cortes as general of our expedition, and +that they were to enjoy equal shares with him in all the treasure he +should acquire. Lares was some time dead, and Duero seeing how wealthy +Cortes had become, used the colour of the proposed treaty between Narvaez +and Cortes, in order to have an opportunity of an interview with Cortes, +that he might remind him of their agreement. Cortes not only promised +faithfully to perform his engagement, but promised him an equal command +with himself, and an equal share of territory when the conquest of the +country was completed. It was accordingly agreed upon between them, in +concurrence with Augustin Bermudez, who was alguazil-major of the army of +Narvaez, and many other officers whom I do not name, to get Narvaez put +out of the command in favour of Cortes. In order to confirm these in his +interest, and to gain over others, Cortes was more liberal than ever in +his presents, and on the present occasion loaded the two Indians who +attended on Duero with gold. On one of the days of intercourse, after +Cortes and Duero had been a considerable time together in private, and had +dined, Duero asked him on mounting his horse to go away, if he had any +farther commands. To this Cortes replied, "Remember what has been settled +between us, or if you don't, I shall be in your quarters before three days, +and you shall be the first person at whom I will throw my lance." Duero +answered laughing, that he would not fail, and immediately set off for the +quarters of Narvaez, where he is reported to have said that Cortes and all +his men were ready to submit to the command of Narvaez. Soon after this, +Cortes sent for Juan Velasquez de Leon, a person of much consideration, +who had always been greatly attached to him, though a near relation of the +governor of Cuba. On coming to his quarters, Cortes addressed him in +smooth and persuasive terms, which he could always assume at +pleasure:--"Duero has informed me that Narvaez is anxious to see you at +his quarters, and that it is generally believed I am completely ruined if +you go there. Now my worthy friend, I desire you to put on your gold chain, +mount your grey mare, take all your gold along with you and more which I +will give you; go immediately and fix yourself with Narvaez, and +distribute the gold which I confide to you according to my directions." +Velasquez was perfectly willing to do as he was desired, but objected to +the measure of carrying his own treasure along with him, and after a +secret conference with Cortes he set out for Chempoalla. De Leon arrived +there by day-break, and as the Indians were rejoiced to see him, the news +soon reached Narvaez, who came out to meet and embrace him. After paying +his compliments, Velasquez said his only object there was to endeavour to +make an amicable arrangement between Narvaez and Cortes; upon which +Narvaez took him aside and asked him how he could propose to treat for +such a traitor? Velasquez desired that no such injurious epithet might be +used in his presence, as Cortes was a most zealous and faithful officer. +Narvaez then offered to make him second in command under himself if he +would renounce Cortes; but Velasquez declared he would never quit one who +had done such signal services for God and the emperor. + +By this time all the principal officers in the army of Narvaez had come up +to salute Velasquez, who was an universal favourite, as he was very polite +and well bred, and had a fine person and handsome countenance. At this +time he cut a fine martial figure, as he had a massy gold chain which made +two turns round his body and over his shoulders, so that he impressed +every one with respect. Bermudez the alguazil-major and Duero wished much +to have had some private communication with Velasquez; but just at this +time Captain Gamarra, Juan Yuste, Juan Buono, and Salvatierra the +braggadocio, persuaded Narvaez to give private orders for taking Velasquez +into custody, for having spoken so boldly in defence of Cortes; but the +others who had come over to the interest of Cortes, strongly represented +the impropriety and impolicy of such rash conduct, and Narvaez again spoke +in a friendly manner to Velasquez, whom he invited to dine with him, and +entreated his assistance to bring Cortes and the rest of us into his power. +Velasquez now agreed to forward this design, but represented Cortes as +headstrong and resolute, advising that Narvaez and he should divide the +country between them, each taking separate provinces. At this time Olmedo +came up, and advised Narvaez to order his troops under arms, that +Velasquez might see them and report to Cortes, who would be terrified when +he knew their strength. The troops were accordingly turned out in review +order, and Velasquez complimented Narvaez on their number and martial +appearence, wishing him an increase of his power. Narvaez said he hoped +Velasquez was now satisfied how easily he could crush Cortes and his +despicable force; to which Velasquez replied, he hoped they knew how to +defend themselves. + +Velasquez dined next day with Narvaez, where a captain in his army who was +nephew to the governor of Cuba happened to be, who used very insulting +language respecting Cortes. On this Velasquez requested of Narvaez, that +such insulting language might not be allowed in his hearing; but the other +gentleman continued his abuse, and even took great liberties with +Velasquez himself; who, laying his hand on his sword, asked permission +from Narvaez to chastise that base liar. The other officers who were +present interfered to prevent mischief, and advised both Velasquez and +Olmedo to retire. Velasquez accordingly mounted his excellent grey mare, +in his helmet and coat of mail, with his gold chain about his shoulders, +and took leave of Narvaez, who returned his salute with apparent coldness. +The young captain was again very violent in his abuse; on which Velasquez +swore by his beard, that he should see in a few days what stuff he was +made of. Then, taking a hasty leave of the bystanders, he put spurs to his +good grey mare and was soon out of sight, as he had some hint or suspicion +that Narvaez might send after him, and even saw some horsemen following him +apparently for that purpose, but he was too well mounted for their pursuit. + +In about two hours after Velasquez had left our camp to visit Narvaez, the +drum beat to arms, and our little army set forwards on our march for +Chempoalla. We killed two wild hogs on our way, which our soldiers +considered as a good omen of our ultimate success. We halted for the night +on the side of a rivulet, having the ground for a bed, stones for our +pillows, and heaven for our canopy, and arrived next day at the place +where the city of Vera Cruz is now built, which was then an Indian village +in a grove of trees. Being mid-day and the weather extremely sultry, we +stopped here for rest and refreshment, being much fatigued by the weight +of our lances and armour. While here, a report was brought from one of our +out-posts that some horsemen were in sight, who turned out to be Velasquez +and Olmedo, who were received by Cortes, and all of us with much joy, and +we all came round them to hear the news. Velasquez told Cortes in what +manner he had executed his commission and distributed the presents among +the officers of Narvaez. Then our merry Father Olmedo gave an account by +what finesse he had persuaded Narvaez to read our letter; how he had made +the foolish braggart Salvatierra believe they were cousins, and of the +ridiculous bravadoes he uttered, as how he would kill Cortes and all of us +in revenge for the loss of his horse; then how he had prevailed on Narvaez +to turn out his troops in review, merely to laugh at him; and in all these +stories he mimicked Narvaez and Salvatierra most admirably, so that we +laughed and enjoyed ourselves as if going to a wedding-feast, though we +well knew that on the morrow we must conquer or die, having to attack +five times our number. Such is the fortune of war! After the heat of the +day was over, we proceeded on our march, and halted for the night at a +river about a league from Chempoalla, where there is now a bridge and a +dairy farm. + +After the departure of Father Olmedo and Velasquez from the quarters of +Narvaez, some of his officers gave him warning of the secret practices +going on, and advised him to be on his guard, as Cortes had many friends +in his army. The fat cacique of Chempoalla, being terrified for being +called to account by Cortes for delivering up the women and mantles that +had been confided to his care, was extremely vigilant in watching all our +motions. Finding that we drew near Chempoalla, he said to Narvaez, "Why +are you so careless! _Malinatzin_ and his _teules_ will come upon you by +surprise and put you all to death." Narvaez, being confident in his vast +superiority, laughed heartily at the fears of the fat cacique, yet did not +neglect the warning. In the first place, he declared war against us as +rebels, with fire, sword, and rope, and then drew up his whole army, +cavalry, artillery, and infantry, in a plain about a quarter of a league +from Chempoalla, where he resolved to wait for us; all of which we learned +from a soldier, named El Galleguillo, who either deserted to us, or was +sent by Duero to Cortes. The day happened to be very rainy, and the troops +of Narvaez, being unaccustomed to hardships, and despising our small +number, became restless and dissatisfied with their situation, on which +his officers advised him to march them back to quarters, which he did, +placing all his guns in a line before the house in which he lodged. He +likewise placed a grand guard of forty cavalry on the road by which we +were expected to advance, and some cavalry videts and active foot soldiers +at the ford where we must pass on our way to Chempoalla. Twenty of his +cavalry were also appointed to patrole during the whole night around his +quarters. All this was done by the advice of his officers, who were +anxious to get under cover, and who alleged it was absurd to suppose that +Cortes would venture to attack them with so pitiful a handful of men, and +that he only advanced from ostentation, or to induce them to come to an +agreement. On returning to quarters, Narvaez publickly offered a reward of +two thousand crowns to whoever should kill Cortes or Sandoval; and he +stationed as spies at the ford, Gonzalo Carrasco, who now dwells in La +Puebla, and a soldier named Hurtado. He also filled his own quarters, and +those of Salvatierra, Gamarra, and Buono, with musketeers, crossbow-men, +and soldiers armed with partizans or halberts. + +On arriving at the river which runs through the rich meadows about a +league from Chempoalla, having appointed trusty out-guards, Cortes +summoned all his officers and soldiers round him, and addressed us as +follows: "Gentlemen! you well know that the governor of Cuba selected me +as your general, although there are many among you as worthy of the +command. You also know that it was publickly proclaimed and believed among +us, that we were to conquer and colonize this country, whereas our +instructions were only to barter with the natives for gold. You will +recollect my determination to have returned to Cuba, to give an account of +my mission to Velasquez, when I was required by you to remain and colonize +the country for his majesties service, appointing me your captain-general +and chief magistrate, till his majesties pleasure was made known, and that +we have in consequence essentially served God, and the interest of our +sovereign. I beg leave to remind you, that we have written to the king, +giving him a full account of this country, and all that we have done and +suffered for his service, requesting that the government might not be +conferred on any unworthy person, and how we transmitted all the treasure +to his majesty that we had obtained. You likewise know, that fearing the +arts and influence of the bishop of Burgos and his favourite Velasquez, we +came to a resolution to maintain his majesties rights and government in +this country, till his royal mandate, duly authenticated, should be +produced to us. I must now remind you to what dangers you have been +exposed in various sanguinary battles, what hardships you have suffered +from hunger and fatigue, and the inclemencies of the weather, having often +been obliged to sleep on the ground in rain, wind, and snow, during all +which, above fifty of your companions have died, and many of your own +wounds are still unhealed. I recal to your remembrance, your numerous +sufferings by sea and land, and the perils of Tabasco, Tlascala, and +Cholula, where the boilers were already on the fires in which your limbs +were to have been prepared for the barbarous repast of your savage enemies. +And lastly, your hazardous entry into Mexico, the seizure of its powerful +sovereign, and its occupation in the face of an immense and warlike +population for more than six months. Let me now state the reward of all +these dangerous and brilliant services. Narvaez is sent here by your +enemies the governor of Cuba and bishop of Burgos, to strip you of your +well-earned fame and dear-bought treasures. By aspersing your characters +with the great Montezuma he has occasioned the defection of the natives +who had submitted to our government, and he proclaims exterminating war +against us with fire, sword, and rope, as if we were infidel Moors." He +said a great deal more to the same purpose, exalting our merits and valour +to the skies, and after a profusion of compliments and promises, he +concluded by observing that this Narvaez, who had come to deprive us of +our lives and properties, and had imprisoned the royal oydor for +endeavouring to defend us, only held his command through the favour of our +great enemy the bishop of Burgos; and it became us therefore, as faithful +subjects, to make a bold stand in defence of the royal rights, and our own +lives and properties: He therefore now wished to know our determination on +the subject. + +The whole officers and soldiers declared unanimously that we were ready to +follow him, and determined to conquer or die. We desired, therefore, that +we might hear no more said about an accommodation with Narvaez, or a +partition of the country; as in that case we would plunge our swords into +his body, and elect another chief. Cortes highly extolled our spirited +declaration, saying that he expected no less from men of our valour; +adding a multitude of fine promises and flattering assurances that he +would make us all rich and great. Then adverting to the approaching attack, +he earnestly enjoined us to observe the strictest discipline, and the most +profound silence, observing that success in battle often depended a great +deal more on prudent conduct and precise obedience, than on the most +determined bravery: He well knew, he said, that our ardour would prompt +every one of us to strive who should be most forward in the battle, but it +was indispensably necessary that we should be distributed into companies, +having each our distinct duties to perform. The first thing necessary to +be done, was to seize the enemies artillery, and for this duty he selected +seventy soldiers, among whom I was one, over whom he appointed to the +command his relation Pizarro, an active young man, but then as little +known to fame as the kingdom of Peru. Our farther orders were, as soon as +we had got possession of the guns, that we were to join and support the +detachment which was to attack the quarters of Narvaez. This duty was +assigned to Sandoval at the head of seventy select men; and, as he was +alguazil-major of our army, he was provided with a formal warrant to +arrest the body of Pamphilo de Narvaez, for having imprisoned an officer +of his majesty, and to put him to death in case of resistance. Cortes also +promised a reward of three thousand crowns to the first soldier who should +lay hands on Narvaez, two thousand to the second, and one thousand to the +third. Juan Velasquez de Leon was appointed with a third body of seventy +men, to seize his relation Diego Velasquez; and Cortes retained a body of +reserve of twenty men, to act whatever he might see occasion, and in +particular to support the intended attack on the quarters of Narvaez and +Salvatierra, which were in the lofty temple of Chempoalla[3]. Having thus +arranged the troops and instructed our leaders, he addressed us in a short +speech, saying, That he well knew the army of Narvaez was four times more +numerous than we, but they were unaccustomed to arms, and many of them ill; +he trusted therefore in this unexpected attack, that God would give us +victory, and that it was better to die gloriously than to live dishonoured. +I have often reflected on this circumstance, that in all his addresses to +us, he never once mentioned a word respecting those in the army of Narvaez +who were our friends; in which he acted the part of a wise commander, +making us to rely entirely on our own prowess, without counting on any +assistance. Our three detachments were now formed, having each their +captains at their head, explaining to us our particular duties, while we +mutually encouraged each other to hope for victory. Pizarro, our leader, +directed us to rush forwards upon the guns, with our lances at the charge, +and immediately on getting possession, the artillery-men who were attached +to our division, were to point and fire them against the quarters of +Narvaez. Those who happened at this moment to be deficient in defensive +armour, would have given every thing they had in the world for a morion, a +helmet, or a breast-plate. Our countersign for the engagement was _Spiritu +Santo_, that of Narvaez _Santa Maria_. Just before marching, Captain +Sandoval, who had always been my intimate friend, called me aside, and +made me promise, if I survived the capture of the guns, I should seek out +and attach myself to him during the rest of the battle. + +All things being arranged, we remained waiting the order to march, and +reflecting with much anxiety on what was before us. I was stationed at an +advanced post, where soon afterwards a patrole came to me, asking if I had +heard any thing, to which I answered that I had not. A corporal came up to +my post soon after, who said that Galleguillo, the deserter from Narvaez, +was missing, and was suspected of having come among us as a spy, for which +reason Cortes had given orders to march immediately. The drum was soon +heard beating for us to fall in, and the captains were calling over their +companies. We joined the column, and soon after found the missing soldier +sleeping under some mantles to relieve his fatigue, as he had not been +accustomed to hardships. We marched on at a quick pace, and in profound +silence, and on arriving at the river, surprised the two videts of Narvaez, +one of whom we made prisoner, and the other flying into the town before us, +spread the alarm of our approach. Owing to rain the river was deeper than +usual, and the ford was difficult to pass, from loose stones and the +weight of our armour. Carrasco the videt, whom we had taken, exclaimed to +Cortes, "Do not advance, Senior Cortes, for Narvaez and all his force is +drawn out to receive you." We proceeded, however, with all expedition, and +on coming to the town, heard the other man who had escaped giving the +alarm, and Narvaez calling on his officers to turn out. Our company was at +the head of the column; and rushing on with charged lances, we soon made +ourselves masters of the guns, the artillery-men having only time to +discharge four, one only of which took effect, and killed three of our men. +Our whole force now advanced, and brought down seven of the enemies +cavalry; but we could not for some time quit the guns, as the enemy kept +up a smart discharge of musketry and arrows from the quarters of Narvaez. +Sandoval and his company pressed forwards to climb the steps of the temple, +in which attempt he was resisted by the enemy, with musketry, partizans, +and lances, and was even forced down six or seven steps. At this time, +seeing that the artillery was no longer in danger of being rescued, our +company, with Captain Pizarro at their head, went to the assistance of +Sandoval, when we jointly made the enemy give ground in their turn; and at +this critical moment I heard Narvaez crying out, "Santa Maria assist me! +they have slain me, and beat out one of my eyes!" On hearing this we +shouted out, "Victory! victory! for the Espiritu Santo! Narvaez is dead!" +Still we were unable to force our way into the temple, till Martin Lopez, +who was very tall, set the thatch on fire, and forced those within to rush +down the steps to save themselves from being burnt to death. Sanches +Farfan laid hold on Narvaez, whom we carried prisoner to Sandoval, along +with several other captive captains, continually shouting, "Victory! +victory! Long live the king and Cortes! Narvaez is slain!" + +While this was going on with us, Cortes and the rest of our army were +engaged with some of the enemy who occupied some other lofty temples. When +the cause of our shouts was understood, Cortes notified to them the fall +of their commander, proclaiming that all who did not instantly submit +should be put to death; yet those who were in the temple, commanded by +Diego Velasquez and Salvatierra would not submit, till Sandoval with half +of our body, and the captured guns, forced his way into the temple and +made them all prisoners. Sandoval now returned to take charge of Narvaez, +who was doubly ironed; and we now, had in custody besides him, Salvatierra, +Diego Velasquez, Gamarra, Juan Yuste, Juan Buono, and many other principal +persons. At this time Cortes came in unobserved, extremely fatigued; and +addressing Sandoval, said it was impossible to describe the labour he had +experienced; then asked, "What has become of Narvaez?" Sandoval told him +that Narvaez was here safe. Cortes then said, "Son Sandoval, keep good +watch over him and the other officers." After which he hastened away, and +caused proclamation to be made, that all should lay down their arms and +submit. The whole of this happened during the night, during which there +were frequent showers, with intervals of moon-shine; but at the moment of +attack it was extremely dark, with multitudes of fire flies, which the +soldiers of Narvaez mistook for the lighted matches of our musketry. +Narvaez was badly wounded, and had one of his eyes beaten out, on which +account he requested to send for Master Juan the surgeon; and while he was +getting his eye dressed Cortes entered the room, when Narvaez said to him: +"Senior Cortes! thank your good fortune for having made me your prisoner." +Cortes answered, That his thanks were due to God and his valiant soldiers, +who had succeeded in more difficult achievements since they came to New +Spain; and he considered the arrest of the royal oydor was more daring +than our present attack. He then left the room, with strict injunctions to +Sandoval to keep strict guard. Narvaez and the rest of the captured +officers were removed into a more secure apartment, where I and some other +confidential soldiers were appointed for their guard, and Sandoval gave me +a private order to allow no one to speak with Narvaez. + +Cortes knew that forty of the enemies cavalry were still at an outpost on +the river, and that it was necessary to keep a good look out, lest they +might attack us for the rescue of their officers. He sent, therefore, De +Oli and De Ordas to speak with them, on two horses which were found +fastened in a wood, and guided by one of the soldiers of Narvaez. By their +arguments and fair promises, the horsemen were all persuaded to submit, +and came back with them for that purpose to the town. It was now clear day, +and Cortes was seated in an arm-chair, with an orange-coloured mantle over +his shoulders, and his arms by his side, surrounded by his officers and +soldiers. He received the salutations of the cavaliers, as they came up +successively to kiss his hand, with amazing affability, embracing them all +most cordially, and politely complimenting them. Among these were Bermudez, +Duero, and several others, who were secretly his friends already. Each of +the cavaliers, after paying his respects, went to the quarters assigned +for their lodgings. Ever since day-break, the drums, fifes, and timbals of +the army of Narvaez never ceased their music in honour of Cortes, though +none of us had spoken a word to them on the subject. A comical fellow of a +negro, who belonged to the band, danced for joy, shouting out; "Where are +your Romans now? They never achieved so glorious a victory with such small +numbers!" We could not silence these noisy fellows, till Cortes ordered +them to be confined. In this action, a gentleman of Seville, and +standard-bearer to Narvaez, Roxas, one of his captains, and two others, +were killed, and many wounded; one also of the three who deserted from us +to him was killed, and several wounded. The fat cacique also, who took +refuge in the quarters of Narvaez on our approach, was wounded, and Cortes +ordered him to his house, to be there well taken care of. As for +Salvatierra, who had made so many boasts, his own soldiers said they never +saw so pitiful a fellow. When he heard our drum he was in a terrible +fright, and when we shouted out victory, he declared he had a pain at his +stomach, and could fight no more. Diego Velasquez, who was wounded, was +taken by his relation Juan Velasquez de Leon to his own quarters, where he +was well taken care of, and treated with the utmost attention[4]. + +The reinforcement of warriors which Cortes had been promised from +Chinantla, marched into Chempoalla soon after the conclusion of the action, +under the command of Barrientos, who had marshalled them in a very shewy +manner, in regular files, lancemen and archers alternately, 1500 in number, +accompanied with colours, drums, and trumpets, and making a most warlike +appearance, to the great astonishment of the soldiers of Narvaez, who +thought they were double the number. Our general received them with much +courtesy, and as their services were no longer needed, he made them +handsome presents, and dismissed them with thanks. + +The army of Narvaez being now secured, Cortes sent F. de Lugo to order all +the captains and pilots of the fleet to come to Chempoalla, and directed +all the ships to be dismantled, to cut off all communication with Cuba. +One Barahona, afterwards an inhabitant of Guatimala, had been confined by +Narvaez, and was now set at liberty, who was in a very weak state when he +joined us. The captains and pilots of the fleet came on shore to pay their +respects, and Cortes bound them all by oath not to leave him, appointing +Pedro Cavallero, one of their number, admiral of the whole fleet now in +his possession; and, as more ships were expected from Cuba, gave him +orders to dismantle them all as they arrived, and to send the captains and +pilots to head-quarters. All these important matters being arranged, and +his authority completely established, Cortes proceeded to such measures as +seemed proper for extending and securing the conquest and discovery of New +Spain. For this purpose, Velasquez de Leon was appointed to conduct an +expedition to the river of Panuco, with 220 soldiers, 20 of which were +taken from among ourselves, and 100 from the soldiers of Narvaez: And was +to be accompanied by two ships, on purpose to extend the discovery of the +coast. Diego de Ordas, was appointed with a similar force, to establish a +colony in the province of Guacocualco, or Coatzacualco; and as that +country was well adapted for breeding cattle, he was directed to send to +Jamaica for horses, mares, bulls, and cows, for the purpose of +establishing an independent supply in the country. All the prisoners were +released, except Narvaez and Salvatierra, who still had the pain in his +stomach. Cortes also gave orders to restore all their horses and arms to +the soldiers of Narvaez, which gave us all much dissatisfaction, but we +were obliged to submit. On this occasion I had to resign a good horse with +a saddle and bridle, two swords, three daggers, and a shield. Avila and +Father Olmedo, speaking on this subject to Cortes, said he resembled +Alexander the Great, who was always more generous to the vanquished, than +to his own conquering soldiers. Indeed as fast as Cortes received gold or +other valuables, he gave away all to the captains of the other army, quite +forgetful of us who had made him what he was. Cortes protested that he and +all he had was entirely devoted to our service, as he would shew by his +future conduct; but that his present procedure was necessary for our +common interest and safety, we being so few, and the others so numerous. +Avila, who was of a lofty disposition, remonstrated in an imperious manner, +and Cortes was forced to dissemble with him at the time, knowing him to be +a brave man; he pacified him therefore with presents and flattering +promises, to prevent any violence, but took care in future to employ him +in distant business, as his agent first in Hispaniola, and afterwards in +Spain. + +There happened to come over in the army of Narvaez, a negro who was ill of +the small-pox, a most unfortunate circumstance for the people of New Spain, +as the disease spread with astonishing rapidity through the country, and +destroyed the natives by thousands, as they used to throw themselves into +cold water in the height of the disease, with the nature of which they +were utterly unacquainted. Thus multitudes of unfortunate souls were +hurried into eternity, without an opportunity of being received into the +bosom of the holy Catholic church. At this time, such of our soldiers as +had been in distant garrisons, applied to Cortes to receive their shares +of the gold which had been got in Mexico. As far as I can remember, he +referred them to a place in Tlascala, desiring that two persons might be +sent to receive it at that place; and I shall have occasion to mention +the result hereafter. + + +[1] The date is supplied in the text from attentive consideration of dates + mentioned by Diaz in the sequel, and in this date Clavigero, II. 97, + agrees. Diaz gives no account of the strength of Cortes on the present + occasion, but afterwards mentions 206 soldiers, with five horsemen and + two gunners, independent of 70 more who joined under Sandoval from the + garrison of Villa Rica. This would make the whole force 285 soldiers, + against 1400 who were under the command of Narvaez.--E. + +[2] No such place is to be found in the map of Clavigero, nor in that + recently published by Humbolt.--E. + +[3] These numbers, as arranged for the attack on Narvaez, only amount to + 230 men. At the occupation of Mexico the Spanish army is said to have + been about 450, besides the garrison of Villa Rica. Eighty-three men + are stated to have been left in Mexico under the command of Alvarado, + which would still leave 367 to march under Cortes for Chempoalla, to + which 70 being added from Villa Rica under Sandoval, would raise the + amount of the army now under Cortes to about 437 men, so that about + 207 are unaccounted for in the arrangement for the attack, besides + Ordas, and other eminent captains are not now mentioned in the text. + We may, therefore, reasonably conclude, that these captains and the + unaccounted for remaining force of Cortes, were left at the ford of + the river, about a league from Chempoalla, as a rear guard, on which + to retreat in case of a defeat, or may have formed a main body for the + assault.--E. + +[4] This victory of Cortes over Narvaez took place on the 26th May + 1520.--E. + + + + +SECTION X. + +_Occurrences, from the Defeat of Narvaez, 26th May 1520, to the Expulsion +of the Spaniards from Mexico, on the 1st, and the Battle of Otumba on the +4th of July of the same Year_. + + +The wheel of fortune is ever in motion, evil following closely upon good. +This was strongly exemplified with us at this time, as our late successes +were speedily followed by melancholy news from Mexico by express, +informing us that an insurrection had broke out in that city, that +Alvarado was besieged in his quarters, which the natives had set on fire, +after killing seven of his men and wounding many; for which reason +Alvarado earnestly entreated immediate succour. It is not to be expressed +how much this news afflicted us all. In consequence of this distressing +intelligence, Cortes countermanded the expeditions which were to have +marched under De Leon and De Ordas, and determined upon an immediate +forced march to Mexico. We left Narvaez and Salvatierra as prisoners at +Villa Rica, under the charge of Roderigo Rangel, who was likewise directed +to collect all the stragglers, and to take care of the invalids, who were +numerous: Just as we were ready to march, four principal nobles arrived +from the court of Montezuma, who made a heavy complaint against Alvarado, +who had assaulted them while dancing at a solemn festival in honour of +their gods, which had been held by his permission, and stating that they +had been constrained to take up arms in their own defence, during which +seven of the Spanish soldiers were slain. Cortes made them a short answer, +saying that he would shortly be at Mexico, when he would make proper +inquiry and set all to rights, with which answer they had to return to +Montezuma, who was much displeased with the insulting tone in which it was +given, more especially as a great number of his subjects had been killed +by Alvarado. Before commencing our march, Cortes made a speech to the +soldiers of Narvaez, exhorting them to forget all past animosities, and +not to let the present opportunity be lost of serving both his majesty and +themselves; and by way of inducement, gave them a magnificent picture of +the riches of Mexico, to a participation in which their faithful conduct +would entitle them. They one and all declared their resolution to obey his +orders, and to proceed immediately to Mexico, which they would hardly have +agreed to if they had known its strength, and the numerous martial +population of that city. + +We arrived at Tlascala by very long marches, where we were informed that +the Mexicans had made incessant attacks on Alvarado, until Montezuma and +they received intelligence of the defeat of Narvaez; after which they had +desisted, leaving the Spaniards in great distress, owing to excessive +fatigue from their continual exertions, and much in want of water and +provisions. At Tlascala, Cortes made a general muster and inspection of +our army, which now amounted to thirteen hundred men, of whom nearly an +hundred were cavalry, and a hundred and sixty armed with muskets and +crossbows. We were here joined by two thousand Tlascalan warriors, and +marched from hence to Tezcuco, where we were very ill received, every +thing bearing the appearance of disaffection. + +On St John's day, 24th of June 1520, we again entered Mexico[1], where we +met with a very different reception from what we had experienced on our +former entry, on the 8th November 1519, seven months and a half before. +Not one of the nobles of our acquaintance came now to meet us, and the +whole city seemed to have been deserted by its inhabitants. On entering +our quarters, Montezuma advanced to embrace Cortes, and to congratulate +him on his victory; but our general turned from him with disdain, and +would neither speak to him nor listen to his address, on which the king +returned to his apartment much cast down. Cortes made inquiry into the +causes and circumstances of the late commotion, from all of which it was +evident that it had neither been instigated nor approved by Montezuma; as +if he had chosen to act against our garrison, they might all have been as +easily destroyed as only seven. Alvarado said, that the Indians were +enraged at the detention of their sovereign, and by the erection of the +cross in their temple; and that when they went, as they said by order of +their gods, to pull it down, all their strength was unable to move it from +its place; and that Montezuma had strictly enjoined them to desist from +all such attempts. In justification of himself, Alvarado alleged that the +friends and subjects of Montezuma had planned the attack upon him for the +liberation of their sovereign, at the time when they believed Cortes and +his army had been destroyed by Narvaez: And being questioned why he had +fallen on the Mexicans, while holding a festival in honour of their gods, +he pretended that he had intelligence of their hostile intentions from a +priest and two nobles, and thought it safest to be beforehand with them. +When pressed by Cortes to say whether the Mexicans had not asked and +obtained his permission to hold that festival, he acknowledged it was so, +and that he had fallen upon them by anticipation, that he might terrify +them into submission, and prevent them from going to war with the +Spaniards. Cortes was highly displeased with the conduct of Alvarado, and +censured him in the strongest terms. + +Alvarado alleged that during one of the attacks of the Mexicans on his +quarters, he had endeavoured to fire off one of his guns and could not get +the priming to take fire; but sometime afterwards, when they were in great +danger, the gun went off of itself and made prodigious havock among the +enemy, who were thus miraculously repulsed, and the Spaniards saved from +inevitable destruction. He said also, that the garrison being in great +distress for water, they sank a pit in one of the courts, when immediately +a spring of the sweetest water sprung up. I know that there was a spring +in the city which often produced tolerably fresh water[2]. Glory be to GOD +for all his mercies! Some alleged that Alvarado was excited to this attack +by avarice, in order to plunder the Indians of their golden ornaments +during the festival; but I am satisfied his attack proceeded from a +mistaken idea of preventing insurrection by terror. It is certain, that +even after the massacre at the temple, Montezuma used every endeavour to +prevent his subjects from attacking our people: but they were so enraged +that nothing could restrain their eager thirst for vengeance. + +During our march, Cortes had launched out to the new comers in warm +eulogiums on the riches of Mexico, the power and influence which he had +acquired, and the respect and obedience of the Mexicans, filling them with +promises and expectations of enjoying gold in abundance. From the +negligent coldness of his reception in Tezcuco, and the similar +appearances in Mexico, he became vexed, disappointed, and peevish; +insomuch, that when the officers of Montezuma came to wait upon him, and +expressed the wishes of their master to see him, Cortes exclaimed angrily: +"Away with the dog, wherefore does he neglect to supply us." The captains +De Leon, De Oli, and De Lugo, happening to be present on this occasion, +entreated him to remember the former kindness and generosity of the +Mexican sovereign, and to treat him with moderation. This only seemed to +irritate Cortes so much the more, as it appeared to censure his conduct, +and he indignantly answered: "What obligations am I under to the wretch, +who plotted secretly against me with Narvaez, and who now neglects to +supply us with provisions?" The captains admitted that this ought to be +done, and Cortes being full of confidence in the great military power he +now commanded, continued a haughty demeanour to the Mexican noblemen who +still waited his pleasure. Turning therefore to them, he desired them to +tell their master, that he must immediately order markets to be held, and +provisions to be supplied for his troops, or to beware of the consequences. +These lords understood the general import of the injurious expressions +which Cortes had used against Montezuma, and made a faithful report to him +of all that passed. Whether it may have proceeded from rage on account of +these opprobrious expressions against their sovereign, or from a plan +previously concerted to fall upon us, I know not, but within a quarter of +an hour, a soldier dangerously wounded came running into our quarters, and +reported that the whole people were in arms against us. This man had been +sent by Cortes to bring over to our quarters the daughter of Montezuma and +other Indian ladies, who had been left under the charge of the cacique of +Tacuba, when we marched against Narvaez. He was returning with these +ladies, when the people attacked him in great numbers on the causeway of +Tacuba, where they had broken down one of the bridges, and had once seized +him, and were forcing him into a canoe to carry him off to be sacrificed; +but he extricated himself by a violent effort, and got away with two +dangerous wounds. + +Cortes immediately ordered out a detachment of 400 men under Ordas, to see +what was the matter, and to endeavour to pacify the people; but he had +hardly proceeded the length of a street, when he was assailed by immense +numbers of the natives, some in the street, and others from the terraced +tops of the houses, who killed eight of his men on the first discharge of +missiles, and wounded mostly the whole of his men, himself in three places. +Finding it impossible to proceed, Ordas retreated slowly towards our +quarters, and soon after lost another soldier, who did astonishing feats +of valour with a two-handed sword. The streets were so crowded with +enemies, and we were so incessantly attacked in front and rear, and from +the roofs, that for a long while he was unable to force his way. Neither +the effect of our fire-arms, nor the most efficacious use of our other +arms could deter the natives from closing in upon us hand to hand, and +foot to foot; but at length Ordas forced his way back, having lost in all +twenty-three of his men. Our quarters were attacked by prodigious +multitudes at the same moment that the attack on Ordas began, and they +poured in such incessant discharges of missile weapons, that they soon +wounded above forty-six of our men, of whom twelve afterwards died. Even +after the retreat of Ordas, the enemy continued their attacks, and at +length set fire to various parts of the buildings forming our quarters, +thinking to burn us alive or to stifle us with smoke; and we were reduced +to the necessity of tearing down some parts of the building, and to throw +earth upon other parts, to extinguish the fire. All the courts and open +places of our quarters were thickly strewed with arrows, stones, and darts, +which had been thrown at us; and we were occupied the whole day and night, +in repelling the incessant assaults, repairing the breaches in our +defences, dressing our wounds, and preparing for future assaults. At dawn +of the ensuing morning, we sallied out with our whole force, determined to +conquer or to impress them with respect. The Mexicans met us with the +utmost resolution, and though we fought almost in despair, their numbers +were so immense, and they continually brought up such strong +reinforcements of fresh troops, that even if we had all been Hectors or +Orlandos, we could not have forced them to give ground. It is quite +impossible to give any adequate idea of the obstinacy and violence of this +battle. Though in every reiterated charge we brought down thirty or forty +of the enemy, it had no effect, as they returned upon us with more +violence and desperation than before; our musketry and cannon made no +impression that was not instantly replaced; and if at any time they gave +ground, it was only to draw us farther from our quarters, to make our +destruction more sure. In the midst of all this, the stones and darts +which were launched upon us from the terraces of the house tops did us +astonishing injury. Some of our soldiers who had been in the wars of Italy +declared, that neither among Christians or Turks, nor even in the French +artillery, had they ever seen such desperate fighting as now among these +Indians. We were at length forced to retreat to our quarters, which we +reached with infinite difficulty, after losing ten or twelve of our men +killed, and almost every one of us severely wounded. + +After our return, we were busily occupied in preparing for a general sally +on the next day after but one, with four military engines of strong timber +like towers, each of which was calculated to contain twenty-five men under +cover, with portholes for the artillery, and for muskets and crossbows. +During this interval we had likewise to repair the breaches which the +Mexicans had made in our walls, and to resist their attempts to scale them, +often in twenty places at once. The Mexicans constantly used the most +injurious language against us; saying that the voracious animals in the +great temple had been kept fasting for two days, that they might be ready +to devour our bodies, when we were sacrificed to their gods. They assured +us at the same time that our allies were to be put into cages to fatten, +and that they would soon recover our ill got treasure. Sometimes they +adjured us in the most plaintive terms to restore their king to liberty, +and they annoyed us without ceasing by flights of arrows, constantly +shouting and whistling. On the ensuing morning at day-break, having first +recommended ourselves to GOD, we sallied out from our quarters with the +turrets, such as I have seen in other places, and called _mantas_ or +_burros_. Our column was headed by a party of musketeers and crossbow-men, +and our cavalry on our flanks, occasionally charging the enemy. Our +purpose was to assail the great temple, which by its elevation and strong +enclosures, served as a citadel to the Mexicans, and we advanced therefore +in that direction, accompanied by our turrets; but the enemy resisted all +our efforts with the most determined obstinacy. I will not attempt to +relate all the circumstances of this desperate battle, or the difficulty +which we had to encounter in driving the enemy from a very strong house +which they occupied. The arrows of the Mexicans wounded many of our horses, +notwithstanding that they wore defensive armour; and when our cavalry +attempted at any time to charge or to pursue the enemy, they threw +themselves into the canals, while others sallied out from the houses on +both sides with long lances, assailing our people in the rear and on both +flanks. It was utterly impossible for us to burn the houses, or to pull +them down, as they all stood singly in the water, communicating only by +means of draw-bridges; and it was too dangerous for us to attempt reaching +them by swimming, as they showered vollies of stones upon us by slings, +and threw large stones upon our heads from the terraces of their house +tops. Even when a house was set on fire, it was very long of taking effect; +and even when we succeeded, the flames could not communicate to the other +houses, as they were all separated by canals, and their roofs were +terraced, not thatched. + +At length we reached the great temple, into which four thousand of the +Mexicans immediately rushed, independent of other large bodies who were +previously stationed there for its defence. They defended their temple +with the most obstinate valour, and for some time prevented us from being +able to ascend, our turrets, musketry, and cavalry, being of no avail to +force them to give ground. The pavements of the temple courts were so +smooth, that the horses fell when our cavalry attempted to charge. They +opposed us in front from the steps of the great temple, and assailed us +with such fury on both flanks and in the rear, that though our guns swept +off a dozen or fifteen of them at every discharge, and though in each +charge of our infantry we killed many of them with our swords and lances, +they continually filled up the chasms we had made among them, and their +numbers and resolution were so great that we could not make any permanent +or effectual impression. We were even forced to abandon our _mantas_ or +turrets, which the enemy had demolished. At length, by a desperate effort, +we forced our way up the steps, and in this assault Cortes shewed himself +a hero. Our battle in this place was most desperate, every man among us +being covered with blood, and above forty of our number lay dead on the +spot. We reached with infinite difficulty the place where we had formerly +set up the image of the blessed Virgin, which was not to be found, as it +had been removed by order of Montezuma, either through fear or from +devotion to his idols. We set fire to the buildings, and burnt down a part +of the temples of Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca; and while some of us +were employed in setting fire to the buildings, and others fighting, in +which our Tlascalan allies seconded us most gallantly, above three +thousand Mexican nobles, headed by their priests, made a most severe +attack, and drove us down eight or ten of the steps. Others of the enemy +from the corridors, or within the railings and concavities of the temple, +assailed us on every side with arrows and other missiles, so that we were +unable even to maintain the ground we had gained. We were constrained +therefore to retreat, every man of us being wounded, and forty-six of our +number slain. We regained our quarters with the utmost difficulty, which +the enemy had almost gained possession of, as they had been continually +endeavouring to carry them by assault during our absence, or to set them +on fire. But they desisted in a great measure from the assault on our +arrival, yet continued to throw in perpetual showers of arrows, darts, and +stones. In the course of this most terrible engagement, we made two of the +chief priests prisoners, whom we carried along with us to our quarters. I +have often seen representations of this battle in Mexican paintings, both +at Mexico and Tlascala, in which the various incidents were represented in +a very lively manner. Our ascent to the great temple; the setting the +temple on fire; the numerous warriors defending it in the corridors, from +behind the rails, and in the concavities, and others on the plain ground, +in the courts of the temple, and on all sides of us; many of our men being +represented as dead, and all of us covered with wounds. In these paintings, +the destruction of our turrets is conspicuously represented as a most +heroic achievement. + +The night which succeeded this unfortunate battle was passed by us in a +most melancholy state; repairing the breaches which had been made in the +walls of our quarters, dressing our wounds, burying our slain companions, +and consulting upon measures for extricating us from our present almost +hopeless situation. The followers of Narvaez heaped maledictions on Cortes +for leading them to Mexico, and Velasquez came in for an ample share of +their abuse, for having induced them to quit their peaceful habitations in +Cuba. The enemy assembled around us again at day-break, and assailed our +quarters with greater fury than ever, insomuch that our fire-arms were +insufficient to repel them, though they mowed them down in great numbers. +In this desperate situation, Cortes sent for Montezuma, whom he desired to +address his subjects from a terrace, desiring them to desist from their +attacks, assuring them that we would immediately evacuate the city. On +receiving this message, Montezuma burst into tears, exclaiming, "What does +he want with me now? I have been reduced to my present unhappy state on +his account, and I neither wish to see him nor to live any longer?" He +therefore dismissed the messengers with a refusal, and it is reported that +he added, that he desired not to be any more troubled with the false words +and specious promises of Cortes. Father Olmedo and Captain De Oli went to +wait upon him, and used all possible expressions of respect and affection +to induce him to comply with the request of Cortes. To this he replied, +that he did not believe any thing he could now do would be of any avail, +as the Mexicans had elected another sovereign, and were resolved not to +allow a single Spaniard to quit the city alive. He made his appearance +however at the railing of a terraced roof, attended by many of our +soldiers, and made a very affectionate address to the people below, +earnestly entreating a cessation of hostilities, that we might evacuate +Mexico. As soon as Montezuma was perceived, the chiefs and nobles made +their troops to desist from the attack, and commanded silence. Then four +of the principal nobles came forwards, so near as to be able to hold +conversation with Montezuma whom they addressed, lamenting the misfortunes +which had befallen him and his family. They told him that they had raised +_Cuitlahuatzin_[3] to the throne; that the war would soon be ended, as +they had promised to their gods never to desist till they had utterly +destroyed the Spaniards; that they offered up continual prayers for the +safety of Montezuma their beloved sovereign, whom they would venerate and +obey as formerly, as soon as they had rescued him from our hands, and +hoped he would pardon all they had done for the defence of their religion +and independence, and their present disobedience. Just as they concluded +this address, a shower of arrows fell about the place where Montezuma +stood; and though the Spaniards had hitherto protected him by interposing +their shields, they did not expect any assault while he was speaking to +his subjects, and had therefore uncovered him for an instant; in that +unguarded state, three stones and an arrow hit him on the head, the arm, +and the leg, wounding him severely. Montezuma refused every assistance, +and all the endeavours of Father Olmedo could not prevail upon him to +embrace the holy Catholic faith, neither could he be prevailed upon to +have his wounds attended to. When informed of his death, Cortes and our +captains lamented him exceedingly, and all of us soldiers who had been +acquainted with his generosity and other amiable qualities, grieved as for +the loss of a father. He was said to have reigned seventeen years, and to +have been the best of all the sovereigns who had ruled over Mexico; having +fought and conquered in three pitched battles, while subjugating other +states to his dominions. + +After the death of Montezuma, Cortes sent two of our prisoners, a nobleman +and a priest, with a message to the new sovereign Cuitlahuatzin, to inform +him of the melancholy event, which had happened by the hands of his own +subjects; to express our grief on the occasion; and our wish that +Montezuma might be interred with that respect which was due to his exalted +character. Cortes likewise informed these messengers, that he did not +acknowledge the right of the sovereign whom the Mexicans had chosen, as +the throne ought to belong to the son of the great Montezuma, or to his +cousin, who was now a prisoner in our quarters. He desired them also to +say, if they would desist from hostilities, we would immediately march out +of their city. He then ordered the body of Montezuma to be carried out by +six nobles, and attended by most of the priests whom we had taken +prisoners, desiring them to deliver the body of their deceased monarch to +the Mexican chiefs, according to his dying injunctions. We could hear the +exclamations of sorrow which were expressed by the people, at the sight of +the body of their late sovereign; but our message was unavailing, as they +recommenced their attack on our quarters with the utmost violence, +threatening that in two days we should all pay with our lives for the +death of their king and the dishonour of their gods, as they had now a +sovereign whom we could not deceive as we had done by the good Montezuma. + +Our situation was now exceedingly alarming, and on the day after the death +of Montezuma, we made another sally towards that part of the city which +contained many houses built on the firm ground, meaning to do all the +injury we could, and, taking advantage of the causeway, to charge through +the enemy with our cavalry, hoping to intimidate them by severe military +execution, so as to induce them to grant us a free passage; we accordingly +forced our way to that part of the city, where we burnt down about twenty +houses, and very nearly reached the firm land[4]. But the injury we did +the enemy was dearly purchased by the death of twenty of our soldiers, and +we were unable to gain possession of any of the bridges, which were all +partly broken down, and the enemy had constructed barricades or +retrenchments in various places to obstruct the cavalry, wherever they +could have done most essential service. Thus our troubles and perplexities +continually increased, and we were forced again to fight our way back to +our quarters. In this sally, which took place on a Thursday, Sandoval and +others of our cavalry acted with great bravery; but those who came with +Narvaez, not having been accustomed to such service, were timorous in +comparison with our veterans. The number and fury of our enemies increased +daily, while our force was diminished by each successive attack, and from +our wounds we were become less able for resistance. Our powder was almost +entirely expended; provisions and water became scarce; our friend +Montezuma was no more; all our proposals for peace were rejected; the +bridges by which we might have retreated were broken down; and in fine +nothing but death in its direst form of immolation to their horrible idols +appeared before us. In this state almost bordering on despair, it was +resolved by Cortes in a consultation with all his confidential officers +and soldiers, to make an attempt to quit the city during the night, as we +were in expectation to find the enemy less upon their guard than in the +day time. In order to deceive them, a message was sent by one of their +chief priests who had been made prisoner, engaging to give up all the +treasure in our possession, if they would give us permission within eight +days to quit the city. Four days before this, one Botello, who pretended +to be an astrologer, predicted that if we did not leave Mexico on this +very night, that none of us would ever get out of it alive, adding many +other foolish particulars to his prophecy. + +As it was determined to endeavour to force our way from the city, a +portable bridge of very strong timber was prepared for enabling us to pass +over the canals or passages in the causeway, where the enemy had broken +down the bridges; and one hundred and fifty of our soldiers, with four +hundred Tlascalan allies, were appointed for conveying, guarding, and +placing this bridge. The advanced guard of an hundred of our youngest and +most active men, was commanded by Sandoval, assisted by Azevedo, De Lugo, +De Ordas, and De Tapia, with eight of the captains that came with Narvaez. +The rear guard of an hundred men, mostly those of Narvaez, and the greater +part of our cavalry, was confided to Alvarado and Velasquez de Leon. Donna +Marina and Donna Luisa, with the Mexican chiefs who were prisoners, were +placed under an escort of thirty Spanish soldiers and three hundred +Tlascalans: Our general, with Avila, Oli, and other officers, and fifty +soldiers, formed a body of reserve to act where they might be most needed. +The rest of our soldiers and allies, with the baggage, formed a main body +along with which the prisoners and their especial escort was to move, +under protection of the van and rear guards. By the time that all these +arrangements were completed, it drew towards night, and Cortes caused all +the gold, which had hitherto been kept in his apartment, to be brought +into the great hall of our quarters, when he desired Avila and Mexia, the +kings officers, to take charge of what belonged to his majesty, assigning +them eight wounded horses and above fourscore Mexicans for its conveyance. +When these were loaded with all the gold they were able to carry, a great +deal more remained heaped up in the saloon. Cortes then desired his +secretary Hernandez and other notaries to bear witness that he could no +longer be responsible for this gold; and desired the soldiers to take as +much as they pleased, saying it were better for them to have it, than to +leave it to their Mexican enemies. Upon this many of the soldiers of +Narvaez, and some even of our veterans, loaded themselves with treasure. I +was never avaricious, and was now more intent on saving my life than on +the possession of riches: I took the opportunity, however, of carrying off +four calchihuis from a casket, though Cortes had ordered his major-domo to +take especial care of this casket and its contents, and these jewels were +of infinite use to me afterwards, as a resource against famine, as they +are highly prized by the Indians. The memorable night of our leaving +Mexico, was dark, with much mist and some rain. Just before midnight, the +detachment having charge of the portable bridge moved off from our +quarters, followed in regular succession by the other divisions of our +army. On coming to the first aperture in the causeway of Tacuba or +Tlacopan, by which we retreated as being the shortest, the bridge was laid +across, and was passed by the vanguard, the baggage, artillery, part of +the cavalry, the Tlascalans with the gold. Just as Sandoval and his party +had passed, and Cortes with his body of reserve, the trumpets of the enemy +were heard, and the alarm was given on every side, the Mexicans shouting +out, "_Tlaltelulco! Tlaltelulco_[5]! out with your canoes! the teules are +marching off, assail them at the bridges!" In an instant the enemy +assailed us on every side, some on the land and others in their canoes, +which swarmed on the lake and the canals on both sides of our road, and so +numerous were they and so determined that they entirely intercepted our +line of march, especially at the broken bridges, and from this moment +nothing but confusion and dismay prevailed among our troops. It rained so +heavily that some of the horses became restive and plunged into the water +with their riders; and to add to our distress our portable bridge was +broken down at this first gap, and it was no longer serviceable. The enemy +attacked us with redoubled fury, and as our soldiers made a brave +resistance, the aperture became soon choked up with the dead and dying men +and horses, intermixed with artillery, packs and bales of baggage, and +those who carried them, all heaped up in the water. Many of our companions +were drowned at this place, and many were forced into canoes and hurried +away to be sacrificed. It was horrible to hear the cries of these +unfortunate captives, calling upon us for aid which we were unable to give, +and invoking the blessed Virgin and all the saints in vain for deliverance. +Others of our companions escaped across those gaps in the causeway, by +clambering over the confused mass of dead bodies and luggage by which they +were filled, and were calling out for assistance to help them up on the +other side; while many of them, thinking themselves in safety when they +got to the firm ground, were there seized by the Mexicans, or killed with +war clubs. All the regularity which had hitherto guided our march was now +utterly lost and abandoned. Cortes and all the mounted officers and +soldiers galloped off along the causeway, providing for their own +immediate safety, and leaving all the rest to save ourselves as we best +might: Nor can I blame them for this procedure, as the cavalry could do +nothing against the enemy, who threw themselves into the water on both +sides of the causeway when attacked, while others, by continual flights of +arrows from the houses, or with long lances from the canoes on each side, +killed and wounded the men and horses. Our powder was all expended, so +that we were unable to do any injury to the Mexicans in the canoes. In +this situation of utter confusion and derout, the only thing we could do +was by uniting together in bands of thirty or forty, to endeavour to force +our way to the land: When the Indians closed upon us, we exerted our +utmost efforts to drive them off with our swords, and then hurried our +march to get over the causeway as soon as possible. Had we waited for each +other, or had our retreat been in the day, we had all been inevitably +destroyed. The escape of such as made their way to land, was due to the +mercy of God who gave us strength to force our way; for the multitudes +that surrounded us, and the melancholy sight of our companions hurried +away in the canoes to instant sacrifice, was horrible in the extreme. +About fifty of us, mostly soldiers of Cortes, with a few of those who came +with Narvaez, stuck together in a body, and made our way along the +causeway through infinite difficulty and danger. Every now and then strong +parties of Indians assailed us, calling us _luilones_, their severest term +of reproach, and using their utmost endeavours to seize us. As soon as we +thought them within reach, we faced about and repelled them with a few +thrusts of our swords, and then resumed our march. We thus proceeded, +until at last we reached the firm ground near Tacuba, where Cortes, +Sandoval, De Oli, Salcedo, Dominguez, Lares, and others of the cavalry, +and such of the infantry as had got across the bridge before it was broken +down, had already arrived[6]. + +On our approach, we heard the voices of Sandoval, De Oli, and Morla, +calling on Cortes to return to the assistance of those who were still on +the causeway, who loudly complained of being abandoned. Cortes replied, +that it was a miracle any should have escaped, and that all who returned +to the bridges would assuredly be slain: Yet he actually did return with +ten or twelve of the cavalry and such of the infantry as had escaped +unhurt, and proceeded along the causeway to attempt the succour of such as +might be still engaged. He had not gone far when he met Alvarado badly +wounded, accompanied by three of our soldiers, four of those belonging to +Narvaez, and eight Tlascalans, all severely wounded and covered with blood. +These Alvarado assured him were all that remained of the rear-guard, +Velasquez de Leon and about twenty of the cavalry, and above an hundred of +the infantry, who had belonged to his division, being all slain, or made +prisoners and carried away to be sacrificed. He said farther, that after +all the horses were slain, about eighty had assembled in a body and passed +the first gap on the heaps of luggage and dead bodies; that at the other +bridge the few who now accompanied him were saved by the mercy of God. I +do not now perfectly recollect in what manner he passed that last aperture, +as we were all more attentive to what he related of the death of Velasquez +and above two hundred of our unhappy companions. As to that last fatal +bridge, which is still called _Salto de Alvarado_, or the Leap of Alvarado, +we were too much occupied in saving our own lives to examine whether he +leaped much or little. He must, however, have got over on the baggage and +dead bodies; for the water was too deep for him to have reached the bottom +with his lance, and the aperture was too wide and the sides too high for +him to have leaped over, had he been the most active man in the world. In +about a year after, when we besieged Mexico, I was engaged with the enemy +at that very bridge which was called Alvarados Leap, where the enemy had +constructed breastworks and barricades, and we all agreed that the leap +was impossible. One Ocampo, a soldier who came with Garay, who used to +amuse himself with lampoons, made one on this supposed feat of Alvarado, +saying, "That fear made him give that prodigious leap, leaving Velasquez +and two hundred more to their fate as he leaped for his life." As Cortes +found, by the information of Alvarado, that the causeway was entirely +filled by the enemy, who must have intercepted all the rest of our +companions, he returned to Tacuba, where all who had escaped were now +collected. Messengers had been already sent from Mexico, ordering all the +people of Tacuba, Ezcapuzalco, Tenajocan, and other neighbouring cities on +that side of the lake, to collect and attack us; and they now began to +surround us in the inclosed courts of Popotla where we had taken shelter, +harassing us with stones and arrows, and even attacking us with lances, +many of which were headed with the swords which we lost during our retreat. +We defended ourselves against this attack as well as we could, and made +several sallies to drive them off. But, as the enemy continually increased +in number, it was determined to endeavour to reach Tlascala, for which +purpose we set out under the direction of six or seven of our allies who +were well acquainted with the country. After a fatiguing march by an +indirect road, during which we were much harassed by the enemy, who plied +us with stones and arrows, we reached some houses on a hill near a temple, +where we defended ourselves, and took such care as we could of our wounds; +but could get no provisions. After the conquest of Mexico, a church was +built on the site of this temple, and dedicated to _Nuestra Senora de los +Remedios_, our Lady of Succour, to which many ladies and other inhabitants +of Mexico, now go in procession to pay nine days devotion[7]. + +Our wounds had become extremely painful from cold, and want of proper +dressings, and we now bound them up as well as we could. We had to deplore +the loss of great numbers of our valiant companions, most of the soldiers +of Narvaez having lost their lives by being overloaded with gold. Poor +Botello the astrologer was killed among the rest. The sons of Montezuma, +Cacamatzin who had been prince of Tezcuco, and all the other prisoners, +among whom were some Mexican princes, lost their lives on this fatal night +of our retreat from Mexico. All our artillery were lost. We had only +twenty-three horses remaining, and very few crossbows; and our situation +was melancholy and desperate in the extreme, having no other resource but +to endeavour to reach Tlascala, and even there our reception was +exceedingly uncertain[8]. After dressing our wounds, and making arrows for +our crossbows, during which employment we were incessantly harassed in our +present post, we proceeded at midnight on our march, under the direction +of our faithful Tlascalans. Some of those who were badly wounded had to +walk with the aid of crutches; others were assisted on each side by some +of their companions; and those who were utterly unable to support +themselves were placed upon lame horses. Thus, making head against the +enemy with as many of the infantry as could bear arms, and having the +cavalry who were able to act in front and on our flanks, with the wounded +Spaniards and allies in the centre, we marched on continually harassed by +the enemy, who reviled us, saying that we should soon meet our destruction; +words that we did not then understand. I have forgot to mention the +satisfaction we all enjoyed at finding Donna Marina and Donna Luisa had +been saved in our retreat from Mexico. Having crossed among the first, +they had been brought safe to Popotla by the exertions of two brothers of +Donna Luisa, all the rest of the female Indians having been lost in the +retreat. + +On this day we reached a large town named Gualtitlan[9]. From that place +we continued our march, still harassed at every step by the enemy, whose +numbers and boldness increased as we advanced, insomuch that they killed +two of our lame soldiers and one of our horses at a difficult pass, +wounding many both of our horses and ourselves. Having repulsed them, we +reached some villages, where we halted for the night, making our supper of +the slain horse[10]. We began our march very early next morning, and had +only proceeded about a league, believing ourselves now almost in safety, +when three of our videts came in with a report that the whole extent of a +plain through which we must necessarily pass was covered over by an +innumerable army. This intelligence was truly terrifying to our small +numbers, worn out with fatigue and privations, and covered with wounds; +yet we resolved to conquer or die, as we had indeed no other alternative. +We were immediately halted and formed in order of battle, the infantry +being directed to use their swords only in thrusts, by which we exposed +ourselves less to the weapons of the enemy, and the cavalry were ordered +to charge clear through at half speed, with their lances levelled at the +faces of the enemy, never stopping to make thrusts. While recommending +ourselves to God and his Holy Mother, and invoking the aid of St Jago, the +enemy began to close around us, and we resolved to sell our lives dearly, +or force our way through. The infantry being drawn up in a solid column, +and our cavalry formed in bodies of five, we proceeded to the attack. It +is impossible to describe the tremendous battle which ensued: How we +closed hand to hand, and with what fury the enemy attacked us, wounding us +with their clubs and lances and two-handed swords; while our cavalry, +favoured by the even surface of the plain, rode through them at will with +couched lances, bearing down the enemy wherever they came, and fighting +most manfully though they and their horses were all wounded. We too of the +infantry did our best, regardless of our former wounds and of those we now +received, closing up with the enemy, and using every effort to bear them +down with our swords. Cortes, Alvarado, and De Oli, though all wounded, +continued to make lanes through the throng of the enemy, calling out to us +to strike especially at the chiefs, who were easily distinguished by their +plumes of feathers, golden ornaments, rich arms, and curious devices. The +valiant Sandoval encouraged us by his example and exhortations, exclaiming, +"Now is the day of victory! Trust in God, who will still preserve us to do +him service." We were all resolute to conquer or die, and were assuredly +assisted by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin, and St Jago; as was +afterwards certified by a chief belonging to Guatimotzin, who was present +in this battle. Though some were killed and many wounded, we continued to +maintain our ground, yet the enemy never relaxed in their efforts. At +length it was the will of God, that Cortes, accompanied by Sandoval, De +Oli, Alvarado, Avila, and other captains, came up to that part of the +enemy in which their commander-in-chief was posted, who was distinguished +from all the rest by his rich golden arms, and highly adorned plume of +feathers, and the grand standard of the army[11]. Immediately on Cortes +perceiving this chief, who was surrounded by many nobles wearing plumes of +feathers, he exclaimed to his companions, "Now, gentlemen, let us charge +these men, and if we succeed the day is our own." Then, recommending +themselves to God, they charged upon them, and Cortes struck the Mexican +chief and threw down his standard, he and the other cavaliers effectually +breaking and dispersing this numerous body. The Mexican chief, however, +was making his escape, but was pursued and slain by Juan de Salamanca, who +seized his rich plume of feathers and presented it to Cortes, saying, that +as he had first struck the Mexican general and overthrown the standard, +the trophy of the conquest was his undoubted right. + +It pleased God, that the enemy should relax in their efforts immediately +on learning the death of their general and of the numerous chiefs who +surrounded him. On perceiving that they began to retreat, we forgot our +hunger, thirst, fatigue, and wounds, and thought of nothing but victory +and pursuit. Our scanty cavalry followed them up close, dealing +destruction around them on every side; and our faithful allies fought like +lions, mowing down all before them with the arms which the enemy threw +away to facilitate their flight. On the return of our cavalry from the +pursuit, we gave humble thanks to God for our unexpected victory and +miraculous preservation. Never had the Mexican empire collected together +so large a force as on this occasion; being composed of all the warriors +of Mexico, Tezcuco, and Tlalcopan, headed by the whole nobility of these +nations, magnificently armed and adorned, and all determined not to leave +a single trace of us upon earth. This great and decisive battle was fought +in the neighbourhood of a place called Obtumba, Otumba, or Otompan. I have +frequently seen it, and all the other battles we fought against the +Mexicans, antecedent to the final conquest, admirably represented in +Mexican paintings. It is now proper to mention, that we entered Mexico to +relieve Alvarado on the 24th of June 1520, with upwards of 1300 soldiers, +including 97 cavalry, 80 musketeers, and 80 armed with crossbows; having +with us a great train of artillery, and 2000 warriors of our allies the +Tlascalans. Our flight from Mexico was on the 1st of the succeeding month +of July, and the battle of Obtumba on the 4th of that month. In Mexico, +during our passage of the causeway, on our march, and in the battle, we +lost above 870 soldiers, including 72 of those belonging to Narvaez, and +five Spanish women, who were put to death at a place called Tustepeque. +Upwards of 1200 of our Tlascalan allies were also killed; as were Juan de +Alcantara and two more who had been sent from Chempoalla for the share of +the gold assigned to the garrison of Villa Rica, who were robbed and +murdered. Upon the whole, all who were concerned in the treasure came to +bad fortune; and thus a much greater proportion of the soldiers of Narvaez +perished in the flight from Mexico than of our veterans, as they had +avariciously loaded themselves with gold on that unhappy night[12]. + + +[1] We are not writing the history of the conquest of Mexico, yet may be + allowed to say that Cortes committed a gross military error, in + entering Mexico without establishing a strong communication of posts + between that insulated city and the land, along one of the causeways; + which he might easily have done along the shortest causeway of Tacuba + or Tlacopan, or by the aqueduct of Chapoltepec.--E. + +[2] It is to be noticed that the lake in which the city of Mexico was + built contained water so salt as to be unfit for drinking.--E. + +[3] This prince, whom Diaz names Coadlavaca, was brother to Montezuma, + prince of Iztapalapan, and Tlachcocoatl, or grand general of the + Mexican army.--E. + +[4] The expression in the text, of having nearly reached the firm land, is + rather obscure, and may possibly mean that they had nearly forced + their way along one of the causeways leading from the insular city to + the continental shore of the lake.--E. + +[5] Tlaltelulco was the name of that division of the city of Mexico + through which the Spaniards marched in their way towards the causeway + of Tacuba, and was probably used to summon the inhabitants of that + quarter to the attack.--E. + +[6] Clavigero, II. 116, says that the miserable remnant of the Spaniards + assembled in Popotla, a village near Tacuba or Tlacopan. Diaz is often + negligent of dates, but we learn in a subsequent passage, that this + disastrous retreat from Mexico was on the 1st of July 1520.--E. + +[7] This place is about nine miles W.N.W. from Mexico, and only about a + mile and a half from Tacuba. Its Mexican name, according to Clavigero, + was Otoncalpolco. It is almost in an opposite direction from the road + to Tlascala, but was probably chosen on purpose to avoid the populous + hostile vale of Mexico, and to get as soon as possible among the hills, + and among some of the conquered tribes who bore the Mexican yoke with + impatience. Clavigero says that the Spaniards procured at this place + some refreshments from a tribe of Otomies, who inhabited two + neighbouring hamlets.--E. + +[8] The distance from where they now were to Tlascala was between 80 and + 90 miles in a straight line; but as they chose a very circuitous route, + by the west and north of the lakes in the vale of Mexico, before + turning south-eastwards to Tlascala, their march must have much + exceeded that distance.--E. + +[9] Named Quauhtitlan by Clavigero, and Guautitlan, Huauhtitlan or + Teutitlan, in Humboldts map of the Vale of Mexico.--E. + +[10] As related in the text, this march to the villages appears to have + been made on the same day with that to Guauhtitlan, and the battle of + Otumba or Otompan, to have been fought on the second day of the march + from Popotla or _Los Remedios_. But the distances and difficulty of + the march renders this almost impossible. The chronology and distances, + taking the names of some of the stages from Clavigero, II. 117, and + the distances from Humboldts map, may have been as follows; Retreat + from Mexico to Popotla, 1st July, 9 miles. March to Quauhtitlan, 2d + July, 10 miles. To Xoloc, 3d July, 13 miles. To Zacamolco, 4th July, + 10 miles. To Otompan, 5th July, 3 miles:--and indeed these dates are + sufficiently confirmed by Diaz himself in the sequel.--E. + +[11] According to Clavigero, II. 118, this standard was a net of gold + fixed to a staff ten palms long, which was firmly tied to his back, + and was called by the Mexicans Tlahuizmatlaxopilli.--E. + +[12] Cortes entered Mexico with above 1300 men, and there were there under + Alvarado about 75. Of these above 870 were slain, down to the close of + the battle of Otumba; so that about 500 still remained under the + command of Cortes. Diaz reckons only 440; but these were probably + exclusive of such as were entirely disabled from service by their + wounds.--E. + + + + +SECTION XI. + +_Occurrences from the Battle of Otumba till the march of Cortes to besiege +Mexico_. + + +Immediately after the victory, we resumed our march for Tlascala, cheered +by our success, and subsisted on a kind of gourds, called _ayotes_, which +we found in the country through which we passed. We halted for the night +in a strong temple, being occasionally alarmed by detached parties of the +Mexicans, who still kept hovering about us, as if determined to see us +out of their country. From this place we were rejoiced at seeing the +mountains of Tlascala, being anxious to ascertain the fidelity of these +allies, and to hear news from our friends at Villa Rica. Cortes warned us +to be exceedingly cautious of giving any offence to the Tlascalans, and +particularly enforced this advice on the soldiers of Narvaez, who were +less accustomed to discipline. He said that he hoped to find our allies +steady in their attachment; but if they should have changed in consequence +of our misfortunes, although we were now only 440 strong, all wounded and +ill armed, we still possessed vigorous bodies and firm minds to carry us +through, if necessary, to the coast. We now arrived at a fountain on the +side of a hill, where we came to a rampart built in ancient times as a +boundary between the state of Tlascala and the dominions of Mexico. We +halted here, and then proceeded to a town called Gualiopar, or Huejotlipan, +where we halted one day, and procured some food for which we were obliged +to pay. Immediately on our arrival being announced at Tlascala, our +friends Maxicatzin, Xicotencatl, Chichimecatl, the chief of Huexatcinco, +and others, came to wait upon Cortes, whom they embraced, yet kindly +blamed him for having neglected their advice to distrust the treachery of +the Mexicans. They wept for the losses we had sustained, yet rejoiced at +our escape, and praised our valiant actions; assuring us that they were +assembling 30,000 of their warriors to have joined us at Obtumba. They +were rejoiced to see Donna Marina and Donna Luisa, and lamented the loss +of the other ladies. Maxicatzin in particular bewailed the fate which had +befallen his daughter and Velasquez de Leon, to whom he had given her. +They invited us to their city, where we were kindly received, and where we +reposed in peace and safety after our many and severe hardships. Cortes +lodged in the house of Maxicatzin, Alvarado in that of Xicotencatl, and +the other officers were distributed among the houses of the nobles, all +the soldiers being likewise supplied with comfortable quarters and +abundant food. Here in the midst of our friends, we recovered from our +wounds and fatigues, all except four who died. + +Soon after our arrival, Cortes made inquiry after certain gold to the +value of 40,000 crowns, the share belonging to the garrison of Villa Rica, +which had been sent here from Mexico; and was informed by the Tlascalan +chiefs, and by a Spanish invalid left here when on our march to Mexico, +that the persons who had been sent for it from Villa Rica had been robbed +and murdered on the road, at the time we were engaged in hostilities with +the Mexicans. Letters were sent to Villa Rica, giving an account of all +the disastrous events which had befallen us, and desiring an immediate +supply of all the arms and ammunition that could be spared, and to send us +a strong reinforcement. By the return of the messengers, we were informed +that all was well at Villa Rica and the neighbourhood, and that the +reinforcement should be immediately sent. It accordingly arrived soon +after, consisting in all of _seven_ men, three of whom were sailors, and +all of them were invalids. They were commanded by a soldier named Lencero, +who afterwards kept an inn still known by his name; and for a long while +afterwards, _a Lencero reinforcement_ was a proverbial saying among us. We +were involved in some trouble by the younger Xicotencatl, who had +commanded the Tlascalan army against us on our first arrival in their +country. This ambitious chieftain, anxious to be revenged upon us for the +disgrace he had formerly sustained, on hearing of our misfortunes and our +intended march to Tlascala, conceived a project for surprising us on our +march and putting us all to death. For this purpose, he assembled many of +his relations, friends, and adherents, to whom he shewed how easily we +might all be destroyed, and was very active in forming a party and +collecting an army for this purpose. Although severely reproached by his +father for this treacherous design, he persevered in his plan; but the +intrigue was discovered by Chichimecatl, his determined enemy, who +immediately communicated the intelligence to the council of Tlascala, +before whom Xicotencatl was brought prisoner to answer for his treacherous +intentions. Maxicatzin made a long speech in our favour, representing the +prosperity which their state had enjoyed ever since our arrival, by +freeing them from the depredations of their Mexican enemies, and enabling +them to procure salt from which they had been long debarred. He then +reprobated the proposed treachery of the younger Xicotencatl, against men +who certainly were those concerning whom the prophecy had been handed down +by their ancestors. In reply to this, and to a discourse from his father +to the same purpose, the young man used such violent and disrespectful +language, that he was seized and thrown down the steps of the council-hall +into the street, with such violence that he narrowly escaped with his life. +Such was the faithful conduct of our Tlascalan allies, and Cortes did not +think it prudent to push the matter any farther in our present ticklish +situation. + +After remaining twenty two days in Tlascala, Cortes resolved upon +attacking the adjoining provinces of Tepejacac and Zacatula, on account of +some murders the inhabitant of these districts had committed on the +Spaniards; but the soldiers of Narvaez were decidedly averse from entering +into any new war, as the slaughter of Mexico and the battle of Obtumba +made them anxious to renounce Cortes and his conquests, and to return as +soon as possible to their houses and mines in Cuba. Beyond all the rest, +Andres Duero was heartily sick of his junction with Cortes, regretting the +gold he had been forced to leave in the ditches of Mexico. These men, +finding that words were of no avail to persuade Cortes to relinquish his +plans of conquest, made a formal remonstrance in writing, stating the +insufficiency of our force, and demanding leave to return to Cuba. Cortes +urged every reason he could think of to induce them to concur in his +schemes; and we who were his own soldiers, requested him on no account to +permit any one to depart, but that all should remain to serve the cause of +God and the king. The malcontents were forced reluctantly to acquiesce, +murmuring against Cortes and his expeditions, and us who supported him, +who, they said, had nothing but our lives to lose[1]. We now, therefore, +set out on an expedition to chastise these districts, without artillery or +fire-arms of any kind, all of which had been left in the Mexican canals. +Our force consisted of 16 cavalry, 424 of our own infantry, mostly armed +with swords and targets, and about 4000 Tlascalans. We halted at about +three leagues from Tepejacac, but the inhabitants had deserted their +houses on our approach. Having got some prisoners during the march, Cortes +sent them to the chiefs with a message, intimating that he came to demand +justice for the murder of eighteen Spaniards in their territories, and for +their admitting Mexican troops into their country; and threatening them +with fire and sword if they did not immediately submit to his authority. +By our messengers and two Mexicans, they sent back a message, ordering us +to return immediately, or they would put us all to death, and feast upon +our bodies. Upon this it was determined in a council of the officers, that +a full statement of all that had passed, should be drawn up by a royal +notary, denouncing slavery on the Mexicans or their allies who had killed +any Spanish subjects, after having submitted to the authority of the king. +When this was drawn up and authenticated, we sent once more to require +their submission, giving notice of the inevitable consequences of their +disobedience. But they returned an answer like the former. Both sides +being prepared for battle, we came to action with them next day; and as +the enemy were drawn up in open fields of maize, our cavalry soon put the +enemy to flight with considerable loss, though they made an obstinate +resistance. In this battle our Tlascalan allies fought bravely; and, in +the pursuit, we took a good many prisoners, all of whom were made slaves +of. After this victory, the natives sued for peace, and we marched to the +town of Tepejacac to receive their submission; and finding it an eligible +situation, being in a fertile district, and on the road to Villa Rica, +Cortes founded a colony in the place, naming it _Segura de la Frontera._ +Municipal officers were appointed, and a branding-iron for marking those +natives who were taken and reduced to slavery. We made excursions from +this place through the surrounding district, and to the towns of Cachula, +Tecamechalco, Guayavas, and some others, taking many prisoners, who were +immediately branded for slaves; and in about six weeks we reduced the +people to order and obedience. + +At this time Cortes was informed from Villa Rica, that a vessel had +arrived there commanded by Pedro Barba, his intimate friend, who had been +lieutenant to Velasquez at the Havanna, and had now brought over thirteen +soldiers and two horses; as also letters from Velasquez to Narvaez, +ordering to send Cortes, if alive, to Cuba, that he might be sent to +Castile, such being the orders of the bishop of Burgos. On the arrival of +Barba in the harbour, the admiral appointed by Cortes went on board in a +boat well armed, but with the arms concealed. When on board, the admiral +saluted Barba, inquiring after the health of Velasquez, and the others +inquired for Narvaez, and what had become of Cortes. They were told that +Narvaez was in possession of the country, and had acquired great riches, +while Cortes was a fugitive, wandering about with only twenty followers. +They then invited Barba and the rest on shore; but the moment they entered +the boats, they were ordered to surrender themselves prisoners to Cortes. +The ship was dismantled, and the captain and crew, together with Barba and +his men, sent up to us at Tepejacac, to our great satisfaction; for though +we did not now suffer much in the field, we were very unhealthy from +continual fatigue, five of our men having died of pleurisies of late. +Francisco Lopez, afterwards regidor of Guatimala, came along with this +party. Barba was kindly received by Cortes, whom he informed that another +small vessel might be expected with provisions in about a week. It came +accordingly, having on board Roderigo de Lobera, with eight soldiers and a +horse. These were circumvented like the others, and sent up to us, by +which we were much pleased to procure an accession to our small force. + +About this period, Cuitlahuitzin, who had been elected sovereign of Mexico +in place of his brother Montezuma, died of the small-pox, and +Quauhtemotzin, or Gautimotzin, was chosen in his stead, a young man of +twenty-five years of age, of fine appearance, exceedingly brave, and so +terrible to his subjects that every one trembled at his sight. On +receiving notice of the reduction of Tepejacac, he became apprehensive of +losing his other provinces, yet neglected no precautions to preserve the +chiefs in their obedience, and sent considerable bodies of troops to the +provinces nearest to where we were, to watch our motions. But these +Mexican troops injured the cause they were sent to support, becoming very +disorderly, plundering and maltreating the people whom they were sent to +defend, or to keep under subjection. Provoked by these injuries, the +ruling people of these provinces deputed four chiefs to negociate with +Cortes, offering to submit to him, provided he would expel the Mexicans. +Cortes immediately acceded to this proposal, and detached all the cavalry +and crossbow-men of our army under De Oli, with as many of our other +infantry as made up a force of 300 men, to which a considerable number of +Tlascalan allies were joined. While our people were on their march, they +received such formidable accounts of the number and force of the enemy, as +entirely deprived the soldiers of Narvaez of all inclination for military +expeditions. They mutinied, and told De Oli that, if he were determined to +persevere, he might go alone, for they were resolved to quit him. De Oli +remonstrated with them in vain, though supported by all the old soldiers +of Cortes, and was compelled to halt at Cholula, whence he sent word to +Cortes of his situation. Cortes returned an angry answer, ordering him to +advance at all events. De Oli was now in a violent rage at those who had +occasioned this reprimand from the general, and ordered the whole to march +immediately, declaring he would send back all who hesitated, to be treated +by Cortes as their cowardice deserved. On his arrival within a league of +Guacacualco, he was met by some of the native chiefs, who informed him how +he might best come upon the enemy. He accordingly marched against the +Mexican forces, whom he completely defeated and put to flight, after a +sharp action, in which eight of our men were wounded, and two horses +killed. Our allies made a great slaughter of the Mexicans during the +pursuit. The Mexicans fell back to a large town called Ozucar, where they +joined another great body of their countrymen, who fortified themselves in +that post, and broke down the bridges. De Oli pursued with as many of his +troops as could keep up with him; and having passed the river by the +assistance of his friends of Guacacualco, he again attacked the Mexicans, +whom he again defeated and dispersed, losing two more of his horses. He +received two wounds himself on this occasion, and his horse was wounded in +several places. He halted two days after his double victory, receiving the +submission of all the neighbouring chiefs, after which he returned with +his troops to Segura de la Frontera. De Oli was received with applause by +Cortes and all of us; and when we laughed at him for the hesitation of his +men, he joined with us heartily, saying he would take the poor soldiers of +Cortes on the next expedition, and not the rich planters who came with +Narvaez, who thought more of their houses and estates than of military +glory, and were more ready to command than to obey. + +Cortes now got information from Villa Rica of the arrival of a ship +commanded by one Comargo, having upwards of seventy soldiers on board, all +very sickly. This vessel had belonged to an expedition sent from Jamaica +by Garray to establish a colony at Panuco; the other captain, Pineda, and +all his soldiers, having been put to death by the natives, and their ship +burnt. On finding, therefore, the ill success of that adventure, and that +his men were afflicted with diseases of the liver from the unhealthy +nature of the country, Camargo had come to Villa Rica for assistance. He +is said to have been perfectly acquainted with the state of affairs in New +Spain; and, on his arrival at Villa Rica, he immediately disembarked his +soldiers, and went to Segura de la Frontera by slow marches, where he and +his men were received with the utmost kindness by Cortes, and every +possible care was bestowed for his and their recovery; but he and several +of his soldiers soon died. By reason of their swollen bodies and +discoloured countenances, we used to call these men _the green paunches_. +That I may not interrupt the thread of my narrative, I shall mention in +this place, that all the rest of this armament which was destined for +Panuco, arrived at our port of Villa Rica at different and irregular +periods, Garray continually sending us reinforcements, which he meant for +Panuco, as he believed his intended colony at that place was going on +successfully. The first of these reinforcements after Camargo consisted of +fifty soldiers with seven horses, under the command of Michael Diaz de Auz. +These men were all plump and jolly, and we gave them the nickname of the +_Sir-loins_. Shortly after him another vessel brought forty soldiers with +ten horses, and a good supply of crossbows and other arms. These were +commanded by an officer named Ramirez, and as all his soldiers wore very +thick and clumsy cotton armour, quite impenetrable by arrows, we called +them the _Pack-horses_. + +Being thus unexpectedly reinforced by upwards of an hundred and fifty men, +and twenty horses, Cortes determined to chastise the Indians of Xalatcingo, +Cacatame, and other towns near the road to Villa Rica, who had been +concerned in the murder of those Spaniards who had been sent from Villa +Rica for the treasure. For this purpose he sent a detachment of two +hundred veterans, among whom were twenty horsemen, and twelve armed with +crossbows, under the command of Sandoval, who had likewise along with him +a strong detachment of Tlascalans. Being informed that the Indians of that +district were in arms, and reinforced by Mexican troops, Sandoval sent a +message, offering pardon for the murder of the Spaniards, if they would +submit to our government, and return the treasure. Their answer was, that +they would eat him and all his men, as they had done the others. Sandoval, +therefore, immediately marched into their country, and attacked them in +two places at once, and though both the natives and the Mexicans defended +themselves with great bravery, they were soon defeated with considerable +loss. On going into some of their temples after the victory, our people +found Spanish cloths, arms, saddles, and bridles, hung up as offerings to +their gods. The inhabitants of this district submitted themselves to his +majesties government, but were unable to return the treasure, as it had +been sent to Mexico. Sandoval remained three days in this district +receiving the submission of the inhabitants, whom he referred to Cortes +for their pardon, and then returned to head-quarters, carrying a number of +women and boys along with him, who were all branded as slaves. I was not +on this expedition, being ill of a fever, attended with a vomiting of +blood; but, being bled plentifully, I recovered by the blessing of God. In +pursuance of orders from Sandoval, the chiefs of these tribes and of many +others in the neighbourhood, came to Cortes and submitted themselves to +his authority. Sandoval was sent in the next place to chastise the +inhabitants of a district called Xocotlan, who had murdered nine Spaniards, +having with him an hundred infantry, thirty cavalry, and a strong body of +Tlascalans. On entering the district, he summoned the people to submission +under the usual threats; but, as they had a considerable body of Mexican +forces to aid them, they returned for answer, that they would acknowledge +no other government than that of Mexico. Sandoval, therefore, put his +troops in motion, cautioning the allies not to advance to the attack till +the enemy were broken by our troops, and then to fall upon the Mexicans +especially. Two large bodies of the enemy were found posted in strong and +rocky ground, very difficult for our cavalry, insomuch, that before +Sandoval could drive them from this post, one of his horses was killed, +and nine wounded, as likewise were four of his soldiers. They were at +length driven from this post into the town of Xocotlan, where they took +post in the temples and some large walled courts; but were dislodged from +these and put to flight with great slaughter, our Tlascalan allies giving +good assistance, as they were incited by the hopes of abundant plunder. +Sandoval halted two days in this place, to receive the submission of the +chiefs, who begged pardon for what had passed, promising future obedience, +and to supply us plentifully with provisions. On being ordered to restore +the effects of the Spaniards whom they had slain, they replied that every +thing of that kind had been burnt. They said, likewise that most of the +Spaniards whom they had slain were eaten by them, except five, whom they +sent to Guatimotzin[2]. + +These expeditions were productive of the best effects, as they extended +the fame of Cortes and the Spaniards through the whole country for valour +and clemency; and our general became more dreaded and respected than +Guatimotzin, the new sovereign of Mexico, insomuch that his authority was +resorted to on all occasions of importance. The small-pox at this time +committed dreadful ravages in New Spain, cutting off vast numbers of the +natives, and among the rest, many of the chiefs and princes of the country +became victims to this dreadful calamity. On these occasions, the +claimants for succession to the vacant chiefships resorted to Cortes, as +sovereign of the country, for his decision, which they uniformly submitted +to. Among the rest, the lordship of Guacacualco and Ozucar became vacant, +and the various claimants submitted their claims to the decision of Cortes, +who decided in favour of a nephew of the late Montezuma, whose sister had +been married to the former cacique of the district. + +All the country around Tlascala and to the eastwards being now reduced to +subjection, an order was issued to bring all the prisoners to a large +house in the town of Segura, that the fifths belonging to the king and +Cortes might be deducted, and the rest divided among the troops. The +prisoners consisted of women, boys, and girls, as the men were found too +difficult to keep, and our Tlascalan friends performed every service for +us that we could desire, such as carrying our baggage, ammunition, and +provisions, and all other drudgery. The prisoners were confined all night, +and the repartition took place next morning. In the first place the king's +fifth was set aside, and then that which belonged to Cortes; but when the +shares of the soldiers came to be distributed, there remained only a +parcel of old miserable jades, and it was found that some person had been +in the depot during the night, who had taken away all the young and +handsome women. This occasioned much clamour among the soldiers, who +accused Cortes of injustice, and the soldiers of Narvaez swore no such +thing had ever been heard of in the Spanish dominions as two kings and two +fifths. One Juan de Quexo was very loud in his complaints on this occasion, +declaring that he would make it known in Spain how we had been abused by +Cortes, more especially in regard to the gold at Mexico, where only the +value of 300,000 crowns appeared at the division, whereas 700,000 crowns +worth were produced at the time of our flight. Many of the soldiers loudly +complained of having their women taken from them, after they had given +them clothes and ornaments, saying they had only expected to have paid the +fifth of their values to the king, and then that each would have got back +his own. Cortes protested that better regulations should he adopted in +future, and got the affair hushed up with smooth words and fair promises; +yet he soon attempted even worse than this. It may be remembered, that, on +the fatal night of our retreat from Mexico, all the treasure was produced, +and every soldier was allowed to take as much as he pleased. On this +occasion, many of the soldiers of Narvaez, and some of our own, loaded +themselves with gold. Cortes now learned that a quantity of gold in bars +was in circulation among the troops at La Frontera, who were much engaged +in deep play, and forgot the old adage, that riches and amours should be +concealed. He now issued an order for all the gold to be delivered within +a given time, under severe penalties for disobedience, and promised to +return back a third part to all who delivered their gold, but that all +should be forfeited in case of failure or evasion. Many of the soldiers +refused obedience to this arbitrary order, and from some Cortes took their +gold by way of loan, yet rather by force than with their consent. Many of +our captains, and those who had civil offices in the colony, were +possessed of gold, and at length Cortes was glad to quash the order and +say no more about the matter. + +The officers who had come with Narvaez thought the present interval of +tranquillity was a favourable opportunity to renew their solicitations for +leave to return to Cuba, to which Cortes at length consented, and gave +them one of the best ships in the harbour, which was victualled with +salted dogs, fowls, maize, and other provisions of the country. By this +ship, Cortes sent letters to his wife Donna Catalina and her brother Juan +Suarez, giving them an account of all that had happened in New Spain, and +sent them some bars of gold and Mexican curiosities. The following were +among the persons who now returned to Cuba, having their pockets well +lined after all our disasters. Andres de Duero, Augustin Bermudez, Juan +Buono, Bernardino de Quesada, Francisco Velasquez, Gonsalo Carrasco, who +afterwards returned to New Spain, and lives now in La Puebla, Melchior +Velasquez, one Ximenes, who now lives in Guaxaca, and went over at this +time for his sons, the commendator Leon de Cervantes, who went to bring +over his daughters, who were very honourably married after the conquest of +Mexico; one Maldonado of Medelin, an invalid, a person named Vargas, and +Cardinas the pilot, he who talked about the two kings, to whom Cortes gave +the three hundred crowns he had formerly promised for his wife and +daughters. We remonstrated with Cortes for allowing so many persons to +quit the army, considering how weak we were already, on which he observed, +that he did it partly to get rid of their importunities, and partly +because they were unfit for war, and it was better to have a few good +soldiers than many bad ones. Alvarado was sent to see these men safely +shipped off, and he sent at this time Diego de Ordas and Alonzo de Mendoza +to Spain, with instructions of which we were ignorant, except that they +were meant to counteract the malice of the bishop of Burgos, who had +declared us all traitors. De Ordas executed his commission to good purpose, +and got the order of St Jago for himself, and the volcano of Popocatepetl +added to his arms. Cortes sent also Alonzo de Avila, contador of New Spain, +and Francisco Alvarez, to Hispaniola, to make a report to the court of +royal audience, and the brothers of the order of Jeronymites, of all that +had taken place, particularly in regard to Narvaez, and supplicating them +to represent our faithful services to the emperor, and to support our +interests against the enmity and misrepresentations of Velasquez and the +bishop of Burgos. He sent likewise De Solis to Jamaica to purchase horses. +It may be asked how Cortes was able to send agents to Spain, Hispaniola, +and Jamaica, without money. But, although many of our soldiers were slain +in our flight from Mexico, and much treasure lost in the ditches and +canals of Mexico, yet a considerable quantity of gold was saved, as the +eighty loaded Tlascalans were among the first who passed the bridge, and +afterwards delivered all their gold to Cortes[3]. But we poor soldiers had +enough ado to preserve our lives, all badly wounded, and did not trouble +ourselves to inquire what became of the gold, or how much was brought off. +It was even rumoured among us, that the share belonging to the garrison of +Villa Rica, the carriers of which had been robbed and murdered, went after +all to Spain, Jamaica, and other places; but as Cortes lined the pockets +of our captains with plenty of gold, all inquiry on this head was stopped. + +It may be wondered how Cortes should send away so valiant a captain as +Alonzo de Avila on an affair of negociation, when he had several men of +business in his army who could have been better spared, such as Alonzo de +Grado, Juan Carceres _the rich_, and several others. The true reason was, +that Avila was too ready to speak out on all occasions to obtain justice +for the soldiers, and therefore Cortes sent him away that he might no +longer be opposed and thwarted in his proceedings; and that he might give +his company to Andres de Tapia, and his office of contador to Alonzo de +Grado. + +Having now determined to undertake the siege of Mexico, Cortes left a +garrison of twenty men, mostly sick and invalids in Frontera, under the +command of Juan de Orozco, and marched with the rest of the army into the +country of Tlascala, where he gave orders to cut down a quantity of timber, +with which to construct a number of vessels to command the lake of Mexico. +These ships were to be built under the direction of Martin Lopez, an +excellent shipwright, and a valiant soldier, in which he was assisted by +Andres Nunez, and old Ramirez, who was lame from a wound. Lopez conducted +matters with great spirit, insomuch that in a very short time he had all +the timber cut down, shaped, and marked out for the vessels, ready to be +put together. The iron work, anchors, cables, sails, cordage, and all +other necessaries for the vessels were procured from Villa Rica, whence +all the smiths were sent up to the army to give their assistance. As pitch +was unknown among the natives, four sailors were sent to the pine forests +of Huetzotzinco, to obtain a supply of that article, in which they +succeeded. + +On our arrival at Tlascala, we learnt that our good friend and faithful +ally Maxicatzin had fallen a sacrifice to the small-pox. Cortes lamented +the death of this good man as that of a father, and put on mourning out of +respect to his memory, in which he was imitated by many of our officers +and soldiers. As there was some difficulty in regard to the succession, +Cortes conferred the vacant dignity on the legitimate son of the deceased +chief, as he had desired a short time before his death, on which occasion +he had strictly enjoined all his family and dependents to persevere in +their alliance with us, as we were undoubtedly destined to rule their +country according to their ancient traditions. The other chiefs of the +Tlascalans offered their best services, in providing timber for our +vessels, and engaged to aid us with all their military force in +prosecuting the war against Mexico. Cortes accepted their offer with every +mark of gratitude and respect; and even prevailed on the elder Xicotencatl, +one of their principal caciques, to become a Christian, who was +accordingly baptised with great ceremony, by the name of Don Lorenzo de +Vargas. + +Just as we were about to begin our march, intelligence came from Villa +Rica of the arrival of a vessel from Spain and the Canaries, loaded with +military stores, horses, and merchandize, and having thirteen soldiers on +board. The owner, who was likewise on board, was one Juan de Burgos, but +the vessel was commanded by Francisco Medel. Cortes sent immediate orders +to purchase the whole cargo, and all the people came up to join us to our +great satisfaction. Among these were one Juan del Espinar, afterwards a +very rich man, and two others named Sagredo, and Monjaraz a Biscayan, who +had two nephews of the same name in our army. Monjaraz never went upon any +expedition or engagement along with us, always feigning to be sick, though +he omitted no opportunity to boast of his courage. Once, while we were +besieging Mexico, he went up to the top of a high temple, as he said to +see how the natives fought; and by some means which we could never find +out, he was killed that day by some of the Indians. Those who had known +him in Hispaniola, said it was a just judgment, for having procured the +death of his wife, a beautiful and honourable woman, by means of false +witnesses. + +All the timber for our vessels being in readiness, and every thing +prepared for our expedition against Mexico, it was debated in our council +of war in what place we should establish our head-quarters, in order to +prepare our measures for investing that city. Some strongly recommended +Ayotcingo as most convenient for that purpose, on account of its canals. +Cortes and others preferred Tezcuco, as best adapted for making incursions +into the Mexican territory, and that place was accordingly fixed upon. We +accordingly began our march from Tlascala immediately after the junction +of our last reinforcement from Villa Rica, consisting of the soldiers who +came with Medel and De Burgos. + + +[1] A long digression is here omitted, in which Diaz severely reprehends + the account given by Gomara of this and other transactions in his + history of the conquest of Mexico, altogether uninteresting to the + English reader.--E. + +[2] Clavigero, II. 132, mentions about this time an expedition against + Tochtepec, a considerable town on the river of Papaloapan, in which + Salcedo and a detachment of 80 Spaniards were entirely cut off.--E. + +[3] This must have been a very considerable treasure. On one occasion, + Clavigero reckons a load of gold at 800 ounces. The eighty Tlascalans + might therefore carry off 64,000 ounces, which at £4 the ounce, is + worth £256,000 Sterling, and of considerably more efficacious value in + those days than a million is now.