that countrey against the will of his Prince that he was a couetous rebell who robbed his countrey and that he pretended to kill Mutezuma and to make himself king Also that his comming was to set him at libertie and to restore vnto him all that those wicked fellowes had taken from him And bicause that others should take example of their factes he would commaunde them all to be slaine willing him to take no care for in short space they would sée ech other And that when he had set him at libertie with restitution of his goodes he would incontinent departe his countrey These treaties were so foule abhominable with the iniurious wordes which Pamfilo de Naruaez spake openly against Cortes and his men yea they séemed odious vnto all his owne hoste army and some of his own mē checked him for the same especially Barnardin◠de Santa Clara who seyng the countrey so peaceable and so well pleased with Cortes he could not let but reprehende Naruaez in his wordes Also the licenciat Aillon required him diuers times to cease frō his slanderous talke vpon paine of death losse of his goodes also not to procéede towarde Mexico for the great hurte that might ensue with slander among the Indians disquietnesse among the Spaniardes and offence to the Emperour his Maiestie Pamfilo de Naruaez being moued with his talke layde hand vpon Aillon being a chiefe iudge for the King and apprehended also his Secretary an other officer and forthwith shipped them and sente thē to Iames Velasques gouernour of Cuba But when Aillon saw himselfe at sea and frée from Naruaez he began to threaten the Mariners cōmanding thē not to presume to carrie him to Cuba to Velasquez his power but onely to Santo Domingo where he was one of the kings coūsell in chancery the Mariners fearing the Kings iustice obeyed his cōmandemēt and when he was aported at Santo Domingo he wholly enformed the Counsell there of Naruaez and his wicked dealyng whose testimonie and information did much blemishe the credite of Velasques exalt the trauels of Cortes After that Naruaez had shipped away Aillon he proclaymed warre with fire and sworde agaynst Cortes and promised certayne markes of Golde to him that shoulde apprehende or kill him or Pedro de Aluarado and Gonsalo de Sandoual with other principall persons of his company Also he made diuision of his goodes among his mē before they came to possesse it Surely these thrée poyntes were of a man without wisedome or discretion Many of Naruaez his company did amotiue themselues through the commaundement of the Licenciat Aillon and through the same and liberalitie of Cortes Wherevpon incontinent one Pedro de Villalobos a Portingal and sixe or seuen more fledde vnto Cortes yea and others wrote vnto him offeryng themselues to his seruice if by chauce they should encounter Cortes receyued the letters but kept in silence from his company the firmes of those whiche had written to hym Some doe thinke that Cortes had suborned them with letters fayre promises yea and a horse loade of chaynes and planches of golde which he sente secretely to Naruaez his campe with a seruaunt of his publishing likewise that he had an army of twoo hundreth Spaniardes in Zempoallan where he had none at all these policies mought well be for he was prudent carefull and quicke in his businesse and Pamfilo de Naruaez was slouthfull and carelesse Naruaez made answere to Cortes his letter by seignior Bartholome de Olmedo the substaunce of his message was that forthwith he shoulde repayre to the place where he was abiding and there he should sée the Emperours commission order wherein was auctoritie giuen to hym to take and kéepe that countrey for Iames Velasques yea and that already he had made a towne of men onely with all officers therevnto appertayning After this letter and message sent he dispatched likewise one Barnaldino de Quesada and Alonso de Mata to requyre Cortes to depart and leaue the countrey vpon paine of death and to notifie vnto him these actes by order of law Cortes layde hande vpon Alonso de Mata bicause he named himselfe the kings Notary and shewed no title or authoritie for the same The talke that Cortez had vvith his owne Souldiers COrtes perceyuing the small fruyte that his letters presentes and messengers obtayned at the handes of Naruaez and that in no case he woulde shewe his commission whiche came from the kyng he determined to goe vnto him and according to the olde Prouerbe Face to face doth get respect and likewise if it were possible to agrée vpon some good order and quietnesse wherevpon he sent Rodrigo Aluarez his surueyor with Iohn Velasques and Iohn del Rio to treate with Naruaez of many matters whereof thrée things were the principalest The first was that they two might méete alone or else so many for so many and that Naruaez should permit Cortes to abyde in Mexico and he withall his company shoulde cōquere Panuco or other kingdomes also that Cortes would pay the charges and haue consideration to gratifie his souldiers or else that Naruaez should abide in Mexico and deliuer vnto Cortes 400. of his men to the intent that with them and his owne men he myght procéede to séeke other countreys to conquere Laste of all he required to sée the kings commission for that he would obey the same Naruaez liked none of these offers only he accepted that they should méete togither with ech of them ten Gentlemē for securitie bound with solemne othe and firmed this agréement with their names But it tooke no effect for Rodrigo Aluarez aduised Cortes that Naruaez had made a snare to apprehend him or to kill him at their méeting Cortes vnderstoode the matter or else he had some other intelligence by some that loued him wel And this former agrement taking no place Cortes determined to goe vnto him But before his departing he declared vnto his cōpany saying I trust ye haue in remembrāce what how much I haue done for you since the beginning of this enterprise yea also how louingly friendly yée haue dealt for me Yée shall now vnderstand that Iames Velasques in stéede of thankes giuing vs hath sent to murder vs Pamfilo de Naruaez who is a stubborne an vnreasonable man one readie to execute our good desertes done in the seruice of God our Prince with an euill reward And the cause is only for doyng our duetie in the sending of the Kings parte portiō to his Roiall person not vnto him Also this Naruaez hath already confiscated our goodes and giuen them to other men and our bodies condemned to the Gallows yea and our fame and honour plaide at tables with great iniurious slanderous wordes proclaymed agaynst vs which things truly are not of a Christian no nor yet we with Gods helpe will let the matter so to slippe yea and though we ought to leaue the reuengment vnto
tvvo voyages as the true histories of the East and VVest Conquests by Spanyardes and Portingalles do testifye And calling to remembrance the greate zeale and good vvill vvhich your honor hath alvvayes extended to good and profitable attemptes and especially in the proceedings of the nevv discouery youre honor hath not only vsed liberalitie in your adueÌ„tures but also taken greate paynes in Courte to aduance and further the voyage a number I saye of Gentlemen Marriners and other artificers shal haue great cause to pray for your honor And vvhere I for my parte haue tasted of your honors goodnesse sundrye vvayes I am novve most humbly to beseech youre honor to accept this poore gifte the vvhiche I haue translated out of the Spanish tong not decked vvith gallant couloures nor yet fyled vvith pleasant phrase of Rhetorike for these things are not for poore Marchant trauellers but are reserued to learned VVriters yet I trust the Author vvill pardon mee bycause I haue gone as neere the sense of this Historie as my cunning vvoulde reach vnto I also craue that it may please youre honor vvhen your greate and vvaightie businesse vvill permitte to beholde this vvorke and that shall be for me an encouragemente to take in hande the translation of the East India vvhiche is novve enioyed by the King of Portingall Thus I ende beseeching the Almighty to preserue your honorable estate Your honors most ready at commaundement Thomas Nicholas To the Reader I Thought it good gentle Reader to aduertise thée to consider in readyng this