--E. + + + + +SECTION XII. + +_Transactions of Cortes and the Spaniards from their March against Mexico, +to the Commencement of the Siege of that City_. + + +We began our March from Tlascala on the 26th of December 1520, with the +whole of our Spanish force, and accompanied by ten thousand of our +Tlascalan allies[1], and halted that night within the territories of the +state of Tezcuco, the inhabitants of which place supplied us with +provisions. We marched about three leagues on the 27th, when we halted at +the foot of a ridge of mountains, finding the weather extremely cold. +Early next day we began to ascend the mountains, the bad roads having been +made more difficult by the enemy, by means of ditches and felled trees, +which were removed by the exertions of our allies. We proceeded with the +utmost order and precaution, having an advanced guard of musketeers and +crossbow-men, and our allies cleared the way to enable our cavalry to +advance. After passing the summit of the mountain, we enjoyed the glorious +prospect of the vale of Mexico below, with the lakes, the capital rising +out of the waters, and all its numerous towns and cultivated fields; and +gave thanks to GOD, who had enabled us again to behold this astonishing +scene of riches and population, after passing through so many dangers. We +could distinctly perceive numerous signals made by smoke in all the towns +towards Mexico; and a little farther on, we were resisted by a body of the +enemy, who endeavoured to defend a bad pass at a deep water-run, where the +wooden bridge had been broken down; but we soon drove them away, and +passed over, as the enemy contented themselves with shooting their arrows +from a considerable distance. Our allies pillaged the country as we went +along, which was contrary to the inclination of our general, but he was +unable to restrain them. From some prisoners whom we had taken at the +broken bridge, we were informed that a large body of the enemy was posted +on our line of march, intending to give us battle; but it appeared +afterwards that they had separated in consequence of dissentions among the +chiefs, and we soon learnt that a civil war actually existed between the +Mexicans and the state of Tezcuco. The small-pox also raged at this time in +the country, which had a great effect in our favour, by preventing the +enemy from being able to assemble their forces. + +Next morning we proceeded on our march for Tezcuco, which was about two +leagues from the place where we had halted for the night; but we had not +proceeded far, when one of our patroles brought intelligence that several +Indians were coming towards us bearing signals of peace, and indeed we +found the whole country through which we marched this day in perfect +tranquillity. On the arrival of the Indians, we found them to consist of +seven chiefs from Tezcuco, sent as ambassadors by Coanacotzin, the prince +of Tezcuco or Acolhuacan. A golden banner was carried before them on a +long lance, which was lowered on approaching Cortes, to whom the +ambassadors bowed themselves in token of respect. They then addressed our +general in the name of their prince, inviting us to his city, and +requesting to be received under our protection. They denied having taken +any part in the attacks which we had experienced, earnestly entreating +that no injury might be done to their city by our allies, and presented +their golden banner to Cortes, in token of peace and submission. Three of +these ambassadors were known to most of us, as they were relations of +Montezuma, and had been captains of his guards, when we were formerly at +Mexico. The ambassadors were assured by Cortes that he would use his +utmost efforts to protect the country, although they must well know that +above forty Spaniards and two hundred of our allies had been put to death +in passing through their territories when we retreated from Mexico. Cortes +added, that certainly no reparation could now be made for the loss of our +men, but he expected they would restore the gold and other property which +had been taken on that occasion. They asserted that the whole blame of +that transaction was owing to Cuitlahuatzin, the successor of Montezuma, +who had received the spoil and sacrificed the prisoners. Cortes found that +very little satisfaction could be got from them for the past, yet wishing +if possible to make them now our friends, he earnestly entreated the +Tlascalan chiefs to prohibit their warriors from pillaging the country, +and his wishes were strictly complied with, except in regard to provisions. +After this conference was ended, we proceeded to a village named +Guatinchan or Huexotla, at a small distance from Tezcuco, where we halted +for the night. + +Next morning, being the 31st December 1520, we marched into Tezcuco, where +neither women or children were to be seen, and even the men had a +suspicious appearance, indicating that some mischief was intended against +us. We took up our quarters in some buildings which consisted of large +halls and inclosed courts, and orders were issued that none of the +soldiers were to go out of their quarters, and that all were to be on the +alert to guard against surprize. On the soldiers being dismissed to their +respective quarters, the Captains Alvarado and De Oli, with some soldiers, +among whom I was, went up to the top of a lofty temple, from which we had +a commanding view, to observe what was going on in the neighbourhood. We +could see all the people everywhere in motion, carrying off their children +and effects to the woods and the reedy borders of the lake, and to great +numbers of canoes. Cortes wished to have secured Coanacotzin, who had sent +us the friendly embassy, which now appeared to have been merely a pretext +to gain time; but it was found that he and many of the principal persons +of Tezcuco had fled to Mexico. We posted strong guards, therefore, in +every direction, and kept ourselves in constant readiness for action. +Cortes soon learnt that factions existed in Tezcuco, and that many of the +chiefs were adverse to their present prince, and remained in their houses, +while those of the opposite faction had withdrawn. Cortes sent for those +chiefs next morning, from whom he learnt, that they considered their +present prince, Coanacotzin, as an usurper, he having murdered his elder +brother, Cuicutzcatzin, who had been placed on the throne by Montezuma and +Cortes, and that Coanacotzin owed his elevation to the favour of +Guatimotzin, the present sovereign of Mexico. They pointed out a youth +named Ixtlilxochitl as the rightful heir of Acolhuacan, who was brought +immediately to Cortes, and installed without delay in the government. +Cortes prevailed upon him to become a Christian, and had him baptised with +great solemnity, standing godfather on the occasion, and giving him his +own name, Don Hernando Cortes Ixtlilxochitl; and to retain him in the +Spanish interest and in our holy faith, he appointed three Spaniards to +attend upon him, Escobar, who was made captain or governor of Tezcuco, +Anthonio de Villa Real, and Pedro Sanches Farfan. In the next place, +Cortes required the new prince of Tezcuco to supply him with a number of +labourers to open up the canals leading to the lake, on purpose to admit +our vessels which were to be put together at Tezcuco. He also informed him +of our intentions to besiege Mexico, for which operation the young prince +engaged to give all the assistance in his power. The work on the canals +was conducted with all expedition, as we never had less than seven or +eight thousand Indians employed[2]. As Guatimotzin, the reigning monarch +of Mexico, frequently sent out large bodies of troops in canoes on the +lake, apparently with the hope of attacking us unprepared, Cortes used +every military precaution to guard against any sudden attack, by assigning +proper posts to our several captains, with orders to be always on the +alert. The people in Huexotla, a town and district only a few miles from +Tezcuco, who had been guilty of murdering some of our countrymen on a +former occasion, petitioned Cortes for pardon, and were taken into favour +on promise of future fidelity. + +Before his elevation to the throne of Mexico, Guatimotzin had been prince +or cacique of Iztapalapa, the people of which place were determined +enemies to us and our allies[3]. We had been now twelve days in Tezcuco, +where the presence of so large a force occasioned some scarcity of +provisions, and even our allies began to grow somewhat impatient of our +inactivity. From all these considerations, Cortes determined upon an +expedition to Iztapalapa, against which place he marched at the head of 13 +cavalry 220 infantry, and the whole of our Tlascalan allies. The +inhabitants had received a reinforcement of 8000 Mexican warriors, yet +they fell back into the town on our approach, and even fled into their +canoes and the houses which stood in the water, allowing us to occupy that +part of the town which stood on the firm land. As it was now night, we +took up our quarters for the night and posted our guards, unaware of a +stratagem which had been planned for our destruction. On a sudden there +came so great a body of water into the streets and houses, that we had +been all infallibly drowned if our friends from Tezcuco had not given us +instant notice of our danger. The enemy had cut the banks of the canals, +and a causeway also, by which means the place was laid almost instantly +under water. We escaped with some difficulty, two only of our allies being +drowned; but all our powder was destroyed, and we passed a very +uncomfortable night, without food, and all wet and very cold; and were +very much provoked at the laughter and taunts of the Mexicans from the +lake. At daybreak, large bodies of Indians crossed over from Mexico and +attacked us with such violence, that they killed two of our soldiers and +one horse, and wounded many of us, and were repelled with much difficulty. +Our allies also suffered considerable loss on this occasion; but the enemy +were at last repulsed, and we returned to Tezcuco very little satisfied +with the fame or profit of this fruitless expedition. Two days after our +retreat from Iztapalapa, the inhabitants of these neighbouring districts, +Tepetezcuco, Obtumba or Otompan, and some others in that quarter, sent to +solicit pardon for the hostilities they had formerly committed against us, +alleging in excuse that they had acted by the orders of their sovereign +Cuitlahuatzin, the immediate successor of Montezuma. Cortes, knowing that +he was not in a situation to chastise them, granted them pardon on promise +of future obedience. The inhabitants also of a place which we named +Venezuela, or Little Venice, because built in the water, who had been +always at variance with the Mexicans, now solicited our alliance, and +engaged to bring over their neighbours to our party. This circumstance was +of much importance to our views, from the situation of that place on the +lake facilitating our future operations, especially those of our naval +force. + +We soon afterwards received intelligence, that large bodies of Mexican +troops had attacked the districts which were in alliance with us, by which +the inhabitants were compelled to fly into the woods for shelter, or to +take refuge in our quarters. Cortes went out with twenty of our cavalry +and two hundred infantry, having Alvarado and De Oli along with him, to +drive in the Mexicans. The real cause of contention on the present +occasion was concerning the crop of maize growing on the borders of the +lake, which was now fit to reap, and from which the natives had been in +use to supply our wants, whereas it was claimed by the Mexicans, as +belonging to the priests of their city. Cortes desired the natives to +inform him when they proposed to cut down this corn, and sent upwards of a +hundred of our men and a large body of our allies to protect the reapers. +I was twice on that duty, and on one of these occasions, the Mexicans came +over to attack us in above a thousand canoes, and endeavoured to drive us +from the maize fields; but we and our allies drove them back to their +boats, though they fought with great resolution, killed one of our +soldiers and wounded a considerable number. In this skirmish, twenty of +the enemy were left dead on the field, and we took live prisoners. + +Chalco and Tlalmanalco were two places of material importance to us at +this time, as they lay in the direct road between Tlascala and our +head-quarters at Tezcuco, but both of them were garrisoned by Mexican +troops; and though Cortes was at this time solicited by several important +districts to enable them to throw off the yoke of Mexico, he considered it +as of the first necessity to dislodge the Mexicans from these two towns, +on purpose to open a secure communication with our allies, and to cover +the transport of our ship timber from Tlascala. He sent therefore a strong +detachment of fifteen horse and two hundred infantry under Sandoval and De +Lugo, with orders to drive the Mexicans from that part of the country, and +to open a clear communication with Villa Rica. During the march, Sandoval +placed ten of his men as a rear guard, to protect a considerable number of +our allies who were returning home to Tlascala loaded with plunder. The +Mexicans fell upon this weak rear-guard by surprise during the march, +killing two of our men and wounding all the rest; and though Sandoval made +all the haste he could to their rescue, the Mexicans escaped on board +their canoes with very little loss. He now placed the Tlascalans in +security, by escorting them beyond the Mexican garrisons, and sent forward +the letter of our general to the commandant of Villa Rica, by which he was +enjoined to send what reinforcements he could possibly spare to Tlascala, +there to wait until they were quite certain that the road from thence to +Tezcuco was clear. Sandoval, after seeing the Tlascalans safe upon their +journey, returned towards Chalco, sending word secretly to the inhabitants, +who were very impatient under the Mexican yoke, to be in readiness to join +him. He was attacked on his march through a plain covered with maize and +_maguey_, by a strong body of Mexican troops, who wounded several of his +men; but they were soon repulsed and pursued to a considerable distance by +the cavalry. Sandoval now prosecuted his march to Chalco, where he found +the cacique of that place had recently died of the small-pox, having +recommended his two sons on his deathbed to the protection of Cortes, as +he was convinced we were the bearded men who, according to their ancient +prophecy, were to come from the eastern countries to rule over this land, +and had therefore commanded his sons to receive the investiture of their +state from the hands of Cortes. Sandoval set out therefore for Tezcuco +next day, talking along with him the two young lords of Chalco, and many +of the nobles of that place, carrying a present of golden ornaments to our +general worth about 200,000 crowns. Cortes accordingly received the young +princes of Chalco with great distinction, and divided their fathers +territories between them; giving the city of Chalco and the largest share +of the district to the elder brother, and Tlalmanalco, Aytocinco, and +Chimalhuacan to the younger. + +About this time, Cortes sent a message to Guatimotzin, the reigning +sovereign of Mexico, by means of some prisoners whom he enlarged for this +purpose, inviting him in the most conciliatory terms to enter into a +treaty of peace and friendship; but Guatimotzin refused to listen to any +terms of accommodation, and continued to carry on the most determined and +unceasing hostility against us. Frequent and loud complaints were made by +our allies of Huexotla and Coatlichan of the incursions made upon their +territories in the neighbourhood of the lake by the enemy, on the old +quarrel about the fields which had been appropriated for the priests who +served in the temples of Mexico. In consequence of these hostilities so +near our head-quarters, Cortes went with a strong detachment, with which +he came up with the enemy about two leagues from Tezcuco, and gave them so +complete a defeat, that they never ventured to shew themselves there any +more. It was now resolved to bring the timber which had been prepared in +Tlascala for constructing our naval force on the lake of Mexico; for which +purpose Sandoval was sent with a force of 200 infantry, including 20 +musketeers and crossbow-men, and 15 cavalry, to serve as an escort. He was +likewise ordered to conduct the chiefs of Chalco to their own district; +and before they set out, Cortes effected a reconciliation between the +Tlascalans and the inhabitants of Chalco, who had been long at variance. +He gave orders likewise to Sandoval, after leaving the chiefs of Chalco in +their own city, to inflict exemplary punishment on the inhabitants of a +place which we call _Puebla Moresca_, who had robbed and murdered forty +of our men who were marching from Vera Cruz to Mexico, at the time when we +went to relieve Alvarado. These people had not been more guilty than those +of Tezcuco, who indeed were the leaders in that affair, but they could be +more conveniently chastised. The place was given up to military execution, +though not more than three or four were put to death, as Sandoval had +compassion upon them. Some of the principal inhabitants were made +prisoners; who assured Sandoval that the Spaniards were fallen upon by the +troops of Mexico and Tezcuco in a narrow pass, where they could only march +in single file, and that it was done in revenge for the death of +Cacamatzin. + +In the temples at this place, our men found the walls and idols smeared +with the blood of our countrymen, and the skins of two of their faces with +their beards on were found hung upon the altars, having been dressed like +leather. The skins also of four of our horses were found hung up as +trophies; and they saw written on a piece of marble in the wall of one of +the houses: "Here the unfortunate Juan Yuste and many of his companions +were made prisoners." Yuste was one of the gentlemen who came over with +Narvaez and had served in the cavalry. These melancholy remains filled +Sandoval and his men with grief and rage; but there were no objects on +which to wreak their vengeance, as all the men were fled, and none +remained but women and children, who deprecated their anger in the most +moving terms. Sandoval therefore granted them pardon, and sent them to +bring back their husbands and fathers, with a promise of forgiveness on +condition of submission and future obedience. On questioning them about +the gold they had taken from our people, they assured him it had all been +claimed by the Mexicans[4]. + +Sandoval continued his route towards Tlascala, near which he was met by a +vast body of Indians commanded by Chichimecatl, accompanied by Martin +Lopez, and employed in transporting the ship timber. Eight thousand men +carried the timber all ready shaped for our thirteen vessels, with the +sails, cordage, and all other materials. Eight thousand warriors attended +in arms to protect the bearers of the timber; and two thousand carried +provisions for the whole[5]. Several Spaniards joined us along with this +escort, and two other principal chiefs of the Tlascalans, Ayotecatle and +Teotlipil. During the march, only some small bodies of the enemy appeared, +and these always at a distance; but it was deemed necessary to use the +utmost vigilance, to avoid the danger of a surprise, considering the great +length of the line of march[6]. Sandoval accordingly sent a strong +detachment of Spanish troops as an advanced guard, and posted others on +the flanks; while he remained with the rear guard which he assigned to the +Tlascalans. This arrangement gave great offence to Chichimecatl; but he +was reconciled to this post, on being told that the Mexicans would most +probably attack the rear, which was therefore the post of honour, because +of more danger. In two days more, the whole escort arrived in safety at +Tezcuco; the allies being all dressed out in their gayest habits, with +great plumes of feathers, and splendid banners, sounding their horns and +trumpets, and beating their drums, as in triumph for the expected fall of +Mexico. They continued marching into Tezcuco for half a day, amid +continual shouts of "Castilla! Castilla! Tlascala! Tlascala! Long live the +emperor Don Carlos!" Our timber was now laid down at the docks which had +been prepared for this purpose; and, by the exertion of Martin Lopez, the +hulls of our thirteen brigantines were very soon completed; but we were +obliged to keep a very careful guard, as the Mexicans sent frequent +parties to endeavour to set them on fire. + +The Tlascalan chiefs were very anxious to be employed on some enterprize +against their ancient enemies the Mexicans, and Cortes resolved to indulge +them by an expedition against Xaltocan, a town situated on an island of a +lake to the northward of the great lake of Mexico or Tezcuco, which is now +called the lake of St Christopher. Leaving therefore the charge of the +important post of Tezcuco with Sandoval, who was enjoined to use the +utmost vigilance, and giving orders to Martin Lopez to have the vessels +all ready for launching in fifteen days, he set out on the expedition +against Xaltocan with 250 Spanish infantry, 30 cavalry, the whole force of +the Tlascalans, and a body of warriors belonging to Tezcuco[7]. On +approaching Xaltocan, our army was met by some large bodies of Mexican +troops, whom the cavalry soon dispersed and drove into the woods. The +troops halted for the night in some villages in a very populous country, +and were obliged to keep on the alert, as it was known that the enemy had +a strong force in Xaltocan, to which place a strong body of Mexicans had +been sent in large canoes, and were now concealed among the deep canals in +that neighbourhood. Next morning, on resuming their march, our troops were +exceedingly harassed by the enemy, and several of them wounded, as our +cavalry had no opportunity to charge them, the ground being much +intersected by canals. The only causeway which led from the land to the +town had been laid under water, so that our troops could not approach, and +our musquetry had little or no effect against the enemy in the canoes, as +they were defended by strong screens of timber. Our people began to +despair of success, when some of the natives of Tezcuco pointed out a +ford with which they were acquainted, by which our people were enabled, +under their guidance, to make their way to the causeway leading into the +town leaving Cortes and the cavalry on the main land. Our infantry forced +their way into the town, where they made a considerable slaughter of the +Mexicans, driving the remainder of them and many of the inhabitants of the +town to take shelter in their canoes. They then returned to Cortes, +bringing with them a considerable booty in gold, slaves, and mantles, +having only lost one soldier in this exploit. Next day, Cortes marched +through a thickly peopled and well cultivated country against a large town +named Quauhtitlan, which we found deserted, and in which we halted for the +night. On the ensuing day, we marched to another large town called +Tenayoecan, but which we named _Villa de Serpe_, or the Town of Serpents, +on account of some enormous figures of these animals which were found in +the temples, and which these people worshipped as gods. This place was +likewise deserted by the inhabitants, who had withdrawn with their effects +into places of safety. From thence we marched to Escapuzalco, or the town +of the goldsmiths, which was also deserted, and thence to Tacuba or +Tlacopan, to which our troops had to cut their way through considerable +bodies of the enemy. Our troops halted here for the night, and were +assailed next morning by several successive bodies of the enemy, who had +formed a plan to draw us into an ambuscade, by pretending to take flight +along the fatal causeway of Tacuba, where we had suffered so much on our +retreat from Mexico. This partly succeeded, as Cortes and his troops +pursued them along the causeway across one of the bridges, and were +immediately surrounded by prodigious numbers of the enemy, some on the +land and others in canoes on the water. Cortes soon perceived his mistake, +and ordered a retreat, which was made with the utmost firmness and +regularity, our men constantly keeping a-front to the enemy and giving +ground inch by inch, continually fighting. In the confusion of this +surprise, Juan Volante, who carried the colours, fell from the bridge into +the lake, and the Mexicans were even dragging him away to their canoes; +yet he escaped from them and brought away his colours. In this unfortunate +affair, five of our soldiers were slain, and a great many wounded. Cortes +halted for five days at Tacuba[8], during which there were many skirmishes +with the enemy, and then marched back to Tezcuco, the Mexicans continuing +to harass him by frequent attacks; but having drawn them on one occasion +into an ambuscade, in which they were defeated with considerable slaughter, +they desisted from any farther attack. On arriving at our head-quarters in +Tezcuco, the Tlascalans, who had enriched themselves with plunder during +the expedition, solicited permission to go home that they might secure +their acquisitions in their own country, which Cortes readily consented to. + +During four days after our return from this expedition, the Indians of +several neighbouring districts came in with presents and offers of +submission. Although Cortes was well aware that they had been concerned in +the murder of our men after the retreat from Mexico, he received them all +very graciously, and dismissed them with promises of protection. About +this time likewise, several nations who had joined with us in alliance +made strong representations of the outrages which had been committed upon +them by the Mexicans, of which they produced paintings in their manner, +and earnestly entreated succour. But Cortes could not grant them the +required assistance, as our army, besides having suffered loss by several +being killed and many wounded during the late hostilities, was now grown +very unhealthy. He gave them, however, fair promises, but advised them to +rely more upon their own exertions and the assistance of our other allies, +for which purpose he issued orders to all the districts in our alliance to +assemble in arms against the common enemy. They accordingly collected +their forces, and came to action in the field with the Mexicans, and +exerted themselves with so much vigour that they gained the victory. The +province of Chalco was however an object of principal importance to us, as +the possession of that country was essentially necessary to preserve our +communication with Tlascala and Villa Rica, and being likewise a fertile +corn country, contributed largely to the subsistence of our army. As it +was much harassed by the enemy, Cortes sent Sandoval with a detachment of +about 250 of our troops, cavalry and infantry, to clear it of the Mexicans, +and accompanied by a body of warriors from Tezcuco and such of our +Tlascalan allies as still remained with our army. Sandoval set out from +Tezcuco on the 12th of March 1521, and arrived next morning at Tlalmanalco, +where he learnt that the Mexican forces were posted at a large town called +Guaztepeque or Huaxtepec. Being now joined by the warriors of Chalco, +Sandoval halted for the night at the town of Chimalcan; and next morning +gave orders to his musketeers and crossbow-men to attack the enemy, who +were posted in strong ground; the troops who were armed with swords and +targets, were formed into a compact body of reserve; and the cavalry, +being formed in small bodies of three each, were directed to charge as +soon as the firing had made an impression on the enemy. While advancing in +this order, Sandoval perceived the Mexican forces drawn up in three large +columns or dense battalions, and thought proper to change his original +plan, and to endeavour to break through them by a cavalry charge. Placing +himself, therefore, at the head of the cavalry, he immediately proceeded +to the charge, exclaiming, "St Jago! fall on, comrades!" The main body of +the enemy was partly broken by this charge, but immediately closed again +and stood firm; and the nature of the ground was so much in favour of the +Mexicans, that Sandoval found it necessary to endeavour to drive them from +their post in the manner first proposed, into the open ground in the rear. +For this purpose he made the musketeers and crossbow-men attack the enemy +in front, and those armed with swords and targets to turn their flanks, +ordering also the allies to come forward to the attack, and directed the +cavalry to be ready to charge at an appointed signal. Our troops at length +forced them to retreat, but they immediately occupied another strong +position in their rear, so that Sandoval and the cavalry were unable to +make any considerable impression upon them. In one of the charges in this +difficult broken ground, the horse of Gonzalo Dominguez fell with him, and +he was so much injured that he died in a few days afterwards: His loss was +much regretted by the army, as he was esteemed as brave as either Sandoval +or De Oli. Our army broke the enemy a second time, and pursued them to the +town, where they were suddenly opposed by not less than 15,000 fresh +warriors, who endeavoured to surround our troops: But Sandoval caused them +to be attacked on both flanks, when they fled towards the town, +endeavouring however to make a stand behind some recently constructed +works; but our troops followed them up so vigorously that they had no time +to rally, and were constrained to take shelter in the town. As his troops +were much fatigued, and had got hold of a good supply of provisions, +Sandoval thought proper to allow them some repose, and they began to +prepare their victuals, in which they were soon interrupted by an alarm of +the enemy approaching. They were ready for action in a moment, and +advanced to meet the enemy, fortunately in an open place; where, after a +smart action, the enemy were constrained to retreat behind their works; +but Sandoval pushed on the advantage with so much impetuosity, that he +soon drove them from their works, and compelled them to evacuate the town +with the utmost precipitation. + +Sandoval took up his quarters in a very extensive and magnificent garden, +which contained a number of large handsome buildings, and many admirable +conveniencies fit for the residence of a great prince; but our soldiers +had not then time to examine all its beauties, as it was more than a +quarter of a league in length. I was not in this expedition, being +confined under cure of a bad wound in my throat, which I received by a +lance in the affair at Iztapalapa, and of which I still carry the marks; +but I saw this fine garden about twenty days afterwards, when I +accompanied Cortes to this place. Not being on this expedition, I do not +in my narrative say _we_ and _us_ on this occasion, but _they_ and _them_; +yet every thing I relate is perfectly true, as all the transactions of +every enterprize were regularly reported at headquarters. Sandoval now +summoned all the neighbouring districts to submit, but to little purpose, +as the people of Acapistlan or Jacapichtla answered by a defiance. This +gave much uneasiness to our allies of Chalco, as they were assured the +Mexicans would immediately attack them again on the Spaniards returning to +Tezcuco. Sandoval was rather averse from engaging in any new enterprize, +as a great number of his men were wounded, and the soldiers of Narvaez +disliked risks of every kind; but our allies of Chalco were anxious to +reduce that place, and were strongly supported in this opinion by Luis +Marin, a wise and valiant officer; and as the distance was only two +leagues, Sandoval acquiesced. On his advance, the enemy assailed him with +their missile weapons, and then retired to their strong post in the town. +Our allies were not very much disposed to attack the works, in which the +Spaniards shewed them the way, some even of the cavalry dismounting to +fight on foot, and leaving the rest in the plain to protect the rear. Our +people at length carried the place, but had a good many wounded in the +assault, even Sandoval himself. Though our allies were rather tardy in the +assault, they made up for it after the place was carried, saving the +Spaniards the trouble of putting the enemy to death; and indeed we often +blamed the ferocious cruelty of our allies, from whom we saved many of our +Indian enemies. At this time indeed, our countrymen thought themselves +better employed in searching for gold and taking good female prisoners, +than in butchering a parcel of poor wretches who no longer attempted any +defence. + +Sandoval returned to Tezcuco with many slaves and considerable plunder, +and just as he arrived at head-quarters, even before he had time to make a +report to Cortes of the success of his late expedition, an express arrived +from Chalco with information that they were in a more perilous situation +than before. Guatimotzin was enraged at the defection of the inhabitants +of Chalco, and determined to inflict upon them the most exemplary +chastisement. For this purpose, he sent a force of 20,000 Mexican warriors +across the lake in 2000 canoes, with orders to lay waste the whole +district with fire and sword. On the communication of this intelligence to +Cortes, he was exceedingly enraged at Sandoval, believing that this had +been occasioned by his negligence, and he gave him orders to return +instantly to the defence of Chalco, refusing even to hear his relation of +what he had already done. Sandoval was much hurt at this treatment, yet +went back to Chalco with all possible expedition; but found the business +over before his arrival, as the inhabitants of that province, having +summoned their neighbours to their aid, had already repelled the Mexican +invasion, and Sandoval had only to return to head-quarters with the +prisoners. + +At this period a proclamation was issued, by which all the soldiers were +ordered to bring in the Indian prisoners to be branded, and to pay for +them the royal dues. I have already mentioned the treatment we formerly +met with at Tepeaca on a similar occasion, but we were worse used now at +Tezcuco if possible. In the first place a fifth was taken away for the +king; then another fifth for Cortes; and, what was still worse, most of +the good female slaves were abstracted during the night. We had been +promised that all the slaves should be rated according to their value; but +the officers of the crown valued them as they thought proper, and at a +most exorbitant rate. In consequence of this, the poor soldiers for the +future passed their slaves as servants, denying that they were prisoners +of war, to avoid the heavy duty; and such as were in favour with Cortes, +often got their slaves marked privately, paying him the composition. Many +of the slaves who happened to fall to bad masters, or such as had a bad +reputation, used to run away; but their owners always remained debtors for +their estimated value in the royal books, so that many were more in debt +on this account than all the value of their share in the prize gold could +pay for. About this time likewise, a ship arrived at Villa Rica from Spain +with arms and gunpowder, in which came Julian de Alderete, who was sent +out as royal treasurer. In the same vessel came the elder Orduna, who +brought out five daughters after the conquest, all of whom were honourably +married. Fra Melgarejo de Urrea, also, a Franciscan friar, came in this +vessel, bringing a number of papal bulls, to quiet our consciences from +any guilt we might have incurred during our warfare: He made a fortune of +these in a few months, and returned to Spain. Several other persons came +by this vessel, among whom were, Antonio Caravajal, who still lives in +Mexico, though now very old; Geronimo Ruyz de la Mora; one Briones who was +hanged about four years afterwards for sedition at Guatimala; and Alonzo +Diaz, who now resides in Valladolid. We learned by this ship, with +infinite satisfaction, that the bishop of Burgos had been deprived of all +power over the affairs of the West Indies, as his majesty had been much +displeased with his conduct in regard to our expedition, after having +received a true account of our eminent services. + +Scarcely were we apprised of the success of the inhabitants of Chalco and +their confederates, when a new urgent message arrived from Chalco for +assistance against a fresh invasion of the Mexicans. The brigantines +intended for securing the command of the lake were now ready to launch, +and we were all anxious to commence the siege of Mexico, yet Cortes was +sensible of the importance of Chalco to the success of our ultimate +operations, and determined to march in person to its support. Leaving the +command in Tezcuco to Sandoval, Cortes marched for Chalco on Friday the +5th of April 1521, at the head of 300 infantry, including twenty +crossbow-men, and fifteen musketeers, with thirty cavalry, and a large +body of the auxiliaries of Tezcuco and Tlascala, meaning to clear the +district of Chalco and the environs of the lake from the Mexicans. In this +expedition, our general was accompanied by the treasurer Alderete, +Melgarejo the Franciscan friar, with the captains Alvarado de Oli, and +Tapia, and I also was on this expedition. We halted during the first night +at Tlalmanalco, and reached Chalco next day, when Cortes convened all the +chiefs of that state, to whom he communicated his intention of proceeding +very soon to attack Mexico, in which they engaged to give him all the +assistance in their power. We continued our march next day to Chimalhuecan +or Chimalacoan, a town in the province of Chalco, where above twenty +thousand warriors had assembled to join us, belonging to our allies of +Chalco, Guaxocingo, Tlascala, Tezcuco, and other places, being the largest +body of our allies that I had hitherto seen together. These were attracted +by the hope of plunder, and by a voracious appetite for human flesh, just +as the vultures and other birds of prey follow our armies in Italy, in +order to feast on dead bodies after a battle. + +At this place we were informed that the Mexican forces, and their allies +or subjects in that neighbourhood, were in the field to oppose us. Cortes +therefore issued orders to the army to be always ready for action at a +moments warning, and we proceeded on our march next morning early, after +hearing mass, our route lying between two ridges of rocks, the summits of +which were fortified and filled with large bodies of the enemy[9], who +endeavoured by outcries and reproaches to incite us to attack them. But we +pursued our march to Guaztepeque or Huaxtepec, a large town on the +southern declivity of the mountains, which we found abandoned. Beyond this +place we came to a plain in which water was very scarce, on one side of +which was a lofty rock having a fortress on the summit which was filled +with troops, who saluted us on our approach with showers of arrows and +stones, by which three of our soldiers were wounded at the first discharge. +Cortes ordered us to halt, and sent a party of cavalry to reconnoitre the +rock, who reported on their return that the side where we then were seemed +the most accessible. We were then ordered to the attack, Corral preceding +us with the colours, and Cortes remained on the plain with our cavalry to +protect the rear. On ascending the mountain, the Indians threw down great +fragments of rock, which rolled among us and rebounded over our heads in a +most frightful manner, so that it was wonderful how any of us escaped. +This was a most injudicious attack, and very unlike the usual prudence of +our general. One soldier, named Martin Valenciano, though defended by a +helmet, was killed at my side. As we continued to ascend, three more +soldiers, Gaspar Sanches, one named Bravo, and Alonzo Rodriguez, were +slain, and two others knocked down, most of the rest being wounded, yet we +continued to ascend. I was then young and active, and followed close +behind our ensign, taking advantage of any hollows in the rock for shelter. +Corral was wounded in the head, having his face all covered with blood, +and the colours he bore were all torn to rags. "Senor Diaz," said he to me, +"let us remain under cover, for it is impossible to advance, and it is all +I can do to keep my hold." On looking down, I noticed Pedro Barba the +captain of our crossbows climbing up with two soldiers, and taking +advantage as we had done of the concavities of the rock. I called to him +not to advance, as it was impossible to climb much farther, and utterly +out of our power to gain the summit. He replied in lofty terms, to keep +silence and proceed; on which I exerted myself and got a good way higher, +saying we should see what he would do. At this moment a shower of large +fragments of rocks came tumbling down, by which one of the soldiers along +with Barba was crushed to death, after which he did not stir a step +higher. Corral now called out to those below, desiring them to report to +the general that it was utterly impossible to advance, and that even +retreat was infinitely dangerous. On learning this, and being informed +that most of us were wounded and many killed, as he could not see us on +account of the inequalities of the rock, Cortes recalled us by signal, and +we came back in a very bloody and bruised condition, eight of our party +having been slain. Three even of the cavalry were killed on the plain and +seven wounded, by the masses of rock, which rebounded to a great distance +after their descent from so great a height. + +Numerous bodies of Mexicans were lying in wait for us, intending to have +attacked us while engaged in the ascent, and now advanced towards us in +the plain; but we soon drove them before us, on which they took shelter +among some other rocky ridges. We pursued them through some narrow passes +among the rocks, and found they had taken shelter in another very strong +fortress, similar to that from which we had been repulsed. We desisted for +the present, and returned to our former post in search of water, our men +and horses having been unable to procure any during the whole of this day. +We found some appearance of springs at the foot of the rock, but they had +been drawn dry by the great numbers of the enemy, and nothing remained but +mud. Being under the necessity of endeavouring to procure water, we +returned again to the second fortress, which was about a league and a half +from the first, where we found a small village with a grove of mulberry +trees, in which we discovered a very scanty spring. The people above +discharged their missile weapons on our approach, seeming to be much more +numerous than in the former place, and they were so situated that no shot +from us could reach them. For some way up the rock, there were evident +paths, but it seemed to present insurmountable difficulties against any +attack. Fortunately for us there was another rock which commanded that on +which the enemy were posted, and within shot, to which all our fire-arms +and crossbows were detached, and the rest of our infantry proceeded to +climb up the garrisoned rock slowly and with infinite difficulty. The +enemy might easily have destroyed us by rolling down fragments of rocks on +our heads, but their attention was called off from their main defence by +our missiles, though rather at too great distance to produce much effect; +yet having killed several of the enemy, they lost heart and offered to +submit. On this, Cortes ordered five of their chiefs to come down, and +offered to pardon them for their hostile resistance, on condition that +they should induce those in the other fortress to surrender, which they +accordingly engaged for. Cortes then sent the captains Xaramillo and de +Ircio, with the ensign Corral and a party of men, among whom I was, to +ascend the rock which had surrendered, giving us orders not to touch a +grain of maize. I considered this as full permission to do ourselves all +the good in our power. We found this fortress to consist of an extensive +plain on the summit of a perpendicular rock, the entrance to which did not +exceed twice the size of the mouth of an oven. The whole plain was full of +men, women, and children, but they had not a drop of water. Twenty of +their warriors had been slain by our shot, and a great many wounded. All +their property was packed up in bales, among which there was a +considerable quantity of tribute, which had been collected on purpose to +be sent to Mexico. I had brought four of my Indian servants along with me, +whom I began to load, and four of the natives whom I engaged in my service; +but Captain De Ircio ordered me to desist, or he would report me to the +general, putting me in mind that Cortes had forbidden us to touch a grain +of maize. I answered that I had distinctly heard the orders about the +maize, and for that reason I took the bales. But he would not allow me to +carry any thing away, and reported me on our return to Cortes, expecting I +should receive a reprimand; Cortes, however, observed that he was sorry I +had not got the plunder, as the dogs would laugh at us and keep their +property, after all the evil they had done us. De Ircio then proposed to +return; but Cortes said it was not now time. The chiefs now returned from +the other fortress, having induced its garrison to submit; and we returned +to Huaxtepec that we might procure water. Our whole force was lodged for +the night in the buildings belonging to the noble garden which I formerly +mentioned, and I certainly never saw one of such beauty and magnificence. +Our general and others who walked over all its extent, declared that it +was most admirably disposed, and equalled the most magnificent they had +ever seen in Spain. + +We marched next day towards the city of Cuernabaca or Quauhnahuac. The +Mexicans who occupied that place came out to fight us, but were soon +defeated and pursued to Teputztlan or Tepatlan, which we took by storm, +and made a considerable booty of Indian women and other spoils. Cortes +summoned the chiefs of this place to come in and submit; and on their +refusal, and on-purpose to impress the inhabitants of other places with +terror, he ordered about the half of this town to be set on fire. At this +time, the chiefs of a town called Yauhtepec came to Cortes and made their +submission. Next day, we returned to Cuernabaca, which is a large town in +a very strong situation, being defended by a deep ravine with a small +rivulet, which precludes all access except by two bridges, which the +inhabitants had broken down on our approach. Cortes was informed of a ford +about half a league above the town which was practicable for the cavalry, +to which he marched, by which the main strength of the enemy was drawn off +to oppose him. We of the infantry searched for means to pass the ravine, +and at length discovered a very dangerous pass by means of some trees +which hung over from both sides, by the help of which about thirty of us +and a considerable number of our Tlascalan allies got across. Three fell +into the ravine, one of whom broke his leg. It was a most terrifying +passage, and at one time I was quite blind with giddiness. Having got over +and formed, we fell unexpectedly on the flank and rear of the enemy, and +being now joined by a party of the cavalry, we soon drove the enemy from +the field into the neighbouring woods and rocks. We found considerable +property in the town, and we were here all lodged in the buildings of a +large garden belonging to the cacique of the district. A deputation of +twenty of the chiefs of the Tlahuican nation now waited on Cortes, +offering to submit their whole country to his authority, and threw all the +blame of their hostilities on the Mexicans. + +The object of our next march was against Xochimilco, a large city on the +fresh water lake of Chalco, in which most of the houses are built. As it +was late before we left Quauhnahuac, and the weather was exceedingly +sultry, our troops suffered excessively for want of water, which was not +to be procured on our route. Many of our allies fainted, and one of them, +and also one of our soldiers died of thirst. Seeing the distress of the +army, Cortes ordered a halt in a pine forest, and sent forwards a party in +search of relief. As I saw my friend De Oli about to set off, I took three +of my Indian servants and followed the party, who endeavoured to persuade +me to return; but I was resolute, and De Oli at length consented, telling +me I should have to fight my way. At the distance of about half a league +our cavalry came to some villages on the side of a ridge of mountains, +where they found water in the houses, and one of my servants brought me a +large jar full of water. Having quenched my thirst, I now determined to +return, as the natives had taken the alarm, and were gathering to attack +us. I found Cortes just about to resume the march, and gave him and the +officers, who were with him a hearty draught from my jar. The whole army +now moved forward to the villages, where a scanty supply of water was +procured. It was now near sunset, and the cavalry came in with a report +that the whole country had risen against us, on which account we halted +here for the night, which was very rainy with much wind, as I well +remember, being on the night guard. Several of our soldiers were taken ill +here with inflammation of their mouth and throat, owing to their having +eaten a species of artichoke to quench their thirst. + +We resumed our march early next morning, and arrived about eight o'clock +at Xochimilco[10]. I can give no idea of the prodigious force of the enemy +which was collected at this place to oppose us. They had broken down the +bridges, and fortified themselves with many parapets and pallisades, and +many of their chiefs were armed with the swords which we lost during our +flight from Mexico, which they had polished very nicely. The attack at the +bridge lasted above half an hour, several of our people getting across by +swimming, in which attempt some were drowned, and we were assailed at once +in front and rear and on both flanks. At length our cavalry got on firm +ground, after losing several men, and we drove the enemy before us; but +just at this time a fresh reinforcement of at least 10,000 Mexicans +arrived, and received the charge of the cavalry with great intrepidity, +and wounded four of our men. At this moment the good chesnut horse on +which Cortes rode fell under him among a crowd of the enemy, who knocked +him down, and great numbers gathering around were carrying him off, when a +body of our Tlascalan allies came up to his rescue, headed by the valiant +De Oli, and remounted him, after he had been severely wounded in the head. +De Oli also received three desperate sword wounds from the enemy. As all +the streets of the town were full of Mexican warriors, we had to divide +into a number of separate bodies in order to fight them; but we who were +nearest the place in which our general was in such danger, being alarmed +by the uncommon noise and outcry, hurried there, where they found him and +about fifteen of the cavalry in a very embarrassing situation, amid +parapets and canals where the horse had no freedom to act. We immediately +attacked the enemy, whom we forced to give ground, and brought off Cortes +and De Oli. On first passing at the bridge, Cortes had ordered the cavalry +to act in two divisions on purpose to clear our flanks: They returned at +this time all wounded, and reported that the enemy were so numerous and +desperate, that all their efforts wore unavailing to drive them away. At +the time the cavalry came in, we were in an enclosed court, dressing our +wounds with rags and burnt oil; and the enemy sent in such showers of +arrows among us that hardly any escaped being wounded. We all now sallied +out upon the enemy, both cavalry and infantry, and made considerable havoc +among them with our swords, so that we drove them away and they gave over +their attempt to storm our post. Having now some relaxation, Cortes +brought our whole force to the large enclosures in which the temples were +situated; and on some of us ascending to the top of one of the temples, +where we had a commanding view of Mexico and the lake, we perceived about +two thousand canoes full of troops coming to attack us. A body of ten +thousand men were likewise seen in full march by land for the same purpose, +and the enemy had already fully that number in and about the town. We +learned from five chiefs whom we had made prisoners, that this immense +force was destined to assault our quarters that night; for which reason +strong guards were posted at all the places where the enemy were expected +to disembark; the cavalry were held in readiness to charge upon them on +the roads and firm ground; and constant patroles were kept going about +during the night. I was posted along with ten other soldiers to keep guard +at a stone and lime wall which commanded one of the landing-places, and +while there we heard a noise occasioned by the approach of a party of the +enemy, whom we beat off, sending a report to Cortes by one of our number. +The enemy made a second attempt, in which they knocked down two of our men; +but being again repulsed, they made an attempt to land at a different +place, where there was a small gate communicating with a deep canal. The +night was extremely dark, and as the natives were not accustomed to fight +in the night time, their troops fell into confusion; and instead of making +their attack in two opposite places at the same time, they formed in one +body of at least 15,000 men. + +When our report reached Cortes, he came to us attended by nine or ten of +the cavalry, and as he did not answer my challenge, I and my comrade +Gonzalo Sanchez, a Portuguese from Algarve, fired three or four shots at +them; on which knowing our voices, Cortes observed to his escort, that +this post did not require to be inspected, as it was in charge of two of +his veterans. He then observed that our post was a dangerous one, and +continued his rounds without saying any more. I was afterwards told that +one of the soldiers of Narvaez was whipped this very night for negligence +on his post. As our powder was all expended, we were ordered to prepare a +good supply of arrows for the crossbows, and were employed all the rest of +the night in heading and feathering these, under the direction of Pedro +Barba, who was captain of the crossbow-men. At break of day the enemy made +a fresh attack and killed one Spaniard, but we drove them back, killing +several of their chiefs, and took a great many prisoners. Our cavalry had +been ordered out to charge the Mexicans, but finding them in great force, +they sent back for assistance. The whole of our army now sallied forth and +completely defeated the enemy, from whom we took several prisoners. From +these men, we learned that the Mexicans intended to weary us out by +reiterated attacks, on which account it was resolved to evacuate the place +next day. In the mean time, having information that the town contained +much wealth, we got some of the prisoners to point out the houses in which +it was contained, which stood in the water of the fresh water lake, and +could only be approached by small bridges over the canals, leading from a +causeway. A considerable number both of our men and of the allies went to +these houses, from which they brought away a great deal of booty in cotton +cloth and other valuable articles, and this example was followed by others. +While thus employed, a body of Mexicans came upon them unexpectedly in +canoes, and besides wounding many of our men, they seized four soldiers +alive, whom they carried off in triumph to Mexico; and from these men +Guatimotzin learnt the smallness of our number, and the great loss we had +sustained in killed and wounded. After questioning them as much as he +thought proper, Guatimotzin commanded their hands and feet to be cut off, +and sent them in this mutilated condition through many of the surrounding +districts, as an example of the treatment he intended for us all, and then +ordered them to be put to death. + +On the ensuing morning we had to sustain a fresh attack, as had regularly +been the case during the four days we remained in Xochimilco, but which we +now determined to quit. Before commencing our march, Cortes drew up the +army in an open place a little way out of the town, in which the markets +were held, where he made us a speech, in which he expatiated on the +dangers we had to encounter in our march, and the strong bodies of the +enemy we might expect to oppose our retreat, and then warmly urged us to +leave all our plunder and luggage, that we might not be exposed to danger +in its defence. We remonstrated, however, that it would be a cowardly act +to abandon what we had so hardly won, declaring that we felt confident of +being able to defend our persons and property against all assailants. He +gave way, therefore, to our wishes, and arranged the order of our march, +placing the baggage in the centre, and dividing the cavalry and crossbows +between the van and rear guards, as our musketry was now useless for want +of powder. The enemy harassed us by continual assaults all the way from +Xochimilco to Cuyocan, or Cojohuacan, a city on the borders of the lake, +near one of the causeways leading to Mexico, which we found abandoned, and +where we took up our quarters for two days, taking care of our wounds, and +making arrows for our crossbows. The enemy which had especially obstructed +us on this march, consisted of the inhabitants of Xochimilco, Cuyocan, +Huitzilopochco, Iztapalapa, Mizquic, and five other towns, all of +considerable size, and built on the edge of the lake, near one another, +and not far from Mexico. On the third morning we marched for Tlacopan or +Tacuba, harassed as usual by the enemy, but our cavalry soon forced them +to retire to their canals and ditches. During this march, Cortes attempted +to lay an ambush for the enemy, for which purpose he set out with ten +horsemen and four servants, but had nearly fallen into a snare himself. +Having encountered a party a Mexicans who fled before him, he pursued them +too far, and was suddenly surrounded by a large body of warriors, who +started out from an ambuscade, and wounded all the horses in the first +attack, carrying off two of the attendants of Cortes to be sacrificed at +Mexico, the rest of the party escaping with considerable difficulty. Our +main body reached Tacuba in safety, with all the baggage; but as Cortes +and his party did not appear, we began to entertain suspicions of some +misfortune having befallen him. On this account, Alvarado, De Oli, Tapia, +and I, with some others, went to look for him in the direction in which we +had last seen him. We soon met two of his servants, who informed us of +what had happened, and were shortly afterwards joined by Cortes, who +appeared extremely sad, and even shed tears. + +When we arrived at our quarters in Tacuba, which were in some large +enclosed courts, it rained very heavily, and we were obliged to remain +exposed for about two hours. On the weather clearing up, the general and +his officers, with many of the men who were off duty, went up to the top +of the great temple of Tacuba, whence we had a most delightful prospect of +the lake, with all its numerous cities and towns, rising as it were out of +the water. Innumerable canoes were seen in all directions, some employed +in fishing, and others passing with provisions or merchandize of all kinds. +We all gave praise to God, who had been pleased to render us the +instruments for bringing the numerous inhabitants of so fine a country to +the knowledge of his holy name; yet the bloody scenes which we had already +experienced in Mexico, filled us with melancholy for the past, and even +with some apprehension for the future. These recollections made Cortes +exceedingly sad, regretting the many valiant soldiers he had already lost, +and the brave men whom he might still expect to fall before he could be +able to reduce the great, strong, and populous city of Mexico to +submission[11]. Our reverend Father Olmedo, endeavoured to console him, +and one of our soldiers observed, that such was the fortune of war, and +that our general was in a very different situation from Nero, when he +contemplated his capital on fire. Cortes replied, that he felt melancholy +while reflecting on the fatigues and dangers we should still have to pass +through; but that he should soon take effectual measures for bringing the +great object in view to a speedy conclusion. Having no particular purpose +to serve by remaining in Tacuba, some of our officers and soldiers +proposed to take a view of the causeway where we had suffered so severely +on the fatal night of our flight from Mexico; but this was considered +dangerous and imprudent. We accordingly proceeded on our march by +Escapozalco, which was abandoned by the enemy on our approach, to +Terajoccan, which was also deserted, and thence to Coatitlan or Guatitlan, +where we arrived excessively fatigued, as it never ceased raining during +the whole of that day. We took up our quarters in that place for the night, +which was excessively rainy; and, though the enemy gave us some alarms +during the night, I can testify that no proper watch was kept, owing to +the inclemency of the weather, as my post was not visited either by rounds +or corporal. From Coatitlan, we continued our march by a deep miry road, +through four or five other towns, all abandoned, and arrived in two days +at Aculman or Oculman, in the territory of Tezcuco, where we received the +pleasing intelligence that a reinforcement had arrived to us from Spain. +Next day we proceeded to Tezcuco, where we arrived worn out with wounds +and fatigue, and even diminished in our numbers. + +Soon after our return to Tezcuco, a conspiracy was formed for the +assassination of our general, at the head of which was one Antonio de +Villafana, an adherent of Velasquez, and some of the other soldiers who +had come over with Narvaez, but whose names I do not choose to mention, +and the conspirators had even communicated their plan to two principal +officers, whom I will not name, one of whom was to have been appointed +captain-general on the death of Cortes. They had even arranged matters for +the appointment of alguazil-major, alcaldes, regidor, contador, treasurer, +veedor, and others of that kind, and of captains and standard-bearer to +the army, all from among the soldiers of Narvaez. All the principal +adherents of Cortes were to have been put to death, and the conspirators +were to have divided our properties, arms, and horses, among themselves. +This business was revealed to Cortes, only two days after our return to +Tezcuco, by the repentance of one of the conspirators, whom he amply +rewarded. The general immediately communicated the intelligence to +Alvarado, De Oli, Sandoval, Tapia, Luis Marin, and Pedro de Ircio, who +were the two alcaldes for the time, also to me, and to all in whom he +reposed confidence. We all accompanied Cortes, well armed, to the quarters +of Villafana, where he found him and many others of the conspirators, and +took him immediately into custody. The others endeavoured to escape, but +were all detained and sent to prison. Cortes took a paper from the bosom +of Villafana, having the signatures of all his accomplices; but which he +afterwards pretended that Villafana had swallowed, to set the minds of the +conspirators at rest, as they were too numerous to be all punished in the +present weak state of our army. Villafana was immediately tried, and made +a full confession; and his guilt being likewise clearly established by +many witnesses, the judges, who were Cortes, the two alcaldes, and De Oli, +condemned him to die. Having confessed himself to the reverend Juan Diaz, +he was hanged from a window of the apartment. No more of the conspirators +were proceeded against; but Cortes thought it prudent to appoint a body +guard for his future security, selected from among those who had been with +him from the first, of which Antonio de Quinones was made captain. + +At this period an order was issued for bringing in all our prisoners to +be marked, being the third time since we came to the country. If that +operation were unjustly conducted the first time, it was worse the second, +and this time worse than ever; for besides the two fifths for the king and +Cortes, no less than thirty draughts were made for the captains; besides +which, all the handsome females we had given in to be marked, were stolen +away, and concealed till it became convenient to produce them. + +As the brigantines were entirely finished, and the canal for their passage +into the lake was now sufficiently wide and deep for that purpose, Cortes +issued orders to all the districts in our alliance, near Tezcuco, to send +him, in the course of ten days, 8000 arrow-shafts from each district, made +of a particular wood, and as many copper heads. Within the appointed time, +the whole number required was brought to head-quarters, all executed +better than even the patterns. Captain Pedro Barba, who commanded the +crossbows, ordered each of his soldiers to provide two cords and nuts, and +to try the range of their bows. Cortes ordered all the cavalry to have +their lances new-headed, and to exercise their horses daily. He sent +likewise an express to the elder Xicotencatl at Tlascala, otherwise called +Don Lorenzo de Vargas, to send 20,000 of the warriors of Tlascala, +Huixotzinco and Cholula; and he sent similar orders to Chalco and +Tlalmanalco; ordering all our allies to rendezvous at Tezcuco on the day +after the festival of the Holy Ghost, 28th April 1521. And on that day, +Don Hernandez Ixtlilxochitl of Tezcuco, was to join us with all his forces. +Some considerable reinforcements of soldiers, horses, arms, and ammunition +had arrived from Spain and other places, so that when mustered mustered on +the before-mentioned day by Cortes, in the large enclosures of Tezcuco, +our Spanish force amounted to the following number: 84 cavalry, 650 +infantry, armed with sword and buckler, or pikes, and 194 musketeers and +crossbow-men, in all 928 Spaniards. From this number he selected 12 +musketeers or crossbow-men, and 12 of the other infantry, for rowers to +each of the vessels, in all 312 men, appointing a captain to each vessel; +and he distributed 20 cannoneers through the fleet, which he armed with +such guns as we had that were fit for this service. Many of our men had +been formerly sailors, yet all were extremely averse from acting as rowers +on the present occasion; for which reason the general made inquiry as to +those who were natives of sea-ports, or who had formerly been fishers or +seafaring men, all of whom he ordered to the oars; and though some of them +pled their gentility as an exemption, he would hear of no excuse. By these +means he obtained 150 men for this service, who were in fact in a much +better situation than we who bore the brunt and danger of the war on land, +as will appear in the sequel. When all this was arranged, and the crews +embarked along with their commanders, each brigantine hoisted a royal +standard, and every one a distinguishing flag. Cortes likewise gave the +captains written instructions for their guidance, dividing them into +squadrons, each of which was to co-operate with a particular leader of the +land forces. + +Cortes now issued the following general orders to the army: 1. No person +to blaspheme the Lord Jesus, his Virgin Mother, the Holy Apostles, or any +of the Saints, under heavy penalties. 2. No soldier to maltreat any of our +allies in their persons or properties. 3. No soldier to be absent from +quarters on any pretence. 4. Every soldier to keep his arms, both +offensive and defensive, in the best order. 5. No soldier to stake his +horse or arms in gaming. 6. No soldier to sleep out of his armour, or +without his arms beside him, except when disabled by wounds or sickness. +Lastly, the penalty of death was denounced for sleeping on guard, for a +sentinel quitting his post, for absence from quarters without leave, for +quitting the ranks in the field, or for flight in battle. + +At this time our allies of Tlascala arrived under the command of +Xicotencatl the younger, who was accompanied by his two brothers. Some of +the warriors of Huexotzinco and Cholula came along with the Tlascalans, +but not in any great numbers[12], yet the alacrity of our allies was such +that they joined us a day previous to that which was appointed by Cortes. +They marched in with great military parade, each of the chiefs carrying a +standard with their national device, a white spread eagle, and they were +all in high spirits, shouting out, Castilla! Castilla! Tlascala! Tlascala! +From the arrival of their van, till the rear came in, took up three hours. +Cortes received them with great courtesy, promising to make them all rich +on their return to their native country, and dismissed them with many +compliments to their respective quarters. + +Cortes made the following arrangement of our land army for the investment +of Mexico, distributing our forces in three separate divisions, under the +respective commands of Alvarado, De Oli, and Sandoval, reserving to +himself to act where his presence might be most necessary, and taking in +the mean time the command of the fleet. Pedro de Alvarado, under whom I +served, had 150 infantry, 30 cavalry, 18 musketeers and crossbow-men, and +8000 Tlascalans, and was ordered to take post at Tacuba, having three +captains under his command, his brother Jorge de Alvarado, Pedro +Guttierrez, and Andres de Monjara, having each a company of 50 infantry, +with a third of the musketeers and crossbow-men, the cavalry being +commanded by Alvarado in person.--Christoval de Oli commanded the second +division, having under him Andres de Tapia, Francisco Verdugo, and +Francisco de Lugo, with 175 infantry, 30 cavalry, 20 musketeers and +crossbows, and 8000 of our Indian allies. This division was ordered to +take post at Cuyoacan or Cojohuacan.--The third division, under the +command of Gonzalo de Sandoval, who had under him captains Luis Marin and +Pedro de Ircio, consisted of 150 infantry, 24 cavalry, 14 musketeers and +crossbows, and above 8000 Indian warriors, was to take post at Iztapalapa. +The division of Alvarado and De Oli were ordered to march from Tezcuco by +the right, going round the northern side of the lake, and the third, under +Sandoval, by the left, to the south end of the lake; and his march being +much shorter, he was ordered to remain in Tezcuco until Cortes should sail +out with the fleet[13]. + +Before setting out on their march, Alvarado and De Oli directed our Indian +allies to go on a day before us, that we might not be interrupted by their +numbers, and ordered them to wait for us when they reached the Mexican +territory. While on their march, Chichimecatl remarked that Xicotencatl, +the commander in chief of the Tlascalans was absent; and it was found that +he had secretly gone off from Tezcuco for Tlascala on the preceding night, +in order to take possession of the territory and property of Chichimecatl, +thinking this a good opportunity during the absence of that chief and his +warriors, and being in no apprehension of any opposition, now that +Maxicatzin was dead. Chichimecatl returned immediately to Tezcuco, to +inform Cortes of what had taken place; and our general sent five chiefs of +Tezcuco and two Tlascalan chiefs, to request Xicotencatl to return. He +answered, that if his old father and Maxicatzin had listened to him, they +would not have been now domineered over by Cortes and the Spaniards, and +absolutely refused to go back. On this haughty answer being reported to +Cortes, he immediately sent off an alguazil with four horsemen and five +Tezcucan chiefs, ordering them to seize and hang Xicotencatl wherever they +could find him. Alvarado interceded strongly for his pardon, but +ineffectually; for though Cortes seemed to relent, the party who arrested +Xicotencatl in a town subject to Tezcuco, hung him up by private orders +from Cortes, and some reported that this was done with the approbation of +the elder Xicotencatl, father to the Tlascalan general. This affair +detained us a whole day, and on the next the two divisions of Alvarado and +De Oli marched by the same route, halting for the night at Aculma or +Alcolman, a town belonging to the state of Tezcuco, where a very ruinous +quarrel was near taking place between our two commanders and their +divisions. De Oli had sent some persons before to take quarters for his +troops, and had appropriated every house in the place for his men, marking +them by setting up green boughs on the terraces; so that when Alvarado +arrived with his division, we had not a single house for us to lodge in. +Our soldiers were much irritated at this circumstance, and stood +immediately to their arms to fight with those of De Oli, and the two +commanders even challenged each other; but several of the more prudent of +the officers on both sides interposed, and a reconciliation was effected, +yet Alvarado and De Oli were never afterwards good friends. An express was +sent off immediately to apprize Cortes of this misunderstanding, who wrote +to all the people of any influence in the two divisions, greatly +condemning the circumstances of this disagreement, which might have +produced fatal consequences to our whole army, and earnestly recommended a +reconcilement. We continued our march for two days more, by several +Mexican cities, which were abandoned by their inhabitants; and passing +through Coatitlan, Tenajoccan and Itzcapuzalco, where our allies waited +for us, we proceeded for Tacuba, otherwise called Tlacopan. + + +[1] According to Clavigero, II. 135, the Spanish force at this time + amounted to forty cavalry, divided into four troops, and 550 infantry, + in nine companies: But he swells the auxiliary force of the Tlascalans + to 110,000 men.--E. + +[2] In the very imperfect maps of Diaz and Clavigero, Tezcuco is placed + near the mouth of a rivulet which discharges itself into the lake of + Mexico: In the former, the buildings are represented as extending two + miles and a half along the rivulet, and coming close to the edge of + the lake; but the map of Clavigero has no scale. In the map given by + Humboldt, Tezcuco is placed on a rising ground, near two miles from + the edge of the lake. But the lake has since the time of Cortes been + much diminished in extent by a grand drain, insomuch that Mexico, + formerly insulated, is now a mile and a half from the lake.--E. + +[3] On this occasion Diaz mentions the inhabitants of Chalco, Tlalmalanco, + Mecameca, and Chimaloacan, as the allies of the Spaniards; but these + states do not appear to have submitted to the Spaniards till + afterwards. Cortes employed the interval, from his arrival at Tezcuco + in the end of December 1520, to the investment of Mexico, at the end + of May 1521, five months, in detaching a great number of the native + states from their dependence upon Mexico.--E. + +[4] From the circumstance of the gold, it is probable Yuste and his + companions had been slain on their retreat from Mexico, not on their + way there as stated in the text. From this and other similar incidents, + of parties of Spaniards having been slain in different places after + the retreat from Mexico, it is highly probable that several detached + parties made their escape, who missed forming a junction with Cortes. + He, it will be recollected, made a detour round the west and south + sides of the lake; and it is probable that they had turned to the east, + as the nearest and most direct way to Tlascala and Villa Rica.--E. + +[5] Clavigero, II. 146, exaggerates the armed escort to 30,000 Tlascalan + warriors, commanded by three chiefs, Chichimecatl, Ayotecatl, and + Teotlipil. Diaz calls the two last, Teuleticle and Teatical; but + though his facts are fully more to be depended upon, Clavigero may be + accounted better versant in Mexican orthography.--E. + +[6] Clavigero, II. 146, quotes Diaz as saying that it extended six miles + from front to rear. This may very likely have been the case, but Diaz + nowhere specifies the length of the line.--E. + +[7] Clavigero says, 350 Spanish infantry, 25 horsemen, and 30,000 + Tlascalans, with six small cannon.--E. + +[8] Clavigero, II. 147, says that Cortes endeavoured at this time, but in + vain, to come to an amicable agreement with the court of Mexico.--E. + +[9] In this expedition Cortes appears, by the information of Clavigero, + II. 152, to have crossed the southern mountains of the Mexican vale, + and to have reduced Huastepec, Jautepec, Quauhnahuac, and other towns + belonging to the Tlahuicas, who were subject to the Mexican empire; + thus judiciously using his endeavours to strengthen his own party and + to weaken that of the Mexicans, before proceeding to assail the + capital of that powerful empire.--E. + +[10] This beautiful city was the largest in the vale of Mexico, after the + capital and the royal residences of Tezcuco and Tlacopan, and was + famous for its floating gardens, whence it derived its name, + signifying flower gardens in the Mexican language.--Clavig. II. 155. + +[11] Diaz mentions a poem circulated at the time, as beginning in + reference to the melancholy of Cortes on this occasion, somewhat in the + following strain: + + In Tacuba was Cortes, with many a gallant chief; + He thought upon his losses, and bow'd his head with grief. + +[12] Clavigero, II. 159, carries the number of allies which joined Cortes + on this occasion, to more than 200,000 men. In his enumeration of the + several divisions of the army appointed for the investment of Mexico, + Diaz makes the Indian allies very little more than 24,000 warriors.--E. + +[13] Diaz mentions, that about this time intelligence came to Tezcuco, + that three of our soldiers who had been left by Pizarro to search for + mines in the country of the Zapotecas had been put to death by the + Mexicans, one only, named Barrientos, having escaped to Chinantla, + where he was protected by the natives.--E. + + + + +SECTION XIII. + +_Narrative of Occurrences from the commencement of the Siege of Mexico to +its Reduction, and the Capture of Guatimotzin_. + + +Having thus, by the occupation of Tacuba, commenced the investment of the +great and populous city of Mexico, we soon found the enemy around us in +great numbers; and as the first operation, it was determined on the +following day, that our divisions should march to Chapoltepec to destroy +the aqueduct at that place, by which the city of Mexico was supplied with +fresh water. We set out accordingly with our allies, and although the +enemy attacked us on our march, we repelled them and succeeded in our +object of cutting off the pipes, so that from that time the city of Mexico +was deprived of fresh water. It was now determined to endeavour to +penetrate to the city of Mexico by the causeway of Tacuba, or at least to +attempt getting possession of the first bridge on that causeway; but on +our arrival there, the prodigious number of boats which covered the water +on both sides, and the multitude of Mexican troops which thronged the +causeway to oppose us, was perfectly astonishing. By the first flight of +arrows which they discharged against us, three of our men were slain and +thirty wounded; yet we advanced to the bridge, the enemy retiring before +us, as if by a concerted stratagem, so that we were exposed on both flanks, +on a narrow road only twenty feet wide, as a butt for the innumerable +arrows of the Mexicans in the canoes, and neither our musquetry nor +crossbows were of any avail against the people in the canoes, as they were +effectually protected by high wooden screens. The horses of our cavalry +were all wounded, and when at any time they made a charge upon the enemy, +they were almost immediately stopt by barriers and parapets which the +enemy had drawn across the causeway for the purpose, and from whence they +defended themselves with long lances. Likewise, when the infantry advanced +along the causeway, instead of abiding our attack, the enemy threw +themselves into the water and escaped by swimming or into their canoes, +returning incessantly to the attack. We were thus engaged for more than an +hour to no useful purpose, the enemy continually increasing in number, by +reinforcements from every part of the lake; and our allies, instead of +being serviceable, only encumbered the causeway and hindered our movements. +Finding that we were unable any longer to resist the multitude of enemies +who assailed us perpetually from the water, and almost with entire +impunity, we determined to retreat to our quarters in Tacuba, having eight +of our men slain and above fifty wounded, and were closely followed up and +much harassed by the enemy during our retreat. De Oli laid the blame of +the disaster of this day on the rashness of Alvarado. + +Next day[1], though we were all extremely solicitous for the two captains +to remain together, De Oli proceeded with his division to take possession +of Cojohuacan, according to the orders he had received from Cortes; but +this separation was assuredly extremely ill judged; as, if the enemy had +known the smallness of our numbers at the two stations, they might have +fallen upon and destroyed us separately, during the four or five days that +we remained divided before the arrival of Cortes with the brigantines. In +all that time we never ventured to make any more attempts against the +Mexican causeways, but the enemy frequently sent bodies of their troops to +the main land to make attacks on our quarters, on which occasions we +always drove them away. + +Sandoval with his division did not leave Tezcuco until the fourth day +after the feast of Corpus Christi[2], when he marched through a friendly +country by the south side of the lake, and arrived without interruption in +front of Iztapalapa. Immediately on his arrival, he commenced an attack on +the enemy, and burnt many of the houses in that part of the town which +stood on the firm land; but fresh bodies of Mexican warriors came over in +canoes and by the causeway of Iztapalapa to relieve their friends in the +town, and made a determined resistance against Sandoval. While the +engagement was going on, a smoke was observed to arise from a hill above +the town, which was answered by similar signals at many other points +around the lake, which were afterwards found to have been made to apprize +the enemy of the appearance of our flotilla on the lake. On this, the +efforts of the enemy against Sandoval were much relaxed, as their canoes +and warriors were recalled to oppose our naval force; and Sandoval was +thus enabled to take up his quarters in a part of the town of Iztapalapa; +between which and Cojohuacan the only means of communication was by a +causeway or mound dividing the lake of Chalco from that of Mexico or +Tezcuco, which passage was at that time impracticable in the face of the +enemy. + +"Before proceeding to the narrative of the siege of Mexico, it may be +proper to give some account of the situation of the city of Mexico, and +the mounds or causeways by which it communicated with the land at the +several posts which were occupied by Cortes for its investment[3]. The +city of Mexico was built partly on an island and partly in the water, at +the west side of a considerable salt lake, named sometimes the lake of +Tezcuco, and sometimes the lake of Mexico, and appears to have been about +a mile from the firm land. It communicated with the land by three mounds +or causeways; that of Tepejacac on the north, about three miles long, +measuring from the great temple in centre of Mexico; that usually called +of Iztapalapa on the south, nearly five miles in length; and that of +Tacuba or Tlacopan on the west, about two miles long, likewise measuring +from the temple; but at least a mile may be abstracted from each of these +measurements, on account of the extent of the city from the great temple +to the commencement of the causeways. About the middle of the southern +causeway called that of Iztapalapa, another causeway branched off +obliquely to the south-east, to the town of Cojohuacan; and at the place +where these two causeways united stood the town of Xoloc, partly on the +sides of the causeways, but chiefly in the water intersected by canals and +ditches. Besides these three grand causeways for communicating with the +land, there was a smaller mound about two miles south from the causeway of +Tacuba, from a town named Chapoltepec, along which the aqueduct, or pipes, +for supplying Mexico with fresh water was carried; but this appears to +have been too narrow for allowing any passage, at least the Spaniards do +not seem to have availed themselves of it, in their long and arduous +endeavours to force their way into Mexico. Near the south-west angle of +the salt lake of Mexico, it communicated by a narrow neck or strait with +the fresh water lake of Chalco; and at their junction a mound or causeway +had been constructed across, to prevent the admixture of the salt and +fresh lakes, having a town called Mexicaltzinco at the eastern extremity +of this mound. Iztapalapa stood in the western end of the peninsula, +between the lakes of Mexico and Chalco, but on the borders and in the +waters of the former. The whole fertile vale of Mexico or Anahuac, around +these two lakes, and some others to the north of the great lake, was +thickly planted with cities, towns, and villages, and highly cultivated, +containing and giving subsistence to a prodigious population. The extent +of this extraordinary valley, elevated nearly 8000 feet above the level of +the sea, is about 50 miles from north to south, and forty miles from east +to west; being surrounded on every side by ridges of lofty mountains, some +of them perpetually covered with snow, and rising to about 10,000 feet in +perpendicular elevation above the ocean." + +When Cortes brought out his fleet of brigantines upon the lake, he went in +the first place to attack an insular rock close beside Mexico, on which a +vast number of the inhabitants of that city and other places in the +neighbourhood had taken shelter. Immediately on perceiving his intentions, +their whole force collected from every part of the lake, and proceeded +against him in not less than 4000 large canoes full of warriors. On +perceiving this immense number of boats coming to attack him, Cortes +withdrew with his brigantines into an open part of the lake, ordering his +captains to wait patiently for a breeze of wind which then began to blow. +As the enemy supposed that this movement proceeded from fear, they +immediately closed up around the flotilla with shouts of triumph. The wind +now sprung up, and the whole fleet made sail through the throng of canoes, +plying their oars at the same time, and run down and overset great numbers +of the Mexican canoes, compelling all the rest to fly for shelter to the +recesses and shallows on the borders of the lake. After this, Cortes made +sail to Cojohuacan[4], where he was again attacked by the Mexicans, both +by means of their canoes on the water, and from their temples on the land: +But Cortes brought four guns to bear upon them, by which he did +considerable execution. During this action his powder magazine blew up, +owing to some mismanagement of the gunners, by which many of his people +were wounded. This unfortunate accident obliged him to detach his smallest +brigantine to Sandoval for a supply of ammunition. He remained at +Cojohuacan for two days with the flotilla, repairing the injury his ship +had sustained from the explosion. + +When we were assured that the flotilla was out upon the lake, Alvarado +marched out with our division to the causeway of Tacuba, as far as the +bridge, in which we were constantly engaged with the enemy to very little +purpose, except that we repaired the passes in our rear as we advanced, +and did not now suffer the cavalry to come upon the causeway, as we had +found by experience that they were of very little service, and besides +that their horses were exposed to much danger. Finding that he could not +sufficiently annoy the enemy in his present post at Iztapalapa, where the +Mexicans had possession of the houses which were built in the water, +Sandoval advanced by a causeway to a more commanding situation[5]. When +this was noticed from Mexico, a large detachment of warriors came over in +canoes, with orders to cut the causeway in the rear of our troops. Cortes +observed this, and immediately made sail with his vessels to the relief of +Sandoval, giving orders at the same time to De Oli to march a body of +troops by the causeway for the same purpose. Having relieved Sandoval by +these means, Cortes ordered him to remove with his division from +Iztapalapa to Tepeaquilla or Tepejacac, where the church of our Lady of +Guadalupe now stands, in which many wonderful miracles have been performed. + +As it was impossible for our troops to advance on the causeways, unless +their flanks were secured from attacks by water, the flotilla was +appointed to this service in three divisions, one of which was attached to +each of the three detachments of our land force: Four brigantines being +allotted to Alvarado, six to De Oli, and two to Sandoval[6]; twelve in all, +the thirteenth having been found too small for service, and was therefore +laid up, and her crew distributed to the rest, as twenty men had been +already severely wounded in the several vessels. Alvarado now led our +division to attack the causeway of Tacuba, placing two brigantines on each +flank for our protection. We drove the enemy before us from several of +their bridges and barricades; but after fighting the whole day, we were +obliged to retreat to our quarters at night, almost all of us wounded by +the incessant showers of stones and arrows of the enemy. We were +continually assailed on the causeway, by fresh troops of warriors, +carrying different banners or devices; and our brigantines were +excessively annoyed from the terraces of the houses which stood in the +water; and as we could not leave a party to keep possession of what we had +acquired during the day, the enemy repossessed themselves of the bridges +at night, and repaired and strengthened their parapets and other defences. +In some places they deepened the water, digging pits in the shallow places, +and placing the canoes in ambush, which they secured against the approach +of our brigantines by means of pallisades under water. Every day we were +employed in the same manner, driving the enemy before us, and every night +we returned to our quarters to bind up our wounds. The cavalry were of no +service, on account of the barricades defended by long lances; and the +soldiers even did not choose to risk their horses, as their price at this +time was from eight hundred to a thousand crowns. One Juan, a soldier from +Catalonia, used to heal our wounds by charms and prayers, which by the +mercy of God recovered us very fast; and this being observed by our allies, +all their wounded men applied to Juan, who had more business on his hands +than he was able for. But whether whole or wounded, we were obliged to go +out daily against the enemy, as otherwise our companies would have been +reduced to less than half their strength. Our ensign was disabled almost +every day, as he could not at the same time carry his colours and defend +himself from the enemy. We were abundantly supplied with corn, but were +much in want of refreshments for the wounded men; our chief resource being +_tunas_ or Indian figs, cherries while in season, and a plant called +_quilities_ by the natives. The situation of the other two attacks was +precisely similar to ours. Every day, when we marched to the attack, a +signal was made from the great temple of Tlaltelolco, the great division +of Mexico nearest Tacuba, on which the enemy rushed out against us, and +were continually relieved by fresh troops, marching out in succession. +Finding that we gained nothing by these daily attacks, we changed our plan +of operations. On our causeway there was a small open space, on which +stood some buildings for religious worship, where we formed a lodgment, +and established a post, leaving our cavalry and allies to secure our rear +in Tacuba, whence we were supplied with provisions. Though very badly +lodged in this place, as every shower of rain came in upon us, we +maintained this post and advanced a little towards the city every day, +filling up the trenches which intersected the causeway, and pulling down +the houses on each side, and using their materials to strengthen our +defences. We found it extremely difficult to set the houses on fire, nor +could the flames communicate from house to house, as all the houses were +separated by canals and ditches. During this operation we were subjected +to great danger, as the enemy destroyed us from their terraces when we +endeavoured to swim over from the causeway to these detached houses. + +In this manner we gained some ground every day, which we secured by +parapets and other defences, and preserved during the night. Every +evening at sunset, the company which was first for duty, was entrusted +with the advanced post, to which they sent forty men; the second company +sent an equal number at midnight, and the relieved guard did not quit +their post, but had to remain sleeping on the ground; the third company +did the same the same two hours before day-break, and the second now lay +down to sleep, so that we now had 120 men on guard. Sometimes our whole +detachment had to remain under arms the whole night, especially on the +following occasion: We learnt from some of our prisoners, that the +Mexicans intended to force our post by a great effort, which would have +frustrated the other two attacks. For this purpose, all the warriors of +nine towns around the lake, including those of Tacuba, Izcapuzalco, and +Tenajocan, were by a joint attack upon our rear to carry off our baggage +and destroy our bakery in Tacuba, while the Mexicans were to assail us in +front on the causeway. We immediately communicated this intelligence to +our cavalry and allies at headquarters, warning them to keep on the alert. +In pursuance of this plan, we were attacked both in front and rear for +several successive nights, from midnight to day-break. Sometimes the enemy +came on with a prodigious noise of shouting and military instruments, and +at other times stole upon us in profound silence; but their night attacks +were never made with so much resolution as those during the day. Yet we +were harassed to death with continual watching, fatigue, and wounds, and +constantly exposed to cold winds and almost incessant rain. Our post was +reduced to a mere splash of mud and water, and our only food was maize and +miserable herbs. When we complained, the only comfort given us by our +officers, was that such is the fortune of war. Yet all our efforts, +fatigues, and privations, were of little avail; as the parapets we +destroyed and the ditches we filled up during the day, were uniformly +replaced next night by the enemy. + +The destruction of the aqueduct of Chapoltepec, from which so much had +been expected, by cutting off the water which supplied the city of Mexico, +was unavailing, neither could we starve them into a surrender, as they +were regularly supplied with every thing they wanted by means of their +canoes from the towns around the lake. In order to prevent this, two of +our brigantines were ordered to cruize every night on the lake, to +intercept these supplies. This measure answered the purpose in some degree, +but not effectually, as some of the canoes escaped into the city every +night. At this time the Mexicans laid a plan to surprise our two cruizing +brigantines. Having concealed thirty of their largest piraguas among some +tall reeds on the borders of the lake, they sent several canoes, as if +carrying provisions, to decoy our vessels into the snare, and even fixed a +number of large wooden piles under water at the place to which our vessels +were to be inveigled. On the appearance of the decoy-canoes, our two +vessels made immediately towards them, the canoes rowing away towards the +ambush followed by our brigantines. As soon as they arrived at the place, +the thirty piraguas immediately surrounded them, and wounded every officer, +soldier, and mariner on board, by their first flight of arrows. Our +vessels could not move on account of the piles, and the enemy continued +the assault with the utmost vigour. One of the captains, named Portilla, +was slain, and Captain Pedro Barba, the commander of our crossbows, died +of his wounds. This ambush completely succeeded, as the two brigantines +fell into the hands of the enemy. They belonged to the principal division +of our flotilla, which was commanded by Cortes in person, who was much +exasperated by the loss; but he soon repayed the enemy in their own way. +He constantly sent out some vessels every night to scour the lake, and on +one occasion they brought in some prisoners of consequence, from whom he +learnt that the enemy had formed another ambuscade of forty large piraguas +and as many canoes. He now laid a plan to turn their schemes against +themselves; for which purpose he sent six vessels one night with muffled +oars, to conceal themselves in a water-cut at the edge of the lake, +covered with bushes and tall reeds, about a quarter of a league from the +ambushment of the enemy. A single brigantine was then sent out early in +the morning, as if in search of the canoes which carried provisions to +Mexico, and having the prisoners on board to point out the place where the +enemies fleet lay concealed. The enemy sent as before some loaded canoes +to decoy the brigantine towards the ambush, and our vessel pursued them +until near the place, where it lay-to, as if fearful to approach. The +Mexican fleet now sallied out upon them, and our brigantine rowed away +towards the place where the six others were concealed, closely followed up +by the enemy. When arrived near enough, the brigantine fired two shots as +a signal, on which the other vessels pushed out against the enemy, running +down many of their vessels, dispersing all the rest, and making a great +number of prisoners. This sickened them at ambushments, and from +henceforwards they did not attempt to cross the lake in their canoes so +openly. + +Our three divisions of the land army continued to pursue their plan for +gradually advancing along the causeways. Always as we gained ground, we +pulled down the houses on each side, filling up the ditches or canals +which intersected the causeways, and strengthening our posts; in which, +and in all the operations of the war, we were excellently seconded by our +brave Tlascalan allies. On our attack, the Mexicans broke down one of the +bridges in the rear of their own barricades and parapets, leaving one +narrow passage at a place where the water was very deep as a decoy, and +even dug trenches and pitfalls where the water was more shallow, placing +pallisades in the deep water to prevent the approach of our vessels, and +constructing parapets on both sides of the breach. They had also a number +of canoes in readiness to sally out upon us on a concerted signal. When +all these preparations were in readiness, they made a combined attack upon +us in three several directions. One body advanced towards our rear from +the side of Tacuba, a second directly on our front along the causeway from +the city, and the third by the ruins of the houses which we had destroyed. +We repulsed the enemy on all sides; and one party of us, having forced +them from the works at the broken bridge, crossed the water up to our +necks at the place they had left open for us, and rashly pushed on to an +open place where there were some large temples and towers. We were here +assailed on all sides by fresh troops from the houses and terraces, and +those whom we pursued faced about and fought us in front. We now found it +necessary to retreat, which we did with the utmost order till we came to +the pass at the broken bridge, which was occupied by the enemy in canoes; +and as the others pressed upon our rear, we were forced to throw ourselves +into the lake and to get over any way we could. Those who could not swim +got entangled among the concealed ditches and pits in the shallow water, +where the enemy closed in upon us, wounding the whole party, and even +taking five of our soldiers alive. The vessels which came to our relief +were unable to approach, on account of the pallisades, and they lost two +of their soldiers on this occasion. It was wonderful we were not all +destroyed at this dangerous pass. At one time I was laid hold of by a +number of the enemy; but God gave me strength to disengage my arm, and +with the assistance of my good sword, I extricated myself from their grasp. +Though wounded, I escaped to the dry ground, where I fainted and remained +for some time insensible, owing to my great exertions and the loss of +blood. When the enemy had me in their clutches, I recommended myself to +the aid of God and his blessed Mother, and they heard my prayer: Glory be +to them for all their mercies! From the time that we had cleared the +flanks of our post by the destruction of the houses, Alvarado had brought +a part of his cavalry thither; and one of them, who had crossed along with +us at the broken bridge, lost both his horse and his own life. Fortunately +all the rest were then with Alvarado in Tacuba; for if they had been with +us they must have all been destroyed from the tops of the houses and +temples, as the action took place almost within the city of Mexico. The +enemy was much elated by the success of this day, and continued to assail +our posts day and night. Cortes was much displeased at the defeat we had +sustained, which he attributed to our having neglected his orders; which +were always to fill up the cuts in the causeway as we advanced, by means +of timber and rubbish. + +In the space of four days, counting from our late defeat, we filled up the +great aperture at the broken bridge, and established our advanced post at +this place, but lost six of our soldiers in the course of this operation. +The enemy established a post directly in front of us, which they secured +by a ditch and parapet, so as to protect themselves from our shot. They +made a large fire in front of their post, by which they were concealed +from our view, except when they had occasion to renew the fire, which was +sometimes extinguished by the frequent heavy rains which prevailed at this +season. They kept profound silence on guard, except when interrupted by +loud whistling, which they used as signals. Every morning we marched +against the enemy, with whom we fought during the whole day, and retreated +to our post towards evening, covered with wounds. Before retreating, we +sent back our allies, whose numbers embarrassed us in the narrow causeway, +and then fell back step by step, flanked by our armed brigantines, and +firing on the enemy as they pressed upon us during the retreat. + +About this time, the inhabitants of the cities on the lake grew weary of +the long protracted warfare, and sent deputations to our general, offering +to submit themselves to his authority, and declaring that they had been +constrained by the Mexicans to persist hitherto in their hostilities +against us. Cortes received them very graciously, and assured them of his +protection, providing that they should conduct themselves properly for the +future, and give him their assistance by supplying canoes and provisions +to our army, and in the construction of barracks for the troops. They +readily promised all this, but performed very badly. Cortes had huts built +for his detachment[7]; but the rest of us remained exposed to the weather, +which was exceedingly severe and distressing, as it rained almost +incessantly during June, July, and August. + +Our detachment on the causeway of Tacuba continued our approach towards +Mexico, filling up every ditch and canal as we advanced by means of the +materials of the houses which we destroyed; and we every day gained +possession of temples or houses, which stood apart from each other, and of +the bridges by which they communicated. To avoid jealousy, our three +companies took the duties of working and fighting alternately, our allies +giving most important assistance in pulling down the houses and filling up +the ditches and cross-cuts of the causeway. Every evening the whole of our +men stood to their arms, and we sent off our allies before us, before +retreating to our post for the night. During all this time, Sandoval, who +carried on his approach from Tepejacac, was obliged to sustain continual +attacks from the enemy; as likewise was Cortes, who now commanded at the +third attack. + +On his side there was an out-post of the Mexicans, at a place where one of +the apertures in the causeway was too deep to be forded, and which had +been strongly fortified by the enemy. He made a successful attack on this +place, where he commanded in person, although the enemy made a brave +resistance both by land and water; but he was obliged to retire at night +without filling up the ditch, and he lost four Spaniards killed, and had +above thirty wounded, the pass being commanded from the terraces of +several houses in the water, and his brigantines were unable to get +forward to protect his flanks, owing to the piles which the enemy had +fixed under water. Guatimotzin and his Mexicans defended themselves with +amazing bravery and resolution, trusting to wear us out and destroy us by +continual assaults. On the 21st of June, the anniversary of the day of our +first entry into Mexico, the enemy assailed us at every point of all our +three attacks, both by land and water, in front, flanks, and rear, about +two hours before day. The number fit for duty at our post on the causeway +of Tacuba was 120 men, and all the allies attached to our detachment, were +as usual off the causeway during the night. It was with the utmost +difficulty that we were able to resist and repulse the enemy, of whom a +great number were killed and wounded, losing two of our own soldiers. The +enemy repeated their assaults on all the posts for two other nights +successively; and on the third morning, just at day-break, they +concentrated their whole force and made a desperate attack on our post. If +our allies had been with us we should have been all lost. On this occasion +our cavalry saved our rear, and our brigantines did signal service by +clearing our flanks. After a most severe and long doubtful contest, we +beat off the enemy and made four of their chiefs prisoners, eight of our +soldiers being slain in this tough affair. I fear my readers may be tired +of this constant repetition of battles, which my duty of historian +compels me to relate: But if I were to give an account of every action +which took place during the ninety-three days in which we were engaged in +the siege of this great, strong, and populous city, every day and night of +which time brought a perpetual succession of battles and assaults, my work +would be without end, and would more resemble Amadis de Gaul and other +romances of chivalry than a true history, which it really is. + +Cortes became impatient of delay, and proposed in a council of war to make +a general assault on the city, marching at once by all the three causeways, +and uniting our whole force in the great square, whence we could command +all the streets leading to that centre of Mexico. Some of the members of +the council objected greatly to this plan, giving the preference to our +present system of advancing gradually, filling up the ditches as we +proceeded, and destroying the houses to make roads and defences of their +materials. They alleged that if we were to succeed in forcing our way into +the great square, we should in our turn be besieged in the heart of the +city, exactly as we had been before our flight from Mexico, and be +involved in much greater difficulties than now; as the enemy would be +enabled to environ us with their whole force by land and water, and would +cut off all possibility of our retreat, by cutting through the causeways. +But Cortes, after hearing all these well founded reasons, still adhered to +his own plan, and issued orders for the whole army, including the allies, +to attack the city next day, and to use our utmost efforts to get +possession of the great square. On the next morning therefore, having +recommended ourselves to God in the solemn service of the mass, all our +three detachments marched to attack the posts of the enemy on their +several fronts. In our attack commanded by Alvarado, most of the Spaniards +were wounded at the first ditch and parapet of the enemy; one Spaniard was +slain, and above a thousand of our allies were killed or wounded. In the +attack commanded by Cortes in person, he carried every thing before him at +first, and having driven the enemy from a post where the water was very +deep and the causeway very narrow, he imprudently pushed on after the +enemy followed by the Indian allies. The enemy induced him by frequent +halts and feigned resistance to continue the pursuit, having even narrowed +the causeway on purpose, and Cortes negligently omitted to fill up the +deep ditch which he had passed. When the enemy perceived that our general +had fallen into the snare which they had laid for him, they attacked him +with fresh troops in front, while numerous canoes filled with warriors +issued out at an appointed signal and assailed him both on the flanks and +rear, his brigantines being unable to approach for his defence by the +pallisades under water. Retreat became now indispensably necessary, which +was at first conducted with perfect regularity; but when they came to the +narrow part of the causeway, which was all covered with mud and water, the +retreat changed to an absolute flight, our people flying from the enemy +with their utmost speed, without even attempting to defend themselves. +Cortes used every effort to rally his men, but all in vain, and was +wounded in the leg at the narrow pass by some of the enemy from the canoes. +At this pass, six of our horses were killed, and seventy-two Spaniards +were carried off alive. At this moment six Mexican chiefs seized Cortes, +but by the will of God, Christoval de Olea, that valiant soldier, and +another brave man named Lerma flew to the rescue of our general. De Olea +killed four of the chiefs with his own hand, and gallantly lost his life +in defence of Cortes, while Lerma narrowly escaped. Other brave soldiers +arrived at this moment to his aid, among whom was Quinones the captain of +his guards. By these men he was lifted out of the water and hurried off +from among a crowd of the enemy. At this critical moment, Guzman his +majordomo, brought up a horse on which our wounded general was mounted. +The enemy followed up their success with increasing ardour, Cortes and the +shattered remains of his troops, retreating to their quarters with the +utmost difficulty, pursued to the last by the Mexicans. + +After our first attack, in which we defeated the enemy and drove them from +their post, we were met by fresh bodies of the enemy, marching in great +parade, bearing rich plumes of feathers and ornamented standards. On +coming near, they threw down before us five bleeding heads, saying these +were the heads of Cortes and his officers, and that we should soon meet +the same fate. They then marched up, and fought us hand to hand with the +utmost valour, insomuch that we were at length compelled to retreat. As +usual, we gave orders to our allies to clear the way, by retreating before +us; but the sight of the bloody heads had done this effectually, and not a +man of them remained on the causeway to impede our flight. Our cavalry +made several charges this day, but our great safety depended upon two guns +which raked the whole causeway, and were admirably managed by Pedro Morena, +an excellent officer, whose services this day were singularly useful, as +the whole causeway was crowded by the enemy. Before we arrived at our +quarters, and while pursued by the enemy, we heard the shrill timbals and +mournful sound of the great drum from the summit of the temple of the god +of war. The priests were then sacrificing the hearts of ten of our +companions to their accursed idols, and the sound of their dismal drum, +which might be heard at almost three leagues off, might be imagined to be +the music of the infernal deities. Soon after this, the horn of +Guatimotzin was heard, giving notice to the Mexican officers either to +make prisoners of their enemies, or to die in the attempt. It is utterly +impossible to describe the fury with which they assailed us on hearing +this dreadful signal, though the remembrance is still as lively as if now +passing before me: I can only say, that it was the good pleasure of God +that we got back in safety to our post; praised be his mercy now and for +ever. Amen! We were ignorant of the fate of our other detachments. +Sandoval was more than half a league from us, and Cortes still farther. +The melancholy sight of the heads of our countrymen, and the loss of one +of our brigantines in which three of our soldiers were slain, filled us +with melancholy, and we almost thought that we had reached the last hour +of our lives. Our captured vessel was afterwards recovered by Captain +Xaramillo. In the action of this day, Captain Caravajal, a most gallant +officer, had the honour of being the first who broke through the enemies +pallisades with his vessel: He now lives in La Puebla, and has been ever +since entirely deaf, having lost his hearing this day by excessive +exertion. + +Most of the soldiers in the detachment of Cortes were wounded, a good many +slain, and a great number taken prisoners, so that on his arrival in his +quarters, where he was immediately attacked, his men were little able to +defend themselves. To add to their distress, the enemy threw into their +post four bleeding heads, saying they were those of Alvarado, Sandoval, +and two other officers, in order to impress the soldiers of Cortes with +the belief that the two other detachments had been as roughly handled as +their own. On beholding this horrid spectacle, Cortes was severely +agitated, and his heart sunk within him; yet he kept up appearances, +encouraging his men to stand to their arms and defend their post against +the enemy. He now sent Tapia with three others on horseback to our +quarters, to ascertain our situation. They were attacked on their way by +several bodies of the enemy, who had been sent out by Guatimotzin to +obstruct our communications; but they forced their way through, and found +us engaged with the Mexicans. + +On his side, Sandoval went on victoriously till the defeat of Cortes, when +the enemy sent a powerful reinforcement against him, by whom he was very +vigorously assailed; and in the first assault they killed two of his men +and wounded all the rest, Sandoval himself receiving three wounds, one of +which was on the head. As they had done at the other posts, they threw +down six bleeding heads, pretending they were the heads of Cortes and his +principal officers, and threatening Sandoval and his men with a similar +fate. Sandoval was not to be intimidated, and encouraged his men to behave +themselves bravely; yet, seeing no chance of ultimate success, he brought +his people back to their quarters, many of them being wounded, but having +only two slain. After this, though severely wounded himself, he left the +command of his quarters with Captain Luis Marin, and set out on horseback +to have an interview with Cortes. Like Tapia, he was frequently attacked +by the enemy on the road, yet made his way to Cortes, whom he addressed +with condolence and astonishment, asking the occasion of his severe +misfortune. Cortes laid the blame on Alderate, for neglecting to fill up +the bad pass where the enemy threw his men into confusion; but the +treasurer denied the charge, saying that Cortes had not given any such +orders, but hurried on his men after the feigned retreat of the enemy. In +fact Cortes was much blamed for his rashness, and for not sending the +allies soon enough out of his way. About this time, Cortes was agreeably +surprised by the arrival of two of his brigantines, which he had given +over for lost. Cortes requested Sandoval to visit our quarters at Tacuba, +being unable to go there himself, as he was apprehensive the brunt of the +attack might now fall upon our post. Sandoval arrived about the hour of +vespers, when he found us occupied in repelling the enemy, some of them +having attacked us by the causeway, and others from the ruined houses. I +and several other soldiers were at this time up to our middles in the +water, engaging the enemy in defence of a brigantine which had run aground, +and of which the enemy were endeavouring to gain possession. Just as +Sandoval arrived, we got her afloat by a great exertion, after the enemy +had slain two of her crew and badly wounded all the rest. The enemy +continued their attack with the utmost violence, and Sandoval received a +blow on the face with a stone. He called out to us to retreat; and as we +did not fall back as fast as he wished, he repeated his orders, asking us +if we wished to have all the cavalry destroyed. We then retreated to our +post, and though the two guns under Moreno frequently swept the causeway, +the execution they made did not prevent the enemy from pursuing us to our +works. + +We remained for some time at our quarters comparatively at rest, +recounting the events which had occurred at our post, and listening to a +relation of what had taken place at the two others. On a sudden, we were +struck by the horrifying sound of the great drum, accompanied by the +timbals, horns, and trumpets of the temple of the god of war: And, +shocking to tell! we could distinctly see our unfortunate companions who +had been made prisoners, driven by blows to the summit of the diabolical +temple. On their arrival at the platform, we could see the miserable +victims decorated for sacrifice, with plumes of feathers on their heads, +and fans in their hands, when they were forced to dance to the infernal +music before the accursed idols. After this, we saw them stretched on +their backs on the stone of sacrifice, where their hearts were cut out +alive, and presented yet palpitating to the damnable gods of the enemy, +and their bodies drawn by the feet down the steps. "O merciful GOD of +Heaven," said we among ourselves, "suffer not that we too may be +sacrificed by these wretches!" My readers may conceive how poignant were +our reflexions at this horrible scene, more especially as we were utterly +unable to afford the smallest aid to our poor friends, whom we saw thus +butchered before our eyes. At this moment the enemy assailed our post in +great force; but we maintained it with determined resolution, and drove +them back with much loss. During this assault, they reviled us, saying +that their gods had promised to deliver the whole of us into their hands, +and they threw over some of the mangled remains of the horrible repast +they had made on our countrymen, sending round other portions among the +neighbouring towns, as a bloody memorial of their victory over us. +Sandoval and Tapia, on their return to Cortes, reported the valiant manner +in which we defended our post; and Sandoval mentioned me in particular +with approbation, saying many handsome things of me, which it would be +improper for me to repeat, though the facts were perfectly well known to +all the army. + +Our new allies on the lake had suffered considerably from the resentment +of the enemy, who had taken from them above half their canoes: Yet some +continued firm in their alliance with us, out of hatred to the Mexicans; +and others satisfied themselves with looking on, without attempting to +molest us. In consequence of our recent losses, having lost near eighty +men, killed and prisoners, and seven horses, and almost all the rest of us +being wounded, Cortes issued orders to cease from our attacks for four +days. But the enemy continued their attacks daily, and even gained ground, +making new ramparts and ditches. We had a deep ditch and very defensible +ramparts in front of our post; and during this cessation from offensive +operations, the whole of our infantry kept guard on the causeway every +night, flanked by our brigantines, one half of our cavalry patroling in +Tacuba, and the other half on the causeway to protect our rear. Every +morning we prepared ourselves to resist the attacks of the enemy, who +continued every day to sacrifice some of our miserable companions. During +their daily and incessant attacks, they reviled us, saying, that their +gods had promised to permit them to destroy us all within eight days; yet +that our flesh was too bitter to be eaten: And truly I believe that this +was miraculously the case. The threats of the Mexicans, and their +declaration that their gods had promised to deliver us into their hands in +eight days, had such an effect upon our allies, combined with the bad +appearance of our affairs, that they almost entirely deserted from us +about this time. The only one who remained with Cortes, was Suchel, +otherwise called Don Carlos, brother to our ally the prince of Tezcuco, +with about forty followers. The chief of Huexotzinco remained in the camp +of Sandoval with about fifty of his warriors; and the brave Chichimecatl, +with the two sons of Don Lorenzo de Vargas of Tlascala, and about eighty +Tlascalans, continued with us in the quarters of Alvarado. When they were +asked the reason of the desertion of their countrymen, they said, that the +Mexican gods had predicted our destruction, and the younger Xicotencatl +had foretold from the first we should all be put to death; they saw that +many of us were killed and all wounded, and they had already had above +twelve hundred of their own number slain; And, considering us all devoted +to inevitable ruin, they had fled to avoid sharing our fate. Though Cortes +secretly thought there was too much reason in what they alleged, he yet +assumed a cheerful appearance of perfect security as to the ultimate +result of the enterprize, and used his utmost endeavours to reassure our +remaining friends, turning the hopes and predictions of the Mexicans and +the promises of their false gods into ridicule, and had the good fortune +to persuade our few remaining friends to abide with us. The Indian Don +Carlos, or Suchel of Tezcuco, who was a brave warrior and a wise man, +strongly represented to our general that he had hitherto acted on a most +erroneous plan, especially considering the relative situations of us and +the enemy. "If you cut off their means of procuring water and provisions," +he observed, "how is it possible that the many _xiquipils_[8] of warriors +can subsist? Their provisions must be at last expended: The water of their +wells is salt and unwholesome, and their only resource is from the present +rainy season. Combat them, therefore, by means of hunger and thirst, and +do not throw away your own force by unnecessary violence." Cortes embraced +Suchel, thanking him for his salutary advice; which indeed had already +more than once occurred to ourselves, but we were too impatient to act +with so much prudence. Our general began therefore to act upon this new +system, so judiciously recommended by our friend of Tezcuco, and sent +orders to all the detachments to confine themselves entirely to the +defensive for the next three days. As the canoes of the enemy were +numerous, our brigantines never ventured singly on the lake; and as they +had now found out the way to break through the pallisades of the enemy, by +using both sails and oars when favoured by the wind, we became absolute +masters of the lake, and were able to command all the insulated houses at +any distance from the city; and as the brigantines could now break through +the pallisades of the enemy, they could always secure our flanks, while we +were engaged in filling up the ditches in our front, which we did +effectually in a very few days, Cortes even assisting in person to carry +beams and earth for that purpose. + +Every night of this period during which we remained on the defensive, the +enemy continued their infernal ceremonies, sacrificing some of our +unfortunate companions, which we could distinctly see as their temple was +brightly illuminated; the accursed drum continually stunned our ears, and +the shrieks and yells of the multitudes who surrounded the temple were at +times perfectly diabolical. Christoval de Guzman was the last executed, +who remained eighteen days in their hands. We learned every minute +circumstance respecting these horrible sacrifices from our prisoners, who +told us, that after each successive sacrifice, their war god renewed his +promise of delivering us all into their power. Sometimes, even during this +period, the enemy employed some of our own crossbows against us, obliging +our unfortunate companions who were in their custody to shoot them off; +but our post was protected by the excellent management of the two guns by +Morena, and we every day advanced, gaining possession of a bridge or a +parapet. Our brigantines also were of infinite service, as they were +continually intercepting the canoes which carried water and provisions to +the enemy, and those which were employed in procuring a certain nutritive +substance from the bottom of the lake, which, when dry, resembles cheese. +Twelve or thirteen days had now elapsed after the time when the Mexican +priest had predicted we had only eight days to live. Our allies, therefore, +recovered their courage when they saw the fallacy of the prediction, and +at the requisition of our steady friend Suchel, two thousand warriors of +Tezcuco returned to our quarters, with whom came Pedro Farfan and Antonio +Villareal, who had been left by Cortes at that city. About the same time, +many bodies of warriors returned to us from Tlascala and other places in +our alliance. After their return, Cortes called the chiefs together, to +whom he made a speech; partly reprimanding them for having abandoned us, +and partly encouraging their future fidelity by confident hopes of victory, +and promises of reward, and concluded by earnestly admonishing them not to +put any of their Mexican prisoners to death, as he wished to negociate +peace with Guatimotzin. + +Though the heavy rains which fell at this season were both incommodious +and distressing to us, they operated in our favour, as the enemy always +relaxed their efforts against us during their continuance. By slow but +steady perseverance, we had now considerably advanced into the city at all +the three attacks, and had even reached the wells of brackish water which +the enemy had dug, and which we now destroyed. Our cavalry could now act +freely through the whole space which we had gained, as we had carefully +levelled the causeway behind us, destroying all the houses on each side +from which we could be annoyed, and carefully fortified our several fronts. +Cortes deemed the present conjuncture favourable for offering peace to the +Mexicans, and proposed to three of our principal prisoners to carry a +message to Guatimotzin to that effect; but they declined the commission, +alleging that he would put them to death. They were at length prevailed +upon to comply, and were instructed to represent to Guatimotzin in the +name of Cortes: "That from respect to the family of the great Montezuma, +and that he might prevent the destruction of the capital and the loss of +so many lives, he was willing to enter into a treaty of peace and amity; +desiring Guatimotzin to reflect that he and his people were now cut off +from all supplies of water and provisions; and that all the nations who +had formerly been the vassals of Mexico, were now in alliance with the +Spaniards." A great deal more was added, to the same effect, all of which +was perfectly understood by the messengers. Before they went into the city, +they required a letter from Cortes, to serve them as a token of credence; +with which they waited on their sovereign, weeping and lamenting +themselves bitterly, as they knew the danger to which they were exposed. +At first, Guatimotzin and his principal chiefs were filled with rage and +indignation at the proposal; but he at last consented to call a council of +all the princes, chiefs, and principal priests of the city, before whom he +laid the message of Cortes, and even expressed his own inclination to come +into terms of peace, considering the inefficacy of their resistance, the +desertion of their allies, and the miseries to which the people were +reduced. The priests obstinately opposed every idea of peace. They +represented the hostile conduct of the Spaniards to their nation ever +since they first came into the country; their profanation of the temples +and idols of their gods; their injurious treatment of the great Montezuma, +and of all the other princes who had fallen under their power; the death +of the two sons of Montezuma, the seizure of the royal treasures, and the +destruction of the city. They reminded Guatimotzin of his own martial fame, +which would be sullied and disgraced by submission; insisting, that all +the offers of Cortes were only insidiously meant to enslave and circumvent; +and concluded by repeating the assurances of victory which they had +received from their gods. Guatimotzin yielded to these arguments, and +declared his resolution to fight to the last: He gave orders, therefore, +to husband their provisions with the utmost frugality, to use their utmost +endeavours to procure supplies under night, and to sink new wells in +various parts of the city. Our army had remained two days quietly in their +posts, waiting an answer to our pacific message. On the third, we were +furiously assailed on all points by large bodies of the enemy, who rushed +upon us like lions, closing up as if utterly regardless of their lives, +and using their utmost efforts to make us prisoners; all the while, the +horn of Guatimotzin being continually sounded, to inspire them with fury. +For seven days we were thus continually assailed: After watching all night, +we had to go into action every morning at day-break; and having fought the +whole day, we retired in the evening to a miserable regale of maize calces, +with _tunas_ or Indian figs, herbs, and _agi_ or pepper. Our recent +pacific offer was employed as a subject of contempt, for which they +reproached us as cowards; saying that peace belonged only to women, arms +and war to brave men. + +It has been already mentioned, that the horrible fragments of our wretched +companions had been sent round the provinces of the Mexican empire, to +encourage them to rise in support of the sovereign and his capital. In +consequence of this, a great force assembled from Matlatzinco, Malinalco, +and other places about eight leagues from Mexico, which was intended for +an attack on our rear, while the Mexicans should attack us in front. On +the assemblage of this force, they committed horrible ravages on the +country in our rear, seizing numbers of children in order to sacrifice +them to their idols. To disperse this hostile assemblage, Andres de Tapia +was detached with twenty cavalry and an hundred infantry, and effectually +executed his commission, driving the enemy back to their own country with +great loss. Soon after his return, Cortes sent Sandoval with a detachment +to the assistance of the country around Quauhnahuac, or Cuernabaca. Much +might be said of this expedition, were I to enter into a detail: but it +may suffice, that it was more like a peaceable triumph than a warlike +expedition, yet proved of most excellent service to us, as Sandoval +returned accompanied by two chiefs of the nation against which he was +sent[9]. Cortes, after these successes, sent a second message to +Guatimotzin, reminding him of the distresses to which his people were +reduced, and expressing great anxiety to save the city of Mexico from +destruction, which could only be done by immediate submission; and to +convince him that all hopes of assistance from his former allies were now +at an end, he sent this message by the two chiefs who had accompanied +Sandoval. Guatimotzin refused any answer, but sent back the chiefs unhurt. +The enemy continued their daily assaults upon the advanced works of our +several attacks, increasing even in their fury if possible, and exultingly +exclaiming, _Tenitotz re de Castila? Tenitotz axa a!_ "What says the +king of Castile? What does he now?" + +We still continued to advance towards the centre of Mexico, regularly +destroying the houses on both sides of us, and carefully fortifying our +advanced post; and we now perceived a considerable relaxation in the +efforts of the enemy, who were not so eager as formerly to open up the +ditches; yet they continued to attack us with the utmost fury, as if +courting death. But we too had now serious cause of alarm, as our +gunpowder was almost entirely expended. At this critical moment, and most +fortunately for us, a vessel arrived at Villa Rica with soldiers and +ordnance stores, all of which, together with the men, were immediately +sent to Cortes by Rangel, who commanded at Villa Rica. This vessel +belonged to an armament which had been fitted out by Lucas Vasquez de +Aillon, and which had been destroyed or dispersed near Florida. On the +arrival of this reinforcement, Cortes and all the army determined to make +a grand push for the great square in that part of the city called +Tlaltelolco, as it would become an excellent place of arms, on account of +some principal temples and other strong buildings which were there +situated. For this purpose, each of our divisions continued their daily +efforts to advance in our usual cautious manner. Cortes got possession of +a small square in which were some temples, on the beams of which many of +the heads of our sacrificed companions were placed, their hair and beards +being much grown. I could not have believed this, if I had not myself seen +them three days afterwards, when our party had worked their way to the +same place, after having filled up three canals. In twelve days afterwards, +they were all reverently buried by us in that place where the Church of +the Martyrs is now built. + +Our detachment under Alvarado continued to advance, and at last forced the +enemy from the barricades they had thrown up to defend the great square, +which cost us two hours hard fighting. Our cavalry was now of most +essential service in the large space which was now laid open, and drove +the enemy before them into the temple of the god of war, which stood in +the middle of the great square. Alvarado determined to gain possession of +the temple; for which purpose he divided his forces into three bodies, one +of which, commanded by Guttierrez de Badajoz, he ordered to gain +possession of the temple, while with the other two he occupied the +attention of the enemy below. A large force of the enemy, headed by the +priests, occupied the platform of the temple, with all its idol +sanctuaries and galleries, and repulsed the troops of Guttierrez, driving +them down the steps. The body to which I belonged was now ordered by +Alvarado to their support. We advanced boldly to the assault, and having +ascended to the platform, we drove the enemy from the post, of which we +took possession, setting fire to their abominable idols, and planting our +standard in triumph on the summit of the temple. The view of this signal +of victory greatly rejoiced Cortes, who would fain have joined us; but he +was still a quarter of a league from the place, and had many ditches to +fill as he advanced. In four days more, both he and Sandoval had worked +their way up to the great square of Tlaltelolco, where they joined us, and +thus communications from all our three attacks were opened up to the +centre of Mexico. + +Our attack on the temple was truly perilous, considering the number of the +enemy, the height and difficulty of the ascent, and the fury with which +they continued to fight against us, even after we had attained the +platform and set their idols on fire, and it was night before we could +compel them to abandon the summit. The royal palaces were now levelled +with the ground, and Guatimotzin had retired with his troops to a more +distant quarter of the city towards the lake[10]. Still, however, the +enemy attacked us every day, and at night pursued us into our quarters; +and though apparently reduced to the last extremity, they made no offer +towards peace. Cortes now laid a plan for drawing the enemy into an ambush: +For this purpose, he one night placed 30 of our cavalry, with 100 of our +best foot soldiers, and 1000 Tlascalans, in some large houses which had +belonged to a principal nobleman of Mexico. Next morning he went in person +with the rest of our army to attack a post at a bridge, which was defended +by a large force of the Mexicans. After continuing the assault for some +time, Cortes slowly retreated with his men, drawing the enemy after him by +the buildings in which the ambush lay concealed. When he had led them to a +sufficient distance, he gave the concerted signal, by firing two guns in +quick succession. We immediately sallied out, and having thus enclosed the +enemy between us, we made a terrible havoc among them, and from that time +they never ventured to annoy us on our nightly retreat. Another trap was +laid for the enemy by Alvarado, which had not the same success; but as I +was now doing duty with the division which Cortes commanded in person, I +was not present, and cannot, therefore recount the particulars. Hitherto +we had continued to retreat every night to the posts we had established on +the causeways, which were at least half a league from the great temple; +but we now quitted these posts, and formed a lodgment for the whole army +in the great square of Tlaltelolco, where we remained for three days +without doing any thing worth notice, as Cortes wished to abstain from +destroying any more of the city, in hopes of prevailing on Guatimotzin to +accept of peace. He sent, therefore, a message, requesting him to +surrender, giving him the strongest assurances that he should continue to +enjoy the sovereignty, and should be treated with every honourable +distinction; and he accompanied this message with a considerable present +of provisions, such as fowls, game, bread, and fruit. Guatimotzin +pretended to be inclined towards a pacification, and even sent four of his +principal nobles to propose an interview between him and our general. But +this, was a mere stratagem to gain time for strengthening his +fortifications, and making preparations to attack us; as from the example +of what had befallen his uncle Montezuma, and the suggestions of his +advisers, he was afraid to trust himself in our hands. The mask was soon +thrown off, and the enemy attacked us with such extreme violence, and +having taken us in some measure by surprise, that they had some success at +first, killing one of our soldiers and two horses; but in the end we drove +them back with considerable loss. + +Cortes now ordered us to proceed on our former system, of advancing daily +against that part of the city which was occupied by Guatimotzin, filling +up the ditches and destroying the houses as we proceeded; and we +accordingly gained ground as formerly. Guatimotzin, on seeing this, made +another offer of an interview with our general, proposing the conference +might take place across a large canal. To this Cortes readily assented, +and went accordingly to the appointed place, but Guatimotzin never +appeared; instead of which he sent some of his principal nobles, who said +the king was apprehensive of being shot during the conference. Cortes +engaged by the most solemn oaths that no injury should be offered, but all +to no purpose. At this time two of these nobles played a most ridiculous +farce: They took out from a sack a fowl, some bread, and a quantity of +cherries, which they began to eat deliberately, as if to impress us with +the belief that they had abundance of provisions. When Cortes found that +the proposed conference was only a pretext to gain time, he sent a message +of defiance to Guatimotzin and retired. For four days after this, we were +not attacked by the enemy; but numbers of famished Mexicans used to +surround our quarters every night. Cortes pitied their wretched situation, +and ordered us to refrain from hostilities, always hoping that the enemy +would offer terms of accommodation. One of our soldiers, named Sotela, who +had served in Italy, was always boasting of the great battles he had seen, +and of the wonderful military engines which he was able to construct, and +particularly that he could make a machine for throwing stones, by which he +would destroy the whole of that part of the city which Guatimotzin +occupied, in a very few days. Cortes was at last induced to listen to him, +and all kinds of materials were brought for him to construct his engine. +Stone and lime was procured; the carpenters were set to work to prepare +timber; two strong cables were made; and a number of large stones were +brought, which the machine was to project. When all was ready, a stone was +placed in the engine, and it was played off against the quarters of +Guatimotzin. But instead of taking that direction, the stone flew up +vertically into the air, and returned exactly to the place whence it was +launched. Cortes was angry and ashamed at the result, and ordered the +machine to be destroyed, reproaching the soldier for his ignorant +presumption. + +Sandoval was now sent with the command of the flotilla, to act against +that division of the city in which Guatimotzin still held out. He was +ordered to spare the Mexicans as much as possible, but to destroy all the +houses and advanced works which the enemy possessed in the lake. On this +occasion, Cortes ascended to the high platform of the great temple, +attended by many of his officers and soldiers, to observe the movements of +the fleet. Guatimotzin, on observing the approach of Sandoval, became very +apprehensive of being made prisoner, and determined to attempt making his +escape. For this purpose he had already fifty large piraguas in readiness, +on board of which he embarked with his family, principal officers and +courtiers, and all their most valuable effects, and endeavoured to escape +by the lake to the main land; all the piraguas taking different directions, +in order to distract the pursuit of the brigantines. At this time Sandoval +was occupied in tearing down some houses, that he might clear his way +towards the quarters of Guatimotzin, of whose flight he got immediate +notice. He set out therefore immediately in pursuit, giving strict orders +to all the captains of his brigantines to offer no injury or insult to the +royal fugitive; but to keep a watchful eye on that vessel in which +Guatimotzin was supposed to have embarked, using every effort to take it, +and paying no attention to the rest. In particular, he directed Garcia +Holguin, who commanded the swiftest sailing vessel of the fleet, to make +for that part of the shore to which it was supposed Guatimotzin was most +likely to go. Holguin accordingly fell in with several piraguas, one of +which, from the superior appearance of its structure and awning, he +supposed to be that which carried the king. He called out to the people on +board to bring to, but without effect, and then ordered his musketeers and +cross-bows to present. On seeing this, Guatimotzin called out to them not +to shoot, acknowledging who he was, and declared his readiness to submit, +requesting to be taken immediately to the general, and entreating that his +queen, children, and attendants might not be ill treated. Holguin received +him and his queen with the utmost respect, placing them and twenty of the +nobles who attended them on the poop of his vessel, setting such +refreshments before them as he had in his power, and ordered the piraguas +which carried the royal effects to follow untouched. At this time, +perceiving that Holguin had made Guatimotzin prisoner, and was carrying +him to Cortes, Sandoval made a signal for all the brigantines to close up +with him, and ordered his rowers to exert every effort to bring him up +with Holguin. On getting alongside, Sandoval demanded Guatimotzin to be +delivered up to him, as commander of the naval force, but Holguin refused, +and many high words passed between them. One of the vessels was sent to +inform Cortes of the great event which had taken place, and by the same +means he learnt the dispute which had occurred between Sandoval and +Holguin. He immediately sent the Captains Marin and De Lugo with orders to +bring the whole party to his quarters on the summit of the great temple, +ordering them to treat Guatimotzin and his queen with the highest respect. +In the meantime, he ordered a state canopy to be arranged as well as he +could, with cloths and mantles, to receive his prisoners, and a table to +be spread with such refreshments as could be procured. + +On the approach of the prisoners, Cortes went forward to meet the king, +whom he embraced with much respect, and shewed all possible attention to +his followers. The unfortunate monarch sinking under his affliction, +addressed Cortes as follows, with his eyes full of tears: "_Malinatzin!