historie that Hernando Cortes was not the firste that did discouer the newe Spayne for after the Ilands of Santo Domingo and Cuba were discouered conquered and inhabited by the Spanyards Hernando Cortes was then a dweller in the Iland of Santo Domingo and at that time was gouernoure in the Iland of Cuba one Iames Velasques who had vnderstanding by others that néere vnto those IlaÌ„ds stoode a firme land riche of gold and plate wherevpon the same Velasques prepared certayne Shippes and in them sente for Generall a kinsman of his called Iohn de Grijalua who with one Francisco Hernandez de Cordoua discouered the said firme land in trafike of marchandise and for things of little value he broughte great treasure as shall appeare in an Inuentorie placed in this historie This Grijalua pretended not to conquer nor yet to inhabite but onely to fill his hungry belly with golde and siluer for if hée had pretended honor then Cortez had not enioyed the perpetuall fame which now is his although his corpse bée clothed in clay In thys historie doth appeare the simplicitie of those ignorant Indians in time past yea and how they were deluded in worshipping Idolles and wicked Mamon their bloudy slaughter of men in sacrifice and now the greate mercie of Iesus Christ extended vpon them in lightning their darkenesse giuing them knowledge of the eternitie and holy trinitie in vnitie whereby they are nowe more deuoute vnto heauenly things than we wretched Chrystians who presume of auntiente Christianitie especiallye in Charitie humilitie and liuely workes of faith And now gentle Reader I do for my part but onely craue that it may please thée to accept these my paynes taken in good part for other benefyte I seeke not Farewell T. N. Stephan Gosson in prayse of the Translator THe Poet which sometimes hath trod awry and song in verse the force off fvry loue When he beholdes his lute with carefull eye Thinkes on the dumpes that he was wonte to proue His groning spright yprickt with tender ruth Calles then to minde the tollies of his youth The hardr minde whiche all his honour gotte In blouddy fielde by fruyte of deadly iarre When once he heares the noyse of thirsed shotte And threatnyng trumpet sounde the poyntes of warre Remembers how through pykes he lovde to runne When he the pryce of endlesse glory wonne The traueller which neare refusâ—e the payne To passe the daunger of the streightes he founde But hoysted sayle to searche the golden vayne Whiche natures crafâ—e hath hidden in the grounde When he perceyues Don Cortez here so pearte May well be mindefull of his owne deserte Then yeelde we thankes to Nicholas for his toyle Who strings the Lute that putteth vs in minde How doting dayes haue giuen vs all the foyle Whilste learned wittes in forrayne landes doe finde That labour beares away the golden â—â—ccce And is rewarded with the â—ower of Greece Loe here the trumpe of euerlasting fame That rendes the ayre in sunder with his blaste And throwes abroade the prayses of their name Which ofte in sight haâ—e made their foes agast Though they be dead their glory shall remayne To reare alofte the deedes of haughty Spayne Loe here the traueller whose paynefull quill So lyuely payntes the Spanish Indies out That English Gentlemen may vew at will The manly prowesse of that gallant toute And when the Spaniarde vaunteth oâ— his golde Their owne renowne in him they may beholde FINIS In Thomae Nicholai occidentalem Jndiam St. Gosson SOrdescant Croesi radiantia tecta Pyrope Et iaceat rutili pompa superba Mydae Aurea foelici voluuntur secula cursu Pactôli assiduè flumina verae tument Terra ferax pandit sua viscera plena metallis Praegnans diuitias parturit illa suas India luxuriat locupleti prole triumphat Pingue solum gemmis fundere gestit opes O vos qui patriae cupitis fulciâ—e ruâ—â—am Et dare mella bonis â—urea mentis â—pâ— Cortezi hos animo cupidè lustrate labores Postque reluctanti credite vela Salo. The Conquest of the Weast India The Byrth and lynage of Hernando Cortez IN the yeare of our Sauiour 1485. being kings of Castill and Aragon the Catholike princes Fernando and Isabell his wyfe was borne Hernando Cortez in a towne called Medellin situated in the prouince of Andulozia his Father was named Martyn Cortez de Monroy his mother was called Lady Katherin Pisarro Altamirano they were bothe of good byrth and procéeded from foure principall houses that is to say the house of Cortez the house of Monroy the house of Pisarro and the house of Altamirano which foure houses are auncient noble and honorable yet these parents but poore in goods but riche in vertue good life for whiche cause they were muche estéemed and beloued among theyr neighbours His mother was of inclination deuoute but somewhat harde his father was charitable and mercyfull who in his youth applied himselfe to the warres and was Liuetenant to a company of horsemen Hernando Cortez in his childehood was very sickely so that many tymes he was at the poynt of death And when he came to .xiiij. yéeres of age his parents sent him to the Vniuersitie of Salamanca where he remayned twoo yeares learnyng Grammar and then returned to Medellin werie of his studie yea possible for want of money yet his pareÌ„ts were much offended with him for leauing his studie for theyr onely desire was to haue had
him a student at lawe whiche is a facultie both riche and worshipfull consideryng their sonne to be of a good witte and abilitie Yet he caused muche strife in his Fathers house for he was a very vnhappy ladde high minded and a louer of chiualrie for which cause he determined with himselfe to wander abroad to séeke aduentures And at that instant happened two iorneys fit for his purpose inclination The one of them was to Naples wyth Gonsalo Hernandez of the Citie of Cordoua who was a worthy man named the great captaine And the other iourney was to the Weast India with the Lorde Nicholas de Ouando a knight of the order of Larez who was then appointed for gouernour of those parties And musing with himselfe which waye to take determined to passe into India chiefly bycause the gouernour was of his acquaintance and such a one as would haue care of him And likewise the great desire of gold made him to couet that voyage more than the Iorney vnto Naples Now in the meane while that the fleet was preparing for India it chaunced Hernando Cartez pretended to go vnto a certaine house in the night season to talke with a woman and clyming ouer a Wall whyche was of weake foundation both he and the Wal fell togither So that with the noyse of hys fall and ratling of his armoure which he ware came out a man newly married and findyng him fallen at hys dore would haue slayne hym suspecting somewhat of his newe married wife but that a certaine olde woman being his mother in lawe wyth great perswasions stayed him from that fact Yet with the fall he fell into a grieuous Ague and continued sicke for a long season so that he could not procéede vppon his voyage with the gouernour Ouando And when he had obtained and fullye recouered his health he mynded to passe into Italy And so toke hys way towarde Valentia wandering here and there almoste a whole yeare wyth much necessitye and penurie and then returned home againe to Medellyn with determination to procéed vppon his pretended voyage of India Wherevppon hys father and mother waying their sonnes estate desired God to blesse hym and gaue him money in his purse for his iorney The age of Cortez vvhen he passed into India HErnando Cortez was of the age of nintéene yeares in the yeare of Christ 1504. and then he went toward India and agréed for his passage and victual with Alonso Quintezo who went in companie of other four shippes laden with merchandise whiche nauie departed from saint Lucas de Barramedo with prosperous nauigation vntyll they arriued at the Iland of Gomera one of the Cauarie Ilands where they did prouide themselues of all things necessarie for so long a voyage as they then had in hand Alounso Quintezo being greedie of his voyage and desirous to come to the Ilande of Sainte Domingo before his fellowes hoping to sel his commoditie the better departed from Gomera in the night season without knowledge giuing vnto his company But incontinent after he had hoysed vp his sayles arose vp so great a winde and tempest that his maine mast brake whereby hee was forced to reâ—ourne backe againe to the Ilande of Gomera And he made earnest requeste to them of the other shyppes to staye for him vntyl hee hadde mended his Mast who friendlye and neyghbourlye graunted hys desire and departed altogither sayling in sight the one of the other certayne dayes yet the sayde Quintero seyng the weather stedfast and harpyng vpon gaynes flewe from his fellowes agayne And where as Frances Ninio de Guelua his pilote was not experte in that Nauigation they knew not where they were at length the Mariners did giue sundry Iudgements the Pilote was in great perplexitie and sadnesse their passengers lamented and bewayled their vnfortunate successe the Master of the shippe layde the faulte to the Pilote and the Pilote likewise charged the Master for it did appeare that they were fallen out before In this meane time their victuall wared skant and their freshe water wanted so that they prepared themselues to die Some cursed theyr fortune others asked mercie at Gods hande lookyng for death and to be eaten of the Cariues And in this tyme of tribulation came a Doue flying to the shippe beyng on good Friday at Sunne sette and satte him on the shippe toppe whereat they were all comforted and tooke it for a myracle and good token and some wept with ioy some sayd that God had sente the Doue to comforte them others sayde that lande was neare and all gaue hartie thankes vnto God directing their course that way that the Doue flew and when the Doue was out of sighte they sorrowed againe but yet remayned with hope to sée shortlye lande and on Easterday they discouered the Ilande of Santo Domingo whiche was firste discried by Christopher Zâ—rso who cryed lande lande a chéerefull voyce to the saylers The Pilote looked out and knewe that it was the poynt or cape of Semana and within foure dayes after they arriued in the porte of Santo Domingo whiche was long wished for and there they founde the other shippes of their company arriued many dayes before The time that Cortez abode in Santo Domingo SOone after that the Gouernoure Ouando was in his regimente and office Cortez arriued at Santo Domingo and the Gouernoures Secretarie called Medina receyued and lodged him and also enformed him of the estate of the Iland and aduised hym what was néedefull to doe wishing that hée would be a dweller there and that he should haue a plot to build vpon with certaine ground for husbandry But Cortez his thought was cleane contrary for hée iudged that as soone as he came thither he should lade with gold whereby hée did little estéeme his friend Medina his couÌ„sell saying that he had rather goe to gather gold than to trauell in husbandrie Medina yet perswaded him that he shoulde take better aduisement for to finde golde was doubtfull and very troubesome This talke ended Cortez went to kisse the Gouernours handes and to declare the cause of his comming with other newes from Estremadure the Gouernours CouÌ„trey The Gouernour friendly welcommed him and also perswaded him to abide there the which councell he accepted and shortlye after wente to the warres whereof was Captayne Iaymes Velasques in the prouince of Anigua Iaqua and Guaca Iarima and other Lordships whiche were not as yet pacifyed wyth the late rebellion of Anacoana widdowe who was a gentlewoman of great liuing Ouando gaue vnto Cortez certayne Indyans in the Countrey of Daiguae and also the office of publike notarie in Azua a towne whyche the Gouernour had builded and there dwelt Cortez fyue or syxe yeares and began to play the good husband Now in this meane season he woulde haue gone to Veragua which was reported to bee maruellous riche with the Captayn Iaymes de Nicuesa but bycause of an empostume that he had vnder his righte knée he went not
fortitude and weakenesse of youre power I like it not It may please you to make enquirie whether they be espyes or no. Cortez hauing heard hys tale gaue him hartie thankes for his good aduice yea and maruelled that neyther he himselfe nor none of his Spanyardes had noted the thing the Indians hauing so many dayes come vnto them after this sort yea and that only Indian of Zempoallan had considered it Nowe the originall cause was not bycause Teuch was more wise than the Christians but by reason that hée had séene and heard those Indians commune with the subiectes of Iztacmixilitan to féele their mindes and wyth craft and subtiltie to obteyne their desire whereby Cortez vnderstoode that those fellowes came not to any good purpose he apprehended that Indian whiche stoode nexte vnto him and hauing him alone from his fellowes by his interpreters examined him effectually who incontinent confessed that he was a spye and that his comming thither was to view the way how to enter their Campe for to spoyle and burne their Tentes and for so much as they hadde proued fortune all the houres of the day and all happened contrary to their desire against their auncient fame and glory which they hadde obteyned by noble exploytes in warres they now meant to proue their successe by nighte hoping of better fortune and also bycause their souldiers shoulde not feare the Horses with the darkenesse of the nighte nor the blowes or stripes of the bright swordes nor yet the fire and terrible noyse of the Ordinance and that Captayne Xicoteucatl was alreadye appoynted for that enterprise with prouision of manye thousand souldiers which lay in ambush in a vale behind certayne hilles right ouer against their Campe. After this confession taken Cortes full prudently commaunded to take also the seuerall confessions of other foure or fyue who likewise confessed that they were all espies vppon whose confessions they were al fiftie taken prisoners and iudgemente giuen that their one hande should be cut off which was forthwith executed and then were returned to their Camp signifying vnto them that the like iustice should be executed vpon as many espyes as they might take And also they were charged to shew vnto their Generall who had sente them that both daye and night he would be ready for them When the Tlaxcaltecas sawe their espyes come in thys pickle they were in a maruellous feare and it séemed a newe world vnto them they also beléeued that oure men hadde some familiar spirites that did instructe them of their thoughtes and with feare of cutting off hāds there went no moe espies with victuals An embassage that Mutezuma sente to Hernando Cortez WHen those espyes were gone oure men espyed out of our Campe a great multitude of men goe crossing ouer a hill and it séemed that they were those that the Captayne Xicotencatl hadde in ambush and although it was néere night Cortes determined to followe them and not to abide their comming fearing that at the first brunt they mighte set fire among his cotages as was pretended among them whiche pretence hauing taken effecte myght haue bin the destruction of all his men eyther by the fier or otherwise wherefore he put all his men in good order and commaunded the Horsemenne to decke the brest plates of hys Horses with belles and then procéeded towards their enimies who durst not abide their comming hauing intelligence of the cutting of their espyes hands and likewise hearing the new noyse of belles yet oure men fóllowed them tyll two houres within night through many sowen fieldes of Centli and sléw many of thē and then returned with victorie to the Campe. At that season were come sixe noble men from Mexico who brought two hundred seruing men to wayt vpon them They brought vnto Cortes a present whiche was a hundred garments of cotten and some of feathers and a thousand péeces of golde These ambassadors on the behalfe of Mutezuma declared that their Lord would be friende with the Emperoure and also with him and his company requestyng to knowe what tribute he woulde yearely demaunde in golde plate pearles slaues or garments or of any other thing that was within his kingdome and the same tribute he woulde well and truly pay withoute delay wyth such condition that neyther he nor his company shoulde come vnto Mexico And this request quoth they is not only bycause you should bée disturbed to come into hys countrey but chiefly bycause the waye is euill barren and full of