_ I +have done every thing in my power to defend my kingdom and people, but all +my efforts have been in vain, and I am now your prisoner; I request of you, +therefore, to draw your dagger and stab me to the heart." Cortes used his +best endeavours to console him, assuring him of his high esteem for the +valour and firmness he had exerted, that he should continue to reign as +formerly, and that he had only required his submission when all reasonable +hope of defence was gone, in order to avoid the utter destruction of his +capital and people. Cortes then inquired after the queen, and was told +that she and her female attendants remained in the piragua till their fate +was decided. He then ordered them to be sent for, and treated them with +all respect. As the evening drew on, and it threatened to rain, the whole +royal family was sent to Cojohuacan, under the care of Sandoval, and a +sufficient escort. Guatimotzin was about twenty-three or twenty-four years +of age, of a noble appearance, both in person and countenance, having +large and cheerful features, with lively eyes, and his complexion was very +fair for an Indian. His queen, who was the niece[11] of Montezuma, was +young and very handsome. + +The whole army was now ordered to withdraw from the great temple of +Tlaltelolco, and to return to their original head-quarters. Cortes +proceeded to Cojohuacan, where he took the command in person, sending +Sandoval to resume his station at Tepejacac, and our division, under +Alvarado, retired to Tacuba. Thus was the important seige of Mexico +brought to a successful conclusion, by the capture of Guatimotzin and his +family at the hour of vespers, on the day of St Hypolitus, 13th of August +1521. Glorified be our Lord Jesus Christ, and his Holy Virgin Mother, Amen! + +In the night after the capture of Guatimotzin, about midnight, there was +the greatest tempest of thunder, lightning, and rain I ever witnessed. But +all the soldiers were as deaf as if they had been an hour in a belfrey, +and all the bells ringing about their ears. This proceeded from the +continual noise they had been accustomed to from the enemy during the +_ninety-three days_[12] of this memorable siege: Some bringing on their +troops to attack us on the causeways, with loud shouts, and shrill +whistling; others in canoes assailing our flanks; some at work on the +pallisades, water courses, and stone parapets, or preparing their +magazines of arms, and the shrieks and yells of the women, who supplied +the warriors with stones, darts, and arrows; the infernal noise of their +timbals, horns, and trumpets, and the dismal drum, and other shocking +noises, perpetually sounding in our ears: All of which immediately ceased +on the capture of Guatimotzin. In consequence of the dispute between +Sandoval and Holguin threatening unpleasant consequences, Cortes related +to them from the Roman history the dispute between Marius and Sylla, +about the capture of Iugurtha, which was ultimately productive of very +fatal civil wars. He assured them that the whole affair should be +represented to the emperor Don Carlos, by whose arbitration it should be +decided. But in two years after, the emperor authorised Cortes to bear in +his arms the seven kings whom he had subdued, Montezuma, Guatimotzin, and +the princes of Tezcuco, Cojohuacan, Iztapalapa, Tacuba, and Matlatzinco. + +It is absolutely truth, to which I swear _amen_! that all the lake, the +houses, and the courts were filled with dead bodies, so that I know not +how to describe the miserable spectacle. All the streets, squares, courts, +and houses of Tlaltelolco, were so covered by them, that we could not take +a single step without treading on or between the bodies of dead Indians. +The lake and the canals were full of them, and the stench was intolerable. +It was for this reason that our troops retired from the city immediately +after the capture of Guatimotzin: Cortes was himself ill for some time, +owing to the dreadful effluvia arising from the putrifying bodies. I have +read the history of the destruction of Jerusalem, but I cannot conceive +that the mortality even there exceeded what I was witness to in Mexico; as +all the warriors from the most distant provinces of that populous empire +were concentrated there, and almost the whole garrison was cut off in +their almost perpetual encounters with us, or perished of famine. + +Our vessels were now in the best situation for service; as those on board +had ready access to the houses in the water, which were beyond our reach, +whence they carried away all the best of the plunder. Their crews also +discovered a great many valuable articles which the Mexicans had concealed +among the tall reeds on the borders of the lake, and they intercepted a +great deal that the inhabitants of the city endeavoured to carry away in +their canoes; all of which was beyond our reach: Indeed the wealth which +our mariners procured at this time was quite incalculable, as Guatimotzin +and all his chiefs declared that far the greater part of the public +treasure fell into their hands. + +Soon after the capture of Guatimotzin, it was ordered on his suggestion, +that all the remaining inhabitants of Mexico should remove to the +neighbouring towns, in order to have the the city cleared of the dead +bodies, to restore its salubrity. In consequence of this order, all the +causeways were full for three days and nights, of weak, sickly, and +squalid wretches, men, women, and children, covered with filth, worn out +by famine and disease, so that the sight was shocking in the extreme. When +all were gone who had been able to get away, we went to examine the +situation of the city, which was as I have already described, in a most +miserable state. All the streets, courts, and houses were covered with +dead bodies, among whom some miserable wretches were crawling about in the +different stages of the most offensive diseases, occasioned by famine, the +most unnatural food, and the pestilential smell of the corrupting carcases. +Even the trees were stripped of their bark, and the ground had been +everywhere dug up in search of any kind of roots it might be able to +afford. Not a drop of water could be any where procured; and though it was +the constant practice of all these nations to feast on the prisoners they +took in war, not one instance occurred, in the midst of their extreme +distress, of their having preyed on each other: and certainly there never +existed in the history of this world any instance of a people who suffered +so severely from hunger, thirst, and warfare. I must here observe, that in +all our combats, the Mexicans seemed much more anxious to carry our +soldiers away alive, that they might be sacrificed to their gods, than to +kill them. + +After a solemn service of thanks to God for our victory, Cortes determined +upon giving a feast in Cojohuacan to celebrate our triumph, as a vessel +had arrived at Villa Rica with abundance of hogs, and a cargo of wine. He +invited all his officers, and all the soldiers of particular estimation to +this entertainment, and we all accordingly waited upon him at the time +appointed. When we came to sit down to dinner, there were not tables and +covers prepared for more than half of us, so that the company fell into +sad confusion. The wine occasioned many to commit follies and other worse +things. Some leapt over the tables, who were afterwards unable to get out +at the doors, and many rolled down the steps, who could not walk home to +their quarters. The private soldiers, in high expectations of immense +plunder, declared they would buy horses with gold trappings, and the +crossbow-men swore they would henceforth use only golden arrows. When the +tables were removed, the soldiers danced in their armour, with the few +ladies who were present; but the disproportion was very great, and the +scene became truly ludicrous. Father Olmedo became quite scandalized at +the conduct of the visitors at the feast, and was so disgusted at what was +going on during the dances, that he complained to Sandoval, who reported +to Cortes that the good Father was grumbling and scolding out of all +measure. Our general, always prudent in his proceedings, came up to Olmedo, +affecting to disapprove of the indecent conduct of his guests, and +requested of him to order a solemn mass and thanksgiving, and to give the +soldiers a sermon on their religious and moral duties. The good father was +quite delighted at this proposal; and accordingly the crucifixes and the +image of the blessed Virgin were carried in solemn procession, amid our +drums and military ensigns; Olmedo chanted the litany and administered the +sacrament, and we all gave thanks to God for our victory. + +Cortes now dismissed the Tlascalan chiefs and our other allies, who had +rendered most important services during our long protracted warfare, +making them many compliments and great promises, that he would make them +all rich and great lords, with extensive territories and numerous vassals, +so that they all departed in high spirits: But they had secured something +more substantial than empty promises, as they were all well laden with the +plunder of Mexico. Neither were they behind our enemies in their cannibal +feasts, of which they had reserved some portions to give to their friends +on their return. + +Now that I have concluded the narrative of so many furious and bloody +engagements, through which the Almighty has been pleased to protect me, I +must confess, that the sight of so many of my companions sacrificed alive +to the war-god of the Mexicans, inspired me with fear. This may appear to +some as an indication of want of courage, yet in that time I considered +myself, and was looked upon by all as a valiant soldier, and was never +exceeded by any in bold achievements. But when I saw the palpitating +hearts of my companions taken out alive, and their legs and arms cut off +to be served up in the barbarous feasts of our cannibal enemies, I feared +it might one day be my own lot; and in fact the enemy had me twice in +their hands, but by the blessing of God I escaped from their savage grasp. +Yet I ever afterwards remembered the dreadful scene which I had witnessed, +and on going to battle was much depressed and uneasy, fearing to be doomed +to that cruel death. Yet I always recommended myself to God and his +blessed Mother, and the moment I was engaged with the enemy all fear left +me. Let those valiant cavaliers who have been in desperate battles and +mortal dangers decide on the cause of my fears, for I declare I never knew +what fear was till I saw the savage immolation of my seventy-two +companions: In my own opinion it was from excessive courage, as I was +fully aware of the extent of danger which I was voluntarily about to +encounter. I have related many engagements in this history, at which I was +not present; for even if my body had been of iron I could not have been +present at all, and I was much oftener wounded than whole. + + +[1] According to Clavigero, II. 162, the 30th of May 1521, on which day + Cortes dated the commencement of this memorable siege.--E. + +[2] Corpus Christi fell that year, according to Clavigero, on the 30th May, + so that the occupation of Iztapalapa, by which the investment of + Mexico was completed, was on the 3d of June. + +[3] The whole of this topographical account of Mexico and its approaches + is added by the editor, and has been placed in the text, distinguished + by inverted commas, as too long for a note. A plan is added, + constructed from a comparison of the maps in Diaz and Clavigero, both + evidently drawn without any actual survey, and corrected by means of + the excellent map of the vale of Mexico given by Humboldt. By means of + a great drain, made considerably posterior to the conquest, the lake + has been greatly diminished in magnitude, insomuch that the city is + now above three miles from the lake; so that the accurate map of + Humboldt does not now serve for the ancient topography of Mexico and + its near environs.--E. + +[4] It is hard to guess which way the brigantines could get there, as by + the maps both of Diaz and Clavigero, the great double causeway of + Xoloc or Iztapalapa, ought to have completely prevented his + penetrating to that part of the lake. It was probably Xoloc against + which this attack was made, and Diaz may have mistaken the name after + an interval of fifty-one years; for so long intervened between the + siege of Mexico in 1521, and 1572, when he informs us his history was + concluded.--E. + +[5] Perhaps along the mound or causeway of Mexicaltzinco; by which he + approached towards the great causeway of Xoloc, and the position of De + Oli at Cojohuacan.--E. + +[6] Though not mentioned by Diaz, this necessarily implies that one of the + bridges of each causeway must have been taken possession of by the + Spaniards, to allow the brigantines to get through into those parts of + the lake which were intersected by the causeways.--E. + +[7] Though not especially mentioned by Diaz, it appears that Cortes had + taken the immediate command of the detachment of De Oli, at Cojohuacan, + which formed the southern attack.--E. + +[8] On some former occasions the xiquipil has been already explained as + denoting eight thousand men.--E. + +[9] Clavigero, II. 180, supplies the brevity used by Diaz on this occasion. + He says that the chiefs of the districts of Matlatzinco, Malinalco, + and Cohuixco came to Cortes and entered into a confederacy with him + against Mexico; by which means, added to his former alliances, he was + now able to have employed "more warriors against Mexico than Xerxes + did against Greece." Clavigero everywhere deals in monstrous + exaggeration, while Diaz is uniformly modest, and within due bounds of + credibility. Even in the few _miracles_ of which Diaz makes mention, + his credulity is modestly guarded by devout fear of the holy + office.--E. + +[10] The whole western division of Mexico called Tlaltelolco was now in + possession of the Spaniards, and probably destroyed by them to secure + their communications; and the miserable remnant of the brave Mexicans + had retired into the eastern division, named Tenochtitlan.--E. + +[11] According to the genealogy of the Mexican kings in Clavigero, I. 240, + this princess, whose name was Tecuichpotzin, was queen successively to + her uncle Cuitlahuatzin, and her cousin Guatimotzin. After the + conquest, she became a Christian, by the name of Donna Elizabeta + Montezuma, marrying three noble Spaniards in succession; and from her + descended the two noble families of Cano Montezuma, and Andrea + Montezuma. Montezuma left likewise a son, Don Pedro Johualicahuatxin + Montezuma, whose male descendants failed in a great-grandson; but + there are several noble families both in Spain and Mexico descended + from that sovereign of Mexico in the female line.--E. + +[12] We have formerly said, on the authority of Clavigero, that the siege + of Mexico commenced on the 30th of May, and as it ended on the 13th of + August, the siege, by this mode of reckoning, could only have lasted + 76 days. It is highly probable, therefore, that the commencement of + the siege must have been on the 13th of May, and the 30th of Clavigero + may only be an error of the press.--E. + + + + +SECTION XIV. + +_Occurrences in New Spain immediately subsequent to the reduction of +Mexico_. + +As soon as Cortes had leisure to think of objects of internal regulation, +he gave orders to have the aqueduct restored by which the city of Mexico +was supplied with water, and to have the city cleared of the dead bodies +and repaired, so that it might be again habitable within two months. The +palaces and houses were ordered to be rebuilt, and a certain portion of +the city was allotted for the natives, while another part was reserved for +the residence of the Spaniards. Guatimotzin made application to our +general, in the name of many of his principal nobles, requesting that all +their women of rank who had been taken by our soldiers, might be restored +to their husbands and fathers. This was a matter of considerable +difficulty; yet the general allowed a search to be made, with an assurance +that all should be delivered up who were inclined to return. Every house +was accordingly searched; and though many were found, three only of the +whole number were inclined to return to their families; all the rest +expressed their abhorrence at the idolatry of their countrymen, besides +which, many of them declared that they were pregnant, and refused to quit +the soldiers to whom they were attached. + +One of the first public works undertaken in Mexico was an arsenal for the +reception of our flotilla which had been of such signal service during the +siege. To the best of my remembrance, Alvarado was appointed alcalde, or +chief magistrate, till the arrival of Salazar de la Pedrada. It was +currently reported that Guatimotzin had thrown great quantities of gold, +silver, and jewels, into the lake four days before his capture, and it was +well known that our allies had got large plunder as well as our own men +who served in the brigantines, and many of us suspected that Cortes was +well pleased that Guatimotzin had concealed much treasure, as he expected +to procure the whole for himself. It was then proposed in the army, that +Guatimotzin and the prince of Tacuba, his most confidential counsellor, +should be put to the torture, to extort confession of where the treasure +was secreted; this horrid act was certainly greatly against the +inclination of Cortes, yet he was forced to leave the unfortunate king and +the lord of Tacuba at the disposal of those avaricious wretches, who +alleged that our general objected to this infernal measure that he might +secure the gold for himself. In answer to all interrogatories on the +subject of the treasure, the royal Mexican officers uniformly protested +that no more existed than what had been produced; which, when melted, did +not exceed the value of 380,000 crowns; so that, when the royal fifth and +that for Cortes were deducted, those of the conquerors who were not +friends to Cortes were exceedingly dissatisfied. All that could be +extorted by the inhuman procedure of torture from the king and prince was, +that they had thrown some treasure into the lake, together with the +muskets and other arms captured during our flight from Mexico in the +preceding year, four days before the surrender. The place indicated was +repeatedly searched to no purpose by our best divers; but a sun of solid +gold, similar to one we got from Montezuma, with many ornaments of small +value, were found in a deep pond near his residence. The prince of Tacuba +declared under the torture that he had buried some gold at a place about +four leagues from Tacuba; but when Alvarado and six soldiers accompanied +him there, of whom I was one, he declared he had no gold, and had only +said so in hope of dying on the road. In fact the treasury was reduced +very low before the accession of Guatimotzin. I and several other good +divers searched that part of the lake which had been indicated by +Guatimotzin, but we found only some small pieces of gold, which were +immediately claimed by Cortes and Alederete the treasurer; who likewise +sent down other persons in their own presence, but all they got did not +reach the value of ninety crowns. We were all miserably disappointed to +find our shares so small; insomuch that Olmedo and all the captains +proposed to Cortes to divide the whole which belonged to the army among +the wounded, the lame, the blind, and the sick, all who were sound +renouncing their claims. We were all curious to know what our shares +amounted to, and it at length appeared that the share of a horseman was +only an hundred crowns. I forget how much belonged to a foot soldier; but +it was so small that none of us would accept the paltry sum, more +especially the soldiers of Narvaez, who never liked Cortes. + +Many of our soldiers had incurred heavy debts. A crossbow cost fifty +crowns, a musket a hundred, a horse eight hundred or a thousand, and every +thing else in proportion. Our surgeon, master Juan, and Doctor Murcia our +apothecary and barber, charged very high, and there were various other +sources of debt, all to be satisfied from our miserable dividends. These +required to be regulated; and accordingly Cortes appointed two respectable +persons, Santa Clara and Lerena, to arbitrate all claims, which were +ordered to be cleared off within two years according to their award. The +value also of the gold was debased, to serve us in our dealings with the +merchants from Spain and Cuba; but it had the opposite effect, as they +charged more than double the difference on their goods. On these abuses +being known at court, our emperor was pleased to prohibit the farther +currency of this base metal, ordering it to be all received in payment of +certain duties, and no more of it to be made; and as two goldsmiths were +detected for putting off base metal with the legal mark of good, they were +hanged for the fraud. + +As the best way to rid himself of troublesome demands, Cortes resolved to +send off colonies to make settlements at convenient situations. Sandoval +was sent for this purpose to occupy Coatzacualco and Tzapotecapan, the +south-eastern provinces of the Mexican empire. Juan Velasquez to Colima, +and Villa Fuerte to Zacatollan, the most westerly provinces on the south +sea. Christoval de Oli to take possession of the kingdom of Michuacan, and +Francisca de Orozco to Guaxaca or Oaxaco. The native chiefs of the distant +provinces could hardly be brought to believe that Mexico was destroyed, +and sent deputations to ascertain the truth of the report, bearing large +presents of gold to Cortes, and submitting themselves as vassals to our +emperor. Many came in person to Mexico, and even brought their children to +see the fallen condition of that great power which they had once held in +such awe and terror, expressing themselves in their own language, as who +should say, _Here stood Troy_. My readers may be curious to know how we, +the conquerors of Mexico, after encountering so many fatigues and dangers +to gain possession of that city, should now so readily abandon it in +search of new settlements. To this I answer: The books containing the +record of the Mexican revenues were examined to find whence Montezmna had +obtained the valuable articles of tribute, such as gold, cocoa, and cotton, +and we all wished to remove to these productive districts. Some especially +were led by the example of Sandoval, who was known to be the particular +friend of Cortes, and who would not, as they thought, be sent upon an +unprofitable errand. We all knew that the vicinity of Mexico had neither +mines, plantations, nor manufactures, being entirely occupied in the +cultivation of maize and _maguey_, which did not afford sufficient +prospects of advantage, and we anxiously removed therefore to other places, +where we were miserably disappointed. I among others, went to Cortes and +asked permission to accompany Sandoval to his government: "Brother Diaz," +said he, "you had better stay with me: If you are resolved to accompany +your friend Sandoval, you may certainly go; but on my conscience you will +repent." All the gold got into the hands of the royal officers, as the +slaves were purchased by the soldiers at a public sale. The various +detachments were sent out at different periods to occupy the provinces, +but all within two months after the reduction of Mexico. + +At this time, Christoval de Tapia, _veedor_ of Hispaniola, arrived at +Villa Rica with a commission to assume the government of New Spain, by +order of the emperor and under the direction of the bishop of Burgos. He +likewise brought letters from the bishop to Cortes and many persons in the +army, recommending him to be received with honour as governor, promising +great rewards to all who should assist him in assuming the government, +with severe threats of punishing all who opposed him: besides these sealed +letters, he had many others which he was authorised to address as he saw +occasion. Tapia in the first place presented his commission to Alvarado, +who now commanded at Villa Rica, who received it with the highest respect, +saying that it did not belong to him to decide on so important a subject, +and it would be proper, therefore, to assemble the alcaldes and regidors +of the settlement, that the commission might be verified in their presence, +and that it might be certainly known it came regularly from his majesty. +This did not exactly suit the views of Tapia, who was advised to proceed +to Mexico, and to produce his commission to the general; he therefore +forwarded to Cortes the letter of the bishop, and wrote to him on the +subject of his mission to New Spain, using smooth and persuasive terms, +and Cortes was by no means behind hand in the civility of his reply. +Cortes, however, sent off expresses to some of his most confidential +officers whom he had previously detached to settle colonies, ordering them +to go to meet Tapia, who had already begun his journey to Mexico, and was +met with on the road by Alvarado, Sandoval, Valdenegro, Andres de Tapia, +and Father Olmedo, all persons in the confidence of Cortes, by whom +Christoval de Tapia was persuaded to go back to Chempoalla, and to produce +his commission to them. Having examined it and finding it genuine, they +placed it on their heads in token of respect and submission to the will of +the emperor, yet hesitated as to acknowledging Tapia for governor, +alleging that it was necessary in the first place to be assured of his +majestys pleasure in the present state of New Spain, which had been +concealed from his knowledge by the bishop of Burgos, to serve his own +private views and to favour Tapia and Velasquez, one of whom it was +alleged was to marry his niece. Tapia saw evidently that it would be no +easy matter to enter upon his office of governor, and fell sick with +vexation. The before-mentioned deputies informed Cortes by letter of all +that had passed, and advised him to try the all-powerful influence of gold +on the would-be governor. Cortes complied with this advice, and +transmitted a good quantity of golden ingots by return of the express, by +means of which his friends gratified the avarice of Tapia, under pretence +of purchasing one of his ships, with some horses and negroes; and Tapia +set sail in his other vessel for Hispaniola, where he was very ill +received by the royal audience and the Jeronymite brotherhood, as he had +undertaken this business contrary to their express orders. + +I have formerly mentioned some particulars of an unsuccessful expedition +set on foot by Garray, the governor of Jamaica, for the establishment of a +colony on the river of Panuco; and as Cortes was informed that Garray +intended to resume that project, he resolved to anticipate him, +considering the country on that river as included in New Spain. Having +likewise been informed that Narvaez, who still continued a prisoner at +Villa Rica, had held some confidential intercourse with Tapia, in which he +advised him to quit the country as soon as possible, and to lay a +statement of the whole before his patron the bishop of Burgos; Cortes +sent orders to Rangel, now commandant at Villa Rica, to send up Narvaez to +Cojohuacan, where Cortes resided until the palace he meant to inhabit at +Mexico was completed. On appearing before Cortes, Narvaez fell on his +knees and endeavoured to kiss his hand; but Cortes raised and embraced him, +and treated him with the utmost kindness. His residence in Mexico being +ready for his reception, Cortes went to live there in great splendour, +marking out a plan for the restoration of the city, in which ample +allotments were made for churches, monasteries, and public buildings, with +squares and markets, all the rest of the ground being set apart for the +private inhabitants; and both so speedily and splendidly was this capital +restored, that all who have seen it allow there is not in Christendom a +larger, better built, or more populous city. While thus employed, +intelligence was brought to Cortes that the province of Panuco was in arms, +and had killed many of the soldiers whom he had sent to make a settlement +at that place. He resolved, therefore, to proceed to Panuco in person, as +all his most confidential officers were now absent on different duties. + +By this time our strength had been considerably augmented, both by means +of those formerly mentioned who had been on the expedition to Florida +under Aillon, and by several who had come over along with Tapia, and by +the arrival of many adventurers from the islands of Hispaniola, Cuba, and +Jamaica. De Oli, likewise, had now returned from Mechoacan, which he had +reduced to submission, bringing with him the principal cacique of that +country and several other chiefs, with a considerable quantity of gold. +Cortes therefore left a respectable garrison in Mexico, under Diego de +Soto, and set out on his march for Panuco[1] with 130 cavalry, 250 +infantry, and 10,000 Mexican warriors. As this expedition was very +expensive, Cortes, wished the charge to be defrayed from the royal funds, +but the officers of the treasury refused, under the pretext that it had +been undertaken from motives of private interest, to prevent Garray from +establishing a colony in that place, and not for the public service. The +Panuchese, otherwise called the Guastecas and Naguaticas, were numerous +and warlike, and had collected a force of above 70,000 warriors, with +which they fought two battles against Cortes in the course of a few days, +in which three Spaniards, four horses, and above a hundred Mexicans were +slain; but we obtained the victory in both actions, with such slaughter +of the rebels, as deprived them of all inclination to renew the war for +the present. By means of Father Olmedo and some prisoners, the Panuchese +were now induced to submit. Cortes in the next place proceeded with half +his army across the river Chila, to reduce the natives who had murdered +the messengers whom he sent to require their submission. On crossing the +river, the enemy fell upon our troops with great fury, but were soon +defeated, and our people advanced to a town in which they found abundance +of provisions. Some of our soldiers, on going into a temple next morning, +found the remains of some of our men, and even recognized their features, +a melancholy sight to us all; but we carefully collected and buried their +remains. From this place our detachment marched to another, where the +enemy concealed some of their troops among houses, intending to fall upon +our men when the cavalry had dismounted; but as their plan was discovered +it failed of success, yet they fought valiantly for half an hour, even +rallying three times, contrary to the usual custom of the Indians, and +three of our soldiers were so badly wounded that they afterwards died. On +the ensuing day, our soldiers scoured the country, and in some deserted +towns they found a number of earthen vessels filled with a species of wine +in underground cellars. After having marched for five days through the +country in various directions, the detachment returned to the river Chila, +and Cortes again summoned the the country to submission. They promised to +send a deputation for that purpose in four days, for which Cortes waited, +but to no purpose; he therefore sent a large body of Mexicans, during a +dark rainy night, across a lake to attack one of their largest towns, +which was entirely destroyed; after which most of the country submitted, +and Cortes established a town of 130 houses about a league from the river +of Chila, which he named Estevan del Puerto, leaving 63 Spanish soldiers +to keep the country under subjection, and giving the command of all the +neighbouring country to Pedro Valego. Before leaving this country, Cortes +was informed of three districts, which had now submitted, the inhabitants +of which had been very active in the murder of the Spaniards at Panuco on +the former occasion, and who had entered into a resolution to fall upon +the new settlement as soon as he quitted the country. He marched therefore +against them, and destroyed their towns, which they re-established soon +after his departure. In consequence of the loss of a vessel which Cortes +had ordered to bring provisions from Villa Rica, this new settlement was +reduced to much distress. The inhabitants of this province of Panuco were +the most barbarous of all the tribes in New Spain, being cruel to excess, +exceedingly addicted to human sacrifices, drunken, filthy, and wicked +beyond belief. They frequently rebelled, and were as often punished in a +most exemplary manner; but all would not reduce them under good government: +But when Nunez de Guzman became governor of New Spain, he reduced the +whole nation to slavery, and sold them among the different Islands of the +West Indies. + +On his return towards Mexico, Cortes received complaints of various +depredations having been committed by the inhabitants of the neighbouring +mountains on the peaceable districts of New Spain[2], He determined +therefore to chastise these lawless tribes while on his way; but they +anticipated him, by assaulting his rear in a difficult pass of the +mountains, where they got possession of a considerable portion of the +baggage. But our Mexican allies severely revenged this insult, and made +prisoners of two of the principal hostile chiefs who were both hanged. +After this victory, Cortes suspended hostilities, and having summoned the +people to appear before him, they came in and submitted, on which Cortes +appointed the brother of the cacique who had been put to death to the +vacant government. About this time Alonza de Avila, who was formerly +mentioned, returned with full powers from the royal audience and the +Jeronymite brotherhood, to continue our conquests, to make settlements of +land and colonies according to the established rules in Hispaniola and +Cuba, and to brand slaves: And he brought notice that these tribunals had +transmitted a report of the steps they had now taken to the government in +Spain, whence it was transmitted to the emperor, then in Flanders. If +Avila had been in New Spain at the arrival of Tapia, he might have proved +troublesome, as he was entirely devoted to the Bishop of Burgos, having +been bred up in his house. On this account, and by the advice of Olmedo, +Cortes gave him the command of the district of Guatitlan, one of the most +profitable in New Spain, and also made him a considerable present of gold, +and many flattering words and promises by which he gained him over +entirely to his interest, insomuch that he sent him soon afterwards into +Spain as his agent, carrying a large quantity of gold, pearls, and jewels +to the emperor, together with several gigantic human bones that were found +in a temple at Cojohuacan, similar to those which had been formerly sent +from Tlascala, as already mentioned[3]. Besides these things, he carried +over three Mexican tigers, and many other curious things which I do not +now remember. One part of the business of this agency, was to carry a +memorial from the _cabildo_ of Mexico, and from us the conquerors of New +Spain, soliciting to be supplied with bishops and clergy of holy life and +exemplary manners, and requesting that all offices of honour and emolument +might be conferred on us who had conquered this vast empire for our +sovereign, and that the supreme government might be confided to our +general Cortes. We requested that his majesty might be pleased to prohibit +any lawyers from coming among us, who would throw us into confusion with +their learned quibbles; and we farther represented the insufficient +commission of Christoval de Tapia, who had been sent out by the Bishop of +Burgos, merely for the purpose of effectuating a marriage between him and +the bishops niece. We deprecated the interference of the bishop in the +affairs of New Spain, which had already obstructed our efforts of conquest +in the service of his majesty, and had manifested great enmity against us +by prohibiting the Casa de Contratation of Seville from sending us any +supplies. We concluded by declaring ourselves ready to receive his +majesties commands with the most perfect submission and obedience, but that +we had deemed it our bounden duty to lay all these particulars before his +majesty, which had hitherto been artfully kept from his knowledge. On his +part, Cortes sent a memorial to the king of twenty-one pages long, in +which he left no argument unemployed to serve his own and our interest. He +even requested permission to go over to the island of Cuba, and to send +the governor Velasquez a prisoner to Spain, that he might be tried and +punished for the injuries he had done to the public service, and +especially for having sent an order to put Cortes to death. + +Our agents sailed from Vera Cruz on the 20th December 1522, and no +particular occurrence happened on the voyage to the Terceras or Açores, +except that one of the tigers broke loose and wounded some of the sailors, +who were likewise obliged to kill the other on account of its ferocity. At +the island of Tercera, Captain Quinones lost his life in a duel, +occasioned by a quarrel about a lady, by which means our business was left +in the hands of Alonzo de Avila. In continuing his voyage to Europe, he +was taken by a French privateer, commanded by one Jean Florin, who took +another ship from Hispaniola with a valuable cargo of sugar and hides, and +20,000 crowns in gold, and many pearls; so that with this and our treasure +he returned very rich to France, where he made magnificent presents to the +king and admiral of France, astonishing every body at the magnificence of +the presents which we had transmitted for our emperor. The king of France +observed on this occasion, that the wealth which we supplied from New +Spain was alone sufficient to enable our sovereign to wage war against him, +although Peru was not then discovered. It was also reported that the king +of France sent a message to our emperor, saying, That as he and the king +of Portugal had divided the world between them, he desired to see the will +of our father Adam, to know if he had made them exclusively his heirs. In +his next expedition, Florin was made prisoner by a strong squadron +belonging to Biscay, and was hanged in the island of Teneriffe. + +Avila was made a close prisoner in France, but by gaining the friendship +of the officer to whose custody he had been confided, he was enabled to +correspond with his friends in Spain, to whom he transmitted all the +documents with which he had been entrusted, which were all laid before the +emperor Don Carlos by Martin Cortes, our generals father, and Diego de +Ordas, by means of the licentiate Nunez, _relator_ of the royal council, +who was cousin to Cortes. The emperor was pleased, on due consideration of +these documents, to order that all favour should be shewn to our general, +and that the proceedings respecting the government of New Spain should be +suspended until his majesty returned into Spain. + +We were much disappointed on receiving intelligence of the loss of our +treasure, and the detention of our agent in France; yet Cortes honourably +reserved the district of Guatitlan for Avila, notwithstanding his +captivity, and gave it three years afterwards to a brother of Alonzo de +Avila, who was then promoted to be _contador_ of Yucutan. + + +[1] The province here named Panuco, is situated on the coast of the gulf + of Mexico, at the mouth of a considerable river which drains the + superfluous waters of the Mexican vale, named at first Rio del Desague, + then Rio de Tula, and Rio Tampico at its mouth, in about lat. 22° 15' + N. The Modern town of Panuco is about 200 miles almost due north from + Mexico.--E. + +[2] These were probably the Chichimecas and Otomies, who inhabited to the + north-west of the Mexican empire.--E. + +[3] From these slight notices, nothing certain can be gathered respecting + these large bones: Yet there is every reason to believe they must have + been of the same kind with those now familiar to the learned world, + under the name of _Mammoth_. The vale of Mexico has every indication + of having once been an immense inland lake, and the other _big bones_ + of North America have all been found in places of a similar + description. The greatest deposit of these hitherto known, is at a + place called _big-bone-swamp_, near the Mississippi, in the modern + state of Kentucky.--E. + + + + +SECTION XV. + +_Expeditions of Gonzalo de Sandoval, Pedro de Alvarado, and others, for +reducing the Mexican Provinces_. + + +After the settlement with Christoval de Tapia, the Captains Sandoval and +Alvarado resumed the expeditions with which they had been before entrusted, +and on this occasion I went along with Sandoval. On our arrival at +Tustepeque[1], I took my lodgings on the summit of a very high tower of a +temple, for the sake of fresh air, and to avoid the musquitoes, which were +very troublesome below. At this place, seventy-two of the soldiers who +came with Narvaez and six Spanish women were put to death. The whole +province submitted immediately to Sandoval, except the Mexican chief who +had been the principal instrument of the destruction of our soldiers, who +was soon afterwards made prisoner and burnt alive. Many others had been +equally guilty, but this example of severity was deemed sufficient. + +Sandoval, in the next place, sent a message to the Tzapotecas, who inhabit +a mountainous district about ten leagues from Tustepeque or Tututepec, +ordering them to submit to his authority; and on their refusal, an +expedition was sent against them under Captain Briones, who according to +his own account had served with reputation in the wars of Italy. His +detachment consisted of 100 Spanish infantry, and about an equal number of +Indian allies; but the enemy were prepared for him, and so completely +surprised him in a difficult pass of the mountains, that they drove him +and his men over the rocks, rolling them down to the bottom, by which +above a third of them were wounded, of whom one afterwards died. The +district inhabited by the Tzapotecas is of very difficult access among +rocky mountains, where the troops can only pass in single file, and the +climate is very moist and rainy. The inhabitants are armed with long +lances, having stone heads about an ell long, which have two edges as +sharp as razors, and they are defended by pliable shields which cover +their whole bodies. They are extremely nimble, and give signals to each +other by loud whistlings, which echo among the rocks with inconceivable +shrillness. Their province is named Tiltepeque[2]; which, after its +submission, was confided to the charge of a soldier named Ojeda. On his +return to quarters, Sandoval ridiculed Briones on the bad success of his +expedition, asking him if he had ever seen the like in Italy; for Briones +was always boasting of his exploits there, as how he had severed men in +two, and the like. Briones was sore displeased with these sarcasms, and +swore he would rather fight against the Turks or Moors than the Tzapotecas. +There was another district of the Tzapotecas called Xaltepec, which was +then at war with a neighbouring tribe, and who immediately, on being +summoned by Sandoval, sent a deputation of their chiefs to wait upon him +with handsome presents; among which was a considerable quantity of gold, +partly made into toys, and partly in ten little tubes. Their chiefs were +dressed in long cotton robes, richly embroidered, and reaching to their +feet, like the upper garments worn by the Moors. They requested to be +assisted by some of our soldiers against their enemies, whom they named +the Minxes. The state of our force at this time did not permit him to +comply with this request, but he promised to transmit their request to our +general at Mexico, with an application for an auxiliary force to be sent +them, and said he could only now send a small number of his men along with +them, to observe the nature of the passes, but his real object was to +examine their mines. With this answer he dismissed them all except three, +sending eight of us along with them to explore the country and its mines. + +There was another soldier of the same name with myself in this party, for +indeed there were three of us in the army named Castillo. At that time I +prided myself on my dress, and was called _Castillo the beau_. My namesake +who went on the present expedition was named _Castillo the thoughtful_, as +he was of slow speech, never replying to a question for a long while, and +then answering by some absurdity. The third was called _Castillo the +prompt_, as he was always very ready and smart in all his words. On our +arrival at the district of Xaltepec, the Indians turned over the soil in +three different rivers, in each of which they found gold, and soon filled +three tubes with it as large as a mans middle finger, with which we +returned to Sandoval, who now thought that all our fortunes would be made. +He took a district to himself, from which he very soon procured gold to +the value of 15,000 crowns. He gave the district of Xaltepec, whence we +had obtained the gold, to Captain Luis Marin, but it turned out very +indifferently. He gave me a very profitable district, which I wish to God +I had kept; it consisted of three places, named Matalan, Oztoequipa, and +Oriaca, where the _ingenio_ of the viceroy is now situated; but I thought +it more consistent with my character as a soldier to accompany Sandoval in +his military expeditions. Sandoval called his town Medellin, after the +birth-place of Cortes; and the Rio de las Vanderas, from which he procured +the 15,000 crowns, was for some time the port where the merchandise from +Spain was discharged, until Vera Cruz became the emporium. + +We now marched into the province of Coatzacualco, through the district of +Citla[3], which is about twelve leagues in length and breadth, and is very +populous, having a fine climate and abounding in provisions. The chiefs +immediately submitted. On our arrival at the river of Coatzacualco, which +is the governing district of all the neighbouring tribes, the chiefs did +not make their appearance on being summoned, which we considered as an +indication of hostility, which was in fact their first intention; but +after five days, they came in and made their submissions, presenting some +trinkets of fine gold to Sandoval. By his orders, they collected a hundred +canoes, in which we crossed the river, sending four soldiers in advance to +examine and report the state of the country. A town was founded in this +place, which we named Villa del Espiritu Santo, because on that day we +defeated Narvaez, using that expression as our watchword, and because we +crossed this river on the same day. In this place the flower of our army +was established, which at this time mustered eighty cavalry, a greater +number in proportion than five hundred is now, horses being then very +scarce and dear. Having examined the surrounding districts, Sandoval +divided them among the different settlements. To the settlement of +Coatzacualco, he allotted Cuetzpaltepec, Tepeca, Chinantla, the Tzapotecas, +Copilco, Cimatan, Tabasco, Cachula, the Zoques, Techeapa, Cinacatan, the +Quilenes, and Papanahausta. We had a long litigation afterwards with the +district of Vera Cruz about three of these, Cuetzpaltepec, Chinantla, and +Tepeca; with Tabasco about Cimatan and Copilco; with Chiapa or Guatimala, +concerning the Quilenes and Zoques; and likewise with the town of St +Ildefonso about the Tzapotecas. I regretted having fixed myself in this +place, as the lands were very poor, and every thing turned out to my +disadvantage. We might indeed have done well enough if we had been left in +our original situation; but as new settlements were successively formed, +ours were curtailed to accommodate them, so that our colony fell into +decay; and from being the best, and containing the greatest number of the +true conquerors of Mexico, it has now very few inhabitants. + +About this time Sandoval received intelligence of the arrival of Donna +Catalina, the lady of our general, in the river of Aguayalco[4], +accompanied by her brother. La Zembrana also with her family came along +with her, and Donna Elvira Lopez _the tall_, who married Juan de Palma, +who was afterwards hanged. We all went to pay our respects to the ladies, +the roads being almost impassable owing to constant heavy rain. Having +escorted Donna Catalina and the rest to our town of Coatzacualco, or +Espiritu Santo, intelligence was sent to Cortes of their arrival, and they +set out soon afterwards for Mexico. Cortes was sorry for their coming, but +he received them with great pomp, and we heard about three months +afterwards that Donna Catalina had died of an asthma. + +Villafuerte had been sent to Zacatula, and Juan Alvarez Chico to Colima, +two provinces on the south sea to the west of Mexico, but were +unsuccessful; on which Cortes sent Christoval de Oli to reduce these +provinces to submission. The natives attacked him on his march, killing +two of his soldiers; yet he reached the station of Villafuerte, who was +afraid to stir out, and had four even of his soldiers killed by the enemy +in the town where he resided. I do not know what became of Captain Juan +Alvarez, but I believe he lost his life about this time in some action +with the natives. De Oli reduced both provinces to submission and returned +to Mexico, where he was hardly arrived when intelligence was brought that +they had again rebelled; on which Cortes sent Sandoval with a small party +of veterans to take the charge of them. He punished the ringleaders of the +rebellion, and regulated them in so effectual a manner, that they +continued ever afterwards submissive. + +On the departure of Sandoval with the ladies, several of the districts +subjected to Coatzacualco rebelled, killing the soldiers who were +appointed to collect the tribute; among which were the Tzapotecas of +Xaltepec, Cimatan and Copilco, the first being difficult of access on +account of its rugged mountains, and the two others because of lakes and +marshes, so that they were not reduced to subjection without great +difficulty. While Captain Luis Marin was engaged in reducing these +districts, Juan Buono arrived at our settlement in a small vessel. He +immediately called us all together, and endeavoured to persuade us to +submit to Christoval de Tapia as governor of New Spain, being ignorant of +the return of that person to Hispaniola. Buono had a number of unaddressed +letters from the bishop of Burgos, making large offers to such as would +further his views of superseding Cortes, and which Buono had a +discretionary power of directing to any persons that he supposed might +support the cause in which he was engaged, and which he accordingly +transmitted to those who held offices in the settlement. Among the rest, I +was offered the appointment of regidor. When Buono learnt that Tapia had +left the country, he seemed much disappointed. We referred him to Cortes +at Mexico, to which place he went. I know not what passed between him and +Cortes, but I believe the general sent him back to Spain with some money +in his pocket. + +Among the tribes that courted our alliance after the conquest of Mexico, +was a people of the Tzapotecan nation, named the Tutepecs, who earnestly +requested our assistance against a hostile tribe, who bore the same name +with themselves, and whom they represented as possessing a very rich +country. Accordingly, in the year 1522, Alvarado marched from Mexico with +a detachment of 180 soldiers, cavalry and infantry, with orders to take +twenty more on his march through the district of Oaxaco, and also to visit +and reduce during his march certain mountainous districts which were said +to be in rebellion. Alvarado was forty days on his march between Mexico +and Tutepec, and was very hospitably received on his arrival, being lodged +in the most populous part of the city, where the houses stood close +together, and were thatched with straw, it not being the custom of that +part of the country to have terraced roofs, on account of their climate +being very sultry. By the advice of Father Olmedo, Alvarado removed his +quarters to a more open part of the town; as in case of any treachery +being intended, the natives might easily have set fire to the first +quarters. In this place, Alvarado was plentifully supplied with provisions, +and the principal chief made him every day some rich present of gold; and +among other things gave him a pair of golden stirrups, made according to a +pattern. Yet, only a few days after, the cacique was made a prisoner, on +the information, as was said, of the Indians of Tecuantepec, that he meant +to burn the Spaniards in the quarters which had been assigned them in the +temples. Some of the Spaniards alleged that Alvarado made him a prisoner +in order to extort gold for his ransom. However this may have been, he +died in prison of vexation, after Alvarado had got from him to the value +of 30,000 crowns. His son was permitted to succeed him in the government, +from whom Alvarado obtained more gold than he had done from the father. +Alvarado now established a colony, which was called _Segura_, because most +of the colonists came from Tepeaca, named by us Segura de la Frontera. + +Alvarado set out soon afterwards on his return to Mexico with all his +wealth, as Cortes had written to him to bring all the treasure he possibly +could, which he intended to send into Spain. The soldiers were much +dissatisfied at being thus excluded from any share, and several of them +entered into a conspiracy to assassinate Alvarado and his brothers. One of +the conspirators, named Tribejo, gave information of the plot to Father +Olmedo, only a few hours before it was intended to have been executed; and +the reverend Father informed Alvarado, just as he was riding out along +with some of the conspirators. He continued his intended excursion for a +short way; then turning suddenly, he complained of a pain in his side, +saying he must go back for a surgeon to bleed him. On his arrival at +quarters, he immediately sent for his two brothers, together with the +alcaldes and alguazils of the settlement, whom he ordered to arrest the +conspirators, two of whom were hanged. Alvarado returned to Mexico with +his gold; but the colonists finding all the gold taken away, and that the +place was hot and unhealthy, infested with musqutioes, bugs, and other +vermin, and themselve and slaves fast dying, they abandoned the settlement, +some going to Mexico, and others to different places. Cortes was much +displeased at this abandonment, and finding on inquiry that it had been +done by a resolution of the alcaldes and regidors in full cabildo, he +condemned them to suffer death; but their punishment, at the intercession +of Olmedo, was mitigated to banishment. Thus the settlement of Segura fell +to the ground, which had been established in a very fertile country, but +exceedingly unhealthy. By the cruelty and extortion of Alvarado, the minds +of the natives were alienated, and they threw off their allegiance; but he +reduced them again to submission, and they continued afterwards to behave +themselves peaceably. + + +[1] This expedition appears to have been for the reduction of certain + provinces to the south-east of the vale of Mexico, now forming the + intendency of Oaxaca, inhabited by the Mixtecas and Tzapotecas. The + Tustepeque of the text, was probably a town on the Boca de Chacahua on + the South Sea, now called Tututepec, in lat. 15º 50' N. and long. 100º + 15' E. On the very imperfect map of Clavigero, it is named Tototepec, + and is placed in the country of the Mixtecas.--E. + +[2] Named, more appropriately, in the map of Clavigero, Tzapoteca-pan.--E. + +[3] I suspect this ought to be named Chinantla.--E. + +[4] This way probably be some corruption of the native name of the Rio + Coatzacualco, or Huaxacualco; by giving it the ordinary Spanish prefix + _agua_; which signifies water, or a river, with the native termination + _cualco_.--E. + + + + +SECTION XVI. + +_Some Account of the Expedition of Francisco de Garay for the Colonization +of Panuco_. + + +Having formerly mentioned the expedition fitted out by Francisco de Garay, +the governor of Jamaica, it seems proper to give a more particular account +of that affair in this place. Hearing of the great riches which Diego +Velasquez was likely to acquire from New Spain, and of the fertile +countries which had been discovered on the continent of the West Indies, +and encouraged by the means he now possessed of prosecuting discoveries +and conquests, he determined to try his own fortune in that career. For +this purpose he sent for and discoursed with Alaminos, who had been our +chief pilot, from whom he received so favourable an account of these +countries, that he sent Juan de Torralva, a person in whom he could +confide, to solicit the bishop of Burgos to grant him a commission for +settling the country on the river of Panuco; and having succeeded in this +preliminary step, he fitted out an armament of three ships, with 240 +soldiers, under the command of Alonzo Alvarez Pineda, who was defeated by +the Panuchese, one ship only escaping, which joined us at Villa Rica, as +already related. Receiving no intelligence of the fate of his first +armament, Garay sent a second, which also arrived at our port. Having now +expended a great deal of money to no purpose, and having learnt the good +fortune of Cortes, he became more than ever desirous to secure the +advantages he expected to derive from his commission. With this view he +fitted out thirteen ships, in which he embarked 136 cavalry, and 840 foot +soldiers, mostly musqueteers and crossbow-men, of which he took the +command in person. He sailed with this great armament from Jamaica, on the +24th June 1523, and arrived safe at the port of Xagua in the island of +Cuba, where he received information that Cortes had reduced the province +of Panuco to subjection, and had sent a petition to the emperor to get a +commission for governing his new acquisition. He was here informed of the +heroic deeds of Cortes and his companions, and in particular of our having +defeated the large force of Narvaez, while we had only 270 soldiers. + +Struck with awe at the power and abilities of our general, he solicited +the licentiate Zuazco to mediate between him and Cortes, that he might be +permitted to take possession of the government of Panuco, in pursuance of +his commission from the bishop of Burgos. + +Garay shortly afterwards set out with his armament, and being driven by a +storm into the river Palmas[1], he disembarked there, intending to march +by land to Panuco, having first exacted an oath of fidelity from his +troops; and he even nominated the various officers of his colony, which he +intended to name Garayana. Having marched for two days along the sea-shore, +through a marshy uninhabited country, he arrived at some villages, where +the inhabitants entertained him hospitably, but many of his soldiers +straggled about robbing and maltreating the people. Garay at length +arrived at Panuco, where his soldiers expected all their difficulties +would end, but it was almost a desert, as it had been much wasted in the +war with Cortes, and the natives concealed what remained, so that they +found nothing but bare walls, where they were tormented with mosquitos and +every kind of vermin. Garay could get no intelligence of his fleet, and +learnt from a Spaniard who had fled from punishment and lived among the +Indians, that the province of Panuco was poor and unhealthy; and as this +man gave a very favourable account of Mexico, many of Garays soldiers +deserted from him, and went off for Mexico, plundering the natives on +their way. Garay found himself in a bad plight, and sent one of his +officers, named Diego de Ocampo, to sound the disposition of Vallejo, who +was governor of St Estevan del Puerto for Cortes, and to notify the +appointment of Garay to the government of this country. Vallejo gave a +favourable answer, requesting the soldiers might be restrained from +maltreating the inhabitants; but sent off an express to Cortes, soliciting +a strong reinforcement or the immediate presence of the general. On +receiving this intelligence, Cortes immediately sent off Alvarado, +Sandoval, Father Olmedo, and Gonzalo de Ocampo, brother to Diego de Ocampo, +who was with Garay, giving them a copy of the royal instructions, by which +all his conquests were left under his command till the dispute between him +and Velasquez were judicially settled. + +On the arrival of Garay in the neighbourhood of St Estevan, Vallejo learnt +from five deserters that the troops were scattered negligently in a large +town called Nacoplan, on which he concerted a plan for coming on them by +surprise, and made forty of them prisoners, alleging that they had invaded +the country without a commission, and had plundered the inhabitants who +lived under his government. Garay threatened Vallejo with the vengeance of +the court of Spain for this outrage, and demanded the immediate release of +his soldiers; on which Vallejo requested to see his commission, which, if +from his majesty, he would obey in all humility. Just at this time arrived +the deputies from Cortes, and Diego de Ocampo, being then first alcalde of +Mexico, made a formal remonstrance against the entrance of Garay with an +armed force into the government of another person. Several days were spent +in remonstrances and replies on both sides, during which time many of +Garays troops deserted from him. + +Two of the ships belonging to Garay were lost in a tempest, and the +remainder took shelter in the mouth of the river, when Vallejo secretly +negotiated with their officers to join the party of Cortes. He at length +contrived to inviegle the whole of the fleet up the river to the port of +St Estevan, where he made all their officers and men prisoners in the name +of Cortes; but Father Olmedo persuaded him to set them at liberty. The +unfortunate Garay entreated the officers of Cortes to restore his ships +and to compel his troops to return to their duty, promising to give up his +intended settlement at Panuco, and to retire to the river Palmas. They +agreed to this, and used every measure to induce the deserters to return, +but with little effect; as they alleged they had already discharged their +engagement in coming to Panuco, and they despised Garay. In this hopeless +state, Garay was persuaded to write to Cortes, stating his situation, and +requesting his protection and assistance, in consideration of their former +friendship. Cortes engaged to do what he desired, and invited him to come +to Mexico, where he was honourably received, and promised every redress, +referring him to Olmedo, Sandoval, and Alvarado, to agree with him on the +terms. At the suggestion of Olmedo, a marriage was proposed between Donna +Catalina Cortes y Pizarro, the daughter of Cortes, and the eldest son of +Garay, who had a command in the fleet. Cortes agreed to this, giving his +daughter a liberal fortune, and agreed that Garay should establish a +colony on the river Palmas, in which he engaged to give him every +assistance in his power. Garay now interceded with Cortes to allow Narvaez +to return to Cuba, for which favour Narvaez was extremely thankful, and +took leave of Cortes with many professions of gratitude. Soon afterwards, +Garay was seized with a pleurisy, of which he died in four days, leaving +Cortes and Father Olmedo his executors. As his armament was left without a +head, a competition arose among his officers for the vacant command; but +young Garay was ultimately made general. This gave great offence to the +soldiers, in consequence of which they dispersed about the country in +small bodies of fifteen or twenty men, pillaging the natives as if they +had been among Moors. This enraged the Indians, who laid a plot to cut off +the Spaniards, which they executed so effectually that in a very short +time they sacrificed and eat above five hundred of the soldiers of Garay, +in some of the towns upwards of a hundred of them being destroyed at one +time. In other places they fell upon the stragglers, whom they massacred +almost without resistance; and, encouraged by this success, they even rose +against the settlement of Estevan in such numbers, that they could hardly +be resisted by Vallejo and seven or eight of the veterans of Cortes, who +induced many of Garays soldiers to abide by them in the open field, where +three battles were fought, in one of which Vallejo was slain, and a great +number of Spaniards wounded. The Indians became at length so bold and +desperate, that they one night killed and burned forty Spaniards, among +whom were several belonging to Cortes, and destroyed fifteen horses. When +Cortes heard of these proceedings he was much enraged, and would have gone +in person to suppress the rebellion, but was then confined by a broken arm; +wherefore he sent Gonzalo de Sandoval, with 100 infantry, 50 cavalry, 15 +musqueteers, and two field-pieces, accompanied by 8000 Mexican and +Tlascalan warriors, giving orders to reduce the country so completely +under subjection that they might not have power to give any farther +disturbance. + +Sandoval was a person of much vigilance when he had any important business +in hand, and made no delay in marching against the enemy, who had +concentrated their forces in two narrow defiles. Sandoval divided his +forces into two bodies, but was so obstinately resisted, that he drew off +his forces, feigning to retreat to Mexico, followed by the Indians, whom +he completely deceived, making an unexpected countermarch at midnight, by +which he gained possession of the passes; yet not till he had lost three +horses, and had a great many of his men wounded. On passing the defiles, +he found himself opposed in front by an immense body of Indians, who had +collected on receiving notice of his countermarch. He concentrated his +whole force into one solid column; and as his cavalry were inexperienced +in the service, he gave them full instructions never to halt making +thrusts, as the Indians always seized the lances when wounded, and often +wrested them from the hands of our men; but ordered them to clap spurs to +their horses on such occasions, firmly grasping their lances, and thus +force them from the enemy by the strength of their horses. Having placed +guards and patroles, and ordered the horses of the cavalry to remain all +night saddled and bridled, he made the troops repose under arms on the +banks of a river, placing the Mexican and Tlascalan warriors at a short +distance from the Spanish troops, knowing by experience that the allies +were of more harm than benefit in a night attack. At day-break next +morning, Sandoval put his troops in motion, and was soon fronted by three +large bodies of the enemy, who endeavoured to surround him. Forming his +cavalry in two squadrons, he attacked the enemy with such spirit that they +were soon broken and dispersed, with the loss of two soldiers and three +horses on his side. The allies made terrible havock after this victory, +burning and plundering all before them, till the arrival of the army at St +Estevan. The remains of this colony were found in a miserable condition, +and the soldiers of Garay assured him that its preservation was entirely +owing to the bravery and conduct of our few veterans who were there. +Sandoval divided his army into several bodies, which he entrusted to the +command of the veterans, and sent them to overrun the neighbouring +districts, with orders to send in all the provisions they could collect, +being unable to go out himself, as he was badly wounded. In the course of +three days, his parties sent in many prisoners of the ordinary class, and +five chiefs; but Sandoval released the common people, and ordered his +troops to make no more prisoners, except of such chiefs as had been +concerned in or present at the murder of the Spaniards. In a few days +Sandoval was able to take the field, and by skilful measures he made +prisoners of twenty caciques, who had commanded where no less than six +hundred Spaniards were slain. He then summoned all the neighbouring towns +to send their chiefs to him to treat of peace and submission: Some obeyed, +but others neglected to attend, and he thought it best to dissimulate with +the latter for the present, till he had informed Cortes what had been +already done, and had received his orders as to the disposal of the +prisoners and his future procedure. Cortes, who now conferred the vacant +command of St Estevan on Sandoval, ordered all who had been any way +concerned in the murder of the Spaniards to be punished with death, as an +example to deter others from being guilty of the like offence, directing +Diego de Ocampo, as alcalde-major, to take the necessary steps against +them, with orders to execute all who should be found guilty. He gave +orders likewise to conciliate the natives by all possible means, and to +prevent the soldiers of Garay from committing any future outrages. Two +days after the receipt of these orders, the accused caciques were brought +to trial; and many of them being found guilty by evidence, or by their own +confession, were publickly executed, some being burnt and others hanged. +Many also were pardoned; and all the districts which had belonged to the +caciques who suffered on this occasion, were restored to their children or +other heirs. Ocampo now proceeded against all those Spaniards who had been +guilty of outrages, going about the country in bands, plundering and +murdering the natives, or who had invited other soldiers to desert to them; +and having collected them together, he shipped them off for Cuba. To Juan +de Grijalva, who had been commodore of the fleet under Garay, Cortes +offered the alternative of a present of 2000 crowns, and a passage to Cuba, +or an honourable reception at Mexico. But Grijalva and all the other +officers belonging to Garay preferred going to Cuba. When Sandoval and +Ocampo had thus reduced the settlement to order, and cleared it of these +troublesome inmates, they returned to Mexico, leaving the command at St +Estevan to an officer named Vallecillo; and on their arrival at the +capital, they were received by Cortes and others with the distinction +which their services richly merited[2]. + + +[1] This is probably the river of Nueva Santander, about 100 miles north + from the Rio Tampico or river of Panuco--E. + +[2] A very uninteresting episode, respecting the misfortunes of the + liceniate Zuazo, who has been formerly mentioned, is here omitted, as + having no reference whatever to the general history in hand: It is + sufficient to say that, after many perils by sea and land, Zuazo came + to Mexico, where Cortes gave him the office of alcalde-major, which + seems to have resembled our provost-marshal, or chief military + judge.--E. + + + + +SECTION XVII. + +_Narrative of various Expeditions for the Reduction of different Provinces +in New Spain_. + + +As the views of Cortes were always lofty, so was he always well supported +by the talents and bravery of his officers and soldiers. After his power +was thoroughly established in the great city of Mexico and its more +immediate dependencies, and in the districts or provinces of Guaxaca, +Zacatula, Colima, Vera Cruz, Panuco, Coatzacualco, and others, as already +related, he was informed that there were populous nations and rich mines +in the province of Guatimala; and he resolved to send a military force +under Alvarado, to conquer and colonize that country. Alvarado, therefore, +was dispatched to that province, with 300 infantry, 135 cavalry, 200 +Tlascalans and Cholulans, and 100 Mexicans[1], and four field-pieces. +Alvarado was instructed to bring those nations to submission by peaceful +means, if possible; and Father Olmedo accompanied him, on purpose to +preach the doctrines of our holy religion to the natives; and at all +events, to insist upon all the prisons and cages that were used for human +victims being destroyed, the prisoners set free, and the utter abolition +of human sacrifices and cannibal feasts. This expedition left Mexico on +the 13th of December 1523; and Alvarado during his march, received the +submission of the district known by the name of the Rocks of Guelama, +where he received many rich contributions in gold. Having passed the +districts belonging to the Tzapotecas of Tecuantepec, and by Soconusco, a +town containing above 15,000 houses, Alvarado came to the neighbourhood of +a place named Zapotitlan, where, at a bridge over a river, he was opposed +by a very numerous body of warriors who disputed the passage with so much +bravery, that many of the soldiers were wounded and one horse killed; and +it required three very hard fought battles before the Spaniards were able +to break through and disperse the enemy. + +From this place, continuing his march, Alvarado was continually harassed +by the Indians of Quetzaltenango, and came at length to a defile in a high +mountain, where the ascent was about a league and a half. On arriving at +the summit, a remarkably fat woman was found in the act of sacrificing a +dog, which is an infallible token of intended hostilities; and immediately +afterwards, great numbers of armed Indians were seen advancing on all +sides, in a difficult broken ground, where the cavalry of Alvarado were +unable to act. In this rough and impracticable place, above 6000 of the +warriors of Utatlan, a district adjoining to Quetzaltenango, made an +attack upon our troops; and being soon put to flight, they rallied shortly +after, reinforced by great numbers of fresh troops, who waited the advance +of our forces, and fought them bravely hand to hand. On this occasion, +three or four of the enemy uniting their efforts, used to seize a horse +before and behind, endeavouring to pull him to the ground, and it required +the most strenuous exhortations both of Alvarado and Father Olmedo to +animate the exertions of our troops, who at length succeeded in defeating +and dispersing the Indians. Our army halted in the field of battle for +three days, unmolested by the enemy, and then marched to Quetzaltenango, +where Alvarado hoped to have given his troops some repose; but he found +two xiquipils of warriors, or 16,000 men assembled to oppose him in a +plain, where he gave them so complete a defeat, with so heavy a loss of +warriors, that they remained for a long time under complete awe of the +Spaniards. The chiefs of these Indians sent a deputation to Alvarado, +offering peace and submission, under which they had concealed a plan for +destroying his army in the following manner. At a short distance there was +a place called Utatlan, in a very difficult rugged country, and surrounded +by defiles, to which they invited him to march, intending to fall upon him +there with all their forces, as in that place the cavalry could not act. + +Alvarado accordingly marched to Utatlan, a town of considerable strength, +which had only two gates, the ascent to one of which was by a stair of +about twenty-five steps, and the other opened to a very bad broken +causeway, the streets likewise being very narrow, and the houses very +close together. Observing the bad situation of this place, and that the +women and children had disappeared, Alvarado began to suspect that some +mischief was in contemplation; and he was informed by some Indians of the +place he had last quitted, that a number of warriors were concealed all +round the place, to which they meant to set fire in the night, and then +assault him with all their forces. Alvarado immediately called his troops +to arms, and marched out into the open country, telling the chiefs that he +did so for the purpose of procuring grass for his horses. They did not +seem pleased with this change; and as soon as Alvarado was completely +clear of the town, he seized the principal cacique, whom he reproached for +his treachery, and ordered to be burnt alive. Father Olmedo obtained a +respite of this sentence, with permission to endeavour to convert the +condemned cacique to the holy faith, in which he exerted himself a whole +day, and at length succeeded: and, _as an indulgence_, his punishment was +commuted to hanging, and his territory given to his son. After this, +Alvarado attacked and dispersed the native warriors who were in the +neighbourhood of the town. When this success became known in Guatimala, +which was engaged in hostility with the people of Utatlan, they sent an +embassy to treat with Alvarado before his arrival on their frontiers, +bringing a present of gold, declaring their submission to the government +of our emperor, and offering to serve as allies in all our wars. Alvarado +accepted their submission and offer of service, and desired them to send +him 2000 of their warriors, with which they immediately complied; and as +the people of Utatlan had again rebelled, he remained eight days in their +country, collecting considerable spoil and making many slaves; after which +he marched to the city of Guatimala, where he was hospitably received. + +As the utmost harmony subsisted between Alvarado and the natives of +Guatimala, the chiefs of that nation represented to him that a nation in +their neighbourhood, called the Altitlans, who occupied several strong +fortresses on the side of a lake, had refused to make submission to him, +and that they were a barbarous and malicious people. Alvarado sent a +message commanding these people to submit, but they abused his messengers; +on which he marched against them with 140 Spanish soldiers and 2000 +warriors of the Guatimalans, and was resisted by a strong force of the +Altitlans, whom he soon defeated with considerable loss, and pursued to +their fortresses on the lake. Having driven them from these fortresses, +they took shelter in an island of the lake, to which he sent several of +their chiefs whom he had taken prisoners, to persuade them into peace and +submission, in which he at length succeeded, partly by threats and partly +by promises, and returned to Guatimala. Father Olmedo exerted himself so +effectually in his mission, that he prevailed upon the people to imitate +our example, in adoring the holy Virgin, for which purpose he erected an +altar and image of our lady, and explained the mysteries of the Christian +faith to the natives. A people named the Pipiles, who came from a +considerable distance towards the south, to enter into submission to +Alvarado, informed him that a nation in their way, called the Izcuintepecs, +were of a malignant disposition, and maltreated all travellers through +their country. He sent, therefore, a message to invite them to come in and +submit, which they refused to comply with; for which reason he marched +into their country with his whole force, united to a strong body of his +allies of Guatimala, and made great havock among them. Not having been +present in this expedition, as I did not go into the province of Guatimala +until my return from Higueras, I have only given a short summary of the +conquest of Guatimala and its dependencies, which may be found related at +full length in a book written by Gonzalo de Alvarado. + +About this time Cortes was informed that the provinces of Higueras and +Honduras contained rich mines, and some sailors reported that the native +fishers of these countries used weights to their nets made of gold mixed +with copper; they alleged also, that a strait or passage would probably be +found in that direction into the Pacific Ocean. On these accounts he +determined to send some troops to that country under Christoval de Oli, to +inquire after the mines, and to search for this reported strait, by which +a communication might be opened with the Spice Islands; and as the way by +land was long and difficult, it was determined to send this expedition by +sea. Accordingly, de Oli embarked in six ships, with a force of 370 +soldiers, 100 of whom were musqueteers and crossbow-men, and 22 cavalry. +Five of the veteran conquerors of Mexico went along with this expedition; +among whom was one Briones, a seditious fellow and a bitter enemy of +Cortes; besides whom, many of the soldiers on this expedition were greatly +dissatisfied at the unequal distribution of lands which had been made in +New Spain. De Oli was ordered to go first to the Havanna, to procure a +supply of provisions and necessaries, and then to pursue his voyage to the +Higueras to make the necessary inquiries for the reported mines and +straits; after which he was to build a town in some commodious situation. +To advance the interests of our holy religion, he was provided with two +friars, one of whom understood the Mexican language. At the Havanna, de +Oli took on board five of the followers of Garay, who had been expelled +from Panuco for seditious conduct, who ingratiated themselves into his +confidence, and advised him to renounce his obedience to Cortes, in which +they were aided by Briones; so that he at length went over to the party of +Velasquez, who engaged to make such representations at court that the +command of this intended settlement might be given to de Oli independent +of Cortes. De Oli was a brave man, and endowed with many good qualities, +yet unfit for his present employment, having been brought up in the house +of Velasquez, so that he was the more readily influenced by bad advisers +to desert the interest of Cortes to whom he lay under great obligations. +On the third of May, de Oli arrived at his station, which he named _El +Triumpho de la Cruz_, where he appointed to the civil administration of +the new colony, such alcaldes and regidors as had been recommended by +Cortes, and even took possession of the country for his majesty in the +name of Cortes, as he wished to conceal his secession from our general +till he saw whether the country was sufficiently rich to be worth while to +set up an independent government; as, if it turned out otherwise, he could +return to his possessions in Mexico, and gloss over his negociations with +Velasquez, under pretence of having done so in order to procure the +necessary supplies. In this manner was the new colony of El Triumpho +established, from whence Cortes had no intelligence for more than eight +months. + +There were a considerable number of veterans and Spaniards of rank, +established in the town of Coatzacuaclo, otherwise called Del Espiritu +Santo, who were entrusted with the government of that province, together +with the districts of Citla, Tabasco, Cimatan, Choutalpa, Cachula, Zoque, +the Quilenes, Cinacatan, Chamuela, Chiapa, Papanahausta, Pinula, Xaltepec, +Huaxaltepec, Chinantla, Tepeque, and others; but through all New Spain, +the demand for tribute was the signal of insurrection, and all who +attempted to levy it were killed, as were all Spaniards who fell into the +hands of the natives; so that we were continually obliged to go from one +town to another with a company of soldiers to preserve peace. As the +district of Cimatan was particularly refractory, and Captain Luis Marin +could not conveniently send a body of troops to that place, I and three +other Spaniards were sent there to endeavour to prevail on the people to +submit. On approaching the principal town, we were attacked by a large +body of Indians, who killed two of my companions, and wounded me +desperately in the throat. My surviving companion made off to some canoes +on the banks of the river Macapa, leaving me alone and in great jeopardy; +but I crept under cover of some bushes where I lay some time almost +exhausted, and recovering my strength after some time, I forced my way +through the natives, and escaped to where my companion was in the canoes, +with four Indians whom we had brought with us to carry our baggage, which +they had thrown away, and for the sake of which the natives quitted us, so +that we got across the river, which is broad and deep and full of +alligators. To avoid the Indians, we concealed ourselves for eight days in +the woods, so that we were concluded to be lost, and our property in lands +and Indians was divided among the other Spaniards, such being then the +custom in New Spain. We returned to the town, however, at the end of +twenty-three days, to the great joy of our friends, and the disappointment +of those who had succeeded to our property. + +Our captain, Luis Marin, thought proper to wait upon Cortes, to represent +the necessity of a reinforcement; and accordingly got thirty soldiers, +commanded by Alonzo de Grado, with orders for all the Spaniards at +Coatzacualco to march for the province of Chiapa, which was then in a +state of rebellion, and directions to build a town there to keep the +natives in order. In the first place, we had to make roads through the +woods, and the country being very marshy, we were under the necessity of +constructing causeways in many places to enable the horses to pass. The +first place we came to was Tezputzlan, and thence to Cachula, beyond which +there had been no passage before our expedition, all the other natives +being in great fear of the inhabitants of Chiapa, who were then the +bravest warriors in all America, and had never been subdued by the +Mexicans; but they were extremely barbarous, being in use to rob all +passengers, and to carry away the natives of other districts to till their +ground. The present expedition was during Lent, and as well as I can now +remember, in the year 1524, our little army consisting of 27 cavalry, 23 +musqueteers, 72 foot soldiers armed with sword and target, and one +field-piece under the direction of a cowardly fellow of a gunner, who +pretended to have served in Italy. Besides these, we had 50 Mexican +warriors, and the cacique of Cachula with some of his principal people, +who were all terribly afraid. On approaching Chiapa, an advanced guard of +four of our most active soldiers, of whom I was one, always preceded the +army to reconnoitre, and as the ground was not fit for a horse, I left +mine behind. We were usually about half a league in front of the army, but +on our approach to Estapa, their first settlement, some of the hunters of +Chiapa perceived us at a distance, and gave the alarm by means of smoke. +The road was now wide and convenient, between well cultivated fields of +corn and other vegetables; and on coming to Estapa we found it abandoned +by the inhabitants, on which we posted our guards and patroles, and took +up our quarters for the night. We were soon disturbed by information from +our out-guards, that the natives were collecting on every side to attack +us; and, going out of town to meet them we had a severe action, in which +they killed two of our soldiers and four horses, wounding our reverend +father Fra Juan, and thirteen soldiers, including our captain Luis Marin, +who was wounded in two places; besides which many of our allies were slain. +This action lasted till dark night, when the enemy were forced to retire, +leaving fifteen slain and many wounded in the field. From two of the +wounded, who seemed chiefs, we learnt that a general attack was intended +against us next day. These people were clothed in good defensive armour of +quilted cotton, using darts hardened in the fire, war clubs, and lances +longer than ours, and they fought with unusual bravery; insomuch that, +when one of our horsemen halted to make a thrust, the Indians seized the +horse, and either wrested the lance from the horseman or pulled him to the +ground. + +Next day we pursued our march to Chiapa, a place with very regular streets, +and containing not less than four thousand families, besides the dependent +towns and villages around. We had not proceeded above a quarter of a +league from Estapa, where we had passed the night, when we found the whole +warriors of the district drawn up to oppose us, well armed, dressed up in +plumes of feathers, and making the hills resound with their warlike shouts. +They attacked us with the utmost fury, and our black gunner was so +stupified with fear, that he stood long trembling before he durst put the +match to the gun, and when he fired the piece all the good he did was +wounding three of our own men. After a severe conflict, we at length +forced them to fly; but they rallied in some broken ground, reinforced by +some fresh bodies of Indians, and attacked us again by surprize, while we +were giving God thanks for our victory. In these new troops, many were +provided with long thongs to twist round our horses, and some carried the +nets they used in hunting for the same purpose. In this second battle the +enemy were so desperate that they killed two of our soldiers and five +horses, and scarce one of us escaped without a wound. They had along with +them a very fat aged woman, whom they esteemed a wizard, who had promised +them the victory. Her body was all covered over with paint mixed with +cotton wool; and she advanced fearlessly amid our allies, who were +regularly formed by companies, by whom she was cut to pieces. At length, +by a violent effort, we forced the enemy to fly, some taking to the rocks +and others to the river, and being excellent swimmers they made their +escape. We then halted and sang the _Salve regina_: After which we took +possession of a town on the river, where we halted for the night, taking +care of our wounded, and carefully concealing our dead. + +About midnight, ten chiefs of neighbouring districts came down the river +in five canoes, and were brought to our captain, whom they informed that +they belonged to the nation of the Xaltepecs, who were at war with the +people of Chiapa, and came to offer their assistance to us against them, +on condition that we should afterwards support the independence of their +nation against the people of Chiapa. This was very satisfactory to us, as +we could not have passed the river, which was both broad and deep, without +their assistance; the chiefs were therefore dismissed with a promise on +our part of protection, and on theirs to bring us canoes and auxiliaries. +During the remainder of the night we had to keep strict guard, as the +drums and horns of the enemy were heard on the opposite banks of the river, +where their warriors were collecting from all sides to attack us. As soon +as it was light, our new friends joined us with the promised canoes, and +shewed us a very dangerous ford, which they urged us to pass without delay, +that we might endeavour to save the lives of some of their people who had +been recently made prisoners by the enemy. We accordingly passed the river +in a solid column at the ford, which reached our armpits, and where we +lost one of our cavalry. On gaining the opposite bank, we were so hotly +assailed by the enemy with darts and arrows, that every one of us had two +or three wounds before we got out of the water. But as we were now joined +by large bodies of those Indians who had offered their assistance, we soon +compelled the enemy to fly for shelter to their city, against which we +immediately advanced in good order, accompanied by our new allies. On +arriving there, it seemed too closely built to be occupied with safety, +and we encamped therefore in the open field, sending messengers to invite +them to peace, with which they complied, by sending a deputation of their +chiefs, who submitted to become subject to our sovereign, and requiring +that the neighbouring tribes might be prevented from destroying their +houses and plantations. All these things being settled to our mutual +satisfaction, we went into the town, where we found many prisoners +confined in wooden cages, who had been seized by the Chiapese while +travelling from place to place, all of whom we set free. In the temples of +this place we found several idols of horrible figures, and many remains of +men and boys, who had been recently sacrificed. Our reverend father Fra +Juan, broke all the idols to pieces, and preached so successfully that +many were baptized. Many of the chiefs of the neighbouring tribes came in +and made their submission: Among these were the chiefs of Cinacatan, +Papanahaustla, Pinola, Guehuistlan, Chamula, the Quilenes, and others who +spoke the Zoque language, and many other tribes, the names of which I do +not now remember. These people were much surprised when they perceived the +smallness of the force with which we had ventured to attack a nation so +warlike as the Chiapese, whom the Mexicans were never able to subdue. + +While our captain was thus occupied in arranging matters with the chiefs +of the surrounding districts, one of our soldiers went accompanied by +eight Mexicans, to a town called Chamula, where he demanded a contribution +of gold in the name of our captain, though entirely without authority. A +quantity was accordingly offered him; but not being satisfied with the +amount, he attempted to seize the cacique, by which violent proceeding he +occasioned an insurrection of that town, and another in the neighbourhood +called Quiahuitlan, or Guehuistlan. When this improper transaction came to +the ears of our captain, he sent the soldier a prisoner to Mexico, and +immediately marched to Chamula to quell the insurrection, being assisted +on this occasion by the inhabitants of Cinacatan, a polished tribe which +was addicted to merchandize. On our arrival at Chamula, we found the place +strongly fortified by art and nature, and the people well armed, having a +peculiar species of large shield which covered the whole body, and could +be rolled up into a small compass when not in use. Our cavalry were +ordered to keep guard in the plain in our rear, to watch the motions of +the insurgents in the neighbouring districts; while the infantry +endeavoured to force their way into the town; but our musketeers made very +little impression, as the enemy were covered by their walls, while their +missiles injured us materially, being exposed without any defence. We +continued the attack during the whole day to very little purpose, being +unable to force the ramparts, which were guarded by above 2000 men armed +with lances. We therefore drew off for the time, and procured some timber +from a depopulated town in the neighbourhood, with which we constructed +certain machines named _mantas_ or _burros_, under cover of which twenty +men or more could approach the walls in safety, to work a passage through +them. On our first attempt to do this, the enemy threw down upon our +machines, heavy stones, fire, and scalding water, so that we were +constrained to remove our machines to repair the injury they had sustained. +We again brought forward our machines to the walls, and at length +succeeded in making several breaches. While employed in this manner, four +of their principal chiefs and priests addressed us from the top of the +ramparts, saying, since we wanted gold they had brought us some, and then +threw over seven crowns of fine gold, with many gold trinkets, some of +which were cast in the shape of various birds, shells, and the like; +immediately after which they assailed us with repeated vollies of darts, +arrows, and stones. By the time that it was dark, we had made two +considerable breaches; but as a heavy rain came on, we drew off for the +night, keeping a vigilant guard round our post, and having our cavalry on +the alert in the plain, ready saddled and bridled. During the whole night, +the enemy kept continually sounding their warlike instruments, making +horrid yells, and threatening us with destruction next day, which they +said was promised by their gods. We brought forward our machines again at +day-break to enlarge the breaches we had made on the preceding day; but +the enemy defended themselves with great obstinacy, wounding five of our +people, and myself among the rest by the thrust of a lance, which had gone +through me, had it not been for the strength of my quilted cotton armour. +Towards evening it came on again to rain hard, and we were called off from +the attack; but as the enemy ceased to shout and make their usual noises, +I suspected they were about leaving the town, and perceived also that +their lances were mostly rested against the walls and parapets, except +about two hundred which still appeared in the hands of a part of the enemy. +On this, I and one of my comrades crept in at a small breach in the wall, +and were immediately attacked by above two hundred of these lancemen, who +would soon have dispatched us, if some of our Indian allies had not +noticed our perilous situation, and called the rest of our soldiers to our +aid, who crowded in at the breach and soon enabled us to put the enemy to +flight. These were only the rear guard of the garrison, all the rest of +the inhabitants, men, women, and children, having evacuated the town by +the opposite gate. We immediately pursued, and made many prisoners. + +Leaving this place, we marched for Cinacatan, and halted for the night at +the place where _Chiapa de los Éspanoles_ is now built; from whence our +captain dismissed six of our prisoners, with a message to their countrymen, +offering to restore all the rest of the prisoners, if they would submit. +They immediately complied with this, and submitted themselves as subjects +to the Spanish monarchy. In this neighbourhood dwelt a nation called the +Guehuistlans[2], who possessed three fortified towns, and were in +rebellion against us. Leaving our baggage and wounded men in Cinacatan, we +proceeded to reduce these people to submission. They had barricaded all +the approaches to their towns by means of felled trees, which were cleared +away by the aid of our Indian allies, and we got up to one of their +fortresses, which threatened to give us infinite trouble, as it was full +of warriors, well armed both for offence and defence. But they all fled +when we mounted to the assault, leaving the place to us without resistance. +By means of two prisoners who were taken by our allies, offers of peace +and good treatment were sent to them, on condition of submission; with +which they complied, bringing with them some trifling presents of gold and +_quetzal_ feathers. + +Having thus effected our business in this place, by reducing all the +surrounding tribes to submission, we proceeded, according to the orders of +Cortes, to establish a colony, though some who had already plantations and +Indians in Coatzacualco objected to this place as unfit for cavalry, and +that our force was too small for keeping so populous a district under +subjection, especially as the natives had many strong fortresses in the +fastnesses of their mountains. Even our captain, Luis Marin, and the royal +notary Diego de Godoy, were adverse to the plan. Alonzo de Grado, also, a +very troublesome fellow, was possessed of a patent from Cortes, by which +he was entitled to an _encomienda_ in the province of Chiapa, when reduced +to obedience; and in virtue of this, he demanded that all the gold which +had been received from the Indians of Chiapa, and also, that which had +been found in the temples, amounting to about 1500 crowns, should be +delivered up to him. This was refused by Marin, who alleged that it ought +to be applied for replacing the horses which were killed during the +expedition. These disputes ran so high, that our captain ordered both +Godoy and De Grado into irons, intending to send them to Mexico. Godoy +obtained his liberty by concessions; and in return for this lenity entered +into cabals with De Grado for misrepresenting the conduct of Marin to +Cortes. On this occasion I was solicited to write to Cortes in exculpation +of De Grado, as they said that Cortes would believe my statements. I wrote +accordingly a true state of the case, but in no respect charging Marin +with any thing amiss. De Grado was sent off to Mexico, under an oath to +appear before Cortes in eighty days, as the distance he had to travel +exceeded 190 leagues. On his arrival, Cortes was so much displeased by his +conduct, that he ordered De Grado to take 3000 crowns and retire to Cuba, +that he might give no farther trouble in his government; but De Grado made +such ample apologies, that he was restored to favour. As it was finally +resolved to establish a colony in this place, and as I had an order to +that effect from Cortes, our captain, who was likewise my particular +friend, appointed me to the command of the _encomienda_ at Cinacatan, +which I enjoyed for eight years. As soon as possible after my appointment, +I procured a reverend father to preach to the Indians, whom I was anxious +to convert to our holy faith. He accordingly erected an altar and crucifix, +and preached with so much success, that fifteen of the Indians offered +themselves for baptism on the first day of his mission; which gave me +infinite satisfaction, as I felt the warmest interest in the welfare of +these people, whom I looked upon as my own children. + +When all things were properly settled at this place, we resolved to +chastise the people of Cimatan who had slain two of the party with which I +had been deputed to them, as formerly mentioned near the beginning of this +section. In our way to that place, we had to march through a district +named Tapelola, which was so very rugged that our horses were unable to +proceed until the roads were cleared for them, which was immediately done +on application to the caciques. We continued our march by the districts of +Silo, Suchiapa, and Coyumelapa, to those of Tecomayatacal and Ateapan; the +chief town of which was extensive, closely built, and very populous. This +place belonged to my _encomienda_. Near this town there was a large and +deep river which it was necessary for us to pass, where we were opposed by +the people of the vicinity with so much vigour that we had six soldiers +wounded and three of our horses killed; but we put them to flight, and +they withdrew into the woods and mountains, after setting fire to their +town. We remained here five days, taking care of our wounded men; and as +we had taken many of the women of this district, some of them were sent +out to invite the natives to return and submit, with which they complied. +Godoy was averse from the lenity shewn on this occasion, and insisted that +these people ought to be punished for their revolt, or at least made to +pay for the horses which they had slain. I happened to be of a different +opinion; and as I spoke freely, Godoy became enraged and used very angry +words, which I retorted. At length we proceeded to blows and drew our +swords; and if we had not been parted one or other of us must have been +killed, we were both so much enraged. Even as it was, several cuts were +given and received on both sides, before we were separated. Marin was a +good man and of a mild disposition, so that he restored every thing to +these deluded people and left them in peace. + +We continued our march through the other districts of Cimatlan and +Talatiopan, where we were attacked by a numerous body of archers, by whom +above twenty of our soldiers were wounded and two horses killed; but we +very soon defeated them. These people were the most powerful archers I had +yet seen, as they were able to drive their arrows through two suits of +well quilted cotton armour; and their country is mostly composed of a +marsh which quakes under foot. It was in vain therefore to think of +pursuing the natives in such an impracticable country; and as they treated +all our offers of peace with contempt, we judged it best to return to our +colony of Coatzacualco; which we did through the districts of Guimango, +Nacaxa, Xuica, Teotitlan, Copilco, and some others which I do not remember +the names of, to Ulapa, and thence across the rivers Agaqualulco and +Tonala to Coatzacualco, where the slain horses were paid for at the rate +of a penny the pound. + + +[1] Though without any warrant for this purpose, we believe that the + numbers of these allies ought to have been reckoned by thousands + instead of hundreds.--E. + +[2] Diaz is often variable in his orthography of Indian names; calling + this people in different places, Gueguestitlans, Guehuistlans, and + Quiahuistlans.--E. + + + + +SECTION XVIII. + +_Negotiations of Cortes at the Court of Spain, in respect to the Conquest +and Government of Mexico_. + + +In the year 1521, the holy father Adrian de Lobayana, succeeded to the +papacy, he being then governor of Castille and resident in the city of +Vittoria, where our agents waited upon him to kiss the foot of his +holiness. About the same time a great nobleman, named M. de la Soa, +arrived from Germany, who was chamberlain to our emperor, and was sent by +him to congratulate the new pope on his election. When this nobleman was +informed of the heroic deeds of the conquerors of Mexico, and the great +things they had performed for the extension of the holy faith, by the +conversion and baptism of such myriads of Indians, he became interested in +our behalf, and made application to his holiness to expedite the business +of our agents. This was readily acceded to, as besides the allegations of +our agents, the pope had received other complaints against the bishop of +Burgos from persons of quality and honour. Our chief agents on this +occasion were Francisco de Montejo, Diego de Ordas, Francisco Nunez cousin +to our general, and his father Martin Cortes; who were countenanced by +many powerful noblemen, and chiefly by the Duke of Bejar. Thus supported, +they brought forward their charges against the bishop to good purpose. +These were, that Velasquez had bribed the bishop by the gift of a +considerable district in Cuba, the natives of which were made to work in +the gold mines for his emolument, to the manifest injury of the royal +revenue. That when, in 1517, 110 of us had sailed at our own expence under +the command of Hernandez de Cordova for the discovery of New Spain, the +bishop had falsely informed his majesty that it was done by Velasquez. +That Velasquez had transmitted 20,000 crowns in gold, which had been +procured by his nephew Juan de Grijalva on our second voyage, all of which +was given to the bishop, and no part of it to his majesty to whom it +belonged. That when Cortes sent home a large contribution in gold to his +majesty, the bishop had suppressed our letters, substituting others, and +ascribed the present to Velasquez, retaining half of the treasure to his +own use; and, when Puertocarrera applied to him for permission to wait +upon his majesty, the bishop had thrown him into prison, where he died. +That the bishop had forbidden the officers of the _Casa de contratation_ +of Seville to give any assistance to Cortes, by which the public service +had suffered manifest injury. That he had appointed very unfit persons to +the military command in New Spain, as was particularly the case with +regard to Christoval de Tapia, to whom he had given a commission as +governor of New Spain, in order to bring about a marriage between his +niece and Tapia. That he had given authenticity to the false accounts +transmitted by the agents of Velasquez, suppressing the true relations +which came from Cortes. There were many other charges against the bishop +which he could not gainsay, as they were all substantiated by good +evidence. + +All these things being made clear to his holiness, he was pleased to order, +that the bishop should have no longer any authority in regard to the +affairs of New Spain, of which the government should be conferred on +Cortes, and that Velasquez should be remunerated for all the expences he +had incurred on account of the expedition, which he could duly +substantiate. His holiness sent also to New Spain, a great number of +indulgences for the hospitals and churches, and recommended to Cortes and +the other conquerors to pay unremitting attention to the conversion of the +Indians, and was pleased to send us his holy bulls of absolution. His +majesty graciously confirmed all these orders of the pope, ordering +Velasquez to be deprived of the government of Cuba, on account of having +sent the expedition under Narvaez, in defiance of peremptory orders to the +contrary from the royal audience of St Domingo, and the Jeronymite +brethren. The bishop was so much affected by his disgrace on this occasion, +that he fell dangerously ill. + +About this time, Panfilo de Narvaez and Christoval de Tapia arrived in +Spain, together with the pilot Umbria and Cardenas, who by the instigation +of the bishop of Burgos, preferred many severe accusations against Cortes +to his majesty, in which they were gladly joined by the agents of +Velasquez. They alleged, that Velasquez had fitted out three several +expeditions for New Spain at vast expence, the last of which he had +confided to Cortes, who broke his engagements and converted the armament +to his own advantage. That when Velasquez sent Narvaez as governor of New +Spain, with his majesties commission, Cortes made war upon him, defeated +him and made him a prisoner. That when the bishop of Burgos sent Tapia to +take the command of New Spain in the name of his majesty, Cortes refused +obedience, and compelled him to re-embark. They also accused Cortes of +having embezzled a great quantity of gold which he had obtained for his +majesty; of taking a fifth of all the plunder to his own use; of having +tortured Guatimotzin; of defrauding the soldiers of their shares; of +making the natives of Mexico construct for his use magnificent palaces and +castles as large as villages; of having poisoned Francisco de Garay, in +order to get possession of his ships and troops, and many other charges of +a similar nature. By command of his majesty, a court of inquiry was +appointed from the privy council, to hear and determine upon these +allegations, before which the following answers were given in. That +Cordova was the real discoverer of New Spain, which had been done by him +and his companions at their own cost. That although Velasquez had sent +Juan de Grijalva on an expedition to New Spain, it was only for the +purpose of trade, and not of colonization. That the principal charges had +been expended by the different captains, and not by Velasquez, who had +received the chief part of 20,000 crowns which these captains had +collected. That Velasquez gave Indians in Cuba to the bishop of Burgos to +collect gold for him, which ought to have belonged to his majesty. That +although it was true Velasquez had sent Cortes to New Spain, his orders +were only to barter; and the establishment he had made was entirely owing +to the representations of his companions for the service of God and his +majesty, and in no respect due to the instructions of Velasquez. That it +was well known to all, that Cortes had reported the whole of his +proceedings to his majesty, to whom he and his companions sent all the +gold they could procure, waiting his majesties ultimate orders in the +utmost humility; whereas the bishop of Burgos suppressed his letters, and +appropriated the gold to his own use, concealing our meritorious services +from his majesty, preventing our agents from gaining access to the emperor, +and even throwing one of them into prison, where he died; and that he +prevented the royal officers from supplying us with such things as we +needed, by which our enterprize had been much retarded. That all these +things had been done by the bishop from corrupt motives, that he might +give the government of Mexico to Velasquez or Tapia, in order that one of +them might marry his _niece_ Donna Petronilla de Fonseca, being anxious to +make his _son-in-law_ governor of that splendid kingdom. As for the +expedition of Narvaez, our agents contended that Velasquez ought to suffer +death for having sent it in direct disobedience of his majesties orders as +communicated by the royal audience; and that he had behaved with high +disrespect to his majesty, in making his application to the bishop of +Burgos on this occasion. In support of all these accusations they offered +to bring substantial proofs, and prayed the court to award punishment for +these multiplied offences. + +In reply to the accusations of Narvaez against Cortes, they represented, +that Narvaez sent word to Montezuma on his arrival in Mexico, that he came +to rescue him, by which he occasioned a dangerous war. That when Cortes +desired to see his commission, and represented the necessity of an +amicable junction of their forces for the good of the service, Narvaez +would give no answer, but immediately declared war against Cortes and his +companions, by which they were forced to defend themselves, and that +Narvaez had even presumed to seize his majesties oydor, for which Cortes +deemed it requisite to bring him to punishment. That when Cortes went to +wait on Narvaez, that he might see his commission and remonstrate with him +on his proceedings, Narvaez had attempted to make him prisoner by surprise, +of which proof could be made by witnesses. As to the failure of Garay, and +the ridiculous charge of having poisoned him; it was well known that the +expedition under Garay had failed through his own misconduct and ignorance +of the country; after which he had gladly accepted the friendly offers of +Cortes, who had given him an hospitable reception in Mexico, where an +alliance was agreed upon between their families, and Garay was to have +been assisted in establishing a colony on the river Palmas; and finally, +it was established beyond all doubt, by the oaths of the physicians who +attended him, that Garay had died of a pleurisy. In regard to the charge +of retaining his majesties fifth, it was proved that Cortes had fairly +expended it in the public service, together with 6000 crowns of his own +property. That the fifth which he had retained for himself, was according +to compact with the soldiers; and as to the shares belonging to the +soldiers, it was well known that very little gold was found in Mexico on +its capture, as almost all the wealth of the place had fallen into the +hands of our allies of Tlascala and Tezcuco. That the torture given to +Guatimotzin had been done by his majesties officers, contrary to the +inclination of Cortes, in order to force a discovery of where the +treasures of Montezuma had been concealed. As for the buildings, though +certainly sumptuous, they were intended for the use of his majesty and his +successors, and that the work had been carried on by the Indians, under +the order of Guatimotzin, as was always done in building houses for the +great in that country. As to Alonzo de Avila having taken the commission +from Narvaez by force; it appeared there was no commission among his +papers, which consisted entirely of receipts for the purchase of horses +and the like; and farther, that these papers had been taken without any +order from Cortes, who never saw any of them. As for Tapia, it was urged, +that if he had come to Mexico and produced his majesties orders, they +should have been received and obeyed by Cortes with the utmost humility: +But that his incapacity was so notorious to every one then in New Spain, +that it was the universal advice and desire of all that Cortes should +retain the command. As to the pilot Umbria, whose feet had been cut off, +this had been done in the due course of justice, for having run away with +his ship. That Cardenas had consented along with all the rest to give up +his share of the gold, that the whole might be sent to his majesty; and +that Cortes had given him 300 crowns from his own pocket, which was more +than he deserved, being a person of no consideration and no soldier. + +The court having duly weighed all the charges and answers, the whole +proceedings were reported to his majesty, together with their opinion and +sentence, which were entirely in favour of Cortes, whose merit and valour, +and that of all the veteran conquerors of Mexico, were highly praised. +Velasquez was enjoined silence in respect to his complaints against Cortes, +and was told that he might seek for the remuneration of his expences by a +legal process. Cortes was declared governor-general of New Spain, pursuant +to the orders of the pope, and the court approved of the arrangements +which he had made in the country, authorizing him to distribute and +appoint the districts or _repartimientos_ in the way he thought proper. +Narvaez was referred for redress to France, where Avila was still a +prisoner. The pilots Umbria and Cardenas obtained royal grants of property +in New Spain, to the extent of a thousand crowns in annual rent. And it +was ordained that all the veterans of Cortes should have immediate and +ample gratifications in lands and Indians, with such precedency in rank as +their valour and services had deserved. This sentence was confirmed by the +emperor at Valladolid, who was then on his road to Flanders; and he gave +orders likewise for the banishment of all relapsed converts in New Spain, +and that no _Scholars_[1] should be admitted into that country for a +certain term of years. His majesty, and his brother the king of Hungary, +were graciously pleaded to write letters to Cortes, and to us the +conquerors, thanking us for the good service we had performed. + +This affair being decided in our favour, the necessary documents were +entrusted to two relations of Cortes, Roderigo de Paz and Francisco de las +Casas, who carried them in the first place to St Jago in the island of +Cuba, where Velasquez resided. On the sentence being made known to him, +and proclaimed by sound of trumpet, he fell ill from vexation, and died +soon afterwards poor and miserable. Francisco de Montejo had the +government of Yucutan and Cozumel from his majesty, with the title of Don. +Diego de Ordas was ennobled, getting for his coat of arms the volcano of +Guaxocingo, and was confirmed in all his possessions in New Spain. He went +back to Spain two years afterwards to solicit permission to conquer the +province of Maranion, in which enterprize he lost his life and all his +property. On the arrival of Las Casas and De Paz in Mexico with the +appointment of Cortes to the government, there were great rejoicings +everywhere. Las Casas was made a captain, and got the _encomienda_ of a +good district called Anquitlan; and De Paz was appointed major-domo and +secretary to Cortes, getting likewise valuable possessions. Cortes +liberally rewarded the captain of the vessel which brought out this +pleasing information, and provided handsomely for all who came out to New +Spain from his native country of Medellin. All the proceedings of our +agents in Spain were regularly conveyed to us the conquerors; but it +seemed to me that they agented solely for Cortes and themselves, as we who +had raised Cortes to his greatness, were continually encountering dangers +and hardships, without any reward. May God protect us, and inspire our +great emperor to cause his just intentions towards us to be carried into +effect. To us, the ancient, wise, and brave conquerors of Mexico, it +appeared that Cortes ought to have duly considered his true friends, who +had supported him from the first through all his difficulties and dangers, +and ought to have rewarded us according to our respective merits, and his +majesties orders, by giving us good and profitable situations, instead of +leaving us poor and miserable. By his majesties orders, and by his duty, +Cortes was bound to have given to us and our children all the good offices +in the kingdom of New Spain; but be thought only of himself and his +favourites. In our opinion, who were the conquerors, the whole country +ought to have been divided into five equal parts, allotting one to the +crown, another for the holy church, and the remaining three parts to +Cortes and the rest of us, who were the true original conquerors, giving +each a share in perpetuity in proportion to our rank and merits, +considering that we had not only served his majesty in gratuity, but +without his knowledge, and, almost against his will. This arrangement +would have placed us at our ease; instead of which, many of us are +wandering about, almost without a morsel to eat, and God only knows what +may become of our children. + +To the veedor Pedro Alonzo Chirinos, Gonzalo Salazar the factor, Rodrigo +Albornos the contador, and many others who came now from Spain, and to the +dependents of great men, who flattered him and told him fine tales, Cortes +refused nothing; but he treated us the true conquerors like vassals, +forgetting us entirely in the distribution of property, yet never failing +to call upon us when he wanted our assistance, as if we had been fit only +for expeditions and battles. I do not blame him for being generous, as +there was enough for all; but he ought in the first place to have +considered those who had served his majesty in the conquest of this noble +kingdom, and to whose blood and valour he was indebted for his own +elevation. Long afterwards, when Luis Ponce de Leon came out to supersede +Cortes, we the veteran conquerors represented to our general that he ought +to give us that property which he had been ordered by his majesty to +resign. He expressed his sorrow for having so long neglected us, and +promised even with an oath, that he would provide for us all, if he +returned to his government, thinking to satisfy us with smooth words and +empty promises. + + +[1] This probably alludes to _lawyers_, as on a former occasion, Diaz + mentions a request from the Spaniards that none of that fraternity + might be sent over to New Spain, probably to avoid the introduction of + litigious law suits.--E. + + + + +SECTION XIX. + +_Of an Expedition against the Zapotecas, and various other Occurrences_. + + +Intelligence was brought to Mexico that the Zapotecas were in rebellion, +on which Rodrigo Rangel, whom I have several times mentioned already, +solicited Cortes to be appointed to the command of an expedition for their +reduction, that he too might have an opportunity of acquiring fame, +proposing likewise to take Pedro de Ircio along with him as his lieutenant +and adviser. Cortes knew well that Rangel was very unfit for any service +of danger or difficulty, being a miserably diseased object, the effect of +his sins, and put him off therefore by various excuses; but as he was a +very slanderous fellow, whom he wished to get rid of, he at length agreed +to his proposal, and at the same time wrote for ten or twelve veterans, +then residing in Coatzacualco, of whom I was one, desiring us to accompany +Rangel on this expedition. The country of the Zapotecas is composed of +high and rugged mountains, always enveloped in clouds and mists, with such +narrow and bad roads as to be unfit for cavalry, so steep that they must +be climbed up like ladders, each successive soldier of the file having his +head at the heels of the man immediately before him. The natives of these +mountains are light and active, and have a way of whistling and shouting, +so as to make the hills resound again, insomuch that it is hardly possible +to know on which side they are coming to attack. Against such enemies in +so strong a country, and with such a leader, it was impossible for us to +effect any thing. We advanced, however, under heavy rain, to a scattered +village, part of the houses being situated on a rocky ridge, and the rest +in a valley, and well it was for us that the Indians made no stand, as +poor Rangel whined and moaned the whole way, complaining of pains in his +limbs, and the severity of the weather. It was at last agreed, as he grew +every day worse and worse, that we could be of no use here, and were +exposing ourselves needlessly to danger, to abandon this fruitless +expedition, and return to our homes. Pedro de Ircio was among the first +who advised this, and soon set the example, by retiring to his own town of +Villa Rica; but Rangel chose rather to go along with us to Coatzacualco, +to our great dissatisfaction, as he expected benefit from that warm +climate to relieve him of his pains. + +We were hardly returned to Coatzacualco, when Rangel took it into his head +to go upon an expedition against the Indians of Cimatan and Tatupan, who +continued in rebellion, confiding in the impracticability of their country, +among large rivers and trembling marshes; being also very formidable +warriors, who used very long bows of great strength. We were all very +averse from this, but as Rangel produced his commission from Cortes, we +were under the necessity to obey, and accordingly set out on the +expedition, with about 100 horse and foot. We soon arrived at a pass among +lakes and marshes, where the Indians had thrown up a strong circular +entrenchment of large trees and pallisades, having loop-holes to shoot +through, and where they gave us a very warm reception with a flight of +darts and arrows, by which they killed seven horses, and wounded Rangel +and eight of our men. We had often told him what stout warriors these +Indians were, and he now declared that in future the old conquerors should +command him, and not he us, for he would not have been now in such +jeopardy if he had listened to our advice. When our wounded men and horses +were dressed, he requested me to go forward to reconnoitre, on which I +took two comrades, and a fierce dog belonging to Rangel, desiring the +infantry to follow close behind, but that Rangel and the cavalry might +keep at a good distance in the rear. In this order we pursued our march +for Cimatan, and soon fell in with another post, fortified like the former, +and as strongly defended, whence the Indians assailed us with a shower of +arrows, which killed the dog, and wounded us all three. On this occasion I +received a wound in my leg, and had seven arrows sticking in my cotton +armour. I immediately called to some of our Indian auxiliaries, who were a +little way behind, to desire all the infantry to come up immediately, but +that all the cavalry must remain behind, as otherwise they would certainly +lose their horses. We soon drove the Indians from their entrenchments; but +they took refuge among the marshes, where we could not pursue them without +running the risk of sinking at every step. + +Having passed the night at an Indian village, we proceeded forwards next +day, when we were opposed by a body of Indians posted in a marsh on the +border of an open plain. In spite of every thing we could say, Rangel made +a charge upon them with his cavalry, and was the first to tumble head +foremost into the marsh, where the Indians closed in upon him, in hope of +taking him alive for sacrifice. By great exertions we rescued him from +their hands, half drowned and badly wounded. The country being very +populous, we very soon found a village which the natives had abandoned, +where we went for the purpose of refreshment, and to dress our wounded men: +But had hardly been there a quarter of an hour, when the enemy attacked us +with such violence, that we had much ado to repel them, after they had +killed one of our men and two horses. Poor Rangel complained grievously of +his wounds and bruises, and was so infested by mosquitoes and other vermin, +which abound greatly in that country, that he could not rest either day or +night. He, and some of the soldiers who had belonged to Garay that +accompanied him, grew very sick of their expedition, in which nothing had +been got except three hard fought battles, in which eleven horses and two +soldiers had been slain, and many others wounded, on which account they +were very desirous to get home again; yet Rangel was averse from having it +appear that a retreat was his choice, and got, therefore, a council of +those who were of his own opinion to propose that measure. At this time, I +and about twenty more had gone out to try if we could make any prisoners, +and had taken five among some gardens and plantations near the village. On +my return, Rangel called me aside, and informed me that his council had +determined on a retreat, and desired me to persuade the rest of the +detachment to come into that opinion. "How, Sir," said I, "can you think +of a retreat? What will Cortes and the world say of you, when they hear of +your retreating in two successive expeditions, without having done any +thing? You cannot surely return without disgrace, till you have reached +the head town of these Indians. I will go forward on foot with the +infantry to reconnoitre: Give my horse to another soldier, and you may +follow in the rear with the cavalry." "You give good advice, said Rangel, +and we will march on." This was done accordingly, to the great regret of +many of our companions, and we advanced in good order to Cimatan, the +principal town of the district, where we were saluted as usual by a shower +of arrows. We entered the town, however, which was abandoned by the enemy, +yet took several prisoners, whom I dismissed, with an invitation to the +chiefs to come in and make peace with us; but they never returned. Rangel +was very angry at me on this account, and swore that he would make me +procure Indians for him, in place of those whom I had liberated. To pacify +him, I went among the neighbouring marshes with thirty soldiers, where we +picked up several stragglers, whom we brought to him. But he dismissed +these likewise, in hopes to induce the rest to submit, yet all to no +purpose. Thus ended the two famous expeditions against the Zapotecans and +Cimatanese, and such was all the fame acquired by Rangel in the wars of +New Spain. Two years afterwards, we effected the conquest of both these +countries, the natives of which were converted to our holy religion, by +the grace of God, and through the exertions of Father Olmedo, now grown +weak and infirm, to the great regret of all who knew him, as he was an +excellent minister of the gospel. + +Cortes had now collected 80,000 crowns in gold, and had caused a superb +golden culverin to be made as a present for the emperor, on which the +following motto was engraved: + + _Esta ave nacio sin par: Yo en servir os sin segundo; + Y vos sin iqual en el Mundo_[1]. + +This sumptuous present was sent over to Spain under the care of Diego de +Soto. I am uncertain whether Juan de Ribera, who had been secretary to +Cortes went over at the same time with Soto; but I know that he carried +over a sum of money for the generals father, which he appropriated to his +own use; and, unmindful of the many obligations he had received, he +reported much evil of Cortes, combining with the bishop of Burgos and +others to injure him. I always thought him a bad man, from what I had +observed of him when engaged in gaming, and many other circumstances: But, +as he was of a fluent speech, and had been secretary to Cortes, he did him +much harm, and would have injured him much more, if it had not been for +the interest of the Duke of Bejar, who protected Cortes, who was then +engaged in a treaty of marriage with the dukes niece, Donna Juana de +Zuniga[2]. By this interest, and combined with the magnificent present +brought over by Soto, the affairs of Cortes at the court of Spain took a +favourable turn. The golden Phoenix with its motto, gave great offence to +many, who thought it presumptuous in Cortes to insinuate that he had no +equal in his services: But his friends justly defended him, observing that +no one had so far extended the fame and power of his majesty, or had +brought so many thousand souls under the dominion of the holy catholic +church as he had done. Neither did they forget the merits of us his +associates, truly declaring that we were entitled to honours and +emoluments, which we had as justly earned as the original nobles of +Castille, whose estates and honours were now enjoyed by their descendents. +The culverin went no farther than Seville, as his majesty was graciously +pleased to give it to Don Francisco de los Cobos, commendator-major of +Leon, who melted it down. Its value was 20,000 ducats. Martin Cortes, our +generals father, brought a suit against Ribera for the money of which he +had defrauded him; and while that was pending, Ribera died suddenly while +at dinner, and without confession. May God pardon his sins! _Amen_. + +Cortes continued to rebuild and embellish the city of Mexico, which was +again as well peopled by natives as ever it had been before the conquest. +All of these were exempted from paying tribute to his majesty, till their +houses were built, and till the causeways, bridges, public edifices, and +aqueducts, were all restored. In that quarter of the city appropriated to +the Spaniards, churches and hospitals were erected under the +superintendence of Father Olmedo, as vicar and superior; who likewise +established an hospital for the natives, to whom he paid particular +attention. In compliance with our petition, formerly mentioned, the +general of the Franciscans sent over twelve of his order, under the +vicarage of Father Martin de Valentia. Among these came Father Torribio de +Motolinea, which name, signifying _poor brother_, he acquired from the +Mexicans, because all that he received in charity he gave away in the same +manner, going always barefooted in a tattered habit, preaching to the +natives, and often in want of food. When Cortes learnt that these reverend +fathers were arrived at Villa Rica, he ordered the road to Mexico to be +repaired, and to have houses built at proper intervals for their +accommodation; commanding the inhabitants of all the towns in the way to +meet them with the utmost reverence, ringing their bells, bearing +crucifixes and lighted wax-candles, and that all the Spaniards should +kneel down and kiss their hands. On their approach to Mexico, Cortes went +out to meet them, and dismounting from his horse, kneeled down to kiss the +hands of the vicar. The natives were astonished to see so much honour +conferred on these reverend fathers in tattered garments and bare feet, +and considering them as gods, they all followed the example of the general, +and have ever since behaved to them with the utmost reverence. + +About this time, Cortes informed his majesty of his proceedings with +regard to the conversion of the natives, and rebuilding the city of Mexico; +and also of the conduct of De Oli, whom he had sent to reduce the province +of Higueras, but who had deserted and joined the party of Velasquez, on +which account he had resolved to send a force to reduce him to obedience. +He complained also of the proceedings of Velasquez, to the great injury of +his majesties service, and of the partiality which had been shewn by the +bishop of Burgos. At this time likewise, he remitted 30,000 crowns in gold +to the royal treasury, lamenting the injurious effects of the proceedings +of Velasquez and the bishop, which had prevented him from making a much +larger contribution. He complained also against the contador, Rodrigo de +Albornos, who had aspersed him from private pique, because he had refused +to give him in marriage the daughter of the prince of Tezcuco; and that he +understood Albornos corresponded in cyphers with the bishop of Burgos. +Cortes had not yet learnt that the bishop was removed from the management +of the affairs of the Indies. By the same ship, Albornos sent home +accusations against Cortes; charging him with the levy of exorbitant +contributions in gold for his own use; fortifying castles to defend +himself, and marrying his private soldiers to the daughters of the native +lords: insinuating that Cortes was endeavouring to set himself up as an +independent king, and that it was highly necessary to send out an able +officer with a great force to supersede him. The bishop of Burgos laid +these letters before the whole junto of the enemies of Cortes, who +immediately produced this new accusation to the emperor, complaining of +the partial favour which had been shewn him on former occasions. Deceived +by these misrepresentations, which were enforced by Narvaez, his majesty +issued an order to the admiral of Hispaniola, to go with six hundred +soldiers to arrest Cortes, and to make him answer with his head if found +guilty; as also to punish all of us who had been concerned in attacking +Narvaez. As an encouragement, this officer was promised the admiralty of +New Spain, the right to which was then under litigation. Either from want +of money, or because he was afraid of committing himself against so able +and successful a commander, the admiral delayed his expedition so long, +that the friends and agents of Cortes had time to make a full explanation +of all the circumstances to the Duke of Bejar, who immediately represented +a true statement of the case to the emperor, and offered to pledge his own +life in security for the loyalty of Cortes. Being on due consideration +quite satisfied of the justice of our cause, his majesty determined to +send out a person of high quality and good character to hold a supreme +court of justice in New Spain. The person chosen for this purpose was Luis +Ponce de Leon, cousin to Don Martin, Count of Cordova; whom his majesty +entrusted to inquire into the conduct of Cortes, with full power to +inflict capital punishment if guilty. But it was two years and a half +before this gentleman arrived in New Spain. + +I now go beyond the date of my narrative to inform my readers of a +circumstance which happened during the viceroyalty of that illustrious +nobleman, Don Antonio de Mendoza, worthy of eternal memory and heavenly +glory for his wise and just government. Albornos wrote malignant and +slanderous letters against him, as he had before done of Cortes, which +letters were all sent back from Spain to Don Antonio. When he had read all +the gross abuse which they contained, he sent for Albornos, to whom he +shewed his own letters; saying mildly, in his usual slow manner, "When you +are pleased to make me the subject of your letters to his majesty, +remember always in future to tell the truth." + + +[1] Like the solitary Phoenix, I, without a peer, serve you, who have no + equal in the world. + + +[2] In Clavigero, at the close of Vol. I. this lady is named Donna Jeroma + Ramirez de Arrellano y Zuniga, daughter of Don Carlos Ramiro de + Arellano, Count of Auguiller, by Donna Jeroma de Zuniga, a daughter of + the Count of Benares, eldest son of Don Alvaro de Zuniga, duke of + Bejar. After two male descents from this marriage, the Marquisate of + the Valley of Oaxaca, and the great estates of Cortes in New Spain, + fell, by various collateral female descents, to the Neapolitan family + of Pignatelli, duke of Montelione and Terranova, marquis of the Valley + of Oaxaca, Grandee of Spain, and prince of the Roman empire.