euill rockes whyche lette dothe gréeue Mutezuma that suche valiant menne as ye be shoulde suffer in his Countrey lying not in hys power to remedie it Cortez dyd thankefully receyue the present and gentle offer for the Emperoure King of Castile but quoth hée my earnest desire is that you depart not til ye sée the end of these warres whyche I haue nowe in hande bycause yée shall carrie newes thereof to Mexico what I pretende to doe againste these mortall enimies of Mutezuma Then Cortez fel into an ague for which cause he went not out to skyrmish as he was wonte to do but only prouided to make his Camp strong against certaine flockes of Indians whiche came dayly to skirmishe for that was as ordinarie as the meate that was wont to be broughte to thē but yet these skirmishes nor furie of y Indiās were not like to their fierce beginning Cortez now meaneth to take a purgation for his ague tooke certayne pilles whiche he broughte with hym from Cuba at suche houre of the nighte as is vsed for purgations It happened that the nexte daye following before hys purge had wrought came thrée great companies of Indians to besiege his Camp. It should séeme that those Indians had some intelligence of his sicknesse or else thinking with feare that he durst not come abroade as he was wont to doe Cortes being aduertised of this newes withoute anye more respect to his purgation taken tooke his horse and with his menne came to the encounter and foughte with his enimies all day till it was nighte and draue them a good way off to their great hurt and then returned to his Camp and the next day following he purged as fresh as though it had bin newly taken I doe not rehearse thys for a miracle but to declare what he passed for Hernando Cortez was a greate sufferer of trauell and paynes and one of the firste that alway was at any assay or brunt of enimies and he was not onely a good man of his handes but also graue in counsell And hauing thus purged hym selfe and taken rest those dayes he watched euery night that fell to his lotte as well as any other souldier and so continually he vsed to do He was not for this the lesse estéemed but rather muche the more beloued among hys men Hovv Cortez vvan a great Citie called Zimpanzinco IN an euening Cortes went vp to the toppe of his Tower and looking rounde aboute hym
well to be eaten as for Medicine for bothe men wemen and chyldren haue great knowledge in hearbes for through pouertie and necessitie they séeke them for theyr sustenaunce and helpe of theyr infirmities and diseases They spende little among Phisitions although there are some of that Arte and many Poticaries who doe bryng into the markette oyntments Siroppes waters and other drugges fitte for sicke Persons they cure all diseases almost with hearbes yea as muche as for to kill lyse they haue a proper hearbe for the purpose The seuerall kyndes of meates to be solde is without number as Snakes without head tayle little Dogges gelte Moules Rattes Long wormes Lyse yea and a kinde of earth for at one season in the yiere they haue Nettes of mayle with the which they rake vp a certayne duste that is bredde vpon the water of the lake of Mexico and that is knéeded togither like vnto oas of the sea they gather much of this victuall kéepe it in heapes make therof cakes like vnto brickebats they sell not only this ware in the market but also send it abroad to other fayres markets a far of they eat this meate with as good stomake as we eate chéese yea and they holde opinion that this skuÌ„me or fatnesse of the water is the cause that such great number of foule coÌ„meth to the lake which in the winter season is infinite They sel in this market venison by quarters or whole as Does Hares Connies and Dogges and many other beastes whiche they bring vp for the purpose and take in huntyng There are a great number of shoppes that sell all kinde of orfall and tripes It is a wonder to sée how so much meate ready dressed coulde be spent There is also fleshe and fishe rosted boyled and baked Pies and Eustardes made of diuers sortes of egges the great quantitie of bread is without number Also corne of all sortes threshed and vnthreshed The greate store of sundry kyndes of fruytes is maruellous whiche are there solde bothe gréene and ripe there is one sorte as bigge as Almondes called Cacao whiche is bothe meate and curxant money There are diuers kind of colours to be solde whiche they make of Roses floures fruites barkes of trées and other things very excellent they sell there Honie of sundry kindes oyle of Chian made of a séede like vnto mustarde séede and oynting any paynted clothe therewith the water can not hurte it they also dresse ther with their meate although they haue both butter and larde Theyr sundry sortes of wines shal be declared in an other plate it woulde be a prolirious thing to rehearse all the things that are to be solde in that markette There are in this fayre many Artificers as Packers Barbars Cutlers many others although it was thought that among these Indians were none such All the things recited and many others which I speake not of are solde in euery market of Mexico all the sollers paye a certaine summe for theyr shops or staÌ„dings to the King as a custome they to be preserued and defended from théeues and for that cause there goe certayne Sergeants or officers vp downe the market to espie out malefactours In the middest of the market standeth a house whiche may be seene-throughout the fayre there sitteth twelue auncâ—ent men for iudges to dispatch lawe matters their buying and selling is to chaunge one ware for another as thus one giueth a hen for a bundell of Maiz other giue mantels for salte or money whiche is Cacao and this is theyr order to choppe and chaunge they haue measure and strike for all kynde of corne and other earthen measures for Hony and Wine and if any measure be falsified they punish the offenders and breake their measures The great Temple of Mexico THe Temple is called Teucalli that is to say Gods house Teutl signifieth God Calli is a house a vowell very fitte if that house had bene of the true god The Spaniards that vndersâ—aÌ„d not the language do pronounce and call those Temples Cues and the God Vitzilopuchtli Vchilobâ—s There are in Mexico many parishe churches with towres wherein are chappels and Altares where the images idols do stande those chappels do serue for burial places of their founders and the Parishioners are buried in the Churchyarde All their teÌ„ples are of one fashion therefore it shal be nowe sufficient to speake of the cathedral church And euen as those teÌ„ples are al in generall of one making in that citie Idoe beleue that the lyke was neuer séene nor harde off This temple is square doth containe euery way as much ground as a crossebow can reach leuell it is made of stone with foure dores that abutteth vpon the thrée calseys and vpon an other parte of the Cittie that hath no calsey but a fayre streate In the middest of this Quadern standeth a mount of earth and stone square lykewise and fiftie fadom long euery way buylte vpward like vnto a pyramide of Egipt sauyng the toppe is not sharpe but playne and flatte and ten fadom square vpon the weast side are steppes vp to the toppe and were in number and huÌ„dreth and fourtene whiche beyng so many high and made of good stone dyd séeme a beautifull thing It was a straunge sight to beholde the Priestes some goyng vp and some downe with ceremonies or with men to be sacrificed Vpon the toppe of this Temple are two great Alters a good space distant the one from the other and so nigh the edge or brimme of the wall that scarcely a man mought go behind them at pleasure The one Alter standeth on the â—ight hande the other on the left they were but of fiue foote highe eche of them had the hacke part made of stone paynted with moÌ„strous and foule figures the Chappell was fayre well wrought of Masons worke timber euery Chappell had thrée loftes one aboue another susteyned vpon pillers with the height thereof it shewed like vnto a fayre tower and beautified the Cittie a farre of from thence a man mought sée all the eittie and townes rounde aboute the lake whiche was vndoubtedly a goodly prospect And bycause Cortes his company should sée the beautie thereof Mutezuma brought him thither and shewed hym all the order of the Temple euen from the foote to the toppe There was a certaine plot or space for the idoll priests to celebrate their seruice without disturbance of any Their general prayers were made toward the rising of the sunne Vpon ech alter standeth a great idoll Beside this tower that standeth vpoÌ„ the pyramide there are fourtie towers great small belonging to other little teÌ„ples which stand in the same circuite the which although they were of the same making yet theyr prospect was not westwarde but otherwayes bicause there should be a difference betwirte the great temple them Some of these Temples were bigger than others and euery one of a seuerall God among