--E. + + + + +SECTION XX. + +_Narrative of the Expedition of Cortes to Higueras_. + + +I have formerly mentioned the revolt of De Oli. Cortes was much distressed +on receiving this intelligence, and immediately sent off his relation, +Francisco de las Casas, with five ships and a hundred well appointed +soldiers, among whom were some of the veteran conquerors of Mexico, with +orders to reduce De Oli. Las Casas soon arrived at the bay of Triumpho de +la Cruz, where De Oli had established his head-quarters; and though Las +Casas hoisted a signal of peace, De Oli determined on resistance, and sent +a number of soldiers in two armed vessels to oppose Las Casas, who ordered +out his boats armed with swivels and musquetry to attack those belonging +to De Oli. In this affair Las Casas was successful, as he sunk one of the +vessels belonging to De Oli, killed four of his soldiers, and wounded a +great number. On this misfortune, and because a considerable number of his +soldiers were on a detached service in the inland country, for the purpose +of reducing a party of Spaniards under Gil Gonzalez de Avila, who was +employed in making conquests on the river Pechin, De Oli thought it +advisable to propose terms of peace to Las Casas, in hopes that his +detachment might return to his assistance. Las Casas unfortunately agreed +to treat, and remained at sea; partly for the purpose of finding some +better place of disembarkation, and partly induced by letters from the +friends of Cortes who were along with De Oli. That same night a heavy +storm arose, by which the vessels of Las Casas were driven on shore and +utterly lost, and above thirty of the soldiers perished. All the rest were +made prisoners two days afterwards, having been all that time on shore +without food, and almost perished with cold, as it was the season of +almost incessant rain. De Oli obliged all his prisoners to swear fidelity +to him against Cortes, and then released them all except Las Casas. + +The party which he sent against De Avila returned about this time, having +been successful in their errand. Avila had gone with a party to reduce the +country about the _Golfe Dolce_, and had founded a settlement to which he +gave the name of _St Gil de buena vista_; and the troops sent against him, +after killing his nephew and eight of his soldiers, made himself and all +the rest prisoners. De Oli was now much elated by his success, in having +made two captains belonging to Cortes prisoners, and sent off a full +account of his exploits to his friend Velasquez. He afterwards marched up +the country to a place called Naco in a very populous district, which is +all now laid waste. While here, he sent off various detachments in +different directions, among which one was commanded by Briones, who had +first instigated him to revolt; bat Briones now revolted from him in his +turn, and marched off with all his men for New Spain. He was a seditious +fellow, who had on some former occasion had the lower part of his ears cut +off, which he used to say had been done for refusing to surrender in some +fortress or other. He was afterwards hanged at Guatimala for mutiny. + +De Oli was personally brave but imprudent, and permitted Las Casas and +Avila to be at large, disdaining to be under any apprehensions from them; +but they concerted a plan with some of the soldiers for putting him to +death. Las Casas one day asked him, as if half in jest, for liberty to +return to Cortes; but De Oli said he was too happy to have the company of +so brave a man, and could not part with him. "Then" said Las Casas, "I +advise you to take care of me, for I shall kill you one of these days". De +Oli considered this as a joke, but measures were actually concerted for +the purpose; and one night after supper, when the servants and pages had +withdrawn to their own apartment, Las Casas, Avila, Juan de Mercado, and +some other soldiers attached to Cortes, suddenly drew out their penknives +and fell upon De Oli. Las Casas seized him by the beard, and made a cut at +his throat, and the rest gave him several wounds; but being strong and +active, he escaped from their hands, calling loudly to his people for +assistance, but they were all too busy at their suppers to hear him. He +then fled and concealed himself among some bushes, calling out for +assistance, and many of his people turned out for that purpose; but Las +Casas called upon them to rally on the side of the king and his general +Cortes, which after some hesitation they consented to. De Oli was made +prisoner by the two captains, who shortly afterwards sentenced him to be +beheaded, which was carried into execution in the town of Naco. He was a +brave man, but of no foresight, and thus paid with his life for following +evil counsels. He had received many favours from Cortes, having valuable +estates, and the commission of _Maestre de Campo_. His lady, Donna +Philippa de Aranja, was a Portuguese, by whom he had one daughter. Las +Casas and Avila now joined their troops together, and acted in concert as +captains under Cortes. Las Casas colonized Truzilo in New Estremadura. +Avila sent orders to his lieutenant in Buena Vista to remain in charge of +that establishment, promising to send him a reinforcement as soon as +possible, for which purpose he meant to go to Mexico. + +Some months after the departure of Las Casas, Cortes became afraid of some +disaster, and repented that he had not gone himself on the expedition, and +now resolved to go himself, that he might examine the state of the country +and the mines it was said to contain. He left a good garrison in Mexico, +and appointed Alonzo de Estrada and Albornos, the treasurer and contador, +to carry on the government in his absence, with strict injunctions to pay +every attention to the interest of his majesty, and recommended to +Motolinca and Olmedo to labour incessantly in converting the natives. On +purpose to deprive the Mexicans of chiefs during his absence, he took +along with him Guatimotzin the late king of Mexico, the prince of Tacuba, +an Indian now named Velasquez, who had been a captain under Guatimotzin, +and several other caciques of consequence. We had along with us Fra Juan +de las Varillas, and several other good theologians to preach to the +Indians, as also the captains Sandoval and Marin and many other cavaliers. +On this occasion, Cortes, was attended by a splendid personal suit; such +as a steward, paymaster, keeper of the plate, a major-domo, two stewards +of the household, a butler, confectioner, physician, surgeon a number of +pages, among whom was Francisco de Montejo, who was afterwards captain in +Yutucan, two armour-bearers, eight grooms, two falconers, five musicians, +a stage-dancer, a juggler and puppet-master, a master of the horse, and +three Spanish muleteers. A great service of gold and silver plate +accompanied the march, and a large drove of swine for the use of the table. +Three thousand Mexican warriors attended their own chiefs, and a numerous +train of domestic servants. + +When about to set out, the factor Salazar and veedor Chirinos, +remonstrated with Cortes on the danger of leaving the seat of government; +but finding him determined, they asked permission to accompany him to +Coatzacualco, which he agreed to. Cortes was received in all the places on +his way with much pomp and many rejoicings; and above fifty soldiers and +straggling travellers newly arrived from Spain, joined us on the road. +During the march to Coatzacualco, Cortes divided his troops into two +detachments, for the convenience of quarters and provisions. While on the +march, a marriage took place at the town of Ojeda near Orizava, between +our linguist Donna Marina and Juan Xaramillo. As soon as the advance of +Cortes to Guazpaltepec in the district of Sandoval was known at +Coatzacualco, all the Spaniards of that settlement went above thirty +leagues to meet him; in so much respect and awe was he held by us all. In +proceeding beyond Guazpaltepec fortune began to frown upon us, as in +passing a large river three of our canoes overset, by which some plate and +other valuables were lost, and nothing could be recovered as the river +swarmed with alligators. At Coatzacualco three hundred canoes were +prepared for crossing the river, fastened two and two together to prevent +oversetting, and we were here received under triumphal arches, with +various festivities, such as mock skirmishes between Christian's and Moors, +fireworks, and the like. Cortes remained six days at Coatzacualco, where +the factor and veedor prevailed on Cortes to give them a commission to +assume the government of Mexico in case they should judge that the present +deputies failed in their duty. This measure occasioned much trouble +afterwards in Mexico, as I shall explain hereafter; but these two +associates took their leaves at this place, with much pretended tenderness +and affection for the general, even affecting to sob and cry at parting. + +From Coatzacualco, Cortes sent orders to Simon de Cucena, one of his +major-domos, to freight two light vessels at Villa Rica with biscuit made +of maize flour, as there was then no wheat in Mexico, wine, oil, vinegar, +pork, iron, and other necessaries, and to proceed with them along the +coast till he had farther directions. Cortes now gave orders for all the +settlers of Coatzacualco who were fit for duty, to join the expedition. +This was a severe disappointment to us, as our colony was composed of most +of the respectable hildagos, the veteran conquerors, who expected to have +been allowed to enjoy our hard earned houses and lands in peace, instead +of which we were obliged to undertake an arduous expedition of five +hundred leagues, which took us up above two years and a half of infinite +fatigues. We had nothing for it but compliance, so that we armed ourselves +and mounted our horses; being in all above 250 veterans, 130 of whom were +cavalry, besides many soldiers newly arrived from Old Spain. I was +immediately dispatched at the head of 30 Spaniards and 3000 Mexicans, to +reduce the district of Cimatan, which was then in rebellion. My orders +were, if I found the natives submissive, I was merely to quarter my troops +on the natives, and do them no farther injury. But, if refractory, they +were to be summoned three times in presence of a royal notary and proper +witnesses, after which, if they still persisted in rebellion, I was to +make war on them and compel them to submit. The people received me in a +peaceable manner, for which reason I marched on with my detachment to +rejoin Cortes at Iquinapa. In consequence of the veterans being withdrawn +from Coatzacualco, these people revolted again in a few months after. +After I left him, the general proceeded with the rest of his troops to +Tonala, crossing the river Aquacualco, and another river seven leagues +from an arm of the sea, by a bridge a quarter of a league in length, which +was constructed by the natives under the direction of two Spanish settlers +of Coatzacualco. The army then proceeded to the large river Mazapa, called +by seamen _Rio de dos bocas_, or Two-mouth river, which flows past Chiapa. +Crossing this by means of double canoes, they proceeded through several +villages to Iquinapa, where my detachment rejoined the army. Crossing +another river and an arm of the sea, on wooden bridges, we came to a large +town named Copilco, where the province of Chontalpa begins; a populous +district, full of plantations of cacoa, which we found perfectly peaceable. +From thence we marched by Nicaxuxica and Zagutan, passing another river, +in which the general lost some part of his baggage. We found Zagutan in +peace, yet the inhabitants fled during the night; on which Cortes ordered +parties out into the woods to make prisoners. Seven chiefs and some others +were taken, but they all escaped from us again in the night, and left us +without guides. At this place fifty canoes arrived at our quarters from +Tabasco, loaded with provisions, and some also from Teapan, a place in my +encomienda. + +From Zagutan, we continued our march to Tepetitan, crossing a large river +called Chilapa, where we were detained four days making barks. I here +proposed sending five of our Indian guides to a town of the same name, +which I understood was on the banks of this river, in order to desire the +inhabitants to send their canoes to our assistance; which was accordingly +done, and they sent us six large canoes and some provisions: Yet with all +the aid we could procure, it took us four days to pass this river. From +thence we went to Tepetitan, which was depopulated and burnt in +consequence of a civil war. For three days of our march from the river +Chilapa, our horses were almost constantly up to their bellies in the +marshy grounds, and when we reached a place called Iztapa, it was found +abandoned by the inhabitants; but several chiefs and others were brought +in, who were treated kindly, and made the general some trifling presents +of gold. As this place abounded in corn and grass, we halted three days to +refresh the men and horses, and it was considered by Cortes as a good +situation for a colony, being surrounded by a number of towns, which might +serve as dependencies. Cortes received information from some travelling +merchants at this place concerning the country he had to pass through, +produced to them a map painted on cloth, representing the road to +_Huy-Acala_, which signifies _great_ Acala, there being another place of +the same name. According to them, the way was much intersected by rivers, +as, to reach a place named Tamaztepec, three days journey from Iztapa, +there were three rivers and an arm of the sea to cross. In consequence of +this intelligence, the general sent orders to the chiefs to provide canoes +and construct bridges at the proper places, but neither of these things +were done. Instead of three days, our march occupied us for a whole week; +but the natives succeeded in getting quit of us, and we set out with only +provisions of roasted maize and roots for three days, so that we were +reduced to great straits, having nothing to eat but a wild plant called +_quexquexque_, which inflamed our mouths. We were obliged to construct +bridges of timber, at which every one had to labour from the general +downwards; which detained us for three days. When we had crossed the last +inlet, we were obliged to open a way through the woods with infinite +labour, and after toiling in this manner for two days we were almost in +despair. The trees were so thick that we could not see the sun; and on +climbing to the top of one of the trees, we could not discover any thing +but a continuation of the same impervious forest. Two of our guides had +fled, and the only one who remained was utterly ignorant of the country. +The resources of Cortes were quite inexhaustible, as he guided our way by +a mariners compass, assisted by his Indian map, according to which the +town of _Huy-acala_ of which we were in search, lay to the east; but even +he acknowledged that he knew not what might become of us, if we were one +day longer of finding it out. + +We who were of the advanced guard fortunately at this time fell in with +the remains of some trees which had been formerly cut, and a small lane or +path, which seemed to lead towards a town or village. The pilot Lopez and +I returned to the main body with intelligence of this happy discovery, +which revived the spirits of our whole army. We accordingly made all +possible haste in that direction, and soon came to a river, on the +opposite side of which we found a village named Tamaztepec, where, though +abandoned by the inhabitants, we found plenty of provisions for ourselves +and horses. Parties were immediately sent out in search of the natives, +who soon brought back many chiefs and priests who were well treated, and +both supplied us plentifully with provisions, and pointed out our road to +Izguantepec, which was three days journey, or sixteen leagues from the +town where we now were. During our journey to this place, our stage-dancer +and three of the new come Spaniards died of fatigue, and many of the +Mexicans had been left behind to perish. We discovered likewise that some +of the Mexican chiefs who accompanied us, had seized some of the natives +of the places through which we passed, and had eaten them to appease their +hunger. Cortes very severely reprimanded all who had been concerned in +this barbarous deed, and one of our friars preached a holy sermon on the +occasion; after which, as an example to deter our allies from this +practice in future, the general caused one against whom this crime had +been most clearly proved, to be burnt. All had been equally guilty, but +one example was deemed sufficient on the present occasion. Our poor +musicians felt severely the want of the feasts they had been used to in +Spain, and their harmony was now stopt, except one fellow; but the +soldiers used to curse him, saying they wanted maize not music. It may be +asked, how we did not lay our hands on the herd of swine belonging to +Cortes in our present state of starvation? But these were out of sight, +and the steward alleged they had been devoured by the alligators on +passing one of the rivers: In reality, they were artfully kept four days +march behind the army. During our route, we used to carve crosses on the +bark of trees, with inscriptions bearing, that Cortes and his army had +passed this way at such and such a time. + +The Indians of Tamaztepec sent a message to Izguantepec, our next station, +to inform the inhabitants, and that they might not be alarmed at our +approach: They also deputed twenty of their number to attend us to that +place as guides. After our arrival at Izguantepec, Cortes was curious to +know the course of a large river which flowed past that place, and was +informed that it discharged itself into the sea near two towns named +Guegatasta and Xicolanga; from which he judged that this might be a +convenient way in which to send for information concerning his ships under +Cuença whom he had ordered to wait his orders on that part of the coast. +He accordingly sent off two Spaniards on that errand, to one of whom, +Francisco de Medina, he gave an order to act as joint commander along with +Simon Cuença. Medina was a man of dilligence and abilities, and well +acquainted with the country; but the commission he carried proved most +unfortunate in its consequences. He found the ships waiting at Xicolanga, +and on presenting his authority as joint captain, a dispute arose between +him and Cuença as to which of them should have the chief command. Each was +supported by a party, and had recourse to arms, in which all the Spaniards +were slain except eight. The neighbouring Indians fell upon the survivors, +and put them all to death; after which they plundered the ships and then +destroyed them. It was two years and a half after this, before we knew +what had become of the ships. + +We now learnt that the town of Huy-acala was three days march distant from +our present quarters, and that the way lay across some deep rivers and +trembling marshes. Two soldiers were sent on by Cortes to examine the +route, who reported on their return that the rivers were passable by means +of timber bridges, but as for the marshes, which were more material to +know, they were beyond the rivers and had not been examined. Cortes sent +me in the next place, along with one Gonzalo de Mexia and some Indian +guides, with orders to go forward to Huy-acala to procure provisions, with +which we were to meet him on the road. But our guides deserted us the +first night, on account of the two nations being at war, and we were +forced to rely entirely on ourselves for the remainder of the journey. On +our arrival at the first town belonging to the district of Huy-acala, +which has the supreme command over twenty other towns, the inhabitants +seemed very jealous of us at first, but were soon reconciled. This +district is much intersected by rivers, lakes, and marshes, and some of +the dependent towns are situated in islands, the general communication +being by means of canoes. We invited the chiefs to accompany us back to +Cortes; but they declined this, because their nation was at war with the +people of Izguantepec. It would appear that at our arrival they had no +idea of the force of our army under Cortes; but, having received more +accurate intelligence concerning it next day, they treated us with much +deference, and promised that they would provide every accommodation for +our army on its arrival. While still conversing, two other Spaniards came +up to me with letters from Cortes, in which he ordered me to meet him +within three days with all the provisions I could possibly collect; as the +Indians of Izguantepec had all deserted him, and he was now on his march +for Huy-acala entirely destitute of necessaries. These Spaniards also +informed me, that four soldiers who had been detached farther up the river +had not returned, and were supposed to have been murdered, which we learnt +afterwards was the case. In pursuing his march, Cortes had been four days +occupied in constructing a bridge over the great river, during which time +the army suffered excessive famine, as they had come from their last +quarters without provisions, owing to the desertion of the natives. Some +of the old soldiers cut down certain trees resembling palms, by which +means they procured nuts which they roasted and eat; but this proved a +miserable recourse for so great a number. On the night that the bridge +was completed, I arrived with 130 loads of provisions, consisting of corn, +honey, fruit, salt, and fowls. It was then dark, and Cortes had mentioned +his expectation of my arrival with provisions, in consequence of which, +the soldiers waited for me and seized every thing I had, not leaving any +thing for Cortes and the other officers. It was all in vain that the +major-domo cried out, "this is for the general;" for the soldiers said the +general and his officers had been eating their hogs, while they were +starving, and neither threats nor entreaties could prevail on them to +leave him a single load of corn. Cortes lost all patience, and swore he +would punish those who had seized the provisions and spoken about the hogs; +but he soon saw that it was better to be quiet. He then blamed me; but I +told him he ought to have placed a guard to receive the provisions, as +hunger knows no law. Seeing there was no remedy, Cortes, who was +accompanied by Sandoval, addressed me as follows: "My dear friend, I am +sure you must have something in reserve for yourself and your friend +Sandoval, pray take us along with you that we may partake." Sandoval also +assured me that he had not a single handful of maize. "Well," said I, +"gentlemen, come to me when the soldiers are asleep, and you shall partake +of what I had provided for myself and my companions." They both thanked +and embraced me, and so we escaped famine for this bout, as I had with me +twelve loads of maize, twenty fowls, three jars of honey, and some fruit +and salt. Cortes made inquiry as to how the reverend fathers had fared; +but they were well off, as every soldier gave them a share of what they +had procured. Such are the hardships of military expeditions in unexplored +countries. Feared as he was by the soldiers, our general was pillaged of +his provisions, and in danger of starving, and both he and captain +Sandoval were indebted to me for their rations. + +On continuing our march from the river for about a league, we came to the +trembling marshes, where our horses had all been nearly destroyed; but the +distance across did not exceed half a bowshot, between the firm ground on +either side, and we got them through by main force. When we were all safe +over, and had given thanks to God for our safety, Cortes sent on to +Huy-acala for a fresh supply of provisions, and took care not to have +these plundered like the former; and on the ensuing day, our whole army +arrived early at Huy-acala, where the chiefs had made ample preparation +for our reception. Having used every proper means to conciliate the chiefs +of this nation, Cortes inquired from them as to the country we had still +to march through, and whether they had heard of any ships being on the +coast, or of any Europeans being settled in the country. He was informed, +that at the distance of eight days journey, there were many men having +beards like ourselves, who had horses and three ships. They also gave the +general a map of the route, and offered every assistance in their power; +but when asked to clear the road, they represented that some of their +dependent districts had revolted, and requested our assistance to reduce +them to obedience. This duty was committed to Diego de Mazariegos, a +relation of the treasurer de Estrada, as a compliment to him, and Cortes +desired me in private to accompany him as his counsellor, being +experienced in the affairs of this country. I do not mention this +circumstance, which is known to the whole army, by way of boast, but as my +duty of historian requires it of me, and indeed his majesty was informed +of it, in the letters which were written to him by Cortes. About eighty of +us went on this occasion along with Mazariegos, and had the good fortune +to find the district in the best disposition. The chiefs returned with us +to Cortes, and brought a most abundant supply of provisions along with +them. In about four days, however, all the chiefs deserted us, and we were +left with only three guides to pursue our march, as well as we could. +After crossing two rivers, we came to another town in the district of +Huy-acala, which was abandoned by the inhabitants, but in which we took up +our quarters. + +In this place, Guatimotzin, the last king of the Mexicans, closed his +unhappy career. It appeared that a plot had been concerted by this +unfortunate monarch with many of the Mexican nobles who accompanied him, +to endeavour to cut off the Spaniards; after which they proposed to make +the best of their way back to Mexico, where, collecting all the forces of +the natives, they hoped to be able to overpower the Spanish garrison. This +conspiracy was revealed to Cortes by two Mexican nobles who had commanded +under Guatimotzin during the siege, and who had been baptized by the names +of Tapia and Velasquez. On receiving this intelligence, Cortes immediately +took the judicial informations of these two and of several others who were +concerned in the plot; from which it was learnt, that the Mexicans, +observing that we marched in a careless manner, that discontent prevailed +among our troops, many of whom were sick, that ten of our Spanish soldiers +had died of hunger, and several had returned towards Mexico, and +considering also the uncertainty of the fate of the expedition and the +miseries they endured from scarcity of provisions, they had come to the +resolution of falling upon us at the passage of some river or marsh, being +encouraged by their numbers, which exceeded 3000 well armed men, and +thinking it preferable to die at once than to encounter the perpetual +miseries they now endured by accompanying us in this wilderness. +Guatimotzin acknowledged that he had heard of this proposal, which he +never approved of, declaring that he did not believe it would ever have +been attempted, and anxiously denied that the whole of the Mexican force +had concurred in the plot. His cousin, the prince of Tacuba, declared that +all which had ever passed on the subject, between him and Guatimotzin, was, +that they had often expressed their opinion, that it would be better to +lose their lives at once like brave men, than to suffer in the manner they +did by hunger and fatigue, and to witness the intolerable distresses of +their friends and subjects who accompanied them. On those scanty proofs, +Cortes sentenced Guatimotzin and the prince of Tacuba to be immediately +hanged; and when the preparations were made for the execution, they were +led forth to the place attended by the reverend fathers, who did their +utmost to console them in their last moments. Before his execution, +Guatimotzin addressed Cortes to the following effect: "_Malintzin_! I now +see that your false words and flattering promises have ended in my death. +It had been better to have fallen by my own hands, than to have trusted +myself to your power. You take away my life unjustly, and may God demand +of you my innocent blood." The prince of Tacuba only said, that he was +happy to die along with his beloved sovereign. Thus did these two great +men end their lives, and, for Indians, most piously and like good +Christians. I lamented them both sincerely, having seen them in their +greatness. They always treated me kindly on this march, giving me Indians +to procure grass for my horse, and doing me many services. To me and all +of us, their sentence appeared cruel and unjust, and their deaths most +undeserved. + +After this, we continued our march with much circumspection, being +apprehensive of a mutiny among the Mexican troops in revenge for the +execution of their chiefs; but these poor creatures were so exhausted by +famine, sickness, and fatigue, that they did not seem even to have +bestowed a thought on the matter. At night we came to a deserted village; +but on searching we found eight priests, whom we brought to Cortes. He +desired them to recal the inhabitants, which they readily promised, +requesting him not to injure their idols in a temple close to some +buildings in which Cortes was quartered, which he agreed to, yet +expostulated with them on the absurdity of worshipping compositions of +clay and wood. They seemed as if it would have been easy to induce them to +embrace the doctrines of our holy faith; and soon brought us twenty loads +of fowls and maize. On being examined by Cortes about the bearded men with +horses, they said that these people dwelt at a place called _Nito_, at the +distance of seven suns, or days journey from their village, and offered to +guide us to that place. At this time Cortes was exceedingly sad and +ill-humoured, being fretted by the difficulties and misfortunes of his +march, and his conscience upbraided him for the cruelty he had committed +upon the unfortunate king of Mexico. He was so distracted by these +reflections, that he could not sleep, and used to walk about at night, as +a relief for his anxious thoughts. Going in the dark to walk in a large +apartment which contained some of the Indian idols, he missed his way and +fell from a height of twelve feet, by which he received a severe contused +wound in his head. He endeavoured to conceal this circumstance from +general knowledge, and got his wounds cured as well as he could, keeping +his sufferings to himself. + +After leaving this place, we came in two days to a district inhabited by a +nation called the _Mazotecas_, where we found a newly built town, +fortified by two circular enclosures of pallisades, one of which was like +a barbican, having loop-holes to shoot through, and was strengthened by +ditches. Another part of the town was inaccessible, being on the summit of +a perpendicular rock, on the top of which the natives had collected great +quantities of stones for their defence. And a third quarter of the town +was defended by an impassable morass. Yet after all these defensive +preparations, we were astonished to find the town entirely abandoned, +though every house was full of the different kinds of provisions which the +country afforded, besides which it had a magazine stocked with arms of all +sorts. While we were expressing our astonishment at these circumstances, +fifteen Indians came out of the morass in the most submissive manner, and +told us that they had been forced to the construction of this fortress as +their last resort, in an unsuccessful war with a neighbouring nation, +called the _Lazandones_ as far as I can now remember. They brought back +the inhabitants, whom we treated with kindness, and from whom we received +farther information, respecting, the Spanish settlement, to which two of +the natives of this place undertook to shew us the way. From this place we +entered upon vast open plains, in which not a tree was to be seen, and in +which innumerable herds of deer were feeding, which were so tame as almost +to come up to us. Our horsemen, therefore, easily took as many as they +pleased, and we found that the Indians never disturbed them, considering +them as a kind of divinities, and had even been commanded by their idols, +or priests rather in their name, neither to kill or frighten these animals. +The heat of the weather was now so excessive that Palacios Rubios, a +relation of Cortes, lost his horse by pursuing the deer. We continued our +march along this open campaign country, passing several villages where the +destructive ravages of war were distinctly perceivable. On one occasion we +met some Indians on their return from hunting, who had along with them a +huge _lion_[1] just killed, and several _iguanas_[2], a species of small +serpent very good to eat. These people shewed us the way to their town, to +which we had to wade up to our middles through a lake of fresh water by +which it was surrounded. This lake was quite full of fish, resembling +shads, but enormously large, with prickles on their backs; and having +procured some nets, we took above a thousand of them, which gave us a +plentiful supply. On inquiry, five of the natives of this place engaged to +guide us to the settlement of our countrymen; and they were glad to get so +easily rid of us, as they were apprehensive we had come to put them all to +death. + +Leaving this place, we proceeded to a town named _Tayasal_, situated on an +island in a river, the white temples, towers, and houses, of which place, +glistened from a distance. As the road now became very narrow, we thought +proper to halt here for the night, having in the first place detached some +soldiers to the river to look out for a passage. They were so fortunate as +to take two canoes, containing ten men and two women, who were conveying a +cargo of maize and salt. Being brought to Cortes, they informed him that +they belonged to a town about four leagues farther on. Our general +detained one of the canoes and some of the people, and sent two Spaniards +along with the rest in the other canoe, to desire the cacique of that town +to send him canoes to enable us to cross the river. Next morning, we all +marched down to the river, where we found the cacique waiting for us, who +invited the general to his place of residence. Cortes accordingly embarked +with an escort of thirty crossbows, and was presented on his arrival at +the town with a few toys of gold very much alloyed, and a small number of +mantles. They informed him that they knew of Spaniards being at three +different places, which were Nito, Buena Vista, and Naco, the last being +ten days journey inland from Nito, and where the greater number of the +Spaniards resided, Nito being on the coast. On hearing this, Cortes +observed to us that De Oli had probably divided his forces, as we knew +nothing as yet respecting Gil Gonzalo de Avila, or Las Casas. + +Our whole army now crossed the river, and halted about two leagues from it, +waiting the return of Cortes. At this place, three Spanish soldiers, two +Indians, and a Negro deserted; preferring to take their chance among the +unknown natives of the country, to a continuance of the fatigues and +dangers they had experienced. This day likewise, I had a stroke of the sun, +which occasioned a burning fever or calenture. At this period the weather +changed, and for three days and nights it rained incessantly; yet we had +to continue our march, lest our provisions might fail. After two days +march we came to a ridge of rocky hills, which we named the _Sierra de los +Pedernales_, the stones of which were as sharp as knives. Several soldiers +were sent a league on each side of this bad pass in search of a better +road, but to no purpose, so that we were forced to proceed. Our horses +fell at every step, and the farther we advanced it grew the worse, +insomuch that we lost eight horses, and all the rest were so lamed that +they could not keep up with us. After getting over this shocking pass, we +advanced towards a town called _Taica_, where we expected to procure +provisions in abundance; but to our great mortification were unexpectedly +stopped by a prodigious torrent, so swelled by the late heavy rains that +it was quite impassable, and made such a noise in tumbling over its rocky +bed that it might have been heard at the distance of two leagues. We had +to stop here for three complete days to construct a bridge between the +precipitous banks of this river; in consequence of which delay the people +of Taica had abandoned their town, removing all their provisions out of +our reach. We were all miserably disappointed at this event, finding that +hunger was to be our portion after all our fatigues. After sending out his +servants in every direction, Cortes was only able to procure about a +bushel of maize. He then called together the colonists of Coatzacualco, +and earnestly solicited us to use our utmost endeavours to procure +supplies. Pedro de Ircio requested to have the command on this occasion, +to which Cortes assented: But as I knew Ircio to be a better prater than +marcher, I whispered to Cortes and Sandoval to prevent him from going, as +he was a duck-legged fellow, who could not get through the miry ground, +and would only interrupt us in our search. Cortes accordingly ordered him +to remain, and five of us set out with two Indian guides across rivers and +marshes, and came at length to some Indian houses where we found +provisions in abundance. We here made some prisoners, and with their fruit, +fowls, and corn, we celebrated the feast of the Resurrection to our great +contentment. That same night we were joined by a thousand Mexicans, who +had been sent after us, whom we loaded with all the corn we could procure, +and twenty fowls for Cortes and Sandoval, after which there still remained +some corn in the town, which we remained to guard. We advanced next day to +some other villages, where we found corn in abundance, and wrote a billet +to Cortes desiring him to send all the Indians he could spare to carry it +to the army. Thirty soldiers and about five hundred Indians arrived in a +short time, and we amply provided for the wants of the army during the +five days it remained at Taica. I may observe here, that the bridges which +we constructed on this march continued good for many years; and the +Spaniards, when they travelled this way, used to say, "These are the +bridges of Cortes." + +After resting five days at Taica, we continued our march for two days to a +place called Tania, through a country everywhere intersected by marshes, +rivers, and rivulets, all the towns being abandoned and the provisions +carried away; and, to add to our misfortunes, our guides made their escape +during the night, being entrusted, as I suppose, to some of the newly +arrived Spaniards, who used to sleep on their posts. We were thus left in +a difficult country, and did not know which way to go; besides which heavy +rains fell without ceasing. Cortes was very much out of humour, and +observed among his officers, that he wished some others besides the +Coatzacualco settlers would bestir themselves in search of guides. Pedro +de Ircio, a man of quality named Marmolejo, and Burgales, who was +afterwards regidor of Mexico, offered their services, and taking each of +them six soldiers, were out three days in search of Indians, but all +returned without success, having met with nothing but rivers, marshes, and +obstructions. Cortes was quite in despair, and desired Sandoval to ask me +as a favour to undertake the business. Though ill, I could not refuse when +applied to in this manner; wherefore, taking two friends along with me who +could endure fatigue, we set out following the course of a stream, and +soon found a way to some houses, by observing marks of boughs having been +cut. Following these marks, we came in sight of a village surrounded by +fields of corn; but we remained concealed till we thought the people were +asleep, and taking the inhabitants by surprise, we secured three men, two +very handsome Indian girls, and an old woman, with a few fowls and a small +quantity of maize. On bringing our prize to head-quarters, Sandoval was +quite overjoyed. "Now," said he to Pedro de Ircio in the presence of +Cortes, "was not Castillo in the right, when he refused to take hobbling +people along with him, who tell old stories of the adventures of the Conde +de Urena and his son Don Pedro Giron?" All who were present laughed +heartily at this sally, as Ircio used to pester us with these stories +continually, and Sandoval knew that Ircio and I were not on friendly terms. +Cortes paid me many compliments on this occasion, and thanked me for my +good service. But what is praise more than emptiness, and what does it +profit me that Cortes said he relied on me, next to God, for procuring +guides? We learnt from the prisoners that it was necessary to descend the +river for two days march, when we would come to a town of two hundred +houses, called _Oculiztli_; which he did accordingly, passing some large +buildings where the travelling Indian merchants used to stop on their +journeys. At the close of the second day we came to Oculiztli, where we +got plenty of provisions, and in one of the temples we found an old red +cap and a sandal, which had been placed there as offerings to the idols. +Some of our soldiers brought two old men and four women to Cortes, who +told him that the Spanish settlement was on the seaside two days journey +from this place, with no intervening towns. Cortes therefore gave orders +to Sandoval to set out immediately with six soldiers for the coast, to +ascertain what number of men De Oli had with him, as he meant to fall upon +him by surprise, being quite ignorant of the revolution which had happened +in this quarter. + +Sandoval set out accordingly with three guides, and on reaching the sea +shore, he soon perceived a canoe; and concealing himself where he expected +it might anchor for the night, was fortunate enough to get possession of +the canoe; which belonged to some Indian merchants who were carrying salt +to _Golfo dolce_. Sandoval embarked in this canoe with a part of his men, +sending the rest along the shore, and made for the great river. During the +voyage, he fell in with four Spaniards belonging to the settlement, who +were searching for fruit near the mouth of the river, being in great +distress from sickness and the hostilities of the Indians. Two of these +men were up in a tree, when they saw Sandoval to their great astonishment, +and soon joined him. They informed him of the great distress of the +settlement, and of all the events which had occurred, and how they had +hanged the officer whom Avila had left in the command, and a turbulent +priest, for opposing their determination to return to Cuba, and had +elected one Antonio Niote in his stead. Sandoval resolved to carry these +people to Cortes, whom he wished to inform as soon as possible of the news, +and sent a soldier named Alonzo Ortiz, who soon reached us with the +agreeable intelligence, for which Cortes gave him an excellent horse, and +all of us gave him something in proportion to our abilities. Sandoval +arrived soon afterwards, and Cortes issued immediate orders to march to +the coast, which was about six leagues distant. Cortes pushed forwards +with his attendants, and crossed the river by means of the two canoes, +swimming the horses. The Spanish settlement was about two leagues from the +place where Cortes landed, and the colonists were astonished on seeing the +Europeans coming towards them, and still more so when they found it was +the renowned conqueror of Mexico. Cortes received their congratulations +very graciously, and desired them to bring all the canoes they could +collect, and the boats belonging to their ships to assist his army in +crossing. He likewise ordered them to provide bread for the army; but of +this only fifty pounds weight could be got, as they lived almost entirely +on _sapotes_ and other vegetables, and fish. + +We had an arm of the sea to cross, and had therefore to wait for low water, +but Cortes had found the passage so dangerous that he sent us word not to +follow till farther orders. The care of passing this dangerous place was +entrusted to Sandoval, who took as effectual measures as possible, but it +took us four days to get over, partly wading and partly swimming. One +soldier and his horse went to the bottom, and was never seen more, and two +other horses were lost. A person named Saavedra, presuming on his +relationship to Cortes, refused obedience to the orders of Sandoval, and +endeavoured to force his passage, even laying his hand on his poinard, and +using disrespectful expressions to Sandoval; who seized him instantly and +threw him into the water, where he was nearly drowned. Our sufferings at +this time were excessive, as during all these four days we had literally +nothing to eat, except by gathering a few nuts and some wild fruits, and +on getting across our condition was not improved. We found this colony to +contain forty men and six women, all yellow and sickly, and utterly +destitute of provisions; so that we were under the necessity of setting +out immediately in search of food both for ourselves and them. For this +purpose, about eighty of us marched, under the command of Luis Marin, to a +town about eight leagues distant, where we found abundance of maize and +vegetables, and great quantities of cacao; and as this place was in the +direct road for Naco, to which Cortes intended to go, he immediately sent +Sandoval and the greatest part of the troops to join us, on receiving the +agreeable intelligence of our good fortune. We sent a plentiful supply of +maize to the miserable colonist who had been so long in a starving +condition, of which they eat to such excess that seven of them died. About +this time likewise a vessel arrived with seven horses, forty hogs, eight +pipes of salted meat, a considerable quantity of biscuit, and fifteen +adventurers from Cuba. Cortes immediately purchased all the provisions, +which he distributed among the colonists, who eat the salted meat so +voraciously that it occasioned diarrhoeas, by which, in a very few days, +fourteen of them were carried off. + +As Cortes wished to examine this great river, he caused one of the +brigantines belonging to Avila which had been stranded to be fitted out; +and embarking with thirty soldiers and eight mariners belonging to the +vessel lately arrived, having likewise a boat and four double canoes, he +proceeded up the river to a spacious lake with good anchorage. This lake +was navigable for six leagues, all the adjacent country being subject to +be inundated; but on endeavouring to proceed higher, the current became +stronger, and he came to certain shallows, which prevented the vessels +from proceeding any farther. Cortes now landed with his soldiers, and +advanced into the country by a narrow road which led to several villages +of the natives. In the first of these he procured some guides, and in the +second he found abundance of corn, and many domesticated birds, among +which were pheasants, pigeons, and partridges, which last are often +domesticated by the Indians of America. In prosecuting his route, he +approached a large town called _Cinacan Tencintle_, in the midst of fine +plantations of cacao, where he heard the sound of music and merry-making, +the inhabitants being engaged in a drunken feast. Cortes waited a +favourable opportunity, concealed in a wood close by the town, when +suddenly rushing out, he made prisoners of ten men and fifteen women. The +rest of the inhabitants attacked him with their darts and arrows, but our +people closed with them and killed eight of their chiefs, on which the +rest submitted, sending four old men, two of whom were priests, with a +trifling present of gold, and to petition for the liberation of the +prisoners, which he accordingly engaged to give up on receiving a good +supply of provisions, which they promised to deliver at the ships. A +misunderstanding took place afterwards between Cortes and these Indians, +as he wished to retain three of their women to make bread, and hostilities +were renewed, in which Cortes was himself wounded in the face, twelve of +his soldiers wounded, and one of his boats destroyed. He then returned +after an absence of twenty-six days, during which he had suffered +excessive torment from the mosquitoes. He wrote to Sandoval, giving him an +account of all that had occurred in his expedition to Cinacan, which is +seventy leagues from Guatimala, and ordered him to proceed to Naco; as he +proposed to remain himself on purpose to establish a colony at _Puerto de +Cavallos_[3], for which he desired Sandoval to send back ten of the +Coatzacualco veterans, without whose assistance nothing could be done +properly. Taking with him all the Spaniards who remained at St Gil de +Buena Vista, Cortes embarked in two ships, and arrived in eight days sail +at Puerto de Cavallos, which had a good harbour, and seemed every way well +calculated for a colony, which he established there under the command of +Diego de Godoy, naming the town Natividad. Expecting by this time that +Sandoval might have arrived at Naco, which is not far distant from Puerto +Cavallos, Cortes sent a letter for him to that place, requiring a +reinforcement of ten of the veteran soldiers of Coatzacualco, as he +intended to proceed for the bay of Honduras; but this letter reached us in +our last-mentioned quarters as we had not yet reached Naco. Leaving Cortes +for the present, I shall only say that he was so tormented by the +mosquitoes, which prevented him from procuring rest either by night or day, +that he had almost lost his life or his senses. + +On receiving this last letter from the general, Sandoval pressed on for +Naco, but was obliged to halt at a place called _Cuyocan_, in order to +collect the stragglers who had gone in quest of provisions. We were also +impeded by a river, and the natives on every side were hostile. Our line +of march was now extremely long, by the great number of invalids, +especially of the Mexicans, who were unable to keep up with the main body; +on which account Sandoval left me at this place, with the command of eight +men at the ferry, to protect and bring up the stragglers. One night the +natives attacked my post, setting fire to the house in which we were +lodged, and endeavoured to carry away our canoe; but, with the assistance +of some of our Mexicans who had come up, we beat them off; and, having +collected all the invalids who had loitered behind, we crossed the river +next day, and set but to rejoin Sandoval. A Genoese, who had been sometime +ill, sunk at length through weakness, occasioned by poverty of diet, and +died on the road, and I was obliged to leave his body behind. When I made +my report to Sandoval, he was ill pleased at me for not having brought on +the dead body; but I told him we had already two invalids on every horse, +and one of my companions said rather haughtily, that we had enough of +difficulty to bring on ourselves, without carrying dead men. Sandoval +immediately ordered me and that soldier, whose name was Villanueva, to go +back and bury the Genoese, which we did accordingly, and placed a cross +over his grave. We found a purse in his pocket, containing some dice, and +a memorandum of his family and effects in Teneriffe. God rest his soul! +_Amen_. In about two days we arrived at Naco, passing a town named +_Quinistlan_, and a place where mines have been since discovered. We found +Naco to be a very good town, but it was abandoned by its inhabitants, yet +we procured plenty of provisions and salt, of which we were in very great +need. We took up our quarters in some large quadrangular buildings, where +De Oli was executed, and established ourselves there as if we had been to +have remained permanently. There is the finest water at this place that is +to be found in all New Spain; as likewise a species of tree which is most +admirable for the _siesta_; as, however great may be the heat of the sun, +there is always a most delightful and refreshing coolness under its shade, +and it seems to give out a delicate kind of dew, which is good for the +head. Naco is admirably situated, in a fertile neighbourhood, which +produces different kinds of _sapotes_ in great abundance, and it was then +very populous. Sandoval obtained possession of three chiefs of the +district, whom he treated kindly, by which means the people of the +district remained in peace, but all his endeavours to induce the +inhabitants to return to the town were ineffectual. It was now necessary +to send the reinforcement of ten Coatzacualco veterans which Cortes had +required. At that time I was ill, and besides Sandoval wished to retain me +along with him: Eight valiant soldiers were sent off, however, who +heartily cursed Cortes and his expedition at every step of their march; +for which indeed they had good reason, as they were entirely ignorant of +the state of the country through which they had to go. Sandoval took the +precaution of sending five principal people of the natives along with them, +making known at the same time that he would punish the country most +severely if any injury was done them on their journey. They arrived in +safety at Natividad, where Cortes then was; who immediately embarked for +Truxillo, leaving Godoy in the command of the settlement at Puerto de +Cavallos, with forty Spaniards, who were all that remained of the settlers +who had accompanied de Avila, and of those who had come recently from Cuba. +Godoy maintained himself for some time; but his men were continually +dropping off by disease, and the Indians began at last to despise and +neglect him, refusing to supply the settlement with provisions, so that in +a short time he lost above half his number by sickness and famine, and +three of his men deserted to join Sandoval. By various expeditions and +judicious measures, Sandoval reduced all the country round Naco to peace +and submission, namely the districts of Cirimongo, Acalao, Quinistlan, and +four others, of which I forget the names, and even extended his authority +over the natives as far as Puerto Cavallos, where Godoy commanded. + +After six days sail, Cortes arrived at the port of Truxillo, where he +found a colony which had been established by Francisco de las Casas, among +whom were many of the mutineers who had served under De Oli, and who had +been banished from Panuco. Conscious of their guilt, all these men waited +on Cortes, and supplicated for pardon, which he granted them, even +confirming all who had been appointed to offices in the colony; but he +placed his relation Saavedra as commandant of the colony and surrounding +province. Cortes summoned all the chiefs and priests of the Indians, to +whom he made a long harangue, giving them to understand that he had come +among them to induce them to abandon the cruel and abominable practices of +their false religion, and to embrace the only true faith. He also enlarged +upon the power and dignity of our great emperor, to whose government he +required their submission. He was followed by the reverend fathers, who +exhorted them to become proselytes to the holy catholic religion, the +principles of which they explained. After all this, the people readily +agreed to obey our general, and to become vassals to Don Carlos; and +Cortes enjoined them to provide the settlement with provisions, especially +fish, which are caught in great abundance in the sea about the islands of +_Guanojes_[4]; he likewise ordered them to send a number of labourers to +clear the woods in front of the town of Truxillo, so as to open a view of +the sea. Cortes likewise ordered a number of sows with young to be turned +loose in these islands, by which, in a few years, they were amply stocked. +The natives cleared the woods between Truxillo and the sea in two days, +and built fifteen houses for the colonists, one of which for Cortes, was +sufficiently commodious. Cortes became feared and renowned over all the +districts, as far as _Olancho_, where rich mines have been since +discovered; the natives giving him the name of _Captain Hue-hue de Marina_, +or the old captain of Donna Marina. He reduced the whole country to +submission, excepting two or three districts in the mountains, against +which he sent a party of soldiers under Captain Saavedra, who brought most +of them under subjection, one tribe only named the _Acaltecans_ holding +out. + +As a great many of the people along with Cortes became sick through the +unhealthiness of the climate, he sent them by a vessel to Hispaniola or +Cuba for the recovery of their healths. By this opportunity, he sent +letters to the royal audience of St Domingo and the reverend brothers of +the order of St Jerome, giving an account of all the events that had +recently happened, and in particular of his having left the government of +Mexico in the hands of deputies, while he proceded to reduce de Oli who +had rebelled. He apprised them of his future intentions, and requested a +reinforcement of soldiers, to enable him to reduce the country where he +now was to subjection; and that they might attach the greater credit to +his report of its value, he sent a valuable present of gold, taken in +reality from his own side-board, but which he endeavoured to make them +believe was the produce of this new settlement. He entrusted the +management of this business to a relation of his own, named Avalos, whom +he directed to take up in his way twenty-five soldiers who, he was +informed, had been left in the island of Cozumel to kidnap Indians to be +sent for slaves to the West Indian islands. This vessel was wrecked about +seventy leagues from the Havanna, on which occasion Avalos and many of the +passengers perished. Those who escaped, among whom was the licentiate +Pedro Lopez, brought the first intelligence to the islands of the +existence of Cortes and his army; as it had been universally believed in +Cuba and Hispaniola that we had all perished. As soon as it was known +where Cortes was, two old ships were sent over to Truxillo with horses and +colts, and one pipe of wine; all the rest of their cargoes consisting of +shirts, caps, and useless trumpery of various kinds. Some of the Indian +inhabitants of the Guanajas islands, which are about eight leagues from +Truxillo, came at this time to Cortes, complaining that the Spaniards had +been accustomed to carry away the natives and their _macegualos_ or slaves, +and that a vessel was now there which was supposed to have come for that +purpose. Cortes immediately sent over one of his vessels to the islands; +but the ship against which the natives complained made sail immediately on +seeing her, and escaped. It was afterwards known, that this vessel was +commanded by the bachelor Moreno, who had been sent on business by the +royal audience of St Domingo to Nombre de Dios. + +While Sandoval remained at Naco, the chiefs of two neighbouring districts, +named Quecuspan and Tanchinalchapa, complained to him of a party of +Spaniards, at the distance of a days march from Naco, who robbed their +people and made slaves of them. Sandoval set out against these people +immediately with a party of seventy men, and on coming to the place these +Spaniards were exceedingly surprised at seeing us and took to their arms; +but we soon seized their captain and several others, and made them all +prisoners without any bloodshed. Sandoval reprehended them severely for +their misconduct, and ordered all the Indians whom they had made prisoners +to be immediately released. One Pedro de Garro was the commander of these +men, among whom were several gentlemen, and in comparison of us dirty and +worn down wretches, they were all mounted and attended like lords. They +were all marched to our head-quarters as prisoners; but in a day or two +they became quite reconciled to their lot. The occasion of their coming +into the country was as follows: Pedro Arias de Avila, the governor of +Tierra Firma, had sent a captain named Francisco Hernandez to reduce the +provinces of Nicaragua and New Leon, and to establish a colony in that +place, which he accomplished. After the atrocious murder of Balboa, who +had married Donna Isabella the daughter of Aries, Moreno had been sent +over by the court of royal audience, and persuaded Hernandez, who was now +comfortably settled, to throw off his dependence upon Pedro Aries, and to +establish a distinct government immediately under the royal authority. +Hernandez had done so, and had sent this party under de Garro on purpose +to open a communication from Nicaragua with the north coast, by which to +receive supplies from old Spain. When all this was explained to Sandoval, +he sent Captain Luis Marin to communicate the intelligence to Cortes, in +expectation that he would support the views of Hernandez. I was sent along +with Marin on this occasion, our whole force consisting of ten men. Our +journey was exceedingly laborious, having to cross many rivers which were +much swollen by the rains, and we had at times to make our way through +hostile Indians armed with large heavy lances, by which two of our +soldiers were wounded. We had sometimes three difficult rivers to cross in +one day; and one river, named Xagua, ten leagues from Triumpho de la Cruz, +detained us for two days. By the side of that river we found the skeletons +of seven horses, which had belonged to the troops of de Oli, and had died +from eating poisonous herbs. Several of the rivers and inlets on our +journey were much infested by alligators. + +Passing Triumpho de la Cruz and a place called Quemara, we arrived one +evening near Truxillo, where we saw five horsemen riding along the sea +shore, who happened to be our general and four of his friends taking the +air. After the first surprize at this unexpected meeting, Cortes +dismounted and embraced us all with tears in his eyes, quite overjoyed to +see us. It made me quite melancholy to see him, as he was so worn down by +distress and disease, that he appeared much reduced and extremely weak, +insomuch that he had even expected death, and had procured a Franciscan +habit to be buried in. He walked along with us into the town of Truxillo, +and invited us all to sup with him; where we fared so wretchedly that I +had not even my fill of bread or biscuit. After reading over the letters +we had brought him relative to Hernandez, he promised to do every thing in +his power to support him. The two vessels which I formerly mentioned as +having brought horses from Hispaniola, only arrived three days before us, +and we were fools enough to run ourselves in debt by purchasing their +useless frippery. Hitherto Cortes had not received any intelligence +whatever from Mexico since he left it on this disastrous expedition; but, +while we were giving him an account of the hardships of our late journey +from Naco, a vessel was descried at a distance making for our port. This +vessel was from the Havanna, and brought letters from the licentiate Zuazo, +who had been alcalde-major of Mexico, the contents of which overwhelmed +Cortes with such sorrow and distress, that he retired to his private +apartment, whence he did not stir out for a whole day, and we could +distinctly hear that he suffered great agitation. After hearing mass next +morning, he called us together and communicated to us the intelligence +which these letters conveyed, which was to the following effect. + +In consequence of the power which Cortes had inconsiderately granted to +Salazar and Chirinos, to supersede Estrada and Albornos in the +administration of government in Mexico, in case of misconduct in these +deputies, they had formed a strong party on their return to Mexico, among +whom were Zuazo the alcalde-major, Rodrigo de Paz, alguazil-major, Alonzo +de Tapis, Jorge de Alvarado, and many of the veteran conquerors, and had +attempted to seize the government by force, and much disturbance and some +bloodshed had ensued. Salazar and Chirinos had carried their point, and +had taken the two former deputies and many of their friends prisoners; and +as discontents and opposition still prevailed, they had confiscated the +property of their opponents, which they distributed among their own +partizans. They had superseded Zuazo in his office of alcalde-major, and +had imprisoned Rodrigo de Paz; yet Zuazo had brought about a temporary +reconciliation. During these disturbances, the Zapotecans and Mixtecans, +and the inhabitants of a strong rocky district named Coatlan had rebelled, +against whom the veedor Chirinos had marched with an armed force; but his +troops thought of nothing but card-playing, so that the enemy had +surprised their camp and done them much mischief. The factor Salazar had +sent a veteran captain, Andres de Monjaraz, to assist and advise Chirinos; +but Monjaraz being an invalid was unable to exert himself properly; and to +add to their distractions, an insurrection was every hour expected in +Mexico. The factor Salazar, constantly remitted gold to his majesties +treasurer, Don Francisco de los Cobos, to make interest for himself at +court, reporting that we had all died at Xicalonga. This report originated +with Diego de Ordas, who, on purpose to escape from the factious troubles +in Mexico, had gone with two vessels in search of us to Xicalongo, where +Cuença and Medina had been slain as formerly mentioned, on learning which +misfortune he concluded it had been Cortes and his whole party, which he +so reported in letters to Mexico, and had sailed himself to Cuba. Salazar +shewed these letters to our several relations in Mexico, who all put on +mourning, and so universally were we all believed to be dead, that out +properties had been sold by public auction. The factor Salazar even +assumed to himself the office of governor and captain-general of New Spain; +a monument was erected to the honour of Cortes, and funeral service was +performed for him in the great church of Mexico. The self-assumed governor +even issued an order, that all the women whose husbands had gone with +Cortes, and who had any regard for their souls, should consider themselves +as widows and should immediately marry again; and because a woman named +Juana de Mansilla, the wife of Alonzo Valiente, refused to obey this order, +alleging we were not people who would be so easily destroyed as Salazar +and his party, she was ordered to be publickly whipped through Mexico as a +witch. One person from whom we expected better behaviour, and whose name I +will not mention, by way of flattering Salazar, solemnly assured him +before many witnesses, that one night, as he was passing the church of St +Jago, which is built on the site of the great temple of Mexico, he saw the +souls of Cortes, Donna Marina, and Sandoval burning in flames of fire: +Another person, also, of good reputation, pretended that the quadrangles +of Tescuco were haunted by evil spirits, which the natives said were the +souls of Donna Marina and Cortes. + +At this time the captains Las Casas and De Avila, who had beheaded +Christoval de Oli, arrived in Mexico, and publickly asserted the existence +of Cortes, reprobating the conduct of Salazar, and declaring if Cortes +were actually dead, that Alvarado was the only fit person to have been +raised to the government, till his majesties pleasure could be known. +Alvarado was written to on the subject, and even set out for Mexico; but +becoming apprehensive for his life, he returned to his district. Finding +that he could not bring over Las Casas, De Avila, and Zuazo to his party, +Salazar caused the two former to be arrested and prosecuted for the murder +of De Oli, and even procured their condemnation; and it was with the +utmost difficulty their execution could be prevented by an appeal to his +majesty; but he was obliged to content himself with sending them prisoners +to Spain. He next sent off the licentiate Zuazo in irons to Cuba, under +pretence of making him answer for his conduct while acting as a judge in +that island. Salazar collected all the gold he could lay his hands upon, +and seized Rodrigo de Paz, alguazil-major of Mexico, who had been major +domo to Cortes, demanding of him an account and surrender of all the +treasure belonging to the general; and as he either could not or would not +discover where it was, he caused him to be tortured by burning his feet +and legs, and even caused him to be hanged that he might not carry his +complaints to his majesty. His object in collecting gold was to support +his negociations at court; but in this he was counteracted by almost all +the other officers of government in New Spain, who determined to send +their own statements of the affairs of the colony to court by the same +conveyance with his. He arrested most of the friends of Cortes, several of +whom joined his party as he gave them Indians, and because they wished to +be of the strongest side; but Tapia and Jorge Alvarado took sanctuary with +the Franciscans. To deprive the malcontents of arms, he brought the whole +contents of the arsenal to his palace, in front of which he planted all +the artillery for his defence, under the command of Captain Luis de Guzman, +son-in-law to the duke of Medina Sidonia. He formed likewise a body guard +for his own individual protection, partly composed of soldiers who had +belonged to Cortes, to the command of which he appointed one Arriaga. This +letter likewise mentioned the death of Father Bartholomew de Olmedo, who +was so much revered by the native Mexicans, that they fasted from the time +of his death till after his burial. Zuazo, in the conclusion of his letter, +expressed his apprehensions that the colony of Mexico would be utterly +ruined by these confusions. Along with this long and melancholy letter +from Zuazo, Cortes received letters from his father, informing him of the +death of the bishop of Burgos, and of the intrigues of Albornos at court, +already mentioned on a former occasion, and the interference of the Duke +of Bejar in his behalf. He also told him that Narvaez had been appointed +to the government of the country on the river Palmas, and one Nuno de +Guzman to the province of Panuco. + +The intelligence from Zuazo made us all very melancholy, and it is +difficult to say which of the two we cursed most heartily in secret for +our misfortunes, Cortes or Salazar, for we gave them ten thousand +maledictions, and our hearts sunk within us to think of our miserable +plight after all our fatigues and dangers. Cortes retired to his chamber, +and did not appear again till the evening, when we unanimously entreated +him to hasten to Mexico, that he might recover the government from the +usurper. He replied kindly: "My dear friends, this villainous factor is +very powerful. If I go along with you to Mexico, he may waylay us by the +road and murder us all. I think it better for me to go privately to Mexico +with only three or four of you, that I may come upon him at unawares, and +that all the rest of you rejoin Sandoval and go along with him to Mexico." +When I saw that Cortes was resolved on going privately to Mexico, I +anxiously requested to attend him, as I had hitherto accompanied him in +all his difficulties and dangers. He complimented me on my fidelity, but +insisted on my continuing with Sandoval. Several of the colonists of +Truxillo began to grow mutinous, because Cortes had neglected promoting +them to offices; but he pacified them by promises of providing for them +when he should be replaced in his government of Mexico. Previous to his +intended departure, he wrote to Diego de Godoy, to quit Puerto Cavallos +with his settlers, where they were unable to remain on account of +mosquitos and other vermin, ordering them to relieve us in the good +settlement of Naco. He also ordered that we should take the province of +Nicaragua in our way to Mexico, as it was a country in his opinion worth +taking care of. We took our leave of Cortes, who embarked on his intended +voyage, and we set out cheerfully for Naco to join Sandoval, as Mexico was +now the object of our march. The route to Naco was as usual attended with +much difficulty and distress, yet we got safe there, and found that +Captain De Garro had set off for Nicaragua, to inform his commander +Hernandez that Cortes was setting out for Mexico, and had promised to give +him all the assistance in his power. + +Two confidential friends of Pedro Aries had come to the knowledge of the +private correspondence between Hernandez and Cortes, and suspected that +Hernandez meant to detach himself from the command of Aries, and to +surrender his province to Cortes. The names of these men were Garruito and +Zamorrano, the former of whom was urged by an ancient enmity to Cortes, on +account of a rivalship between them in Hispaniola when both young men, +about a lady, which ended in a duel. These persons communicated +intelligence of all they knew to Aries, who immediately hastened to +Nicaragua, to seize all the parties concerned. Garro took the alarm in +time, and made his escape to us; but Hernandez, relying on his former +intimacy with Aries, expected that he would not proceed to extremities +against him, and waited his arrival. He was miserably disappointed in +these hopes, as Aries, after a summary process, ordered him to execution +as a traitor to his superior officer. + +On his first attempt to sail from Truxillo to Vera Cruz, Cortes was put +back by contrary winds, and a second time by an accident happening to his +ship. Dispirited by sickness, the accidents which had delayed his voyage +prayed on his spirits, he became apprehensive of the power of Salazar +being too great for him, and his lofty mind sunk under superstitious fears. +On his second return to Truxillo, he ordered the celebration of a solemn +mass, and prayed fervently to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit as to his +future proceedings. On this occasion it appears that he became inclined to +remain in Truxillo to colonize that part of the country; and in three +several expresses which he sent in quick succession to recall us to that +place, he attributed his determination on that subject to the inspiration +of his guardian angel. On receiving these messages, we cursed Cortes and +his bad fortune, and declared to Sandoval that he must remain by himself, +if he chose that measure, as we were resolved on returning to Mexico. +Sandoval was of the same opinion with us, and we sent a letter to Cortes +to that effect signed by all of us; to which we had an answer in a few +days, making great offers to such of us as would remain, and saying, if we +refused, that there still were good soldiers to be had in Castile and +elsewhere. On receiving this letter we were more determined than ever to +proceed; but Sandoval persuaded us to wait a few days till he could see +and speak with Cortes; to whom we wrote in reply, that if he could find +soldiers in Castile, so could we find governors and generals in Mexico, +who would give us plantations for our services, and that we had already +suffered sufficient misfortunes by following him. With this reply Sandoval +set off, attended by a soldier named Sauzedo and a farrier, swearing by +his beard that he would not return till he had seen Cortes embarked for +Mexico. On this occasion Sandoval applied to me for my horse, an excellent +animal for speed, exercise, and travel, which cost me six hundred crowns, +my former horse having been killed in action at a place called Zulaco. +Sandoval gave me one of his in exchange, which was killed under me in less +than two months; after which I was reduced to a vicious colt which I +bought from the two vessels at Truxillo. On parting from us, Sandoval +desired us to wait his return at a large Indian town called Acalteca. + +When Sandoval came to Truxillo, Cortes received him very joyfully; but +neither his pressing instances nor our letter could prevail on him to +proceed to Mexico. He prevailed on him, therefore, to send Martin de +Orantes, a confidential servant, with a commission to Pedro de Alvarado +and Francisco de las Casas, in case these officers were in Mexico, to +assume the government till he should return; or, in the event of their +absence, to authorise the treasurer, Estrada, and the contador, Albornos, +to resume the power granted by the former deputation, revoking that which +he had so inadvertently given to the factor Salazar and the veedor +Chirinos, which they had so grossly abused. Cortes agreed to this, and +having given Orantes his instructions and commissions, directed him to +land in a bay between Vera Cruz and Panuco, suffering no person but +himself to go on shore, after which the vessel was immediately to proceed +to Panuco, that his arrival might be kept as secret as possible. Orantes +was likewise furnished with letters from Cortes to all his friends in New +Spain, and to the treasurer and contador, although he knew they were not +of that description, desiring them all to use their utmost diligence in +displacing the present tyrannical usurpers. Having favourable weather, +Orantes soon arrived at his destination; and disguising himself as a +labourer, set forward on his journey, always avoiding the Spaniards, and +lodging only among the natives. When questioned by any one, he called +himself Juan de Flechilla; and indeed he was so altered during his absence +of two years and three months, that his most intimate acquaintances could +not have recognised him. Being a very active man, he arrived in four days +in Mexico, which he entered in the dark, and proceeded immediately to the +convent of the Franciscans, where he found the Alvarados and several other +friends of Cortes, who were there concealed. On explaining his errand and +producing the letters of Cortes, every one was exceedingly rejoiced, and +even the reverend fathers danced for gladness. The gates of the monastery +were immediately locked, to preclude all notice being conveyed to the +adverse party; and about midnight, the treasurer and contador, and many of +the friends of Cortes were brought secretly to the convent, where the +intelligence was communicated to them. In a grand consultation, it was +resolved to seize the factor Salazar next morning, the contador Chirinos +being still occupied at the rock of Coatlan. + +The rest of the night was employed in providing arms and collecting all +their friends, and at day-break next morning the whole party marched for +the palace which Salazar inhabited, calling out as they went along, "Long +live the king, and the governor Hernando Cortes." When this was heard by +the citizens, they all took up arms; and under an idea that their +assistance was required by the government, many of them joined Estrada on +the march. The contador Albornos played a double game on the occasion, as +he sent intelligence to put Salazar on his guard, for which Estrada +reproached him afterwards with much severity. On approaching the palace, +the friends of Cortes found Salazar already well prepared for resistance, +in consequence of the information he had received; the artillery under +Guzman being drawn out ready for action in front of the palace, and a +strong garrison inside for its defence. But the adherents of Cortes pushed +on, forcing their way by the different doors, and others by the terraces +or wherever they could get access, continually shouting, for the king and +Cortes. The adherents of Salazar were dismayed; the artillery-men +abandoned the guns, and the other soldiers run away and hid themselves, +leaving the poor factor with only Pedro Gonzalez Sabiote and four servants. +Salazar being thus abandoned, became desperate, and endeavoured to fire +off one of the guns, in which attempt he was made prisoner, and confined +in a wooden cage. Circular notice of this revolution was immediately +conveyed to all the provinces of New Spain; and the veedor Chirinos, +leaving the command of his troops with Monjaraz, took refuge in the +Franciscan monastery at Tescuco; but was shortly afterwards made prisoner +and secured in another cage. Immediate intelligence of this revolution was +transmitted to Pedro de Alvarado, with directions to go immediately to +Truxillo to wait upon Cortes. The next thing done by the new deputies was +to wait upon Juanna de Mansilla, who had been whipped as a witch, who was +placed on horseback behind the treasurer Estrada, in which situation she +was escorted in grand procession through all the streets of Mexico, like a +Roman matron, and was ever afterwards stiled _Donna Juanna_, in honour of +her constancy, for refusing to marry again while she believed her husband +was still living. + +As the situation of Mexico evidently required the presence of Cortes, Fra +Diego de Altamirano was sent by his friends to represent to him the +necessity of setting out immediately for the capital. This reverend father +had been in the army before he entered the church, and was a man of +considerable abilities, and experienced in business. On his arrival at +Truxillo, and giving Cortes an account of the recent events in Mexico, the +general gave thanks to God for the restoration of peace; but declared his +intention of going to Mexico by land, being afraid of encountering the +adverse currents, and because of the bad state of his health. The pilots, +however, represented that the season was quite favourable for the voyage, +it being then the month of April, and prevailed on him to give up his +first resolution. But he would on no account leave Truxillo till the +return of Sandoval, who had been detached with seventy soldiers against a +Captain Roxas, who served under Pedro Arias de Avila, against whom +complaints had been made by the inhabitants of Olancho, a district about +fifty-five leagues from Truxillo. When the parties first met they were on +the brink of proceeding to hostilities; but they were reconciled and +parted amicably, Roxas and his men agreeing to evacuate the country. +Sandoval was recalled in consequence of the arrival of Altamirano, and +Cortes took measures to leave the country in good order, of which Saavedra +was left lieutenant-governor. Captain Luis Marin was directed to march our +whole party to Mexico by way of Guatimala, and Captain Godoy was ordered +to take the command at Naco. All things being now settled for the +departure of Cortes, he confessed to Fra Juan and received the Sacrament, +previous to his embarkation, as he was so exceedingly ill that he thought +himself on the point of death. The wind was favourable, and he soon +arrived at the Havanna, where he was honourably received by his former +friends and acquaintances, and where he had the pleasure, by a vessel just +arrived from Vera Cruz, to receive intelligence that New Spain was +entirely restored to peace; as all the refractory Indians, on hearing that +Cortes and we their former conquerors were alive and returning, had come +in and made their submissions. + +The conduct of Salazar and Chirinos during their usurped authority had +gained them many adherents; as, by means of their confiscations and the +distribution of property among their greedy supporters, many were +interested in the maintenance of their authority. These were mostly of the +lower order, and persons of a seditious disposition; though some men of +quality, especially influenced by the contador Albornos, who dreaded the +arrival of Cortes, had formed a plot to kill the treasurer Estrada, and to +reinstate Salazar and Chirinos in the government. For the purpose of +releasing them from prison, they employed one Guzman, a white-smith, a +fellow of low character who affected to be a wit, to make keys for opening +their cages, giving him a piece of gold of the form which they required, +and enjoining the strictest secrecy. He undertook all that they asked with +the utmost apparent zeal, pretending to be very anxious for the liberation +of the prisoners; and by his affected humour and zeal for the cause, +contrived to become acquainted with their whole plan of procedure: But +when the keys were finished and the plot ripe for execution, he +communicated intelligence of the whole affair to Estrada; who instantly +assembled the friends of Cortes, and went to the place of meeting, where +he found twenty of the conspirators already armed and waiting for the +signal. These were seized, but many others made their escape. Among the +prisoners there were several very notorious characters, one of whom had +lately committed violence on a Spanish woman. They were immediately +brought to trial before Ortega, the alcalde-major of Mexico; and, being +convicted, three of them were hanged, and several of the rest whipped. + +I must here digress, to mention an affair not exactly accordant in point +of time with my narrative, but relevant in regard to its subject. By the +same vessel in which Salazar had transmitted letters to his majesty +tending to criminate Cortes, other letters were conveyed and so artfully +concealed that he had no suspicion of their existence, in which a full and +true account of all his oppresions and unlawful proceedings was sent to +his majesty. All these facts had also been reported by the royal court of +audience at St Domingo; by which the reported death of Cortes was +contradicted, and his majesty was truly informed in what manner the +general was employed for his service. In consequence of these +representations, the emperor is said to have expressed his high +indignation at the unworthy treatment which Cortes had experienced, and +his determination to support him in the government of New Spain. + + +[1] The true lion, Felis leo, is only found in the old world, chiefly in + Africa and the south of Persia. The American lion, or _puma_, the + Felis concolor of naturalists, is considerably less than the true lion, + being about the size of a large wolf, of a lively red colour tinged + with black, but without spots. It climbs trees, whence it drops down + by surprise on animals passing below; and though fierce and cunning, + hardly ever ventures to attack mankind.--E. + +[2] The iguana, instead of being a _serpent_, is a large species of + _lizard_, the Lacerta iguana of naturalists. It abounds in all the + warm and marshy parts of America, and is reckoned excellent eating.--E. + +[3] Diaz is very lax in his topographical notices of this famous + expedition. The settlement of St Gil de Buena Vista, where Cortes now + was, appears to have been at the bottom of the gulf of Amatique in the + bay of Honduras, on the east side of the inlet which communicates with + the _golfo dolce_. His exploration of that inland gulf, was probably + in the hope of finding a navigable passage to the Pacific Ocean. The + settlement which Cortes projected in Puerto Cavallos, must have been + near that now called Fort Omoa.--E. + +[4] These islands of Guanajes appear to be those called by the English + settlers of Honduras, Ratan and Bonaeo, off cape Honduras.--E. + + + + +SECTION XXI. + +_Return of Cortes to Mexico, and occurrences there previous to his +departure for Europe; together with an account of the return of the Author +to Mexico_. + + +Cortes remained five days at the Havanna for refreshment, after which he +reimbarked, and in twelve days arrived at the port of Medelin, opposite +the _Isla de los Sacrificios_, where he disembarked with twenty soldiers; +and while proceeding to the town of San Juan de Ulua, about half a league +from Medelin, he had the good fortune to fall in with a string of horses +and mules which had been employed in conveying travellers to the coast, +which he immediately engaged to carry him and his suit to Vera Cruz[1]. He +gave strict orders to all who accompanied him to give no hint to any +person of his name and quality; and on his arrival at the town before +day-break, he went directly to the church, the doors of which were just +opened. The sacristan was alarmed at seeing so great a number of strangers +going into the church, and immediately ran into the streets to call the +civil power to his assistance. The alcaldes, with the alguazils, and some +of the inhabitants repaired immediately to the church with their arms; and +Cortes was so squalid from long illness, that no one knew him till he +began to speak. The moment he was known, they all fell on their knees and +kissed his hands, welcoming him back to New Spain; and his old +fellow-soldiers escorted him after mass to the quarters of Pedro Moreno, +where he remained eight days, during which he was feasted by the +inhabitants. Intelligence was immediately conveyed of the joyful news to +Mexico and all the surrounding country, and Cortes wrote to all his +friends giving them notice of his arrival. The neighbouring Indians +flocked to wait upon him with presents and congratulations; and when he +set out on his journey to Mexico, every preparation was made for his +accommodation and honourable entertainment. The inhabitants of Mexico, and +all the places round the lake, and those of Tlascala and all the other +Indian towns, celebrated his return with festivals. On his arrival at +Tescuco, the contador came to wait upon him, and on entering the capital, +he was received in great state by all the civil and military officers, and +all the inhabitants. The natives in their gayest attire, and armed as +warriors, filled the lake in their canoes; dancing and festivity prevailed +in every corner of the city during the whole day; and at night every house +was illuminated. Immediately on his arrival, he went to the monastery of +St Francis, to give thanks to God for his preservation and safe return; +and from thence went to his magnificent palace, where he was esteemed, +served, and feared like a sovereign prince, all the provinces sending +messages of congratulation on his happy return, with considerable presents. +This return of Cortes to Mexico was in June[2], and he immediately ordered +the arrest of all who had been most eminent for sedition during his +absence, causing a judicial inquiry to be made into the conduct of the two +principal culprits, Salazar and Chirinos, whom he intended to have brought +immediately to justice for their crimes; and, if he had done so, no one +would have found fault, but in this instance he certainly acted with too +much lenity, or rather want of firmness. I remember to have heard from +some of the members of the royal council of the Indies in 1540, that the +capital punishment of these men would have been approved by his majesty. +One Ocampo, who had been guilty of defamatory libels, and an old scrivener +named Ocana, who used to be called the soul of Chirinos, was arrested on +this occasion. + +Shortly after the arrival of Cortes in Mexico, the licentiate Luis Ponce +de Leon arrived unexpectedly at Medelin, and Cortes was surprised with +this intelligence while performing his devotions in the church of St +Francis. He prayed earnestly for direction from God, that he might so +conduct himself on this critical emergency, as seemed best fitting to his +holy will, and the good service of his sovereign; and immediately sent a +confidential person to bring him information of the particular object and +tendency of the coming of De Leon. In two days after, he received a copy +of the royal orders to receive the licentiate as resident judge of Mexico: +In consequence of which, he dispatched a person with a complimentary +message, desiring to know which of the two roads to the city De Leon +intended to take, that he might give orders for every proper accommodation +to be prepared suitable to his rank. De Leon sent back an answer, thanking +him for his polite attention, but that he proposed to repose for some time +where he then was, to recover from the fatigues of his voyage. This +interval was busily employed by the enemies of Cortes, in misrepresenting +all the transactions in which Cortes had been concerned. They asserted +that Cortes intended to put the factor and veedor to death before the +arrival of De Leon at Mexico, and even warned him to take great care of +his own personal safety, alleging that the civility of Cortes in desiring +to know the road he meant to take, were to enable him to prepare for his +assassination, under pretence of doing him honour. The persons with whom +the licentiate principally consulted were, Proano, the alcalde-major, and +his brother, who was alcalde of the citadel, named Salazar de la Pedrada, +who soon afterwards died of a pleurisy; Marcos de Aguilar, a licentiate or +bachelor; a soldier named Bocanegra de Cordova, and certain friars of the +Dominican order, of whom Fra Thomas Ortiz was provincial. This man had +been a prior somewhere, and was said to be much better fitted for worldly +affairs, than for the concerns of his holy office. By these men De Leon +was advised to proceed to Mexico without delay, and accordingly the last +messengers sent to him by Cortes met him on the road at Iztapalapa. A +sumptuous banquet was prepared at this place for De Leon and his suit, in +which, after several abundant and magnificent courses, some cheese-cakes +and custards were served up as great delicacies, which were much relished, +and some of the company eat of them so heartily that they became sick. +Ortiz asserted that they had been mixed up with arsenic, and that he had +refrained from eating them from suspicion; but some who were present +declared that he partook of them heartily, and declared they were the best +he had ever tasted. This ridiculous story was eagerly circulated by the +enemies of Cortes. While De Leon was at Iztapalapa, Cortes remained in +Mexico; and report said that he sent at this time a good sum in gold as a +present to the licentiate. When De Leon set out from Iztapalapa, Cortes +having notice of his approach, went immediately to meet him, with a grand +and numerous retinue of all the officers and gentlemen of the city. At +meeting, many civilities passed between the two great men, and Cortes +prevailed with some difficulty on De Leon to take the right hand. De Leon +proceeded immediately to the monastery of St Francis, to offer up his +thanks to the Almighty for his safe arrival, whence he was conducted by +Cortes to a palace prepared for him, where he was most sumptuously +entertained, all business being deferred for that day. On this occasion +the grandeur and politeness of Cortes were so conspicuous, that De Leon is +said to have observed privately among his friends, that Cortes must have +been long practising the manners of a great man. + +Next day, the _cabildo_ or council of Mexico, all the civil and military +officers, and all the veterans who were present in the capital, were +ordered to assemble; and in the presence of all these, the licentiate +Ponce de Leon produced his commission from his majesty. Cortes kissed it, +and placed it on his head as a mark of respectful submission, and all +present declared their ready obedience. The licentiate then received from +Cortes the rod of justice, in token of surrendering the government into +his hands, saying: "General, I receive this government from you by the +orders of his majesty; although it is by no means implied that you are not +most worthy both of this and of a higher trust." The general answered, +"That he was always happy in obeying the commands of his majesty, and was +the more satisfied on the present occasion, because he would have an +opportunity to prove the malice and falsehood of his enemies." De Leon +replied, "That in all societies there were good and bad men, for such was +the way of the world; and he trusted that both would be repaid in kind." +This was all the material business of the first day. On the next, the new +governor sent a respectful summons to Cortes, who accordingly waited upon +him, and they had a long private conference, at which no one was present +except the prior Ortiz: Yet it was believed that the conversation was to +the following effect. De Leon observed, that it was the wish of his +majesty that those who had most merit in the conquest of the country +should be well provided for in the distribution of plantations, those +soldiers who had first come from Cuba being more especially considered: +Whereas it was understood that they had been neglected, while others who +had newly arrived had been gratified with unmerited wealth. To this Cortes +answered, that all had got shares in the division of the country; and that +it could not be imputed to him that some of these had turned out of less +value than others: But it was now in the power of the new governor to +remedy this inequality. The governor then asked why Luis de Godoy had been +left to perish in a distant settlement, when the veterans ought to have +been allowed to enjoy the comforts of established possessions in Mexico, +and the new settlements assigned to new colonists: And why Captain Luis +Marin, Bernal Diaz, and other approved veterans had been neglected. Cortes +answered, That for business of difficulty and danger, none but the +veterans could be depended on: But that all these were soon expected to +return to Mexico, when the new governor would have it in his power to +provide for them. De Leon next questioned him rather sharply about his +imprudent march against Christoval de Oli, which he had undertaken without +permission from his majesty. Cortes said, That he looked upon that measure +as necessary for his majestys service, as such an example might have +dangerous effects on officers entrusted with subordinate commands; and +that he had reported his intentions to his majesty before he set out on +this expedition. De Leon questioned him likewise on the affairs of Narvaez, +Garay, and Tapia; on all of which subjects Cortes gave such answers that +the governor seemed perfectly satisfied. + +Soon after this conference, Ortiz called on three very intimate friends of +the general, and pretending to be actuated only by the most friendly +desire to serve him, assured them that the governor had secret orders from +the emperor to behead Cortes immediately; and that he, from private regard, +and in conformity with the duties of his holy functions, had considered it +to be his duty to give him this intelligence. He even desired an interview +with Cortes next morning, and communicated the same information to him, +accompanied with many protestations of regard and friendship. This +assuredly gave Cortes a very serious subject of meditation: But he had +already been informed of the intriguing character of the prior, and +suspected all this proceeded from a wish to be bribed for his good offices +with the governor; though some alleged that Ortiz acted by the secret +directions of De Leon on this occasion. Cortes received this pretended +friendly information with many thanks; but declared his belief that his +majesty had a better opinion of his services, than to proceed against him +in this clandestine manner; and that he had too high an opinion of the +governor, than to believe he could proceed to such extremities without the +royal warrant. When the prior found that his sly conduct did not produce +the effect which he had expected, he remained so confused that he knew not +what farther to say on the occasion. The new governor gave public notice, +for all who had complaints to make against the former administration, to +bring their charges, whether against Cortes, or any others of the civil or +military officers. In consequence of this, a vast number of accusers, +litigants, and claimants started up; among whom many private enemies of +the general preferred unjust accusations against him, while others made +just claims for what was really due to them. Some alleged that they had +not received their just shares of the gold; others that they had not been +sufficiently rewarded in the distribution of settlements; some demanded +remuneration for their horses which had been killed in the wars, though +they had already been paid ten times their value; and others demanded +satisfaction for personal injuries. Just as the governor had opened his +court to give a hearing to all parties, it pleased God, for our sins, and +to our great misfortune, that he was suddenly taken ill of a fever. He +remained four days in a lethargic state; after which, by the advice of his +physicians, he confessed and received the sacrament with great devotion, +and appointed Marcos de Aguilar, who had come with him from Spain, to +succeed him in the government. On the ninth day from the commencement of +his illness, he departed from this life, to the great grief of all the +colonists, particularly the military, as he certainly intended to have +redressed all abuses, and to have rewarded us according to our merits. He +was of a gay disposition, and fond of music; and it is said that his +attendants, while his illness was at the height, brought a lute player +into his apartment, in hopes of soothing his distress. While a favourite +air was playing, he was said to have beat time with perfect accuracy, and +expired just when the tune was finished. + +Immediately on his death, the enemies of Cortes in Mexico circulated the +most malignant slanders against him, even going the length of asserting +that he said Sandoval had poisoned the governor as he had before done with +Garay. The most busy in propagating this malicious report was the Prior +Ortiz. But the truth was, that the vessel which brought the governor and +his suite from Spain was infected with the disease of which he died; above +a hundred of the crew and passengers having died at sea or soon after +landing; among whom, almost all the friars who came out at that time were +carried off, and the contagion spread through the city of Mexico. Some of +the principal people in Mexico objected against the appointment which the +late governor had made of a successor; alleging that Marcos de Aguilar was +only a bachelor and not a licentiate, and therefore incapable of acting in +that capacity. The cabildo of Mexico insisted that Aguilar was incapable +of executing the high office to which De Leon had appointed him, on +account of his age and infirmities; as he was a diseased hectic old man, +who was obliged to drink goats milk, and to be suckled by a woman to keep +him alive; they recommended therefore that Cortes should be associated +with him in the government: But Aguilar insisted on adhering strictly to +the testament of his predecessor; and Cortes, for substantial private +reasons, was entirely averse from taking any share in the authority. The +enemies of Cortes insisted on the inquiry proceeding in the manner +intended by the late governor; and Cortes readily assented to this, +providing the new governor would take the responsibility on himself for +acting contrary to the testament of his predecessor, who had left orders +for him not to proceed with the business before the court, but that the +whole should be laid before his majesty. + +It is now proper to revert to our situation who had been left at Naco, +when Cortes set sail from Truxillo for the Havanna and Mexico. We remained +for some time at Naco, waiting intelligence for the sailing of Cortes, +which Sandoval was to have sent us; but Saavedra maliciously suppressed +the letters. Becoming impatient after a considerable delay, our captain, +Luis Marin, sent ten of the cavalry, among whom I was, to Truxillo to +learn the truth. On our arrival at a place named Olancho, we learned from +some Spaniards that Cortes was sailed; which information was soon +afterwards confirmed by a message from Saavedra. We returned therefore +joyfully to Marin, and set out for Mexico, throwing stones at the country +we were quitting, as a mark of our dislike. At a place called Maniani, +we met five soldiers commanded by Diego de Villaneuva, one of our brave +veterans, who were sent in search of us by Alvarado, who was at a place +not far distant, named _Chohilteca Malalaca_, where we joined him in two +days, and where we were likewise joined by a party belonging to Pedro +Arias de Avilla, who had sent some of his captains to adjust some disputed +boundaries with Alvarado. From this place, where we remained three days, +Alvarado sent one Gaspar Arias de Avilla to treat on some confidential +business with Pedro Arias, I believe relative to a marriage; for Pedro +Arias seemed much devoted henceforwards to Alvarado. Continuing our march +through a hostile country, the natives killed one of our soldiers, and +wounded three; but we were too much in haste to punish them as they +deserved. Farther on in Guatimala, the natives manned the passes against +us, and we were detained three days in forcing our way through, on which +occasion I received a slight wound. While in the valley where the city of +Guatimala has been since built, and all the people of which were hostile, +we had a number of shocks of an earthquake, all of which continued a long +while, and were so violent that several of our soldiers were thrown down. +On passing old Guatimala, the natives assembled against us in hostile +array, but we drove them before us, and took possession of their +magnificent dwellings and quadrangles for the night, and hutted ourselves +next day on the plain, where we remained ten days. During this time +Alvarado summoned the neighbouring Indians to submit, but they neglected +to appear. We then proceeded by long marches to Olintepec, where Alvarados +main force was stationed, whence we proceeded by Soconuzco and Teguantepec +towards Mexico, losing two soldiers on our march, and the Mexican lord +named Juan Velasquez, who had been a chief under Guatimotzin. + +On our arrival at Oaxaca, we learned the news of the death of Ponce de +Leon the governor. We pressed forward to Mexico, and on our arrival at +Chalco sent messengers to inform Cortes of our approach, and to request he +would provide us with good quarters, having been two years and three +months absent on our expedition. Cortes, attended by many gentlemen on +horseback, met us on the causeway and accompanied us into the city, where +we immediately went to the great church to return thanks to God for our +arrival, after which we went to the generals palace, where a sumptuous +entertainment was provided for us. Alvarado went to reside at the fortress, +of which he had been appointed alcalde. Luis Marin went to lodge with +Sandoval; and Captain Luis Sanchez and I, were taken by Andres de Tapia to +his house. Cortes and Sandoval and all our other friends sent us presents +of gold and cacao to bear our expences[3]. Next day, my friend Sanchez and +I went to wait upon the new governor Aguilar, accompanied by Sandoval and +De Tapia. We were received with much politeness, saying he would have done +every thing in his power for us, if so authorised, but every thing having +been referred by De Leon to his majesty, he was unable to make any new +arrangements. + +At this time Diego de Ordas arrived from Cuba, who was said to have +circulated the report of our deaths; but he declared that he had only sent +an account of the unfortunate catastrophe of Xicalonga as it really +happened, and that the misrepresentation proceeded entirely from the +factor Salazar. Cortes had so much business on his hands that he thought +proper to drop this affair, and endeavoured to recover his property which +had been disposed of under the supposition of his death. A great part of +it had been expended in celebrating his funeral obsequies, and in the +purchase of perpetual masses for his soul; but, on his being discovered to +be alive, had been repurchased by one Juan Caceres for his own benefit +when he might happen to die, so that Cortes could not recover his property. +Ordas, who was a man of much experience, seeing that Cortes was fallen +much into neglect since he was superseded from the government, advised him +to assume more state and consequence to maintain the respect due to him: +But such was his native plainness of manners, that he never wished to be +called otherwise than simply _Cortes_; a truly noble name, as glorious as +those of Cesar, Pompey, or Hanibal among the ancients. Ordas likewise +informed Cortes of a current report in Mexico, that he intended to put +Salazar privately to death in prison, and warned him that he was +powerfully patronized. About this time, the treasurer Estrada married one +of his daughters to Jorge de Alvarado, and another to Don Luis de Guzman, +son to the Conde de Castellar. Pedro de Alvarado went over to Spain to +solicit the government of Guatimala, sending in the meantime his brother +Jorge to reduce that province, with a force chiefly composed of the +warriors of the different nations that were in our alliance. The governor +also sent a force against the province of Chiapa, under the command of Don +Juan Enriquez de Guzman, a near relation to the Duke of Medina Sidonia: +And an expedition was sent against the Zapotecan mountaineers, under +Alonzo de Herrera, one of our veteran soldiers. + +Having lingered about eight months, Marcos de Aguilar died, and appointed +by his testament Alonzo de Estrada the treasurer to succeed him in the +government: But the Cabildo of Mexico and many of the principal Spaniards +were very solicitous that Cortes should be associated in the government; +and on his peremptory refusal, they recommended that Sandoval, who was +then alguazil-major, should act in conjunction with Estrada, which +accordingly was the case. The incompetence of Estrada for conducting the +government in the present conjuncture, particularly appeared from the +following circumstance. Nuno de Guzman, who had held the government of +Panuco for two years, conducted himself in a furious and tyrannical manner, +arbitrarily extending the bounds of his jurisdiction on the most frivolous +pretences, and putting to death all who dared to oppose his commands. +Among these, Pedro Gonzalez de Truxillo, having asserted truly that his +district was dependent on Mexico, Guzman immediately ordered him to be +hanged. He put many other Spaniards to death, merely to make himself +feared; and set the authority of the governor of Mexico at defiance. Some +of the enemies of Cortes persuaded Estrada to represent to the court of +Spain, that he had been compelled by the influence of Cortes to associate +Sandoval with himself in the government, contrary to his inclination, and +to the detriment of his majesties service. By the same conveyance, a +string of malevolent falsehoods were transmitted against the general; as +that he had poisoned Garay, De Leon, and Aguilar; that he had endeavoured +to administer arsenic in cheese-cakes to a great number of people at a +feast; that he was plotting the deaths of the veedor and factor Chirinos +and Salazar, then in jail; and that he had procured the death of his wife, +Donna Catalina. All these lies were supported by the industry of the +contador Albornos, then in Spain: And, in consequence of these gross +falsehoods, Cortes was partly judged unheard; as orders were sent to +release Salazar and Chirinos; and Pedro de la Cueva, commendator-major of +Alcantara, was ordered to go out to Mexico with an escort of three hundred +soldiers at the expence of Cortes, with authority to put Cortes to death +if his guilt were proved, and to distribute his property among the veteran +conquerors of Mexico. This was to have been done, however, under the +authority of a court of royal audience, which was to be sent out to Mexico; +but all ended in nothing; as neither De la Cueva nor the court of royal +audience made their appearance. + +Estrada was greatly elated by the countenance he received at court, which +he attributed to his being considered as a natural son of the Catholic +king. He disposed of governments at his pleasure, and carried every thing +with a high hand. At this time he sent his relation Mazoriejos to inquire +into the conduct of Don Juan Enriquez de Guzman in Chiapa, who is said to +have made more plunder there than was proper. He sent also a force against +the Zapotecas and Mixtecas, under the command of one De Barrios, said to +be a brave soldier who had served in Italy. I do not mean De Barrios of +Seville, the brother-in-law of Cortes. This officer marched with a hundred +men against the Zapotecas; but they surprised him, one night, and slew +himself and seven of his soldiers. Such was the difference between these +raw half formed soldiers, who were ignorant of the stratagems of the enemy, +and us the veteran conquerors. One Figuero, a particular friend of Estrada, +was sent with a hundred new soldiers to the province of Oaxaca. On passing +through the country of the Zapotecas, Figuero fell into a dispute with one +Alonzo de Herrera, who had been sent to command there by the late governor +Aguilar, in which Figuero and three soldiers were wounded. Finding himself +unable for the field, and that his soldiers were unfit for expeditions +among the mountains, Figuero thought proper to search for the sepulchres +of the ancient chiefs, on purpose to appropriate the gold which used to be +buried along with them; by which means he collected above an hundred +thousand crowns, and returned with this wealth to Mexico, leaving the +province in a worse state than before. From Mexico he went to Vera Cruz, +where he embarked for Spain; but he and all his wealth went to the bottom, +as the vessel in which he sailed was lost in a storm. The business of +subjecting these Indians was finally left for us, the veterans of +Coatzacualco, who at length reduced them to submission. They used to +submit during the summer, and to rebel when the torrents rendered their +country inaccessible. I was on three expeditions against them; and at last +the town of St Alfonso was built to keep them under subjection. + +When the governor heard how his friend Figuero had been maltreated by +Herrera, he sent the officers of justice to apprehend him, but he made his +escape to the rocks and woods. They took a soldier named Cortejo who used +to accompany him, whom they brought prisoner to Mexico, where the governor +ordered his right hand to be cut off, without hearing him in his defence, +although he was a gentleman. About this time also, a servant belonging to +Sandoval wounded one of Estradas servants in a quarrel. The governor had +him arrested, and sentenced him to have his right hand cut off, Cortes and +Sandoval resided at this time in Quernavaca, partly on prudential +considerations; and immediately posted off to Mexico, where he is said to +have used such severe expressions to the governor as to put him in fear of +his life. He called his friends about him to form a guard for his person, +and immediately released Salazar and Chirinos from prison, by whose advice +he issued an order for the expulsion of Cortes from Mexico. When this was +represented to Cortes, he declared his readiness to obey; and since it was +the will of God, that he who had gained that city at the expence of his +best blood, should be banished from it by base and unworthy men, he was +resolved to go immediately to Spain and demand justice from his majesty. +He quitted the city instantly, and went to one of his country residences +at Cojohuacan, from whence in a few days he proceeded towards the coast. +Estradas lady, a person worthy of memory for her many virtues, seeing the +dangerous consequences which were likely to result from this absurd and +arbitrary conduct, remonstrated with her husband on the subject, reminding +him of the many favours he had received from Cortes, the ingratitude with +which he now repaid him, and the many powerful friends of the general. +These representations are said to have induced the treasurer to repent +sincerely of the violent steps he had taken. Just at this time, Fra Julian +Garrios, the first bishop of Tlascala arrived in New Spain, who was much +displeased on hearing the proceedings of the governor; and two days after +his arrival in Mexico, where he was received with great pomp, he undertook +to mediate a reconciliation between the governor and Cortes. Many +seditious persons, knowing the dissatisfaction of Cortes, offered him +their services if he would set himself up as an independant monarch in New +Spain, and he even received similar offers from many persons in Mexico. He +immediately arrested all of these men who were in his reach, threatening +to put them to death, and wrote to inform the bishop of Tlascala of their +treasonable offers. The bishop waited on Cortes, and found his conduct in +every respect satisfactory, of which he sent word to Mexico; and finding +that Cortes was positively determined upon going to Spain, the prelate +added to his letter a severe censure from himself upon the misconduct of +those who had driven him from thence. + + +[1] The harbour of Medelin is fifteen or twenty miles south from Vera Cruz; + but I suspect the place named St Juan de Ulua in the text is the + modern town of Vera Cruz, the harbour of which is protected by the + island and castle of St Juan de Ulua. The ancient town of Villa Rica + de la Vera Cruz, now called Antigua, is about twenty-five miles north + from modern Vera Cruz.--E. + +[2] Diaz is frequently inattentive to dates, and does not on this occasion + inform us of the year: By reference to Robertsons History of America, + II. 266, 12mo. ed Lond. 1800, it certainly apoears to have been in the + year 1524.--E. + +[3] It may be proper to remark in this place, that the cacao nuts were + used by the Mexicans before the conquest as a medium for purchases of + small value instead of money, and the practice was continued under the + Spanish dominion, as the markets were supplied by the original natives. + Clavigero, I. 366. says that the Mexicans used five substitutes for + money. 1. Cacao, which they counted by _xiquipils_, or in sacks + containing each three xiquipils, or 24,000 nuts. 2. Small cotton + cloths, called _patolquachtli_. 3. Gold dust in goose quills. 4. + Pieces of copper in the form of the letter T. 5. Thin pieces of + tin.