that our men stoode in to be sâ—crisisâ—d EIght dayes after their departure toward the wodder arriued fifteene saile of ships at the coast of Chalchâ—â—oeca The Indians of that coast adiused Mâ—tezuma therof who was not a little afraide with the newes called Cortes vnto him who feared asmuch some vprore there and when they shewed Cortez the Mutezuma was come forth into the yarde he suspected that if Mutezuma pleased they shoulde be all destroyed Wherefore he said vnto his men maisters and friends Mutezuma hath sent me considering what passed this other day I hold it for no good token I nowe goe to knowe his wyll wherefore whatsoeuer happen be you alwayes vigilant and ready commending your selues to god Remember also whome ye are and who are these Infidels abhorred of God and friends vnto the Diuel without weapon and experience in warre if we chance to fight the handes of each of vs shal shew by déede with sword the vallor and courage of our heartes yea and although we all die yet shall we remaine with victory for that we haue fulfilled the thing we tooke in hand and the seruice which we owe vnto God as faithfull ChristiaÌ„s with our duetie as true subiects to our prince They all answered saying we wil do all our possibilitie while life lasteth withoute feare of perill or daunger for we lesse estéeme deathe than honor With this aunswere Cortes wente to Mutezuma who sayde vnto him Senior Captayne you shall vnderstande that now you haue Shippes wherein you may departe therefore now at your pleasure make you ready Cortez answered not knowing of that shipping saying Mightie Sir when my Shippes are finished I will depart nay quoth Mutezuma I meane not those Shyppes for there are ariued eleuen other Shippes at the coast néere vnto Zempoallan and shortlye I shall be certifyed whether the people that are come in them are come a shore and then shall we know what people and how many they are in number Blessed is Iesu Christe quoth Cortez vnto whome I giue most hartie thankes for his great mercies shewed vnto me and to the Gentlemen of my company One of Cortes his men went to shewe the glad tidings to their fellowes who then receyued double strength praysing God and embraced one another wyth great pleasure and ioy And Cortes with Mutezuma béeing in communication togither came another poast who broughte newes of fourescore Horsemen that were landed with eyght humdred footemen and twelue péeces of Ordinance and shewed painted in a cloth the whole relation both of men horses shippes and ordinance Mutezuma hearing the newes that this poast hadde broughte arose from his seate and tooke Cortes in hys armes saying now do I more loue you than I haue done héeretofore and will this day dyne with you Cortes gaue him thankes for the one and the other and in this sorte wente hande in hand to Cortes his Chamber who willed his Spanyards not to make any extraordinary ioy or alteration but that they shoulde kéepe all togither with vigilant watche and to giue hartie thankes vnto God for the comfortable newes Mutezuma and Cortes dyned togither with greate content and pleasure the one thynking to abide and to enioy the kings state and Countrey the other thinking that then they woulde auoyd the land But notwithstanding all these ymaginations a certaine Indian Captaine importuned Mutezuma secretely to kill all Cortes his menne being but few in number and then should he be the readier to dispatch the others that were newly come and not to permitte them to ioyne one with another yea and againe when the newe come menne shoulde knowe of the deathe of their countreymen they would not presume to abide in the lande With this counsell Mutezuma called many his friends and chiefe estates to counsell propounding the case and iudgement of the Captaine whych béeyng among them throughly hearde there were many of sundrye opinions but the conclusion was to permitte the other Spanyards to come saying the more enimies the more gaine and if we kill but those whiche are héere then the others wyll returne to their shippes and so shall we not make the solemne sacrifice of them to the Gods according to our desire Mutezuma was occupyed in this counsell with fiue hundred noblemen and Gentlemen dayly and accordyng to determination they commaunded to cherish and serue Cortes and his company more than ordinary saying their ioy was at an ende Hovv Iames Velasques sent Pamfilo de Naruaizagainst Cortes IAmes Velasques béeyng sore agréeued with desire of reuenge against Cortes not only for his expences at the time of preparation of Cortes his fléete whiche was but small but of méere hatred of the present honor prosperitie of Cortes Wherevpon he inuented greate causes and quarrels againsto him saying and alleaging that Cortez hadde not giuen accompt of his procéedings vnto him béeyng Gouernoure of Cuba and Cortez his Deputie but rather without his consent and knowledge had sente to Spayne to the King aduise of his discouery as who would say that was treason or an euill facte but chiefly his fury was knowing how Cortes had sent an honorable present with the Kings parte or portion of treasure vnto Spayne yea and whole relation of the discouery with Francisco de Monteio and Alounso Fernandez Portocarrero the whiche procéedings Iames Velasques meant to disturbe for that he hadde layde in ambushe a coupell of caruels to haue taken Cortes hys presente and messengers the whiche his pretence and purpose tooke no place so that with the prosperous newes of Cortes his furie and madnesse the more encreased ymagining still his destruction And being occupyed in these sonde ymaginations it happened that his Chaplin one Benito Martine broughte letters from the Emperoure vnto him with title and letters pattentes of Generall and chiefe Gouernour of all that then was discouered inhabited and conquered in the land and coast of Yucatan With this newes Velasques began to triumph not only so much for the honor as also to driue Cortez from Mexico Wherevpon he incontinent prepared this Fléete or Nauie of eleuen Shyppes and seauen Vergantines with nine hundred men and fourescore Horses and appoynted one Pamfilo de Naruaez for Captayne Generall and his Deputie in the regiment of the Countrey and for his more quicker dispatch he himselfe wente with him throughout that Ilande till they came to Guaniguanico whiche is the Westermost harbor of the Ilande and being there Naruaez ready to departe for Mexico and Velasques to returne to Cuba came the lisenciat Lucas Vasques de Aillon a chiefe Iudge of Santo Domingo in name of the whole Chancery to require Velasques vpon great penalties that he should not permitte or suffer Pamsfilo de Naruez to proceede on thâ—t voyage agaynst Cortes whiche woulde bee cause of Murther ciuil warres and other mischiefes among the Spanyards yea and that Mexico should be in daunger of losing wyth all the rest that was conquered and in quiet to the Kings vse saying
vnto him moreouer that if there were anye discorde betwéene them for goodes or poyntes of honor that then it did apperteyne to the Emperoure to iudge and determine the cause and not that he himselfe should be iudge in his owne cause vsing force against the other partie praying them for the seruice of God and the King that if they would goe to conquere that then they shoulde séeke other Countreys hauing so good an armye and fléete and Countreys ynough to séeke This diligēce request and authoritie of the Licenciate Aillon to Velasques and Naruaez preuayled not he séeyng their obstinacie and little regarde to him being a chiefe Iudge determined to goe with Naruaez in his Shippe to lette and disturbe the great hurte that might follow thinking there in the newe Spayne to perswade Naruaez better than in the presence of Velasques yea and also if néede should bée to be a meane of quietnesse betwixt them Pamfilo de Naruaez tooke shipping in Guaniguanico and sailed till he came néere vnto Vera Crux with al his fléete and hauing intelligence that there were a hundred and fiftie Spanyards of Cortes his band he sente vnto them a Priest with one Iohn Ruiz de Gueuara and Alonso de Vergara to require them to receyue him for their Captayne and gouernoure But the newe Citizens would giue no care to their talke but rather apprehended them sente them prisoners to Mexico to Cortez to aduertise hym of their embassage wherevpō Naruaez vnshipped his men horses armor artillery wēt with thē directly to Zēpoallā The Indian Comarcans being as well friends to Cortez as vassals to Mutezuma gaue vnto him golde mantels and vittayles thinking that they had bin Cortez his men The substance of a letter that Correz wrote vnto Naruaez BEfore Cortes knew the effect of the cōming of this new fléete his head was sore troubled for on the one side he was glad of the comming of his owne nation on the other side he liked not so great an armye Likewise he ymagined that if they came to succour him he helde the Countrey for conquered also if that they were come againste him he iudged the Countrey to bée lost He iudged also that if they were come from Spayne that then they hadde brought to him the thing loked for but if they were come from Cuba he feared ciuil warres He also thought that from Spayne could not come so many folke in so shorte space Finally he déemed that his olde enemie Iames Velasques was come personally but when he knew the whole truth then was he muche more pensiue thinking that the thread of his prosperitie was cut asunder yea and that they would be meane to stoppe the gappes of the whole discouery both of the secretes of the land mines and treasure as also in the knowledge of the friends or enimies of Mutezuma It shoulde be also a let to inhabite the places which he had begunne yea and also to Christen the Indians whiche was the principall thing that he pretended yea a let or stop of many other things begun in y seruice of God the prince fearing also by flying from one inconuenience to fall into many and also if he should permit Pamphilo de Naruaez to come vnto Mexico it shoulde be a meane of hys perdition if likewise he should encounter him he feared some rebellion in the Citie and the setting at libertie of Mutezuma putting in perill his owne honour life and trauayle and to auoyde all these daungers and inconueniences he determined remedy First he dispatched twoo men the one vnto Iohn Velasques de Leon who was gone to inhabite at Coazacoalco willyng him at the sight of his letter to repaire vnto Mexico giuing him aduise of the comming of Naruaez and of the great néede that he stoode in of him his company The other messenger he sent to Vera Crux to bryng full relation of the arriuall of Naruaez and what was his pretence The letter sent to Iohn Velasques came no sooner to his hande but forthwith he obeyed and fulfilled the same contrary to the expectation of Naruaez for he was his brother in law and kinsman vnto Iames Velasques Cortes seing his constancie had him euer after that tyme in great estimation From the Vera Crux came twentie of the townes men with certificat what Naruaez had published and brought with them a priest with Alonso Gueuara and Iohn ruiz de Vergara who had comen to Vera Crux to amotiue the towne vnder colour that they had brought the commissiō from the king Cortes on the otherside sent vnto Naruaez seignior Bartholome de Olmedo with other two Spaniards to offer vnto him his friendship otherwise to require commaunde him on the behalfe of the kyng of his owne as chiefe iustice of the land and in the name of the rulers and Aldermen of the towne of Vera Crux who were then in Mexico that he shoulde enter peaceably without making any alteration vntill his auctoritie and commission were séene and allowed and to make no slaunder or vprore to the hinderāce of the king his maisters procedings But al this diligence and letters of Cortes and the other rulers preuailed not he seing this set at libertie the priest that was brought prisoner and sente him vnto Naruaez with certaine riche collers of gold and other iewels with a letter wherein he wrote that he was more gladder of his comming in that fleete than any other for the friendship and olde acquaintaunce that had bene betwixt them desiring him that they mought talke and cōferre togither alone for to take order to prohibite wars sedition bloudshedde and disquietnesse among them beyng of one natiō and brethren requestyng him to shew his cōmission from the king vnto him or vnto the counsell of Vera Crux and he would willingly obey it as reason did require and if he had not brought any such commission yet he would make some honest agrement with him Pamfilo de Naruaez seing himselfe strong and mightie did little regarde Cortes his letters offers nor requestes and chiefly bycause Iames Velasques was sore displeased with Cortes The talke of Naruaez to the Indians and his answere to Cortes PAmphilo de Naruaez declared to the Indiās that they were deceyued with their opiniō in Cortes for that he alone was Captayne generall and chiefe Lorde and that Cortes was but a naughty man and so were all they of his company which are now in Mexico who were all but his boyes and that his present commyng was to cut of Cortes his head and to chasten the others likewyse he meant to dryue them all out of the countrey then to depart himselfe and to leaue them in full libertie The Indians gaue credite to his talke seyng so many bearded men and horses and therevpon began to attende and serue him leauyng their olde friendes in Vera Crux Also Naruaez began to flatter Mutezuma and sente him worde that Cortes aboade in
it should be said that Cortes and his company fledde being in securitie and without perill or daunger I beséech God not to permitte any suche thing The warres doe muche consist in fame why then what better thyng would you desire than to be héere in Tlaxcallan in despite of all youre enimies yea proclayming open warres againste them and they not dare to annoy vs Therefore you may well consider that héere you are more sure than if you were from hence so that héere in Tlaxcallan you are honored with securitie and strength and besides this you haue al things necessary of phisicke and medicine to cure youre woundes and obteyne your health yea and I am bolde to saye that if you were in youre owne naturall Countrey you shoulde not haue the like nor yet so much made off I do nowe meane to send for our men that are in Coazacoalco and Almeria and so we shall haue a reasonable army yea and although they come not wée are sufficient for we were fewer in number when first we entred into thys Countrey hauyng no friendes and likewise you knowe well it is not the number that doth fighte but the couragious hearte and minde I haue séene one of you discomfyte a whole army as Ionatas did yea and manye among you haue had victory against a thousand yea ten thousand Indians as King Dauid had againste the Philistines I looke dayly for Horses from the Ilandes and other armoure and artillerie we shall haue from Vera Crux And as for vittayles take you no care for I wyll prouide you abundantly for they are thinges that alwayes followe the Conqueroures and as for these Citizens of Tlaxcallan I binde my selfe that you shall finde them trustie loyall and perpetuall friendes for so they haue promised me vppon their solemne othes yea and if they had meante otherwise what better oportunitie of time could they haue wished thā these latter dayes where as we lay sicke in their owne beddes and houses yea some of vs lame wounded and in manner rotten and they like louing friendes haue not only holpen you but also serued you with diligence of seruantes for they woulde rather choose to be your slaues than subiectes to the Mexicans theyr hatred is suche to them and their loue so great to you And bycause you shall sée the troth I will now proue them and you againste