--E. + + + + +SECTION XXII. + +_Narrative of Occurrences, from the Departure of Cortes to Europe till his +Death_. + + +About this time likewise, Cortes received letters from the president of +the council of the Indies, the Duke of Bejar, and several others of his +friends in Spain; strongly urging the necessity of his appearance at court +to counteract the malignant accusations of his numerous enemies[1]. By the +same conveyance, he received notice of the death of his father. Having +performed funeral obsequies in memory of his father, he ordered two ships +to be purchased, which he stored so abundantly with provisions of all +kinds, that after his arrival in Spain the overplus might have served for +a voyage of two years. I am uncertain whether Cortes returned to Mexico in +order to arrange his private affairs; but he appointed several agents for +that purpose, the principal of whom was the licentiate Altamirano. His +major-domo, Esquival, was employed in making preparations for the voyage; +who, in crossing the lake to Ajotzinco in a large canoe with six Indians +and a negro, having some ingots of gold in his possession, was waylaid and +murdered; but the manner of his death could never be ascertained, as +neither canoe, Indians, nor negro could ever be traced. The body of +Esquival was found four days afterwards on a small island, half eaten by +the birds of prey. There were many suspicions about this affair, some of +such a nature as I cannot relate; but no great inquiry was made as to his +death. Cortes appointed other persons to complete the preparations for his +voyage; and offered by proclamation a free passage for all Spaniards who +had license from the government to go to Spain, with a supply of +provisions during the voyage. He took home with him from Mexico a great +number of the curiosities of the country to present to his majesty, among +which were various unknown birds, two tigers[2], many barrels of ambergris +and indurated balsam, and of a kind resembling oil[3]: Four Indians who +were remarkably expert in playing the stick with their feet: Some of those +Indian jugglers who had a manner of appearing to fly in the air: Three +hunchbacked dwarfs of extraordinary deformity: Some male and female +Indians whose skins were remarkable for an extraordinary whiteness, and +who had a natural defect of vision[4]. Cortes was likewise attended by +several young chiefs of the Mexican and Tlascalan nations, who went over +along with him into Spain at their own request[5]. + +Every thing being in readiness for the voyage, Cortes confessed and +received the sacrament, after which he embarked along with Sandoval, de +Tapia, and other gentlemen; and in forty-one days arrived in Spain, where +he disembarked near the town of Palos, in the month of December 1527. As +soon as he set his foot on shore, he knelt down and returned thanks to God +for the safety of his voyage. This fortunate voyage was soon succeeded by +severe grief, in consequence of the death of the valiant Sandoval, who +expired after a lingering illness in the house of a rope-maker in Palos, +who robbed him in his presence of thirteen bars of gold, in the following +manner: Perceiving the extreme weakness of Sandoval, he sent away all his +servants on a pretended message to Cortes; and then went into Sandovals +room, where he broke open his chest and took out the gold, our poor friend +being too ill in bed to hinder him, and even apprehensive if he made any +outcry, that the robber might take his life. As soon as he got the gold, +he made his escape into Portugal, where he could not be pursued. Sandoval +grew worse hourly, and as the physicians pronounced his end approaching, +he prepared himself for death like a good Christian, and made his will, by +which he left all his property to a sister, who afterwards married a +natural son of the Conde de Medelin. Sandoval died universally regretted, +and was followed to the grave by Cortes and a great train of mourners. May +God pardon his sins! _Amen_. + +Cortes transmitted by express, an account of his arrival and of the death +of his friend Sandoval to his majesty and to his patrons at court; and +when the Duke of Bejar and the Conde de Aguilar waited on his majesty on +the occasion, they found him already acquainted by means of letters from +Cortes, and that he had been pleased to issue orders for his being +received in the most honourable manner in all the towns and cities where +he might have occasion to pass. On his arrival at Seville, Cortes was +entertained by the Duke of Medina Sidonia, who presented him with several +beautiful horses. He proceeded from thence to attend the _nine days +devotion_ at the shrine of our lady of Guadaloupe, where Donna Maria, the +lady of the commendador Don Francisco de los Cobos, and many other ladies +of high rank arrived at the same time. After Cortes had performed his +devotions, and given charity to the poor, he went in grand style to pay +his respects to Donna Maria, her beautiful sister, and the many other +ladies of distinguished rank who were along with her, where he exhibited +that politeness, gallantry, and generosity, in which he surpassed all men. +He presented various golden ornaments of great value to all the ladies, +giving a plume of green feathers richly ornamented with gold to every one +of the ladies, but his presents to Donna Maria and her sister were +particularly rich and valuable. He then produced his Indian dancers and +players with the stick, who astonished all the spectators. And learning +that one of the mules belonging to Donna Marias sister had fallen lame, he +presented her with two of the finest which could be procured. Waiting the +departure of these ladies, he attended them during their journey to the +court, entertaining them magnificently on all occasions, doing the honours +with a grace peculiar to himself, insomuch that Donna Maria de Mendoza +began to have thoughts of a marriage between her sister and Cortes, and +wrote in such strains of the politeness and generosity of Cortes, that she +brought over the commendador her husband entirely to his interest. + +On his arrival at court, his majesty was pleased to order apartments for +him, and all his friends came out to meet him on the road. Next day he +went by permission to throw himself at his majestys feet, accompanied by +the Duke of Bejar, the Admiral of the Indies, and the commendador of Leon. +His majesty commanded him to rise, on which Cortes, after a short +enumeration of his services and vindication of his conduct from the +aspersions of his enemies, presented a memorial in which the whole was +fully detailed. His majesty then honoured him with the title of Marquis +della Valle de Oaxaca and the order of St Jago, giving him an estate for +the support of his new dignity, and appointed him Captain-general of New +Spain and of the South Seas. Thus loaded with honours, Cortes retired from +the royal presence; and shortly afterwards falling dangerously ill, the +emperor did him the honour of paying him a visit in person. One Sunday +after his recovery, when the emperor was at mass in the cathedral of +Toledo, seated according to custom with all the nobility in their proper +stations, Cortes came there rather late, designedly as it was said, after +all were seated; and, passing before all the others, took his place next +the Conde de Nasao, who sat nearest the emperor. This gave great offence +to many, though some said it was done by desire of the emperor. Indeed +Cortes felt his elevation so much, that he ceased to hold some of his +patrons in the estimation they deserved, bestowing his whole attentions on +the Duke of Bejar, the Admiral, and the Conde de Nasao. He applied +likewise to the emperor to be reappointed to the government of New Spain; +but, though supported in this request by his noble patrons, his majesty +refused compliance, and from this time he did not seem so much in favour +as before. + +The emperor now proceeded on a journey to Flanders; and shortly after his +departure, Cortes was married to Donna Juanna de Zuniga, on which occasion +he presented his lady with the most magnificent jewels that had ever been +seen in Spain. Queen Isabella, from the report of the lapidaries, +expressed a wish for some similar jewels, which Cortes accordingly +presented to her; but it was reported that these were not so fine or so +valuable as those he had given to his lady. At this time Cortes obtained +permission from the council of the Indies to fit out two ships on a voyage +of discovery to the south seas, with the condition of enjoying certain +privileges and revenues from all lands that were acquired through his +means to the crown of Spain. Don Pedro de la Cueva, who was to have gone +to Mexico with a commission to try Cortes and to put him to death if found +guilty, was now upon the most intimate footing with him, and told him that +even his innocence would have been sufficiently expensive, as the cost of +the expedition, which he was to have paid, would have exceeded 300,000 +crowns. + +Cortes sent Juan de Herrada, a brave soldier who had attended him in his +expedition to Honduras, to carry a rich present of gold, silver, and +jewels, to his holiness Pope Clement, with an ample memorial of all the +circumstances respecting the newly discovered countries; and on this +occasion solicited some abatement of the tithes of New Spain. Herrada was +accompanied to Rome by several of the Indians who shewed feats of agility, +and with whose performances the pope and cardinals were highly diverted. +His holiness, on the receipt of the letters and memorial, gave thanks to +God for the opportunity of making so many thousands converts to the holy +catholic faith, praising the services which Cortes and we had rendered to +the church and our sovereign, and sent us bulls of indulgence, freeing us +from the penalties of our sins, and others for the erection of churches +and hospitals; but I know not what was done in regard to the tithes. When +Herrada had concluded his business at Rome, he returned to Spain with a +liberal reward from the pope, who gave him the rank of Count Palatine, and +strongly recommended that he should have the grant of a considerable +plantation in New Spain, which he never got. After his return to America, +he went to Peru, where Diego de Almagro left him in the office of governor +to his son. He was high in the favour and confidence of the family and +party of Almagro, with whom he served as _maestre de campo_ under young +Almagro, and headed the party which put to death the elder Don Francisco +Pizarro. + +While Cortes remained in Spain, the members of the court of royal audience +arrived in Mexico. Of this court, Nuno de Guzman, who had been governor of +Panuco, was president; the four _oydors_ or judges being the licentiates, +Matienzo, Delgadillo, Parada, and Maldonado; not the good Alonzo Maldonado +who was afterwards governor of Guatimala. These magistrates had greater +powers than had hitherto been confided to any officers in New Spain, being +entrusted with the final distribution of landed property, in which his +majesty had particularly charged them to take care of the interests of the +conquerors, and they evinced from the very first a determination to do +justice. Immediately after their arrival, they issued a proclamation, +requiring the attendance of an agent from each settlement, and to be +furnished with memorials and returns of the several districts; and the +agents accordingly arrived as soon as possible. Being then in Mexico in +the execution of my office of procurator-syndic of the town of +Coatzacualco, I posted to that place in order to be present at the +election of agents, and after a violent contest, Captain Marin and I were +elected by the majority. On our arrival in Mexico, we found that two of +the oydors had died of pleurisies, and that the factor Salazar had +acquired so complete an ascendancy over the others that they followed his +advice in every thing. The agents pressed a final distribution of lands; +but Salazar persuaded the president and the two remaining oydors not +hastily to part with that source of patronage, which would necessarily +diminish their influence. Salazar even set out for Spain, to solicit the +government for the president, Nuno de Guzman; but was shipwrecked on the +coast near Coatzacualco, and had to return to Mexico. Estrada died soon +after being superseded, which he owed more to his own tameness than to any +right the members of the court could found on his majestys orders, which +left the government entirely with him, without saying any thing of the +association of Guzman; who yet usurped the sole government to himself as +president. Estrada was universally regretted, as he conducted himself with +perfect impartiality, and would assuredly have been supported, if he had +insisted on retaining his office of governor. + +A commission was appointed at Guatimala, where Jorge de Alvarado commanded, +of which I never learnt the result. In Mexico the most severe proceedings +were adopted against the Marquis della Valle, during which the factor +Salazar reviled and slandered him in the grossest manner. The licentiate +Altamirano, his friend and manager of his affairs, remonstrated with the +court against these indecent proceedings, but to no purpose, as Guzman and +the surviving judges gave their countenance to Salazar, who became more +abusive than ever; insomuch that on one of these occasions Altamirano drew +his poniard, and would have stabbed the factor, throwing the court into +confusion and uproar, if he had not been prevented. Altamirano was sent +prisoner to the citadel, and Salazar was ordered into arrest in his own +house, and the city was thrown into an universal ferment. At the end of +three days, the licentiate was liberated from confinement at our earnest +desire, and the dispute was quieted for the present; but a more serious +disscution succeeded. One Zavalos, a relation of Narvaez, had been sent by +his wife in quest of him, as he had gone as governor to the Rio Palmas, +and had not been heard of for a long while. On coming to Mexico, Zavalos, +as is supposed by instigation of the members of the royal court of +audience, lodged criminal information against all the soldiers of Cortes +who had been concerned in the attack upon Narvaez; so that about two +hundred and fifty of us, then in the city, myself among the rest, were +apprehended, brought to trial, convicted, and sentenced to a fine of a +certain quantity of gold, and banishment to the distance of five leagues +from Mexico: But the banishment was remitted and very few paid the fine. + +The enemies of the marquis took a new ground of attack, alleging that he +had embezzled the treasure of Montezuma and Guatimotzin, and was +answerable to the soldiers both for what he had appropriated to his own +use, and for that which had been sent to Spain as a present to his majesty +and had been captured by Florin the French corsair. A long list of other +demands followed, on every one of which he was found liable, and his +property was sold under executions for the payment. At this time likewise, +Juan Suarez the brother of Donna Catalina, the first wife of Cortes, +charged him with her murder, offering to produce witnesses of the manner +of her death. Many of us the veteran conquerors, who were the friends of +Cortes, seeing the harsh manner in which he was treated, met by +appointment at the house of Garcia Holguin, under the license of an +alcalde or judge of police, where we entered into a resolution to renounce +all our claims to the treasure: But when the judges of the royal tribunal +heard of our proceedings, they ordered us all to be arrested for an +illegal meeting; and though we produced the license under which our +meeting was held, they again banished us five leagues from Mexico; but we +were allowed to return. A proclamation was issued about this time, that +all persons of Moorish descent, or from those who had been burned or +_sanbenited_[6] by the holy tribunal, as far as the fourth generation, +should quit New Spain within four months, under the penalty of losing half +their property. Vast numbers of informers and accusers started up on this +occasion, by which an infinite number of most infamous slanders were +propagated; and yet after all only two individuals were expelled. + +The court was generous in fulfilling the royal commands respecting the +veteran conquerors, who were all amply provided for; but they granted an +excessive license in regard to the branding of slaves, in consequence of +which so many were made in the province of Panuco that it became almost +depopulated. Guzman made a new-years-gift to Albornos, who was newly +returned to Spain, of the whole district of Guazpaltepec. Albornos brought +with him a royal patent for erecting some sugar-works at Chempoalla, which +soon went to ruin. The oydor Delgadillo was much censured for his _free +gifts_, as it was observed he always reserved some rents to himself, and +the consequent extortions and oppressions of those he patronized were +excessive. The other oydor Matienzo was superannuated. The abuses of the +members of this supreme court became at length so notorious, that other +members of more discretion were sent out to supersede them. Old Matienzo, +who was the least exceptionable, was sent to Panuco to inquire into and +remedy the abuses committed in that province; where he revoked the grants +made by the president and Delgadillo to their friends and clients, +bestowing the plantations on those who were pointed out by the royal +instructions; but all those who were desired to deliver up their +plantations endeavoured to bring proof that they had been granted in +reward of former services, disclaiming all favour or patronage from Guzman +or Delgadillo, and most of them succeeded in keeping what they had got, +the only persons deprived being Albornos of his new-years-gift, Villareal, +and Villegas. + +When the members of the royal tribunal understood that they were to be +superseded, they resolved to send agents to Spain, provided with witnesses +and documents to vouch for the propriety of their conduct; and for this +purpose all the veteran conquerors and other persons of distinction were +convened in the great church, to choose an agent for our interest. The +president and judges of the royal tribunal recommended Salazar the factor; +and though they had committed some improprieties, as they had in the main +done us justice in the _repartimientos_, or distribution of property and +vassals, we were all disposed to vote for the person they recommended; but +when we had assembled in the church, so many persons had crowded in who +had no right, making a prodigious noise and confusion, that we could not +proceed to business; and though all who had not been summoned were ordered +to withdraw, they refused and insisted to vote as well as the others. We +therefore adjourned to the next day, at the house of the president; and +none being admitted but those summoned, the business was soon amicably +adjusted by agreement with the members of the royal audience, and two +agents were chosen. One, named Antonio de Carvajal, for the court; and +Bernardino Vasquez de Tapia, for Cortes and the conquerors. In my opinion, +both of these were equally devoted to the views of the president; but this +was natural on our part, as Guzman had done much more for us during his +short administration, than Cortes during all the period of his power. Yet +we were always more attached to Cortes, who had been our commander, than +he was to our interest, notwithstanding that he had his majestys orders to +provide for us; of which the following is a striking proof. The president +and judges used their influence with us to petition his majesty that +Cortes might never be permitted to return to New Spain, under pretence +that his presence might occasion factions and disturbances, tending to the +loss of the country. We opposed this to the utmost of our power; and as +Alvarado arrived at this time from Spain with the commission of governor +and lieutenant-general of Guatimala, and decorated with a commandery of St +Jago, he and the friends of Cortes agreed to lay a statement of every +thing before his majesty, giving a clear developement of the views and +conduct of the members of the royal audience. From this it appeared to the +royal council of the Indies, that all the measures they had taken against +Cortes were dictated by passion and interest, and the determination of +recalling the present members of the audience was thereby confirmed. The +presence of Cortes in Spain at this time was also highly favourable to his +interests, and he was now rapidly advancing to the pinnacle of his fortune. + +As Guzman was now quite certain of being superseded, he determined upon an +expedition into the province of Xalisco, now called New Gallicia[7]. For +this purpose he collected a large military force, partly of volunteers, +and partly by the influence of his supreme authority, obliging those who +did not serve personally to find substitutes, and those who had horses to +sell them for half value. He took with him likewise a considerable number +of Mexicans, partly as soldiers, and others to carry the baggage. In this +expedition, he cruelly oppressed the provinces through which he passed, +that he might amass riches. From Mechoacan[8] he obtained a large quantity +of gold much alloyed with silver, which the inhabitants had been +collecting for ages; and as the unfortunate prince or cacique of that +country was unable to gratify his avarice sufficiently, he had him +tortured in the first place, and afterwards hanged on some false or +trifling allegations, to the great displeasure of all the Spaniards in his +army, who considered it as the cruellest and most unjust action ever +committed in New Spain. All the booty which he had made in this expedition +was collected at the town of Compostello, which he founded at a heavy +expence to the crown and to the inhabitants of Mexico, and he remained in +this place until his arrest. + +In consequence of the injustice of the former court of audience, his +majesty was pleased to suppress it, and to cancel all its grants, and to +appoint a new one consisting of wise and upright men. Of this new tribunal, +Don Sebastian Ramirez, bishop of St Domingo was president, and the oydors +or judges were the licentiates Maldonado de Salamanca, Vaco de Quiroga y +Madrigal, afterwards bishop of Mechoacan, Zaynos de Toro, and Solomon de +Madrid. On commencing their sittings, such crowds of complainants of all +descriptions, settlers, agents, and native chiefs from every city, town, +and district of New Spain made application for redress against the +partiality and oppression of the former court, that the members were quite +astonished. The demands made by the agents of Cortes for what had been +unjustly taken from him, amounted to above 200,000 crowns. As Nuno de +Guzman was absent, the whole blame was laid upon him by the other members +of the former tribunal, who alleged that they were compelled to act +according to his orders. He was accordingly summoned to appear, which he +did not think proper to do, and it was judged proper to refer the whole +affair for the present to the supreme court in Spain. Accordingly, one +Torre, a licentiate, was sent with full powers from Spain to Xalisco, +having orders to transmit Guzman to Mexico, and to commit him to prison. +Torre was also commissioned to indemnify us for the fines which had been +imposed on us respecting the affair of Narvaez. + +The properties of Delgadillo and Martienzo, were sold to pay the damages +of those who had gained causes against them, and their persons imprisoned +for the deficiency. A brother of Delgadillo, who was alcalde-major in +Oaxaca, and another who was alcalde among the Zapotecas, were fined and +imprisoned for the same reason, and died in jail. Delgadillo and Martienzo +returned afterwards to Spain in poverty, where they soon died. The new +judges were wise and just, regulating their conduct entirely according to +the will of God and the king, and shewing a laudable zeal for the +protection and conversion of the Indians. They prohibited all branding of +the natives for slaves, and made many other excellent regulations. In +about four years, Solomon and Zaynos, two of the judges, being old and +wealthy, petitioned for leave to retire. The president also was ordered to +repair to Europe, to give an account of the affairs of New Spain. He was +then bishop of St Domingo, having been formerly inquisitor in Seville. +After his return to Spain, he was advanced successively to the bishopricks +of Toro, Leon, and Cuença, with astonishing rapidity, and was also made +president of the royal chancery in Valladolid. The good conduct of the +_oydor_ Maldonado was rewarded by the government of Guatimala, Honduras, +and Veragua, and the title of _adelantado_ or lieutenant governor of +Yucutan. The other judge, Quiroga de Madrigal, obtained the bishoprick of +Mechoacan. Such were the rewards of these just judges! + +His majesty was pleased to appoint Don Antonio de Mendoza viceroy of New +Spain. This most illustrious nobleman, worthy of all praise, was brother +to the Marquis of Montejar. Along with him there came out as oydors or +judges of the court of audience, the doctor Quesada, and the licentiates +Tejada de Logrono and Loaysa. The latter was an old man who staid only +three or four years in Mexico, where he collected a good deal of money, +and then returned home to Spain. Santilana, another licentiate came out at +the same time, appointed to succeed Maldonado as oydor when he might +vacate his office. All were excellent magistrates. On opening their court, +they gave leave to every one to make objections against the conduct of +their predecessors; but which was found on inquiry to have been perfectly +right. When the viceroy Mendoza arrived, as he knew that the licentiate +Torre had orders to arrest Nuno de Guzman, he invited him to Mexico, +meaning to save him from insult, and gave him apartments in the palace, +where he was treated with all respect. But Torre, who had orders to +communicate his commission to the viceroy, not finding himself +countenanced in the strong measures he was inclined to pursue, and being +naturally violent, arrested Guzman in the palace and carried him to the +common prison, saying that he acted by royal authority. Guzman remained +several days in custody, but was at length released at the intercession of +the viceroy. The licentiate was much addicted to cards, particularly at +the games of _triumpho_ and primero, on which circumstance one of Guzmans +friends played him the following trick to hold him up to ridicule. The +civilians at that time wore gowns with loose hanging sleeves, into one of +which some wag contrived to convey a pack of cards, so that when Torre was +walking across the great square of Mexico in company with several persons +of quality, the cards began to drop from his sleeve, leaving a long trail +behind him as he walked along. On discovering the trick, which was +heartily laughed at, he became very much enraged; and either from vexation +or the influence of the climate, he died soon after of a _calenture_ or +burning fever, by which the affair of Guzman was respited. + +Cortes having now been long in Spain, advanced to the dignity of marquis, +captain-general of New Spain, and admiral of the south sea, being anxious +to revisit his estates in New Spain, embarked with his family and twelve +fathers of the order of mercy. On his arrival at Vera Cruz, he was by no +means so honourably received as formerly, and went from thence to Mexico, +to present his patents to the viceroy and to take possession of his +offices. Considerable difficulty occurred in regard to the interpretation +of the royal grant of towns and lands to the marquis, which I do not +pretend to understand. The grant, in mentioning the districts which were +granted to him, enumerated the _vicinos_ or neighbours who were considered +as belonging to it and as constituting his vassals. Cortes insisted that +the head person only of each family was to be considered as the _vicino_ +or vassal; but the Doctor Quesada, who was deputed to allot his districts, +contended that every adult male in a family, master, son, servant, or +slave, was to be reckoned in the number of the _vicinos_. The marquis was +much disappointed by this interpretation, as there were often twelve or +fifteen of these in one household or family, which would have prodigiously +reduced his revenue, and several law-suits ensued in consequence. This +matter was reported for his majesties determination, and continued for +several years in suspence, during which the marquis received his full +rents without hindrance: But finding the great diminution of his +importance in the country which he had subdued, by the appointment of a +viceroy, he retired to Quernavaca, where he established his residence, +being on his own estate, never returning to Mexico. While Marcos de +Aguilar held the government of New Spain, Cortes caused four ships to be +fitted out at Zacatula on the south sea, under the command of Alvarado de +Saavedra, and provided with various articles of merchandize, for a voyage +to China and the Molucca or spice islands. He was likewise directed to +look out for a squadron which had sailed from Spain for China, commanded +by Don Garcia de Loaysa, a commander of the order of St John at Rhodes[9]. +While Saavedra was preparing for his expedition, a vessel belonging to the +squadron of Loaysa arrived at Zacatula, from the pilot and crew of which +he acquired all the information he wished. Taking with him the pilot and +two sailors of this ship, Saavedra proceeded on his voyage in December +1527 or 1528, and sustained many misfortunes and hardships on the way to +the Moluccas. I do not know the particulars of this voyage: But, about +three years afterwards, I met a sailor who had sailed in this expedition, +who told me many strange things respecting the cities and nations he had +seen. I also heard that the Portugueze had captured Saavedra and several +of his people, whom they had sent prisoners to Europe. After his return to +New Spain the marquis sent two ships, in May 1532, from Acapulco, +commanded by Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, to make discoveries in the south +sea. One of his ships mutinied and returned to New Spain, to the great +mortification of Cortes, and Hurtado was never heard of afterwards. After +this, Cortes sent out two other vessels, one commanded by Diego Bezerra de +Mendoza, and the other by Hernando de Grijalva. The first night after +their departure from Tehuantepec, they were separated in a gale of wind +and never joined again, Grijalva being well pleased to escape from under +the command of Bezerra, who was of a haughty temper; and besides, Grijalva +was desirous to take the merit of any discoveries he might make to himself. +After sailing 200 leagues, he came to an uninhabited island, which he +named St Thomas. Bezerra made himself so odious by his domineering +disposition, that his pilot Ximenes entered into a plot for his +assassination, which he carried into effect, and took the command of the +vessel. Continuing the voyage, he discovered an island which he named +Santa Cruz, which was inhabited by savages, and where he set on shore two +Franciscan friars and several persons who had refused to join in the +mutiny. Being in want of water, he went at the same time on shore for that +purpose; but he and all who landed were put to death by the savages within +view of the ship. After this misfortune the survivors returned to New +Spain. + +The Marquis del Valle was so much vexed by these disappointments that he +resolved to go in person upon discovery, with three ships which he had +ready for launching at Teguantepec. When the Spaniards learnt that he +meant to embark on a voyage of discovery, they thought that success was +quite certain, and great numbers resolved to accompany him. Above 320 +persons, including women, offered their services, as there were above 130 +of them married men, who brought their wives along with them. Leaving +Teguantepec in May 1536 or 1537, accompanied by Andres de Tapia and +several other officers, with some ecclesiastics, physicians and surgeons, +and as many colonists as the vessels could contain, he sailed for the +island of Santa Cruz, where he arrived after a prosperous voyage, and sent +back the ships to bring over the remainder of the people[10]. The second +voyage was not so fortunate, as they separated in a gale of wind near the +river of St Peter and St Paul, one only of the ships arriving at the +island of Santa Cruz, where the marquis anxiously expected them, as +provisions were growing scarce. One of the other vessels, which contained +the provisions, was stranded on the coast of Xalisco, whence most of the +people returned to New Spain. The other vessel came to a bay which the +people named Guayaval, from the quantity of _guayavas_ which they found +there. During this time, the marquis and his people were experiencing +extreme distress on the uncultivated island of Santa Cruz, twenty-three of +the soldiers dying of famine, and the rest sinking daily, and cursing his +expeditions and discoveries. Taking fifty soldiers with him in the ship +which had arrived, he went in search of the other two; and after some +considerable search he found one stranded, as already mentioned, on the +coast of Xalisco, and abandoned by the people, and met the other among +some rocks. Having repaired these vessels, he brought them with a quantity +of provisions to Santa Cruz, where his famished colonists eat so +voraciously that half of them died. Anxious to quit this scene of misery, +the marquis embarked from Santa Cruz, and, continuing his project of +discoveries, fell in with the land of California, heartily tired of his +fruitless pursuit, yet unwilling to return to New Spain without effecting +some important discovery. When the Marchioness del Valle had notice of the +loss of one of the vessels, she became very apprehensive of her husbands +safety, and fitted out two ships to go in search of the marquis and his +unfortunate colonists. These sailed under the command of Francisco de +Ulloa, who carried letters from the marchioness and the viceroy, +requesting the return of Cortes to New Spain. Ulloa had the good fortune +to fall in with Cortes, who suffered himself to be prevailed on, and +returned to New Spain by way of Acapulco, leaving Ulloa to command the +squadron. His return rejoiced the Spaniards, who were always afraid the +natives chiefs might revolt, when not awed by his presence. The people +whom he left in California returned soon afterwards; but whether they were +so ordered by the government I know not. + +After a few months, the Marquis fitted out other two ships, which he sent +upon discovery under the command of Ulloa, who sailed from the port of +Navidad in the month of June, but I forget the year. Ulloa had orders to +explore the coast of California, and to search for Hurtado, who had never +been heard of. After an absence of seven months, Ulloa returned to Xalisco, +without having effected any discovery of importance; and was assassinated +a few days afterwards on shore by a soldier who bore him a grudge. Thus +ended the projected discoveries of the Marquis del Valle, in which I have +heard him say that he expended above 300,000 crowns. He never prospered +after his first conquest of New Spain; and his bad fortune was ascribed to +the curses of his companions, for having treated them so ill in the +distribution of the property acquired by their bravery. He now determined +on going to Spain, in order to solicit an allowance from his majesty for +the expences he had been at in these voyages, as also to endeavour to end +the dispute concerning the vassals of his estates in New Spain, and to +procure restitution of the property which had been seized from him by Nuno +de Guzman, who was now a prisoner in Castille. + +After the departure of the Marquis, the viceroy and court of audience sent +a military force from Xalisco by land to the north west, under the command +of Francisco Vasquez Coronado, who married the beautiful and virtuous +daughter of the treasurer Estrada. Coronado left his government of Xalisco, +under the charge of an officer named Onate, and marched into the country +named _Celibola_[11] or the Seven Cities; whence he sent a Franciscan +friar, named Marcos de Nica, to Mexico, to give the viceroy an account of +the country. He described it as consisting of fine plains, with great +herds of cattle quite different from those of Europe; having populous +towns, in which the houses were of two stories with stairs. He also +represented that it lay on the coast of the south sea, by means of which +necessaries and reinforcements could be easily sent to the Spanish force. +Accordingly, three ships were sent for that purpose, under the command of +Hernando de Alarco, an officer belonging to the household of the viceroy. + +In the year 1537, Don Pedro de Alvarado fitted out a great armament of +thirteen vessels from the port of _Acaxatla_[12] on the south sea, in +consequence of a license from his majesty, in which he had a grant of +certain rents and advantages in such countries as he might discover; that +is to say, in China and the Moluccas or Spice Islands. As the port where +this armament was fitted out was above 200 leagues from Vera Cruz, whence +all the iron and most other articles had to be carried by land, its cost +might easily have fitted out eighty such vessels from Old Spain. All the +wealth which Alvarado brought from Peru[13], together with what he had got +from the mines in Guatimala, with the rents of his estates, and rich +presents from his friends and relations, were insufficient for his +preparations on this occasion, although all the merchandize was procured +on credit. Great as was the expence of the ships, it was far exceeded by +that of his army, consisting of 650 soldiers with their officers, and a +number of horses, as a good horse at that time cost 300 crowns. Alvarado +sailed some time in the year 1538 for the harbour of _Navidad_ near the +city of _Purification_, in the province of Xalisco, or New Galicia, where +he meant to take in water, and to embark more soldiers. When the viceroy +heard of this great armament, he became desirous to have a share in it, +and went to Navidad to view the fleet, whence he and Alvarado returned to +Mexico. Alvarado wished to have a relation of his own named Juan appointed +to have the command of this expedition, while the viceroy was desirous to +have another officer, named Villalobos, joined in command with Juan +Alvarado. On his return to the port of Navidad, and when just ready to +sail, Alvarado received a letter from Onate, who had been left in the +command of the province of Xalisco, earnestly entreating his immediate +assistance, as he and the settlement were threatened with destruction by +the Indians of Cochitlan. Alvarado, who was always zealous in his majestys +service, marched immediately with his troops to their relief, and found +them in a most desperate situation. The insurgents rather diminished in +the violence of their attacks on the arrival of Alvarado, but hostilities +were still continued; and one day, as Alvarado was following the enemy +among some rocky mountains, a soldier on horseback, who was at a +considerable height above him on the steep side of a mountain, came +rolling down above him, horse and all, by which he was so much bruised, +that soon after his removal to the town of the Purification, he was seized +with fainting-fits, and expired in a few days. On the news of Alvarados +death being known to his fleet and army, many of the people returned to +their homes with what they had received. The viceroy sent off the +licentiate Maldonado to prevent confusion as much as possible, whom he +followed soon after to take the charge of the remaining soldiers, with +whom he marched against the insurgents, and after a tedious and difficult +warfare of some continuance, reduced them to submission. + +The loss of Alvarado was severely felt in his family, and his memory was +long held in high esteem through all New Spain. On receiving the fatal +intelligence in Guatimala, the worthy bishop Maroguin and all his clergy +celebrated his obsequies with much honour, and his major-domo caused the +walls of his house to be painted black, which colour has remained ever +since. Many gentlemen waited on Donna Beatrix de la Cueva, his lady, to +console her for her loss. They advised her to give God thanks, since it +was his will to take her husband to himself. Like a good Christian, she +assented to this sentiment, yet said that she now wished to leave this +melancholy world and all its misfortunes. The historian Gomara has falsely +said that she spoke blasphemously on this occasion, saying that God could +now do her no more injury; and injuriously ascribes the subsequent +misfortune which befel her to these words which she did not utter. A +deluge of mud and water burst forth from the volcano near Guatimala, which +overwhelmed the house in which she was praying along with her women. +Although Alvarado and his four brothers had served his majesty with much +zeal, no part of his property descended to his children, and the whole +family was peculiarly unfortunate. Don Pedro died, as I have already +related, by an uncommon accident in Cochitlan, or Culiacan. His brother +Jorge died in Madrid in 1540, while soliciting his majesty for a +recompence of his services. Gomes de Alvarado died in Peru. Gonzalo in +Mexico or Oaxaca, I am uncertain which. Juan on his voyage to Cuba. The +eldest son of Don Pedro, while on a voyage along with his relation the +younger Juan, to solicit a recompence for his fathers services, was lost +at sea. Don Diego, the younger son, seeing the fortunes of the family +desperate, returned to Peru, where he died in battle. Donna Beatrix[14], +the lady of Don Pedro, with the female part of the family, were destroyed, +as before related, by a torrent from a volcano, one of his daughters only +excepted, Donna Leonora, who was saved from the torrent, and has caused +two sepulchres to be built in the great church of Guatimala, to receive +the bones of her relations. May our Lord Jesus take them all with him into +glory! _Amen_. + +About a year after the death of Don Pedro Alvarado, the viceroy sent the +best of his ships under Villalobos to make discoveries to the westwards of +the Pacific Ocean; but with what success I never learnt. No part of the +expences of this armament were ever recovered by any of the descendants of +Alvarado. + +As the Marquis del Valle was in Spain at the time of the expedition +against Algiers, he attended his majesty on that occasion, along with his +legitimate son Don Martinez, and Don Martin the son he had by Donna Marina. +The fleet was dispersed in a storm, and the ship on board of which the +marquis had embarked was stranded, on which occasion he, his sons, and his +suite, got on shore with much difficulty. On this occasion he tied a +quantity of rich jewels, which he used to wear like other great lords _for +no use_, in a handkerchief round his arm, but they were all lost. On +account of this disaster to the fleet, the council of war was of opinion +that the siege ought to be immediately raised. The marquis was not called +to this council; but it has been said that, if present, he would have +declared for continuing the siege, and if he had been so fortunate as to +command there such brave soldiers as those who accompanied him to Mexico, +he would have entertained no doubt of success. + +The marquis was now grown old and worn out by long and severe fatigue, and +was anxious to have returned to New Spain, to settle his affairs: But he +waited the celebration of a marriage, between his eldest daughter Donna +Maria and Don Alvaro Pinez Osorio, son and heir to the Marquis of Astorga, +and had agreed to give his daughter a fortune of 100,000 ducats. He had +sent to bring over his daughter from Mexico, and had even gone himself to +Seville to meet her; but the match was broke off, as is said by the fault +of Don Alvaro. Cortes was much disappointed at this, and as his health was +already in a bad state, he declined so rapidly, that he retired to +Castileja de la Cuesta, to attend to the concerns of his soul, and to make +his testament. Having arranged all his affairs, both for this and the next +world, he departed this life on the 2d of December 1547. He was buried +with great pomp in the chapel of the dukes of Medina Sidonia; but, +according to his will, his remains were afterwards, removed to Cojohuacan +or Tezcuco in New Spain, I am uncertain which. By his latter will, he left +funds for the endowment of an hospital in Mexico, and a nunnery in his own +town of Cojohuacan. In 1519, when we went along with him from Cuba against +Mexico, he used to tell us that he was then thirty-four years old; and as +he died 28 years afterwards, he must have been exactly 62 at his death. +The arms granted to him by his majesty, when he was created a marquis, +were the heads of seven kings surrounded by a chain, implying Montezuma, +Cacamatzin, Guatimotzin, Tulapa, Coadlavaca, and the princes of Tacuba and +Cojohuacan. The motto, as I have been told, was well adapted to a valiant +warrior; but being in Latin, which I do not understand, I say nothing on +that subject. + +The Marquis del Valle de Oaxaca, was strong built, and of a good stature, +with a rather pale complexion and serious countenance. His features were +rather small, with mild and grave eyes. His hair and beard were black and +thin. His breast and shoulders were broad, and his body thin. He was +well-limbed, his legs being somewhat bent. He was an excellent horseman, +and very dexterous in the use of arms; and he also had the heart and mind +of valour, which is the principal part of that business. I have heard that, +when young, he was very wild about women, and had several duels in +Hispaniola on that account with able swordsmen, in all of which he came +off victorious: But he received a wound near his under lip on one of these +occasions, the scar of which could be seen through his beard when closely +examined. In his appearance, manners, behaviour, conversation, table, and +dress, every thing corresponded to a man of high rank; and, although his +clothes always corresponded to the fashion of the times, he was not fond +of silks, damasks, or velvets; but wore every thing plain and handsome. +Instead of large chains of gold in which some delighted, he was satisfied +with a small chain of exquisite workmanship, to which was appended a gold +medal of the Virgin and child Jesus, with a Latin motto, and on the +reverse St John the Baptist and another motto. On his finger he wore a +very fine diamond ring; and in his cap, which was of velvet, he bore a +gold medal, the head and motto of which I have forgot: But, in his latter +days, he wore a plain cloth cap without ornament. + +His table was always magnificently served and attended, having four +major-domos or principal officers, with many pages, and a great quantity +of massy plate both of gold and silver. He dined heartily about mid-day, +drinking only about half a pint of wine mixed with water. He was not nice +or expensive in his food, except on particular occasions, where he saw it +to be proper. He was exceedingly affable with all his captains and +soldiers, especially those who accompanied him at first from Cuba; yet +practised the strictest attention to military discipline, constantly going +the rounds himself in the night, and visiting the quarters of the soldiers, +severely reprehending all whom he found without their armour or +appointments, and not ready to turn out at a moments warning, saying, "It +is a bad sheep that cannot carry its own wool." He was a Latin scholar, +and as I have been told, a bachelor of laws, a good rhetorician, and +something even of a poet. He was very devote to the Holy Virgin, and to St +Peter, St James, and St John the Baptist. His oath was, "By my conscience." +When angry with any of his friends, he used to say, "may you repent it;" +and when in great warmth, the veins of his throat and forehead used to +swell much, but he then never spoke. He was very patient under insults or +injuries, as the soldiers were sometimes very rude and abusive; yet he +never resented their conduct, only saying, "Be silent," or, "Go in Gods +name, and do not repeat this or I shall have you punished." In all matters +of war, he was exceedingly headstrong and determined, never attending to +remonstrances on account of danger; one instance of which was in the +attack of the fortresses called the _Rocks of the Marquis_, which he +forced us to climb, contrary to all our opinions, where courage, counsel, +or wisdom, could give no rational hope of success. Another instance was in +his obstinacy respecting the expedition against De Oli; in which I +repeatedly urged him to go by way of the mountains, whereas he obstinately +persisted in going by the coast. Had he taken my advice, he would have +found towns the whole way. Where we had to erect any fortress or +entrenchment, he was always the hardest labourer; when we advanced to +battle, he was always in the front. + +Cortes was fond of play, both at cards and dice, at which he was always +good-humoured and affable, often using the cant terms customary on these +occasions. During our expedition to Higueras, I observed that he had +acquired a habit of taking a short sleep or _siesta_ after eating; and if +he could not get this he was apt to become sick. On this account, let the +rain be ever so heavy, or the sun ever so hot, he always reposed a short +while on a cloak or carpet under a tree; and after a short sleep, mounted +his horse and proceeded on his march. When engaged in the conquest of New +Spain, he was very thin and slender; but after his return from Higueras, +he became fat and corpulent. His beard began at that time to grow grey, +after which he trimmed it in the short fashion. In his early life, he was +very liberal, but grew close afterwards, insomuch that some of his +servants complained that he did not pay them properly. I have already +observed that he never succeeded in his latter undertakings: Perhaps such +was the will of Heaven, which reserved his reward for a better world; for +he was a good gentleman and very devout. God pardon him his sins, and me +mine, and give me a good end, which is better than all conquests or +victories over Indians! Amen. + + * * * * * + + +_Descendants of Hernando Cortes[15]_. + +The legitimate children of Cortes were, Don Martin, who succeeded him as +marquis; Donna Maria, who married the Conde de Luna of Leon; Donna Juanna, +who married Don Hernando Enriquez, heir to the Marquis of Tarriffa; Donna +Catalina, who died in Seville; and Donna Leonora, who married, in Mexico, +Juanez de Tolosa, a rich Biscayan, which alliance gave great offence to +the young marquis. He left also two natural sons: Don Martin by Donna +Marina; and Don Luis by a lady named De Hermosilla; both of whom were +commanders of the order of St Jago. Besides these, he had three natural +daughters; one by an Indian woman of Cuba, and two others by a Mexican +woman: He left great fortunes to all these ladies. + +Don Hernando Cortes, conqueror, governor, and captain-general of New Spain, +admiral of the South Seas, _first_ Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, had in +second marriage, Donna Jeroma Ramirez de Arellano y Zuniga, daughter of +Don Carlos Ramirez de Arellano, _second_ Conde de Aguilar, and of Donna +Jeroma de Zuniga, daughter of the _first_ Duke of Bejar. Their son was, + +I. Don Martinez Cortes de Ramirez y Arellano, _second_ Marquis of the +Valley, married his cousin, Donna Anna Ramirez de Arellano. Their issue +was, + +II. Don Hernando Cortes de Ramirez ye Arellano, _third_ Marquis of the +Valley; married Donna Murcia Hernandez de Cabrera y Mendoza, daughter of +Don Pedro Hernandez de Cabrera y Bovadilla, _second_ Conde de Chinchon, +and Donna Maria de Mendoza y Cerda, sister to the Prince of Melito. Don +Hernando had but one son, who died in childhood, and was therefore +succeeded by his brother, + +2. Don Pedro Cortes, &c. _fourth_ Marquis of the Valley, who married Donna +Anna Pacheco de la Cerda, sister of the second Conde de Montalban: But +leaving no issue was succeeded by his sister, + +3. Donna Jeroma Cortes, &c. _fifth_ Marchioness of the Valley, who married +Don Pedro Carillo de Mendoza, _ninth_ Conde de Priego, captain-general of +Seville, and grand major-domo to Queen Margaret of Austria. Their only +daughter, who carried on the line of the family, was, + +III. Donna Stephania Carillo de Mendoza y Cortes, _sixth_ Marchioness of +the Valley, who married Don Diego de Arragon, _fourth_ Duke of Terra Nova, +prince of Castel Vetrano, and of the holy Roman empire, Marquis of Avola +and Favora, constable and admiral of Sicily, commander of Villa Franca, +viceroy of Sardinia, knight of the golden fleece. Their only daughter was, + +IV. Donna Juana de Arragon, &c. _fifth_ Duchess of Terra Nova, _seventh_ +Marchioness of the Valley, &c. who married Don Hector Pignatelli, Duke of +Montelione, prince of Noja, &c. Their only son was, + +V. Don Andrea Fabrizio Pignatelli, &c. duke of Montelione and Terra Nova, +&c. _eighth_ Marquis of the Valley; who married Donna Teresa Pimentel y +Benavides, &c. Their daughter was, + +VI. Donna J. Pignatelli, &c. Duchess of Montelione and Terra Nova, +_ninth_ Marchioness of the Valley, &c. who married Don Nicolas Pignatelli, +viceroy of Sardinia and Sicily, &c. Their son was, + +VII. Don Diego Pignatelli, &c. duke of Montelione and Terra Nova, _tenth_ +Marquis of the Valley, &c. His son was, + +VIII. Don Fabrizio Pignatelli, &c. Duke of Montelione and Terra Nova, +_eleventh_ Marquis of the Valley, &c. His son was, + +IX. Don Hector Pignatelli, &c. Duke of Montelione and Terra Nova, +_twelfth_ Marquis of the Valley, grandee of Spain, prince of the holy +Roman empire, _at present living in Naples_[16], and married to Donna N. +Piccolomini, of the family of the Dukes of Amalfi. + +From the noble couple mentioned in the VI. step of the foregoing deduction, +besides Don Diego, who carried on their line, there were three other sons +and three daughters: 1. Don Diego, as above. 2. Don Ferdinand. 3. Don +Antonio. 4. Don Fabrizio. 5. Donna Rosa. 6. Donna Maria Teresa. 7. Donna +Stephania[17]. + + +[1] According to Robertson, II. 266. Cortes took the resolution of + returning into Spain to avoid exposing himself to the ignominy of a + trial in Mexico, the scene of his triumphs, on hearing that a + commission of inquiry into his conduct was on the point of coming out + to New Spain for that purpose. Diaz almost perpetually neglects dates, + in the latter part of his work especially: but we learn from Robertson + that it was now the year 1528.--E. + +[2] The Mexican Tiger, or Jaguar, called Tlatlauhqui ocelotl by the + Mexicans, the _felis onca_ of naturalists, is of a yellowish colour + with cornered annular spots, which are yellow in the middle. It grows + to the size of a wolf or large dog, and resembles the Bengal tiger, + _felis tigris_, in craft and cruelty, but not in size or courage.--E. + +[3] Perhaps the Balsam of Capivi, which is of that consistence. The + indurated balsam may be that of Tolu.--E. + +[4] These were _albinos_, an accidental or diseased rariety of the human + species, having chalky white skins, pure white hair, and a want of the + pigmentum nigrum of the eye. The white rabbit is a plentiful example + of animal albinos, which variety continues to propagate its kind.--E. + +[5] According to Herrera, Dec. iv. lib. iij. c. 8. and lib. iv. c. 1. as + quoted by Robertson, _note_ cxxiv. the treasure which Cortes took over + with him consisted of 1500 marks of wrought plate, 200,000 pesos of + fine gold, and 10,000 of inferior standard; besides many rich jewels, + one in particular being worth 40,000 pesos. The value of this + enumerated treasure amounts to L.104,250 Sterling numerical value; + but estimating its efficient value in those days, with Robertson, as + equal to six times the present amount, it exceeds L.600,000.--E. + +[6] Those who had worn the _san benito_, or penal dress, in _an auto de + fe_. In the original translation the _descendants of Indians_ are + included in this proscription, which certainly must be an error.--E. + +[7] New Gallicia, to the north-west of Mexico and upon the Pacific Ocean, + is now included in the _Intendencia_ of Guadalaxara, and appears to + have been named Colima by the Mexicans.--E. + +[8] Mechoacan, to the west of Mexico and reaching to the south sea forms + now the Intendency of Valladolid.--E. + +[9] For the information of some readers, it may be proper to observe, that + the order of St John of Jerusalem, lately known by the name of the + order of Malta, then resided at Rhodes.--E. + +[10] Santa Cruz is a small island in the Vermilion sea, on the eastern + coast of California, in lat. 25º 23' N. lon. 110º 47' W. from + Greenwich.--.E + +[11] This appears to be the country now called Cinaloa, or Culiacan. The + strange appellation of the _seven cities_ seems to have reference to + that fancied ancient Spanish colony which has been formerly spoken of + in the introduction to the discovery of Columbus.--E. + +[12] This name, which is not to be found in any map, is probably a mistake + for Zacatula, in lat. 18º N. on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, W.S.W. + from Mexico.--E. + +[13] The expedition of Alvarado to Peru will be related in the subsequent + chapter. Diaz merely gives this slight hint on the subject.--E. + +[14] In the _sixth_ section of this chapter, it has been already mentioned + that Don Pedro Alvarado was married to _Donna Luisa_ the daughter of + Xicotencatl, one of the princes or chiefs of Tlascala, through whom he + acquired a great inheritance, and by whom he had a son Don Pedro, and + a daughter Donna Leonora, married to Don Francisco de la Cueva, cousin + to the Duke of Albuquerque, by whom she had four or five sons. The + widow of Don Pedro destroyed in Guatimala, seems to have been a second + wife--E. + +[15] This extended account of the descendants of Cortes, is adopted from + Clavigero, I. 442. The first paragraph, which enumerates the younger + children of the marquis, and his natural children, are from Diaz. + There is a difference between these authors in the name of the + marchioness, whom Diaz names Donna _Juanna_, and Clavigero _Jeroma_: + The former likewise names the eldest son of Cortes _Martin_, and the + latter _Martinez_.--E. + +[16] This refers to the period when Clavigero composed his History of + Mexico, about the year 1780; according to Humboldt, the dukes of + Montelione retained the vast estates of Cortes in Mexico within the + present century.--E. + +[17] This genealogical deduction has been somewhat abridged, as to the + multiplicity of high sounding titles, and minute particulars of + marriages and noble connections, altogether uninteresting to the + English reader.--E. + + + + +SECTION XXIV. + +_Concluding Observations by the Author_[1]. + + +Having enumerated the soldiers who passed from Cuba along with Cortes, to +the conquest of New Spain, I have to observe that we were for the most +part _hidalgos_, or gentlemen, though some were not of such clear lineage +as others; but, whatever may have been the dignity of our birth, we made +ourselves much more illustrious by our heroic actions in the conquest of +this country, at our own sole cost, without any aid or support, save that +of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the ancient history of our own +country, many cavaliers rose to dignity and honours by valiant and +faithful services to their kings; and though they did not go into the +field as we did, without pay, they were rewarded with lands, houses, +castles, dignities, and privileges, to them and their heirs in perpetuity. +Also, when his majesty Don Jayme, won certain parts of his kingdom from +the Moors, he made grants of these to the cavaliers who assisted him in +the conquest, from which period their descendants derive their estates, +honours, and blazons. Those also who served under the Great Captain and +the Prince of Orange were rewarded in like manner. I have recalled the +recollection of these things, that the world may consider and determine +whether we, who gained this great country by our valour, even without the +knowledge of his majesty, are not as worthy of such rewards and honours as +those cavaliers above-mentioned, by our good, notable, and loyal services +to God, the king, and all Christendom. + +I have placed myself last in the list, having been twice in this country +before the coming of Cortes, and the third time along with him; and, as +among those whom I have enumerated, there were many valiant captains, so I +was held in no inconsiderable estimation in my day as a soldier. Besides +the many battles and dangers in which I participated since I came into +this country, and the distresses, by hunger, thirst, fatigue and wounds, +incident to all who undertake discoveries and wars in unknown countries, I +was twice in the hands of the enemy, who were carrying me off for +sacrifice: But thanks and praise to God and his holy Virgin Mother, who +gave me force to escape from their grasp, that I might now relate and make +manifest our heroic deeds in the conquest of this _new world_, and thereby +to prevent all the honour and merit from being unjustly ascribed to our +general alone. It is now proper that I should make some observations on +the good effects produced by our exertions and illustrious conquests, to +the service of God and our king, in which many of our companions lost +their lives, being sacrificed to the gods or idols of the Mexicans, +Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca. + +In the first place, we purged the land of many wicked customs, and in +particular from human sacrifices. By estimates made by the reverend +Franciscan friars, who succeeded Fra Bartholomew de Olmedo, it appears +that above 2500 human victims were sacrificed yearly in Mexico and some +adjacent towns on the lake; so that the number annually put to death in +the whole country must have been very great. Their various other horrible +practices exceed my powers of description. Their cursed adoratories were +exceedingly numerous, like our holy churches, hermitages, and chapels, in +Spain, as they had everywhere houses dedicated to idols, devils, and +infernal figures. Besides which, every individual native had two altars, +one beside the place where he or she slept, and another at the door of the +house, with chests containing large or small idols and stone knives, and +books made of the bark of trees containing the record of past times. +Especially on the coast and other sultry parts of the country, they were +addicted to the most abominable vices, where they had boys in female +attire. They fed on human flesh, as we do on beef, having wooden cages in +every town, in which men, women, and children, were kept and fed for that +purpose, to which all the prisoners taken in war were destined. Incest was +common among them, and they were extremely addicted to drunkenness. They +had as many wives as they pleased. From these and many other abominations, +it was the will of God that we should be the humble instruments to clear +the land; substituting a good policy and the holy doctrine of Jesus Christ +in their place. It is true that, two years afterwards, when the country +was subjugated and civilized, certain worthy Franciscans of good example +and holy doctrine came here, who were followed in three or four years by +fathers of the order of St Dominic, who completed what others had begun. +But the honour of having destroyed the abominations of the land, assuredly +belongs to us the true conquerors, who opened the way for these holy +fathers. + +By the will of God, and the sacred Christianity of the emperor Don Carlos +of glorious memory, and our present most fortunate sovereign the +invincible Don Philip, all the natives of this great country have been +baptised to the salvation of their souls, formerly sunk and lost in the +bottomless pit. We have many fathers of the different orders, who go about +preaching and baptizing, by which means the knowledge of the holy Evangile +is firmly planted in the hearts of the natives, who confess yearly, and +those who have sufficient knowledge in the faith, participate in the holy +eucharist. The churches and their altars are richly adorned with all +requisites for holy worship; as crosses, candlesticks, wax-candles, +chalices, cups, plates, and vessels for incense, all of silver. The +ornaments of the altars and crosses are of velvet, and damask, and other +rich materials, of various colours and splendid workmanship, adorned with +embroidery of gold, silk and pearls. Each town has its bells according to +its ability. The chapels have choirs of good voices which sing in concert, +tenors, trebles, and counter-tenors. In some places there are organs; but +most have lutes, sackbuts, dulcimers, and bass and treble trumpets. This +one province of Guatimala has more than my native county, old Castille. It +is edifying and wonderful to see the devotion of the natives at the holy +mass, especially when performed by the fathers of the orders of St Francis +and of Mercy, who have the cures of the parishes. All the natives, men, +women, and children, are taught the holy prayers in their own tongue; and +always on passing a cross, crucifix, or altar, they fall on their knees +repeating a _pater noster_ or an _ave Maria_. We, the conquerors, taught +them to burn wax candles before the holy altars and crosses, and to behave +respectfully to the reverend fathers, going out to meet them when they +came to the towns, with lighted candles, ringing of bells, and providing +them abundantly with provisions. On Lady Day and Corpus Christi, and other +solemn fasts of the church, when we make processions, most of the natives +of this city of Guatimala go likewise in procession, with crosses and +lighted candles, bearing the images of their patron saints as richly +dressed as they can afford, and singing litanies and other holy prayers to +the sound of flutes and trumpets. + +The natives also of these countries have learnt all the trades used among +us in Spain, having their shops, manufactories, and work-people. Their +goldsmiths and silversmiths, both those who make cast work or who use the +hammer, are excellent. Their lapidaries or engravers on precious stones, +especially emeralds, execute the nicest representations of the holy acts +and passion of our blessed Saviour, in such a manner as could not be +believed from Indians. Three of our native Mexican artists, named Andres +de Aquino, Juan de la Cruz, and El Crispillo, have in my humble judgment +executed paintings which may vie with those of Apelles, Michael Angelo, +and Berruguete. The sons of the chiefs used to be educated in grammar, and +were learning very well, till this was prohibited by the holy synod, under +an order of the most reverend the archbishop of Mexico. Many of the +natives are manufacturers of silks and various other stuffs, and hatters, +and soap-boilers. Two trades only could never be acquired by them, which +is the art of glass blowing, and that of the apothecary; but this is not +owing to any defect of natural genius, as there are among them surgeons, +herbalists, jugglers, makers of puppets, and of violins. They cultivated +the ground before our arrival; and now they rear stock, break in bullocks +to the plough, sow, reap, manure, and make bread and biscuit. They have +planted their lands with the various fruits of old Spain, such as quince, +apple, and pear trees, which they hold in high estimation; but cut down +the unwholesome peach trees and the overshading plantains. From us they +have learnt laws and justice; and they every year elect their own alcaldes, +regidors, notaries, alguazils, fiscals, and major-domos[2]. They have +their _cabildos_, or common councils, and bailiffs, which meet twice +a-week, judging, sentencing, and punishing for smaller offences; but for +murder and higher crimes, they must have recourse to the Spanish governors +in places where there are no courts of royal audience. In Tlascala, +Tezcuco, Cholula, Guaxocinco, Tepeaca, and other large cities, gilt maces +are borne before the native magistrates when they go to hold their +cabildos, as is done before our viceroys; and they distribute justice with +much zeal and impartiality, being anxious to acquire a thorough knowledge +of our laws. All the caciques are rich, and ride on horses handsomely +caparisoned, attended by pages. In some townships likewise, they exercise +with the lance on horseback, running at the ring; and they have bull +feasts, especially on the days of Corpus Christi, St John, St James, the +Assumption, or the patron or patroness saint of the town. Many of them are +excellent horsemen, and the natives especially of Chiapa de los Indios, +will face the fiercest bull. The caciques breed horses, and use them and +mules for conveying their various commodities for sale, such as maize, +wood or lime; and many of the natives gain their living by following the +occupation of carriers. + +By means of our illustrious services, our mother-country obtains gold, +silver, precious stones, cochineal, wool, salsaparilla, hides, and various +other commodities, to the great advantage of the royal revenue. Since the +time of the great and wise Solomon, neither ancient nor modern history +record the acquisition of such riches by any country, as have been derived +from New Spain. I do not now include the millions in gold and silver +derived from Peru, as that country was unknown when we conquered New Spain, +and was not conquered till ten years afterwards: Besides all which, Peru +has been involved in cruel civil wars, whereas we have ever remained +submissive in our allegiance to his majesty, and ready to devote our lives +and fortunes to his service. The numerous cities in New Spain are worthy +of consideration, but would be too tedious to enumerate. Besides the +archbishoprick of Mexico, we have ten bishopricks, with many cathedrals, +and monastaries belonging to the Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustines, and +the order of Mercy. Many hospitals, with extensive remissions and pardons +attached to them; besides the _Santa casa_ of our Lady of Guadeloupe, +where many holy miracles are performed daily. In Mexico there is an +university in which are taught grammar, theology, rhetoric, logic, +philosophy, and other sciences; and in which the students take the several +degrees of bachelor, licentiate, and doctor; having also a printing press +for books in the Spanish and Latin languages. If all I have now said be +insufficient, let the wise and learned read over this my true history with +impartial care, and they must confess that there never were men who have +gained more by their valorous achievements for their king than we the +brave conquerors, among the most valiant of whom I was considered. And I +say again, I myself, who am a true conqueror, am the most ancient of all. +Of the 550 soldiers who left Cuba along with Cortes, _five_ only are now +living in the year 1568, while I am writing this history; all the rest +having been slain in the wars, or sacrificed to the accursed idols, or +have died in the course of nature. Of 1300 soldiers who came with Narvaez, +exclusive of mariners, not more than ten or eleven now survive. Of those +who came with Garay, including the three companies which landed at St Juan +de Ulua previous to his own arrival, amounting to 1200 soldiers, most were +sacrificed and devoured in the province of Panuco. We five companions of +Cortes who yet survive, are all very old and bowed down with infirmities, +and extremely poor; having heavy charges of sons to establish, daughters +to marry off, and grand-children to maintain, with very small means to do +all this. Whereas we ought to have had the best properties in the country +allotted to us, in reward of our high prowess and transcendent services in +that country which we conquered; not indeed to the same extent with the +rewards granted to Cortes, but in just moderation in proportion to our +merits. This indeed was ordered by his majesty, but interest and +partiality gave away what we ought to have received to others, leaving +little for the royal patrimony or to be bestowed on us. Immediately after +the conquest, Cortes ought to have divided the whole country into five +shares, assigning the richest and best to his majesty, out of which to +reward those cavaliers who served him in his European wars; taking a share +and a half to himself, and for the establishment of churches, monasteries, +and municipalities; and dividing the remaining half in perpetual grants to +us the true conquerors, by which we should have all been amply provided +for. + +Our emperor was so truly a Christian monarch, that he would willingly have +granted us these favours, more especially as the conquest cost him nothing. +But we knew not then where to apply for justice, except to Cortes himself, +who did in all things as he thought fit, taking care of himself, and of +his friends and relations newly come from old Spain. We remained therefore +with the little which had been assigned to us, till we saw Don Francisco +de Montejo, who had waited on his majesty in Europe, return with the +appointment of adelantado and governor of Yucutan, estates in Mexico, and +other rewards. Diego de Ordas also, who went to court, obtained a +commandery of St Jago, and districts in New Spain. Don Pedro de Alvarado, +who likewise went to represent his services, was made adelantado and +governor of Guatimala and Chiapa, commander of the order of St Jago, and +obtained extensive grants of land. When therefore, we the conquerors saw +that those who did not reach his majesty, or had no one to speak for them, +were neglected, we transmitted a petition, by which we prayed that such +lands as fell vacant might be distributed among us in perpetuities, as had +been done by the first court of royal audience, of which Nuno de Guzman +was president; who had been directed to make the divisions more equal, +deducting in due proportions from the immoderate grants of Cortes, and +that the best districts and rents should be divided among us the true +conquerors, leaving the cities and great towns for his majesty. His +majesty likewise ordered the vassals of Cortes to be counted, leaving no +more than were specified in his patents; but I do not remember what was to +have been done with the surplus. Nuno de Guzman and the judges of his +tribunal were misled by advisers from making their grants perpetual, under +pretence that the conquerors would cease to depend upon and respect them +if independent, and that it was better to keep them under the necessity of +supplicating for subsistence, and likewise to preserve to themselves the +power of dividing the conquered lands to the advantage of their own +interest. Guzman and his oydors indeed, constantly assigned such districts +as fell vacant among the conquerors and colonists to universal +satisfaction; but were superseded in consequence of their disputes with +Cortes. + +In 1550, when I was in Old Spain, a council was formed, consisting of +Bartholomew de las Casas, bishop of Chiapa, Vasco de Quiroga, bishop of +Mechoacan, and other cavaliers who had come as agents from New Spain and +Peru, with some gentlemen who had come on business to court; to which +council I also was called, as being the most ancient of the conquerors of +New Spain. At this time certain of the Peruvian gentlemen petitioned his +majesty to cause perpetual allotments of lands to be made in that kingdom, +and a similar petition was presented by Gonzalo Lopez and Alonzo de +Villanueva, who had come over as agents from Mexico. His majesty was +pleased to order the _rapartimiento_ or distribution of lands to be +referred to the council of the Indies, consisting of the Marquis de +Mondejar president, with the licentiates Gutierre Velasquez, Tello de +Sandoval, Gregorio Lopes de Briviesca, and the Doctor Hernan Perez de la +Fuente, oydors or judges of that court, together with the members of other +royal councils. At this meeting, it was proposed to make a perpetual +distribution of the lands of New Spain and Peru; I am uncertain if New +Granada and Popayan were to have been included. Many excellent reasons +were given for this measure being adopted, but it was strenuously opposed +by the members of the royal council of the Indies, together with Bishop de +las Casas, Fra Rodrigo his coadjutor, and the Bishop of las Charcas, who +insisted that the matter should be postponed till the return of the +emperor from Vienna, when every thing should be arranged to the +satisfaction of the conquerors: And thus the affair was dropped for the +present. + +After my return to New Spain, the conquerors then proposed to send agents +to solicit his majesty for our interest exclusively, in consequence of +which I was written to here in Guatimala, by Captain Andres de Tapia, +Pedro Morena de Medrana, and Juan Limpias Caravajal, on the subject. I +accordingly went round among the other conquerors who were settled in this +city, to raise a sum by subscription for the purpose, but this project +failed for want of money. At a subsequent period, our present invincible +king Don Philip, was pleased to command that the conquerors and their +posterity should be provided for, attending in the first instance to those +who were married. But all has been of no avail. + +Two learned licentiates, to whom I communicated the MS. of this history, +observed that I had praised myself greatly in the battles of which I have +given an account, whereas I ought to have left that to be done by others. +But how is any one who was not in the wars with us to praise us as we +deserve? To compare myself, a poor soldier, with the great emperor and +warrior Julius Cesar, we are told by historians, that he used to write +down with his own hand an account of his own heroic deeds, not chusing to +entrust that office to others, although he had many historians in his +empire. It is not therefore extraordinary if I relate the battles in which +I fought, that it may be known in future ages, _thus did Bernal Diaz del +Castillo_; that my sons and grandsons may enjoy the fame of their ancestor, +as many cavaliers and lords of vassals do the deeds and blazons of their +predecessors. I shall therefore enumerate the various battles and other +warlike affairs in which I have been present. At Cape Cotoche, under +Cordova; at Pontonchan in a battle where half our number was slain; and in +Florida where we landed to procure water. Under Juan de Grijalva, I was +present in the second battle of Pontonchan. During my third voyage, under +Cortes, two pitched battles at Tabasco. On our arrival in New Spain, the +battle of Cingapacinga or Teoatzinco. Shortly afterwards three pitched +battles with the Tlascalans. The affair of Cholula. On our entry into +Mexico, I was at the seizure of Montezuma, which I do not enumerate as a +warlike exploit, but on account of its great boldness. Four months +afterwards, when with 276 men, Cortes defeated Narvaez who had 1300. The +relief of Alvarado, when the Mexicans made incessant attacks upon us +during eight days and nights, during which I reckon eight several battles, +at all of which I was present, and in the course of which we lost 870 men. +The battle of Obtumba or Otompan. A battle at Tepeaca. A battle at Tezcuco. +Two battles, in one of which I was wounded in the throat by a lance. Two +actions about the maize fields near Chalco. The rash attack on the +fortresses called the Rocks of the Marquis in our expedition round the +lake. The battle of Cuernavaca. Three battles at Xochimilco. During the +siege of Mexico, which lasted _ninety-three_ days, I find by my account +that I was engaged in upwards of eighty battles and skirmishes. After the +conquest, I was sent out on various expeditions to reduce Coatzacualco, +Chiapa, and the Zapotecans, in which we had several engagements. In +Chamula and Cuitlan, two engagements. In Teapa and Chematlan two others, +in one of which I was badly wounded in the throat. I forgot to mention, +that we were pursued for nine days in our flight from Mexico, and had to +fight four battles before the great one at Otompan. Several actions in our +expedition to Higueras and Honduras, during which in a battle at Culacotu +I had a horse killed under me which cost 600 crowns. After my return to +Mexico, I went upon an expedition into the mountains against the Zapotecas +and Mixtecas. I have on the whole been present in _one hundred and +nineteen_ battles, engagements, and skirmishes; so that it is not +wonderful if I praise myself for the many and notable services which I +have rendered to God, his majesty and all Christendom: And I give thanks +and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ, who hath preserved me in so many +dangers. + +THE END OF BERNAL DIAZ. + + +[1] In this section Diaz gives a minute enumeration _of the valiant + companions who passed over to the conquest of Mexico with the most + adventurous and most magnanimous Don Hernando Cortes, Marquis of the + Valley_. This must assuredly be a most valuable document to vast + numbers of the present inhabitants of New Spain, by enabling them to + trace their honourable descent from the conquerors; but, as totally + uninteresting to the English reader, is here omitted.--E. + +[2] These are the ordinary municipal officers of Spanish townships, + answerable to our mayors, aldermen, bailiffs, constables, &c.--E. + + * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY AND CONQUEST OF PERU, BY FRANCISCO PIZARRO, +WRITTEN BY AUGUSTINO ZARATE, TREASURER OF THAT KINGDOM, A FEW YEARS AFTER +THE CONQUEST. + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The present chapter, like that immediately preceding from the pen of +Bernal Diaz, although in strict language neither a journey nor a voyage, +records in every step of the conquerors a new _discovery_ of coasts, +islands, rivers, districts, and tribes, that had never been visited before. +In conformity with our uniform desire to have recourse upon all occasions +to the most authentic original authorities for every article admitted into +this collection, so far as in our power, the work of Zarate has been +chosen as the record of the discovery and conquest of Peru, in preference +to any modern compilation on the same subject. As we learn from himself, +Zarate was a person of rank and education, who went into Peru in 1543, +only _eighteen_ years after the first movements of Pizarro and Almagro +towards the discovery of that extensive country, and only _eleven_ years +after its actual invasion by Pizarro in 1532. From the illustrious +historian of America, Dr William Robertson, the work which we now offer to +the public for the first time in the English language, has the following +high character: "The history of Zarate, whether we attend to its matter or +composition, is a book of considerable merit, and great credit is due to +his testimony." Besides this general eulogy; in his enumeration of six +original authors whom he had consulted in the composition of that portion +of his History of America which refers to Peru, he clearly shews that +Zarate alone can be considered as at the same time perfectly authentic and +sufficiently copious for the purpose we have at present in view. The +substance of his account of all the six is as follows. + +"_Two_ of the more early writers on the subject of the discovery and +conquest of Peru, Francisco de Xeres, the secretary of Pizarro, and Pedro +Sanchez, an officer who served under the conqueror, break off almost in +the introduction to the narrative, going no farther into the history of +the conquest than the death of Atahualpa in 1533, only one year after the +invasion of Peru. The _third_ in point of time, Pedro Cioca de Leon, only +two years earlier in his publication than Zarate, gives nothing more than +a description of the country, and an account of the institutions and +customs of the natives. Zarate is the _fourth_. The _fifth_, Don Diego +Fernandez, solely relates to the dissentions and civil wars among the +Spanish conquerors. The _sixth_ and last of these original authors, +Garcilasso de la Vega _Inca_, the son of a Spanish officer of distinction +by a _Coya_, or Peruvian female of the royal race, gives little more than +a commentary on the before mentioned writers, and was not published till +1609, seventy five years after the invasion of Peru by Pizarro[1]." + +In the Bibliotheque des Voyages, VI. 319. mention is made of a Description +of Peru as published in French in 1480, and said to be a very rare work: +_Rare_, indeed, if the imprint be not an error, _fifty-two_ years before +the actual invasion and discovery. In the same useful work, the +performance of Zarate is thus characterized. "The author has not confined +his views to the history and conquest of Peru, but has given us a +statement of the natural features of the country, an account of the +manners of the inhabitants, and a curious picture of the religious +opinions and institutions of the Peruvians." + +Four of the six original authors respecting Peru which are noticed by +Robertson, we have not seen; having confined our views to that of Zarate, +which is not only the best according to the opinion of that excellent +judge, but the only one which could answer the purpose of our present +collection. In preparing this original work for publication, it is proper +to acknowledge that we have been satisfied with translating from the +French edition of Paris, 1742; but, besides every attention to fidelity of +translation, it has been carefully collated throughout with the _Royal +Commentary_ of the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega, as published in English by +Sir Paul Rycaut, knight, in 1688; and with the excellent work of Dr +Robertson. It may be proper to mention, however, that the following +translation, though faithful, has been made with some freedom of +retrenching a superfluity of useless language; though nothing has been +omitted in point of fact, and nothing altered. + +Having mentioned the work of Garcilasso de la Vega, which we have employed +as an auxiliary on the present occasion, it may be worth while to give a +short account of it in this place: For there never was, perhaps, a +literary composition so strangely mixed up of unconnected and discordant +sense and nonsense, and so totally devoid of any thing like order or +arrangement, in the whole chronology of authorship, or rather of +book-making, as has been produced by this scion of the Incas. No +consideration short of our duty to the public, could have induced us to +wade through such a labyrinth of absurdity in quest of information. It is +astonishing how the honest knight could have patience to translate 1019 +closely printed folio pages of such a farrago; and on closing the work of +the Inca for ever, we heartily joined in the concluding pious thanksgiving +of the translator, _Praised be God_. This enormous literary production of +the _Inca_ Garcilasso, is most regularly divided and subdivided into parts, +books, and chapters; which contain here a little history, then digressions +on manners, customs, opinions, ceremonies, laws, policy, arts, animals, +vegetables, agriculture, buildings, &c. &c. &c. intermixed with bits and +scraps of history, in an endless jumble; so that for every individual +circumstance on any one of these topics, the pains-taking reader must turn +over the whole work with the most anxious attention. We quote an example, +taken absolutely at random, the titles of the Chapters of Part I. Book ix. + +Chap. I. Huayna Capac makes a gold chain as big as a cable, and why. II. +Reduces ten vallies of the coast. III. Punishes some murderers. IV.-VII. +Incidents of his reign, confusedly related. VIII. Gods and customs of the +Mantas. IX. Of giants formerly in Peru. X. Philosophical sentiments of the +Inca concerning the sun. XI. and XII. Some incidents of his reign. XIII. +Construction of two extensive roads. XIV. Intelligence of the Spaniards +being on the coast. XV. Testament and death of Huayna Capac. XVI. How +horses and mares were first bred in Peru. XVII. Of cows and oxen. +XVIII.-XXIII. Of various animals, all introduced after the conquest. +XXIV.-XXXI. Of various productions, some indigenous, and others introduced +by the Spaniards. XXXII. Huascar claims homage from Atahualpa. XXXIII.-XL. +Historical incidents, confusedly arranged, all without dates. + +The whole work is equally confused at best, and often much more so; often +consisting of extracts from other writers, with commentaries, +argumentations, ridiculous speeches, miracles, and tales recited by old +_Incas_ and _Coyas_, uncles aunts and cousins of the author. To add to the +difficulty of consultation, Sir Paul, having exhausted his industry in the +translation, gives no table of contents whatever, and a most miserable +Index which hardly contains an hundredth part of the substance of the work. +Yet the author of the Bibliotheque des Voyages, says "that this work is +_very precious_, as it contains the only remaining notices of the +government, laws, manners, and customs of the Peruvians."--Ed. + + +[1] History of America, _note_ cxxv. + + +PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR. + + +After having enjoyed the office of secretary to the royal council of +Castille for fifteen years, the king was graciously pleased to order me to +Peru in 1543, as treasurer-general of that province and of the Tierra +Firma; in which employment I was entrusted with the entire receipt of the +royal revenues and rights, and the payment of all his majesties officers +in those countries. I sailed thither in the fleet which conveyed Blasco +Nugnez Vela the viceroy of Peru; and immediately on my arrival in the New +World, I observed so many insurrections, disputes, and novelties, that I +felt much inclined to transmit their memory to posterity. I accordingly +wrote down every transaction as it occurred; but soon discovered that +these could not be understood unless the previous events were explained +from which they originated. I found it necessary, therefore, to go back to +the epoch of the discovery of the country, to give a detail of the +occurrences in their just order and connection. My work might perhaps have +been somewhat more perfect, if I had been able to compose it in regular +order while in Peru; but a brutal major-general, who had served under +Gonzalo Pizarro[1], threatened to put any one to death who should presume +to write a history of his transactions, so that I was obliged to satisfy +myself with collecting all the documents I could procure for enabling me +to compose my history after returning into Spain. He was perhaps right in +wishing these transactions might fall into oblivion, instead of being +transmitted to posterity. + +Should my style of writing be found not to possess all the polish that my +readers may desire, it will at least record the true state of events; and +I shall not be disappointed if it only serve to enable another to present +a history of the same period in more elegant language and more orderly +arrangement. I have principally directed my attention to a strict regard +for truth, the soul of history, using neither art nor disguise in my +description of things and events which I have seen and known; and in +relating those matters which happened before my arrival, I have trusted to +the information of dispassionate persons, worthy of credit. These were not +easy to find in Peru, most persons having received either benefits or +injuries from the party of Pizarro or that of Almagro; which were as +violent in their mutual resentments as the adherents of Marius and Sylla, +or of Caesar and Pompey of old. + +In all histories there are three chief requisites: the designs, the +actions, and the consequences. In the two latter particulars I have used +all possible care to be accurate. If I may not always agree with other +authors in regard to the first of these circumstances, I can only say that +such is often the case with the most accurate and faithful historians. +After I had finished this work, it was my intention to have kept it long +unpublished, lest I might offend the families of those persons whose +improper conduct is therein pourtrayed. But some persons to whom I had +communicated my manuscript, shewed it to the king during his voyage to +England, who had it read to him as an amusement from the tiresomeness of +the voyage. My work had the good fortune to please his majesty, who +honoured it with his approbation, and graciously commanded me to have it +printed; and which I have the more readily complied with, as his royal +commands may protect my book from the cavils of the censorious readers. + + * * * * * + +Much difficulty occurs respecting the origin of the people who inhabited +Peru and the other provinces of America, and by what means their ancestors +could have crossed the vast extent of sea which separates that country +from the old world. In my opinion this may be explained from what is said +by Plato in his _Timaeus_, and the subsequent dialogue entitled _Atlantis_. +He says: "That the Egyptians report, to the honour of the Athenians, that +they contributed to defeat certain kings who came with a numerous army by +sea from the great island of Atlantis, which, beginning beyond the Pillars +of Hercules, is larger than all Asia and Africa together, and is divided +into ten kingdoms which Neptune gave among his ten sons, Atlas, the eldest, +having the largest and most valuable share." Plato adds several remarkable +particulars concerning the customs and riches of that island; especially +concerning a magnificent temple in the chief city, the walls of which were +entirely covered over with gold and silver, having a roof of copper, and +many other circumstances which are here omitted for the sake of brevity; +though it is certain that several customs and ceremonies mentioned by +Plato are still practised in the provinces of Peru. Beyond the great +island of Atlantis, there were other large islands not far distant from +the _Firm Land_, beyond which again was the _True Sea_. The following are +the words which Plato attributes, in his Timaeus, to Socrates, as spoken +to the Athenians. "It is held certain, that in ancient times your city +resisted an immense number of enemies from the Atlantic Ocean, who had +conquered almost all Europe and Asia. In those days the _Straits_ were +navigable, and immediately beyond them there was an island, commencing +almost at the _Pillars of Hercules_, which was said to be larger than Asia +and Africa united; from whence the passage was easy to other islands near +and opposite to the continent of the _True Sea_." A little after this +passage, it is added. "That nine thousand years before his days, a great +change took place, as the sea adjoining that island was so increased by +the accession of a prodigious quantity of water, that in the course of one +day it swallowed up the whole island; since when that sea has remained so +full of shallows and sand banks as to be no longer navigable, neither has +any one been able to reach the other islands and the _Firm Land_." + +Some authors hare believed this recital to be merely allegorical, while +most of the commentators on Plato considered it as a real historical +narrative. The _nine thousand years_, mentioned by Plato, must not be +considered as an indication of this discourse being fabulous; since, +according to Eudoxus, we must understand them as lunar years or _moons_, +after the Egyptian mode of computation, _or nine thousand months_, which +are _seven hundred and fifty years_. All historians and cosmographers, +ancient as well as modern, have concurred to name the sea by which that +great island was swallowed up, the _Atlantic Ocean_, in which the name of +that ancient island is retained, giving a strong evidence of its former +existence. Adopting, therefore the truth of this historical fact, it must +be granted that this island of Atlantis, beginning from the Straits of +Gibraltar near Cadiz, must have stretched a vast way from north to south, +and from east to west, since it was larger than all Asia and Africa. The +_other_ islands in the neighbourhood must have been those now named +Hispaniola, Cuba, Porto Rico, Jamaica, and others of the West Indies; and +the _Firm Land_, that part of the Continent to which we still give the +name of _Tierra Firma_, together with the other countries and provinces of +America, from the Straits of Magellan in the south to the extreme north; +as Peru, Popayan, Golden Castille, Veragua, Nicaragua, Guatimala, New +Spain, _the Seven Cities_, Florida, _Baccalaos_, and so on along the north +to Norway. The authority of Plato is conclusive that the _New World_ which +has been discovered in our time, is the same Continent or Firm Land +mentioned by that philosopher; and his _True Sea_ must be that which we +name the _South Sea_, or Pacific Ocean; for the whole Mediterranean, and +all that was before known of the Ocean, which we call the _North Sea_, can +only be considered as rivers or lakes in comparison with the vast extent +of that other sea. After these explanations, it is not difficult to +conceive how mankind in ancient times may have passed from the great +island of _Atlantis_ and the _other_ neighbouring isles, to what we now +call the Tierra Firma, or _Firm Land_, and thence by land, or by the South +Sea, into Peru: As we must believe that the inhabitants of these islands +practised navigation, which they must have learned by intercourse with the +great island, in which Plato expressly says there were many ships, and +carefully constructed harbours. These, in my opinion, are the most +probable conjectures which can be formed on this obscure subject of +antiquity; more especially as we can derive no lights from the Peruvians, +who have no writing by which to preserve the memory of ancient times. In +New Spain, indeed, they had certain pictures, which answered in some +measure instead of books and writings; but in Peru, they only used certain +strings of different colours with several knots, by means of which and the +distances between them, they were able to express some things in a very +confused and uncertain manner, as shall be explained in the course of this +history. + +So much of the following history as relates to the discovery of the +country, has been derived from the information of Rodrigo Lozan, an +inhabitant of Truxillo in Peru, and from others who were witnesses of and +actors in the transactions which I have detailed. + + +[1] Even the orthography of the name of Pizarro is handed down to us with + some variety. In the work of Garcilasso de la Vega it is always spelt + Piçarro: Besides which, the Inca Garcilasso, in his almost perpetual + quotations of our author Zarate, always gives the name Carate; the _ç_, + or cerilla _c_, being equivalent in Spanish to the _z_ in the other + languages of Europe.--E. + + + + +SECTION I. + +_Of the discovery of Peru, with some account of the country and its +inhabitants_. + + +The city of Panama is a port on the South Sea, in that province of the +continent of America which is called Golden Castille. In the year 1524, +three inhabitants of that city entered into an association for the purpose +of discovering the western coast of the continent by the South Sea, in +that direction which has been since named Peru. These were Don Francisco +Pizarro of Truxillo, Don Diego de Almagro of Malagon, and Hernando de +Luque, an ecclesiastic. No one knew the family or origin of Almagro, +though some said that he had been found at a church door[1]. These men, +being among the richest of the colonists of Panama, proposed to themselves +to enrich and aggrandize themselves by means of discovering new countries, +and to do important service to the emperor, Don Carlos V. by extending his +dominions. Having received permission from Pedro Arias de Avila[2], who +then governed that country, Francisco Pizarro fitted out a vessel with +considerable difficulty, in which he embarked with 114 men. About fifty +leagues from Panama, he discovered a small and poor district, named _Peru_, +from which that name has been since improperly extended to all the country +afterwards discovered along that coast to the south for more than 1200 +leagues. Beyond that Peru, he discovered another district, to which the +Spaniards gave the name of _El Pueblo quemado_, or the _Burnt People_. The +Indians of that country made war upon him with so much obstinacy, and +killed so many of his men, that he was constrained to retreat to +_Chinchama_ or Chuchama, not far from Panama. + +In the mean time, Almagro fitted out another vessel at Panama, in which he +embarked with 70 men, and went along the coast in search of Pizarro as far +as the river San Juan, a hundred leagues from Panama. Not finding him +there, Almagro returned along the coast to the _Pueblo quemado_, where, +from certain indications of Pizarro having been there, he landed with his +men. The Indians, puffed up with the remembrance of the victory they had +gained over Pizarro, attacked Almagro with great courage, and did him +considerable injury; and one day they even penetrated the entrenchment he +had thrown up for defence, through some negligence in the guards, and put +the Spaniards to flight, who were forced to retreat with loss to their +vessel and put to sea, on which occasion Almagro lost an eye. Following +the shore on the way back towards Panama, Almagro found Pizarro at +Chinchama[3]. Pizarro was much pleased by the junction of Almagro, as by +means of his men, and some additional soldiers they procured in Chinchama, +they had now a force of two hundred Spaniards. They accordingly +recommenced the expedition, endeavouring to sail down the coast to the +southwards in two vessels and three large canoes. In this navigation they +suffered great fatigue from contrary winds and currents, and were much +incommoded when they attempted to land in any of the numerous small rivers +which fall into the South Sea, as they all swarmed at their mouths with +large lizards, or alligators, called caymans by the natives. These animals, +are ordinarily from twenty to twenty-five feet long, and kill either men +or beasts when in the water. They come out of the water to lay their eggs, +which they bury in great numbers in the sand, leaving them to be hatched +by the heat of the sun. These caymans have a strong resemblance to the +crocodiles of the river Nile. The Spaniards suffered much from hunger in +this voyage, as they could find nothing fit to eat along this coast except +the fruit of a tree called mangles, which grew in great abundance +everywhere along the shore. These trees are tall and straight, and have a +very hard wood; but as they grow on the shore, their roots being drenched +in sea water, their fruit is salt and bitter; yet necessity obliged the +Spaniards to subsist on them, along with such fish as they could find, +particularly crabs; as on the whole of that coast no maize was grown by +the natives. From the currents along this coast, which always set strongly +to the north, they were obliged to make their way by dint of constant +rowing; always harassed by the Indians, who assailed them with loud cries, +calling them banished men, and _hairy faces_, who were formed from the +spray of the sea, and wandered about without cultivating the earth, like +outcasts and vagabonds. + +Having lost several of his men through famine and by the incessant attacks +of the Indians, it was agreed that Almagro should return to Panama for +recruits and provisions. Having procured twenty-four, they advanced with +these and the remains of their original force to a country named +_Catamez_[4], considerably beyond the river of St Juan, a tolerably +peopled country, in which they found plenty of provisions. The Indians of +this part of the coast, who were still hostile, were observed to have +certain ornaments of gold, resembling nails, inserted into holes made for +that purpose in different parts of their faces. Almagro was sent back a +second time to Panama, to endeavour to procure a larger force, and Pizarro +retired in the mean time to the small island of _Gallo_ somewhat farther +to the north, near the shore of the _Barbacoas_, and not far from Cape +_Mangles_, where he and his people suffered extreme hardships from +scarcity of provisions, amounting almost to absolute famine. + +On the return of Almagro to Panama for reinforcements, he found the +government in the hands of Pedro de los Rios, who opposed the design of +Almagro to raise recruits, because those with Pizarro had secretly +conveyed a petition to the governor, not to permit any more people to be +sent upon an enterprize of so much danger, and requesting their own recal. +The governor, therefore, sent an officer to the Isle of Gallo, with an +order for such as were so inclined to return to Panama, which was eagerly +embraced by the greatest part of the soldiers of Pizarro, twelve only +remaining along with him. Not daring to remain with so small a force in an +island so near the main land, Pizarro retired to an uninhabited island +named Gorgona, about 70 miles farther north, and considerably more distant +from the coast than Gallo, in which island, which had abundance of springs +and rivulets, he and his small band of faithful associates, lived on crabs +in expectation of relief and reinforcement from Panama. At last a vessel +arrived with provisions, but no soldiers, in which Pizarro embarked with +his twelve men, to whose courage and constancy the discovery of Peru was +owing. Their names deserve to be handed down to posterity: Nicolas de +Ribera, Pedro de Candia a native of the Greek island of that name, Juan de +Torre, Alfonso Briseno, Christoval de Peraulte, Alfonso de Truxillo, +Francisco de Cuellar, and Alfonso de Molina[5]. The pilot of the vessel in +which they embarked was named Bartholomew Bruyz, a native of Moguer. Under +the guidance of this man, but with infinite difficulty from contrary winds +and adverse currents, Pizarro reached a district named _Mostripe_[6], +about equally distant from the two places since built by the Christians, +named Truxillo and San Miguel. With the very small number of men who +accompanied him, Pizarro dared not to advance any farther along the coast, +and contented himself with going a small way up the river _Puechos_ or de +la Chira[7]; where he procured some of the sheep[8] of the country, and +some of the natives on purpose to serve him as interpreters in the sequel. +Returning from thence, Pizarro went northwards to the port of Tumbez on +the south-side of the bay of Guayaquil, where he was informed that the king +of Peru had a fine palace, and where the Indians were said to be very rich. +This place was one of the most extraordinary in the country, until it was +ruined by the inhabitants of the island of Puna, as will be related +hereafter. At this place, three of his men deserted, who were afterwards +put to death by the Indians. + +After these discoveries, Pizarro returned to Panama, having spent three +years in this voyage, counting from his first leaving Panama, in which +time he was exposed to many dangers fatigues and privations, by the +opposition and hostilities of the Indians, and through famine, and more +than all distressed by the discontents and mutinies of his people, most of +whom lost all hope of success, or of deriving any advantage from the +expedition. Pizarro soothed their fears and encouraged their perseverance +by every means in his power, providing for their necessities with much +prudent care, and bearing up against every difficulty with astonishing +firmness and perseverance: leaving to Almagro to provide men arms and +horses, and necessaries of all kinds for the enterprize. These two +officers, from being the richest of the settlers in Panama at the +commencement of their enterprize, were now entirely ruined and overwhelmed +in debt; yet did they not despair of ultimate success, and resolved to +prosecute the discovery of which a very promising commencement had now +been made[9]. + +In concert with his associates Almagro and Luque, Pizarro went to Spain, +to lay an account before the king of the discovery which he had made, and +to solicit the appointment of governor of that country, of which he +proposed to prosecute the discovery, and to reduce it under the dominion +of the crown of Spain. His majesty granted his demand, under those +conditions which used to be stipulated with other officers who engaged in +similar enterprizes. With this authority, he returned to Panama, +accompanied by Ferdinand, Juan, and Gonzalo Pizarro, and Francisco Martin +de Alcantara, his brothers. Ferdinand and Juan Pizarro were his brothers +both by father and mother, and the only lawful sons of Gonzalo Pizarro, an +inhabitant of Truxillo in Old Spain, a captain in the infantry regiment of +Navarre: Don Francisco Pizarro himself and Gonzalo Pizarro were natural +sons of the elder Gonzalo Pizarro by different mothers: Francisco de +Alcantara was likewise the brother of Don Francisco Pizarro, by his mother +only, but by a different father[10]. Besides these, Pizarro brought as +many men from Spain to assist in his enterprize as he could procure, being +mostly inhabitants of Truxillo and other places in Estremadura[11]. + +On his arrival at Panama in 1530, Pizarro and his associates used every +effort to complete the preparations for the enterprize; but at first a +dispute arose between him and Almagro. The latter complained that Pizarro +had only attended to his own interests when at the court of Spain, having +procured the appointments of governor and president of Peru for himself, +without making any mention of Almagro, or at least without having procured +any office for him, who had borne the far greater proportion of the +expences hitherto incurred. Pizarro alleged that the king had refused to +give any office to Almagro, though solicited by him for that purpose: But +engaged his word to renounce the office of president in his behalf, and to +supplicate the king to bestow that appointment upon him. Almagro was +appeased by this concession; and they proceeded to make every preparation +in concert that might be conducive to the success of the undertaking. But, +before entering upon the narrative of their actions, it seems proper to +give some account of the situation of Peru, of the most remarkable things +which it contains, and of the manners and customs of the inhabitants. + +The country of Peru, of which this history is intended to treat, commences +at the equator, and extends south towards the antarctic pole[12]. The +people who inhabit in the neighbourhood of the equator have swarthy +complexions; their language is extremely guttural; and they are addicted +to unnatural vices, for which reason they care little for their women and +use them ill[13], The women wear their hair very short, and their whole +clothing consists of a short petticoat, covering only from the waist to +about the knees. By the women only is the grain cultivated, and by them it +is bruised or ground to meal, and baked. This grain, called maize in the +West-Indian Islands, is called _Zara_ in the language of Peru[14]. The men +wear a kind of shirts or jackets without sleeves, which only reach to the +navel, and do not cover the parts of shame. They wear their hair short, +having a kind of tonsure on their crowns, almost like monks. They have no +other dress or covering, yet pride themselves on certain ornaments of gold +hanging from their ears and nostrils, and are particularly fond of +pendants made of emeralds, which are chiefly found in those parts of the +country bordering on the equator. The natives have always concealed the +places where these precious stones are procured, but the Spaniards have +been in use to find some emeralds in that part of the country, mixed among +pebbles and gravel, on which account it is supposed that the natives +procured them from thence. The men also are fond of wearing a kind of +bracelets, or strings of beads, of gold and silver, mixed with small +turquoise stones and white shells, or of various colours; and the women +are not permitted to wear any of those ornaments. + +The country is exceedingly hot and unwholesome, and the inhabitants are +particularly subject to certain malignant warts or carbuncles of a +dangerous nature on the face and other parts of the body, having very deep +roots, which are more dangerous than the small-pox, and almost equally +destructive as the carbuncles of the plague. The natives have many temples, +of which the doors always front the east, and are closed only by cotton +curtains. In each temple there are two idols or figures in relief +resembling black goats, before which they continually burn certain +sweet-smelling woods. From this wood a certain liquor exudes, when the +bark is stripped off, which has a strong and disagreeable flavour, by +means of which dead bodies are preserved free from corruption. In their +temples, they have also representations of large serpents, to which they +give adoration; besides which every nation, district, tribe or house, had +its particular god or idol. In some temples, particularly in those of +certain villages which were called _Pafao_, the walls and pillars were +hung round with dried bodies of men women and children, _in the form of +crosses_, which were all so thoroughly embalmed by means of the liquor +already mentioned, that they were entirely devoid of bad smell. In these +places also they had many human heads hung up; which by means of certain +drugs with which they were anointed, were so much shrunk or dried up as to +be no bigger than a mans fist[15]. + +This country is extremely dry, as it very seldom has any rain, and its +rivulets are few and scanty; so that the people are reduced to the +necessity of digging pit-wells, or of procuring water from certain pools +or reservoirs. Their houses are built of large canes or reeds. It +possesses gold, but of a very low quantity; and has very few fruits. The +inhabitants use small canoes hollowed out of the trunks of trees, and a +sort of rafts which are very flat. The whole coast abounds in fish, and +whales are sometimes seen in these seas. On the doors of the temples in +that district which is called _Caraque_, the figures of men are sometimes +seen, which have dresses somewhat resembling those of our deacons. + +Near the last mentioned province, at Cape St Helena in the province of +Guayaquil, there are certain springs or mineral veins which give out a +species of bitumen resembling pitch or tar, and which is applied to the +same purposes. The Indians of that country pretend that in ancient times +it was inhabited by giants, who were four times the height of ordinary +men[16]. The Spaniards saw two representations of these giants at _Puerto +viejo_, one of a man and the other of a woman, and the inhabitants related +a traditionary tale of the descent of a young man from heaven, whose +countenance and body shone like the sun, who fought against the giants and +destroyed them with flames of fire. In the year 1543, Captain Juan de +Holmos, lieutenant-governor of Puerto viejo, caused a certain valley to be +carefully examined, in which these giants were were said to have been +destroyed, and in which ribs and other bones of prodigious size were dug +up, which fully confirmed the traditions of the Indians[17]. The natives +of this country have no knowledge whatever of writing, nor had they even +any use of that method of painting employed by the Mexicans for preserving +the memory of ancient events, which were handed down from father to son +merely by traditionary stories. In some places indeed they used an +extraordinary means for preserving the remembrance of important events, by +certain cords or strings of cotton called _Quippos_, on which they +represented _numbers_ by knots of different kinds, and at regulated +intervals, from _units_ up to _dozens_, and so forth; the cords being of +the same colours with those things which they were intended to represent. +In every province, there are persons who are entrusted with the care of +these _quippos_, who are named _Quippo camayos_, who register public +matters by means of these coloured strings and knots artificially disposed; +and it is wonderful with what readiness these men understand and explain +to others events that have happened several ages ago. There are public +buildings throughout the country which are used as magazines of these +quippos. + +To the south of the equator, and near the coast, is the island of Puna[18], +about twelve leagues in circumference, containing abundance of game, and +having great quantities of fish on its shores. It has plenty of fresh +water, and was formerly very populous, its inhabitants being almost +continually engaged in war, especially with the people of Tumbez, which is +twelve leagues distant to the south. These people wore shirts, above which +they had a kind of woollen garments. They went to sea in a peculiar kind +of flats or rafts, made of long planks of a light wood fixed to two other +cross planks below them to hold them together. The upper planks are always +an uneven number, usually five, but sometimes seven or nine; that in the +middle, on which the conductor of the float sits and rows, being longer +than the others, which are shorter and shorter toward the sides, and they +are covered by a species of awning to keep those who sit upon them from +the weather. Some of these floats are large enough to carry fifty men and +three horses, and are navigated both by oars and sails, in the use of +which the Indians are very expert. Sometimes, when the Spaniards have +trusted themselves on these floats, the Indian rowers have contrived to +loosen the planks, leaving the christians to perish, and saving themselves +by swimming. The Indians of that island were armed with bows and slings, +and with maces and axes of silver and copper. They had likewise spears or +lances, having heads made of gold very much alloyed; and both men and +women wore rings and other ornaments of gold, and their most ordinary +utensils were made of gold and silver. The lord of this island was much +feared and respected by his subjects, and so extremely jealous of his +women, that those who had the care of them were not only eunuchs, but had +their noses cut off. In a small island near Puna, there was found in a +house the representation of a garden, having the figures of various trees +and plants artificially made of gold and silver. + +Opposite to the island of Puna on the main land, there dwelt a nation or +tribe which had given so much offence to the king of Peru, that they were +obliged as a punishment to extirpate all their upper teeth; in consequence +of which, even now, the people of that district have no teeth in their +upper jaws. From Tumbez for five hundred leagues to the south along the +coast of the south sea, and for ten leagues in breadth, more or less +according to the distance between the sea and the mountains, it never +rains or thunders. But on the mountains which bound that maritime plain, +there are both rain and thunder, and the climate has the vicissitudes of +summer and winter nearly as in Spain. While it is winter in the mountain, +it is summer all along the coast; and on the contrary, during the summer +on the mountain the coast has what may be termed winter. The length of +Peru, from the city of _St Juan de Parto_ to the province of Chili lately +discovered, is above 1800[19] leagues of Castille. Along the whole of that +length, a vast chain of exceedingly high and desert mountains extends from +north to south, in some places fifteen or twenty leagues distant from the +sea, and less in others. The whole country is thus divided into two +portions, all the space between the mountains and the sea being +denominated _the plain_, and all beyond is called the mountain. + +The whole plain of Peru is sandy and extremely arid, as it never has any +rain, and there are no springs or wells, nor any rivulets, except in four +or five places near the sea, where the water is brackish. The only water +used by the inhabitants is from torrents which come down from the mountain, +and which are there formed by rain and the melting of snow, as there are +even very few springs in the mountainous part of the country. In some +places, these torrents or mountain-streams are twelve fifteen or twenty +leagues distance from each other, but generally only seven or eight +leagues; and travellers for the most part are under the necessity of +regulating their days journies by these streams or rivers, that they may +have water for themselves and cattle. Along these rivers, for the breadth +of a league, more or less according to the nature of the soil, there are +some groves and fruit-trees, and maize fields cultivated by the Indians, +to which wheat has been added since the establishment of the Spaniards. +For the purpose of irrigating or watering these cultivated fields, small +canals are dug from the rivers, to conduct the water wherever it is +necessary and where that can be done; and in the construction of these the +natives are exceedingly ingenious and careful, having often to draw these +canals seven or eight leagues by various circuits to avoid intermediate +hollows, although perhaps the whole breadth of the vale may not exceed +half a league. In all these smaller vales along the streams and torrents, +from the mountain to the sea, the country is exceedingly fertile and +agreeable. Several of these torrents are so large and deep, such as those +of Santa, Baranca, and others, that without the assistance of the Indians, +who break and diminish for a short time the force of the current, by means +of piles and branches forming a temporary wear or dike, the Spaniards +would be unable to pass. In these hazardous passages, it was necessary to +get over with all possible expedition, to avoid the violence of the stream, +which often rolled down very large stones. Travellers in the plain of Peru, +when going north or south, almost always keep within sight of the sea, +where the torrents are less violent, owing to the greater flatness of the +plain as it recedes from the mountain. Yet in winter the passage of these +torrents is extremely dangerous, as they cannot be then forded, and must +be crossed in barks or floats like those formerly mentioned, or on a kind +of rafts made of gourds inclosed in a net, on which the passenger reclines, +while one Indian swims before pulling the raft after him with a rope, and +another Indian swims behind and pushes the raft before him. + +On the borders of these rivers there are various kinds of fruit-trees, +cotton-trees, willows, and many kinds of canes, reeds, and sedges. The +watered land is extremely fertile, and is kept under continual cultivation; +wheat and maize being sown and reaped all the year through. The Indians in +the plain seldom have any houses, or at best a kind of rude huts or cabins +made of branches of trees, often dwelling under the shade of trees, +without any habitation whatever. The women are habited in long dresses of +cotton which descend to their feet; while the men wear breeches and vests +which come down to their knees, and have a kind of cloak or mantle thrown +over their shoulders. They are all dressed in a similar manner, having no +distinctions except in their head-dresses, according to rank or the +different districts of the country; some wearing a tuft of wool, others a +single cord, and others several cords of different colours. All the +Indians of the plain are distributed into three orders; the first named +_Yungas_, the second _Tallanes_, and the third _Mochicas_. Every province +has its own peculiar language or dialect, different from all the rest. But +all the caciques or principal people and nobles of the country, besides +the language peculiar to their respective countries or districts, were +obliged to understand and speak the language of Cuzco. One of the Peruvian +kings, named Huana Capac, the father of Atahualpa or Atabalipa, was much +displeased that the caciques and principal people of his empire should be +under the necessity of employing interpreters when they had occasion to +speak to him; and gave orders that all the caciques and their relatives +should send their children to reside at court, to be instructed in the +language of Cuzco which was spoken by the Incas. This was the ostensible +reason of the measure; but in reality he wished to have these children in +his power, to serve as hostages for the loyalty of their parents. By this +means, all the nobles of the land came to understand the peculiar language +of Cuzco which was spoken at court; just as in Flanders all the nobles and +persons of any rank speak French. Owing to this circumstance, as the +Spaniards have learnt the language of the Incas, or of Cuzco, they are +able to converse with all the principal natives of Peru, both those of the +mountain and of the plain. + +It may appear difficult to some of my readers to comprehend why no rain +should fall in the plain of Peru, considering that the country is bounded +along the whole of one side by the sea, where many vapours are constantly +ascending, and on the other side by a vast range of mountain which is +always enveloped in rain or snow. Those who have carefully considered this +singular phenomenon, allege that it is occasioned by the continual +prevalence of a strong south-west wind all along the coast and over the +whole plain of Peru, which carries off all the vapours which rise from the +sea and the land, without allowing them to rise sufficiently high in the +air to gather and fall down again in rain. From the tops of the high +mountains, these vapours are often seen far beneath on the plain in thick +clouds, while all is quite clear and serene on the mountain. By the +perpetual blowing of the same wind, the waters of the South-sea have a +constant current along the coast to the northward. Others allege a +different reason for this current; saying, that the water of the +South-sea having only a narrow outlet at the straits of Magellan, which +are only two leagues broad, and being there opposed by the Atlantic Ocean, +they are forced to return to the northward along the coast of Chili and +Peru. This constant wind and current render the navigation exceedingly +difficult, from Panama to Peru for the greater part of the year; so that +vessels are obliged always to tack to windward against wind and current. + +The whole coast of Peru abounds in fish of various kinds, among which are +great quantities of sea-calves or seals, of several species. Beyond the +river of Tumbez there are no caymans or alligators, which is supposed to +be owing to the too great coolness of the sea and rivers, as these animals +delight in heat; but it is more probable that their absence from the +rivers of Peru is occasioned by their great rapidity, as they usually +frequent rivers that are very still. In the whole extent of the plain +there are only five cities inhabited by the Christians[20]. The first of +these, Puerto Viejo, about one degree south of the line, has very few +inhabitants, as it stands in a poor and unwholesome country, in which the +principal production of value is a few emeralds. Fifty leagues to the +southward, and about fifteen leagues from the coast, is the city of San +Miguel, named _Piuru_ by the Indians, in a pleasant and fruitful country, +but which has no mines of gold or silver. Most people who have occasion to +go there are liable to be afflicted with diseases of the eyes. Sixty +leagues farther along the coast, is the city of Truxillo, two leagues from +the sea, in the valley of Chimo, having a dangerous harbour of difficult +approach. This city stands on the banks of a river in a fine plain, which +is fertile in wheat and maize, and breeds great abundance of cattle, +having plenty of excellent water. Truxillo is very regularly built, and is +inhabited by about three hundred Spanish families. About eighty leagues +from Truxillo to the south, and in the valley of _Rimac_, stands the city +of _Los Reys_, or Lima, because it was founded at Epiphany, vulgarly +called the day of the kings. This city is about two leagues from the +harbour of _Callao_, an excellent and secure harbour, and is situated on a +large river in a fine plain, abounding in grain, and in all kinds of fruit +and cattle. All the streets are perfectly straight, and all of them lead +towards the country, which may be seen from all parts of the city. This is +a most agreeable residence, as the air is always temperate, being never +either too hot or too cold at any season of the year. During the four +months which constitute the summer in Spain, the air here is somewhat +cooler than for the rest of the year; and every day from sun-rise to noon +there falls a light dew, somewhat like the mists at Valladolid in Old +Spain. Far from being injurious to health, this slight moisture is +reckoned an infallible cure for headaches. This part of the country +produces the same kinds of fruit as are found in Spain, particularly +oranges, citrons, and lemons of all kinds, both sweet and sour, with figs +and pomegranates. It might assuredly have produced grapes in great +abundance, if the discords which have prevailed in this country had +allowed the colonists to plant and cultivate the vine; as it already has +several thriving vine plants which have grown from the pips of dried +raisins. The neighbouring country produces all kinds of pot herbs and +garden vegetables usually cultivated in Spain, in great perfection and +abundance. Indeed every thing conspires to assist cultivation at this +place, as every plantation has a canal from the river sufficiently large +for a mill-stream; and on the main river, the Spaniards have several +corn-mills. This city is universally reckoned the most salubrious and most +agreeable residence in all Peru; and its harbour is so convenient for +trade, that people come here from all parts of Peru to provide themselves +with necessaries of all kinds, bringing with them the gold and silver +which is so abundantly procured from the mines of the other provinces. For +these reasons, and because it is nearly central to Peru, it has been +chosen by his majesty for the residence of the royal court of audience, to +which the inhabitants of all Peru have to carry their law-suits, by which +means it is to be presumed that this place will in time become more +considerable and very populous. Lima at present, 1550, contains five +hundred houses; yet is larger than any city in Spain of fifteen hundred +houses, as the square in the centre of the town is very large, and all the +streets very wide, and because each house has a plot of eighty feet in +front by twice that in depth. The houses likewise are all of one storey, +as the country has no wood fit for joists or flooring-deals, every kind +which it produces becoming worm-eaten in three years. The houses, however, +are large and magnificent, and have many chambers and very convenient +apartments. The walls are built on both sides of brick, leaving a hollow +between of five feet, which is filled up with hard-rammed earth; in which +manner the apartments are carried up to a convenient height, and the +windows towards the street are raised considerably above the ground. The +stairs leading up are towards the interior court, and in the open air, +leading to galleries or corridors, which serve as passages to the several +apartments. The roofs are formed of some rough timbers, not even hewn +square, which are covered underneath by coloured matts like those of +Almeria, or painted canvas, serving as ceilings, to conceal these clumsy +joists: and the whole is covered over by way of roofing with branches of +trees with their leaves, which keep the rooms cool and effectually exclude +the rays of the sun. In this climate there is no call for any defence from +rain, which never falls in the plain of Peru. + +One hundred and thirty leagues still farther south, is the city of +Villahermosa de Arequipa, containing about three hundred houses, in a very +healthy situation, abounding in provisions. Though at twelve leagues +distance from the sea, this place is very conveniently situated for trade, +as vessels can easily import thither by the river Quilca all sorts of +European commodities for the supply of the city of Cuzco and the province +of Charcas, which are much frequented on account of the mines of Potosi +and Porco; and from whence large quantities of silver are carried to +Arequipa, to be transported by sea to Lima and Panama, which saves a vast +expence and risk of land-carriage; now become more difficult since his +majesty has forbidden those heavy burdens upon the Indians by which they +were formerly oppressed. From this city we travel four hundred leagues by +land along the coast of the South Sea to the province of Chili, which was +discovered and in part colonized by the governor Pedro de Valdibia, or +Baldivia. In the language of the Indians the word _Chili_ signifies cold; +and it was so named by the Peruvians because of the terribly cold +mountains which were necessary to be passed on the way thither from Peru, +as will be particularly mentioned when we come to detail the perilous +enterprize undertaken by Don Diego de Almagro when he marched to discover +that distant country. Such is a rapid view of that portion of Peru which +is called _the plain_; to which must be added that the sea along its +entire coast is always smooth and tranquil, from which it has been called +the _Pacific Ocean_, being never vexed with storms, or disturbed by high +and low tides; so that vessels can everywhere ride in perfect security at +single anchor. + +Those Indians who inhabit the mountainous regions of Peru are entirely +different from the inhabitants of the plain, whom they vastly exceed in +strength, courage, and mental abilities. They live in a much less savage +manner, having houses covered with earth, and being clothed in shirts and +mantles made from the wool of their sheep[21]; but their only head-dress +consists in a species of bands or fillets. The women wear a species of +vestments like shifts without sleeves, and gird their waists with several +turns of a woollen girdle, which give them a neat and handsome shape; +covering their shoulders with a mantle or plaid of woollen cloth like a +large napkin, which they fix round the neck with a large skewer or pin of +silver or gold called _topos_ in their language, with large broad heads, +the edges of which are sharpened so as to serve in some measure the +purposes of a knife. These women give great assistance to their husbands +in all the labours belonging to husbandry and household affairs, or rather +these things fall entirely to their lot. Their complexions are much fairer, +and their countenances, manners, and whole appearance, are greatly +superior in all respects to the natives of the plain. Their countries +likewise differ entirely; as instead of the sterile sands which are +everywhere interspersed over the plain, the mountain is covered through +its whole extent with verdure, and is everywhere furnished with rivulets +and springs of fine water, which unite to form the torrents and rivers +which descend so impetuously into the plain country. The fields are +everywhere full of flowers and plants of infinite varieties, among which +are many species like the plants which grow in Spain; such as cresses, +lettuce, succory, sorrel, vervain, and others; and vast quantities of wild +mulberries, and other fruit-bearing shrubs are found everywhere. There is +one particular plant with yellow flowers, having leaves like those of +celery, of most admirable virtues. If applied to the most putrid sore, it +makes it quite clean and sweet in a short time; but if laid upon a sound +place it soon eats to the very bone. There are many fruit-trees in this +country of various kinds, carrying abundant crops of fruit as good as +those of Spain without having the smallest care taken of them. + +There are great numbers of sheep in the mountainous region, part of which +are domesticated by the Indians, but vast numbers of them are wild; +likewise abundance of deer and roes, many foxes and other smaller animals. +The natives often have public hunts of these animals, which they call +_chaco_, in which they take great delight. Four or five thousand natives, +more or less according to the population of the district, assemble +together, and enclose two or three leagues of country by forming a circle, +in which at first they are at considerable distances from each other, and +by gradually contracting their circle, beating the bushes, and singing +certain songs appropriated to the occasion, they drive all the animals of +every kind before them to an appointed place in the centre. The whole +company at length join in a small circle, holding each other by the hands, +and hallooing loudly, by which the beasts are terrified from endeavouring +to break through, and are easily taken in nets or even by the hand. Even +partridges, hawks, and other birds, are often so astonished by the loud +cries of the hunters as to fall down in the circle and allow themselves to +be taken. In these mountains there are lions or _pumas_, black bears, wild +cats of several kinds, and many species of apes and monkeys. The principal +birds, both of the plain and the mountain, are eagles, pigeons, +turtle-doves, plovers, quails, parroquets, falcons, owls, geese, white and +grey herons, and other water fowl; nightingales and other birds of sweet +song, many kinds of which have very beautiful plumage. There is one kind +of bird very remarkable for its astonishing smallness, not being larger +than a grasshopper or large beetle, which however has several very long +feathers in its tail. Along the coast there is a species of very large +vulture, the wings of which, when extended, measure fifteen or sixteen +palms from tip to tip. These birds often make prey of large seals, which +they attack when out of the water: On these occasions, some of the birds +attack the animal behind; others tear out his eyes; and the rest of the +flock tear him on all sides with their beaks, till at length they kill him, +and tear him to pieces. Upon the coast of the South Sea there are great +numbers of birds named _alcatraz_, somewhat like our ordinary poultry in +shape, but so large that each individual may contain three pecks of grain +in its crop. These birds feed mostly on fish which they catch in the sea, +yet are fond of carrion, which they go in search of thirty or forty +leagues inland. The flesh of these birds stinks most abominably, insomuch +that some persons who have been driven to the necessity of eating it have +died, as if poisoned. + +It has been already said, that rain, hail, and snow, fall on the +mountainous region of Peru, where in many places it is intensely cold: But +in many parts of that region there are deep valleys in which the air is so +hot, that the inhabitants have to use various contrivances to defend +themselves from the excessive heat. In these vallies there is an herb +called _coca_, which is held in very high estimation by the natives: Its +leaf resembles that of the _sumach_, and the Indians have learnt from +experience that, by keeping a leaf of that plant in their mouth they can +prevent themselves for a long time from feeling either hunger or thirst. +In many parts of the mountain there is no wood, so that travellers in +those parts are obliged to use a species of earth which is found there for +the purpose of fuel, and which burns very much like turf or peats. In the +mountains there are veins of earth of various colours, and mines both of +gold and silver, in which the natives are exceedingly conversant, and are +even able to melt and purify these metals with less labour and expence +than the Christians. For this purpose they construct furnaces in the +mountains, placing always the door of the furnace towards the south, as +the wind blows always from that point. The ores are put into these +furnaces alternately with dried sheeps dung, which serves as fuel, and by +means of the wind the fire is raised to a sufficient power to melt and +purify the metal. In melting the vast quantities of silver which has been +dug from the mines of Potosi, the furnaces constructed with bellows were +found quite inefficient, while these furnaces, named _guayras_ by the +Indians, which signifies wind-furnaces, answered the purpose effectually. + +The soil is everywhere extremely fertile, and gives abundant returns of +all the kinds of grain which are there sown; insomuch that from one bushel +of seed for the most part at hundred bushels are reaped, sometimes an +hundred and fifty, and even as high as two hundred. The natives employ no +ploughs, but labour the earth with a kind of hoes; and set their seed into +the ground in holes made with a dibble, or pointed stick, just as beans +are sown in Spain. All kinds of pot and garden herbs grow so luxuriantly +that radishes have been seen at Truxillo as thick as a mans body, yet +neither hard nor stringy. Lettuces, cabbages, and all other vegetables +grow with similar luxuriance: But the seeds of these must all be brought +from Spain; as when raised in the country the produce is by no means so +large and fine. The principal food of the Indians is maize, either roasted +or boiled, which serves them for bread, and venison of various kinds, +which they salt up for use. They likewise use dried fish, and several +kinds of roots, one of which named _yuca_ resembles skirret; likewise +lupines and many other leguminous vegetables. Instead of wine, they make a +fermented liquor from maize, which they bury in the earth along with water +in tubs or large jars, where it ferments. In this process, besides the +maize in its natural state, a certain quantity of maize which has been +steeped in a particular manner is used as a ferment; and there are men and +women who are versant in the manner of steeping maize, and are hired for +this purpose. When this kind of drink is made by means of stagnant water, +it is reckoned stronger and better than when running water is used. In the +West Indian islands this drink is called _chica_, but the Peruvian name is +_azua_. It is either white or red, according to the kind of maize used for +its preparation, and inebriates even more readily than Spanish wine; yet +the Indians prefer the latter when it can be procured. They make another +kind of liquor from the fruit of certain trees, which they call _molles_; +but it is by no means so well liked as _azua_ from maize. + +The first city of the Christians in the mountain of Peru is _Quito_, which +is about four degrees to the south of the equator[22]. This city is +situated in an agreeable and fertile district; and particularly since 1544 +and 1545, when rich mines of gold were discovered in its neighbourhood, it +has become populous, and continued to increase fast in the number of its +inhabitants; till in the destructive civil wars its people were almost +entirely cut off by Gonzalo Pizarro and his adherents, as they favoured +the party of the viceroy Blasco Nugnez Vela, who made this place his +ordinary residence. The Spaniards had no other establishment in the +mountain till the discovery of the province of _Bracamoras_[23], by the +captains, Juan Porcel and Vergara, who established some small colonies in +these parts, on purpose to continue the discovery and conquest of the +interior country; but these establishments have been since entirely ruined, +as Gonzalo Pizarro recalled these two captains and their men to assist him +in his war. This discovery was made under the orders of the licentiate +Vaca de Castro, who was then governor of Peru. The Captain Porcel was sent +by him from S. Miguel de Piura, and Vergara into the province of +_Chachapoyas_ farther to the south; but they unexpectedly met each other +in the course of their exploration of the country, and quarrelled about +the boundaries of their discoveries, in consequence of which they were +recalled by Vaco de Castro, and were at Lima at the commencement of the +civil war in the service of the viceroy; and when he was made prisoner +they entered into the party of Gonzalo Pizarro. The place which they +discovered, called Bracamoras, is a hundred and sixty leagues from Quito +by way of the mountain; and eighty leagues farther south they discovered a +province named Chacaapoyas, where there is a small Christian town named +_Levanto_[24]. This province abounds in provisions, and has mines of some +value. Its situation is peculiarly strong against an enemy, as it is +surrounded on all sides by a deep valley, in which runs a considerable +river; so that by breaking down the bridges, it may be made very difficult +of access. The Maestre de Campo Alfonzo de Alvarado, who held the command +of this province, established a colony of Christians at this place. + +Sixty leagues farther to the south, in the district of _Guanuco_, Vaco de +Castro established a colony which he ordered to be called _Leon_, as he +came from the city of that name in Spain. The country of Guanuco is +fertile and abounds in provisions; and valuable mines are believed to +exist on that side which is occupied by a warlike and powerful inca in a +province of the Andes, as shall be mentioned hereafter[25]. There is no +other place in the mountains farther south which has been as yet settled +by the Christians, till we come to the province of _Guamanga_, in which is +a small town named San Juan de la Vittoria[26], which is sixty leagues +from Leon. In San Juan there are very few Spaniards, but their number is +expected to increase, if the neighbouring inca can be induced to submit to +peace; as he at present occupies the best lands belonging to that city, in +which there are many mines, and which produces the herb called _coca_ in +great abundance, formerly mentioned as of great value. The town of +Guamanga is about eighty leagues from the city of Cuzco; the road between +being exceedingly difficult, as it goes over high and precipitous +mountains, and through very dangerous passes. + +Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the kings of Peru resided in the city +of Cuzco, whence they governed the whole of this great country of which I +have endeavoured to give some account, and which will be more particularly +treated of in the sequel of this history. This city served as the common +centre for all the chiefs or caciques of this vast kingdom, to which they +resorted from all quarters, to pay their tributes to the king, and to +obtain justice in case of disputes among each other. At that time Cuzco +was the only place in all Peru that had the least resemblance to a city. +It had even a strong fortress, built of such enormous dressed stones, that +it was very wonderful to conceive in what manner the Indians had been able +to transport such vast masses of stone without the aid of any animals of +draught. In fact some of these are so large that they would have required +ten yokes of oxen to have dragged them along on a fit carriage. The houses +which are now inhabited by the Spaniards are the same which were formerly +occupied by the Indians; some of which houses have been merely repaired +and others enlarged by their present possessors. This city was formerly +divided into four quarters, corresponding to the four cardinal points; and +by orders of the _Incas_, or sovereigns of Peru, all those natives who +came to the capital were obliged to lodge in the particular quarter which +was towards the direction of the province from whence they came, under +severe penalties. The south quarter of the city was named _Colla-sugo_, +from the province of _Collao_ which lay to the south. The northern quarter +was named _Chinca-sugo_, from the large and renowned province of +_Chinca_[27] in that direction. The eastern and western quarters were +respectively named _Ande-sugo_ and _Conde-sugo_. The country about Cuzco +is extremely fertile, and abounds in all kinds of provisions, and the +climate is so healthy that the inhabitants are seldom if ever sick. +Around the city there are many rich mines, whence all the gold which has +been hitherto sent into Spain was procured. These indeed have been nearly +abandoned since the discovery of the rich silver mines of Potosi; both +because much greater profit may be made from these other mines of silver, +and because the working of these are far less dangerous both to the +Indians and Spaniards who are there employed. + +From the city of Cuzco to that of La Plata in the province of Charcas, the +distance is more than a hundred and fifty leagues, between which two +places there is a large flat province named _Collao_, above fifty leagues +long; the principal part of which, named _Chiquito_, belongs to his +majesty. Seeing so large an extent of country unoccupied by the Spaniards, +the licentiate De la Gasca sent some people there in 1545 to commence an +establishment. The city of La Plata is situated in the coldest part of all +the mountainous region of Peru, and has very few inhabitants, but these +are extremely rich, and spend the greatest part of the year in the mines +of _Porco_, and in those of _Potosi_ since their discovery. Towards the +left hand or the east from La Plata, a new province was explored by Diego +de Rojas and Philip Gutierez, by the order of Vaca de Castro, which was +named _Rojas_[28] from one of these captains. It is said to be fertile and +abounding in provisions, but they have not found so much riches there as +was expected. Captain Domingo de Ytala and his companions came by that way +into Peru in 1549, having remounted the Rio Plata from the Atlantic Ocean. + +Such is the state and situation of all that has been hitherto discovered +of this vast country of Peru, which is chiefly known along the coast of +the South Sea, and has not been much explored in its inland parts, on +account of the vast quantity of lofty and rude mountains, by which it is +everywhere pervaded, and which are extremely difficult to pass; because of +their height and precipitous nature, the excessive cold which prevails +among them, and the scarcity of food. Yet the industry and courage of the +Spaniards would have overcome all these obstacles, if there were any hope +of finding a rich country beyond. + +As the Peruvians were ignorant of writing they knew nothing respecting the +history of the creation and deluge or of their own origin. They had +however some tradition among them, which had been altered from age to age +according to the fancies of the reciters. They said that there came +anciently from the north, a man who had no bones or joints, and who was +able to shorten or lengthen the way before him as he thought fit, and to +elevate or depress the mountains at his pleasure. By this man the ancient +Indians were created; and as those of the plain had given him some cause +of displeasure, he rendered their country sterile and sandy as it now is, +and commanded that it should never rain in that district; yet sent them +the rivers and torrents which run through it, that they might have +wherewithal to quench their thirst. This person, named _Con_, who they +allege was son of the sun and moon, they esteemed and adored as a god, +pretending that he had given the herbs and wild fruits as food for the +people whom he had created. After him came another man from the south, +named _Pachacamac_, or the creator, who was likewise the son of the sun +and moon, but more powerful than _Con_, who disappeared on his arrival, +leaving the men whom he had created without chiefs or laws, and Pachacamac +transformed them all into various animals, as birds, cats, bears, lions, +and the like, giving origin in this manner to all the beasts and birds +which are now found in the country. After this Pachacamac created the +present race of Indians, teaching them the art of labouring the ground for +the cultivation of plants of various kinds for food. Pachacamac is +considered as a god, and all the principal persons among the Peruvians are +desirous of being buried in the province named from him Pachacamac, as he +resided there, which is about four leagues from the city of Lima[29]. +They pretended that their god Pachacamac continued several ages among them, +even to the time of the arrival of the Spaniards, since when he has +disappeared. Hence we may presume that he was some demon by whom they were +miserably abused and misled, and who filled their minds with so many +extravagant absurd fables. + +The Indians believe likewise, that even before Con and Pachacamac, there +was a great deluge, during which mankind saved themselves in great caves +in the high mountains, into which they carried a store of food, shutting +up the entries, and carefully filling up all the crevices, to keep out the +water. After a long while, they sent out some dogs, who returned to them +all wet but not dirtied with mud, from which circumstance they concluded +that the waters still remained very high, and they did not venture to +leave their caverns till the dogs came back a second time all covered with +mud. They allege that great numbers of serpents were engendered by the +moisture left in the earth by this deluge, by which their ancestors were +much distressed for a long time, till they at length succeeded to +extirpate them. From this tradition they appear to have retained some +confused notion of the deluge, although they were ignorant of the way in +which Noah and seven other persons were saved in the ark to repeople the +whole earth. Perhaps their tradition may refer to some partial deluge, +like that of Deucalion. + +The have a notion that the world is to come to an end; before which there +is to be a great drought, when no rain is to fall for several years. On +this account, in former times, the caciques used to lay up large magazines +of maize to serve them during the long drought. Even yet, the more timid +among the Peruvians make a great lamentation when the sun or moon are +eclipsed, believing the end of the world to be at hand; as they allege +that these luminaries are to be extinguished at the destruction of the +world. + +The Peruvians worship the Sun and Moon as deities, and swear by these +luminaries and by the earth, which they consider as their mother. In their +temples they adore certain stones, as representatives of the sun, which +they name _guacas_, a word signifying to weep, which they do on entering +into their temples. No person is permitted to approach these guacas except +the priests who sacrifice to these idols, who are all clothed in white. +When they go up to their idols, they carry certain white cloths in their +hands, prostrating themselves and crawling on the earth, and addressing +their idols in a language which is not understood by any of the natives. +By these priests all the offerings for the idols are received and buried +in the temples, as the Indian votaries make gifts of figures in gold or +silver of those things for which they address their prayers to the guaca. +These priests likewise offer sacrifices of animals and even of men to +their gods, searching the hearts and intrails of the victims for certain +signs which they wish to find, and repeating their abominable sacrifices +until they meet with those signs which they desire; pretending that the +idols are not satisfied by the sacrifices till these appear. During all +the time that the priests are engaged in sacrificing, they never appear in +public, neither have they any intercourse with women, and employ +themselves all night in loud cries, invoking the demons near to the places +in which the guacas are kept, which are extremely numerous, as most houses +have each their own guaca. The priests prepare themselves for having +intercourse with the demons by long fasts, after which they tie up their +eyes and some even carry their superstition to such excess as to put out +their own eyes. The caciques and other great men among the Peruvians never +undertake any affair of importance without having first consulted the +idols, or demons rather, by means of the priests. + +In the temples of the sun the Spaniards found several large earthen jars +containing the dried bodies of children which had been sacrificed. Among +the figures of gold and silver which were used as ornaments to the guacas, +there were several which had a strong resemblance to the mitres and +crosiers of our bishops, and some of these idols were found having mitres +on their heads. When Thomas de Verlanga, bishop of Tierra Firma travelled +through Peru, with his mitre, in which he was seen by the Indians +celebrating the mass, they asked if he was the guaca of the Christians. +When asked the reason of these mitres, they could only say that they had +been handed down from their ancestors. In every part of Peru there were +certain houses or monasteries, which were inhabited by women who were +consecrated to the sun. These women never went out, but were perpetually +employed in spinning cotton and wool, which they wove into cloth, and then +burned along with the bones of white sheep, throwing the ashes into the +air in honour of the sun. These women were consecrated to perpetual +celibacy, and were put to death if found to be with child, unless they +could swear that their child was begotten by the sun. + +Every year, at the season of the maize harvest, the mountaineer Peruvians +had a solemn festival; on which occasion they set up two tall straight +trees like masts, on the top of which was placed the figure of a man +surrounded by other figures and adorned with flowers. The inhabitants went +in procession armed with bows and arrows and regularly marshalled into +companies, beating their drums and with great outcries and rejoicings, +each company in succession discharging their arrows at the dressed up +figure. After which the priests set up an idol at the bottom of the masts, +before which they sacrificed a man or a sheep, sprinkling the idol with +the blood of the victim; and having inspected the heart and entrails of +the sacrifice, they reported the signs they had discovered to the people, +who were sad or rejoiced according as these were good or bad. The whole of +this festival was usually spent in dancing and drinking, and in various +games and sports, some of which were warlike exercises, with maces, clubs, +axes and other arms. + +All the caciques and other principal inhabitants of Peru are reposited +after their death in a kind of vaults, clothed in all their richest +dresses, and seated in a kind of chairs which they name _duos_. It was +customary also to bury along with them one or two of their best beloved +wives, and on this occasion the honour was frequently contested among the +wives of the deceased, unless when the husband had previously settled who +were to be chosen to accompany him in the tomb. Two or three youths of +their train, and all their gold and silver-plate used also to be buried +along with them; all of which was done in the hope of one day rising again +from the dead, and that they might then appear in proper style, +accompanied by their wives and servants. When the Spaniards broke up these +sepulchres on purpose to take possession of their buried treasures, the +Peruvians requested of them not to disturb the bones of the dead, that +they might not be hindered in their resurrection. In the burial ceremony, +the relations of the deceased used to pour some of the liquor formerly +mentioned, named _Chica_, into the grave, of which a portion was conveyed +by some hollow canes into the mouth of the dead person. On the top of the +tomb or sepulchre, wooden images were placed, representing the appearance +of the deceased; but on the graves of the lower orders, they satisfied +themselves by some painted emblems of their profession or employment, more +especially if they happened to be warriors. + +In all the provinces of Peru there were certain nobles or principal +persons, of whom the chiefs or rulers were named _curacas_, similar in +every respect to the caciques of the islands. As the Spaniards who +conquered Peru had been accustomed to name many things according to the +language of Hispaniola and Cuba, and were at first ignorant of the +Peruvian language, they continued to employ the terms to which they had +been accustomed; and the Peruvians have so far accommodated themselves to +this language, especially in speaking to the Spaniards, that they mostly +use these terms. Thus they call those chiefs _caciques_, who in their own +language are named _curacas_, their bread corn and drink, which in the +Peruvian are _zara_ and _azua_, they denominate _maize_ and _chica_, which +names were brought from the islands by the Spaniards. These curacas or +caciques were the judges and protectors of their subjects in peace, and +their leaders in war against the neighbouring tribes. The whole people of +Peru lived in that manner for many years under a multiplicity of +independent chiefs, having no king or supreme chief; until at length a +warlike nation came from the environs of the great lake Titicaca named the +Incas in the language of Peru. These men had their heads close shaven, and +their ears pierced, in which they wore large round pendents of gold, by +which their ears were dragged down upon their shoulders, in consequence of +which they were called _ringrim_, or the large ears. Their chief was +called _Zapalla Inca_[30], or the only king; though others say that he was +named _Inca Vira cocha_, or the king from the scum of the lake, because +the astonished natives, not knowing the origin of their invaders, believed +that they had started into existence from the scum or mud of the great +lake. This great lake of Titicaca is about eighty leagues in circumference, +from which a large river runs to the southwards, which in some places is +half a league in breadth, and which discharges its waters into a small +lake about forty leagues from the great lake, which has no outlet. This +circumstance gives great astonishment to many, who are unable to +comprehend how so vast a body of water should disappear in so small a +reservoir. As this smaller lake appears to have no bottom, some conceive +that it discharges itself into the sea by some subterranean communication, +like the river Alphaeus in Greece. + +These Incas established themselves in the first place at Cuzco, from +whence they gradually extended their sway over the whole of Peru, which +became tributary to them. The empire of the Incas descended in successive +order, but not by immediate hereditary rules. On the death of a king, he +was succeeded by his immediately younger brother; and on his demise the +eldest son of the preceding king was called to the throne; so as always to +have on the throne a prince of full age. The royal ornament worn by the +supreme Inca in place of a crown or diadem, consisted in a fringe of +coloured worsted from one temple to the other, reaching almost to the eyes. +He governed their extensive empire with much grandeur and absolute power; +and perhaps there never was a country in the world where the subjects were +so submissive and obedient. They had only to place a single thread drawn +from their diadem in the hands of one of the _ringrim_ or great ears, by +which he communicated to this deputy the most absolute delegation of power, +which was respected and obeyed over the whole empire. Alone, and without +troops or attendants, the message or order which he carried was instantly +obeyed, were it even to lay waste a whole province, and to exterminate +every one of its inhabitants; as on the sight of this thread from the +royal fillet, every one offered themselves voluntarily to death, without a +single murmur or the slightest resistance. + +In the before mentioned order of succession, the empire of the Incas fell +in process of time to a sovereign named _Huana Capac_[31], which signifies +the young rich man. This prince made great conquests, and augmented the +empire more considerably than had been done by any one of his predecessors, +and ruled over the whole more reasonably and with greater justice and +equity than had ever been done by the former sovereigns. He established +everywhere the most perfect police, and exact rules for cultivating the +earth; ruling and governing among a barbarous and ignorant nation with the +most surprising order and justice; and the love and obedience of his +subjects was equally wonderful and perfect. They gave him a signal proof +of this, worthy of being mentioned, in the construction of two roads +through the whole extent of Peru for his more convenient travelling; of +which the difficulty labour and expence equal or even surpass all that the +ancients have written of the seven wonders of the world. Huana Capac, in +marching from Cuzco to conquer the kingdom of Quito, had to march five +hundred leagues by the mountains, where he had everywhere to encounter +excessive difficulties, from bad roads, rocks, precipices and ravines, +almost impracticable in many places. After he had successfully executed +this great enterprize, by the conquest and submission of Quito and its +dependencies, his subjects conceived that it was incumbent on them to do +honour to his victorious career, by preparing a commodious road for his +triumphant return to Cuzco. They accordingly undertook, and executed by +prodigious labour, a broad and easy road through the mountains of five +hundred leagues in length, in the course of which they had often to dig +away vast rocks, and to fill up valleys and precipices of thirty to forty +yards in depth. It is said that this road, when first made, was so smooth +and level that it would have admitted a coach with the utmost ease through +its whole length; but since that time it has suffered great injuries, +especially during the wars between the Spaniards and the Peruvians, having +been broken up in many places, on purpose to obstruct the invasion of the +enemy. The grandeur and difficulty of this vast undertaking may be readily +conceived, by considering the labour and cost which has been expended in +Spain to level only two leagues of a mountain road between Segovia and +Guadarrama, and which after all has never been brought to any degree of +perfection, although the usual passage of the king and court on travelling +to or from Andalusia or the kingdom of Toledo. Not satisfied with this +first astonishing labour, the Peruvians soon afterwards undertook another +of a similar and no less grand and difficult kind. Huana Capac was fond of +visiting the kingdom of Quito which he had conquered, and proposed to +travel thither from Cuzco by way of the plain, so as to visit the whole +of his extensive dominions. For his accommodation likewise, his subjects +undertook to make a road also in the plain; and for this purpose they +constructed high mounds of earth across all the small vallies formed by +the various rivers and torrents which descend from the mountain, that the +road might be everywhere smooth and level This road was near forty feet +wide, and where it crossed the sandy heights which intervene betwixt the +verdant vallies of the torrents, it was marked on each side by stakes, +forming palings in straight lines to prevent any one losing the way. This +road was five hundred leagues in length like that of the mountain; but the +palings are now wanting in many places, the wood of which they were +constructed having been used by the Spaniards for fuel during the war; but +the mounds still exist across the vallies, and most of them are yet +tolerably entire, by which the grandeur of the entire work may be judged +of. In his journeys to and from Quito, Huana Capac used to go by one of +these roads and return by the other; and during his whole journey his +subjects used to strew the way with branches and flowers of the richest +perfume. + +Besides the two great roads already mentioned, Huana Capac ordered to be +built on the mountain road a number of large palaces, at the distance of a +days journey from each other, having a prodigious number of apartments, +sufficient to lodge his own personal suite and all his army. Such were +likewise built along the road in the plain, but not so numerous or so near +each other as on the mountain road, as these palaces of the plain had all +to be placed on the sides of the rivers for convenience and the +procurement of provisions and other necessaries; so that they were in some +places eight or ten leagues distant from each other, and in other places +fifteen or twenty leagues. These buildings were named _tambos_, and the +neighbouring Indians were bound to furnish each of these with provisions +and every thing else that might be wanted for the royal armies; insomuch +that in each of these _tambos_, in case of necessity, clothing and arms +could be had for twenty or thirty thousand men. Huana Capac was always +escorted by a considerable body of soldiers, armed with lances, halberts, +maces, and battle axes, made of silver or copper, and some of them even of +gold. + +In their armies, besides these arms, the Peruvians used slings, and +javelins having their points hardened in the fire. On such parts of their +rivers as furnished materials for the purpose, they built wooden bridges; +and where timber could not be had, they stretched across the stream two +large cables made of a plant named _maguey_, forming a kind of net work +between these of smaller ropes and masts, strong enough to answer the +purpose of a bridge. In this manner they constructed bridges of a +surprizing magnitude; some of them being thirty yards broad and four +hundred yards long[32]. In such places as did not admit of the +construction of bridges, they passed over rivers by means of a cable or +thick rope extended from side to side, on which they hung a large basket, +which was drawn over by means of a smaller rope. All these bridges were +kept in repair by the inhabitants of the districts in which they stood. + +The king of Peru was always carried in a species of litter covered over +with plates of gold, and was attended by more than a thousand of the +principal native nobles, who relieved each other in carrying the royal +litter on their shoulders. All these men were counsellors, principal +officers of the household, or favourites of the prince. The caciques or +curacas of the different provinces were likewise carried in litters on the +shoulders of their vassals. The Peruvians were exceedingly submissive to +their sovereigns, insomuch that even the most powerful lord always entered +the presence barefooted, and carrying some present wrapped up in a cloth, +as a mark of homage; and even if one person had occasion to go an hundred +times in one day to speak to the king, the present had to be repeated +every time he went. To look the king in the face was considered as a +criminal disrespect; and if any one should happen to stumble while +carrying the royal litter, so as to make it fall, his head was immediately +cut off. At every half league on the public roads throughout the whole +empire, there were Indians in constant attendance to relieve each other in +carrying dispatches, which they did swifter than our post horses. When any +province or district was subdued, the natives of the place, or at least +all their chiefs and principal people, were immediately removed to other +parts of the empire, and natives from other places which had been long +subjected were sent to occupy the new conquest, by which means the +fidelity and submission of the whole were secured. From every province of +the empire, yearly tributes of the several productions of their respective +countries were sent to the king; and even some sterile districts above +three hundred leagues distant from Cuzco, had to send yearly a number of +lizards as a mark of their submission, having nothing of any value to send. +Huana Capac rebuilt the temple of the sun at Cuzco, and covered over all +the walls and the roof of that structure with plates of gold and silver. +During his reign, one Chimocappa, who was curaca or prince of a large +district in the plain, above a hundred leagues in length, chose to erect +the standard of rebellion; but Huana Capac marched against him in person, +defeated him in battle, and put him to death; after which he commanded +that the Indians of the plain should not be permitted to carry arms. Yet +he allowed the son and successor of Chimocappa to remain in the province +of _Chimo_, in which the city of Truzillo has been since built. + +Peru was astonishingly full of those animals called sheep; as Huana Capac +and his predecessors had established laws for their multiplication and +preservation. Every year a certain proportion of these animals belonging +to individuals were set apart as a kind of tythe or offering to the sun, +and these consecrated animals multiplied greatly, no person being allowed +to injure them under pain of sacrilege, except the prince only for his own +use or that of his army. On such occasions, he gave orders for one of +these hunts called _chacos_, formerly mentioned, at some of which twenty +or thirty thousand sheep have been taken at one time. Gold was in great +request among the Peruvians, as the king and all the principal persons of +the empire used it for the construction of vessels for all uses, as +ornaments for their persons, and as offerings to their gods. The king had +everywhere carried along with him a kind of couch or table of gold, of +sixteen carats fine, on which he used to sit, and which was worth 25,000 +ducats of standard gold. This was chosen by Don Francisco Pizarro, at the +time of the conquest, in consequence of an agreement, by which he was +authorized to appropriate some single jewel or valuable article to his own +use, besides his regular share of the plunder. When the eldest son of +Huana Capac was born, he ordered a prodigious chain or cable of gold to be +made, so large and heavy that two hundred men were hardly able to lift it. +In remembrance of this circumstance, the infant was named _Huascar_, which +signifies a cable or large rope, as the Peruvians have no word in their +language signifying a chain. To this name of Huascar was added the surname +Inca, belonging to all their kings, just as Augustus was given to all the +Roman emperors. Huana Capac had several large magazines full of gold in +various shapes, such as the figures of men and women, of sheep and animals +of all kinds, and of all the kinds of plants which are found in the +country, all accurately represented. He had also great quantities of +vestments of various kinds, and many slings, in which the fabric was mixed +with gold threads; and many bars of gold and silver made like billets of +fire wood. + +Although the main object of this history is to relate the Spanish +Discovery and Conquest of Peru, it seems proper to explain the +circumstances under which they found the affairs of that empire at their +arrival; by which we shall have occasion to admire the wisdom of +Providence, in permitting that enterprize to take place at a time when +that vast country was divided into two hostile parties, which greatly +facilitated the conquest. After Huana Capac had reduced many provinces to +submission, to the extent of five hundred leagues from Cuzco, he undertook +in person to make the conquest of the kingdom of Quito, which bounded with +his empire in the north-west. Having successfully accomplished that great +enterprise, finding the country exceedingly pleasant, he continued to +reside there for a long while, leaving at Cuzco several of his children, +both sons and daughters, among whom were his eldest son Huascar Inca, +Manco Inca, Paul Inca, and several others. While at Quito, he took to wife +the daughter of the former lord of that country, by whom he had a son +named Atahualpa or Atabalipa, of whom he was very fond, and whom he left +to be educated in Quito when he returned to Cuzco. After residing for some +years in Cuzco, he made a journey back to Quito, partly because he +delighted in that country which he had subdued, and partly from affection +for his son Atahualpa, whom he loved more than all the rest of his +children. He continued to reside in Quito all the rest of his life; and at +his death, he bequeathed the kingdom of Quito to Atahualpa[33], which had +belonged to his maternal ancestors. On his death, Atahualpa secured the +affection of the army, and got possession of all the treasure which his +father had in Quito, but the far greater proportion of the treasure +remained in Cuzco, as too heavy for transportation, and accordingly fell +to Huascar, the eldest son. + +Atahualpa sent ambassadors to his eldest brother Huascar, informing him of +the death of their father, and assuring him of his loyalty and obedience; +yet requesting that he might be permitted to retain the command of the +kingdom of Quito, the conquest of his father; which he alleged was beyond +the limits of the Peruvian empire, and ought not therefore to follow the +ordinary rules of primogeniture, more especially as Atahualpa was the +legitimate heir of that country in right of his mother and grandfather. +Huascar sent back for answer, that if Atahualpa would come to Cuzco and +give up the army, he should receive lands and possessions sufficient to +enable him to live according to his rank; but that he would on no account +give up Quito, a frontier province of the empire, where of course he must +keep up a body of troops for the defence of the whole. Huascar added, that +if Atahualpa refused submission to these conditions, he would march in +person against him as a declared enemy. On receiving this message, +Atahualpa consulted two of his fathers principal officers, Quiz-quiz and +Cilicuchima, brave and experienced warriors, who advised him not to wait +the invasion of his brother, but to take the field without delay and march +against him; as the army which was under his orders was sufficient to +enable him to acquire the whole provinces of the empire, and would +increase on the march by means of the provinces which intervened between +Quito and Cusco. Atahualpa followed this advice and gradually made himself +master of the country through which he marched. Huascar, on hearing of the +hostile proceedings of his brother, sent some light-armed troops against +him. The commander of these troops advanced to the province of Tumibamba +about a hundred leagues from Quito; and learning that Atahualpa had taken +the field, he sent a courier to Cuzco with notice of the state of the +affairs, and to request that he might be furnished with two thousand +officers of experience; by means of whom he could arm thirty thousand men +of the warlike province called _Cagnares_ which remained in allegiance to +Huascar. These two thousand experienced warriors were immediately sent, by +whose means, and with assistance of the curacas of Tumibamba, Chaparras, +Paltas, and Cagnares[34], in that neighbourhood, Huascars general was +enabled to collect a formidable army. Atahualpa marched against this army, +with whom he fought a battle which lasted three days, in which he was at +last defeated and made prisoner, in attempting to escape by the bridge of +Tumibamba. + +While the army of Huascar was celebrating their victory with great feasts +and rejoicings, Atahualpa contrived to escape from the _tambos_ or palace +of Tumibamba in which he was confined, by digging through a very thick +wall with a bar of copper, which he procured from a woman. He returned +immediately to Quito, where he collected the remains of his defeated army, +to whom he represented that his father had changed him into a serpent, by +which means he had been enabled to escape from his prison through a small +hole; and that his father had assured him of certain victory, if they +would return along with him against the enemy. His troops were so much +encouraged by this stratagem, that they followed him with great courage, +believing themselves invincible under the protection of Huana Capac. He +again attacked the army of Huascar, which in this second battle was +entirely defeated. Such numbers were slain on both sides in these two +battles, that even to this day large quantities of human bones remain in +the places where they were fought. In pursuit of his victory, Atahualpa +marched into the provinces which adhered to his brother, which he +destroyed with fire and sword. He entirely destroyed the great city of +Tumibamba, which stood on a plain watered by three great rivers. In his +pursuing his conquests, he gave no quarter wherever he met with resistance +but granted mercy and peace to all such districts as submitted quietly to +his authority, obliging all the warriors to join his army, which by these +means, increased continually as he advanced. On arriving at Tumbez he was +desirous to take possession of the island of Puna, but as the _curaca_ of +that island defended himself courageously, Atahualpa did not think it +prudent to waste much time in the attempt, more especially as he had +intelligence of the approach of Huascar with a numerous army; for which +reason he continued his march towards Cuzco, and arrived at Caxamarca, +where he established his head-quarters. From this place he detached two of +his principal officers at the head of two or three thousand light armed +troops, with orders to reconnoitre the army of the enemy, and to bring him +word of their numbers and situation. When this party had arrived at no +great distance from the camp of the enemy, they quitted the direct road +and made a circuit among the woods and mountains, to prevent the enemy +from discovering them. Procuring intelligence that Huascar had retired to +a place at some distance from his camp, attended by seven hundred of his +principal officers and nobles, on purpose to avoid the noise and confusion +of his great army, they attacked his quarters by surprise, easily defeated +his small escort, and made him prisoner. While endeavouring to make good +their retreat to the camp of Atahualpa with their great prize, they were +surrounded on every side by the vast army of the enemy, which could easily +have exterminated them, being at least thirty to one. But the commanders +of this fortunate detachment, immediately told Huascar that they would put +him to death, if he did not instantly give orders to his army to retire: +and at the same time assured him that his brother Atahualpa had no farther +desire than to be permitted to enjoy the kingdom of Quito in peace, for +which he would do homage to him as his king and lord. Huascar, terrified +by the prospect of death, and believing their promise of restoration to +liberty and dominion, issued peremptory orders to his army to desist from +their intended attack and to return to Cuzco, which they did accordingly; +and the Atahualpan officers carried Huascar a prisoner to Caxamarca, where +they delivered him up to their master. Thus were the affairs of Peru +situated when Don Francisco Pizarro arrived in that country with the +Spaniards; which conjuncture was exceedingly favourable to his views of +conquest, of which we shall give an account in the next section, as the +great army of Huascar was entirely dispersed, and Atahualpa had dismissed +a great proportion of his troops, after this fortunate event, which had +placed his enemy in his hands. + + * * * * * + +_Of the Peruvian History before the arrival of the Spaniards_[35]. + +"Peru, like the rest of the New World, was originally possessed by small +independent tribes, differing from each other in manners, and in their +forms of rude policy. All, however, were so little civilized, that, if the +traditions concerning their mode of life, preserved among their +descendants, deserve credit, they must be classed among the most +unimproved savages of America. Strangers to every species of cultivation +or regular industry, without any fixed residence, and unacquainted with +those sentiments and obligations which form the first bonds of social +union, they are said to have roamed naked about the forests with which +their country was then covered, more like wild beasts than like men. After +they had struggled for ages with the hardships and calamities which are +inevitable in such a state, and when no circumstance seemed to indicate +the approach of any uncommon effort towards improvement, we are told that +there appeared on the banks of the lake Titicaca, a man and woman of +majestic form, and clothed in decent garments. They declared themselves to +be children of the sun, sent by their beneficent parent, who beheld with +pity the miseries of the human race, and who had commanded them to +instruct and reclaim them. At their persuasion, enforced by reverence for +the divinity in whose name they were supposed to speak, several of the +dispersed savages united together, and receiving their commands as +heavenly instructions, followed them to Cuzco where they settled, and +where they begun to lay the foundations of a city, afterwards the capital +of Peru." + +"Manco Capac and Mama Ocollo, for such were the names of these +extraordinary personages, having thus collected some wandering tribes, +formed that social union which, by multiplying the desires, and uniting +the efforts of the human species, excites industry and leads to +improvement. Manco Capac instructed the men in agriculture and other +useful arts; Mama Ocollo taught the women to spin and weave. By the labour +of the one sex subsistence became less precarious; by that of the other +life was rendered more comfortable. After securing the object of first +necessity in an infant state, by providing food, raiment, and habitations +for the rude people of whom he took charge, Manco Capac turned his +attention towards introducing such laws and policy as might perpetuate +their happiness. By his institutions, the various relations in private +life were established, and the duties resulting from them prescribed with +such propriety, as gradually formed a barbarous people to decency of +manners. In public administration, the functions of persons in authority +were so precisely defined, and the subordination of those under +jurisdiction maintained with such a steady hand, that the society in which +he presided soon assumed the aspect of a regular and well-governed state." + +"Thus, according to the Indian traditions, was founded the empire of the +_Incas_, or Lords of Peru. At first its extent was small; as the territory +of Manco Capac did not reach above eight leagues from Cuzco: But within +these narrow limits he exercised an uncontrolled authority. His successors, +as their dominions extended, arrogated a similar jurisdiction over the new +subjects which they acquired; the despotism of Asia was not more complete. +The Incas were not only obeyed as monarchs, but revered as divinities. +Their blood was held to be sacred, and by prohibiting intermarriages with +the people, was never contaminated by mixing with that of any other race. +The family thus separated from the rest of the nation, was distinguished +by peculiarities in dress and ornaments, which it was unlawful for others +to assume. The monarch himself appeared with ensigns of royalty reserved +for him alone; and received from his subjects marks of obsequious homage +and respect, which approached almost to adoration. But among the Peruvians, +this unbounded power of their monarchs seems to have been uniformly +accompanied with attention to the good of their subjects. It was not the +rage of conquests, if we may believe the accounts of their countrymen, +that prompted the Incas to extend their dominion, but the desire of +diffusing the blessings of civilization, and the knowledge of the arts +which they possessed, among the barbarous people whom they reduced. +During a succession of twelve monarchs, it is said that not one deviated +from this beneficent character." + +"When the Spaniards first visited the coast of Peru in 1526, Huana Capac, +the twelfth monarch from the founder of the state, was seated on the +throne. He is represented as a prince distinguished not only for the +pacific virtues peculiar to the race, but eminent for his martial talents. +By his victorious arms the kingdom of Quito was subjected, a conquest of +such extent and importance as almost doubled the power of the Peruvian +empire. He was fond of residing in the capital of that valuable province +which he had added to his dominions; and notwithstanding the ancient and +fundamental law of the monarchy against polluting the royal blood by any +foreign alliance, he married the daughter of the vanquished monarch of +Quito. She bore him a son named Atahualpa, whom, on his death at Quito, +which seems to have happened about the year 1529, he appointed his +successor in that kingdom, leaving the rest of his dominions to Huascar, +his eldest son, by a mother of the royal race. Greatly as the Peruvians +revered the memory of a monarch who had reigned with greater reputation +and splendour than any of his predecessors, the destination of Huana Capac +concerning the succession appeared so repugnant to a maxim coeval with the +empire, and founded on authority deemed sacred, that it was no sooner +known at Cuzco than it excited general disgust. Encouraged by those +sentiments of his subjects, Huascar required his brother to renounce the +government of Quito, and to acknowledge him as his lawful superior. But it +had been the first care of Atahualpa to gain a large body of troops which +had accompanied his father to Quito. These were the flower of the Peruvian +warriors, to whose valour Huana Capac had been indebted for all his +victories. Atahuaipa first eluded the demand of his brother, and then +marched against him in hostile array." + +"Thus the ambition of two young princes, the title of the one founded on +ancient usage, and of the other asserted by the veteran troops, involved +Peru in civil war, a calamity to which it had been hitherto a stranger, +under a succession of virtuous monarchs. In such a contest the issue was +obvious. The force of arms triumphed over the authority of laws. Atahualpa +remained victorious, and made a cruel use of his victory. Conscious of the +defect in his own title to the throne, he attempted to exterminate the +royal race, by putting to death all the children of the sun descended from +Manco Capac, whom he could seize either by force or stratagem. From a +political motive, the life of the unfortunate Huascar, who had been taken +prisoner in a battle which decided the fate of the empire, was prolonged +for some time; that, by issuing orders in his name, the usurper might more +easily establish his own authority." + +"When Pizarro landed in the bay of St Matthew, in 1531, this civil war +raged between the two brothers in its greatest fury; and though the two +competitors received early accounts of the arrival of the Spaniards, they +were so intent upon the operations of a war which they deemed more +interesting, that they gave no attention to the motions of an enemy too +inconsiderable in number to excite any great alarm, and to whom it would +be easy, as they imagined, to give a check when more at leisure. By this +fortunate coincidence of events, of which he could have no foresight, and +of which he remained long ignorant from its defective mode of intercourse +with the people of the country, Pizarro was permitted to advance +unmolested into the centre of a great empire, before any effort of its +power was exerted to stop his career. During their progress, the Spaniards +acquired some imperfect knowledge of the struggle between the two +contending factions; and the first complete information respecting it was +received from messengers sent by Huascar to Pizarro, to solicit his aid +against Atahualpa, whom he represented as a rebel and an usurper." + + * * * * * + +Manco Capac, the first Inca of the Peruvians, is said to have reigned +about the middle of the twelfth century, as the traditionary accounts +attribute a period of about 400 years between the commencement of his +reign and the decease of Huana Capac in 1529, which would place the origin +of the monarchy about the year 1129, allowing an average of 30 years to +each of 13 successive reigns. The traditions of such ancient matters among +an ignorant people are little to be depended on; and even admitting the +series of kings to be right as to number, the ordinary average of _twenty_ +years to each of the _thirteen_ successive reigns would only give 260 +years for the duration of the monarchy, and would carry back the +commencement of the reign of Manco Capac only to the year 1269. The series +of these kings, as given by various Spanish writers, according to the +traditions of the Peruvians, is as follows: + +1. Manco Capac. 2. Sinchi Roca. 3. Lloque Yupanqui. 4. Mayta Capac. 5. +Capac Yupanqui. 6. Inca Roca. 7. Yahuar Huacac. 8. Inca Roca, likewise +named Viracocha. 9. Pachacutec[36]. 10. Yupanqui. 11. Tupac Yupanqui. 12. +Huana Capac. 13. Huascar, or Inti-cusi-Hualpa. 14. Atahualpa. 15. Manco +Capac the Second, crowned at Cuzco by permission of Pizarro; afterwards +revolted and retired to the mountains. 16. Sayri Tupac; who resigned the +nominal sovereignty of Peru to Philip II. He died a Christian, and left +one daughter who married a Spaniard named Onez de Loyola, and from whom +are descended the marquisses of Orepesa and Alcanises. + + * * * * * + +As the empire of Peru was made up of many barbarous tribes, its native +inhabitants spoke many languages or dialects, which were only understood +in their own particular districts. The language of the ruling people or +tribe to which the royal family belonged, called the _Quichua_, was solely +used at court, and we have already seen that the sons of all the chiefs or +curacas of the empire were ordered to be educated at Cuzco, that they +might be all able to converse with the sovereign. In this language the +sounds of _b, d, f, g_, and _r_, are said to have been wanting; and yet +that of the _r_ occurs in the names of several of their kings. Garcilasso +says that this letter had a guttural sound, perhaps resembling the burr, +or _parler gras_ of the French: And it is alleged that this language of a +comparatively barbarous people was nearly as copious and as artificial as +the Greek. The following specimens are given in the Modern Geography, III. +585, to which are added two examples of what are called Peruvian poetry, +from Garcilasso de la Vega, p. 50. The nouns in this language are declined +by altering the terminations thus; _Runa_, a man; _Runap_, of a man; +_Runapac_, to a man, &c. The verbs have also moods and tenses, the +terminations often extending to a great length. + + 1. Huc 5. Chumpi, picheca. 9. Yscon. + 2. Yscay 6. Zocta. 10. Chunca. + 3. Quimza 7. Canchis. 100. Pachac. + 4. Tahua 8. Puzac. 1000. Huaranca. + + The Andes....Anti A Hog.........Cuchi + The Arm......Ricra A House.......Huaci + Bad..........Mana alli[A] A Husband.....Coza + The Beard....Zunca Iron..........Quellay + Beauty.......Zumay A King........Capac, Inca + The Belly....Vicza A Lake........Cocha + A Brother....Huauquey A Lance.......Chuqui + A Canoe......Huampu Land..........Allpa + To Die.......Huauny, pitini Little........Huchuy + A Dog........Alles Love..........Cuyay, munay + To Drink.....Upiana A man.........Runa + The Ears.....Rinri The Moon......Quilla + Eared, or having Mother........Mama + great ears...Ringrim A Mountain....Puna, acha + To Eat.......Micuni The Mouth.....Simi + An Emerald...Umina No............Maria + The Eye......Naui The Nose......Cenca + A Family.....Ayllu A Queen, or + Father.......Mayu Princess...Coya + Fire.........Nina A Sacrifice...Arpay + Many fires...Ninanina Sand..........Aco + A Fish.......Challhua The Sea.......Atun cocha[B] + Flesh........Aycha .......Mama cocha[C] + A Foot.......Chaqui A Ship........Huampu[D] + A Friend.....Cocho Silver........Collqui + Good.........Alli A Sister......Panay + Gold.........Cori Snow..........Riti + Gold dust....Chichi cori A Son.........Churi + Great........Hatun A Stone.......Rumi + A Hatchet....Avri, champi The Sun.......Inti + The Hair.....Caspa Water.........Unu, yaco + The Hand.....Maqui Woman.........Huami + The Head.....Uma Yes...........Y + + _Specimen of Peruvian poetry_. + + _Caylla Llapi_ To the Song + _Pununqui_ I will Sleep, + _Chaupitua_ At Midnight + _Samusac_ I will come. + + + [A] Not good. + + [B] Great Lake. + + [C] Mother Lake. + + [D] Huampu likewise signifies a canoe, and probably a ship might be named + Atun huampu, a great canoe.--E. + + +[1] In a note of the French edition of 1742, it is said that, in the folio + edition of Zarate printed at Seville in 1677, Luque was called the + father of Almagro, and that no mention is made of that ecclesiastic + having taken any part in the expedition. Robertson, in his History of + America, II. 273, says that Pizarro was the natural son of a gentleman + of honourable family by a low woman, and that his education was so + entirely neglected that he could neither read nor write. He adds that, + after serving some years in Italy, he embarked for America, where he + greatly distinguished himself. In our last chapter, Diaz makes + frequent mention of Pizarro as serving with reputation under Cortes, + in the early part of the expedition to Mexico; but gives no account of + his quitting the service of Cortes; to whom he was probably somehow + related, as the mother of Cortes was named Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. + Almagro, according to Robertson, was a foundling, and bred like + Pizarro in the army. Luque acted as priest and schoolmaster at Panama, + and had amassed considerable riches.--E. + +[2] Named Pedrarias by Robertson.--E. + +[3] Chinchama, by the map in Zarate is that part of the western coast of + Tierra Firma or Darien, opposite the Isla del Rey. The poor province + of Peru, beyond or to the southwards of Cinchama, is that now called + Biruquete; and the Pueblo quemada, or Burnt People, must be looked for + in the province of Novita, perhaps Nounamas, immediately to the south + of which is the river of St Juan.--E. + +[4] Tacamez, otherwise called the district of _Esmeraldas_, or of emeralds, + is in the kingdom of Quito near the equinoctial line.--E. + +[5] Instead of _twelve_, the text only names _eight_ of the brave + associates of Pizarro.--E. + +[6] Morope, in lat. 6° 35', in the district of Sana, is in the situation + of the place mentioned in the text.--E. + +[7] This river, otherwise called Amatape, runs into the bay of Payta, in + lat. 5° 10' south.--E. + +[8] Under the name of Peruvian sheep, five species of the Camel genus are + known to naturalists, the Glama or Llama, Guanaco, Chillihueque, + Vicugna, and Pacos. The three former were used as animals of burthen + by the native Peruvians, and domesticated, the two latter, especially + the Vicugna, are valuable for the firmness of their fleeces. The three + larger species carry loads of about a hundred pounds weight, the other + two, when domesticated, may be made to carry smaller burdens of from + fifty to seventy-five pounds.--E. + +[9] It was now towards the close of 1527, the third year from the first + departure of Pizarro from Panama.--Robertsons America, II. 281. + +[10] Robertson, II. 284. gives a different account of these four relations + of Francisco Pizarro from Zarate. According to him, Ferdinand was the + only lawful son of old Gonzalo Pizarro; Francisco, Juan, and the + younger Gonzalo being all natural sons; and Francisco de Alcantara was + the uncle of Don Francisco, being the brother of his mother. In the + sequel, the conqueror of Peru shall be always mentioned by the single + name of Pizarro, distinguishing his brothers by the addition of their + Christian names. While in Spain, Pizarro received a supply of money + from Cortes, under whom he had served in the early part of the + conquest of Mexico.--E. + +[11] His commission from the crown of Spain, imposed the condition of + raising 250 men, and to supply the ships and warlike stores necessary + for the expedition; but his funds and credit were so low that he could + hardly complete half the number, and had to steal away from the port + of Seville to elude the examination of the officers as to the + fulfilment of his contract.--Robertsons America, II. 284. + +[12] It is impossible to give any competent geographical account of this + extensive country in the compass of a note. Proper Peru begins at the + river Tumbez in the gulf of Guayaquil, in about lat. 3° 20' S. and + extends S.S.E. along the Pacific Ocean to the desert of Atacama, which + divides it from Chili, in lat. 21° 28 S. an extent of about 1200 miles; + consisting of two remarkably different tracts of country. A narrow + valley along the Pacific Ocean, seldom so much as 70 miles in breadth, + bounded on the east by the enormous main ridge of the Andes; beyond + which are many elevated vallies or table lands of various extent, + divided by collateral ridges and branches of the Andes, from each + other and from the prodigiously extensive plains of the vast Orinoco + Maranon and La Plata rivers. Quito, which had been annexed to the + kingdom of Peru, only a short time before the Spanish conquest, is + similarly situated, both as to maritime vale, and elevated table land, + immediately to the north of Peru proper, and seems to have reached + from lat. 3° 20' S. to about lat, 1° N. but is now included in the + viceroyalty of New Granada which reaches to the Carribbean sea, with + which it is connected by the river Magdalena.--E. + +[13] The substance of this description appears to refer entirely to that + province of the kingdom of Quito which is named Esmeraldas or Tacamez, + on both sides of the equator.--E. + +[14] Various reasons have been assigned for the origin of the word Peru, + as the name of the empire of the Incas, unknown to themselves, at + least in that sense. The most probable derivation is from the river + _Piura_, near its northern frontier, where it was first visited by + Pizarro.--E. + +[15] This circumstance is unintelligible, as the bones could not shrink, + unless by supposing these _human heads_ to have been the heads of + small apes, resembling human faces. The expression of the text, + immediately before, of human carcasses hung up _in the form of + crosses_, ought perhaps to have been rendered _instead of_ crosses.--E. + +[16] A good deal more is said of these giants, both by Zarate and + Garcilasso de la Vega, p. 363, but so vague and absurd as not to be + worth insertion. The whole story seems to have arisen out of the + colossal representation of a man and woman at Puerto viejo.--E. + +[17] This is merely a repetition of the _big bones_ of Mexico and the Ohio, + already referred to the Mammoth, or animal ignotum.--E. + +[18] Puna is in the bay of Guayaquil, in lat. 3° S. and is near _thirty_ + leagues in circumference, being about _ten_ leagues long by five in + breadth.--E. + +[19] The estimate in the text is exceedingly erroneous. The city of Parto + is in lat. 1° 12' N. and the Rio de Loa, or commencement of the desert + of Atacama, in lat. 21° 26' S. which give only a difference of nearly + 25 degrees of latitude, which at 17-1/2 Spanish leagues to the degree + are only 438 leagues. Even supposing the text to include Chili, which + extends to 39° 21' S. the whole extent of Peru and Chili is only 753 + Spanish leagues.--E. + +[20] This is only to be understood of the period when Zarate wrote, about + the middle of the sixteenth century, or two hundred and fifty years + ago. The first town he enumerates, Puerto Viejo, is now in the + viceroyalty of New Granada.--E. + +[21] The wool-bearing animals of Peru, improperly named sheep, are one or + other of the species of camel already mentioned in a former note.--E. + +[22] Instead of _four_ degrees, Quito is only the _fourth_ part of a + degree beyond the line.--E. + +[23] Bracamoras, or Jaen de Bracamoras, in lat. 5° 30' S. is in the + district or province of Jaen in the kingdom of New Granada, on one of + the branches of the Lauricocha or Tanguragua, which is one of the + great rivers which contribute to form the vast Maranon, or river of + the Amazons.--E. + +[24] No place of that name is now found in our best maps. The principal + town of the district of Chachapoyas has the same name, otherwise + called St Juan de la Frontera.--E. + +[25] Not far to the south of San Leon de Guanuco, in the mountains of + Lauricocha, there are considerable silver mines.--E. + +[26] No such place is now found on our maps in the province of Guamanga; + but the ruins of a town named Vittoria are marked in the district of + Calca, about fifty miles north-west from the city of Cuzco. Perhaps + the Vittoria of the text is the town now called Guamanga.--E. + +[27] Probably the country of the people now called _Chunchos_, who are + implacable enemies to the Spaniards.--E. + +[28] Probably the province now called _Chicas_ on the eastern side of the + Andes, occupying the head of the river Chirivionas which joins the + Paraguay or Rio Plata.--E. + +[29] Off the mouth of the river Lurin, in lat. 12° 26' S. is the island of + Pachacamac, probably indicating the situation of the ancient province + of that name.--E. + +[30] The first of the Incas is named by Robertson, II. 290. and III. 47. + Manco Capac.--E. + +[31] By Zarate this Inca is named Guaynacava, but the more general name + used by Garcilasso de la Vega and other Spanish writers, and from them + by the illustrious Robertson, is adopted in this translation.--E. + +[32] Garcilasso de la Vega, p. 65, describes the bridge over the Apurimac + not far from Cuzco, as about two hundred paces in length. He says that + its floor consisted of three great cables as thick as the body of a + man; having another cable on each side, a little raised, to serve as + rails. The two hundred toises or four hundred yards of the text seem + an exaggeration; perhaps a mistake of the French translator.--E. + +[33] This prince is called Atabaliba by Zarate, and Atabalipa by some + other writers, but we have chosen to follow the illustrious historian + of America in naming him Atahualpa.--E. + +[34] These names are not to be found in our best modern maps of Peru: but + some other names not unlike, as Mayobamba, Chachapoyas, Partas, and + Caxamarca, are in the present bishopric of Truxillo, the most northern + in Peru proper, and therefore likely to have been the seat of war + against the revolters in Quito.--E. + +[35] The whole of this appendix to the first section is an addition to + Zarate, extracted from Garcilasso de la Vega and Robertson; which, + being too long for a note, has been placed in the text. The + introductory part of this deduction is from the History of America, + Vol. II p. 289. The list of kings is from Garcilasso, whose + disarranged work is too confused for quotation.--E. + +[36] By some authors an Inca Roca is here interposed, who was deposed + after a reign of eleven days.--E. + + + + +SECTION II. + +_Transactions of Pizarro and the Spaniards in Peru, from the commencement +of the Conquest, till the departure of Almagro for the Discovery of Chili_. + + +After the return of Don Francisco Pizarro from Spain to Panama, he made +every preparation in his power for the conquest of Peru, in which he was +not seconded with the same spirit as formerly by his companion Almagro, by +which their affairs were considerably retarded, as Almagro was the richer +man and had greater credit among the settlers. Diego Almagro, as formerly +mentioned, was much dissatisfied with Pizarro for having neglected his +interest in his applications to his majesty; but at length became pacified +by his apologies and promises, and their friendship was renewed; yet +Almagro could never be thoroughly reconciled to the brothers of Pizarro, +more especially Ferdinand, against whom he had a rooted dislike. Owing to +these disputes a considerable time elapsed; but at length Ferdinand Ponce +de Leon[1] fitted out a ship which belonged to him, in which Don Francisco +Pizarro embarked with all the soldiers he could procure, which were very +few in number, as the people in Panama were much discouraged by the great +difficulties and hardships which had been suffered in the former attempt, +and the poor success which had then been met with[2]. Pizarro set sail +about the commencement of the year 1531; and in consequence of contrary +winds was obliged to land on the coast of Peru a hundred leagues more to +the north than he intended[3]; by which means he was reduced to the +necessity of making a long and painful march down the coast, where he and +his troops suffered great hardships from scarcity of provisions, and by +the extreme difficulty of crossing the different rivers which intersected +their line of march, all of which they had to pass near their mouths, +where they are wide and deep, insomuch that both men and horses had often +to pass them by swimming. The courage and address of Pizarro was +conspicuous amidst these difficulties, by encouraging the soldiers, and +frequently exposing himself to danger for their relief, even assisting +those who were unable to swim. They arrived at length at a place named +_Coaque_[4] on the sea side, which was well peopled, and where they +procured abundance of provisions to refresh and restore them after the +hardships and privations they had undergone. From that place, Pizarro sent +back one of his vessels to Panama, and the other to Nicaragua, sending by +them above 30,000 _castillanas_[5] of gold, which he had seized at Coaque, +to encourage fresh adventurers to join him, by giving a specimen of the +riches of the country. At Coaque the Spaniards found some excellent +emeralds, as this country being under the line, is the only place where +such precious stones are to be had. Several of these were destroyed by the +Spaniards, who broke them in order to examine their nature; as they were +so ignorant as to believe that good emeralds ought to bear the hammer +without breaking, like diamonds. Believing therefore that the Indians +might impose false stones upon them, they broke many of great value +through their ignorance. The Spaniards were here afflicted by a singular +disease, formerly mentioned, which produced a dangerous kind of warts or +wens on their heads faces and other parts of their body, extremely sore +and loathsome, of which some of the soldiers died, but most of them +recovered, though almost every one was less or more affected. + +Leaving Coaque on account of this strange disease, which Pizarro +attributed to the malignity of the air, he marched on to that province or +district in which _Puerto Viejo_ now stands, and easily reduced all the +surrounding country to subjection. The captains Sebastian Benalcazar and +Juan Fernandez joined him at this place, with a small reinforcement of +horse and foot, which they brought from Nicaragua[6]. + +Having reduced the province of Puerto Viejo to subjection, Pizarro +proceeded with all his troops to the harbour of _Tumbez_, whence he +determined to pass over into the island of Puna, which is opposite to that +port. For this purpose he caused a number of flats or rafts to be +constructed after the manner of the Peruvians, formerly mentioned, to +transport his men and horses to the island, which is above twenty miles +from the river of Tumbez. The Spaniards were in imminent danger in this +passage, as the Indians who guided their floats had resolved to cut the +cords by which their planks were held together, on purpose to drown the +men and horses; but as Pizarro had some suspicion or intimation of their +secret intentions, he ordered all his people to be on their guard, +constantly sword in hand, and to keep a watchful eye on the Indians. On +arriving in the island, the inhabitants received them courteously and +requested that there might be peace between them; yet it was soon known +that they had concealed their warriors in ambush, with the intention of +massacring the Spaniards during the night. When Pizarro was informed of +this treachery, he attacked and defeated the Indians, and took the +principal cacique of the island; and next morning made himself master of +the enemies camp, which was defended by a considerable body of warriors. +Learning that another body of the islanders had attacked the flat vessels +or rafts in which they had come over, Pizarro and his brothers went in all +haste to assist the Spanish guard which had the care of them, and drove +away the enemy with considerable slaughter. In these engagements two or +three of the Spaniards were killed, and several wounded, among whom was +Gonzalo Pizarro, who received a dangerous hurt on the knee. + +Soon after this action, Hernando de Soto arrived from Nicaragua with a +considerable reinforcement of foot and horse. But finding it difficult to +subdue the islanders effectually, as they kept their canoes concealed +among the mangrove trees which grow in the water, Pizarro resolved to +return to Tumbez; more especially as the air of Puna is unwholesome from +its extreme heat, and the marshy nature of its shores. For this reason he +divided all the gold which had been collected in the island, and abandoned +the place. In this island of Puna, the Spaniards found above six hundred +prisoners, men and women, belonging to the district of Tumbez, among whom +was one of the principal nobles of that place. On the 16th May 1532, +Pizarro set all these people at liberty, and supplied them with barks or +floats to carry them home to Tumbez; sending likewise in one of these +barks along with the liberated Indians, three Spaniards to announce his +own speedy arrival. The Indians of Tumbez repaid this great favour with +the blackest ingratitude, as immediately on their arrival, they sacrificed +these three Spaniards to their abominable idols. Hernando de Soto made a +narrow escape from meeting with the same fate: He was embarked on one of +these floats, with a single servant, along with some of the Indians, and +had already entered the river of Tumbez, when he was seen by Diego de +Aguero and Roderick Lozan, who had already landed, and who made him stop +the float and land beside them; otherwise, if he had been carried up to +Tumbez, he would certainly have been put to death. + +From the foregoing treachery of the inhabitants of Tumbez, it may readily +be supposed that they were by no means disposed to furnish barks for the +disembarkation of the Spanish troops and horses; so that on the first +evening, only the Governor Don Francisco Pizarro, with his brothers +Ferdinand and Juan, the bishop Don Vincente de Valverde, captain de Soto, +and the other two Spaniards already mentioned, Aguero and Lozan, were able +to land. These gentlemen had to pass the whole night on horseback entirely +wet, as the sea was very rough, and they had no Indians to guide their +bark, which the Spaniards did not know how to manage, so that it overset +while they were endeavouring to land. In the morning, Ferdinand Pizarro +remained on the shore to direct the landing of the troops, while the +governor and the others who had landed rode more than two leagues into the +country without being able to find a single Indian, as all the natives had +armed themselves and retired to the small hills in the neighbourhood. On +returning towards the coast, he met the captains Mina and Salcedo, who had +rode to meet him with several of the cavalry which had disembarked. He +returned with them to Tumbez, where he encamped with all the troops he was +able to collect. + +Soon afterwards, Captain Benalcazar arrived with the rest of the troops +from the island of Puna, where he had been obliged to remain till the +return of the vessels, as there was not enough of shipping to contain the +whole at once. While he waited for the vessels, he had to defend himself +from continual attacks of the islanders; but now rejoined the governor +with very little loss. Pizarro remained above twenty days at Tumbez, +during which time he used every endeavour to persuade the cacique to enter +into terms of peace, by sending him repeated messages to that effect, but +all to no purpose. On the contrary, the natives did every injury in their +power to our people, and especially to the servants and others who went +out into the country in search of provisions; while the Spaniards were +unable to retaliate, as the Indians kept always on the opposite side of +the river. The governor caused three barks or floats to be brought up +secretly from the coast, in which he crossed the river during the night, +with his brothers Juan and Gonzalo, and the Captains Benalcazar and Soto, +with above fifty horsemen. With these he made a very fatiguing march +before day, as the road was very difficult and uneven, and full of knolls +overgrown with brambles and bushes. About day break he came unexpectedly +to the Indian camp, which he immediately attacked and carried, putting +many of the natives to the sword; and for fifteen days he pursued them +into all their haunts, making a cruel war upon them with fire and sword, +in revenge for the three Spaniards whom they had sacrificed. At length, +the principal cacique of Tumbez sued for peace, and made some presents of +gold and silver in token of submission. + +Having thus reduced the province of Tumbez, Pizarro left a part of his +troops there under the charge of Antonio de Navarre and Alonso Requelme, +the former of whom was Contador or comptroller of accounts, and the latter +treasurer, both in the service of his majesty. Taking along with himself +the greater part of his troops, he went forwards to the river _Poechos_[7], +thirty leagues to the southward of Tumbez, in which march, as the caciques +and inhabitants received him peaceably, he conducted himself in a friendly +manner to the natives. Passing beyond the before mentioned river, he came +to the bay of Payta, which is the best on all that coast; whence he +detached de Soto to reduce the caciques inhabiting the banks of the river +Amatape or Chira, in which he succeeded after a slight resistance, all the +caciques and natives submitting and demanding peace. + +While at this place, Pizarro received a message from Cuzco by certain +envoys sent by Huascar, informing him of the revolt of his brother +Atahualpa, and requesting his assistance to establish him, as the lawful +sovereign, in his just rights[8]. On the receipt of this message, Pizarro +determined to take advantage of the divisions in Peru. He sent therefore +his brother Ferdinand to Tumbez to bring the troops from thence; and +established a colony at San Miguel in the district of Tangarara, near the +sea on the river Chira[9], as a port in which to receive vessels coming +with reinforcements from Panama. Having placed a garrison in St Miguel, +and made a division of all the gold and silver which had been procured +since leaving Puna, the governor marched with the rest of his army for the +province of Caxamarca, in which he was informed that Atahualpa then +was[10]. + +On this march towards Caxamarca, the Spaniards suffered intolerably, while +passing through the dry and burning sandy desert of Sechura, where for +above fifty miles they could not find any water to drink, or a single tree +to shelter them from the sun. This desert reaches from San Miguel or the +river Piura to the province of Motupe, in which latter they found some +well peopled vallies full of verdure, and were supplied with abundance of +provisions and refreshments to restore them after the fatigues and +privations they had suffered in the desert. Marching from thence by way of +the mountain towards Caxamarca, Pizarro was met by an envoy from Atahualpa, +bringing presents from that prince, among which were painted slippers and +golden bracelets. This messenger informed the governor, that, when he +appeared before Atahualpa, he must wear these slippers and bracelets, that +the prince might know who he was[11]. Pizarro received this envoy with +much kindness, and promised to do every thing that had been required on +the part of Atahualpa; desiring the envoy to inform his sovereign that he +might be assured of receiving no injury from him or the Spaniards, on +condition that the Peruvians treated them with peace and friendship; as he +had it in orders from the king his master, who had sent him to this +country, to do no harm to any one without just cause. + +On the departure of the Peruvian envoy, Pizarro continued his march with +great precaution, being uncertain whither the Indians might not attack him +during the passage of the mountains, in one part of which he had to pass +through an almost inaccessible narrow defile, where a few resolute men +might have destroyed his whole party. On his arrival at Caxamarca, he +found another messenger from Atahualpa, who desired that he would not +presume to take up his quarters in that place until he received permission +for the purpose. Pizarro made no answer to this message, but immediately +took up his quarters in a large court, on one side of which there was a +house or palace of the Inca, and on the other side a temple of the sun, +the whole being surrounded, by a strong wall or rampart of earth. When he +had posted his troops in this advantageous situation, he sent captain Soto +at the head of twenty horsemen to the camp of Atahualpa, which was at the +distance of a league from Caxamarca, with orders to announce his arrival. +On coming towards the presence of Atahualpa, Soto pushed his horse into a +full career, making him prance and curvet to the great terror of many of +the Peruvians, who ran away in a prodigious fright. Atahualpa was so much +displeased at his subjects for their cowardice, that he ordered all who +had run away from the horse to be immediately put to death. + +After Soto had delivered his message, Atahualpa declined giving any direct +answer, not choosing to address his discourse immediately to Soto: He +spoke first to one of his attendant chiefs, who communicated what the king +had said to the interpreter, after which the interpreter explained what +had been said to Soto. While this circuitous conversation was going on, +Ferdinand Pizarro arrived with some more horsemen, and addressed Atahualpa +in the name of his brother, to the following effect. "That his brother the +general had been sent to wait upon Atahualpa by his sovereign Don Carlos +with an offer of friendship and alliance, and wished therefore to have an +audience of his majesty, that he might communicate what had been given to +him in charge by the king of Spain." To this Atahualpa replied; "That he +accepted with pleasure the offer of friendship from the general, provided +he would restore to his subjects all the gold and silver he had taken from +them, and would immediately quit the country; and that on purpose to +settle an amicable arrangement, he meant next day to visit the Spanish +general in the palace of Caxamarca." + +After visiting the Peruvian camp, which had the appearance of an immense +city, from the prodigious multitude of tents and the vast numbers of men +which it contained, Ferdinand Pizarro returned to his brother, to whom he +gave a faithful account of every thing he had seen, and of the words of +Atahualpa. The answer of that prince gave some considerable uneasiness to +Pizarro, as having rather a menacing appearance, more especially +considering that the army of the Peruvians outnumbered his own small force +in the proportion of one or two hundred to one. Yet as the general and +most of those who were with him were men of bold and determined resolution, +they encouraged each other during the night to act like men of courage and +honour, trusting to the assistance of God in the discharge of their duty. +They passed the whole night under arms, keeping strict watch round their +quarters, and in complete readiness for whatever might befal. + +Early in the morning of the 16th November 1532, Pizarro drew up his small +body of men in regular order. Dividing his cavalry into three bodies, +under the command of his three brothers, Ferdinand, Juan, and Gonzalo, +assisted by the Captains Soto and Benalcazar, he ordered to keep +themselves concealed within their quarters till they should receive orders +to attack. He remained himself at the head of the infantry, in another +part of the inclosed court, having issued the strictest commands that no +one should make the smallest motion without his orders, which were to be +conveyed by the discharge of the artillery. + +Atahualpa employed a great part of the day in arranging his troops in +order of battle, pointing out to each of the commanders where and in what +manner their divisions were to attack the Spaniards. He likewise sent a +detachment of 5000 Peruvian warriors under one of his principal officers +named Ruminagui, with orders to take possession of the defile by which the +Spaniards had penetrated the mountain, and to kill every one of them who +might endeavour to escape in that way[12]. Atahualpa having given all +these orders, began his march and advanced so slowly that in four hours +his army hardly proceeded a short league. He was carried in his litter in +the usual state, on the shoulders of some of the principal lords of his +court, having three hundred Indians marching before him in rich uniforms, +who removed every stone or other substance which might obstruct the way, +even carefully picking up the smallest straws. He was followed by a +numerous train of curacas or caciques, and principal officers of his court, +all carried in litters. The Peruvians held the Spaniards in small +estimation, they were so few in number, and imagined they could easily +make them all prisoners without presuming to make the smallest resistance. +One of the caciques had sent to inform Atahualpa not to stand in any awe +of the Spaniards, as they were not only few in number, but so effeminate +and lazy that they were unable to march on foot without being tired by a +very short distance, for which reason they travelled on the backs of +_large sheep_, by which name they distinguished our horses. + +In the order already described, Atahualpa entered with all his army and +attendants into a large square or enclosure in front of the _tambos_ or +palace of Caxamarca; and seeing the Spaniards so few in number and all on +foot, as the cavalry remained in concealment, he conceived that they would +not certainly dare to stand before him or to resist his commands. Rising +up therefore in his litter, be said to his attendants, "These people are +all in our power, and will assuredly surrender." To which they all +answered that this was certainly the case. At this time, the bishop Don +Vincente Valverde advanced towards Atahualpa, holding a crucifix in one +hand and his breviary in the other, and addressed him to the following +effect. + +"There is but one God in three persons who has created the heavens and the +earth and all that are therein. He formed Adam the first man out of the +dust of the earth, and afterwards made Eve his wife from a rib taken out +of his side. All the generations of men are descended from these our first +parents, by whose disobedience we have all become sinners, unworthy +therefore of the grace and mercy of God, and beyond the hope of heaven, +until Jesus Christ our Redeemer was born of the Virgin and suffered death +to purchase for us life and immortality. After our Lord had suffered a +shameful death upon the cross, he rose again in a glorious manner; and, +having remained a short time on earth, he ascended into Heaven, leaving St +Peter his vicar on earth, and after him his successors who dwell in Rome, +and are named popes by the Christians. These holy successors of St Peter +have divided all the countries of the world among the Christian kings and +princes, giving in charge to each to subdue that portion which has been +alotted to him. This country of Peru having fallen to the share of his +imperial and royal majesty, the emperor Don Carlos king of Spain, that +great monarch hath sent in his place the governor Don Francisco Pizarro, +now present, to make known to you on the part of God and the king of Spain, +all that I have now said. If you are disposed to believe all this, to +receive baptism, and to obey the emperor, as is done by the greatest +portion of the Christian world, that great prince will protect and defend +you and your country in peace, causing justice to be administered to all. +He will likewise confirm all your rights and liberties, as he is +accustomed to do to all the kings and princes who have voluntarily +submitted to his authority. But if you refuse this and choose to run the +hazard of war, the governor will attack you with fire and sword, and is +ready at this moment to do so with arms in his hand[13]." + +When Atahualpa had listened to this discourse, very imperfectly rendered +by an ignorant interpreter, he answered, "That the whole of this country +had been conquered by his father and his ancestors, who had left it in +rightful succession to his elder brother the inca Huascar. That he having +been conquered and taken prisoner, Atahualpa held himself as legitimate +sovereign, and could not conceive how St Peter could pretend to give it +away to any one, without the knowledge and consent of him to whom it +belonged. As for Jesus Christ, who he said had created heaven and earth +and man and all other things, he knew nothing of all this, believing that +the sun his father was the creator of all, whom he and his nation +venerated as a god, worshipping likewise the earth as the mother of all +things, and the _guacas_ as subordinate divinities, and that Pachacama was +the supreme ruler and creator of all things. As for what he had said of +the king of Spain, he knew nothing at all about the matter, never having +seen him." At the last, he asked the bishop where he had learnt all those +things which he had been telling him. Valverde answered him that all these +things were contained in the book which he held in his hand, which was the +word of God. Atahualpa asked it from him, opened the book turning over its +leaves, saying that it said nothing to him, and threw it on the ground. +The bishop then turning to the Spaniards, called out, "To arms! to arms! +Christians: The word of God is insulted." + +Pizarro being of opinion that he would be easily destroyed if he waited +for the attack of the Peruvians, immediately ordered his soldiers to +advance to the charge, sending word to his brothers and the other officers +who commanded the cavalry to execute the orders which they had already +received. He likewise ordered the artillery and the crossbows to commence +firing upon the Indians, on which the cavalry, as had been concerted, +sallied forth and charged through among the Indians in three separate +bodies; while he moved forwards at the head of the infantry, pushing +directly for the litter in which Atahualpa was carried, the bearers of +which they began to slay, while others pressed on to supply their places. +As Pizarro was convinced that he and his people would be infallibly +destroyed if the battle remained for any length of time undecided, the +loss of one soldier being of infinitely worse consequence to him than the +destruction of hundreds was to the enemy, and that he gained nothing by +the death of thousands of the Peruvians, determined to make every effort +to gain possession of Atahualpa, for which purpose he cut his way up to +the litter in which he was carried; and seizing him by his long hair +dragged him from his seat to the ground. In doing this, as several of his +soldiers were making cuts with their swords against the golden litter, one +of their swords glancing off wounded Pizarro in the hand. Paying no +attention to this wound, he held fast his rich prize, in spite of the +endeavours of multitudes of Indians to rescue their sovereign, who were +all either killed or driven away, and at length secured Atahualpa as his +prisoner. + +When the Peruvians saw their sovereign in the hands of the Spaniards, and +found themselves assailed in so many places at once by the enemy, +especially by the horse, the fury of whose charge they were unable to +resist, they threw down their arms and dispersed in every direction, +endeavouring to preserve their lives by flight. A prodigious multitude of +them being stopped by a corner of the great court or square, pressed with +such violence against the wall that a part of it gave way, forming a large +breach by which many of them escaped. The cavalry pursued the fugitives in +every direction till night, when they returned to quarters[14]. + +When Ruminagui heard the noise of the artillery, and saw a centinel who +had been placed on the top of a rock thrown down by a Spaniard, he +concluded that the Spaniards had gained the victory; and was so much +alarmed that he marched away with all his men to Quito, never stopping for +any time till he got to that city, which is two hundred and fifty leagues +from Caxamarca. + +Atahualpa being thus made prisoner, and his whole army having taken to +flight, the Spaniards went next morning to pillage his camp, where they +found a prodigious quantity of gold and silver vessels, excessively rich +tents, stuffs, vestments, and many other articles of immense value. The +gold plate alone which was carried along with the army for the use of +Atahualpa exceeded the value of 60,000 pistoles[15]. Above 5000 women who +were found in the camp of the enemy voluntarily surrendered themselves to +the Spaniards. + +The captive Atahualpa now made submissive application to Pizarro, +earnestly intreating to be well used, and made offer for his ransom to +deliver a quantity of gold that should fill a large chamber, besides so +large a mass of silver that the Spaniards would be unable to carry the +whole away. Pizarro was astonished at this magnificent offer, which he +could hardly credit, yet promised the fallen monarch that he should be +well used, and even engaged to restore his freedom if he made good his +offer. Atahualpa was so much pleased with this promise, that he +immediately sent numerous messengers through the whole empire, +particularly to Cuzco, ordering all the gold and silver that could be +procured to be brought to Caxamarca to pay his ransom. He had promised an +immense quantity, as he had engaged to fill a long hall in the _tambos_ or +palace of Cazamarca as high as he could reach with his hand[16], for which +purpose the height was marked by a coloured line drawn round the whole +room. Although large quantities of gold and silver arrived every day after +this agreement, the Spaniards could not be satisfied that the promise of +Atahualpa would ever be fulfilled. They began even to murmur at the delay, +alleging that the time which had been fixed by Atahualpa for the +accomplishment of his promise was already past; and they alleged that he +had fallen upon this scheme on purpose to gain time for the assemblage of +a new army, with which to attack them at unawares. As Atahualpa had +considerable sagacity, he soon noticed the discontent of the Spaniards, +and asked Pizarro the reason. On being informed, he made answer that they +were in the wrong to complain of the delay, which was not such as to give +any reasonable cause for suspicion. They ought to consider that Cuzco, +from whence the far greater part of the gold had to be brought, was above +200 _large_ leagues distant from Caxamarca by an extremely difficult road, +by which all the gold had to be carried on the shoulders of the Peruvians, +and that very little time had elapsed for the accomplishment of so +laborious a work. Having thus endeavoured to explain the cause of delay in +payment of the ransom, he requested that they would satisfy themselves on +the subject by inspection that he was actually able to perform his +engagement; after which they would not think much of its being delayed a +month more or less. For this purpose, he proposed that he should depute +two or three of the Spaniards, who might go to Cuzco, having orders from +him to be shewn the royal treasures in that city, of which they would then +be able to bring back certain information to satisfy the rest. + +Opinions were much divided among the Spaniards, as to the adoption or +rejection of this proposal. Several considered it is a most dangerous +measure for any person to trust himself in the hand of the Peruvians, +especially to so great a distance. Atahualpa considered this doubt of +safety as very strange, especially as they had him in their hands as an +hostage, together with his wives, children, and brothers. On this, +Hernando de Soto and Pedro de Barco resolved to undertake the journey; and +accordingly by the directions of Atahualpa, they set out in litters, each +of which was carried on the shoulders of two men, with a number of other +Peruvians accompanying them, to serve as reliefs when the others were +tired. They were carried in this manner almost as fast as if they had rode +post; as the litter carriers went along with great swiftness, frequently +relieved by the others, of whom there were fifty or sixty in all. + +Several days journey from Caxamarca, Soto and Barco met a party of the +troops of Atahualpa, who were escorting the Inca Huascar as a prisoner. +This unfortunate prince, on learning who they were, requested to have a +conference with them, to which they consented, and in which he was +distinctly informed of all the recent events. On being informed of the +intentions of his imperial majesty Don Carlos, and of Pizarro, who +commanded the Spaniards in his name, to cause impartial justice to be +executed both to the Peruvians and Spaniards, he laid before them a +distinct account of the injustice which he had suffered from his brother +Atahualpa, who not only wished to deprive him of the kingdom, which +belonged to him of right, as the eldest son of the late monarch Huana +Capac, but now kept him a prisoner, with the design of putting him to +death. He urged them to return to their general, and to lay his complaints +before him, requesting that he, who now had both competitors in his power, +and was consequently entire master of the country, would judge between +them, and decree the possession of the empire to him who held the lawful +right of succession. He farther promised, if Pizarro would do this, that +he would not only fulfil all that Atahualpa had promised, which was to +fill the apartment at Caxamarca to a certain height, but he would fill it +with gold to the roof, which would be three times more than Atahualpa had +promised. He assured them that he was better able to do all this, than was +Atahualpa to perform what he had promised; because Atahualpa, to implement +his engagement, would be under the necessity of stripping the temple of +the Sun at Cuzco of all the plates of gold and silver with which it was +lined; whereas he, Huascar, was in possession of all the treasures which +belonged to his father Huana Capac, and the former Incas, by which he was +able to perform what he had now offered, and a great deal more. + +All that he alleged was certainly true, as Huascar was in possession of +immense treasures, which he had hidden under ground in some secret place, +unknown to all the world. On this occasion, he had employed many Indians +to transport his wealth into the place of concealment, after which he had +ordered them all to be put to death, that they might not inform any one of +the place. After the Spaniards were entire masters of the country, they +made every possible search after these treasures, and even continue their +search to the present day, digging in every place where they suspect they +may be concealed, but hitherto without being able to find them. + +Soto and Barco told Huascar, that it was out of their power to turn back, +being under the necessity of continuing the journey on which they had been +sent by order of their general; but that on their return they would make a +faithful report of all he had said. They accordingly went on their way +towards Cuzco. But this meeting and conference occasioned the death of +Huascar, and the loss to the Spaniards of the vast treasure he had +promised for his liberty and restoration. The captains who had the custody +of Huascar made a report to Atahualpa of all that had passed in the +interview between their prisoner and the Spanish messengers; and Atahualpa +had sufficient sagacity to see, if these matters came to the knowledge of +Pizarro, that he would feel inclined to take part with Huascar, especially +in consideration of the prodigious quantity of gold which had been offered +for his interference. He had remarked the extreme eagerness of the +Spaniards for the possession of gold, and feared that they would deprive +him of the kingdom, and give it his brother, and might put himself to +death, as an unjust usurper of the clear rights of another. Being disposed, +from these motives, to order his brother Huascar to be put to death, he +was only restrained from doing this immediately by one circumstance. He +had frequently heard from the Christians, that one of their principal laws, +which was most religiously observed, was, that all who were guilty of +murder were punished with death, whether the murder were committed by +themselves personally, or by others at their instigation. He resolved, +therefore, to sound Pizarro, and to discover his sentiments on this +subject, which he did with wonderful artifice and dissimulation. One day +he pretended to be overcome with extreme grief, weeping and sobbing, and +refusing to eat or drink, or to speak with any one. When Pizarro inquired +the cause of this distress, he allowed himself to be long intreated before +he would give any reason of his sorrow. At length, as if overcome by +solicitation, he said, "That he had just received intelligence that one of +his officers had put his brother Huascar to death, by which news he was +entirely overcome with grief, as he had always entertained the warmest and +most respectful affection for him, not only as his eldest brother, but in +a great measure as his father and sovereign. That although he had taken +Huascar prisoner, he not only had no intention of using him ill in his +person, but did not even mean to deprive him of the kingdom: his sole +object being to oblige him to give up the possession of the kingdom of +Quito, according to the last will of their father, Huana Capac; who had +made a conquest of that country, which was beyond the boundary of the +hereditary empire of the incas, and which consequently their father had an +undoubted right to dispose of in his favour." Pizarro endeavoured to +console the pretended affliction of Atahualpa, by assuring him, when peace +and good order re-established in the empire, that he would make a strict +inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Huascar, and would severely +punish all who had participated in the crime. + +When Atahualpa found that Pizarro took up this affair with so much +coolness and moderation, he resolved to execute his design, and sent +immediate orders to his officers who had the custody of Huascar to put him +to death. So promptly were these orders obeyed, that it was difficult to +ascertain in the sequel whether the excessive grief of Atahualpa was +feigned, and whether it preceded or followed the death of his brother +Huascar. Most of the soldiers blamed Soto and Barco for this unhappy event: +not considering the necessity of every one to obey the orders of their +superiors with exactness, according to their instructions, especially in +time of war, without assuming the liberty of making any alteration or +modification according to circumstances in their own opinion, unless they +have express and formal discretionary power. + +It was currently reported among the Peruvians, that when Huascar learnt he +was to be put to death by order of his brother, he made the following +observation: "I have been only a short while sovereign of this country, +but my faithless brother, by whose orders I am to die, will not be longer +a king than I have been." When the Peruvians soon afterwards saw Atahualpa +put to death, conformable to this prediction, they believed Huascar to +have been a true son of the sun. It is reported also, that Huascar should +have said, when his father Huana Capac took his last leave of him, he +foretold "That white men with long beards would soon come into Peru, and +advised him to treat them as friends, as they would become masters of the +kingdom." Huana Capac may have received some intimation of this future +circumstance from the demons; and that the more readily, that Pizarro had +been on the coast of Peru before his death, and had even begun to make +some conquests. + +While Pizarro continued to reside in Caxamarca, he sent out his brother +Ferdinand with a party of cavalry to discover the country, who went as far +as Pachacamac, about a hundred leagues from Caxamarca. In the district of +Huamachucos, Ferdinand met with Hlescas, one of the brothers of Atahualpa, +who was escorting a prodigious quantity of gold to Caxamarca, part of the +ransom of the captive inca, to the value of two or three millions at the +least, without counting an immense quantity of silver[17]. He continued +his journey from Huamachucos to Pachacamac, not far to the south of where +Lima now stands, through several difficult and dangerous passes; when he +learnt that one of the generals of Atahualpa, named Cilicuchima was +stationed with a large army at a place about forty leagues from thence. +Ferdinand Pizarro sent a message to the Peruvian general to request that +he would come to speak with him; and as Cilicuchima refused, Ferdinand +took the resolution to wait upon him in person. This was considered by +many as extremely rash and imprudent, to trust himself in the hands of a +barbarous and powerful enemy. He was successful however in the attempt, as +by various representations and promises, he prevailed on the Peruvian +general to dismiss his army, and to go along with him to Caxamarca to +wait upon his sovereign Atahualpa. To shorten their journey, they took a +very difficult route through mountains covered with snow, where they were +in danger of perishing with cold. + +On arriving at Caxamarca, before entering into the presence of Atahualpa, +Cilicuchima bared his feet and carried a present to his sovereign after +the custom of the country, and said to him weeping, that if he had been +along with him, the Spaniards should not have been allowed to make him a +prisoner. Atahualpa answered, that his captivity was a punishment from the +gods, whom he had not honoured and respected as he ought to have done; but +that his defeat and capture were chiefly owing to the cowardice and flight +of Ruminagui with his 5000 men, who ought to have succoured him when +attacked by the Spaniards. + +While Don Francisco Pizarro was in the province of Poecho between Tumbez +and Payta, before he marched to Caxamarca, he received a letter without +any signature, which it was afterwards learnt had been sent to him by the +secretary of Don Diego de Almagro. He was informed by this letter, that +Almagro had fitted out a large ship and several smaller vessels with a +considerable number of soldiers, in which he proposed to sail beyond the +country of which Pizarro had taken possession, and to reduce the best +portion of Peru under his own authority, as beyond the government which +had been granted to Pizarro by his majesty, which only extended 200 +leagues to the south of the equator[18]. The governor had never shewn his +patents to any person[19]; yet it was currently reported that Almagro +actually left Panama with the intention of carrying that design into +execution; but on arriving at Puertoviejo, and learning the amazing +successes of Pizarro, and the prodigious quantities of gold and silver he +had already acquired, the half of which he considered as belonging to him, +he changed his purpose, and marched with all his people to Caxamarca to +join Pizarro. On his arrival there, the greater part of the ransom of +Atahualpa was already brought, and Almagro and his followers were filled +with astonishment and admiration at the sight of the prodigious masses of +gold and silver which were there collected, more than they thought could +have been in any part of the world. + +When all this gold and silver was melted down, weighed and essayed, it was +found to amount to the amazing sum of six hundred millions of _maravedies_, +or more than 4,500,000 livres. It is true that the proof or essay of this +gold was made hurriedly, and only by means of the touchstone, as they had +no _aqua fortis_ to conduct the process in a more exact manner. It +afterwards appeared that this gold had been estimated two or three +_carats_ below its real value; so that the whole amount ought to have been +reckoned at _seven_ millions of maravedies, or 5,250,000 livres. The +quantity of silver was so large, that the royal fifth amounted to 30,000 +marks of fine silver, most of which was afterwards found to contain two or +three carats of gold. The royal fifth of the gold amounted to 120 millions +of maravedies, or 900,000 livres. Each horseman received for his share in +gold, without counting the silver 240 marks or 12,000 pesos, equal to +80,000 francs. The shares of the horsemen were a quarter part larger than +those of the foot soldiers. Yet all these sums did not amount to a fifth +part of what Atahualpa had engaged to pay for his ransom. Those who had +come along with Almagro, though considerable both from their rank and +number, certainly had no just title to demand any share in the treasure +which Atahualpa paid for his ransom, as they had no share in his capture; +yet the general assigned each of them 20 marks, or 1000 pesos, as a +donative to keep them in good humour. + +Pizarro thought it now incumbent upon him to send intelligence to his +majesty of the success of his enterprize, for which purpose he sent over +his brother Ferdinand to Spain; and as when he departed, the precious +metals had not been melted or proved, so that it was impossible to +ascertain what was the exact share belonging to the king, two thousand +marks of gold and twenty thousand marks of silver, were set apart for this +purpose[20]. In making the selection of articles to be sent to Spain, the +largest and finest pieces were chosen, that they might have a grander +appearance: Among these were several large vessels of various kinds and +for different uses, together with figures of men and women and various +animals. When Atahualpa learnt that Ferdinand Pizarro was to embark for +Spain he was much afflicted, having a great affection for that gentleman, +in whom he reposed implicit confidence; and when Ferdinand came to take +leave, he said to him, "I am sore afflicted at your departure, for I am +much afraid the big-belly and the blinkard will put me to death in your +absence." By the former he meant Requelme the treasurer, who was very fat, +and by the latter Almagro, who had lost an eye, whom he had observed +frequently to mutter against him, for certain reasons, which will appear +in the sequel. + +As Atahualpa suspected, Ferdinand Pizarro had not been long gone, when the +death of the unfortunate prince began to be talked of among the Spaniards. +This was brought about by the suggestions of an Indian named Philippillo, +who had accompanied the general into Spain, and now served him as an +interpreter with the Peruvians. He pretended that Atahualpa had secretly +laid a plan for destroying all the Spaniards; for which purpose he had a +great number of armed men concealed in various places, meaning to employ +them when a favourable opportunity occurred. The proofs and examination of +facts and circumstances respecting this alleged plot, had all to come +through Philippillo, as the only one who knew both languages; and he gave +such a turn to every thing as best suited his own views and purposes. +Accordingly the Spaniards were never able perfectly to discover the truth, +or to penetrate entirely into his motives for this procedure. It has been +alleged by some persons, that Philippillo had become amorous of one of the +wives of Atahualpa, with whom he even had a criminal intercourse, and +expected to secure the quiet possession of his mistress by the death of +that unfortunate prince. It was even reported that Atahualpa had come to +the knowledge of that amour, and had complained to Pizarro of the criminal +and even treasonable conduct of the paramours; which, by the laws of Peru, +could only be expiated by burning the guilty persons, putting to death all +their near relations, destroying all their cattle and substance, laying +waste the place of their birth, and sowing salt on the place, so as to +render the memory of the crime infamous for ever. + +It has been alleged by others that the death of Atahualpa was occasioned +by the solicitations and intrigues of those newly arrived Spaniards who +accompanied Almagro, who considered his continuing to live as prejudicial +to their interests. The soldiers of Pizarro who were with him when +Atahualpa was taken prisoner, insisted that those who came with Almagro +had no right to participate in any part of the treasure given or to be +given on account of his ransom, and could not justly pretend to any share +of what might be collected until all that Atahualpa had promised was +entirely paid up. The soldiers of Almagro, on the other hand, believed it +to be for their interest that Atahualpa should be removed out of the way; +since as long as he might live, the soldiers of Pizarro would always +pretend that all the treasure which might be procured formed part of his +ransom, so that they would never come in for any share. However this might +be, the death of that unfortunate prince was resolved on, and even this +determination was communicated to him. Astonished at this fatal +intelligence, of which he had never entertained the slightest suspicion, +Atahualpa urged his merciless conquerors to confine him rather in a +stricter captivity, or even to put him on board their ships. "I know not," +said he, "how you can possibly suppose me so stupid as to think of any +treachery against you in my present situation. How can you believe those +troops which you say are assembled, have been called together by my orders +or by my consent? Am I not a prisoner, in chains, and in your hands? And +is it not easy for you to put me to death whenever these pretended troops +make their appearance? If you believe that my subjects will undertake any +thing against you without my consent, you are ill informed of the absolute +authority I possess over all my subjects, and the perfect obedience which +it is their glory to render me on all occasions. So to speak, the birds do +not dare to fly, nor the leaves to move upon the trees without my orders; +and how then shall my subjects presume to go to war against you without my +consent." + +All that he could urge was of no avail, as his death was absolutely +resolved upon, although he offered to place hostages of the highest +consideration in the hands of the Spaniards, whose lives should be +answerable for any of the Christians who might be slain or ill treated by +his subjects. Besides the suspicions already mentioned, which were alleged +against Atahualpa, it is said that he was accused of the death of his +brother Huascar. He was condemned to die, and his sentence was executed +without delay. In his distress, he was continually repeating the name of +Ferdinand Pizarro; saying, if he had been present, he would not have +allowed him to be thus unjustly put to death. Shortly before his death, he +was persuaded by Pizarro and Valverde to submit to the ceremony of +baptism[21]. + +"While Almagro and his followers openly demanded the life of Atahualpa, +and Philippillo laboured to ruin him by private machinations, that unhappy +prince inadvertently contributed to hasten his own fate. During his +confinement he had attached himself with peculiar affection to Ferdinand +Pizarro and Hernando Soto; who, as they were persons of birth and +education superior to the rough adventurers with whom they served, were +accustomed to behave with more decency and attention to the captive +monarch. Soothed with this respect from persons of such high rank, he +delighted in their society. But in the presence of the governor he was +always uneasy and overawed. This dread soon came to be mingled with +contempt. Among all the European arts, that which he most admired, was +reading and writing; and he long deliberated with himself, whether he +should regard it as a natural or acquired talent. In order to determine +this, he desired one of the soldiers who guarded him, to write the name of +God on the nail of his thumb. This he shewed successively to several +Spaniards, asking its meaning; and, to his amazement, they all, without +hesitation, gave the same answer. At length Pizarro entered; and on +presenting it to him, he blushed, and with some confusion was obliged to +acknowledge his ignorance. From that moment, Atahualpa considered him as a +mean person, less instructed than his own soldiers; and he had not address +enough to conceal the sentiments with which this discovery inspired him. +To be the object of scorn to a barbarian, not only mortified the pride of +Pizarro; but excited such resentment in his breast, as added force to all +the other considerations which prompted him to put the Inca to death." + +"But in order to give some colour of justice to this violent action, and +that he himself might be exempted from standing singly responsible for the +commission of it, Pizarro resolved to try the Inca with all the +formalities observed in the criminal courts of Spain. Pizarro himself and +Almagro, with two assistants, were appointed judges, with full power to +acquit or condemn; an attorney-general was named to carry on the +prosecution in the king's name; counsellors were chosen to assist the +prisoner in his defence; and clerks were ordained to record the +proceedings of court. Before this strange tribunal, a charge was exhibited +still more amazing. It consisted of various articles: That Atahualpa, +though a bastard, had dispossessed the rightful owner of the throne, and +usurped the regal power; that he had put his brother and lawful sovereign +to death; that he was an idolater, and had not only permitted, but +commanded the offering of human sacrifices; that he had a great number of +concubines; that since his imprisonment he had wasted and embezzled the +royal treasures, which now belonged of right to the conquerors; that he +had incited his subjects to take arms against the Spaniards. On these +heads of accusation, some of which are so ludicrous, and others so absurd, +that the effrontery of Pizarro, in making them the subject of a serious +procedure, is not less surprizing than his injustice, did this strange +court go on to try the sovereign of a great empire, over whom it had no +jurisdiction. With respect to each of the articles, witnesses were +examined; but as they delivered their evidence in their native tongue, +Philippillo had it in his power to give their words whatever turn best +suited his malevolent intentions. To judges pre-determined in their +opinion, this evidence appeared sufficient. They pronounced Atahualpa +guilty, and condemned him to be burnt alive. Friar Valverde prostituted +the authority of his sacred function to confirm this sentence, and by his +signature warranted it to be just. Astonished at his fate, Atahualpa +endeavoured to avert it by tears, by promises, and by entreaties that he +might be sent to Spain, where a monarch would be the arbiter of his lot. +But pity never touched the unfeeling heart of Pizarro. He ordered him to +be led instantly to execution; and, what added to the bitterness of his +last moments, the same monk who had just ratified his doom, offered to +console, and attempted to convert him. The most powerful argument Valverde +employed to prevail with him to embrace the Christian faith, was a promise +of mitigation in his punishment. The dread of a cruel death extorted from +the trembling victim a desire of receiving baptism. The ceremony was +performed; and Atahualpa, instead of being burnt alive, was strangled at +the stake." + +Ruminagui, one of the captains under Atahualpa, who had fled with five +thousand men from Caxamarca, as already related, having arrived in the +kingdom of Quito, seized the children of Atahualpa, and made himself +master of that country as if he had been the lawful sovereign. A short +time before his death, Atahualpa had sent his brother Illescas into the +kingdom of Quito, with orders to bring his children from thence; but +Ruminagui not only refused to deliver them up, but even put them all to +death. After the death of Atahualpa, some of his principal officers, +according to his dying commands, carried his body to Quito that it might +be interred beside the remains of his father Huana capac. Ruminagui +received them in the most honourable manner, with every outward mark of +affection and respect, and caused the body of Atahualpa to be buried with +much pomp and solemnity, according to the custom of the country. After the +ceremony, he gave a grand entertainment to the officers of the late +unfortunate monarch, at which, when they were intoxicated, he caused them +all to be put to death, together with Illescas the brother of Atahualpa. +He caused this person to be flead alive, and had a drum covered with his +skin, inclosing his head in the inside of the drum. + +After the governor Pizarro had made a repartition of all the gold and +silver which was found in Caxamarca, he learned that one of the officers +of Atahualpa, named Quizquiz, had assembled some troops in the province of +_Xauxa_[22], and endeavoured to excite an insurrection in the country. +Pizarro therefore marched against him, but Quizquiz durst not wait for him +in Xauxa, and retreated to a greater distance. Pizarro pursued, causing +Hernando de Soto to lead the van with a party of horse, while he led the +rear or main body himself. While advancing in this order into the province +of _Vilcacinga_[23], Soto was unexpectedly attacked by a vast body of +Peruvians, and in great danger of being totally defeated, five or six of +his men being slain; but on the approach of night, the Peruvians retreated +to a mountain, and the governor sent on Almagro with a reinforcement of +cavalry to Soto. Early next morning the fight was resumed, and the +Spaniards endeavoured to draw the Peruvians into the plain, by pretending +to retreat, that they might not be exposed to the prodigious quantity of +stones which the Indians hurled down upon them from the mountain. The +Peruvians seemed aware of this stratagem, as they continued to defend +their position on the mountain; though they were not apprized of the +reinforcement which Soto had received, as the morning was thick and misty. +Being unable to induce their enemies to descend from their advantageous +situation, the Spaniards assailed the Peruvians with so much resolution, +that they drove them from their position with considerable slaughter, and +forced them to take to flight. + +At this place, a brother of the late Incas, Huascar and Atahualpa, named +_Paul_ Inca_[24], came to Pizarro under pretence of entering into terms of +peace and submission. After the death of his brothers, this prince had +been recognised as king of Peru, and had been invested with the fringed +fillet, which answered among the Peruvians as the crown or emblem of +supreme rule. The Inca told the governor that he had a very considerable +force of warriors in Cuzco, all of whom only waited his arrival to submit +to his orders. Pizarro accordingly marched towards that city, and arrived +within sight of it after several days march. So thick a smoke was seen to +arise from the city, that Pizarro suspected the Peruvians had set it on +fire, and immediately sent on a detachment of cavalry to endeavour if +possible to prevent the destruction of the city. On their arrival near +Cuzco, a vast body of Peruvians issued from the city and attacked them +with great violence, with stones, darts, and other arms; insomuch that the +Spaniards were forced to retreat above a league to rejoin the main body of +the army which was commanded by Pizarro in person. He immediately detached +the greater part of his cavalry under the command of his brothers Juan and +Gonzalo, who attacked the enemy with so much courage and impetuosity, that +they were soon defeated and many Peruvians were slain in the pursuit. On +the approach of night, Pizarro reassembled all his army, which he ordered +to lie on their arms; and marched next morning with every precaution to +Cuzco, which he entered without opposition. + +After remaining twenty days in Cuzco, Pizarro was informed that the +Peruvian General Quizquiz had drawn together a considerable body of +warriors, with whom he pillaged and raised contributions in a province +named _Condefugo_[25]. The governor detached Hernando Soto with fifty +horsemen against Quizquiz, who did not think proper to await his arrival; +but he took the resolution of marching to Xauxa or Jauja, on purpose to +attack the baggage and royal treasure belonging to the Spaniards, which +had been left there with a guard, under the care of Requelme the treasurer. +Although the Spanish troops in Xauxa were few in number, they posted +themselves in a strong position, waiting the attack of Quizquiz, and +defended themselves so courageously that he was unable to make any +impression upon them, and accordingly drew off his troops, taking the road +to Quito. The governor sent Soto after him with his detachment of cavalry, +and soon afterwards sent off his two brothers, Juan and Gonzalo, to +reinforce Soto. These three Spanish captains pursued Quizquiz above a +hundred leagues, but were unable to come up with him, and returned +therefore to Cuzco. + +In that ancient capital of the Peruvian empire, Pizarro and the Spaniards +found a prodigious booty in gold and silver, not less in value than all +they had collected at Caxamarca for the ransom of Atahualpa. He made a +division of this among his soldiers, and settled a colony in Cuzco, which +had long been the capital of the Peruvian empire, and continued to be so +for a considerable time under the Spaniards. He likewise made a +repartition of Indians among such Spaniards as chose to settle in the +place as colonists: Only a few, however, chose to avail themselves of +their advantage; as a considerable proportion of the Spaniards were better +pleased to return into Spain, that they might enjoy in repose the treasure +which they had acquired at Caxamarca and Cuzco, than to remain in Peru. + +"The riches displayed by the early conquerors of Peru on their return +among their astonished countrymen, had so great an effect to induce others +to try their fortunes in that golden region, that the governors of +Guatimala, Panama, and Nicaragua could hardly restrain the people under +their jurisdiction from abandoning their possessions, and crowding to that +inexhaustible source of wealth which seemed to be opened in Peru. In spite +of every check or regulation, such numbers resorted to the standard of +Pizarro, that he was soon enabled to take the field at the head of five +hundred men, besides leaving sufficient garrisons in San Miguel and other +places necessary for the defence of his conquests[26]". + +It has been already said that Pizarro, soon after his arrival in Peru, +established a settlement at the town of San Miguel in the province of +Tangarara, not far from the harbour of Tumbez[27], as a secure place of +disembarkation for those who came to join him from Spain. While he still +remained at Caxamarca after the death of Atahualpa, on recollection that +he had left a weak garrison in San Miguel, the governor thought proper to +send a reinforcement of ten horsemen to that place under the command of +Benalcazar. Soon after his arrival, a considerable number of Spanish +soldiers came there from Panama and Nicaragua, and as the Cagnares made +loud complaints to him that they were oppressed by Ruminagui and the +Peruvians of Quito, Benalcazar chose two hundred of the new recruits, +eighty of whom were cavalry, with whom he marched for Quito, because he +was informed that Atahualpa had left a large quantity of gold in that city, +and that he might likewise protect the Cagnares, who had declared +themselves the friends of the Spaniards. Ruminagui advanced with an army +of more than twelve thousand Peruvians to defend the defiles of the +mountains leading towards the kingdom of Quito, which he endeavoured to do +with considerable judgment, taking advantage of the nature of the ground, +and fighting only in places of difficult approach. Benalcazar, on his side +likewise, joined stratagem and military conduct to courage and prudence; +for, while he occupied the attention of the enemy by frequent skirmishes, +and demonstrations of attacking them in front, he detached one of his +officers with fifty or sixty horsemen, who gained possession of a +commanding post during the night on the rear of the Peruvians, so that he +was able next morning to render himself easily master of the pass they had +endeavoured to defend. In this way, Benalcazar gradually drove the enemy +from their strong ground into the plain of Quito, where they were unable +to withstand the charge of the cavalry and suffered considerably. +Ruminagui still endeavoured to make head in several different posts, which +he carefully forfeited with concealed pit-falls, digging for this purpose +broad and deep ditches, in the bottom of which a number of pointed stakes +were set up, the whole covered over with green turf held up by slender +twigs, somewhat like those described by Caesar as contrived by the +inhabitants of Alesia. But all the contrivances of the Peruvians for +surprizing Benalcazar, or for drawing him into their snares were quite +unavailing. He avoided them all, and never attacked on the side they +expected; often making a circuit of several leagues so as to attack them +unexpectedly on the flank and rear, and always carefully avoiding every +piece of ground that had not a natural appearance. The Peruvians tried +another stratagem, on seeing the former miscarry: They dug a great number +of small pits close to each other, about the size of a horses foot, in +every place around their camp where they thought the cavalry might come to +attack them. But all their arts and labour were useless, as Benalcazar was +never off his guard, and was not to be deceived by any of their +contrivances, so that they were at last driven all the way to the city of +Quito. It is reported of Ruminagui, that one day after his arrival in +Quito, where he had a great number of wives, that he told them they might +soon expect to have the pleasure of seeing the Christians, with whom they +would have the opportunity of diverting themselves; and that, believing +him in jest, they laughed heartily at the news, on which he caused most of +them to be put to death. After this cruel deed, he set fire to a large +apartment filled with rich dresses and valuable moveables belonging to the +late Inca Huana Capac, and retired from Quito, having first made another +unsuccessful attempt to surprise the Spaniards by a night attack, after +which Benalcazar made himself master of Quito with very little opposition. + +While these things were going on in the kingdom of Quito, the governor +Pizarro received information that Don Pedro de Alvarado, who was governor +of Guatimala, had embarked with a considerable force for Peru, on which +account he deemed it proper to detach some troops under Almagro to San +Miguel, to inquire into the truth of that report and to prevent the +invasion of his government. As Almagro on his arrival at San Miguel could +get no distinct accounts of the motions of Alvarado, and was informed of +the resistance made to Benalcazar in the kingdom of Quito by Ruminagui, he +accordingly marched there with his troops and formed a junction with +Benalcazar, assuming the command of the combined forces, after which he +reduced several districts and fortified stations of the natives. But, as +he did not find any gold in that country, which was by no means so rich as +he thought he had reason to expect from report, he soon afterwards +returned towards Cuzco, leaving the command in Quito to Benalcazar. + +After the conquest of New Spain by the Marquis del Valle, he detached one +of his captains named Don Pedro de Alvarado to a neighbouring country +called Guatimala; which that officer accordingly reduced to subjection +after much trouble and many dangers, and, as a reward of his services, was +appointed to the government of that province by the king of Spain. On +receiving intelligence of the riches of the newly discovered empire of +Peru, Alvarado solicited permission from the emperor Don Carlos to be +permitted to undertake the conquest of some part of that country, beyond +the bounds that had been granted to Pizarro, and received a patent to that +effect. Having received authority for this purpose, while he was making +preparations for the expedition, he sent one of his officers, named +Garcias Holguin, with two ships to examine the coast of Peru, and to gain +some precise intelligence respecting its actual state. From the report of +Holgum respecting the immense quantities of gold which the governor Don +Francisco Pizarro had found in that country, Alvarado was encouraged to +proceed in his enterprize; flattering himself, that while Pizarro and his +troops were occupied at Caxamarca, he might be able to acquire possession +of Cuzco[28], which he considered as beyond the two hundred and fifty +leagues which had been assigned as the extent of the government conferred +upon Pizarro. For the better execution of his design, and lest +reinforcements might be sent from Nicaragua to Pizarro, he came by sea to +that place one night, where he made himself master of two large ships +which had been fitted out there expressly for the purpose of carrying a +large reinforcement of men and horses to Peru. In these two ships, and in +those which he brought with him from Guatimala, Alvarado set sail with +five hundred men, cavalry and infantry, and landed on the coast of South +America at the harbour of Puerto Viejo. + +From Puerto Viejo, Alvarado marched almost due east with his army, +crossing those mountains which separate the plain country of Guayaquil +from the table land of Quito, which the Spaniards call the _Arcabucos_, +being thickly covered with brushwood, but over which the road is tolerably +easy and only moderately steep, being almost under the equator. In this +march his men suffered extremely from hunger and thirst, as the country +through which they went was very barren, and had neither springs nor +rivulets. The only relief they could procure was from certain large canes +as thick as a mans leg, in each of the joints of which they usually found +rather more than a quart of excellent water. They were so much distressed +by famine on this march as to be under the necessity of eating several of +their horses, the flesh of which sold so high that a dead horse brought +more money on this occasion than he had cost when living. Besides thirst +and famine, they were very much distressed during a considerable part of +the way by quantities of hot ashes falling upon them, which they +afterwards learnt were thrown up by a volcano in the neighbourhood of +Quito, which burns with such violence that its ashes are often carried by +the wind to the distance of eighty leagues, and its noise like prodigious +thunder is sometimes heard at a hundred leagues from Quito. In the whole +march, which was nearly under the equinoctial line, the troops of Alvarado +found everywhere abundance of emeralds. After a long and difficult march +through these _arcabucos_, where they were for the most part obliged to +cut their way through the thick brushwood by means of axes and their +swords, they came at length to a high chain of mountains covered with snow, +over which it was necessary to pass. In this difficult and dangerous +passage by an extremely narrow road, it snowed almost continually, and the +cold was so extremely severe, that although every one put on all the +clothes they had along with them, more than sixty men perished from the +extreme severity of the weather. One of the soldiers happened to be +accompanied by his wife and two young children, and seeing them entirely +worn out with fatigue, while he was unable to assist them, he preferred to +remain with them and perish, although he might have saved himself. At +length, after infinite toil and danger, they found that they had reached +the top of the mountain, and began joyfully to descend into the lower +grounds of the kingdom of Quito. It is true that in this country they +found other high mountains covered likewise with snow, as the province is +entirely surrounded and interspersed with mountains; but then there are +many temperate vallies among these mountains, which are well peopled and +cultivated. About this time, so great a quantity of snow melted suddenly +on one of these mountains, producing such prodigious torrents of water, +that the valley and village of _Contiega_ were entirely overwhelmed and +inundated. These torrents bring down immense quantities of stones, and +even vast fragments of rock, with as much ease as if they were only pieces +of cork. + +It has been already said that Almagro had left Benalcazar in the +government of Quito, meaning to return to Cuzco, because no intelligence +had reached him of the motions of Alvarado; and mention has been made of +his having reduced certain rocks and fortresses into which the Indians of +Quito had retired to defend themselves. This had occupied him so long, +that Alvarado had penetrated into the province of Quito before Almagro had +returned into the south of Peru, being still employed in reducing the +southern districts of Quito. He received the first intelligence of the +arrival of Alvarado while reducing the province of _Liribamba_[29], for +which purpose he had to pass a considerable river with much difficulty and +danger, as the Indians had destroyed the bridges, and waited on the other +side of the river to attack him while passing. He defeated them, though +with much difficulty, as the Indians were very numerous, and their wives +fought as bravely as the men, being very expert in slinging stones. In +this engagement the head cacique of the Indians was made prisoner, and +from him Almagro got the first intelligence of the arrival of Alvarado, +who was then only at the distance of about sixty miles, employed in +reducing an Indian fortress into which one of the captains of the Indians +had retired, whose name was Zopazopaqui. On receiving this news, Almagro +sent seven horsemen to inquire into its truth, and to bring him exact +information of the strength and intentions of Alvarado. These were all +made prisoners by the troops of Alvarado, who liberated them some time +afterwards. Alvarado advanced with his troops within less than twenty +miles of the camp of Almagro, who, considering the great superiority in +number possessed by Alvarado, formed the resolution of returning to Cuzco +with an escort of twenty-five horse, and to leave the remainder of his +troops under Benalcazar for the defence of the country. + +At this time, Philipillo, the Indian interpreter who has been already +mentioned as the cause of the death of Atahualpa, fearing to incur the +punishment of his treachery, fled from the camp of Almagro to that of +Alvarado, taking along with him a principal Peruvian cacique. These men +had concerted with most of the Peruvian _curacas_ or chiefs who +accompanied Almagro, to hold themselves and their people in readiness to +abandon him and to join Alvarado at the earliest notice sent them for that +purpose. Immediately on his arriving in the presence of Alvarado, +Philipillo offered to make him master of the whole country, informing him +at the same time of the design of Almagro to retire to Cuzco, and that if +he chose to attack him without delay he might easily make him prisoner, as +he had only about eighty horsemen and a hundred and fifty infantry. On +this advice, Alvarado marched immediately to attack Almagro, whom he found +at Liribamba, resolved to defend himself bravely, and to die fighting +rather than fly. Almagro had thrown up intrenchments for his defence, +having divided his small party into two bands, one of which he commanded +in person, and placed the other under the command of Benalcazar. Alvarado +marched up with his troops in order of battle; but when just on the point +of commencing the attack, certain propositions of peace were made, and a +truce was agreed upon for the rest of the day and the following night, on +purpose to agree upon conditions[30]. In a conferrence for this purpose, +an agreement was entered into, which was greatly forwarded by a licentiate +named Caldera. It was agreed that Almagro should pay to Alvarado 100,000 +pesos, or 2000 marks of gold[31], as an equivalent for the expences he had +incurred in fitting out his expedition, and that the two commanders should +go together to Pizarro, for the purpose of procuring the necessary funds +for payment of this agreement. The conditions were kept secret, lest the +companions of Alvarado might prevent their execution, as their interest +had been entirely overlooked in this agreement. It was therefore given out +that Alvarado was to embark with his people to make farther discovery of +the country, leaving that part which was already occupied and conquered by +the Spaniards, and permission was given to all who thought proper that +they might remain at Quito with Benalcazar. A considerable number of the +followers of Alvarado availed themselves of this permission, and others +accompanied him and Almagro to Pachacamac, where they were informed +Pizarro had gone from Xauxa expressly to receive them. Before leaving the +province of Quito, Almagro ordered the _curaca_ who deserted from him +along with Philipillo to be burnt alive, and would have treated the +interpreter in the same manner, but Alvarado interceded for him, and +obtained his pardon. + +While Almagro and Alvarado were on their march from the province of Quito +for Pachacamac, the _curaca_ or chief of the Cagnares, informed them that +the Peruvian general Quizquiz had assembled an army of above 12,000 men, +with which he had collected all the people and cattle of the country +between and Xauxa, and intended attacking them on their march. This chief +added, that if they would delay their march for some time, he would +contrive a plan for delivering Quizquiz into their hands. Almagro was not +disposed to put too much confidence in this proposal, and continued his +journey. On arriving in the province of _Chaparra_[32], they unexpectedly +fell in with above two thousand Peruvian warriors commanded by a curaca +named Sotaurco. This was the advanced guard of Quizquiz, whose main body +was two or three days march in the rear. Quizquiz had a similar detachment +at a considerable distance on his left flank, on purpose to raise +contributions of provisions from the inhabitants of the country for the +subsistence of his army; and had besides a rear guard of three or four +thousand warriors, two days march behind. The main body under his own +immediate command escorted all the cattle which had been collected on the +march, and great numbers of prisoners, so that his whole army occupied a +space of above sixty miles of country. + +Sotaurco, the commander of the Peruvian vanguard, endeavoured to gain +possession of a defile or pass in the mountains, by which he supposed the +Spaniards intended to march; but Almagro not only prevented the execution +of that project by seizing the pass, but even made Sotaurco prisoner. From +him Almagro was informed of the order of march observed by Quizquiz, and +determined to make a forced march with all his cavalry to attack him. In +this march, at a steep stoney pass near a river which it was necessary to +pass, most of the horses lost their shoes; and as it was in the night, the +Spaniards had to replace them as well as they could by the light of fires +and candles. Being afraid lest Quizquiz might be informed of their +approach by some of the natives of the country, Almagro continued his +march with all possible expedition, and towards the evening of the second +day of his march he came in sight of the Peruvian camp. + +Immediately on seeing the Spaniards, Quizquiz withdrew to some distance +with all the women and people who were unfit for battle, and placed his +troops in a post of very difficult access under the command of _Huaypalca_, +a brother of the late inca Atahualpa. Almagro advanced without hesitation +to attack them, although the horses were so weary that they were hardly +able to move though led mostly by the soldiers; besides which the +Peruvians rolled down upon them from the mountain great quantities of +large stones and fragments of rock. In spite of every obstacle, the +Spaniards made their way to the post occupied by Huaypalca, which they +attacked both in front and flank, and forced him to retire among the steep +rocks, where he defended himself till night, and then drew off under cover +of the darkness to rejoin Quizquiz. Sometime afterwards, it was learnt +that the detached party of Peruvians which marched on the left of Quizquiz, +had made prisoners of fourteen Spaniards, all of whom they put to death. +Almagro, in continuing his march, was opposed by the Peruvian rear-guard +at the passage of a river, so that he was unable to get over for a whole +day. Besides occupying the opposite bank of the river, the Peruvians had +taken possession of a very high mountain immediately above the place +occupied by the Spaniards, so that they were unable to attack the enemy +without exposing themselves to great danger; and indeed a good many of the +Spaniards were wounded, among whom Alfonso de Alvarado was pierced quite +through the thigh by a javelin, and another officer of rank was severely +wounded. The Peruvians kept firm all night, but in the morning they +abandoned their post on the banks of the river, leaving the passage free +for the Spaniards. The Indians had burnt all the baggage which they could +not carry off, but above 15,000 Peruvian sheep were found in their camp, +and more than four thousand Indian men and women, of those whom Quizquiz +had made prisoners, who now voluntarily surrendered themselves to the +Spaniards. The Peruvian warriors had retired to a strong post on the top +of a mountain, where Almagro did not think fit to attack them, as he was +desirous to continue his march to the south. + +On their arrival at San Miguel, Almagro sent the Captain Diego de Mora to +Puerto Viejo, to take the charge of the vessels belonging to Alvarado, who +likewise sent Garcias de Holguin on his part, that this measure might be +executed amicably according to agreement. After giving all the necessary +orders at San Miguel, and having provided his own men and those of +Alvarado with arms, money, and clothes, he and Alvarado continued their +journey towards Pachacamac. In the course of this march, he left Captain +Martin Astete to build and settle a town now called Truxillo, in a +convenient situation on the coast, in pursuance of orders to that effect +from the governor Don Francisco Pizarro. + +About this time Quizquiz, having continued his march towards Quito, had +his advanced guard attacked and defeated by one of the officers belonging +to Benalcazar. Quizquiz was much afflicted by this loss, and knew not well +what to do or how to conduct himself. The curacas or native chiefs in his +army advised him to make his peace with Benalcazar; but he would not +listen to this proposal, even threatening to put them to death if they +ever mentioned such a thing again, and ordered them to prepare for +returning into Peru. But, as they were in want of provisions, and had no +hopes of procuring any in the retreat which Quizquiz meditated, several of +the _curacas_, at the head of whom was Huaypalca, remonstrated with him +that it was better to die like brave men in battle against the Spaniards, +than to retreat as he desired and to die of famine in a desert country. As +Quizquiz gave a very unsatisfactory answer to this remonstrance, Huaypalca +gave him a thrust in the breast with his lance, and all the other curacas +fell upon him with their clubs and axes, cutting him to pieces. After this +they dismissed the troops, allowing every one to go where he pleased. + +On the arrival of Almagro and Alvarado at Pachacamac, they were joyfully +received by the governor, who had come there from Xauxa to meet them. +Pizarro honourably fulfilled the entire agreement which Almagro had made +with Alvarado, by the payment of the stipulated sum of 100,000 gold pesos; +though several persons remonstrated against paying so large a sum, and +alleged that Almagro had been constrained to enter into the agreement by +necessity, and that Alvarado, instead of receiving so much money, deserved +to be sent prisoner into Spain, for having invaded the government +belonging to another person. After receiving the money, Alvarado returned +quietly to his government of Guatimala[33]. + +After the departure of Alvarado, the governor Pizarro began the +establishment of a colony or settlement in the district of Pachacamac, +which he named _Ciudad de los Reyes_, or the City of the Kings, otherwise +called Lima, to which place he removed the colonists whom he had formerly +established at Xauxa or Jauja; as the situation of Lima appeared to him +exceedingly well calculated for trade, being near the sea[34]. From that +place, Almagro went with a considerable force to Cuzco, and Pizarro +visited Truxillo on purpose to place that colony on a proper footing, by +making an equitable repartition of the lands and Indians among the +colonists. + +While at Truxillo, Pizarro received information that Almagro was inclined +to take possession of the city of Cuzco, having been apprized by Ferdinand +Pizarro, who was sent to Spain, that his majesty had appointed him a +separate government extending a hundred leagues beyond the boundaries +which had been assigned to Pizarro, and which Almagro alleged were +considerably to the north of Cuzco. Juan and Gonzalo Pizarro, brothers of +the governor, who were then in Cuzco, and several other persons of +consideration, vigorously opposed Almagro and Hernando Soto, who took the +part of Almagro, and a civil war seemed on the point of breaking out: But +Almagro was unable to succeed in his design, as the great majority of the +senators or members of the Cabildo took the part of the governor and his +brothers. Immediately on receiving intelligence of these disputes, Pizarro +posted with all expedition to Cuzco, where he soon re-established +tranquillity by his presence. He pardoned Almagro, who was much ashamed of +having occasioned so much confusion by attempting a matter of such high +importance on such slight grounds as a mere hearsay or report. The ancient +friendship and association between Pizarro and Almagro was renewed, and it +was agreed that Almagro should go with a military force on discovery to +the south, and if he found any country worth taking possession of, that +the associates were to use their joint interest at the court of Spain to +procure the government of it for him; but, if no good country were to be +found, the government of Peru was then to be divided between Pizarro and +Almagro. This agreement was solemnly ratified by oath upon the consecrated +host, pledging themselves never to attempt in future to do any thing +contrary to the interests of each other. Some have said that Almagro, on +this occasion, swore that he would never make any future attempt upon +Cuzco, or any part of the country to the distance of a hundred and thirty +leagues to the south of that city, even in the event of being named by the +king to to its government; and they add, that in addressing himself on +this occasion to the holy body of Christ, he used these words, "If I +should violate the oath which I now make, I pray, O Lord! that thou mayest +punish and confound me in body and soul." + +After this solemn agreement; Almagro prepared everything for his departure, +and accordingly set out with above five hundred men, as shall be related +in the next section. Pizarro returned to Lima, whence he sent Alfonso de +Alvarado to conquer the country of the Chachapoyas, which is in the +mountainous region of Peru about sixty leagues from Truxillo. This officer +and his followers encountered much difficulty and labour in this +enterprize, in which they at length succeeded, by forming establishments +and reducing the inhabitants to submission; after which, the government of +the province was conferred upon Alvarado, by whom the conquest had been +effected. + + +[1] With regard to this person, the original French translator makes the + following observation: "Perhaps this is the person named Hernando de + Luque at the beginning of the first section, who is said to have been + one of the original adventurers in the enterprize. If so, the name of + de Luque on the former occasion may be an error of the press."