these of Tepeacac who slewe of late dayes twelue Spanyardes And if this iourney happen euill then will I followe youre request and if it please God that it happen well then wyll I entreate and pray you to follow my counsell The Souldyers hearing this comfortable spéeche began to lay aside their desire to goe from thence to Vera Crux They aunswered generally that they woulde obey his commaundemente it shoulde séeme with the promise made touching the successe of the victory in Tepeacac and lightly seldome it happeneth that a Spanyard saith no when he is required to goe on warfare for it is holden for a dishonor and shame The vvarres of Tepeacac COrtez found himselfe at hearts ease with this answere for it was a thing that had much troubled him vndoubtedly if he had followed his fellowes demand he shoulde neuer haue recouered Mexico agayne they likewise had bin slayne in the way towards Vera Crux for they hadde manye perillous places to passe Eache one of them waxed whole of his wounds sauing some which dyed for wāt of loking to in time leauing their wounds filthy vnbound as Surgiōs doe affirme with also their great trauell weakenesse And likewise other some remayned lame and halt which was no small griefe and losse but the most parte recouered healthe as I haue declared After twenty dayes fully past whiche they had abode in Tlaxcallan Cortes determined to make warre with the Indians of Tepeacac which is a great Towne and not farre from thence for they hadde slayne twelue Spanyards whiche came from Vera Crux towardes Mexico Likewise they were of the league of Culhua and therfore were holpen by the Mexicans and did many times great hurt to the inhabitantes of Tlaxcallan as Xicotencatl did testifye Cortes desired hys louing friende Maxixca and diuers other Gentlemen to goe with him who forthwith entred into counsell wyth the states and comunaltie of the Citie and there determined with generall consente to gyue vnto him fortie thousand fighting men besides many Tamemoz who are foote carriers to beare the baggage victuall and other things With this number of Tlaxcaltecas his owne men and horses he wente to Tepeacac requiring them in satisfaction of the death of the twelue Christiās that they shuld now yéelde themselues to the obedience of the Emperor and that héereafter neuer more to receiue any Mexican into theyr towne or houses neyther yet any of the prouince of Culhua The Tepeacacs answered that they had slaine the Spaniardes for good and iuste cause whiche was that being tyme of warre they presumed to passe through their countrey by force without their will and licence And also that the Mexicans and Culhuacans were their friendes and Lordes whom alwayes they would friendly entertayne within their towne and houses refusing vtterly their offer and request protesting to giue no obedience to whom they knew not wishyng them therefore to returne incontinent to Tlaxcallan excepte they had desire to ende their werie dayes Cortes innuited them diuers times with peace and seing it preuailed not he begā his warres in earnest Their enimies lykewise with the fauour of the Culhuacans were braue and lustie and began to stoppe and defend their pretended entraunce And they beyng many in number with diuers valiant men among them began to skirmishe sundry times but at the end they were ouerthrowen and many slayne without killing any Spaniarde although many Tlaxcaltecas were killed that day The Lordes and principall persons of Tepeacac seyng theyr ouerthrow and that their strength coulde not preuayle yéelded themselues vnto Cortes for vassalles of the Emperour with condition to banish for euer their allied friendes of Culhua And that he should punishe and correct at his will and pleasure all those whiche were occasion of the death of the twelue Spaniardes For which causes and obstinacie at the firste Cortes iudged by his sentence that all the townes whiche had bene priuie to the murder should for euer remaine captiues and slaues others affirme that he ouercame them without any condition and corrected them for their disobedience being Sodomites idolaters and caters of mans flesh and chiefly for exāple of all others And in conclusion they were condemned for slaues and within twentie dayes that this warres lasted he pacified all that prouince which is very great he draue from thēce the Culhuacans he threw downe the idols and the chiefest persons obeyed him And for more assuraunce he builte there a towne naming it Segura de la Frontera he appoynted all officers for the purpose being a towne situated in the high way from Vera Crux to
the host vnto whom in general he spake as followeth The exhortation of Cortez to his Souldiers MY louyng brethren I gyue moste hartie thankes vnto Iesu Christ to sée you now whole of your woundes and frée from diseases likewise I muche reioyce to sée you in good order trimly armed yea and with suche desire to sette agayne vpon Mexico to reuenge the death of our fellowes and to winne that greate Citie the whiche I truste in God shal be brought to passe in shorte time hauing the friendship of Tlaxcallan and other prouinces who haue as great desire to sée the ouerthrowe of the Mexicans as we our selues for therein they gette both honour libertie safegarde of life Also it is to be considered that if the victory should not be ours they poore soules should be destroyed and remaine in perpetuall captiuitie Also the Culhuacans do abhorre them worse than vs for receyuing vs into their houses and countrey therefore sure I am that they will sticke vnto vs vnfaynedly I muste néedes confesse their vnfayned friendship for presente workes doe testifie the same They will not onely be a meane to bryng others their neyghbours to our seruice but also haue now in readinesse .100000 mē of warre to sende with vs besides a great nūber of Tamemez or carriers to carrie al our prouision Ye also are now the same which alwaies heretofore ye haue bene for I as witnesse beyng your captayne haue had the victory of many battayles fighting with a .100 yea 200000. enimies we got also by strength of arme many strōg cities yea brought in subiection many prouinces not beyng so many in number as we are nowe for when we came firste into this countrey we were not so many as now presently we are Agayne in Mexico they feare our cōming it should also be a blot vnto our honour that Quahutimoc should inherite the kingdome that cost our friēd Mutezuma his life Likewise I esteme al that we haue done is nothing if we winne not Mexico our victories shoulde also be sorowfull if we reuenge not the death of our déere fellowes The chiefe and principall cause of our cōming into this countrey was to set forth the faith of Iesu Christ therwithal doth folow honour profite which seldome times do dwell togither In those fewe dayes that we were in Mexico we put downe the idols we caused sacrifice and eatyng of mans fleshe to bée layde aside and also in those dayes wée beganne to conuerte some to the fayth It is not therefore nowe reason to leaue of so laudable an enterpryse so well begonne Lette vs now goe whither holy fayth doth call vs and where the sinnes of our enimies deserueth so great a punishment and if yée well remember the Citizens of that citie were not cōtent to murder such an infinite number of men women children before the idols in their filthy sacrifice for honour of their Diuelishe Goddes but also to eate their fleshe a thyng inhumayne and much abhorred of God and al good men doth procure and especially Christians to defende and punishe suche odious customes Besides all this they committe that horrible sinne for the whiche the fiue cities with Sodom were burned by fire from heauen Why then what greater occasion should any man wishe for in earth than to abolish such wickednesse and to plant among these bloudy tirants the fayth of Iesu Christ publishing his holy gospel Therfore now with ioyfull hartes lette vs procéede to serue God honour our nation to enlarge our Princes dominions and to enriche our selues with the goodly pray of Mexico to morrow God willyng we will beginne the same All his men answeared with chéerefull countenaunce that they were ready to departe when it pleased him promising their faithful seruice vnto him It should séeme the rather with