--It + must be observed however, that Garcilasso de la Vega names the third + person of the original fraternity Hernando de Luque, and makes no + mention whatever of Ponce de Leon.--E. + +[2] Neither Zarate nor Garcilasso mention the number of troops embarked on + this expedition, but we learn from Robertson, II. 206, that the whole + armament consisted of 180 soldiers, 36 of whom were horsemen.--E. + +[3] According to Robertson, II. 293, Pizarro landed in the bay of St + Matthew. The distance of 100 Spanish leagues from Tumbez, mentioned by + Garcilasso as the intended place of landing, would lead us to the Rio + de Santjago in lat. 1° S. on the coast of Tacames or Esmeraldas. + Garcilasso says that Pizarro had two vessels, which he immediately + sent back to Panama. But these seem to have accompanied the march of + Pizarro to Coaque.--E. + +[4] From the sequel, this place appears to have been in the province of + Tacames.--E. + +[5] A species of gold coin worth 14 reals 18 maravedies. Garcilasso says + that Pizarro sent 24000 or 25000 ducats of gold to Almagro, part of + which was plunder, and part received in ransom for prisoners.--E. + +[6] In making this small progress the whole of the year 1531 had been + employed, and the year 1532 was already begun before Pizarro left + Coaque.--Roberts. H. of Amer. II. 288. + +[7] Perhaps that now called Mancora, intermediate between the river of + Tumbez and that of Piura. In this route Pizarro had to cross a + mountainous district, not mentioned by Zarate, called the hills of + Castro, Aguarro, and Pachini--E. + +[8] Garcillasso suspects that this message must have come from some + _curaca_ in the interest of Huascar, who was then a prisoner to + Atahualpa.--E. + +[9] San Miguel stands on the river Piuru, which runs into the sea upwards + of forty miles farther south than the Chira. This colony being + intended for a harbour to receive reinforcements, was probably first + established at the mouth of the river, where Sechura now stands. The + present town of San Miguel is near thirty miles from the sea--E. + +[10] In this adventurous march into the interior of an extensive empire, + the forces commanded by Pizarro, who had now received several + reinforcements, consisted of 62 horsemen and 102 foot soldiers, twenty + of whom were armed with cross-bows, and only three carried muskets or + rather matchlocks.--Robertson, H. of Amer. II. 295. He appears also to + have had two small field-pieces.--E. + +[11] This envoy would assuredly bring some other message; and accordingly + Robertson, II. 296, says that he offered an alliance, and a friendly + reception at Caxamarca. Garcilasso gives a long and vague account of + the object of this message, and enumerates many articles of provisions + and curiosities, and some rich presents of gold and silver dishes and + vases which were sent on this occasion by Atahualpa to Pizarro.--E. + +[12] Robertson, II. 299, suppresses all mention of any hostile intentions + on the part of Atahualpa.--E. + +[13] Robertson, note cxxx, justly observes, that the extravagant and + absurd discourse of Valverde, of which that given by Zarate in the + text is an epitome, is merely a translation or paraphrase of a form, + concerted in 1509 by a junto of Spanish lawyers and divines, for + directing the office employed in the New World how to take possession + of any new country.--E. + +[14] In this engagement, or massacre rather, according to one Spanish + writer 2000 Peruvians were slain, while another author swells the + number to six or seven thousand, and a third says five thousand. Of + the Spaniards not one was even hurt except the general Pizarro, who + was wounded in the hand by one of his own soldiers.--Roberts. Hist. of + America. II. 302. and note cxxxi. + +[15] Considerable even as this sum appears, it seems too small for the + sovereign of so vast an empire which abounded so much in gold; yet we + have no means of correcting the amount. Garcilasso however mentions + one piece of goid plate found in the baths of Atahualpa after the + battle worth 100,000 ducats; but his work is so strange a farrago of + confusion and absurdity as to bear very little authority.--E. + +[16] The omission of the length and breadth of this room by Zarate, is + supplied by Robertson, ii. 503, from the other original Spanish + authors, who say the room was 22 feet long by 16 feet broad. The reach + of Atahualpa could not be less than. 7-1/2 feet, 2640 cubic feet of + gold, even heaped up of hollow vessels, must have produced a most + astonishing value of that precious metal; but there are no data on + which to calculate the numerical value of this imperial ransom, which + the Spaniards certainly meant to accept, but would never have + fulfilled the alternative.--E. + +[17] The sum in the text is quite vaguely expressed; perhaps pieces of + eight reals, or dollars.--E. + +[18] At 17-1/2 leagues to the degree, this government accorded to Pizarro, + would have reached from about Tacames to the lat. of 11° 25' S. + whereas the kingdom of Peru extends to lat. 21° 35' S. and its most + valuable and richest provinces would have fallen to the share of + Almagro.--E. + +[19] This expression is entirely vague, and does not even say which + governor is meant. We shall see afterwards that this project of + Almagro to appropriate the southern part of Peru took place at a + subsequent period, and involved the recent conquest in long and + destructive civil wars.--E. + +[20] Reckoning the mark at _eight_ ounces, the gold at L.4, and the silver + at 5s 6d. per oz. this royal fifth would come to L.108,000, and the + whole treasure to five times that sum, or L.540,000. But as the + precious metals were then worth at least _six_ times as much as now, + or would purchase _six_ times the amount of labour or necessaries, + this first fruit of the conquest of Peru exceeded the value of three + millions sterling.--E. + +[21] Of this tragical event, the illustrious Historian of America, gives a + somewhat different account, II. 310, from Herrera and Garcilasso de la + Vega; which, as much too long for a note, is subjoined in the text to + the narrative of Zarate, and distinguished by inverted commas.--E. + +[22] Probably the district now called Jauja: as the x and j have nearly + the same sound in Spanish with the aspirated Greek xi.--E. + +[23] Apparently Guancavelica, in which is the town of Vilca-bamba.--E. + +[24] This name of _Paul_ could hardly be Peruvian. Manco Capac, a full + brother of Huascar, had been recognized as Inca at Cuzco; perhaps the + person named Paul by Zarate, is the same prince who is called Paullu + by Gardilasso, and may have received that name in baptism at an after + period.--E. + +[25] This it probably an error of the press for _Condesugo_. To the south + of Cusco, and in the plain of Peru, there are two contiguous districts + named the Condesuyos of Arequipa and Cusco, which are probably the + province alluded to in the text. The term seems Spanish; but it is not + unusual with Zarate to substitute posterior names to those of the + period concerning which he writes.--E. + +[26] This paragraph is added from the history of America, II. 313, to the + text of Zarate, as necessary to account for the subsequent operations + of Pizarro, after the secession of a considerable part of his original + followers.--E. + +[27] Tumbez seems here substituted by mistake for Payta. San Miguel is not + less than 130 miles from Tumbez, and only about 30 from Payta--E. + +[28] From the subsequent operations of Alvarado, this seems an error of + the press for Quito.--E. + +[29] Probably that now called Riobamba by the Spaniards, about 100 miles + south from Quito.--E. + +[30] Garcilasso says that the soldiers of both armies, being mostly + natives of Estremedura, mixed together without permission of their + officers, and made propositions of peace and amity, by which the + generals were in a great measure forced to an agreement. + +[31] Two thousand marks of gold of eight ounces each, and the ounce at + four pound Sterling are worth L.64,000, perhaps equivalent to near + L.460,000 of modern money.--E. + +[32] Perhaps that now called Xibarros, in the south of the kingdom of + Quito.--E. + +[33] According to Garcilosso, Pizarro made an additional free gift to + Alvarado of 20,000 gold pesos to defray the expence of his voyage back + to his government, with emeralds and turquoises to a considerable + value, and several articles of gold plate for the use of his table.--E. + +[34] Lima or Los Reyes is built on the banks of a river named Rimac or + Limac by the Peruvians, whence its ordinary name of Lima. It is about + ten miles from the sea, having a port named Callao at the mouth of the + river. This city got the name of _the City of the Kings_; either from + its foundation being laid on the 18th of January 1535, on the festival + of the _three kings_; or in honour of Juana and Carlos, joint + sovereigns of Castile.--E. + + + + +SECTION III. + +_Occurrences from the departure of Almagro for Chili, to his capture by +Pizarro, being the first part of the civil wars in Peru_. + + +Inconsequence of the agreement between Pizarro and Almagro, which was +ratified on the 12th of June 1535, Almagro soon afterwards set out upon +the proposed discovery and conquest at the head of five hundred and +seventy men, partly cavalry and part infantry; for so great were the hopes +of acquiring riches in this expedition, that several who had already +acquired establishments in Peru, abandoned their houses, lands, and +Indians, to follow the fortunes of Almagro[1]. Juan, de Saavedra was sent +on before the main body of the army with a detachment of a hundred men; +and, in the course of his march through that province which has since been +called _Los Charcas_, he met with some Indians on their road from Chili to +Peru, who were going to pay their homage to the Inca. Almagro having along +with him a body of two hundred men, both horse and foot, made a march of +two hundred and fifty leagues, reducing the whole country in his way, till +he arrived in the district of the _Chichas_, where he learnt that he was +followed by a body of fifty Spaniards commanded by Niguerol de Ulloa. +Almagro commanded that party to join him, and continued his march towards +Chili, which is 350 leagues beyond the province, of Chichas, reducing all +the tribes on his route to submission. Almagro halted at this place with +half his troops, and sent on the rest under Gomez de Aivarado, who +proceeded sixty leagues farther; but was forced to return to Almagro, in +consequence of the severity of the weather. + +After the departure of Almagro from Cuzco, the Inca Manco Capac and his, +brother Villaoma entered into a plot for massacring all the Spaniards in +Peru on a certain day. Manco Capac had engaged execute to that part of the +conspiracy which had for its object the destruction of Almagro and his +troops, but which he was unable to accomplish. What was done by his +brother will be related afterwards. Philipillo, the Peruvian interpreter +who has been formerly mentioned, was acquainted with this conspiracy, on +which account he made his escape from Almagro, and being pursued and taken +was condemned to be quartered. Before his execution, he confessed that he +had unjustly procured the death of Atahualpa, that he might thereby secure +to himself one of the wives of that unhappy prince, of whom he was +enamoured. + +About two months after the arrival of Almagro in Chili, one of his +captains named Ruy Dias came to him with a reinforcement of a hundred men, +and informed him that all the natives of Peru had revolted and had +massacred most of the Spaniards in that country. Almagro was much grieved +at this intelligence, and resolved immediately to return, that he might +chastise the revolters and restore the country to obedience; meaning +afterwards to send one of his captains with a sufficient force to reduce +Chili. He accordingly set out on his return, and was met on his way by +Rodrigo Orgognez, who brought him a reinforcement of twenty-five men, and +was soon afterwards joined by Juan de Herrada with a farther reinforcement +of a hundred. Herrada brought him likewise the letters patent of the king, +by which he was appointed governor of two hundred leagues of country +beyond the boundaries assigned to Pizarro. This new government which was +granted to Almagro was directed to be named the New Kingdom of Toledo, and +that of Pizarro, the New Kingdom of Castille. Having said at the +commencement of this section, that Almagro carried with him from Cuzco on +this expedition a force of 570 Spanish troops; it must be remarked that +such was his intention, but that in reality he had only 200 men along with +him, after which his army was made up nearly to the intended number by the +different reinforcements of which we have made mention. + +In the march of Almagro into Chili, his army suffered excessive hardships +from hunger and thirst. Besides their other fatigues, they had often to +encounter Indians of great stature, clothed in the skins of sea-wolves and +seals, who used the bow and arrow with great strength and address. But the +most severe circumstance during this march was the intense cold which they +encountered in passing over some mountains covered with snow. In +particular, several of the soldiers belonging to Ruy Dias and a good many +horses were frozen to death; and so excessive was the cold, that when +Almagro returned towards Cuzco five months afterwards, several of the +bodies of those who had been frozen to death were found upright and +leaning against the rocks, still holding the bridles of their horses, +which were likewise frozen, and their flesh still remained as sweet and +uncorrupted as if they had only just expired, insomuch that the troops +used the flesh of these horses as food on their return to Peru. In some +parts of these deserts where there was no snow, the Spaniards were reduced +to great straits from want of water; on which account they had to make +bags or leather bottles of the skins of sheep, in which to carry water for +their supply. + +It is proper to remark, that the Peruvian sheep are much larger animals +than those of Europe, and are used as beasts of burden. They resemble in +some measure the camel in their shape, except that they have no hunches on +their backs, and are able to carry a load of a hundred pounds or more, +with which they are able to travel four or five leagues a-day. The +Spaniards even sometimes rode on their backs. When fatigued, they +immediately lie down, and it is impossible to make them rise again by any +means whatever, neither blows nor kindness are of any avail, and it +becomes necessary to unload them. When a person rides on one of these +animals, and endeavours to urge it on when weary, it turns round its head +towards the man, blowing upon him a most offensive breath mixed with a +kind of stinking dew, which seems to proceed from the contents of its +stomach. This is a most useful and profitable animal, as besides serving +as a beast of burden, its wool is excellent and very fine; more especially +that species which is called _pacas_, which has very long wool. These +animals are supported at very little expence while on a journey, requiring +only a very small allowance of maize, and they can subsist four or five +days without drinking. Their flesh is well tasted and wholesome, and equal +to the best fat mutton of Spain; and it is accordingly sold in all the +butcher-markets of Peru. At the first settlement of the Spaniards in this +country, before the establishment of regular markets, when any person +killed one of these sheep, his neighbours used to participate, and they in +their turns killed others, and divided them among the neighbours. + +In some of the level plains of Peru there is a species of ostrich, which +is taken in the following manner. Several horsemen place themselves in +ambush, while others likewise on horseback pursue the ostriches and +endeavour to drive them towards their companions who are concealed. These +birds, although they are unable to rise in flight into the air, go with +astonishing swiftness, partly by running, and partly by means of short +flights close to the ground, insomuch that a man on horseback is +altogether unable to get up with them, so that it requires stratagem to +kill or take them alive. + +In Chili there are some rivers which have water only during the day, and +are entirely dry during the night. This is owing to the heat of the sun +melting the snow on the mountains by day, by which temporary rivers, or +torrents rather, are formed by day, which cease again at night when the +cold puts a stop to the melting of the snow. When we have got about 500 +leagues along the coast from Peru towards the south, or in the lat. of +about 30° S. rain is often met with, and the winds are no longer so +regular as nearer the line, but blow sometimes one way and sometimes +another, as in Spain and other countries of Europe. Chili is a tolerably +well peopled country, and resembles Peru in being divisible into two +districts, the plain and the mountain, and its coast is considerably more +indented by gulfs and bays than that of Peru[2]. It enjoys the +vicissitudes of summer and winter nearly as in Spain, but at opposite +times of the year, the winter of Chili being at the same time with the +Spanish summer, and vice versa. The pole seen from that country, which is +directly opposite our _Arctic_ or north pole, is only marked by a kind of +small white cloud or nebula, which is seen after sunset in that direction +in which astronomers have placed the antartic or south pole. There is +likewise seen a constellation of seven stars, four of them being in form +of a cross, followed by three others, resembling the lesser bear of the +astronomers which turns round the north polar star. These seven stars near +the south pole are situated somewhat like those of the _ursa minor_, +except that the four which form the cross are nearer each other than those +of the north pole which are seen in our hemisphere. Our north pole is lost +sight of somewhat less than 200 leagues to the south of Panama, under the +equator; from whence, or a little beyond, on either side of the line, +these two constellations may be seen when they rise a little above the +poles of the horizon. On the south side of the equinoctial line, +navigators are only able to see the four stars near the antarctic pole +which form the cross, until they reach the _thirtieth_ degree of south +latitude, after which they get sight of the other three stars which form +this constellation. + +The change in the length of the days and nights in Chili is nearly the +same as in Spain, only the longest day in Chili is at that time of the +year when Spain has the day shortest. In Peru and Tierra firma and +generally in all places near the equinoctial line, the days and nights are +always equal or nearly so during the whole year. Even at Lima and other +places the difference is so small as hardly to be noticed. The natives of +Chili are clothed nearly in the same manner with the Peruvians, and use +the same kind of food. The inhabitants, both men and women, are tolerably +well looked. They are governed by great lords, who make war against each +other, and some of whom are able to bring 200,000 men into the field. One +of these lords at this time was named _Leuchengorma_, who possessed an +island about two leagues from the coast which was consecrated to his idols, +in which was a temple ministered to by two thousand priests. The subjects +of Leuchengorma informed the Spaniards, that there was a great province +about fifty leagues farther on, situated between two rivers, which was +entirely inhabited by women, who did not admit any men among them but at +certain times, for the purpose of having children, and who sent all their +sons to their fathers, reserving their daughters only to be brought up +among themselves. They said farther, that these women were subjects of +Leuchengorma, and were ruled over by a queen named _Guaboymilla_, which +signifies _golden heaven_ in their language, and so named because her +country produces a great quantity of gold. These women manufactured rich +stuffs, in which, and in the gold produced in their country, they paid +tribute to Leuchengorma. Although these things have often been spoken of, +their truth has not as yet been ascertained by the discovery of the +country, Almagro having made no establishment there. Of late, indeed, +Pedro de Valdivia has been sent thither to establish some colonies, but he +has never yet had a sufficient force for making discoveries, or for +colonization, and has settled one colony only, which is placed about +thirty-three degrees to the south of the equator[3]. + +The whole coast of Chili is well peopled, as far as to the latitude of 40° +south and still farther; which is known by one of the ships belonging to +the fleet sent out by Don Gabriel de Carvajal bishop of Placentia, which +passed through the straits of Magellan, and sailed along the whole western +coast of South America from south to north, and at length reached the port +belonging to Lima. This ship brought over the first rats ever seen in Peru, +which have so multiplied since that there are plenty in every town of the +whole country. + +These animals are named _ococha_ by the Peruvians, which word signifies +having come from the sea. + +Soon after the departure of Almagro from Cuzco on his expedition to Chili, +Ferdinand Pizarro returned from Spain, where his majesty made him a knight +of the order of St Jago, with other advantages[4]. He had likewise +obtained an enlargement of the government of his brother to a certain +extent, and brought out with him a commission for Almagro to a new +government. + +At this time Manco Capac, whom Pizarro had permitted to assume the nominal +title of Inca of Peru, was detained a prisoner in the citadel of Cuzco, in +consequence of the discovery of a conspiracy he had entered into with his +brothers Paul and Villaoma to exterminate the Spaniards. Manco Capac wrote +to Juan Pizarro, intreating to be set at liberty before the arrival of +Ferdinand Pizarro at Cuzco; and Juan, who was then in the _Collao_ +endeavouring to reduce certain Indians who had retired into a strong place +among rocks, sent orders to liberate the Inca. On the arrival of Ferdinand +Pizarro at Cuzco, he treated Manco Capac with much respect, yet kept a +constant guard over him, and it is believed that Ferdinand shewed great +friendship for the Inca, in the hope of procuring gold from him, to send +to the king of Spain or for his own use. Two months after the return of +Ferdinand to Cuzco, Manco Capac solicited permission from Ferdinand to go +into the district of _Jucaya_[5] on purpose to celebrate a solemn festival, +promising on his return to present him with a statue of the late Huana +Capac of solid gold as large as life. Ferdinand allowed him to attend this +festival, which turned out merely the unravelment of the plot which had +been formed at the time when Almagro began his march for Chili. Manco +Capac gave immediate orders to put to death some Spaniards who +superintended the working of the mines, and others who were travelling +through the country on various affairs. He sent likewise one of his +captains with a considerable body of troops against Cuzco, who by a sudden +and unexpected attack got possession of the castle of that city. The +Spaniards indeed retook it after six or seven days, yet not without hard +fighting, in which they lost Juan Pizarro; who was killed by a stone which +struck him on the head, at a time when he was unable to wear his helmet in +consequence of a former wound. His death was much regretted by the +Spaniards, being a brave man and much experienced in the manner of +carrying on war with the Indians, and besides because his manners had made +him beloved by every one. + +Notwithstanding the recapture of the castle of Cuzco by the Spaniards, the +Inca brought a large army against the city, which he besieged for more +than eight months, making frequent assaults on various parts of the works, +chiefly during moon-light nights when the moon was full. Ferdinand Pizarro +and his brothers, assisted by Gabriel de Roias, Hernand Ponce de Leon, Don +Alfonso Enriquez, the treasurer Requelme, and other brave officers, made a +resolute defence, and were almost perpetually under arms day and night, as +the number of the garrison was exceedingly inadequate to the extent of the +place and the multitude of assailants. As the Spaniards in Cuzco were +aware that the insurrection was general over all Peru, they hardly doubted +but the governor and all their other countrymen were cut off, so that they +defended themselves as men who had no earthly hope of succour, depending +only on the mercy of God and their own courage. Their small number was +daily diminished, as hardly a day passed in which the Indians did not kill +or wound some of their people. One time during the siege, Gonzalo Pizarro +made a sally with twenty horsemen, and proceeded to the lake or marsh of +Chinchero which is five leagues from Cuzco, where he was surrounded by so +vast a force of Indians that he must inevitably have been made prisoner, +had not Ferdinand Pizarro and Alfonso de Toro come up to his rescue with a +body of horse. Gonzalo was much blamed on this occasion for having +advanced so far among the enemy with so few men. + +We have already mentioned that Almagro had resolved to return into Peru +and to make himself master of Cuzco, from the time that Juan de Herrada +had brought him the commission by which he was appointed to a government +beyond that assigned to Don Francisco Pizarro. The principal officers who +were along with him, strongly urged him to this measure, particularly +Gomez Alvarado and Diego Alvarado, brother and uncle of Don Pedro Alvarado +the governor of Guatimala, and Rodrigo Orgognez; some of whom were eager +to procure settlements in Peru, and others were desirous of gaining +establishments in Chili. To succeed in their design, as reports of the +insurrection in Peru had reached Chili, they instructed some Indian +interpreters to inform Almagro that the governor Francisco Pizarro and +most of the Spaniards in Peru had been slain by the Peruvians. Urged by +all these considerations, Almagro marched back into Peru, and even arrived +within six leagues of Cuzco without giving notice to Ferdinand Pizarro of +his motions or intentions[6]. Almagro made overtures to the Inca Manco +Capac for an accommodation, offering to forgive him all the injury he had +already done to the Spaniards, in consideration of joining his party and +assisting him to become master of Cuzco, of which he pretended that he had +been appointed governor by the king of Spain. The Inca proposed an +interview between them under pretence of settling the terms of an +agreement, to which Almagro consented without suspecting any treachery, +and went accordingly with a part only of his troops to the place appointed +for the conference, leaving the rest of his force under the command of +Juan de Saavedra. Taking advantage of this confidence, the Inca attacked +Almagro by surprize with extreme fury, and even killed and wounded several +of his men. + +In the mean time, Ferdinand Pizarro received notice of the arrival of +Almagro, and that Juan de Saavedra was left at the village of Hurcos in +command of the troops in the absence of Almagro. He went therefore from +Cuzco at the head of an hundred and seventy of his best troops, in hope of +being able to prevail on Saavedra and the rest to abandon the party of +Almagro, or to fall upon them by surprize and make them prisoners. But +Saavedra got timely notice of his approach, and drew up his forces, +amounting to three hundred Spaniards, in an advantageous situation for his +reception. When the two parties were just about to engage, Ferdinand +Pizarro sent a message to Saavedra proposing a private interview, that +they might endeavour to agree upon an accommodation, to which the other +consented. As this conference was entirely between themselves, it is +difficult to know with any certainty what passed; but it was reported that +Ferdinand endeavoured to persuade Saavedra to join him with the troops +under his command, for which he offered a large recompense in gold; but +that Saavedra, like a man of honour, peremptorily refused to betray his +general. + +On the return of Almagro from his affair with the Inca, he rejoined the +troops under Saavedra, and marched for Cuzco with his whole force. While +on the march, he made prisoners of four horsemen who had been sent out by +Ferdinand Pizarro to reconnoitre, from whom he learnt all the particulars +of the insurrection of the Peruvians, who had killed more than six hundred +Spaniards, and had burnt down a great part of the city of Cuzco, on which +news Almagro was very sensibly afflicted. He sent however, his patents as +governor to the senators of the royal council or Cabildo of Cuzco, whom he +urged to receive him as their governor; since, as he insisted, the bounds +of the government assigned to Francisco Pizarro certainly did not include +their city, and even fell considerably short of it to the north. In answer +to this demand, the council made answer, that whenever the extent of the +government belonging to Pizarro was accurately measured and determined, +they would be ready to accede to his desires, provided their city was +found to be beyond his limits. This subject was endeavoured to be settled +at that time, and has been since tried to be ascertained by several +experienced persons; but the manner in which this affair ought to be +regulated has never been agreed upon between the two interested parties. +The adherents of Almagro have always insisted, that the extent assigned by +his majesty as the government of Pizarro, ought to be measured either +along the sea coast or by the grand road of the Incas, taking into the +account all the turnings and windings in either of these routes; by which +means, in either of these ways not only the city of Cuzco, but even Lima +according to the opinions of several persons, would be left out of the +province of Pizarro. He on the other hand, insisted that the extent of +country granted to him, ought to be measured in a straight line directly +from north to south, without any angles or turnings, or by means of +settling the degrees of latitude at the two extremities, allowing so many +leagues to each degree. + +Ferdinand Pizarro offered to admit Almagro and his troops into Cuzco, and +to assign them a particular quarter of the city for their residence, if he +would agree to defer the dispute about the boundaries, till intelligence +were sent to the governor Don Francisco Pizarro, then at Lima, that he +might have it in his power to endeavour to fall upon some means of +settling the difference between them in an amicable manner. It has been +said by some, that a truce was agreed upon between them on these +principles; and that on the faith of this truce, Ferdinand Pizarro allowed +all the soldiers and inhabitants to retire to their quarters for rest and +refreshment, after their long fatigues, having spent several days and +nights continually under arms, without time to sleep or even to take +proper food. It is farther said, that Almagro, being informed of this +circumstance, made a night attack on Cuzco, in which he was aided by a +thick mist, so that he got possession of the defences without being +observed. Ferdinand and Gonzalo Pizarro, awakened by the noise, flew to +arms and defended their house, which was the first attacked, with the +assistance of their servants; but as the enemy set it on fire in several +places, they were forced to surrender. Next day, Almagro obliged the +Cabildo to receive him as governor, and committed Ferdinand and Gonzalo +Pizarro to prison. Several of his confidents even urged him to secure his +conquest by putting the Pizarros to death; but he was chiefly dissuaded +from this by the influence of Diego de Alvarado, who became responsible +for them. + +It has been said that Almagro violated the truce which he had agreed to +with Ferdinand Pizarro, in consequence of the false representations of +several Indians and Spaniards, who told him that Ferdinand had ordered all +the bridges to be broken down, and was employed in fortifying Cuzco +against him. In proof of this, it is alleged that when Almagro was +advancing to attack the city, and saw the bridges remained uninjured, he +said aloud that he had been imposed on. The governor Don Francisco Pizarro +did not receive any account of these events at Cuzco for a good many days +afterwards. As the Inca Manco Capac had fled with a large body of Peruvian +warriors to the high mountains of the Andes, Almagro invested his brother +the _Inca Paul_[7] with the royal fringed fillet, appointing him nominal +king of Peru. + +Among those things which Don Francisco Pizarro had solicited from his +majesty in reward for his services in the discovery and conquest of Peru, +he particularly requested the grant in perpetuity to him and his +descendants of twenty thousand Indians in a province named _Atabillos_[8], +with all the revenues, imposts, rights, and jurisdictions appertaining to +them, together with the title of Marquis of that province. The king gave +him the title of Marquis according to his desire; but in regard to the +grant of Indians which he solicited, answered, that he must in the first +place be better informed of the nature and circumstances of the country +and its native institutions, before he could determine on that measure, +but that Pizarro might rest assured of having every reasonable concession +in his favour. + +On receiving information of the insurrection of the Peruvians around Cuzco +under Manco Capac, Francisco Pizarro, now Marquis, sent several +detachments of troops to the assistance of his brother Ferdinand at Cuzco, +sometimes ten or fifteen only together, according as circumstances or +convenience occurred, not believing the state of affairs to be so +hazardous as it was in reality[9]. The Peruvians having accurate +information of the march of these detachments, occupied the difficult +passes of the mountains with parties of warriors, and succeeded on several +occasions to defeat these small bodies, most of whom were slain. One +considerable reinforcement of seventy horsemen, was sent by the Marquis +from Truxillo and San Miguel under the command of Diego Pizarro, who was +waylaid by the Peruvians at a difficult pass called the mountain of Parios, +about fifty leagues from Cuzco, where he and his men were all slain. One +Gonzalo de Tapia, who was brother-in-law to the Marquis, who went with a +body of eighty horsemen, was likewise defeated and slain; and two other +captains, named Morgoveio and Gaete, while endeavouring to pass the +mountains to the relief of Cuzco, were treated in the same manner. Of all +these different detachments, scarcely one man escaped, so that those who +followed knew nothing of what happened to those who went before them. The +enemy always attacked the Spaniards while engaged in marching through some +deep and narrow valley among the mountains, occupying both ends of the +valley by strong bodies of warriors, and rolling down great stones and +masses of rock from the steep and high mountains on both sides of the +valley, destroyed our men and horses in a miserable manner, often without +fighting. In this way they at different times destroyed more than three +hundred soldiers, and made themselves masters of their arms, besides +acquiring considerable and valuable plunder in gold and jewels and silk +dresses. Not knowing the fate of the former detachments, Francisco de +Godoy was sent with a reinforcement of eighty men; but falling in with two +of those who had belonged to the detachment under Gaete, who had escaped, +he learnt from them what had happened, on which he immediately endeavoured +to retreat from the mountain passes, in which he had considerable +difficulty, as the Indians had already occupied the defiles in his rear. +He made good his retreat however, followed and harassed by the Indians for +more than twenty leagues, sometimes attacking him in the rear and at other +times in the van, and at length got safe to Lima with much difficulty. +About the same time the captain Diego de Aguero arrived at that place with +some other Spaniards, who had saved themselves from the Indians, who had +endeavoured to massacre them at their country residences. + +The marquis sent Pedro de Lerma at the head of eighty cavalry to drive +away a numerous army of Peruvian warriors who had invaded the lower +country in pursuit of Aguero. Lerma fought against these troops of the +Inca a whole day, and at last forced them to take refuge in a strong place +among steep rocks, where the Spaniards surrounded them. In this battle, +Lerma lost several of his teeth, and several of his men were wounded, but +none killed. The Indians were so exceedingly crowded together among the +rocks to which they had retired, that they were unable to use their arms, +insomuch that the Spaniards might probably have put an end to the war on +this occasion, if the marquis had not sent them an order to retire. On +seeing the retreat of their enemies, the Indians returned thanks to their +gods for their escape from so great danger, and took post on a high +mountain near the city of Lima on the other side of the river, whence they +harassed the Spaniards by frequent skirmishes and attacks. The commander +of these Indians was named Tyzogopangui, who had along with him one of the +brothers of the Inca, whom the marquis had sent along with Gaete[10]. +While the Peruvians remained in the neighbourhood of Lima, skirmishing +every day with the Spaniards, it often happened that the natives who were +in the service of the Spaniards, who were called _Yanacones_, went during +the day to their friends in the mountains, who gave them provisions, and +returned at night to their masters. + +As he was in a manner besieged by so large a force of the enemy in Lima, +the marquis concluded that his brothers and all the other Spaniards in +Cuzco had certainly been slain, and that the insurrection was so general +that the inhabitants of Chili had likewise destroyed Almagro and his army. +In this emergency, both that his Spaniards might not expect to save +themselves by sea, and to convince the Peruvians that he had no intention +to leave the country, he sent off all his ships to Panama. At the same +time he sent notice to the Viceroy of New Spain and all the other +governors in America and the West Indies of the perilous state of affairs +in Peru, intreating them to send him assistance. In these letters, he is +said not to have shewn his usual firmness, and it is reported that this +was occasioned by the earnest solicitations of many of those around him. +He sent orders at the same time to the commandant of Truxillo to abandon +that place, and to come to his assistance with all the armed men and +horses he could collect, sending off the women and children and all their +valuable effects to the province of Tierra firma. But before the execution +of these orders, the captain Alfonso de Alvarado arrived at Truxillo with +the troops he had taken along with him for the conquest of the province of +the Chachapoyas, whence he had been recalled by orders from the marquis. +Leaving a part of his troops for the defence of Truxillo, Alvarado marched +with the rest to Lima, where the marquis appointed him lieutenant-general +of his army, in place of Don Pedro de Lerma, who had hitherto enjoyed that +office. This gave great offence to Lerma, and was the occasion of his +revolt, as shall be mentioned in the sequel. + +As the marquis was now reinforced by a considerable number of troops, he +thought himself in condition to send assistance to those parts which were +in greatest danger, and detached therefore Alfonso Alvarado with three +hundred horse and foot, who pillaged several districts with very little +resistance from the Indians. But about four leagues from the city of +Pachacamac, he was violently attacked by the Indians, whom he defeated +with considerable slaughter; after which he continued his march towards +Cuzco. On this march the army of Alvarado suffered great hardships in +passing across a large extent of desert country, five hundred Indians who +attended as servants perishing of thirst; and it is said that all the +Spanish infantry must have died of thirst and fatigue, if they had not +been relieved by the activity of the cavalry in bringing them water from a +distance. After reaching the province of Jauja, Alvarado was joined by +Gomez de Tordoya with two hundred horse and foot, who had been sent after +him. His force being augmented to five hundred men by this reinforcement, +Alvarado proceeded to the bridge of _Lumichaca_, where he was surrounded +by a numerous army of hostile Indians. Having defeated these in battle, he +continued his march to the bridge of Abancay[11], continually harassed by +the Indians. At that place he learned that Ferdinand and Gonzalo Pizarro +had been imprisoned by Almagro, who had taken possession of Cuzco; on +which he resolved to halt where he then was till he might receive precise +orders from the marquis for his farther proceedings. + +When Almagro was informed of the arrival of Alfonso Alvarado at Abancay, +he sent Diego Alvarado to wait upon him, attended by seven or eight +horsemen, with orders to notify his commission as governor in these parts. +Alfonso, after examining the commission, declared that he did not consider +himself competent to decide upon an affair of such high importance, and +that the documents ought to be communicated to the marquis. Almagro had +come part of the way from Cuzco towards the camp of Alvarado, where he +waited the return of his messenger; and not seeing him at the time he +expected, he became afraid that Alvarado had detained him and might +advance to Cuzco by another road. He returned therefore to Cuzco in all +haste to provide for his defence. Learning the discontent of Lerma, on +account of having been superseded in the command of the army by the +marquis, and that he was disposed to come over to his side with eighty men, +Almagro marched out from Cuzco with his troops a fortnight afterwards, and +advanced towards the army of Alfonso Alvarado. While on the march, the +advanced guard belonging to Almagro, by means of an ambush, made Pedro +Alvarez Holguin prisoner, who had been sent out on discovery by Alvarado. +On learning this circumstance, Alvarado meant to have arrested Pedro de +Lerma, as he entertained suspicions that he was in correspondence with +Almagro; but Lerma had previously escaped to the enemy, carrying along +with him the signatures of all those who had joined him in the plot for +deserting to Almagro. + +After the junction of Lerma, Almagro approached during the night to the +bridge of Abancay with one part of his army, where he knew that Gomez de +Tordoya and a son of Colonel Vilalva waited for him; and he detached at +the same time a large body of his troops to a ford of the river, where +those who had conspired in his favour along with Lerma had the guard. By +these men the troops of Almagro were received as friends, so that they +passed the river without opposition. Some of these conspirators contrived +during the night to throw above fifty lances belonging to the cavalry of +Alvarado into the river. Owing to all these circumstances, when Alvarado +proposed next morning to have attacked the enemy, he found himself +abandoned by the conspirators; and a considerable number of his own troops, +not being able to find their arms, did not come up in time for the attack. +By these means Almagro got an easy and bloodless victory, not a single +Spaniard being killed on either side, Rodrigo Orgognez only losing several +of his teeth by a stone thrown from a sling[12]. After the capture of +Alfonso Alvarado, the Almagrians pillaged his camp, and carried all the +adherents of Pizarro as prisoners to Cuzco, where they were harshly +treated. In consequence of this victory the partizans of Almagro were so +much elated, that they used to say the Pizarros might now retire from Peru +to govern the Mangroves under the equator. + +In consequence of the victories which Alvarado had gained over the Indians +at Pachacamac and Lumichaca, as already mentioned, the Inca and Titu +Yupanqui were obliged to retire from before Lima, which they had in a +manner blockaded. By this circumstance the marquis found himself at +liberty to act in support of his interest at Cuzco; and having received +considerable reinforcements from various parts, he began his march for +Cuzco at the head of more than seven hundred men, horse and foot. In this +expedition, his only purpose was to succour his brothers against the +Peruvians, as he had not hitherto received information of the return of +Almagro from Chili, or any of those other events which had taken place, as +before related. Most of the troops by which the marquis was lately joined, +were sent by Don Alonso de Fuenmayor, archbishop and president of +Hispaniola, under the command of his brother Don Diego de Fuenmayor. +Besides these, Gaspar de Espinosa had brought some troops from Panama, and +Diego de Avala had brought others from Nicaragua. With this army the +marquis set out from Lima for Cuzco, taking the way of the plain, and +arrived in the province of Nasca, about twenty-five leagues from Lima[13]. +At this place he received intelligence of the return of Almagro, the death +of one of his brothers and imprisonment of the other two, the defection of +Lerma, and the capture of Alvarado. He was sensibly affected by this +afflicting news; and considering that his troops were only prepared for +contending against Indians, he thought proper to return immediately to +Lima to take proper measures under the present emergency of his affairs. + +Soon after his return to Lima, the marquis sent the licentiate Espinosa to +endeavour to bring about an accommodation with Almagro. Espinosa was +directed to represent to Almagro, that if his majesty were informed of the +disputes between them, and the evil consequences of these upon the +condition of the colony, he would assuredly recal both, and send some +other person to assume the government of Peru, who would reap the rich +fruit of their joint labours. If Almagro refused to listen to these +remonstrances, and to enter into a friendly accommodation, Espinosa was +instructed to request that he would set the brothers of Pizarro at liberty, +and would remain at Cuzco without attempting any farther hostilities, +untill they had laid a statement of their differences before his majesty, +and had received his final orders respecting the boundaries between their +governments. Espinosa was unable to persuade Almagro to agree to any +accommodation, and soon afterwards died. Leaving Gabriel de Roias as his +lieutenant in Cuzco, with the charge of Gonzalo Pizarro and Alonso de +Alvarado, Almagro descended into the plain with a considerable force, +carrying Ferdinand Pizarro along with him. He penetrated into the province +of Chancay, which is only twenty leagues from Lima, where he even +established a colony or garrison, in a place which was without any manner +of doubt within the province of the marquis. + +On the return of the marquis to Lima, he made additional levies of troops; +giving out openly that he was reduced to take up arms against Almagro, who +had invaded his government. In a few days he assembled an army of seven +hundred men, among whom was a considerable body of musqueteers, which had +been brought from Flanders with the necessary arms and ammunition by Pedro +de Vergera, along with the troops of Diego de Fuenmayor. Hitherto there +had not been a sufficient number of musquets in Peru to form entire +companies of that species of troops; but on the present occasion the +marquis was enabled to arm two companies with that powerful weapon, one of +which was commanded by the before named Pedro de Vergera, who had been +formerly sent to discover the province of Bracamoras. Nugno de Castro was +appointed captain of the other company of musqueteers. Diego de Urbina, +nephew of the maestre de campo Juan de Urhina, was made captain of the +pikemen. Diego de Roias, Peranzures, and Alfonso de Mercadillo, were +appointed captains of horse: Pedro de Valdivia maestre de campo, and +Antonio de Vilalva sergeant-major, who was son of Colonel Vilalva. + +About this time, Alonso de Alvarado and Gonzalo Pizarro, who remained +prisoners in Cuzco[14], made their escape from prison, and joined the +marquis with above seventy men whom they had persuaded to accompany them, +bringing likewise along with them as prisoner Gabriel de Roias the +lieutenant of Almagro. The arrival of these officers gave much +satisfaction to the marquis, both on account of their escape from danger, +and because the reinforcement they brought along with them gave great +encouragement to his troops. He appointed his brother Gonzalo +lieutenant-general of his army, and Alonso Alvarado maestre de campo, or +major-general of the cavalry. When Almagro learnt that his prisoners had +escaped, and the numerous forces which the marquis had procured, he became +desirous of an accommodation, for which purpose he sent Alfonso Enriquez, +Diego Nugnez de Mercadura the factor, and Juan de Guzman treasurer, to the +marquis to desire an interview, at which they might regulate every thing +that was in dispute between them. After several messages and proposals, +the marquis proposed to refer the whole matter to the umpirage of +Francisco de Bovadilla, provincial of the order of Mercy, to which Almagro +consented. + +In virtue of the powers given to him by both parties, Bovadilla ordained +that Ferdinand Pizarro should be set at liberty; that Cuzco should be +restored to the marquis; that both armies should be disbanded, and the +different companies sent in various directions to discover and conquer the +country; and that finally the whole dispute about the boundaries of the +two governments should be referred to the decision of his majesty. +Bovadilla likewise persuaded Almagro and Pizarro to have an interview in +the village of Mala[15], mid-way between the two armies, at which they +might discuss the terms of an entire reconcilement, each to be attended by +twelve horsemen. They accordingly set out for that place from their +respective camps; but as Gonzalo Pizarro did not give implicit confidence +to the promise of Almagro, he followed his brother with the whole army, +which he secretly posted in the neighbourhood of Mala, placing Castro with +forty musketeers in ambush among some reeds near the road by which Almagro +had to pass, and directing him, in case Almagro was accompanied by a +larger force than was agreed on, to give notice by a discharge of musketry, +that Gonzalo might hasten to the defence of the marquis. + +Before leaving Chincha on his way to the interview with Pizarro, Almagro +left orders with his lieutenant-general, Rodrigo Orgognez, to keep +vigilant guard againt the machinations of the enemy, in case the marquis +should bring a greater escort than was agreed upon, that he might send him +prompt assistance; and if any treason were practised against him, that +Ferdinand Pizarro should be considered as an hostage for his safety. On +their meeting, the marquis and Almagro embraced each other with much +apparent cordiality; but after a short discourse, in which no part of +their difference was alluded to, one of the horsemen who accompanied the +marquis, whispered to Almagro that he was in danger, and advised him to +retire without delay, as Gonzalo Pizarro had placed an ambush to intercept +him. Almagro immediately called for his horse; and several of the +attendants on Pizarro, seeing Almagro about to retire, endeavoured to +persuade the marquis to have him arrested, which could easily have been +done by means of the musqueteers under De Castro. To this the marquis +would by no means consent, being resolved to keep his promise inviolate, +and would not believe that Almagro meant to go away without coming to some +conclusion on the subject of their meeting. Almagro however went away; and +as he saw the ambush on his way back, he was convinced that treachery was +intended against him, and made loud complaints of the conduct of the +marquis after his return to Chincha. Yet, by the intercession of Diego de +Alvarado, Almagro set Ferdinand Pizarro at liberty, on condition that the +marquis should provide him with a ship and a free port, by which he might +send dispatches to Spain and receive answers, and that they should +continue in peace until they received the final determination of the +sovereign respecting the boundaries of their governments. Rodrigo Orgognez +was exceedingly averse from this measure of liberating Ferdinand Pizarro, +who had been harshly treated while a prisoner, and who he believed would +be eager for revenge if set free, and strongly urged Almagro to put him to +death. But Almagro would not listen to his advice, and sent Ferdinand +Pizarro to the marquis, accompanied by his own son the younger Almagro and +several gentlemen. Ferdinand Pizarro was hardly set off on his return, +when Almagro began to repent that he had set him at liberty; and it is +believed he would have been remanded to prison if he had not made haste on +his journey, during which he was met by several of his brothers principal +officers. + +Soon after the liberation of his brother Ferdinand, the marquis received +provisional orders from his majesty, by the hands of Pedro Anzures; by +which the two governors were commanded to retain the countries which each +of them had discovered and conquered, and in which they had formed +establishments at the time when this provisional order should be notified +to them; neither of them making any attempt to disturb the other until his +majesty should give definitive orders on the subject. Having now his +brother at liberty, the marquis sent a notification to Almagro of this +imperial order, requiring him to retire according to his majestys orders +from the country which he, Pizarro, had discovered, and in which he had +established colonies. Almagro answered, that he was ready to obey the +orders of his majesty, in keeping possession of the country and +establishments he occupied when the imperial order was notified, for which +reason he required the marquis to leave him in the peaceable enjoyment of +what he how possessed, declaring that on his part he would carefully and +entirely perform whatever should be finally commanded by his majesty. The +marquis replied, that the city of Cuzco and the adjoining territory had +been first discovered, colonized, and occupied by him, of which he had +been violently dispossessed by Almagro, that in conformity with the orders +of his majesty, therefore, it behoved Almagro to evacuate that city and +territory, or he would drive him from it by force, as all the compacts and +conventions which had been entered into between them were abrogated by +this new regulation of his majesty. + +As Almagro refused to accede to these demands, the marquis marched against +him with his whole force, on which Almagro retired towards Cuzco, and +fortified himself on a high mountain named Guavtara, breaking up all the +roads to render the approach to his camp as difficult as possible. +Ferdinand Pizarro found means to ascend the mountain during the night by a +secret path, and forced the passages with his musqueteers, so that Almagro +was forced to abandon this position, seeking his safety in flight. Being +sick at the time, he went with the advanced guard, leaving Orgognez to +bring up and protect the rear. One night, Orgognez learnt by two of +Pizarros horsemen who were taken prisoners, that the enemy were close up +with his rear, on which he hastened the retreat as much as possible, +although several of his officers were anxious for him to turn back upon +the pursuers, knowing by experience that those who usually inhabited the +plain were liable, on their first coming into the mountainous region, to +sickness and vomiting, very much resembling sea-sickness. Orgognez refused +to listen to this advice, because contrary to the orders of Almagro; yet +it was believed he might have been successful, as the troops belonging to +the marquis were in reality affected by that ordinary malady, and were +besides so much distressed by the snow that Pizarro retired back with his +army into the maritime plain of Peru. Almagro continued his march to Cuzco, +where he employed himself for two months in raising recruits, procuring +ammunition, preparing arms of silver and copper, founding cannon, and +making every preparation to defend himself against Pizarro. + +After the return of the marquis into the plain, various consultations were +held as to the best plan of procedure, and it was at last determined that +Ferdinand Pizarro, now lieutenant-general under the marquis, with his +brother Gonzalo Pizarro as major-general, should march with the army +against Cuzco[16]. On this occasion, a manifesto was circulated as the +reason of this measure, that several of the inhabitants of Cuzco had made +complaints to the marquis against the tyranny of Almagro, who had +violently seized their goods and houses, and dispossessed them of their +Indians and every thing that belonged to them. The marquis returned to +Lima, and his brother Ferdinand marched at the head of the army towards +Cuzco. Having arrived on the mountainous ridge near Cuzco in the evening, +all his officers urged Ferdinand Pizarro to descend immediately into the +plain that the army might encamp there for the night; but Ferdinand +positively rejected this advice, and ordered the army to encamp on the +mountain. Early next morning, the whole army of Almagro was seen drawn up +in order of battle on the plain, under the supreme command of Orgognez; +Francisco de Chaves, Juan Tello, and Vasco de Guevara, having the command +of the cavalry under his orders. On the side of the mountain there was a +great body of Indians in charge of a small number of Spaniards, intended +to be employed as circumstances might admit in the expected battle. In the +meantime, all the friends and partizans of the marquis who were in Cuzco +were committed prisoners to the citadel, which was so extremely crowded on +this occasion, and the places appropriated for their confinement so small, +that several of them were stifled. + +On the following day, after the solemnization of the mass, Ferdinand +Pizarro marched his army into the plain of Cuzco in order of battle, and +advanced towards the city, intending to gain possession of some high +ground which overlooked the citadel. Ferdinand and his troops flattered +themselves, from their great superiority in numbers, that Almagro would +not risk a battle, and were even anxious to spare the effusion of +Christian blood on the present occasion, in which the natives of the same +country and subjects of the same sovereign were preparing to destroy each +other, instead of uniting in a common cause for the general good of all. +Orgognez was actuated by a different principle, and had occupied the only +passage by which the troops of Pizarro could approach towards Cuzco, in +which he had drawn up his troops and artillery with much judgment, under +cover of a marsh, across which it was necessary for the troops of Pizarro +to pass before they could attack his position. Immediately on +reconnoitring the order of the enemy, Ferdinand Pizarro ordered captain +Mercadillo to advance with his cavalry to a proper place for keeping the +Indians in check in case they should attempt to attack his army while +engaged in battle with Orgognez, and whence likewise he might be able to +give succour where necessary during the approaching engagement. Before the +Spaniards began to engage, the Indians on both sides skirmished with each +other. The cavalry of Pizarro endeavoured to pass the morass, and being +opposed by a squadron of Almagro's horse, the musketeers belonging to +Pizarro advanced in front of their own horse and soon compelled the +adverse cavalry to give ground. On seeing this successful commencement of +the battle, Pedro de Valdivia, a maestre de campo of the marquis, assured +his friends that the victory was their own. While the troops of Pizarro +were passing the marsh, the Almagrians plied their artillery, and by one +discharge five men belonging to Pizarro were brought down. But Pizarro +pressed on under cover of a close fire from his musketeers, and passed +both the marsh and a rivulet beyond, and drew up in good order on the firm +ground, every one of the captains having been previously instructed how to +proceed with their divisions before the engagement commenced. As Pizarro +noticed that the pikemen in the army of Orgognez carried their pikes high, +he gave orders to his musketeers to fire a little high, by which means in +two vollies they broke above fifty of the enemies pikes[17]. At this time +Orgognez ordered his army to advance to the charge, and observing that +several of his divisions hesitated, being held in check by the fire of the +musqueteers, he moved on himself at the head of his main body, directing +his attack to that part of the enemy where Ferdinand Pizarro was seen at +the head of his squadrons. Orgognez apparently despairing of the battle, +called out while advancing, "Follow me who will! I go in the name of God +to do my duty, and to seek an honourable death!" While Orgognez was +advancing, Gonzalo Pizarro and Alonso Alvarado observed that his flank was +uncovered, and accordingly made an immediate charge, by which above fifty +of the Almagrians were overthrown. Orgognez was wounded by a musket-ball +in the head, which broke through his beaver; notwithstanding which he +killed two men with his lance, and wounded one of Pizarros servants in the +mouth whom he mistook for the general, as he was finely dressed. For some +time the engagement was extremely severe and the combatants were mingled +together; but at length the troops of Pizarro forced the Almagrians to +take to flight after they had a considerable number killed and wounded. + +Almagro being sick, took no part in the battle, which he observed from a +height at some distance, and on seeing his troops take to flight, +exclaimed, "I thought we had come out to fight like valiant soldiers, not +to run away like cowards." He immediately withdrew to the citadel of Cuzco, +to which place he was pursued by Gonzalo Pizarro and Alonso Alvarado, and +made prisoner. Orgognez was taken prisoner by two of Pizarros horsemen, +who were leading him away when a third came up who bore him a grudge for +some injurious treatment, and cut off his head. Several others who had +surrendered were slain in this manner by personal enemies, in spite of +every endeavour by Ferdinand Pizarro and his officers to protect them. The +soldiers of Alvarado especially, ashamed and irritated by the defeat they +had formerly sustained at the bridge of Abancay, were eager for revenge, +and put many of the Almagrians to death in cold blood. Captain Ruy Dias +had taken up a prisoner behind him on horseback, on purpose to protect him, +when one of his own troopers run him through with his lance. + +When the Indian servants of the two armies saw that the battle among the +Christians was ended, they too gave over fighting, and fell to plundering +the dead, whom they stripped of their clothes and valuables, even +pillaging several who were yet alive, but unable to defend themselves +because of their wounds; and as the conquerors were entirely taken up in +pursuing their victory, the Indians had it in their power to do as they +pleased, so that they entirely stripped everyone whom they found on the +field of battle. The Spaniards, both victors and vanquished, were so worn +out and fatigued by their exertions in this battle, that they might have +been easily destroyed by the Indians who were present, if they had dared +to attack them according to their original intention; but they were so +busied in plundering the killed and wounded, that they neglected the +opportunity of avenging themselves on their oppressors. This decisive +battle was fought on the 6th of April 1538, in a plain called _Cachipampa_ +or the field of salt by the Indians, about a league to the south of the +citadel of Cuzco, near a salt spring from which the inhabitants make great +quantities of salt; and as these salt works are in the neighbourhood of +the field, this engagement has been always known by the name of the battle +of _Salinas_, or of the salt works[18]. + +After this decisive victory, Ferdinand Pizarro used every means to +conciliate the officers of Almagros army who had survived the battle, that +he might engage them in the party of the marquis, and being unsuccessful, +he banished several of them from Cuzco. Being unable to satisfy the +demands of all those who had served him on the late occasion, as many of +them thought so highly of their own merits that the government of Peru +would hardly have been a sufficient reward in their own estimation, +Ferdinand Pizarro resolved to separate the army, sending it away in +various detachments to discover and conquer those parts of the country +which had not been hitherto explored and reduced. By this measure, he at +the same time rewarded his friends by giving them opportunities to +distinguish and enrich themselves, and got rid of his enemies by sending +them to a distance. On this occasion Pedro de Candia was sent with three +hundred men, part of whom had belonged to Almagro, to conquer the country +of Collao, a mountainous district which was said to be extremely rich. Not +being able to make any progress in this country on account of the +difficulty of the roads, he had to return; besides which his troops became +mutinous, chiefly at the instigation of one Mesa, who had been commissary +of artillery under Almagro, and was encouraged by the other soldiers of +Almagro who served on this expedition. On this, Candia arrested Mesa and +sent him to Ferdinand Pizarro with the evidences of his guilt. This +circumstance, combined with information of conspiracies in several other +places, which had for their object to free Almagro from prison and to give +him possession of Cuzco, satisfied Ferdinand Pizarro that the country +would never be in quiet while Almagro lived. + +Ferdinand accordingly brought Almagro to trial, in which he was convicted +of giving occasion to all the preceding disorders, of which he was the +first and chief cause; having begun the war by several acts of hostilities; +having taken forcible possession of the city of Cuzco by his own private +authority, where he put several persons to death merely for opposing his +unlawful usurpation; and having marched in hostile array into the province +of Chincha, which incontestibly belonged to the province assigned to the +marquis. When sentence of death was pronounced, Almagro said every thing +he could think of to excite the compassion of Ferdinand Pizarro that he +might spare his life. He represented that the marquis in a great measure +owed his present greatness to him; as he had advanced the greatest +proportion of the original funds for the discovery of Peru. He desired +Ferdinand to recollect, that when he was a prisoner in his hands, he had +set him at liberty contrary to the representations of his officers, who +advised that he should be put to death: And that though he, Pizarro, might +have been ill treated while a prisoner, that had been done without his +orders or knowledge. He intreated him to consider his very advanced age, +which would soon bring him to the grave, without the disgrace of a public +punishment. Ferdinand expressed his astonishment that one of such great +courage should shew so much fear of death, which was now inevitable, and +desired him to submit to the will of God like a good Christian, and to +meet death with the courage of a gentleman and a man of honour. Almagro +replied, that be ought not to be surprised at seeing him afraid of death, +being a man and a sinner, since even Jesus Christ had evinced a fear to +die. All this however was of no avail, as Ferdinand caused him to be +beheaded. + +After the execution of Almagro, Ferdinand Pizarro went to Collao, where he +punished Mesa for having excited mutiny among the troops of Candia; after +which he sent the three hundred men under the command of Peranzures to +reduce the country which had been assigned to Pedro de Candia. These +troops had to march by a most difficult and dangerous route among morasses +and uncultivated places, where they thought to have perished of famine. +Ferdinand remained in Collao, which he reduced. This is a level country +containing several gold mines, but so cold that it produces no maize, the +natives living principally on a root named _papas_, which resembles +truffles. This country likewise abounds in those Peruvian sheep which have +been formerly described[19]. About this time the marquis came to Cuzco, to +which place Ferdinand went to confer with him, leaving his brother Gonzalo +Pizarro to continue his conquest. Gonzalo advanced into the province of +the Charcas[20], where he was attacked by a great body of Indians and +reduced to great straits, insomuch that Ferdinand set out from Cuzco to +his assistance with a body of horse. On this occasion, on purpose to +encourage these succours to use every possible expedition, the marquis +gave out that he meant to go in person to relieve his brother Gonzalo, and +actually went two or three days journey from Cuzco. When Ferdinand arrived +at Charcas, he found that Gonzalo had already extricated himself from his +difficulties, having defeated and dispersed the enemy. They continued +together for some time reducing the country, having frequently to fight +with the Indians, till at last they took their chief prisoner, named +_Tixo_[21], on which the natives universally submitted. Ferdinand and +Gonzalo now returned to Cuzco, where the marquis distributed settlements +to every one sufficient to maintain them in ease and comfort. + +About this time likewise various other parties were sent out in different +directions to discover and reduce the provinces of Peru and the +neighbouring districts; among the commanders of these detachments were the +captains Vergara, Porcel, Mercadillo, and Guevera. Pedro de Valdivia +likewise was sent to Chili, where Almagro had formerly been, and Gonzalo +Pizarro to Quito, of whose adventures we shall speak hereafter. When all +these matters were arranged, by which the Spaniards were dispersed in +various parts, and tranquillity was restored to the country, Ferdinand +Pizarro set out for Spain to give an account to the emperor of all the +transactions which had taken place in Peru, though many advised him not to +run the risk of that measure until it was known what judgment might be +formed at court respecting the death of Almagro. Before his departure, +Ferdinand strongly advised his brother the marquis to put no trust in +those who had adhered to the service of Almagro in the late troubles, who +were usually denominated the _Chilese_, and particularly that he ought to +keep them at a distance from each other, being well assured that if even +eight or ten of them were permitted to dwell in one neighbourhood, that +they would form conspiracies against his life. + + +[1] Though not mentioned directly in the text, it appears that Almagro + knew of and intended to conquer the country of Chili, and that he + chose to march by the high country of Peru, through the great + elevated valley of the lake Titicaca, probably the highest inhabited + land of South America. His object was in all probability to avoid + the extensive desert of Atacama, which divides the plain of Peru + from Chili.--E. + +[2] From the desert of Atacama in lat 25° S. to the island of Chiloe in + about lat. 42° S. Chili Proper, between the Pacific ocean and the + western ridge of the Andes, stretches about 1100 English miles nearly + north and south by an average breadth of about 140 miles.--E. + +[3] Valparayso stands nearly in the latitude indicated by the text. + Valdivia, taking its name from that commander, is in + lat. 30°40' S.--E. + +[4] Zarate is extremely remiss in regard to dates, and not a little + confused in the arrangement of his narrative. We learn from Robertson, + II. 325, that Ferdinand Pizarro returned to Peru in 1536.--E. + +[5] According to Robertson, II. 326, the place where the festival was to + be celebrated was only at a few leagues distance from Cuzco. + Garcilasso says that it was a garden belonging to the Incas only a + league from the city.--E. + +[6] The return of Almagro to Cuzco was in the year 1537.--E. + +[7] Garcilasso names this prince Paullu Inca.--E. + +[8] Named _Atavillos_ by Garcilasso de la Vega.--E. + +[9] The arrangement of Zarate is extremely faulty and confused, as he here + recounts circumstances which preceeded the return of Almagro to Cuzco. + We are here giving a translation of a original document; not + endeavouring to write a history of the Conquest of Peru, and have not + therefore authority to alter the arrangement of our author.--E. + +[10] Garcilasso names the Peruvian general Titu Yupanqui. The remainder of + the sentence, respecting the brother of the Inca and Gaete, is quite + unintelligible. I suspect it has been misunderstood by the French + translator and ought to stand thus: "The commander of these Peruvians + was Titu Yupanqui, a brother of the Inca, and the same person who had + driven Gaete and others to take refuge in Lima."--E. + +[11] Abancay is a town on one of the branches of the Apurimac about 60 + miles west from Cuzco.--E. + +[12] We learn from the History of America, II. 331, that this bloodless + victory over Alvarado took place on the 12th July 1537. Garcilasso + calls it the battle of the river Amancay, and names Alvarado + Alonso.--E. + +[13] Nasca is about 240 miles S.S.E. from Lima, or about sixty Spanish + leagues.--E. + +[14] Zarate forgets that only a few lines before, he had mentioned that + Almagro carried these officers along with his army:--E. + +[15] Mala, or San Pedro de Mala, is a town and sea-port on a river of the + same name, about 50 miles south from Lima. + +[16] According to Robertson, II. 334, after an unsuccessful attempt to + cross the mountains by the direct road from Lima to Cuzco, Ferdinand + marched southwards in the maritime plain to Nasca, whence he + penetrated by the defiles of the mountains in that quarter.--E. + +[17] Garcilasso informs us that the musketeers of Pizarro used a kind of + chain shot on this occasion; their leaden bullets being cast in two + hemispheres connected together by several links of a small iron + chain.--E. + +[18] In Zarate the date of this battle is given as the 26th of April, in + which he is followed by Robertson; but Garcilasso carefully notices + the mistake, and assures us that it was fought on the 6th of the + month.--E. + +[19] Collao in the text is probably Cailloma of modern maps, a very + elevated valley at the head of one of the branches of the Apurimac. + The marshy country beyond, to which Candia and Peranzures were sent on + discovery, is called Musu by Garcilasso, and was probably the Pampas + or marshy plains of the Mojos or Muju, to the east of the Andes, + nearly in the latitude of Cailloma--E. + +[20] We learn from Garcilasso that in this province the city of La Plata + was afterwards built, not far distant from the famous mines of Potosi + and Porco--E. + +[21] Perhaps the Inca Titu Yupanqui is here meant, who was named + Tizogopangui by Zarate on a former occasion.--E. + + + + +SECTION IV. + +_Expeditions of Pedro de Valdivia into Chili, and of Gonzalo Pizarro to +Los Canelos_. + + +On the arrival of Pedro de Valdivia in Chili, he was peaceably received by +the Indians, who wished to gather in their crops, as it was then the +season of harvest. When this important business was accomplished, the +whole country rose upon the Spaniards, who were unprepared for this event +and somewhat dispersed, and killed forty of them before they could draw +their forces together. On this occasion, when Valdivia was about to take +the field to chastise the Chilese, part of his troops threatened to mutiny +against his authority, and he was under the necessity of hanging several +of the ringleaders, among whom was captain Pedro Sancho de Hosz, who was +almost equal to himself in the command of this expedition. After the +suppression of this mutiny, Valdivia took the field against the Indians, +and during his absence an army of the enemy exceeding seven thousand men +came to attack the newly established city, in which only a small number of +Spaniards remained for its defence, under the command of the captains +Francisco de Villagran, and Alfonso de Monroy. These officers went boldly +out against the Chilese, at the head only of thirty horsemen, with whom +they fought bravely against the immense number of Chilese archers from +morning till night, after which they retired into the city, extremely +fatigued and several of them wounded, but none of them slain. As the +Chilese suffered a great loss in killed and wounded during this engagement, +they retired during the night. + +For eight years afterwards, Valdivia and his troops defended themselves +bravely against every effort of the Chilese, who continued the war +incessantly. In all that time, Valdivia obliged his soldiers to cultivate +a sufficient quantity of land for their sustenance, not being able to +procure Indians for that purpose, yet resolved not to abandon the country +which had been commited to his government. At the end of that period he +returned into Peru, at the time when the licentiate Pedro de la Gasca was +employed in levying an army against Gonzalo Pizarro, as shall be related +in the sequel[1]. + +Soon after the overthrow of the Almagrians, it was reported in Peru that a +very rich country had been discovered to the eastwards of Quito, which in +particular contained great quantities of cinnamon trees, on which account +it got the name of Los Canelos, or the cinnamon country. The marquis +accordingly resolved to send his brother Gonzalo Pizarro to discover that +country; and as it was necessary to march thither by way of Quito, where +likewise every requisite for the expedition was to be procured, the +marquis conferred the government of the kingdom of Quito on his brother, +till his majestys pleasure might be made known. Gonzalo Pizarro +accordingly set out from Cuzco with a considerable force, taking his route +for Quito by way of the elevated mountain vallies[2]. In this march he was +opposed by the Indians of the province of Guanuco with so much +perseverance and bravery, that the marquis was under the necessity of +sending him a reinforcement under Francisco de Chaves. After having +overcome this obstacle, he arrived in safety at Quito, where he proceeded +to make preparations for his expedition to Los Canelos. + +On account of the hostile conduct of the Guanucos towards Gonzalo, and +because the curacas or caciques of that province, in conjunction with +those of the Conchucos had made frequent attacks on the city and province +of Truxillo, in which they killed all the Spaniards they could meet with +and pillaged the country, not even sparing their Indian neighbours, the +marquis sent a detachment of troops under Gomez de Alvarado to make a +conquest of Guanuco, with orders to establish a settlement in that country +to keep the natives under subjection. In their military expeditions, the +Peruvians of Guanuco carried an idol along with them, named Cataquilla, to +which they made offerings of all whom they massacred or made prisoners, +and of the spoil which fell into their hands. They persisted for a long +time in their barbarous hostilities, till at length, Miguel de la Cerna +raised a considerable force in Truxillo, with which he joined Francisco de +Chaves. With these forces conjoined, they fought successfully against the +Indians of Guanuco and reduced them to subjection. + +When Gonzalo Pizarro had completed the preparations for his expedition, he +set out from Quito in the year 1540 at the head of 200 Spaniards well +equipped, of whom the half was cavalry[3]. He was attended by 4000 +friendly Indians[4], and by a flock of 4000 animals, consisting of swine +and Peruvian sheep, to serve as provisions, and to carry the baggage and +ammunition of the army. After passing a place called Inca, the boundary of +the conquests of Huana Capac towards the north and east, Gonzalo arrived +in the country of the Quixos, where he was opposed by the natives, but +they all disappeared one night, without the Spaniards being able to make a +single prisoner. On the retreat of the Indians, Gonzalo and his troops +took possession of their deserted habitations in which they rested for +some days. While here, the country was visited by a dreadful earthquake, +accompanied by prodigious thunder and lightning and an immense fall of +rain. The earth opened in many places and swallowed up above five hundred +houses. By the excessive rains, which continued forty or fifty days, a +river in the neighbourhood of the Spanish quarters became so swollen that +it was quite impassable, in consequence of which the troops suffered much +from famine, as they were unable to get across the river in search of +provisions. On the cessation of the tempest, Gonzalo had to cross a +prodigious ridge of mountains, on the top of which they suffered such +extreme cold that many of their attendant Indians were frozen to death. +And as no provisions or shelter could be had in that elevated region, he +made haste to arrive in the province of Zumaco[5] which is situated at the +foot of a volcano. As provisions were found here in abundance, the army +halted in this place for refreshments. In the mean time Gonzalo went with +a small party of troops to endeavour to find out a passage through the +forest. He at length reached the banks of a river named Coca, whence he +sent for the remainder of his people to join him from Zumaco. During two +months that the army remained in this country, it never ceased raining day +or night, so that they never had a sufficient interval in which to dry +their clothes. + +In this province of Zumaco the trees are found which afford cinnamon. +These trees are very large and have leaves resembling the laurel. Their +fruit grows in clusters, consisting of a nut resembling the acorn of the +cork tree, but larger, and containing a number of small seeds. The fruit, +leaves, bark, and roots have all the taste and flavour of cinnamon; but +the best consists of the shell or nut which contains the seeds. In the +whole of that country vast numbers of these trees are found wild in the +woods, growing and producing fruit without care; but the Indians cultivate +them with much attention in their plantations; and these cultivated trees +produce a much better cinnamon than those trees which grow wild. This +cinnamon is in great request among the natives, and is exchanged by the +inhabitants of Zumaco with the neighbouring tribes, receiving in return +provisions and other things of which they are in want. + +Leaving the greater part of his people in the country of Zumaco, as has +been already said, Gonzalo penetrated into the country with much +difficulty, accompanied by the most vigorous of his men, and guided by the +Indians, who frequently gave him false accounts of the country in advance, +on purpose to get him away from their own district. Thus the people of +Zumaco informed him that the country beyond theirs was well peopled and +had abundance of provisions; but he found it extremely barren and very +thinly inhabited. Having penetrated to the province of Coca upon a large +river of that name, he remained there about six weeks, waiting the arrival +of the rest of his people from Zumaco, all the while treated in a friendly +manner by the cacique of the district. + +After his troops were all assembled at Coca, Gonzalo marched along the +course of the river, till at last he arrived at a place where it fell over +a cataract of above 200 fathoms making a noise that could be easily heard +at six leagues distance. A few days march below that place, the whole +waters of the river became confined in a rocky channel not exceeding +twenty feet wide, while the rocks were at least 200 fathoms in height +above the water, and perfectly perpendicular. After a march of fifty +leagues along the banks of this river, the Spaniards could find no place +where they might possibly cross over, except at that narrow rocky channel, +where a considerable number of Indians opposed their passage. Having +driven away these Indians by means of their firearms, the Spaniards +constructed a wooden bridge across between the steep rocks, over which +they all passed in safety. + +After crossing the river, the Spaniards penetrated through the woods to a +country named Guema, which was extremely flat and intersected with rivers +and marshes, and in which they could get no provisions except wild fruits; +but after this they came to a country tolerably peopled, in which there +were some provisions. In this place the natives wore cotton vestments, but +in the whole country through which they had hitherto passed, the few +natives they had seen were entirely naked, either on account of the +continual and excessive heat of the climate, or because they had no means +of procuring clothes: The men had only a kind of girdles round their waist, +with some strings tied to their prepuce, which passed between their thighs +and were drawn up to the girdle; and the women wore some slight clouts. At +this place Gonzalo built a bark to serve for crossing the rivers in search +of provisions, and to transport the baggage and the sick by water. Besides +in some places the country was so covered with wood, that they were unable +to clear the way by means of their swords and hatchets, and in other +places so inundated, that they were often obliged to transport the whole +party by water. The building of this vessel occasioned infinite difficulty +and labour, as besides cutting down wood for the purpose, they had to +construct a forge in which to make the necessary iron work, which they +made from the shoes of their dead horses. On this occasion, Gonzalo not +only obliged every one to labour without regard to rank, but gave the +example himself in using both the hatchet and the hammer as occasion +required. Instead of pitch and tar, the gum which exuded from some trees +of the forest was collected; and instead of flax and hemp, the old clothes +of the Indians and the wore-out shirts of the Spaniards were employed for +caulking the scams. They at length succeeded in making their bark capable +of swimming, so as to transport all their baggage very commodiously; +besides which they hollowed out several canoes to accompany the bark +instead of boats. + +Gonzalo flattered himself that all his difficulties would be surmounted by +means of this bark, and that he would now be able to pursue his +discoveries to any extent he pleased. He continued his march therefore, +accompanied by the bark which carried the baggage, while the main body had +to travel along the banks of the river, often greatly incommoded in +passing marshes, thick woods, and close brushwood. In some of these places +they had to cut their way through canes and reeds with great toil, by +means of their swords and hatchets; often changing from one side of the +river to the other in search of an easier road. In this march they were +always accompanied by the bark; and at night the whole party united +together, that they might be able to give mutual assistance in case of +need. After having penetrated above two hundred leagues, always following +the course of the river, during which space they got only wild fruits and +roots to support them, Gonzalo gave orders to Francisco de Orellana, one +of his captains, to go forwards in the bark with fifty men in search of +provisions; with orders to load his bark with these if he found any, +leaving all the baggage at a place where two great rivers joined, +according to information received from the Indians; and likewise to leave +two canoes in a river which crossed the road to that place by land, to +serve for ferrying over the troops. + +Orellana set out accordingly in the bark, and was very soon carried by the +current to the appointed place where the two rivers met; but finding no +provisions, and considering the immense difficulty of going up the river +against a rapid current, he resolved to trust himself to the stream to try +his fortune in that way. He even neglected to leave the two canoes at this +place according to the orders of Gonzalo; and although several of those +who were along with him in the bark urged him to remain according to the +orders of his general, he insisted upon going forwards, even maltreating +Friar Gaspard de Carvajal, who opposed this act of mutiny and desertion +more forcibly than any of the rest. In his progress down the river, +Orellana and his people frequently landed in search of provisions, and had +often to fight with the Indians, who sometimes even attacked him in the +bark by means of canoes, on which occasion the Spaniards could hardly +defend themselves they were so crowded. On this last account he built a +second bark, at a place where the Indians received him in a friendly +manner and supplied him with provisions. From these Indians he was +informed of a district a few days journey farther on, which was entirely +inhabited by women, who made war and defended themselves agaist their +neighbours[6]. + +Following continually the stream of the river, but without finding any +gold or silver, or the least indication of these metals, Orellana arrived +at the mouth of this river on the Atlantic Ocean, about 350 leagues from +the island of Cubagua. This great river is called the Maragnon or Marannon, +from a person of that name who first discovered its mouth. It takes its +rise in Peru on the eastern slopes of the Andes of Quito, and its entire +course measured in a straight line extends to 700 leagues; but following +all its flexures from the Andes to the ocean, it measures at least 1800 +leagues. At its mouth it measures 15 leagues in breadth, and in many parts +of its course is three or four leagues broad. Orellana went afterwards +into Spain[7], where he gave an account to his majesty of his discovery, +which he pretended to have made at his own charges. He alleged that he had +discovered a very rich country inhabited by a nation of warlike females, +on which account the country and river came to be called _of the Amazons_. +Having procured a commission of governor of this new country from his +majesty, he levied a force of five hundred men for its conquest, with +which he embarked from Seville: But having a most unprosperous voyage, in +which his people suffered much from scarcity of provisions, most of his +followers deserted from him at the Canaries, leaving him almost alone. He +died during the subsequent part of the voyage, and all his remaining +companions dispersed themselves among the islands. + +Gonzalo Pizarro was reduced to prodigious straits in consequence of the +desertion of Orellana, both by the want of provisions and the difficulty +of passing the rivers in his course; besides which Orellana had carried +away with him a great quantity of gold, silver, and emeralds, which he +converted to his own use in making his solicitations at the court of Spain, +and in fitting out his expedition for the conquest and settlement of +Amazonia. On his arrival at the place where Orellana had been ordered to +leave the canoes, for the purpose of facilitating the passage of certain +rivers which fall into the great Maranon, Gonzalo and his people were +exceedingly embarrassed, and had to make other canoes with much difficulty +to enable them to cross over, that they might continue their journey. When +they came afterwards to where the two large rivers joined[8], and where +Orellana ought to have waited for them, they found a Spaniard who had been +left at this place by Orellana, because he had opposed the continuation of +the voyage, and preferred to wait in that place for his general[9]. By his +account, Orellana had renounced his dependence on Gonzalo Pizarro, meaning +to proceed to discover the river in his own name and authority, and had +prevailed on the people who accompanied him to elect him of new for their +captain. + +By the loss of their vessel Gonzalo and his men were deprived of every +means of procuring provisions from the Indians, as all the mirrors, bells, +and other baubles for trading with the natives of the country had been put +on board the bark. In this hopeless and discouraging situation, above four +hundred leagues distant from Quito, they came to the immediate resolution +of returning to that city; although, from the length and difficulty of the +way, through forests and marshes, they had very little hope of ever +getting back, and could hardly expect to escape dying of famine in the +mountains and deserts over which they had to pass. In fact above forty +actually died of famine during the march. After recommending themselves to +the mercy of God, they began their march in great dejection; and as the +way in which they came from Peru was full of difficulties and destitute of +provisions, they took another road in their return, altogether at hazard, +which they did not find in any degree better than the former[10]. Before +reaching Peru, they were under the necessity of killing all their +remaining horses to keep themselves from starving, and even to eat all +their dogs. In the course of this journey likewise, they were reduced to +the necessity of feeding on certain strings, or twining plants, a good +deal like the tendrils of vines, which they found in the woods, and which +had the taste of garlic. During this march a wild cat or a turkey sold for +four dollars, and one of the sea-birds named Alcatraz, formerly mentioned +as being very bad eating, brought a dollar or more, although reckoned very +unwholesome. + +Some short time before Gonzalo got to Peru intelligence of his return had +reached Quito, on which the inhabitants collected a considerable number of +swine and Peruvian sheep which they sent off to meet him. They sent off at +the same time a good many horses, and a supply of clothes for Gonzalo and +his officers. This seasonable supply met them above fifty leagues from +Quito, and one may easily judge that it was received with much joy, +especially the provisions. The whole party, from the general to the +private soldier, was almost entirely naked; as, from the almost continual +rains to which they had been exposed, and the other hardships of their +journey, their clothes were all rotten and torn to rags, and they were +reduced to the necessity of covering themselves with the skins of beasts. +Their swords were all without scabbards, and almost destroyed with rust. +Their legs and arms were torn and scratched by the brushwood, thorns, and +brakes, through which they had travelled; and the whole party were so pale, +lean, and worn out with fatigue and famine, that their most intimate +acquaintances were hardly able to recognize them. Among all their +privations, what they felt the most unsufferable, was the want of salt, of +which they had not been able to procure the smallest supply for above two +hundred leagues. + +On arriving in the kingdom of Quito, where every thing they stood in need +of was brought them, they knelt down and kissed the ground as a mark of +gratitude and satisfaction, and returned thanks to God for their +preservation from so many dangers. Such was their eagerness for food after +so long famine, that it became necessary to regulate their supply, and +only to allow them to eat by little and little at a time, till their +stomachs became accustomed to digest their food. As there had only been +sent from Quito a sufficiency of horses and clothes for Gonzalo and his +officers, they refused to avail themselves of either, not choosing to +enjoy any advantages which they could not share with their soldiers, by +which they rendered themselves extremely popular and gained their +affection greatly. They arrived at Quito in the morning, and went +immediately to church to hear mass, and to give thanks to God for their +delivery from so many and severe evils; after which every one retired to +his quarters, to refresh and clothe themselves according to their means. +This country of Los Canelos, whence the cinnamon is procured, is +immediately under the equinoctial line, similar in that respect to the +Molucca islands, whence cinnamon is brought into Spain and other parts of +Europe[11]. + + +[1] We shall have a future opportunity of giving a better account of the + discovery and conquest of Chili than this extremely meagre notice by + Zarate from Molina, Ovalle and other early authors. The nameless city + mentioned by Zarate was probably St Jago de Chili, which was founded + by Valdivia. The commencement of the Valdivian expedition was in the + year 1530.--E. + +[2] This force, according to Garcilasso, amounted to 100 horse, and an + equal number of foot.--E. + +[3] According to Garcilasso de la Vega, his force consisted of 340 + Spaniards, of whom 150 were horsemen.--E. + +[4] These Indians, according to Garcilasso, were laden with arms, + provisions, and ammunition, besides large quantities of hatchets, + ropes, nails, and wooden pins, to use upon occasion.--E. + +[5] Perhaps the elevated valley of Macas on the river Morona which runs + into the Tunguragua.--E. + +[6] Even Garcilasso, who is sufficiently fond of the marvellous and ever + ready to adopt absurdities, honestly relates of these _Amazons_, that + they were a fierce and wild nation of men, whose wives went forth to + war along with their husbands; and that Orellana invented the tale of + a nation of Amazons to raise the honour of his atchievement, and to + induce the emperor to bestow upon him the government of the country he + had discovered.--E. + +[7] According to Garcilasso, he contrived with great difficulty and danger + to navigate in his rude bark from the mouth of the Marannon or Amazons + to the island of Trinidada, where he purchased a ship for his voyage + to Spain.--E. + +[8] The river Napo joins the Maranon in lat. 3° 20' S. and long. 70° W. + But we are uncertain whether this were the place where Orellana + deserted, as there are many junctions of large rivers in the course of + the vast Maranon. The two greatest of its tributary streams are the + Negro which joins in long. 60° W. from the north, and the Madeira in + long. 58° W. from the south.--E. + +[9] Garcilasso preserves the name of that faithful Spaniard, Hernando + Sanchez de Vargas, a young gentleman of Badajoz.--E. + +[10] We learn from Garcilasso that this new road was on the north side of + the river, Napo probably, and consequently that they had kept the + south side in their way eastwards.--E. + +[11] It is hardly necessary to say that cinnamon comes only from Ceylon, + not from the Moluccas; and that so entirely different was the + substance sought for in this disastrous expedition from cinnamon, that + it is now entirely unknown in Europe; unless it be the Canella alba, + now only used as a light aromatic of small value by druggists. + + Zarate is generally loose and confused in his accounts, and almost + entirely neglectful of dates. We learn from the History of America + that this unfortunate expedition lasted near two years, and that two + hundred and ten Spaniards and four thousand Indians perished during + its continuance, only eighty Spaniards returning to Quito. Garcilasso + says that two thousand of the Indians returned along with the + Spaniards, and served them during the hardships of the journey with + the most affectionate fidelity, supplying their extreme necessities + with herbs, roots, and wild fruit, and with toads, snakes, and other + reptiles, which the Spaniards greedily devoured, or they must have + died for want of food.--E. + + + + +SECTION V. + +_Conspiracy of the Almagrians and Assassination of Pizarro_. + + +On his return to Quito in 1541, Gonzalo Pizarro received accounts of the +most afflicting nature. When, as formerly related, Don Diego Almagro was +put to death at Cuzco by Ferdinand Pizarro, a son whom Almagro had by an +Indian woman was sent to reside in Lima. This young man, who was named +after his father Diego Almagro, was of a graceful appearance, handsome, +generous, and excelling in all the martial exercises, being particularly +graceful and dexterous in riding the manage horse. His literary education +likewise had been so carefully attended to, that he was considered as more +versant in these things than his situation required. Juan de Herrada, +formerly mentioned, to whose care he had been especially confided by his +father, undertook the care of educating young Almagro in the capacity of +his governor, and had been particularly watchful and successful in the +charge. Their house in Lima was the rendezvous of such friends and +partizans of the late Almagro as remained unemployed in Peru, and had been +excepted from the division of lands and Indians after the defeat of their +party, as the adherents of the Pizarros would not, and their dependents +dared not to have any intercourse with them. + +After the voyage of Ferdinand Pizarro to Spain, and the setting out of +Gonzalo Pizarro upon his disastrous discovery of Los Canelos, Herrada and +the younger Almagro, being now left at entire liberty by the Marquis, who +before had held them in a species of imprisonment, began to take measures +for the execution of an enterprize they had long contemplated. For this +purpose they secretly provided arms and every thing that appeared +necessary for their project of revenging the death of the elder Almagro. +Their partizans were farther animated to the accomplishment of this design +from resentment for the death of several of their friends and companions, +who had been cut off during the late civil war. The marquis had often used +his endeavours to reconcile Almagro and Herrada to his authority by gentle +means, and by the offer of his friendship and patronage to them and their +adherents; but finding all his advances ineffectual, he deprived Almagro +of the moderate repartition of Indians which had been assigned to him, on +purpose to prevent him from continuing to form a party by the application +of his fortune to the support of the malcontents. All these precautions +were ultimately ineffectual, as the Almagrians were so closely united +among themselves, that all their property was in a great measure held +common among the members of their party, even every thing that the +individuals acquired by play or otherwise being thrown into a common stock +in the hands of Herrada to serve their general expence. Their numbers +increased daily, by the accession of all who were dissatisfied by the +administration of the marquis, or who thought their merits overlooked in +the distribution of property and employments. They secretly increased +their store of arms, and took measures for securing the success of their +plot. + +Their conduct, however secretly pursued, being known among many, came at +length to the knowledge of some friends of the marquis, who endeavoured to +put him on his guard against the machinations of his enemies. But he, +confiding in his honour and good faith, judged of others by himself, and +refused to listen to this advice; saying that it was proper to leave these +unfortunate men in peace, who were already sufficiently punished by the +shame of their defeat, the public hatred, and the poverty to which they +were reduced. So much were the Almagrians encouraged by the patient +indulgence of the marquis, that their chiefs used even to pass him in +public without saluting him or giving him any token of respect; and one +night some of them had the audacity to affix three ropes to the gibbet, +one of which was stretched towards the palace of the marquis, another +towards the house of his lieutenant, and the third to that of his +secretary. Even this insolence was forgiven by the marquis, in +consideration of their misery and the unhappy situation of their affairs. +Profiting by this indulgence, the Almagrians assembled together almost +openly, several of their party who were wandering about the country +without property or employment, coming to Lima from the distance even of +two hundred leagues. They resolved upon putting the marquis to death; yet +waited to hear from Spain what judgment might be given in the case of +Ferdinand Pizarro, who was there thrown into prison as accused, of the +murder of Don Diego Almagro; and to prosecute whom Captain Diego Alvarado +had gone home and was actively engaged in soliciting his trial and +punishment. When the conspirators learnt that his majesty had appointed +the licentiate Vaca de Castro to proceed to Peru, on purpose to examine +into all the past disorders, but without orders to prosecute the death of +Almagro with that rigorous severity which they wished and expected, they +resolved upon the execution of their long concerted enterprize. They were +anxious, however, to learn exactly the intentions of Vaca de Castro, as +the intended assassination of the marquis was by no means universally +approved among the Almagrians. Several of the gentlemen belonging to the +party, although much incensed at the death of Almagro, were anxious only +for redress by legal means, and in a manner that might be conformable with +the pleasure and service of the sovereign. The chiefs of this conspiracy +who were now assembled in Lima, were Juan de Saavedra, Alfonso de +Montemayor, Juan de Gusman controller, Manuel de Espinar treasurer, Nugnez +de Mercado agent, Christoval Ponce de Leon, Juan de Herrada, Pero Lopez de +Ayala, and some others. In this assemblage, Don Alfonso de Montemayor was +deputed to wait upon Vaca de Castro; and accordingly set out with letters +of credence and dispatches to meet Vaca de Castro at the beginning of +April 1541. After his arrival at the place where Vaca de Castro then was, +and before he proposed to return to his employers, news was brought of the +assassination of the marquis. On this occasion, Montemayor and some others +of the Almagrian party, who were not concerned in the murder, remained +with Vaca de Castro till after the defeat of the younger Almagro in the +battle of Chupas, preferring the service of their sovereign, in whose name +and authority de Castro acted, to their individual resentments. + +So public had the measures of the conspirators become in the city of Lima, +that several persons gave notice of their intentions to the marquis, and +advised him to employ a guard for the protection of his person: But he +always said that the lives of others would guard him from violence, and +that he was resolved to give no cause for suspecting that he used +precautions of defence against the judge whom his majesty was sending to +Peru. On one occasion, Juan de Herrada complained to the marquis of a +report that he meant to put all the friends of Almagro to death. The +marquis assured him that the report was entirely groundless; and when +Herrada mentioned that the marquis was collecting a great number of lances +and other arms, as a confirmation of the report that these were intended +against the Almagrians, the marquis replied in the gentlest terms, that +these arms were by no means intended to be used against him or his friends. +He even presented Herrada with several oranges which he pluckt for him, +which were then esteemed a high delicacy, as they were the first that were +grown in Peru; and told him privately, that if he were in want of anything, +he had only to give him notice, and he might depend on being provided for. +Herrada kissed his hands, and thanked him for his kindness, going away +delighted with the assurance that the marquis seemed to have no suspicion +whatever of the conspiracy. + +On arriving at his house, where the principal conspirators waited for him, +it was determined to kill the marquis on the following Sunday, as they had +not been able to put their design into execution on the festival of St +John[1] as they at first intended. On the Saturday immediately preceding, +one of the conspirators revealed the circumstances of the plot in +confession to the curate of the great church of Lima. The curate went that +same evening to communicate the intelligence to Antonio Picado, secretary +to the marquis, who immediately carried the curate to Francisco Martinez +de Alcantara, the marquises brother[2], where the marquis then was at +supper together with his children[3]. On being informed of the urgent +business on which they came, the marquis rose from table and retired to +another room, where the curate informed him of every thing he had learnt +respecting the conspiracy. The marquis was at first considerably agitated +by his intelligence: but after a moments reflection, he said that he could +not credit the story, as Herrada had been with him only a few days before, +and had conversed with him with much humility; for which reason he was +convinced that the man who now brought this intelligence had some secret +end to serve, and had invented this story to assume merit. He sent however, +for his lieutenant, the doctor Juan Velasquez[4] meaning to consult with +him; but as Velasquez was ill in bed, the marquis went to his house, and +told him all that he had heard. Velaquez used every argument to convince +him that the story was false, and that he had nothing to fear. Taking up +his rod of office, he declared that no one dared to revolt so long as he +held that badge in his hand, and that the marquis might rest in security. +He may be said in some measure to have kept his word; for when the +Almagrians came next day to kill the marquis, Velasquez made his escape +over a window, and took his rod of office in his teeth, that he might use +both his hands to assist himself in his descent. + +In spite of all these assurances the marquis was somewhat alarmed, +insomuch that next day, being Sunday the 26th June 1541, he determined not +to go to church, and had the mass said in his own house. After church, the +doctor Velasquez and captain Francisco de Chaves, who were the principal +persons in the colony, went along with several other persons to visit the +marquis. Having paid their visit, they all retired to their houses, except +Velasquez and de Chaves who remained to dine with him. After dinner, +between twelve and one o'clock, when all the attendants of the marquis had +retired to their dinner, and the whole city was quiet, Juan de Herrada and +ten or twelve of his associates all armed sallied forth from the house of +Almagro, which was not more than three hundred paces from the palace of +the marquis, between which were part of a street and the whole breadth of +the great square. On coming out into the street with their drawn swords, +they exclaimed, "death to the tyrant who hath slain the judge sent by the +emperor to execute judgment upon him." They used these words, and went +thus openly, to induce the inhabitants to believe that their party was +numerous, so that no one might take measures to oppose them. Besides this, +the conspirators believed that there was no time for any one to interpose +to prevent the execution of their purpose, and that it would either be +accomplished, or themselves slain in the attempt, before any effectual +succour would arrive. On their arrival at the palace of the marquis, one +of the party remained at the gate with a bloody sword in his hand, who +cried out repeatedly, "_The tyrant is dead! the tyrant is dead!_" This had +the desired effect, as several of the inhabitants who hastened to the +palace on the alarm, being convinced that the marquis was already slain, +retired again to their houses. + +In the mean time Juan de Herrada and the rest of the conspirators rushed +up the stair towards the apartment of the marquis, who, being alarmed by +some of the Indian servants, desired de Chaves to shut the doors of the +saloon and the hall, while he retired to put on his armour. De Chaves was +so much confused, that instead of fastening the doors he went out to the +staircase demanding the reason of the noise; on which one of the +conspirators wounded him. "This, said he, is not the usage of a friend," +and immediately drew his sword, but was soon overpowered and slain. The +conspirators immediately rushed into the hall, whence ten or twelve +Spaniards who were there made their escape by the windows: Among these was +Velasquez, who, as has been already mentioned, took his rod of office in +his mouth, that he might use his hands the more readily in making his +escape by the window. The marquis was at this time in his chamber, +employed in arming himself, attended by his brother de Alcantara, two +other gentlemen, and two pages. Seeing his enemies so near, the marquis +was unable to fasten the clasps of his cuirass, but advanced courageously +with his sword and buckler to defend the entry to the chamber, in which he +was bravely assisted by those who were along with him. He defended himself +for a considerable time successfully, encouraging his brother and the rest +by his voice and example. At length the Almagrians slew de Alcantara, on +which one of the pages took his place beside the marquis. The Almagrians, +being afraid lest succour might arrive, resolved to make a desperate +effort, for which purpose one of the best armed among them forced in at +the door and made room for the rest to enter, who now attacked the marquis +and his faithful companions with such fury that he was soon exhausted with +fatigue and hardly able to handle his arms. At length the marquis received +a mortal thrust in his throat, and falling to the ground called out in a +loud voice for a confessor. Soon losing all power of speech, he made the +sign of the cross on the floor with his finger, which he kissed and +expired. Besides his brother, the two pages were likewise slain. Of the +Almagrians, four were killed, and several of the rest wounded. + +When the marquises death was made known, above two hundred men who waited +the event, declared themselves loudly in favour of Don Diego, and went +about the city arresting and disarming all who seemed to favour the party +of the marquis. The conspirators went out into the street waving their +bloody swords, and Herrada made Don Diego ride on horseback through the +city of Lima, proclaiming him as governor of Peru. The palace of the +marquis, and the houses of Alcantara and Picado the secretary were +pillaged, Herrada assembled the cabildo of the city, and obliged them to +acknowledge Don Diego as governor, under pretence that the elder Almagro +had been appointed by his majesty to the government of New Toledo, with +succession to his son or to any person he might appoint as his successor. +The conspirators likewise put to death several persons who were +particularly attached to the late marquis, and gave up their houses to be +plundered by their own partizans. It was melancholy to behold the misery +and desolation of the wives and children of those who were thus massacred, +and whose houses were pillaged of every thing valuable, as they went about +the streets bewailing their forlorn condition. + +Some obscure persons[5] carried or dragged the dead body of the marquis to +the church, where no one dared to give it burial, till one Juan Barbaran +and his wife, who had been servants to the marquis, obtained permission +from Don Diego, and buried the marquis and his brother as well as they +could. They were obliged to hurry over the ceremony as quickly as possible, +having hardly time to clothe the body in the habit of St Jago, of which +order he was a member, and to put on his spurs according to the usual +manner of burying the knights of that order; as they were informed that +some of the Almagrians were hastening to the church to cut off the head of +the marquis to affix it to the gallows. Barbaran himself performed the +ceremonies of the funeral, at which he was sole mourner, and defrayed all +the expences from his own funds. He next endeavoured to provide for the +security of the children of the marquis, who were concealed in different +parts of the city of Lima, now under the absolute controul of the +Almagrians. + +In this melancholy catastrophe, we have a forcible example of the +uncertainty and changeableness of fortune. In a very short space of time, +a private individual who held no important office, had discovered a vast +extent of country containing powerful kingdoms, of which he made himself +master and governor with almost uncontrolled authority, bestowing on +several persons such ample fortunes and extensive revenues as none of the +richest and most powerful monarchs whom we read of in history had ever +given away in so short a time. Yet was this man assassinated by only +twelve men at noonday, in the midst of a city the whole inhabitants of +which were his creatures, servants, kinsmen, friends, and soldiers, who +had all eaten of his bread and subsisted on his bounty, even his own +domestic servants and those who were in his house, flying away and +abandoning him to his fate. He was interred in the most obscure manner, +all his richness and greatness having disappeared, not enough being left +to defray the consecrated tapers and other expences of his funeral. The +unsearchable ways of Providence are surprisingly illustrated by these +events; and particularly, that after all the warnings and just causes of +suspicion which had been given him, he refused to take any precautions for +his safety which he could have done so easily. + +As the discovery and conquest of Peru, the subject of this work, +originated from the two captains of whom I have hitherto dicoursed, the +Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro, and the President Don Diego de Almagro; it +seems proper to attempt giving their portraitures, with some account of +their manners and qualifications, imitating in this the example of +Plutarch; who, after giving the lives and heroic actions of two great +commanders, institutes a comparison between them, shewing how far they +resembled and differed from each other. We have already said all that +could be learnt respecting their parentage. They were both personally +brave and daring, patient of labour, of hale and robust constitutions, and +exceedingly friendly, being always ready to do good offices to every one +without consideration of expence. In their inclinations and manner of life +they very much resembled each other, as neither of them were married, +though Almagro attained to seventy-five years of age and the marquis to +sixty-five. Both loved war; but Almagro, when not thus employed, willingly +devoted himself to the management of his private affairs. They were both +advanced in life when they undertook the discovery and conquest of Peru, +in which they both encountered great fatigues, as has been formerly +mentioned; but the marquis more especially was exposed to great dangers, +far beyond those of the president, who remained long at Panama providing +all necessaries for the success of the enterprize, while the marquis was +actually engaged in the discovery and conquest of the greater part of the +country. Both had great souls, continually occupied in vast designs and +splendid enterprizes; yet both were of gentle and conciliatory manners, +and of easy access to their followers. They were both liberal and generous +in their gifts; yet the president loved to have his liberalities known and +published to the world; while the marquis carefully concealed his gifts, +and expressed uneasiness when they were known or blazed abroad; being more +anxious to serve the necessities of those to whom he made them, than to +make an ostentatious display of his munificence. One example of this is +worthy of being mentioned. He learnt that one of his soldiers had lost a +horse, on which occasion he went to a tennis-court belonging to his house, +expecting to meet the soldier in that place, carrying with him an ingot of +gold of ten pounds weight, which he meant to present him with. Not finding +the soldier there, he engaged in a match at tennis without taking off his +coat, as he did not wish the ingot should be noticed, which was concealed +below his waistcoat. He remained there above three hours, when at length +the soldier made his appearance. The marquis then took him aside and gave +him the gold, saying that he would rather have given him thrice as much +than have been obliged to carry that heavy weight so long. + +Many other examples might be given of the secret liberalities of the +marquis, who gave all his presents with his own hand that they might not +be known. On this account, Almagro was always considered as more liberal, +as his gifts were made in an ostentatious manner. They may be considered, +however, as perfectly equal in their liberality and munificence; for, as +the marquis used to acknowledge that all came from their common funds, +being partners and associates in every thing derived from their joint +discovery and conquest, the half of all that was given by one belonged to +the other, so that he who consented to or participated in the present, was +equally generous with the actual donor. Besides, in proof that they both +deserved the praise of liberality, they were both during their lives +prodigiously rich in ready money and vast revenues, beyond any person or +prince not sovereign who had been known for many ages; yet both died so +poor that no mention is made of the treasures or estates left by them; so +that hardly at their deaths was there sufficient to defray the expences of +their funerals; resembling in that respect Cato and Sylla and some other +famous Romans, who were buried at the public charge. + +Both were exceedingly kind to their servants and dependents, whom on all +occasions they delighted to enrich and advance, and to rescue from dangers. +In this last particular the marquis carried his attentions even to excess, +as appears by the following instance. In passing a river called the +Baranca, one of his Indian servants, of the Yanaconas tribe, was carried +away by the strength of the current, on which the marquis plunged into the +stream and swam after him, catching him by the hair, and saved him at the +imminent hazard of his own life, in so rapid a current that the bravest +and most vigorous man in his army durst hardly have made the attempt. When +his officers blamed him for his rashness in thus exposing his life, he +answered that none of them knew how to value a faithful servant. The +marquis enjoyed the authority of governor much longer in tranquillity than +Almagro; who, though he hardly enjoyed that authority at all, was more +ambitious, and evinced a more ardent desire of exercising command. Both +affected simplicity in dress, keeping to the same fashion in their old age +which they had been accustomed to in their youth. In particular, the +marquis used ordinarily to wear a close coat of black cloth, the wide +skirts of which came down almost to his ankles, while the body had a very +short waist and was closely fitted to his shape. His shoes were of white +leather, with a white or grey hat, and a plain sword and dagger in the old +fashion. Sometimes on festivals, by the entreaty of his servants, he wore +a robe of fine fur which had been sent him by the Marquis del Valle; but +immediately on his return from church he put it off, remaining in his +shirt or a plain jacket, with a napkin hanging from his neck to wipe away +sweat, as he usually passed most of the day when in peace in playing at +bowls or tennis. + +Both Pizarro and Almagro were exceedingly patient of labour and fatigue, +and could submit better than most men to hunger and thirst and other +privations; but especially the marquis, who was so vigorous that few young +men were able to compete with him in his old days at athletic sports. The +marquis in general was more addicted to play than Almagro, insomuch that +he often spent whole days in playing at bowls, with any one that offered, +whether mariner or miller was all one; and he never allowed any man to +lift his bowl for him, or to use any ceremony whatever in respect to his +rank. He was so fond of play, that few affairs were of sufficient +importance to induce him to give over, especially when losing. But when +informed of any insurrection among the Indians, he would instantly lay +every thing aside, immediately bracing on his armour and seizing his lance +and target, would hasten to the place where the mutiny had risen, without +waiting for his people, who followed him with all expedition. + +Both the marquis and the president were so brave and so experienced in the +manner of making war with the Indians, that either of them alone would +never hesitate when on horseback and armed to charge through a hundred +Indians. Both were extremely intelligent, sensible, and judicious, and +could take their measures both in civil and military affairs with great +promptitude and propriety; yet both were so extremely illiterate that +neither of them could read or write, or even sign their names; which +assuredly was a great defect, and exceedingly inconvenient in carrying on +the important affairs in which they were concerned; and although they in +every other respect appeared like persons of high birth, and deported +themselves like noblemen with much dignity and propriety, yet their entire +ignorance of letters was an evident demonstration of the meanness of their +birth. The marquis placed implicit confidence in his servants and friends, +insomuch that in all his dispatches and orders relative to the government, +and in the assignments of lands and Indians, he only made two lines with +the pen, between which Antonio Picado his secretary wrote his name, +Francisco Pizarro. As Ovid said of Romulus, respecting astronomy, we may +say of Pizarro that he was more learned in the art of war than in the +sciences, and applied himself more to know how to atchieve glorious +conquests than to acquire literature. Both were exceedingly affable and +familiar with the colonists, making them frequent visits, and they readily +accepted invitations to dinner from any one; yet both were extremely +moderate in eating and drinking; and both refrained from amorous +connection with Spanish women, on the principle that to intrigue with the +wives or daughters of their countrymen was both prejudicial and +dishonourable to their neighbours. Almagro was the most continent in +regard to the Peruvian women, as we know of no affairs of his gallantry in +that country, his only son being born of an Indian woman of Panama. But +the marquis had more than one attachment in Peru, having lived publickly +with a sister of Atahualpa, by whom he had a son named Don Gonzalo who +died at fourteen years of age, and a daughter named Donna Francisca. By +another Indian woman of Cuzco he had a son named Don Francisco[6]. + +Both Pizarro and Almagro received high rewards from his majesty for their +signal services; the former being created a marquis, with the authority of +governor of New Castille, and the order of St Jago. Almagro was rewarded +with the government of New Toledo, with the title of President or Lord +Lieutenant of that country. The marquis always evinced the highest respect +for his majesty, the utmost zeal for his service, and the most perfect +obedience for his orders; insomuch that he would often refrain from doing +many things which were evidently within the scope of his authority, lest +he should appear to overstep the bounds of his commission. Frequently, +when sitting in the meeting-houses where the gold and silver was assessed +for the royal fifth, he would rise from his chair to pick up the small +pieces which started from the scissars; observing that if the hands failed +on such occasions, a loyal subject ought to use his mouth to serve the +king. As these two great men resembled each other in many things during +their lives, so in their deaths they were alike unfortunate: the president +being put to death by the brother of the marquis, and the marquis slain by +the son of the president. + +The marquis was exceedingly anxious for the improvement of the country, +giving every encouragement to the cultivation of the soil, and the +establishment of colonies of Spaniards in different places. He built for +himself a fine house or palace in the city of Lima, and had two sluices +constructed on the river to drive mills for its supply; employing much of +his leisure in superintending the workmen, and instructing the overseers +how he wished the works to be carried on. He was particularly diligent in +procuring the erection of a great and handsome church in Lima, and +monasteries for the Dominicans and the order of Mercy; both of whom he +endowed with ample estates in lands and Indians. + + +[1] The festival of St John the Evangelist is on the 5th May but the + assasination of the Marquis did not take place till the 26th June + 1541.--E. + +[2] In a former note, it has been mentioned, on the authority of Robertson, + that Francisco de Alcantara was the uncle of Pizarro by his mother; + yet Garcilasso calls him his brother, and perhaps he was so by a + different father.--E. + +[3] The language of the French translator is here rather equivocal, but + distinctly bears the construction here given of the marquis being at + supper in the house of de Alcantara.--E. + +[4] By Garcilasso, Velasquez is called the Chief Justice.--E. + +[5] Garcilasso, quoting Zarate, says that the body was dragged to church + by some negroes; the French translator says _quelques miserables_.--E. + +[6] According to Garcilasso, the marquis had only one son and one daughter, + Don Francisco being the son of his brother Gonzalo. Don Gonzalo, the + only son of the marquis, was born of a daughter of Atahualpa, not a + sister, named Angelina. Donna Francisca was the marquises daughter by + Ynes Huayllas Nusta, a daughter of the Inca Huana Capac, whose + Christian name was Donna Beatrix.--E. + + * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +CONTINUATION OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF PERU, AFTER THE DEATH OF FRANCISCO +PIZARRO, TO THE DEFEAT OF GONZALO PIZARRO, AND THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF +TRANQUILITY IN THE COUNTRY; WRITTEN BY AUGUSTINO ZARATE[1]. + + + + +SECTION I. + +_From the revival of the civil wars in Peru, to the close of the +administration of Vaca de Castro, the first governor appointed from Spain_. + + +After Don Diego had made himself master of the city of Lima, he deprived +the magistrates of all their insignia of command, but which he immediately +returned to them, with orders to execute their official duties in his name +and authority. He then ordered the Doctor Velasquez, who had been chief +justice or adelantado under the marquis, and Antonio Picado who had been +his secretary, to be taken into custody[2]. In the next place he appointed +Juan Tello, Francisco de Chaves[3], and one Sotelo to be captains of his +troops. On the news of this revolution, all the idle vagabonds and +debauched blackguards of the country hastened to enrol themselves under +the banners of Don Diego, in hopes of participating in the plunder of the +partizans of Pizarro, and of being enabled to live licentiously without +labour. To enable him to pay his troops, Don Diego seized the fifth of the +precious metals belonging to the crown, and took possession of the +properties of those who had been massacred, and the revenues of all the +absentees. In a very short time disputes and divisions arose among those +who had taken part with Don Diego, as the leaders of the malcontent party +among them were anxious to assassinate Juan de Herrada, because every +thing was done and directed by him, Don Diego having only the name of +captain general, while he in fact exercised the whole authority. The +intention of these malcontents being discovered, several of them were put +to death as seditious people; among whom was Francisco de Chaves, who was +put to the rack and afterwards hanged as a ringleader of this new +conspiracy. One Antonio de Orihuela likewise, who had only arrived of late +from Spain, was beheaded, having imprudently asserted that the Almagrians +were tyrants and usurpers. + +Deputies or messengers were sent to all the cities and provinces of Peru, +to induce the commandants and magistrates to recognize Don Diego as +governor, which was done in many places out of fear: But Alonso de +Alvarado, who was lieutenant governor in the province of Chachapoyas, +ordered the deputies who were sent into his government to be arrested, +declaring for his majesty in opposition to Don Diego, whom he denounced a +rebel. He was encouraged in this bold procedure, because he was confident +of being able to defend himself with a hundred men whom he commanded in a +strong fortress of his province, which he fortified with much care. Don +Diego used every effort to gain Alvarado to his party, by flattering +promises and menaces of condign punishment; but he uniformly replied, that +he would never acknowledge his authority without an express command from +his majesty to that effect, and that he hoped, by the blessing of God and +the assistance of the brave men whom he commanded, to revenge the death of +the marquis, and to punish the Almagrians for their injurious and +outrageous conduct, and the contempt of the royal authority which they had +evinced in their whole procedure. Garcias de Alvarado was therefore sent +with a force of cavalry and infantry, having orders to go in the first +place to the cities of San Miguel and Truxillo, to deprive the inhabitants +of these two colonies of their arms and horses, and then to march with all +his troops against Alonso de Alvarado. Garcias went accordingly by sea to +the port of Jauta, about fifteen leagues from Truxillo, where he found +Captain Alonso de Cabrera, who had fled thither with all the inhabitants +of Guanuco to join the people of Truxillo against the usurpation of Don +Diego. Garcias made Cabrera and some other of his companions prisoners; +and on his arrival at San Miguel he cut off his head, and likewise put to +death Francisco de Vozmudiana, and Hernando de Villegas. + +When the deputies or messengers of Don Diego arrived at Cuzco with orders +to recognize him as governor general of Peru, Diego de Silva and Francisco +de Carvajal were the chief magistrates of that city. These officers, +together with the other magistrates and counsellors forming the Cabildo, +were unwilling to submit to his authority, yet durst not declare +themselves openly till they had maturely considered whether they were +possessed of a sufficient force, and had enough of provisions and warlike +stores to defend themselves in case of being attacked. On purpose +therefore to gain time, they desired the messengers of Don Diego to return +to their master, and to desire him to send them other deputies with more +ample and more regular powers or instructions, after which they would +recognize his authority. Gomez de Tordoya, who was one of the principal +members of the royal council of Cuzco, happened not to be in the city when +the deputies arrived, as he had gone out that day to take the diversion of +hawking. The other members sent therefore a message to inform him of what +was going on, and to desire his presence and advice. On his return to the +city, he met the messengers of Don Diego, and having learnt the state of +affairs, he twisted off the head of an excellent falcon which he carried +on his fist, saying that fighting must now be followed, not the sports of +the field. After a secret consultation with the rest of the Cabildo on the +proper measures to be pursued on the present emergency, he left the city +the same night, and went to the residence of Captain de Castro. They sent +immediately a message to Pedro Anzurez, the lieutenant of the province of +Charcas, giving him an account of the state of affairs, and he declared +himself at once for the party of his majesty. + +Immediately afterwards Gomez de Tordoya set off in pursuit of Pedro +Alvarez Holguin, who had lately marched with above a hundred men to reduce +some revolted Indians: On coming up with Holguin, Tordoya immediately told +him all that had taken place, earnestly intreating him to assist the loyal +inhabitants of Cuzco in their just and honourable intentions, and to +assume the command of such troops as might be collected for the defence of +that city against the usurpation of Don Diego. To induce him to comply, +Tordoya declared himself ready to become one of his soldiers, and to give +an example of implicit obedience to his commands. Holguin immediately +declared for his majesty, and agreed to assume the command. He and Tordoya +assembled the inhabitants of the city of Arequipa, whom they confirmed in +their loyalty, and immediately set out for Cuzco with all the force they +could collect. On the arrival of Holguin and Tordoya near Cuzco, above +fifty men who had declared themselves for Don Diego left the city, meaning +to join him at Lima; but the royalists sent de Castro and Ferdinand +Bachicao after them with a party of musqueteers, who came up with and +attacked them during the night, and brought them all back prisoners to +Cuzco. + +All the magistrates and councillors of Cuzco concurred not only in the +appointment of Pedro Alvarez Holguin as military commandant, but they +named him captain general and governor of all Peru, coming under an oath +of obedience to him in that high capacity till the pleasure of his majesty +should be made manifest on the subject: And in testimony of their zealous +loyalty, the whole inhabitants of Cuzco came under obligations to replace +all the sums that Holguin might be under the necessity of taking from the +effects and revenues belonging to the crown for the payment and equipment +of his troops, in case his majesty might not approve and allow that +expence. Besides this, all the inhabitants of Cuzco, Charcas, and Arequipa +engaged voluntarily to serve in the war, and to contribute towards its +expences. Immediately on his appointment to the supreme power, Holguin +made a proclamation of war against Don Diego as a rebel, and in a short +time assembled a force of 150 cavalry, 100 musqueteers and 100 pikemen. +But learning that Don Diego had more than 800 men under arms, he did not +consider himself powerful enough to wait for him in Cuzco, deeming it more +prudent to march from thence by way of the mountain road, on purpose to +join forces with Alonso de Alvarado, who had declared for his majesty. +Holguin likewise expected to be joined upon the march by several of the +friends and servants of the late marquis, who had concealed themselves +from the rage of the Almagrians in different parts of the mountain region +of Peru. In pursuance of this plan, Holguin set out on his march from +Cuzco, having appointed Gomez de Tordoya his maestre de campo or major +general, Garcilasso de la Vega[4] and Pedro Anzurez, captains of horse, +Nunno de Castro and Hernando de Bachicao captains of foot, and Martin de +Robles as ensign to carry the royal standard. On leaving Cuzco, all who +were unfit for active service in the field were left behind, and proper +officers were appointed for maintaining the government and to distribute +justice. + +On receiving notice of all these events which had taken place in Cuzco, +and that Holguin had marched from thence with his troops, Don Diego judged +that Holguin would endeavour to form a junction with Alonzo de Alvarado +who commanded in Chachapoyas, and would therefore proceed by the mountain +road towards the north; he resolved therefore to march in such a direction +as might enable him to intercept Holguin before his junction with Alonzo +de Alvarado, but did not think it prudent to attempt this before the +arrival of the force under Garcias de Alvarado, whom he had recalled from +the originally concerted expedition against Alonzo de Alvarado[5]. While +passing through Truxillo, levying men and providing arms and horses, +Garcias proposed to have attacked Alonzo de Alvarado, but was resisted by +the inhabitants of a town in the province of Chachapoyas named Levanto, +and receiving his orders of recal from Don Diego he relinquished his +design, and marched in all haste for Lima. Immediately after the return of +Garcias, Don Diego began his march against Holguin, with a force of 300 +horse, 100 musqueteers, and 150 pikemen; but before his departure, he +banished the children of the late marquis and of Gonzalo Pizarro from the +country, and executed Antonio Picado, having previously put him to the +torture to endeavour to extort confession from him as to any hidden +treasure belonging to the marquis. + +"As during the civil dissentions in Peru, all intercourse with Spain was +suspended, the detail of the extraordinary transactions there between the +marquis and the elder Almagro, already recounted, did not soon reach the +court[6]. Unfortunately for the victorious faction, the first intelligence +was brought thither by some of Almagro's officers, who left the country on +the ruin of their cause; and they related what had happened with every +circumstance unfavourable to Pizarro and his brothers. Their ambition, +their breach of the most solemn engagements, their violence and cruelty, +were painted with all the malignity and exaggeration of party hatred. +Ferdinand Pizarro, who arrived soon after, and appeared at court with +great splendour, endeavoured to efface the impression which their +accusations had made, and to justify his brother and himself by +representing Almagro as the aggressor. The emperor and his ministers, +though they could not pronounce which of the contending factions was most +criminal, clearly discerned the fatal tendency of their dissentions. It +was obvious, that while the leaders entrusted with the conduct of two +infant colonies, employed the arms which should have been turned against +the common enemy in destroying one another, all attention to the public +good must cease, and there was reason to dread that the Indians might +improve the advantage which the disunion of the Spaniards presented to +them, and extirpate both the victors and the vanquished. But the evil was +more apparent than the remedy. Where the information which had been +received was so defective and suspicious, and the scene of action so +remote, it was almost impossible to chalk out the line of conduct that +ought to be followed; and before any plan that should be approved of in +Spain could be carried into execution, the situation of the parties, and +the circumstances of affairs, might alter so entirely as to render its +effects extremely pernicious." + +"Nothing therefore remained but to send a person to Peru, vested with +extensive and discretionary powers; who, after viewing deliberately the +posture of affairs with his own eyes, and inquiring on the spot into the +conduct of the different leaders, should be authorised to establish the +government in that form which he deemed most conducive to the interest of +the parent state and the welfare of the colony. The man selected in 1539 +for this important charge was Christoval Vaca de Castro, a judge in the +court of royal audience at Valladolid; and his abilities, integrity, and +firmness, justified the choice. His instructions, though ample, were not +such as to fetter him in his operations. According to the different aspect +of affairs, he had power to take upon him different characters. If he +found the governor still alive, he was only to assume the title of judge, +to maintain the appearance of acting in concert with him, and to guard +against giving any just cause of offence to a man who had merited so +highly of his country. But, if Pizarro were dead, he was entrusted with a +commission that he might then produce, by which he was appointed his +successor in the government of Peru. This attention to Pizarro, however, +seems to have flowed rather from dread of his power, than from any +approbation of his measures; for at the very time that the court seemed so +solicitous not to irritate him, his brother Ferdinand was arrested at +Madrid, and confined to a prison where he remained above twenty years[7]." + +"Vaca de Castro, who left Spain in 1540, was driven by stress of weather +in 1541, after a long and disastrous voyage, into a small harbour in the +province of Popayan; and proceeding from thence by land, after a journey +no less difficult than tedious, he reached Quito. In his way he received +accounts of Pizarro's death, and of the events which followed upon it, as +already mentioned. He immediately produced his commission appointing him +governor of Peru, with the same privileges and authority which had been +enjoyed by Pizarro; and his jurisdiction was acknowledged without +hesitation by Benalcazar, adelantado or lieutenant general for the emperor +in Popayan, and by Pedro de Puelles, who had the command of the troops +left in Quito in the absence of Gonzalo Pizarro. Vaca de Castro not only +assumed the supreme authority, but shewed that he possessed the talents +which the exercise of it at that juncture required. By his influence and +address, he soon assembled such a body of troops as not only set him above +all fear of being exposed to any insult from the adverse party, but +enabled him to advance from Quito with the dignity that became his +character. By dispatching persons of confidence to the different +settlements in Peru, with a formal notification of his arrival and of his +commission, he communicated to his countrymen the royal pleasure with +respect to the government of the country. By private emissaries, he +excited such officers as had discovered their disapprobation of Almagro's +proceedings, to manifest their duty to their sovereign by supporting the +person honoured with his commission. Those measures were productive of +great effects. Encouraged by the approach of the new governor, or prepared +by his machinations, the loyal were confirmed in their principles, and +avowed them with greater boldness; the timid ventured to declare their +sentiments; the neutral and wavering, finding it necessary to choose a +side, began to lean to that which now appeared to be the safest, as well +as the most just[8]." + +Don Diego had hardly got two leagues from Lima, in 1542, when secret +orders arrived there from Vaca de Castro, addressed to F. Thomas de San +Martin, provincial of the Dominicans, and Francisco de Barrionuevo, to +whom he committed the direction of public affairs till his own arrival. By +these persons, the cabildo of the city was secretly assembled in the +Dominican convent, to whom these orders were communicated, and who +immediately recognized Vaca de Castro as governor, and Geronimo de Aliaga, +his principal secretary, as adelantado or lieutenant governor of Peru. +Immediately upon this formal act of recognition, the members of the +cabildo and several of the principal citizens fled to Truxillo, fearing +the resentment of the Almagrians. Although all this had passed in secret, +it was communicated on the same night to Don Diego, who was disposed in +consequence to have returned with the intention of giving up the city to +plunder; but he was afraid lest by delay Holguin might escape into the +north of Peru, and lest by returning, the arrival of the new governor +might come to the knowledge of his troops. He determined therefore to +continue his march against Holguin with all expedition. In spite of all +his precautions, intelligence of the arrival of the new governor reached +his camp, on which several persons abandoned him secretly, particularly +the provincial of the Dominicans, Diego de Aguero, Juan de Saavedra, Yllen +Suarez de Carvajal the commissary, and Gomez de Alvarado. + +Although every consideration prompted Don Diego to use the utmost +diligence in the present posture of affairs, he was under the absolute +necessity of marching slowly, as Juan de Herrada his great friend and +adviser fell sick of a mortal distemper. Owing to this delay, Holguin was +enabled to get beyond the valley of Jauja in his march towards the +province of Chachapoyas. Yet Don Diego followed after him with so much +diligence that he very nearly got up with him. In this emergency, as +Holguin was by no means in sufficient force to venture a battle with Don +Diego, he put the following stratagem in practice to enable him to escape, +which effectually succeeded. During the night he detached twenty horsemen +to make an attack on the advanced guard of the enemy, with orders to take +some prisoners if possible, and then to retire. They executed their orders +successfully and made three prisoners, two of whom Holguin ordered to be +immediately hanged, and offered life and liberty with a considerable +reward in money to the third, if he would carry information to certain +persons in the army of Don Diego, who he pretended were disposed to join +him, that he intended to attack the right wing of the camp in the ensuing +night, that they might be ready to assist him. He even administered an +oath to this soldier that he would religiously keep the secret from every +one but those to whom he was directed to carry the message. Being a young +man and desirous of procuring the promised large reward, he readily +undertook the commission, and returned to the camp of Don Diego. When Don +Diego understood that this man had come back, and that his two companions +were hanged by Holguin, he suspected that mercy had been shewn him on some +private conditions; for which reason he ordered the soldier to be put to +the torture, who immediately avowed all that had been confided to him. By +this means, Don Diego was led to believe that Holguin actually intended to +surprise him by night, and took effectual measures to receive him, placing +the greatest part of his troops under arms all night on that side which +the soldier mentioned as the part where Holguin was to attack. The +intentions of Holguin were diametrically opposite to this story which he +had put in the mouth of the soldier, meaning only to gain time for a +secure retreat; so that immediately after dispatching the soldier, he +decamped in the middle of the night, marching with all possible celerity +to get his army into a place of safety, while Don Diego uselessly kept his +army under arms in expectation of being attacked. + +When Don Diego discovered the trick which had been imposed on him, he +resumed the pursuit of Holguin with as much celerity as he could: But +Holguin had sent a quick messenger to Alonso de Alvarado, requesting him +to hasten to his assistance, which Alvarado did without delay with all his +own troops and several of the inhabitants of Truxillo. On the junction of +these officers a few davs afterwards, Don Diego discontinued the pursuit, +and returned towards Cuzco. Holguin and Alvarado sent off immediately to +inform Vaca de Castro by letter of all the preceding events, and +counselled him to advance without delay to join them, as they were in +sufficient force to make him master of the country when strengthened by +his authority. At this time Juan de Herrada expired at Jauja, and Don +Diego detached a part of his army to the low country of Peru to collect +those of his party who were at Arequipa and other places. His officers +plundered the city of Arequipa, and dug up every where about the monastery +of the Dominicans in search of treasure, as they were informed that the +inhabitants of that city had concealed their valuable effects in that +convent. + +Vaca de Castro had reached Peru with much difficulty and fatigue. The +voyage from Panama was exceedingly tedious and tempestuous, and the vessel +in which he sailed lost all its anchors. Having at last reached the +harbour of Buenaventura at the bottom of the bay of Choco on the coast of +Raposo, he went from thence by land to the frontiers of the government of +Benalcazar, who commanded in Popayan, and thence to Peru. He suffered much +hardship and fatigue in that journey, both from the length and difficulty +of the way and the scarcity of provisions, so that he fell sick as being +quite unused to such fatigues. Yet as the death of the marquis and the +subsequent events were already known in Popayan, de Castro continued his +journey with as little delay as possible, that he might endeavour by his +presence to remedy the disorders of the country. Although Vaca de Castro +had been sent to Peru ostensibly to investigate into and take cognizance +of the death of Almagro, and of the subsequent transactions, without any +order to deprive the marquis of the government, or even to suspend his +authority; yet he had been furnished with a secret commission, by which he +was authorized to assume the government, in case the marquis should die +during his voyage, or after his arrival, and to exercise all the functions +of that high office, till the emperor might give orders to the contrary. +By the authority of this commission, he was received in the camp of +Holguin and Alvarado as governor. He was accompanied thither by several +persons who had joined him on his first arrival in Peru, particularly by +Captain Lorenzo de Aldana, who had been lieutenant governor of Quito under +the marquis. He sent before him Captain Pedro de Puelles, to make +preparations for carrying on the war. He sent likewise Gomez de Royas to +Cuzco, with orders to the magistrates and inhabitants of that city to +receive him as lieutenant. Royas used so much diligence and address that +he arrived at Cuzco and was received and acknowledged in the command of +that place before Don Diego could reach it with his army. + +When Vaca de Castro passed through the province of Bracamoras on his way +from Quito to Truxillo, Captain Pedro de Vergara, who was then occupied in +reducing that province, and had even fortified himself in a strong post on +purpose to defend himself against Don Diego, joined him with all his men. +At Truxillo the new governor was joined by Gomez de Tordoya, who had +quitted the camp in consequence of a dispute with Holguin. He was joined +likewise at Truxillo by Garcilasso de la Vega and some other gentlemen. By +all these means, when Vaca de Castro left Truxillo to repair to the camp +of Holguin and Alvarado, he had already collected a well armed force of +more than two hundred men, all ready to obey his orders. Immediately on +his arrival at the camp, Holguin and Alvarado received him with every +demonstration of joy, giving up to him their standards and all other marks +of authority; all of which he restored, except the royal standard, which +he retained for himself. Having appointed Holguin to the command of the +army, as maestre de campo general, he ordered him to march forwards to +Jauja, and to wait there till he himself might return from Lima, where he +proposed going that he might establish its government in proper order, and +on purpose to collect men, arms and ammunition. He gave orders to Holguin, +that Captain Diego de Royas should always precede the army about twenty +leagues, with a detachment of thirty horsemen, to gain intelligence of the +motions of the enemy. At the same time he sent back Diego de Mora to +Truxillo, to take the command in that city. De Castro thus took every +proper precaution for the successful issue of his expedition, with as much +prudent foresight as if he had been all his life enured to warlike affairs. + +When Don Diego found that Holguin had escaped from his pursuit, as +formerly related, he went to Cuzco with his army, where Christoval de +Sotelo, whom he had detached there before him, had already taken +possession of the city, and had displaced the magistrates who had been +established there under the authority of the new governor. Immediately on +the arrival of Don Diego at Cuzco, he made every exertion to provide +artillery and gunpowder for the farther prosecution of the war. Both of +these warlike articles are easily made in Peru. As to artillery, there is +abundance of metal for that purpose, and there were also several persons +in Cuzco who were perfectly well acquainted with the manner of founding +cannon: These were _Levantines_ or Greeks, several of whom had come to +Peru out of respect for Pedro de Candia, who was master of the ordnance to +Don Diego. Powder was likewise easily made in great abundance, as +saltpetre is to be had in every part of that country of excellent quality. +At the same time he had defensive armour made for those of his people who +were in want, forming corslets and helmets of silver mixed with copper, +which answered amazingly well, and, were made by the native artists, who +fabricated every kind of arms in imitation of, and as good as those of +Milan. By these means, and by collecting all the arms throughout the whole +country, every one of his men was at least provided with a coat of mail, a +cuirass or corselet, and a helmet[9]. In this manner Don Diego was enabled +to equip two hundred musqueteers, and to establish several companies of +men at arms, as hitherto in Peru, hardly any thing had been seen of that +kind, the cavalry being all light horse except a very few. + +While these preparations were going on, an unfortunate quarrel arose +between the captains Garcias de Alvarado and Christoval de Sotelo, in +which they drew their swords and Sotelo was slain. As both of these +captains were principal leaders in the Almagrian party, and had many +friends and partizans in the army, this unfortunate affair occasioned much +strife, and had nearly occasioned a battle between the friends of the two +combatants; but Don Diego appeased them with some difficulty, and by using +a great deal of address. But as Garcias de Alvarado plainly perceived that +Don Diego took the death of Sotelo much to heart, whom he dearly loved, +and feared lest he might take measures afterwards of revenge, he +endeavoured to take precautions in the meantime for his own safety, and +for this purpose proposed to have assassinated Don Diego. With this view +he one day invited Don Diego to dinner, intending to have put him to death +during the entertainment. Don Diego accepted the invitation, but when the +appointed day came, having some suspicion of what was intended, he sent an +excuse for his absence, on pretence of being indisposed. As Garcias had +provided every thing for the execution of his design, he went with several +of his friends to endeavour to prevail on Don Diego to come to the +entertainment. While on his way, he met a soldier named Martin Carillo who +advised him to stay away from the house of Don Diego, who he was fully +persuaded intended to put him to death. He continued his purpose however, +and received a similar advice from another soldier a little farther on. +Yet he persisted in going to the house of Don Diego, and even went up to +his chamber, where he found him on a day-bed under pretence of being +unwell. This visit seemed to be expected, as Don Diego had several armed +men concealed in a neighbouring room. + +Garcias de Alvarado and his followers went into the chamber of Don Diego, +to whom Alvarado said; "I hope, my lord, that your indisposition is of +little importance. You must rise and shake it off, and you will be the +better of some exercise and amusement. Come along with us, and though you +eat little, your presence will give pleasure to the company who expect +you." Don Diego agreed to go, and called for his cloak, being already +armed with his sword and dagger. While the company in the room made way by +going out, and Garcias de Alvarado went immediately before Don Diego, +Pedro de Onnate and several others who were instructed, shut the door, and +seizing on Garcias told him he was their prisoner. Don Diego drew his +sword, with which he wounded Garcias, saying that he must be slain, not +taken prisoner; and immediately Juan Balsa, Alfonso de Saavedra, Diego +Mendez the brother of Rodrigo Orgognez, and several others who were +concealed in the next room, rushed out and put Alvarado to death with many +wounds. + +On the news of this event spreading through the city, it occasioned much +dissatisfaction and some appearances of an insurrection which might have +had very fatal consequences; but Don Diego went immediately out into the +great square, where he succeeded in appeasing the people, and the friends +of Alvarado were forced to be quiet. Immediately after this, on purpose to +give employment to his troops, and because he heard that Vaca de Castro +had joined Holguin and Alonso Alvarado, he marched out from Cuzco, meaning +to seek out and give battle to the royalists. His army on this occasion +was the most numerous and best appointed that had hitherto been seen in +Peru, consisting of 250 horse, 200 musqueteers, and 250 pikemen, many of +these being armed with halberts, and all remarkably well provided with +defensive armour, especially all his cavalry, who, besides coats of mail, +had back and breast-pieces of iron. Besides these, he had a great train of +artillery, and was accompanied by Paul, the brother of the Inca who had +been raised to the Peruvian throne by the elder Almagro. The assistance of +this chief was of great importance to Don Diego on the present occasion, +as his Indians always went a considerable way before the army, and obliged +the natives of all the districts through which they passed to supply +provisions for the troops, and to furnish people for carrying the baggage +and other necessary services. In this manner Don Diego proceeded for about +fifty leagues to the province of Vilcas, where he learnt that the royal +army was only thirty leagues distant from him. + +While Vaca de Castro was in Lima, he procured a number of musquets to be +made by the workmen of that city, and made every other preparation in his +power to strengthen his army. Among other things, as Don Diego had carried +off the whole royal treasure, he borrowed a large sum from the inhabitants +of Lima, for the pay of his troops and other expences of the war; and all +things being regulated, he set out to join the army with as many men as he +could collect, leaving Francisco de Barrionuevo as his lieutenant in Lima, +and Juan Perez de Guevara as commandant of his marine. He directed his +march for Jauja, leaving orders with the inhabitants of Lima to retire on +board the ships, in case Don Diego, as he threatened, should make an +attack upon the city. On his arrival at Jauja, where Holguin and the army +waited for him, he found that the general had provided good store of arms +both offensive and defensive, and particularly a large supply of gunpowder +which had been made at that place. The governor incorporated the horsemen +whom he brought along with him from Lima among the troops or companies of +cavalry already in the army, which were commanded by the Captains Pedro +Alvarez Holguin, Pedro Anzurez, and Garcilasso de la Vega, and formed an +additional troop of horse of which he gave the command to Gomez de +Alvarado. Those foot soldiers which he brought with him were distributed +into the companies of Pedro de Vergara and Nunno de Castro, and he formed +a new company of musqueteers, of which he appointed the bachelor Juan +Velez de Guevara captain. Although a man of letters and educated in the +study of the law, Guevara was an excellent soldier, and particularly +attentive to discipline, and had even greatly assisted in the construction +of the musquets with which his company was armed. Being likewise very +learned in the law, he executed a judicial charge at the same time with +his military command, both on the present occasion under Vaca de Castro, +and during the subsequent troubles produced by Gonzalo Pizarro, as will be +afterwards related. Every day till noon, he held his judicial sittings and +dispatched such affairs of that kind as occurred, in the ordinary sober +dress of a lawyer. After that, he dressed in richly embroidered uniforms, +with a buff jerkin, a feather in his hat, and his musquet on his shoulder, +exercising his company with much attention, and practised himself in +firing. + +Having drawn together a well armed force of seven hundred men, 370 of whom +were cavalry, 170 musqueteers, and 160 armed with pikes, Vaca de Castro +appointed captain Francisco de Carvajal serjeant major[10] of his army; +the same person who was afterwards maestre de campo general under Gonzalo +Pizarro. Carvajal was an officer of great experience, having served above +forty years in the army, and was bred in the wars of Italy under _the +great captain_, having risen in that service from the ranks to a +lieutenancy. By him all the movements of the army were directed. + +About this time a message was received by Vaca de Castro from Gonzalo +Pizarro, who had just returned to Quito from his disastrous expedition to +Los Canelos, formerly related. Gonzalo made offer to the governor to march +to his assistance with all the troops he could raise; but de Castro, in +answer, after thanking him for his good will, desired him to remain at +Quito and on no account to come to the army, as he had hope of bringing +Don Diego to terms of accommodation, being only desirous of restoring the +country to peace. In this procedure, the governor meant in some measure to +mortify the pride of Gonzalo Pizarro; and besides, he feared lest his +natural desire of taking revenge for the murder of his brother might prove +an invincible obstacle against Don Diego agreeing to any accommodation, +who would never venture to submit to any one who was accompanied by +Gonzalo Pizarro, whose friends in the royal army were very numerous. Some +persons allege that Vaca de Castro was afraid of permitting Gonzalo to +join the army, lest they might elect him as their general, as he was +greatly beloved by the soldiers. At this time likewise, Vaca de Castro +sent orders to those persons who had the charge of the children of the +late marquis in San Miguel and Truxillo, to remain with them there till +farther orders, and on no account to carry them to Lima; alleging, as a +specious pretext, that they were safer there than at Lima. + +All his military preparations being completed, Vaca de Castro left Jauja +with his army in excellent order, taking the route for Guamanga, as he was +informed that Don Diego was in full march to take possession of that city, +or to take post at a very important passage of a river in that +neighbourhood, which would give great advantage in the future operations +of the war to either party which might obtain possession of that post, as +Guamanga was surrounded by precipitous rocks and deep vallies, serving as +natural fortifications of extremely difficult access. Captain Diego de +Royas, who has been formerly mentioned as commanding the advanced guard of +the royal army, had already occupied the city of Guamanga; and on +receiving intelligence of the rapid march of Don Diego to that place, had +fortified himself there as strongly as possible, that he might be able to +defend it till the arrival of the army under Vaca de Castro. The governor, +therefore, marched with as much celerity as possible, sending on Captain +de Castro with his company of musqueteers to take post on a craggy hill of +difficult ascent near Guamanga, called _Farcu_ by the Peruvians and Parcos +by the Spaniards. Vaca de Castro, on his arrival one evening within two +leagues of Guamanga, received information that Don Diego was already in +possession of that city, which disappointed him greatly, more especially +as the whole of his own troops were not yet come up. Alonso de Alvarado +was sent back therefore, to expedite their march, and to bring them on in +good order, as the enemy was so near. Some of the rear-guard of the army +marched that day above five long leagues, which was a most fatiguing +exertion, as the road was full of rocks and steep passes, and they were +under the necessity of carrying their arms and accoutrements. Having +passed the city, the whole army stood to their arms all night, not having +any accurate intelligence of the enemy, who was believed to be nigh. Next +day, however, learning by their scouts, who had been above six leagues in +advance, that the enemy was still at a considerable distance, the +royalists encamped to take some rest. + +Receiving more certain information of the situation of the enemy, who were +still at the distance of nine leagues from his camp, Vaca de Castro sent a +letter to Don Diego by Francisco Ydiaquez, commanding him in his majesty's +name to dismiss his army, and to repair to the royal standard, on doing +which he should be pardoned for all that was past: But, if he refused, he +might expect to be proceeded against with the utmost severity, as a rebel +against the king. The governor sent likewise a private soldier who was +well acquainted with the country, diguised as an Indian, carrying letters +for several gentlemen in the rebel army, offering them an amnesty and +large rewards if they would abandon Don Diego. Though this man took every +precaution to prevent discovery, his track was noticed in some places in +the snow, and he was followed and carried prisoner to Don Diego, who +ordered him to be hanged. Don Diego complained loudly of Vaca de Castro +for sending spies to corrupt his followers while making offers of +accommodation; and drawing out his army in complete order before the +governors messengers, he ordered all his officers to prepare for battle, +promising that whoever killed any of the hostile inhabitants of the +country, should be rewarded with the wife, lands, Indians, and wealth of +the slain. He then gave an answer to the governors message, that he would +never acknowledge or obey him so long as he was associated with his +enemies, Pedro Alvarez Holguin, Alonso de Alvarado, Gomez de Tordoya, Juan +de Saavedra, Garcilasso de la Vega, Yllen Suarez de Carvajal, Gomez de +Alvarado, and others of that party. That he would never disband his army, +unless he received a formal amnesty under the royal sign manual; as he +could not give faith to one signed by the Cardinal de Loaysa. That de +Castro was much mistaken in supposing any of his army would abandon him, +and might therefore prepare for battle, as he was determined to defend the +country to his last breath. + +On receiving this resolute answer, Vaca de Castro marched his army to a +small distance from Guamanga, where the ground was too rough and uneven +for his cavalry, and took up a position in a smooth plain named _Chupaz_, +where he remained three days, during all which time it never ceased +raining, as it was then the middle of winter, yet the troops were forced +to be always under arms and ready for action, as the enemy was very near. +He had resolved to give battle, us the enemy obstinately refused all +accommodation; yet finding that several persons in his army seemed to +hesitate on account of the disapprobation which his majesty had evinced +respecting the former battle of _Salinas_, on which account Ferdinand +Pizarro was detained in prison, he judged it proper to take some formal +judicial steps, both for his own justification, and to satisfy the +scruples of his troops. He pronounced therefore a formal sentence against +Don Diego, whom he declared a traitor and rebel, condemning him and all +his adherents to death and the confiscation of all their goods. After +signing this judicial sentence in the presence of the whole army, he +commanded the officers to give him asistance for carrying it into +execution. + +Next morning, being Saturday, the scouts brought intelligence after mass +that the enemy, who had encamped for the night at two short leagues +distance, was very near, and in full march towards the left of the +royalist camp, advancing by some low hills to avoid a marsh which covered +the front of the royalists. Don Diego wished to gain possession of +Guamanga before giving battle, and entertained no doubt of being +victorious, trusting to his great superiority in artillery over the +royalist army. When the two armies were so near that the advanced guards +were within musket shot, the governor detached Captain Castro with fifty +musqueteers to skirmish with the enemy, while the rest of his troops +marched up the slope of a hill on purpose to intercept the march of the +rebels. This movement was liable to considerable danger, as Don Diego +might have done the royalists much damage by means of his artillery if he +had taken advantage of the nature of the ground in proper time; for during +this conversion, the royalist infantry were often obliged to halt to +recover their order, which was much deranged by the difficulty of the +ground. When Carvajal the serjeant-major observed this circumstance, he +ordered all the troops to gain the height as quickly as possible without +preserving any precise order of march, and to form again when they were +arrived at the summit. They accordingly got all up, while Captain Castro +and his musqueteers were skirmishing with the troops of Don Diego; who +likewise continued his march, and drew up in order of battle. + +After the royal army had been marshalled in good order by the +serjeant-major, the governor made them a speech, in which he exhorted them +to recollect that they were loyal Spaniards who were fighting in the just +cause of their sovereign. He told them that the fate of Peru was now in +their hands and depended on their courage. If defeated he and they could +only expect to be put to death; but if victorious, besides the important +service to the king, which they were bound as good and loyal subjects to +perform, they would thereby secure the possession of their estates and +effects, and to such as had none he would provide amply in the name and by +the authority of his majesty, who only desired to preserve the sovereignty +of Peru, that he might divide it among those who served him faithfully. In +conclusion, he said there needed not a long harangue to encourage +gentlemen of honour and brave soldiers to do their duty, whose example he +proposed to himself to follow, not pretending to give them one; yet, as a +proof that he meant to imitate their bravery, he intended to march at +their head and should be among the first to break a lance. They all +declared that they would do their duty manfully, and would rather be cut +to pieces than allow themselves to be defeated, as they all considered +themselves interested in the success of the war on their own accounts, as +well as from duty to the king. All the officers earnestly intreated Vaca +de Castro not to hazard himself in the front of battle, insisting that he +should take post in the rear with thirty horsemen, whence he might send +succour to wherever it might be needed. He consented to this, and as the +day drew towards a close, being within an hour and a half of sunset, he +proposed to postpone the battle till next morning. But Alonso de Alvarado +assured him that he would be defeated if he delayed, as the whole army +seemed then animated by the best resolution, and it was impossible to say +whether some might not change their sentiments during the night. The +governor assented to this advice, only saying that he wished to have the +power which had been given to Joshua, that he might stop the going down of +the sun. + +At this time the artillery belonging to Don Diego opened its fire upon the +royalists; and as it was dangerous to descend the hill in front towards +the enemy, on account of being too much exposed in that direction to their +guns, the serjeant-major and Alonso Alvarado directed the army to move by +the left, where there was a hollow which led towards the enemy, by which +they were protected from the balls which all flew over their heads. The +troops marched in the following order. Alonzo de Alvarado was on the right +with his troops of horse, having the royal standard carried by Christoval +de Barientos; on the left were the other four captains of horse, Pedro +Holguin, Gomes Alvarado, Garcilasso de la Vega, and Pedro Anzurez, all at +the head of their respective troops in excellent order. Between the two +wings of cavalry, the Captains Pedro de Vergara and Juan Velez de Guevara +marched with the infantry; and Nunno de Castro marched in front with his +musqueteers to begin the battle, with orders to retire when pressed by the +enemy under the protection of the main body. The governor, at the earnest +entreaty of his officers, remained in the rear guard at the head of thirty +horse, at some short distance from the main body, where he could see all +that occurred, so as to send assistance where it was wanted, which he did +with much judgment. + +During the advance of the royalists, the enemy kept up a constant fire of +their artillery, but altogether ineffectually, as all their balls flew too +high. Don Diego observing this circumstance, suspected that Pedro de +Candia the captain of his artillery was gained by the enemy and did this +on purpose; for which reason he went to him in great rage and killed him +with his own hand. After this he pointed and fired off one of the cannon +against a squadron of the royalists, by which shot several of the troopers +were killed. Seeing this, and considering that the artillery of the royal +army was too insignificant to do much service, Carvajal determined to +leave it behind that the army might advance more quickly. At this time Don +Diego and his officers had arranged their army in order, the cavalry +divided on the two wings, and the infantry in the centre, having their +cannon in front, directly over against the only ground by which the +royalists could advance to the attack. The rebels believed it would argue +timidity in them thus to wait for the enemy, and that it was proper for +them to advance and meet them half way. This movement was much against the +opinion and advice of Pedro Suarez, serjeant-major to Don Diego, a brave +and experienced officer; who remonstrated that, as the enemy had to +advance over a plain of considerable extent, they would be greatly injured +by the artillery before they could come to the charge, whereas by +advancing the troops of Don Diego would shorten this dangerous way for +their enemies, and would lose an excellent advantage now in their power. +Nothwithstanding this judicious remonstrance the Almagrian army continued +to advance, and took post near a rising ground over which the royalists +had to march, and after which the rebel artillery could do them very +little harm, and was unable to prevent them from charging, as the way +between was very short. Suarez was so much dissatisfied at his advice +being thus despised, that he set spurs to his horse and galloped over to +the royalist army. + +About this time the Indians under the command of Paullu the brother of +Inca Manco Capac, attacked the left wing of the royalists with repeated +vollies of stones and arrows, but were soon put to flight by a few +discharges from the musqueteers. Martin Cote who commanded a company of +musqueteers on the side of Almagro, advanced to that side and began to +skirmish with the adverse musqueteers of Nunno de Castro. At this time the +royalists, advancing slowly and in good order to the music of their drums +and trumpets, made their appearance on the height, where they halted as +waiting an opportunity to charge, in hopes that the incessant discharge +from the artillery of the enemy might relax. Although now so near, the +rebel artillery did them very little harm, as having to point upwards, +most of their balls flew too high, whereas if the royalists had advanced +only twenty paces farther, they would have been exposed to point blank +shot. The infantry indeed of the royalists suffered materially at this +time, as they were more directly exposed to the shot, insomuch that by one +ball a whole file of seventeen men was brought down. This made a wide gap +in the battalion, which the officers took care immediately to fill up. The +serjeant-major, Francisco de Carvajal, still held back the royalist +cavalry from the charge, waiting for some relaxation in the fury of the +adverse artillery, by which the captains Pedro Alvarez Holguin and Gomez +de Tordoya were both slain, and several others were killed and wounded by +every discharge. Captain Pedro de Vergara being wounded by a musket shot, +exclaimed loudly against the conduct of the cavalry, saying that all the +infantry would be speedily destroyed if the cavalry did not charge the +enemy. The trumpets immediately sounded a charge, and the royalist +squadrons advanced, on which those of Don Diego moved forward to meet them +courageously. The shock was so violent that almost all the lances on both +sides were broken, and many horsemen of both armies were borne to the +ground, some killed and others wounded. A bloody engagement succeeded this +charge, in which they fought man to man with swords, maces and battle axes; +some even of the cavalry being armed with large woodmens axes which they +wielded in both hands, gave such heavy blows as no armour could withstand. +After continuing the battle with great fury till both sides were out of +breath, they drew off for a little. + +In the meantime the royalist infantry advanced against those of Don Diego, +encouraged by the exhortations and example of Carvajal who marched at +their head. "Be not afraid, said he, of the artillery: I, who am as large +as any two of you, do not fear it, and you all see how many bullets pass +by without hurting me." That his soldiers might not conceive that he +confided in the goodness of his armour, he threw away his coat of mail and +helmet, and advanced in this manner to the rebel cannon; and being bravely +seconded by his men, he soon got possession of them all, killing several +of those who guarded them, after which he turned them against the enemy. +By this vigorous, and successful exploit, the event of the battle was in a +great measure decided. The day was now ended, and the evening became so +dark that the opponents could hardly distinguish each other except by the +voice. After a short rest, the cavalry renewed the fight, and victory +began to lean to the side of the royalists, when Vaca de Castro made a +furious assault on the left of the enemy, where two troops belonging to +Don Diego still kept their ground, while all the rest began to fall back. +On charging the enemy, the governor exclaimed, _Vittoria! Vittoria!_ Yet +the battle continued undecided for some time, and several of the horsemen +who followed Vaca de Castro were wounded and unhorsed, two gentlemen and +several others being slain. The rebels were at last thrown into disorder +and fled from the field, being pursued for some distance. Two of their +officers, named Bilboa and de Sosa, were so enraged on seeing the defeat +and flight of their companions, that they rushed like madmen into the +thickest of the enemy, crying out _I am he who killed the marquis_, till +both were slain. Many of the Almagrians saved themselves by favour of the +darkness; and some of them, for greater security, threw away their _white_ +scarfs, by which the rebels were distinguished, and put on the _red_ +scarfs of the royalists who lay dead on the field. Thus Vaca de Castro +obtained a complete victory, although before the charge was given his army +lost many more men than the enemy, insomuch that Don Diego thought himself +till then secure of conquering. Such of the fugitives as endeavoured to +save themselves by way of the plain were all killed by the Indians; and a +hundred and fifty horse, who made their escape to Guamanga, about two +leagues from the field of battle, were disarmed and made prisoners by the +small number of inhabitants who remained in that city. Don Diego fled to +Cuzco, where Rodrigo de Salazar, his own lieutenant, and Antonio Ruyz de +Guevara, one of the magistrates made him prisoner. Thus ended the +authority of Don Diego Almagro, who one day was lord and master of the +great kingdom of Peru, and the next day was thrown into prison by officers +of his own appointment. This decisive battle of Chupaz was fought on the +16th September 1542. + +A great part of the night was over before their officers could reassemble +the victorious army, as the soldiers were busied in pillaging the tents of +the rebels, where they got a rich plunder in silver and gold, and killed +several of the wounded fugitives who were unable to continue their flight +any farther. When all were reassembled, Vaca de Castro made the army +remain all the rest of the night under arms and in order of battle, lest +the enemy might rally and renew the fight. Vaca de Castro employed himself +likewise during most part of the night in going about among the troops, +praising the whole in general, and thanking the individual soldiers for +having so bravely done their duty. In this battle several officers and +soldiers on both sides signalized themselves remarkably. Don Diego +distinguished himself particularly, shewing much courage, and more conduct +than could have been expected from a young man only twenty-two years of +age[11]. He was animated by what he considered a just vengeance for the +death of his father; and was well seconded by many of his followers. Many +of those on the side of Vaca de Castro, were on the contrary incited by +the desire of avenging the death of the marquis, for whose memory they +preserved an inviolable attachment, insomuch that no danger could prevent +them from using their utmost efforts to punish his murderers. On the two +sides, about 300 men were slain[12], among whom were several officers and +men of note. Pedro Alvarez Holguin and Gomez de Tordoya eminently +distinguished themselves on the side of the royalists, having mantles of +white velvet richly embroidered over their armour, owing to which they +were particularly marked out by the musqueteers of the enemy, and both +lost their lives in consequence. Alonso de Alvarado and Carvajal likewise +distinguished themselves signally, particularly the latter, as already +mentioned, in a manner that it seemed almost impossible he should have +escaped. But by despising death, he appeared to have made it flee from him; +as indeed it often happens during great dangers, that those who meet them +bravely are preserved, while those who shrink are lost. A signal instance +of this happened in the present battle, as a young man who was afraid of +the balls concealed himself behind a projecting rock; where his head was +shattered to pieces by a splinter driven off by a cannon ball[13]. Many +others signalized themselves in the battle, to most of whom the governor +gave competent estates in lands and Indians, when he made the re-partition +of the country, adding his warm acknowledgements for having resigned their +individual interests and resentments in the service of the crown. + +The night after the battle was extremely frosty, and as the baggage was +considerably in the rear, only two of the wounded officers had their +wounds dressed, so that a good many of the wounded died of cold during the +night. Next morning, the governor caused every attention to be given to +the wounded, who exceeded four hundred in number[14], and had the dead +buried, ordering the bodies of Holguin and Tordoya to be carried to the +city of Guamanga, where they were magnificently interred. On the day +succeeding the battle, the governor ordered the heads of several prisoners +to be cut off, who had been concerned in the murder of the marquis. Next +day he went to Guamanga, where Captain Diego de Royas had already beheaded +Juan Tello and some other captains of the rebels. The governor now gave +orders to the licentiate de la Gama to try the rest of the prisoners, and +to punish them according to their deserts. De la Gama accordingly hanged +several and beheaded others, to the number of forty of the most culpable, +insomuch that in all about sixty were executed. Some others were banished, +and the rest were pardoned, such of them as had settlements being allowed +to return to their houses. + +The governor went afterwards to Cuzco, where he brought Don Diego to trial, +and ordered him to be beheaded. Diego de Mendez, Gomez Perez, and another, +made their escape from prison into the mountains of the Andes, where they +were kindly received by Manco Capac the fugitive Inca, who had taken +refuge in an inaccessible country. The Inca was much grieved on learning +the death of Don Diego, whom he was greatly attached to, and to whom he +had sent several coats of mail, corselets, cuirasses, and other arms, +which he had taken from the Spaniards whom he defeated and slew, at the +time when he went by order of the marquis to relieve Gonzalo and Juan +Pizarro, then besieged in Cuzco. + +After the death of Don Diego and the entire dispersion of his adherents, +by which peace was restored through the whole country, the governor did +not consider it proper to disband his army, as he had not sufficient funds +to reward them according to their services; for which reason he resolved +to send them in different detachments to make discoveries and conquests. +Captain Vergara and his troops were accordingly sent back to complete the +conquest of the Bracamoras. The Captains Diego de Royas and Philip +Gutierez were sent with above three hundred men to the eastwards, where +they afterwards made some establishments on the Rio de la Plata. Captain +Monroy was sent to Chili with reinforcements to Pedro de Valdivia, who was +engaged in reducing that country. Captain Juan Perez de Guevara was sent +to reduce the country of Mullobamba which he had discovered. This is an +exceedingly mountainous country, in which the two great rivers Marannon +and La Plata have their sources, both of which run into the Atlantic. Its +inhabitants are Caribs, or canibals, and their country so hot that they go +entirely naked, or at least have only a few rags round their loins. While +in this country, Juan Perez got notice of an extensive province beyond the +mountains towards the north, in which there are rich gold mines, and which +has camels and fowls like those of New Spain, and a species of sheep +considerably smaller than those of Peru. In that country it is necessary +to water all kinds of seeds regularly, as it seldom rains. In it there is +a lake, the environs of which are exceedingly populous. In all its rivers +there are certain _fishes_ as large as dogs, which they likewise very much +resemble, which kill and eat the Indians when they go into the water or +even pass near it, as they often come out of the water and walk on the dry +land[15]. This great country is bounded on the north by the Marannon, on +the east by Brasil, and on the south by the Rio de la Plata; and it is +said that the Amazons dwell in this country, of whom Orellana received +intelligence while descending the Marannon. + +Vaca de Castro remained above eighteen months in Cuzco after the departure +of these various expeditions, employing himself in making a distribution +of the unoccupied lands and Indians, and settling the whole country in +good order, issuing likewise many useful regulations for the protection +and preservation of the Indians. In that period the richest gold mine ever +heard of in our days was discovered near Cuzco in a river named _Carabaya_, +where a single Indian is able to gather to the extent of a mark in one +day[16]. The whole country being now perfectly tranquil, and the Indians +protected from those excessive toils to which they had been subjected +during the civil war, Gonzalo Pizarro was permitted to come to Cuzco, and +after a few days went thence to Las Charcas, where he employed himself in +taking care of the extensive estate which he possessed in that country. He +there remained in quiet, till the arrival of the viceroy, Blasco Nunnez +Vela in Peru, as shall be related in the sequel. + + +[1] This chapter is merely a continuation of the history of the discovery + and conquest of Peru, by Zarate: but we have thought proper to divide + it in this manner, separating the transactions which took place during + the life of Francisco Pizarro, from those which occurred after his + death.--E. + +[2] _Il les fit prenare_, are the words of the French translator: + _prendre_ may possibly be an error of the press on this occasion for + _pendre_; in which case those officers of the late marquis were + ordered to be _hanged_; and indeed they do not appear in the + sequel.--E. + +[3] There must have been two persons in Peru of this name and surname, as + we have already seen _one_ Francisco de Chaves killed on the same day + with the marquis.--E. + +[4] This officer was father to the historian of the same name.--E. + +[5] It was now the year 1542.--E. + +[6] As Zarate introduces Vaca de Castro into the history of Peru without + any previous notice of his appointment, it has been deemed proper to + give a short account of his commission from Robertsons History of + America, II. 339, which, being too long for a note, is distinguished + in the text by inverted commas--E. + +[7] The remainder of the circumstances relative to de Castro, here quoted, + are to be found in Robertson II. 353.; the other events in the history + of Peru having been already given from Zarate.--E. + +[8] We now return to the narrative of Zarate.--E. + +[9] Garcilasso says, that on this occasion, the Inca Manca Capac, who had + retired to the mountains, in remembrance of the friendship which had + subsisted between him and the elder Almagro, provided Don Diego with + large quantities of armour, swords and saddles, which had been + formerly taken from the Spaniards, sufficient to arm two hundred + men.--E. + +[10] The rank of serjeant major in the Spanish service appears to answer + to our adjutant, as applied to a battalion: On the present occasion + Carvajal may be considered as adjutant general under Vaca de Castro. + Maestre de Campo seems equivalent to Major-General.--E. + +[11] Garcilasso, himself a mestee, says that Don Diego was the bravest + Mestizo, or son of a Spaniard by an Indian woman, that ever the New + World produced.--E. + +[12] According to Garcilasso, of 1500 combatants, including both sides, + 500 men were slain, and about an equal number wounded; the royalists + having 500 killed and 400 wounded, while the rebels had only 200 slain + and 100 wounded. In this estimate he has surely made a material error, + as he makes the killed and wounded of the royalists equal to the whole + number thay had in the field.--E. + +[13] At this place, a naked list of a great number of names of those who + signalized themselves in the battle, are enumerated by Zarate, but + omitted here as altogether uninteresting.--E. + +[14] This appears to countenance the account of Garcilasso in a former + note, who probably quoted from Zarate; but the latter does not limit + this number to the royal troops.--E. + +[15] Obviously a misunderstood description of alligators. Indeed the whole + account of this country, now called Colona, seems to have been derived + from the reports of Indians, and is in many circumstances entirely + fabulous, as is well known from the more recent accounts of the Jesuit + missions.--E. + +[16] Carabaya is an elevated valley of considerable extent, to the south + east of Cuzco. A mark of gold or eight ounces is worth about L.32; + hence we may readily believe so rich a days work was seldom made.--E. + + + + +SECTION II. + +_Commencement of the Viceroyalty of Blasco Nunnez Vela, and renewal of the +civil war in Peru by the usurpation of Gonzalo Pizarro_. + + +At this period, some of the clergy who had been in the New World, +represented to the Emperor Don Carlos and the lords of his council, that +the Spaniards treated the natives in the conquered provinces of America +with extreme cruelty, depriving them of all their property by excessive +exactions, forcing them to labour in the mines and to dive for pearls +beyond their strength, obliging them to carry heavy burdens in long +journeys, and frequently subjecting them to arbitrary punishments, and +even wantonly putting them to death; insomuch that their numbers were fast +diminishing, and that in a short time they would be entirely extirpated +from Mexico and Peru and the other continental dominions of Spain in +America, as was already the case in the islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Porto +Rico, Jamaica, and others, where hardly any trace remained of the original +inhabitants. To confirm these representations, they particularly recited +many instances of cruelty exercised by the Spaniards upon the Indians, +among which were numerous circumstances that were by no means well +authenticated. They alleged as one of the greatest of these evils, and a +principal cause of the destruction of the Indians, that they were forced +to carry heavy burdens on long journeys, far beyond their strength, +without any consideration of justice or humanity. They added that these +tyrannical practices had been carried to the greatest excess by the +governors, lieutenants, and other officers of the crown, and by the +bishops, monks, and other favoured and privileged persons, trusting to +their authority and immunities to be exempted from punishment for their +improper conduct, by which they were encouraged to the commission of every +excess. He who insisted in these remonstrances with the greatest zeal and +perseverance was Fra Bartholomew de las Casas, a Dominican monk, whom his +majesty had raised to the bishopric of Chiapa. + +After maturely considering these representations, his majesty was anxious +to devise proper means to relieve the Indians from oppression; and for +this purpose he assembled a council of all those persons to whom the +administration of affairs in the Indies was confided, with several other +persons of probity learned in the laws. By this assembly the whole affair +was deliberately examined, and a code of regulations drawn up by which it +was expected to remedy the abuses complained of. By these regulations it +was enacted that no Indian should be forced to labour in the mines, or to +dive for pearls; that no excessive labours should be imposed on them, and +even that they should not be obliged to carry burdens except in places +where no other means could be employed; that all Indians should be paid +for their labour, and that the tribute which they were to pay to their +masters should be fixed; that upon the death of any person to whom lands +and Indians now belonged, they were to revert to the crown. Besides, that +all lands and Indians belonging to bishops, monasteries, and hospitals, or +to governors, lieutenant-governors, or other officers of the crown, should +be taken from them and annexed to the crown, even although the possessor +should incline to demit their offices for the purpose of enabling them to +retain their repartitions. It was particularly ordered in regard to Peru, +that all who had taken any share in the civil wars between the marquis and +Almagro should forfeit their lands and Indians. And finally, all Indians +set at liberty by this regulation were to belong in perpetuity to the +crown, to whom their tributes were to be paid in all time coming. + +It is perfectly obvious, in consequence of the concluding clause but one +of these regulations, by which all who had taken any share in the late +civil wars were to be deprived of their lands and Indians, that every +individual then in Peru would have been reduced to poverty, as it may be +seen by every circumstance related in the foregoing part of this history, +that every Spaniard in the country had embraced one or other of these +parties with extreme violence. Even the native Peruvians had taken a part +in the civil discords, and had frequent quarrels and engagements on the +subject, some of them taking part with the _Chilese_, and others with the +_Pachacamacs_, by which titles they distinguished respectively the +adherents of Almagro and of the marquis. Hitherto the only court of +justice or royal audience was held at Panama, at a most inconvenient +distance from Peru. By the new regulations this court of Panama was +abolished, and besides the establishment of a new court on the frontiers +of Gauatimala and Nicaragua for all the provinces from Tierra Firma +northwards, of which the licentiate Maldonado was made president, another +court of royal audience was ordered to be established in Lima, consisting +of four oydors or judges, and a president who was to have the title of +Viceroy and captain general. This measure was deemed indispensibly +necessary for the well being of this distant country, the richest and most +valuable dominion which belonged to the crown in all America. All these +regulations were enacted and published at Madrid in 1542, and copies of +them were immediately sent to different parts of the New World. These new +reglations gave extreme dissatisfaction to the conquerors of the American +provinces, and particularly to those of Peru; as every Spanish settler in +that country must have been deprived by them of almost every thing they +possessed, and reduced to the necessity of looking out for new means of +subsistence. Every one loudly declared that his majesty must have received +erroneous information respecting the late events, as the partizans and +adherents both of the marquis and of Almagro, had conducted themselves to +the best of their judgment as faithful subjects of his majesty, believing +that they acted in obedience to his orders in what respected the two rival +governors, who acted in his name and by his authority, and were besides +under the necessity of obeying their officers, either by force or good +will, so that they were in fact guilty of no crime in what they had done; +or, even if their conduct were in some measure faulty, they certainly did +not deserve to be stript entirely of their property. They alleged farther, +that when they discovered and conquered the country, which had been done +at their own proper cost, it had been expressly covenanted that they were +to enjoy the division of the lands and Indians among them for their lives, +with remainder to their eldest sons, or to their widows in case of having +no children; and that, in confirmation of all this, an order had been +issued by his majesty, by which all who had participated in making the +conquest of Peru were to marry within a certain specified time, under the +penalty of losing their lands and Indians, with which regulation most of +them had complied; and that it were now unjust, when they had become old +and worn out, and were encumbered with wives and families, to deprive them +of their substance, when they looked to enjoy repose after all their +fatigues and dangers; being unable from age and infirmity to go in search +of new countries and new establishments. + +Great numbers of persons repaired to Cuzco, where Vaca de Castro then +resided, to lay their complaints before him. He told them, that he was +persuaded his majesty would remedy their grievances when informed of the +true state of affairs, and recommended therefore that the procurators or +syndics of the different cities should assemble, and elect a deputation to +carry a true statement of matters to the king and royal council of the +Indies, with a humble supplication that his majesty might apply a proper +remedy, by the revocation or modification of those regulations, which, as +they stood, would produce such ruinous consequences to the colony. On +purpose to facilitate this assembly, the governor promised to repair in +person to Lima, as the most convenient and most central situation for the +deputies of all the other cities. He accordingly set out from Cuzco for +Lima, accompanied by the syndics of all the neighbouring cities, and by +several gentlemen and other persons of consequence. + +In the year 1542, while these things were going on in Peru, his majesty +appointed Blasco Nunnez Vela, who had been commissary general of the +revenue in Castille, as Viceroy of Peru, and president of the court of +royal audience, to carry those regulations into effect which we have +already given an accoun of. Vela was chosen to this high and important +office as a person of capacity and experience, who would dispense strict +justice without respect of persons, and would punctually fulfil the royal +orders. The four oydors or judges nominated to the royal audience of Lima +were the licentiate Cepeda, doctor Lison de Texada, and the licentiates +Alvarez and Pedro Ortiz. Augustin de Zarate[1], secretary of the royal +council of Castille, was appointed at the same time auditor general of +accounts both for Peru and the Tierra Firma, as since the discovery and +settlement of these provinces, no accounts of the royal revenues had ever +been rendered to the treasurers. All these persons embarked at San Lucar +de Barrameda on the 1st November 1543, and arrived safe at the harbour of +Nombre de Dios, where they made some stay, on purpose to prepare for their +voyage to Peru. As the viceroy was eager to proceed, he embarked at Panama +in the middle of February 1543, without waiting for the judges of the +royal audience, who anxiously requested to accompany him, and who were +accordingly much chagrined by this procedure. Even before this, some +slight disputes had occurred between them and Vela, which though of small +importance in themselves, had left some impression of mutual +dissatisfaction, and evinced that they were not likely to agree in the +government of the country. + +Befere leaving the Tierra Firma, the viceroy began to carry one of the new +regulations into effect, by which all Indians were enjoined to be at +liberty to return to their native countries, whatever might have been the +cause of their transportation to other places. He accordingly collected +all the natives of Peru who happened to be in the province of Tierra Firma; +and as there was a great and constant intercourse between that province +and Peru, the number of Peruvians in Tierra Firma was considerable, and he +ordered all of these to embark in the same ship with himself at the +expence of their masters. The new viceroy had a quick passage from Panama +to the port of Tumbez at the northern extremity of proper Peru, where he +disembarked on the 4th of March, being resolved to go from thence by land +to Lima, and immediately proceeded to enforce the new regulations in every +one of the places by which he travelled. In regard to some of the +colonists, he fixed the services and tributes which they were in future to +exact from the Indians; and others he deprived entirely of their lands and +Indians, annexing them to the crown. Many of those who found themselves +aggrieved by these regulations, particularly all the inhabitants of San +Miguel and Truxillo, waited on the viceroy, respectfully yet earnestly +entreating that he would at least postpone the execution of those rigorous +decrees till the arrival of the judges, when they would make their humble +application for justice at Lima in the royal court of audience. In +corroboration of this request, they pointed out one of the articles of the +regulations, which directed that they were to be put in force by the +viceroy and oydors conjunctly, and that therefore he was not authorised to +execute them by his single authority. All their remonstrances and +reasonings were unavailing, as he refused to listen to them, saying, that +the orders with which he was entrusted were general laws, which could not +be suspended or even postponed in compliance with any requests or +supplications whatever. He persisted, therefore, to put the regulations +strictly in force, through the whole extent of his journey from Tumbez +till his arrival in the province of Guavara[2], which is eighteen leagues +from Lima. + +Immediately on his arrival at Tumbez, the viceroy sent an express to +notify his arrival and the extent of his powers and authority to the +governor Vaca de Castro, whom he directed to discontinue all exercise of +authority as governor. By this messenger, and by other persons who +followed him, the inhabitants of Lima were informed of the rigorous manner +in which the viceroy had proceeded to enforce the new regulations, and of +his refusal to listen to any supplications or remonstrances on the subject. +On purpose still more to irritate every one against the viceroy, reports +were spread of several other rigorous proceedings as having been exercised +by him, of which he never even conceived the idea. These news caused much +emotion and discontent among the persons who accompanied Vaca de Castro, +insomuch that several of them urged him to refuse recognizing the viceroy, +and to protest both against the regulations and his commission, as he had +rendered himself unworthy of the government by executing his commission +with extreme rigour, refusing justice to his majestys faithful subjects, +and turning a deaf ear to their respectful remonstrances. Vaca de Castro +soothed them as much as possible, by assuring them that when the oydors +were arrived and had begun to act as the royal court of audience, they +would certainly listen to their remonstrances on being instructed in the +true state of the country; but that for himself, he could in no degree +consent to disobey the orders of his majesty. At this time, Vaca de Castro +had arrived at Guarachiri, about twenty leagues from Lima, and on +receiving the orders which had been transmitted to him by the viceroy, he +immediately divested himself of his office, and discontinued from +exercising any of the functions of government; except that he granted some +vacant repartitions of lands and Indians to different people, some of +which grants were in his own name. + +Finding all their representations to Vaca de Castro ineffectual, the +principal persons who attended him set out in their return to Cuzco, under +pretence that they dared not to await the arrival of the viceroy so long +as he was alone; but that they would return to Lima on the arrival of the +judges: Yet, in spite of these specious pretexts, it was easy to see that +they were much discontented and had evil intentions. Indeed they clearly +evinced this soon afterwards on their arrival at the city of Guamanga, +where they excited a great tumult, and took possession of all the +artillery which Vaca de Castro had disposed in that place after his +victory over Don Diego. They then collected a great number of Indians, and +caused the whole of this train or artillery to be removed to Cuzco. + +Vaca de Castro continued his journey from Guarachiri to Lima, which he +found all involved in confusion and discontent, the inhabitants being much +divided in opinion as to the expediency of receiving the viceroy or +refusing to recognize him in that capacity. Some alleged that the orders +of his majesty did not command his recognition till his actual arrival. +Others said that he ought not to be recognized even on his arrival, +considering the unjust regulations which he brought along with him, and +the rigour with which he put them in force, in spite of every remonstrance +and supplication to the contrary. But by the earnest exhortations of Yllan +Suarez, _alcalde_ or judge of police and royal commissary of Lima, they +came at length to the resolution of receiving the viceroy, and even to +admit the regulations, which were published with much solemnity. Upon this +all the magistrates principal inhabitants of the city, went to Huaura to +welcome the viceroy and to pay him their respectful compliments. From +Huaura he was accompanied by the whole cavalcade to Lima, where he was +received with great pomp and magnificence, making his entry under a canopy +of cloth of gold. All the magistrates walked in procession, carrying the +ensigns of their office, and dressed in long robes of crimson satin turned +up with white damask. In this grand stile the viceroy was conducted in the +first place to church, and thence to his palace. + +Next day as the viceroy had received information of the discontents and +seditious conduct of the persons who had retired to Cuzco, he ordered Vaca +de Castro to be arrested and thrown into the common prison, as he +suspected that he had fomented these seditious practices, and that he had +even been their secret adviser to that step. Although the inhabitants of +Lima were by no means perfectly satisfied with the conduct of Vaca de +Castro, they yet humbly petitioned the viceroy, not to allow a person of +such high rank, who was a member of the royal council and had been +governor of the country, to be thrown into the common prison; as, even if +he merited the punishment of death, and were to be beheaded next day, he +ought to be more honourably dealt with. The viceroy was softened by these +remonstrances, and ordered Vaca de Castro to be placed under arrest in the +palace, taking a bail bond from the burgesses for his safe custody under a +heavy penalty; and besides, he placed all the effects of the late governor +under sequestration. The inhabitants of Lima were extremely discontented +by the harsh conduct of the viceroy, holding frequent secret conferences +among themselves, and a considerable number of them withdrew gradually +from the city, repairing to Cuzco, at which place toe viceroy was not +acknowledged. + +At this time Gonzalo Pizarro dwelt at Chuquisaca de la Plata, in the +province of las Charcas, employed in the arrangement of the estate which +had been conferred upon him by his brother the marquis, where ten or +twelve of his most intimate friends resided along with him. On learning +the arrival of the viceroy, the causes of his mission, and the regulations +which he had brought out for the government of the colony, and which he +rigorously enforced, Gonzalo took the resolution of going to Cuzco, under +pretence of inquiring after news from Spain, and to regulate the affairs +belonging to his brother Ferdinand, according to the instructions he had +received on that subject. While employed in collecting money for his +journey, he received letters from all parts of Peru, written both by +private persons and the magistrates of the cities and towns, endeavouring +to persuade him to stand forwards in defence of the common interests on +the present emergency, by protesting against the execution of the royal +ordinances, and demanding either that their execution should be delayed, +or that some other remedy should be interposed to prevent universal ruin +among the colonists. Gonzalo was even urged to this interference, as a +person to whom the government of the country belonged of right, as heir to +the marquis his brother. In some of these letters the writers offered to +devote themselves and their fortunes to his service: Others informed him +that the viceroy had publickly declared he would put Gonzalo to death. In +this way every means was used to irritate Gonzalo, that he might come to +Cuzco to prevent the entry of the viceroy into that city. As every thing +seemed to conspire towards the accomplishment of the desire which he had +always cherished, of acquiring the government of Peru, he gathered a large +sum of money, both from his own funds and those belonging to his brother +Ferdinand, and repaired to Cuzco accompanied by a retinue of twenty +Spaniards[3]. + +The whole Spanish population of the city went out to meet him, and +received him with every demonstration of joy. Every day additional persons +flocked to Cuzco, withdrawing from Lima in consequence of the rigorous +conduct of the viceroy, who continually irritated the inhabitants by his +tyranny. Numerous meetings were held in the town-house of Cuzco, both of +the magistrates and the citizens in general, to consult as to what ought +to be their conduct in the event of the viceroy arriving at their city. +Some proposed that he ought to be received, and that a deputation should +be sent to his majesty, praying him to give relief in respect to the +regulations, which would ruin the colony unless changed or considerably +modified. Others alleged, if the viceroy were received, that he was so +determined on the establishment of the regulations in their entire rigour, +that he would instantly deprive them of all their Indians; and that, +whatever alteration might be afterwards made, it would be exceedingly +difficult to recover them. It was at length resolved to elect Gonzalo +Pizarro procurator-general, and Diego Centeno, who had been sent to +represent the city of la Plata, was appointed his deputy. Gonzalo was +authorised, in the exercise of this new office, to lay the remonstrances +of the Spanish inhabitants of Peru, in regard to the new regulations, +before the royal Court of Audience; and at first considerable difference +of sentiment took place in the councils of the remonstrants, as to the +mode in which he should proceed to Lima: whether he should be accompanied +by a body of troops for his defence in case of need, or should go there +merely as a peaceful messenger. At last the former alternative was +resolved on, and for the following reasons, in excuse for taking up arms +against the viceroy. First, that the viceroy had beat up for volunteers at +Lima, under pretence of chastising those who had taken possession of the +artillery. Secondly, that the viceroy conducted himself with the most +inflexible rigour in carrying the regulations into effect, without +listening to the supplications and remonstrances which had been presented +to him, and without waiting for the arrival of the judges of the royal +audience, to whom, not less than to himself, the authority had been +confided for enforcing or suspending the execution of the regulations. +Lastly, because the viceroy had been several times heard to declare that +he would put Gonzalo to death, on account of his participation in the late +civil war, and in the death of Don Diego. Some of the remonstrants were +disposed to place this measure, of escorting the procurator general by an +armed force, upon a more moderate pretext, alleging that it was necessary +for him to travel through a part of the country, in his way to Lima, where +the Inca was in arms, and that it was proper in consequence that Gonzalo +should be enabled to defend himself from the hostility of the natives. +Others talked more openly, saying that the viceroy was a person of an +obstinate and inflexible disposition, who did not confine himself within +the bounds of justice and equity, and against whom it was necessary to +have some other protection than that of the law. Some able persons among +them endeavoured to place their present conduct in a favourable light, by +drawing up a kind of manifesto, in which they endeavoured to demonstrate, +that there was nothing in their present conduct which could be considered +as derogatory to the respect which was due to the royal authority, as +justice allowed every one to repel force by force, and to defend +themselves against unjust oppression, even resisting by violence a judge +who acts unlawfully, and against the essential forms of law and justice. + +It was flnally determined therefore, that Gonzalo should raise a body of +troops, and for this purpose many of the inhabitants of Cuzco offered +their persons and properties, declaring themselves ready to hazard their +lives in defence of the common cause. Besides the title of +Procurator-general of Peru, for the purpose of presenting the +supplications and remonstrances of the colonists, Gonzalo was appointed +general of the army which was to defend him against the Inca. As is usual +in such matters, these resolutions were all extended with much formality, +to give a colour of regularity to their proceedings. The remonstrants then +proceeded to levy an army, for the payment of which they took possession +of the royal treasure, and availed themselves of the property belonging to +deceased colonists and some other funds, under pretence of a loan. After +this captain Francisco de Almendras was detached with some troops to take +possession of the defiles of the mountains, on purpose to prevent any +intelligence of their proceedings being conveyed to Lima. In this measure, +they were aided by Paullu, brother to the Inca, who guarded all the +passes on his side by means of his Peruvians, to prevent any one from +carrying intelligence to the low country. + +The Cabildo or council of Cuzco sent letters to the Cabildo of la Plata, +representing the prodigous injuries which would accrue to all the +colonists from the execution of the obnoxious regulations, informing them +of the measures which they had resolved upon for averting the ruin of the +colony, and requiring them to approve of and concur in these measures, to +which in fact they were already parties, since captain Diego Centeno, +their deputy, had already consented to them in their name and behalf. They +therefore required their concurrence and assistance, and requested them to +repair immediately to Cuzco with their arms and horses. Gonzalo wrote by +the same conveyance to all the inhabitants of La Plata, soliciting their +individual concurrence and aid. At this time, Luis de Ribera acted in the +city of La Plata as lieutenant to Vaca de Castro, the former governor, and +Antonio Alvarez, another inhabitant of the same place, held the office of +judge ordinary. These men, on hearing of the transactions which had taken +place at Cuzco immediately revoked the commission which had been given to +Centeno as deputy from their city, and sent an answer to the regency of +Cuzco in the name of the whole cabildo of La Plata declaring that they +were resolved to obey the orders of his majesty, although it should cost +them their lives and properties: That their city had always preserved its +loyalty against all who had acted against the royal authority, and they +were resolved to persist in the same line of conduct: That Centeno had +only been authorised to concur in their name to such measures as might +appear conducive to the service of his majesty, the advantage of his +dominions, and the preservation of the natives of the country; and since, +in the election of Gonzalo, and the other measures which had been resolved +upon at Cuzco, they saw no tendency towards those things which had been +confided to Centeno, they could not be implicated in the consent which +Centeno had given beyond his legitimate powers, nor were they to be +considered as bound to ratify what he had done in their name, as every +thing which had been done was contrary to the orders and instructions +which they had given him. + +This letter did not contain the universal sentiments of the citizens of La +Plata, in which Gonzalo had several friends, who used their endeavours to +gain over the inhabitants to his side, and to engage them to join his army. +They even endeavoured more than once to kill Ribera and Alvarez, but these +officers used such precautions as to baffle all their attempts. Ribera and +Alvarez waited patiently for receiving the regulations from the viceroy; +but owing to the great distance of their city from Lima, these had not yet +reached them. In the mean time, they commanded all the inhabitants, under +severe penalties, to remain in La Plata; yet several of them left the city +and joined the remonstrants at Cuzco. + +The viceroy made his entry with great pomp, in the month of May 1544, into +Lima, where no one dared to speak to him on the subject of suspending the +obnoxious regulations. The magistrates, indeed, had already made their +respectful remonstrances and supplications, alleging substantial reasons +why they ought to be suspended, but all in vain. He engaged indeed, after +the regulations should have been carried into effect, that he would write +to his majesty, representing that it was for the interest of the crown, as +well as for the advantage of the natives of the country, that they should +be revoked; and that those who had drawn them up were certainly ignorant +of the true state of the country, or they could never have advised the +king to establish them. He acknowledged that the regulations were +prejudicial to the royal interest and the good of the country; and he +recommended that deputies should be sent to him from all parts of Peru, in +conjunction with whom he would write to the king what might be proper on +the subject; and that doubtless he would then receive orders calculated to +remedy the apprehended evils: But that he could not of his own authority +suspend the execution of the ordinances, and must continue to act as he +had already done, as his orders left him no choice but absolute obedience +to the royal instructions. + +At this time three of the judges of the court of audience, Cepeda Alvarez +and Texada, arrived at Lima, leaving Ortiz, the other judge, sick at +Truxillo. The viceroy issued immediate orders for the inauguration of the +royal Court of Audience; for which purpose all the necessary preparations +were made for the solemn reception of the royal seal, as usual on the +first establishment of this high tribunal. The seal was placed in a rich +casket, carried by a horse superbly caparisoned and covered by housings of +cloth of gold, and led under a canopy of the same splendid materials, held +up by the magistrates of the city dressed in flowing robes of crimson +velvet, in the same ceremony as is used in Spain on the entry of the king +in person into any of the cities. On this occasion, Juan de Leon led the +horse, being appointed to officiate as chancellor, in the place of the +Marquis de Camarasa, president of Cazorla, who then held the seals in +Spain. After this procession, the court of audience was installed, and +proceeded immediately to business; but a subject of dispute soon arose +between the viceroy and the judges, which renewed the dissentions which +had arisen between them even before their arrival in Peru, the explanation +of which requires some detail. + +When the viceroy arrived at the _Tambo_ or palace of Guavra[4], where he +waited till he was sure of being received at Lima, he found written on one +of the walls of the _tambo_ to the following effect: "Whoever may +endeavour to deprive me of my house and property, I shall endeavour to +deprive of life." He dissimulated his displeasure at these words for some +time; but being afterwards persuaded that these words had been written by +Antonio de Solar, to whom the district of Guavra belonged, and who he +believed was not well inclined towards him, because he had found the tambo +entirely deserted on his arrival, he sent for Solar a few days after his +reception at Lima. In a private conference, he spoke to Solar concerning +these words which he had seen on the walls of the tambo, and reproached +him likewise for having spoken to him personally with much insolence: Then, +ordering the gates of the palace to be shut, the viceroy sent for one of +his chaplains to confess Solar, declaring his resolution to have him +immediately hanged from one of the pillars of a gallery fronting the great +square of Lima. Solar refused to confess himself, and the dispute +continued so long that news of what was going forwards spread over the +city, on which the archbishop and some other persons of quality came to +the palace and humbly requested the viceroy to defer the execution. At +first he obstinately persisted in his intention; but at last consented to +postpone the execution till next day, and sent Solar to prison loaded with +fetters. On the morrow, the anger of the viceroy was somewhat appeased, so +that he did not renew his orders for hanging Solar, but detained him for +two months in prison and in irons, without any information or process +respecting his crime. + +After the installation of the court of audience, the judges went on a +Saturday to visit the prison; and having been informed of the foregoing +circumstances by a judicial note or request presented to them on the +subject, they demanded to see Solar, whom they asked the cause of his +imprisonment; to which he answered that he knew nothing about the matter. +On examination, they found no process against Solar, and the jailor and +registrars were only able to say that the viceroy had given orders for his +imprisonment. On the ensuing Monday, the judges represented to the viceroy +that they had found no process or informations against Solar, and could +only learn as the reason of his imprisonment that it was by his orders; +and consequently, having no documents to instruct the lawfulness of his +detention, they could not in law or equity do otherwise than order him to +be set at liberty. The viceroy said that Solar had been arrested by his +orders, and that he had even been inclined to have hanged him, on account +of the writing on the wall of the tambo, and because of his personal +insolence when there was no witnesses present; believing, by his sole +authority as viceroy, that he had the power of arrest, and even of +ordering him to be hanged, without being under the necessity of giving +them any reasons for his conduct. To this the judges made answer, that his +authority as viceroy could only extend so far as justice and the laws of +the kingdom allowed. As the viceroy and they could not agree on this point, +when they visited the prison on the following Saturday, they ordered Solar +to be liberated, desiring him however to remain under arrest in his own +house; and on a subsequent visitation, they set him entirely at liberty. + +The viceroy was much chagrined by this affront, and sought anxiously for +an opportunity of being revenged, for which he thought the following +circumstance gave him a favourable opening. The three judges lodged +separately with some of the richest inhabitants of Lima, who likewise +provided their tables, and furnished every thing that was necessary for +themselves and their servants. At first this was done with the consent of +the viceroy, till such time as they might be able to procure and to +furnish houses for themselves. After the dispute concerning Solar, the +viceroy caused them to be informed, that it did not seem to him consistent +with decorum that they should live at the expence of the citizens, which +would be assuredly displeasing to his majesty, and therefore that they +ought to look out for houses for their accommodation: And that, besides, +he did not approve of their walking about the streets in company with the +merchants and other inhabitants of the city. The judges made answer, that +they had not been able to find any houses for hire, and that they were +under the necessity of waiting till some then building were finished: That +in future they would live at their own charges: but as to walking in the +streets with the inhabitants, it was neither a criminal nor a forbidden +conduct, nor in any way improper; as even in Spain the members of the +royal council, or of any other tribunal, were in use to do the same, which +was even useful, as in that way the merchants had an opportunity of +informing or reminding them of their affairs. The viceroy and the judges +were always upon bad terms, and their misunderstanding broke out into +disputes on every occasion. It is said that at one time the licentiate +Alvarez, one of the judges, preferred an oath to a procurator or attorney, +respecting a bribe which he had given to Alvarez de Cueto, brother-in-law +to the viceroy, for his interest to obtain the appointment. By this +procedure of Alvarez, the viceroy is said to have been greatly offended. + +During all this time, the passes of the mountains leading towards Cuzco +had been so well guarded by the Spaniards and Peruvians appointed for that +purpose, that no intelligence could be had at Lima of what was going on +among the remonstrants. It was only known that Gonzalo Pizarro had gone to +Cuzco, and that all those who had withdrawn from Lima and other places in +the plain had repaired to the same place in expectation of a civil war. +The viceroy and judges of the royal audience issued their joint +proclamation, ordering, in the name of the king, all the inhabitants of +Cuzco, and the other cities of Peru, to recognize and submit to Blasco +Nunnez as viceroy, and to repair with their arms and horses to Lima to +offer their services. Most of these proclamations were lost by the way; +but that which was sent to La Plata was more fortunate, and, by virtue of +its authority, Luis de Ribera, Antonio Alvarez, and the other magistrates +and officers of that city, proclaimed Blasco Nunnez with much ceremony and +great rejoicings: And, in testimony of their submission to his authority, +they equipped twenty-five horsemen, being all the city could spare, who +were sent to join the viceroy under the command of Captain Luis de Ribera. +Lest Gonzalo might cut off their passage and arrest them on their march, +Ribera made his way towards Lima by a desert and unfrequented road. + +Some even of the inhabitants of Cuzco got copies of the proclamation, in +consequence of which several of them repaired secretly to Lima to offer +their services to the viceroy, as will be more particularly specified in +the sequel. By their means the viceroy became acquainted with the +transactions at Cuzco, on which account he found himself under the +necessity of using every effort to increase his forces by means of +additional levies; for which purpose he fortunately possessed ample funds, +as Vaca de Castro had embarked upwards of 100,000 crowns which he had +drawn from Cuzco to transmit to the king, which the viceroy took +possession of and employed for the equipment and pay of his troops. He +appointed Don Alfonso de Montemayor and Diego Alvarez de Cuero, who was +his own brother-in-law, captains of horse; Martin de Robles and Paul de +Menezes captains of foot; and Gonzalo Diaz de Pignera captain of +musqueteers. Vela Nunnez, his own brother, was made captain-general of the +troops. Diego de Urbina maestre de campo, or major general, and Juan de +Aguire serjeant-major, or adjutant general. Without including the citizens, +his army amounted to 600 men; of whom 100 were cavalry, 200 musqueteers, +and the remaining 300 armed with pikes. On purpose to arm these soldiers, +he caused a considerable number of musquets to be made, some of which were +of iron, and others of cast metal, which he procured by melting down some +of the bells belonging to the great church. + +Besides frequently exercising his troops to perfect them in their +discipline, he occasionally caused false alarms to be given that he might +ascertain their disposition towards him, as it was much suspected that the +majority were by no means hearty in the cause. Having some suspicion of +Vaca de Castro, the former governor, whom he had lately allowed to be a +prisoner at large on parole not to leave the city, and believing that he +had some secret intelligence with his former friends and dependents, the +viceroy ordered a false alarm one day about noon, reporting that Gonzalo +was near at hand; and when the troops were all assembled in the great +square, he sent his brother-in-law, Diego Alvarez de Cueto to arrest Vaca +de Castro. At the same time he arrested Don Pedro de Cabrera, Hernan Mexia +de Gusman, Lorenço de Aldana, Melchior Ramirez, and Baltazar Ramirez his +brother-in-law, all of whom he sent prisoners on board a ship comanded by +Jeronimo de Zurbano. A few days afterwards, he set Lorenço de Aldana at +liberty, and sent off Cabrera and Mexia to Panama, and the two Ramirez to +Nicaragua. Vaca de Castro remained prisoner in the ship, neither he nor +any of the rest being informed of what they were accused, nor were any +informations or law-processes made respecting them. While these civil +discords were going on, two ships loaded with merchandise arrived at the +port belonging to Arequipa[5], both of which were purchased by Gonzalo +Pizarro, with the intention of employing them to transport his artillery, +and for getting possession of the harbour of Lima, and seizing the ships +belonging to the viceroy, believing that whoever was master of the sea +along the coast of Peru must command the country, by having it in his +power to land in any unguarded place and to do all the mischief he pleased, +on account of the prodigious extent of coast. By commanding at sea, he +would likewise have been enabled to procure arms and horses from the +vessels which are in use to bring these to Peru, and would have it in his +power to stop all vessels coming there from Spain with merchandise or +other supplies. On learning that Gonzalo had purchased these two vessels, +and the purpose for which he destined them, the viceroy was a good deal +distressed, fearing they might occasion considerable detriment to his +affairs, as he had no means of opposing two ships so well provided with +artillery; yet he took the best measures in his power to prepare for his +defence. He equipped, therefore, one of the vessels in the port of Lima, +which he armed with eight brass cannon and some others of iron, with +several musquets and cross-bows, appointing Jeronimo de Zurbano to the +command, with orders to make the best resistance he could against the +ships of Gonzalo. Fortunately these preparations became unnecessary; for +the captains Alfonso de la Caçares and Jeronimo de la Cerna, who dwelt in +Arequipa, went secretly by night on board the two ships which Gonzalo had +purchased, and which remained waiting for their artillery, and by large +bribes to the masters and mariners got possession of them for the viceroy; +then, abandoning their houses lands and Indians, they immediately set sail +for Lima. On their arrival off the harbour of Callao, the viceroy got +notice of their approach from some centinels who were stationed in a +neighbouring island, and having no doubt that they were enemies, he +immediately set out from Lima at the head of a body of cavalry. In the +meantime, Zerbana discharged his artillery against the two ships, which +immediately lowered their sails in token of peace, and sent some of their +people on shore in a boat to surrender the ships to the viceroy. This +circumstance gave much satisfaction to the viceroy and all the inhabitants +of Lima, as it relieved them from a danger of which they were in great +fear. + +While these things were going on, Gonzalo Pizarro levied troops at Cuzco, +which he carefully armed and disciplined, and made every necessary +preparation for war. He assembled a body of 500 men, of which he appointed +Alfonso de Toro major-general, retaining the chief command in person. He +divided his cavalry into two troops, one of which he gave the command of +to Don Pedro de Porto-Carrero, placing himself at the head of the other. +Gumiel, and the bachelor Juan Belez de Guevera, were appointed captains of +two companies of pikemen; and Captain Pedro Cermeno had the command of the +musqueteers. He had three standards, one having the royal arms, which was +given to Porto Carrero; a second having the arms of Cuzco was confided to +Antonio de Altamirano, alcalde of Cuzco, whom he afterwards beheaded as +inclined to the royal interests: the third, bearing his own arms, was +carried by his ensign; but was afterwards given to Captain Pedro de +Puelles. Ferdinand Bachicao was made commander of the artillery, +consisting of twenty excellent field-pieces, with a plentiful supply of +powder, balls, and every other necessary for their service. + +Gonzalo endeavoured to secure the troops in his interest, covering his +designs and endeavouring to justify his criminal enterprize by the most +specious pretexts. Having assembled his army he made a long harangue to +the soldiers, in which he represented, "That he and his brothers, as was +well known to to them all, had discovered the kingdom of Peru, which they +had reduced under the dominion of the king at their own proper charges, +and had already remitted very large sums in gold and silver to his majesty; +yet, after the death of the marquis, the king had not conferred the +government of the country, either on the son of the marquis, or on him who +now addressed them, as ought to have been done in conformity with the +promises and agreements which had been made at the first discovery, but +had even sent a cruel and inflexible person at this time to strip all of +them of their property, as it was quite obvious that every person in Peru +came under the scope of the obnoxious regulations. Blasco Nunnez Vaca, to +whom the execution of these fatal regulations was confided, caused them to +be put in force with the utmost rigour, not only refusing to listen to +remonstrances and petitions the most respectful, but treating every one +harshly who presumed to offer the most humble representations against +their execution; of all which, and many other things of a like nature, +every one who heard him were able to testify. Besides which, it was +publickly given out, that the viceroy had orders to cut off his head; +although it was well known to them all that he had not only never done any +thing contrary to the service of the king, but had always conducted +himself with the most zealous loyalty. For all these reasons, and by the +consent and appointment of the city of Cuzco, he had resolved to go to +Lima, to make a representation of their grievances to the royal audience, +and humbly to supplicate a suspension of the ruinous regulations, that +time might be given for sending deputies to the king in the name and on +behalf of the whole kingdom of Peru, to inform his majesty of the true +state of affairs, and of what seemed necessary to be done in the present +conjuncture; having no doubt, when his majesty was truly informed, that he +would devise a suitable remedy. If however, after using their utmost +efforts, his majesty should still think proper to enforce the regulations, +he and all with whom he acted would then obey the royal orders with the +most entire and unreserved submission. His own journey and compearance +before the viceroy, considering the menaces of that officer and the troops +which he had levied, were obviously attended with the utmost danger to +himself and all who should accompany him, unless he and they should be in +a situation to defend themselves from lawless violence. For this reason it +had been deemed indispensably necessary that he and the other deputies +should be accompanied by a body of troops, which they had not the most +distant intentions of employing to injure any person, unless they were +attacked. He entreated them, therefore, to accompany him in his journey to +Lima, and to observe during their march the strictest and most vigilant +discipline, and that they might be assured, he, and those other gentleman +who acted along with him, would reward them liberally for their toil and +bravery, in enabling them to act with effect for preserving the properties +of all from ruin." + +By this specious discourse, in which Gonzalo endeavoured to persuade his +troops that his cause was just and his intentions pure, a considerable +effect was produced, and his soldiers unanimously declared their +determination to follow and defend him at the risk of their lives. He then +marched out from Cuzco, accompanied by all the inhabitants of that city; +and having put his troops in proper order, he gave permission that same +evening to several of the citizens, as had been previously concerted +between them, to return on purpose to prepare for the journey. Next +morning early, twenty-five of the most eminent citizens, who had first +given their assent to the supplications against the obnoxious regulations, +considering that the steps which were now taking were criminal and +rebellious, and dreading the injurious consequences which they would +necessarily produce in Peru, came to the resolution of abandoning the +party of Gonzalo and offering their services to the viceroy. They +immediately set about executing this design, and went by long journeys +through unfrequented ways in the deserts and mountains, lest Gonzalo might +order them to be pursued, which he actually did. The principal persons in +this defection were Gabriel de Roias, and Gomez de Roias his nephew, +Garcilasso de la Vega, Pedro del Barco, Martin de Florencia, Jeronimo de +Soria, Juan de Saavedra, Jeronimo Costilla, Gomez de Leon, Luis de Leon, +and Pedro Manjares[6]. On setting out from Cuzco, they carried with them +the orders they had received from the royal audience, by which they were +enjoined to compear at Lima to submit to the authority of the viceroy. + +When Gonzalo was informed of this notable defection from his cause, by +which all his troops seemed very considerably disconcerted, he was almost +in the mind to have abandoned his enterprize, and to withdraw into the +district of Charcas with about fifty horsemen of his most attached friends, +to fortify himself there as well as he could; but after mature reflection, +he considered it as less dangerous to follow his first intentions, and to +continue the march for Lima. Having taken this resolution, he endeavoured +to encourage his troops, by telling them that the deserters were assuredly +ill-informed of the true state of affairs at Lima, as he had letters from +the principal inhabitants of that city, assuring him that, with fifty +horsemen only, he might easily bring his enterprize to a happy conclusion, +and without incurring the smallest danger, as all the colonists +entertained the same sentiments with him, and only needed his countenance +and direction to declare themselves. He continued his march accordingly, +but very slowly and with infinite difficulty, on account of the extreme +labour which was requisite for bringing forward his artillery. All the +cannon and warlike stores had to be carried on the shoulders of Indians, +by means of levers or long spars, for which purpose the guns were taken +off from their carriages, and it required twelve Indians to each gun, who +were hardly able to go above a hundred paces under their load, when they +were relieved by an equal number. On this account, 300 Indians were +assigned to each gun, so that the artillery alone, with its ammunition and +stores, required above 6000 Indians to conduct it over the mountains. + +Several gentlemen and other persons of consideration who accompanied +Gonzalo, began to repent of being engaged in the enterprize. They had +concurred with the rest at the beginning, in the propriety of +remonstrating against the execution of the obnoxious regulations, and had +even offered to risk their lives and fortunes in that measure; but on +seeing the turn which affairs had taken, and that Gonzalo gradually +assumed an authority to which he had no pretensions, they wished sincerely +to get away from the engagements into which they had entered. Before +leaving Cuzco, Gonzalo had seized the treasure belonging to the crown, not +only without the consent and authority of the magistrates, but contrary to +their advice and desire. They were anxiously desirous, therefore, of +retracing the dangerous and criminal steps which they had taken, and the +rather because they already believed that it would be unsuccessful. +Gaspard Rodriguez De Campo-rondo, the brother of the deceased Captain +Pedro Anzurez, and who had succeeded to the management of his estate and +Indians, was the leader of these persons who wished to return to their +duty. He and the rest concerted with each other how they might best +abandon Gonzalo and join the viceroy; but they were somewhat afraid of +trusting implicitly to Blasco Nunnez, in consideration of the extreme +severity of his character, fearing that he might punish them for the share +they had taken hitherto in the insurrection, notwithstanding of this their +intended tardy abandonment of Gonzalo. For this reason they resolved to +take effectual measures for securing an indemnity, and sent off, by a +secret and unfrequented road, letters for the viceroy and the audience, in +charge of a priest named Baltasar de Loaysa, by which they craved pardon +for the past and a safe conduct for their compearance at Lima; adding, +that, as they held some rank in the insurgent army, being captains under +Gonzalo, all their friends and dependents might be expected to follow +their example, by which in all probability the army of Gonzalo would fall +to pieces of itself. Besides Rodriguez, Philip Gutierez, Arias Maldonado, +Pedro de Vila-Castin, and others to the number of twenty-five, concurred +in this plan of abandoning Gonzalo. + +Loaysa went in all haste to Lima, and, for the better concealment, he +avoided uniting himself with Gabriel de Roias and the others who had +formerly set out from Cuzco to join the viceroy. On his arrival at Lima, +he immediately delivered his dispatches to the viceroy and the audience, +and received without delay the safe conduct which his employers required. +The news of this affair was soon spread over Lima, in which many of the +inhabitants and others secretly wished well to the party of Gonzalo, as +conformable to their own interest; and they were therefore a good deal +mortified at the defection among the insurgents, which they supposed would +soon occasion the army of Gonzalo to disperse; after which, the viceroy +would assuredly carry the regulations into execution with the utmost +rigour, when there was no one to oppose him. + +At the time when the viceroy was received at Lima, Pedro de Puelles, who +was lieutenant of Guanuco under Vaca de Castro, came among the first to +pay his compliments and to tender submission to his authority. As he had +resided long in Peru, and had great experience in the affairs of that +country, the viceroy gave him a new commission, by which he was confirmed +in the lieutenancy of Guanuco, to which city he was sent back, with orders +to hold the inhabitants in readiness to take the field with their horses +and arms in case of need. Puelles not only prepared the people of his +government for taking the field, but even retained in his pay some +soldiers who had come from the province of Chachapoyas along with Gomez de +Soliz and Bonefaz. Thinking it necessary to strengthen his army as much as +possible to oppose Gonzalo, who was now marching towards Lima, the viceroy +sent Jeronimo de Villegas with a letter commanding Puelles to join him +without delay with all his force. On the arrival of Villegas at Guanuco, +he and Puelles consulted together on the state of affairs, and concluded +that if they should join the viceroy they would give a decided superiority +to his side; and after the defeat of Gonzalo, having no one to oppose him, +the viceroy would then cause the regulations to be enforced in their +utmost rigour, by which the whole colonists of Peru would suffer extreme +injury; as by depriving them of their Indians, not only the burgesses to +whom they belonged would be reduced to poverty, but even the soldiers +would be materially injured, as the burgesses would be no longer in +condition to furnish subsistence to the troops as now. They came to the +resolution therefore to join the party of Gonzalo, and set out immediately +in search of his army for that purpose. + + +[1] The author of this history.--E. + +[2] About that distance to the north of Lima is the town of _Huaura_, + which is probably the place indicated in the text, as in many names of + places in Peru the initial syllable _Gua_ or _Hua_, are + interchangeably used by different authors.--E. + +[3] Zarate is exceedingly negligent in regard to dates. We learn from the + history of America, II. 370, that the present occurrences took place + in 1544.--E. + +[4] It has been already mentioned in a former note, that this is probably + a different orthography for Huaura, a place about 70 miles to the N.N. + W. of Lima.--E. + +[5] Arequipa is a considerable way from the coast, on which there are + several harbours, thirty or forty miles distant.--E. + +[6] Garcilasso de la Vega differs somewhat in the names of one or two of + these leading men who deserted from Gonzalo, and enumerates a + considerable number more, among whom he names one Pedro Pizarro, + saying they were in all about forty, with many of whom he was + personally acquainted.--E. + + +END OF VOLUME FOURTH. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A General History and Collection of +Voyages and Travels, Vol. IV., by Robert Kerr + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12514 *** |