the desire of that pleasure and greate treasure whiche they had eyght moneths enioyed before Cortes commaunded to proclayme throughout his army certaine ordinaunces of warre for the good gouernement of his hoste whiche he had written among others and were these that followeth That none should blaspheme the holy name of Iesus That no Souldier should fight with his fellowe That none shoulde play at any game his horse nor armour That none should force any woman That none should robbe or take any Indian captiue without his speciall licence and counsellers That none should wrōg or iniurie any Indian their friēds he also taxed yron worke and apparell for cause of the excessiue prices that they were there solde for The exhortation made by Cortez to the Indians of Tlaxcallan THe nexte daye following Cortes called before him all the Lordes Captaynes and principall persons of Tlaxcallan Huexocinco Chololla Chalco and of other townes who were there presente at that time saying as followeth My Lords and friendes you know the iourney which I haue nowe in hande to morrowe God willing I will departe to the warre and siege of Mexico and enter into the land of youre enimies and mine And the thing that now I do require and also pray is that you remayne faithfull and constant in your promise made as hithervnto you haue done and so I trust you will continue And bycause I can not bring so soone my purpose to passe according to youre desire and mine without the Vergantines which are now a making and to be placed in the lake of Mexico therefore I praye you to fauoure these workemen whiche I leaue héere with suche loue and friendship as héeretofore you haue done and to giue them all things necessary for their prouision and I do faithfully promise to take away the yoke of bondage which the inhabitantes of Culhua haue layde vpon you and also will obteyne of the Emperoure great libertie and priviledges for you All the Indians shewed countenance of obedience and the chiefest Gentlemen aunswered in few words saying we will not onely fulfyll youre request but also when your vessels are finished we will bring them to Mexico and we all in generall will goe with you and truly serue you in your warres Hovv Cortez tooke Tezcuco COrtez departed from Tlaxcallan wyth hys Souldyers in good order whyche was a goodly sight to beholde for at that time he had eyghtie thousand men in his host and the most of them armed after their manner which made a gallant shew but Cortes for diuers causes would not haue them all with him vntill the Vergantines were finished and Mexico beséeged searing wante of vittayle for so greate an armye yet notwithstanding hée tooke twentie thousand of them besides the Carriers and that night came to Tezmoluca which stādeth sixe leagues from Tlaxcallan and is a Village apperteyning to Huexocinco where he was by the principall of the Towne wel receyued The next day he iourneyed foure leagues into the territorie of Mexico and there was lodged on the 〈◊〉 of a hill where many had perished with colde had it not bin for the store of woodde which they found there In the
horsemen thrée hundred Spanyardes and a great number of Indians with their peeces of Ordinance and where in thrée or foure dayes before they had not skirmished time serued the Mexicans at will to open al those places which were dammed vp before and also to builde better bulwarkes thaÌ„ those which were throwen downe attending with that horrible noyse accustomed But wheÌ„ they sawe the Vergantines on eache side theyr ioy was turned into sorrowe and beganne to fainte the whiche oure men vnderstood well and therewith alanded themselues vpon the calsey and wanne the bulwarke and the bridge Our army procéedyng forward set vppon the enimies vntill they came to another bridge the whyche was likewise wonne in shorte time and this pursued from bridge to bridge alwayes fighting vntill they had driuen them from the Calsey and stréetes Cortes for his part lost no time for he with tenne thousande Indians laboured to damme vp againe the sluses and broken places of the bridges making the way plaine both for Horsemen and footemen it was so much to doe that all those ten thousand Indians were occupyed therein from the morning vntill the euening The other Spanyards and Indian friends skirmished continually and slew many of their enimies Likewyse the Horsemen so scoured the stréetes that the enimies were forced to locke them vp in their houses Temples It was a notable thing to sée how our Indians played the menne that daye againste the Citizens sometimes they would chalenge them the fielde other times they would conuite them to supper and shewe vnto them legges armes and other péeces of maÌ„s flesh saying behold your owne flesh which shal serue for our supper and brekefast and to morrow we wil come for more therefore flye not you are valiant fellowes yet it were better for you to dye fighting than with hunger And after all this spéech euery one of them called vppon the name of his owne Towne with a loude voyce setting fire vppon their houses The Mexicans were replenished with sorrow to see themselues so afflicted with Spanyardes but yet theyr sorrowe was the greater to heare their owne vassals so raile againste them saying and crying at their owne dores victory victory Tlaxcallan Chalcho Tezcuco Xochmilco and other Townes the eating of their fleshe greeued them not for they did the like Cortes séeing the Mexicans so stoute and hard harted with full determination eyther to defend themselues or else to dye therevpon he bethought himselfe vppon two things the one was that he shoulde not obteyne the treasure whiche he had séene in the time of Mutezuma the other was that they gaue him occasion totally to destroy the Citie Both these things gréeued him much but especially the destructioÌ„ of the citie He ymagined with himselfe what he mighte doe to bring them to acknowledge their error and the hurt that mighte fall vpon them and for these considerations he pluckt downe their Towers and brake their idolles He burned also the greate house wherein he was lodged before and the house of foule which was néere at haÌ„d There was not one Spanyard who had séene that magnificall building before but lamented sore the sight but to agréeue the Citizens it was commaunded to be burned There was neuer Mexican that thought any humaine force how much lesse so fewe Spanyards shoulde haue entred into Mexico in despite of them all and to sette fire vpon their principallest edifices within the Citie While this house was a burning Cortes gathered his men and retired to his Campe. The Mexicans would fayne haue remedyed the fire but it was too late and séeing our men retire they followed wyth their noyse accustomed and slue some of our men who were laden with the spoyle and came behinde the reste The horsmen relieued our men and caused the enimy to retire in such wise that before night al our men werein safetie and the enimies in their houses the one sorte full of sorowe and the others wearied with fighte and trauel The slaughter was great that day but the burning and spoyle of houses was greater for besides those whiche wee haue spoken of the Vergantines did the like where they wente and the other Captaines also were not idle where they were appointed Things that happened to Pedro de Aluarado through his bolde attempt PEdro de Aluarado would passe his army to the market place of Tlalulco for he take much payn stoode in perill in susteyning the bridges which he had gotten hauing hys forte almost a league froÌ„ thence And again he being a man of a haughtie stomacke thinking as wel to get honor as his general and likewise being procured by his company who sayde that it were a shame for them if Cortez should winne that market place being more nearer vnto them than vnto him wherevpon he determined to winne those bridges which as yet wer vnwonne and to place himselfe in the market place He procéeded with all his army vntill they came to another brokeÌ„ bridge which was sixtie paces of length and two fadome depe the whiche with the helpe of the Vergantines he wan in short space and gaue order to certaine of his men to damme it vppe substancially and he himselfe pursued his enimies with fiftie Spaniardes But when the Citizens sawe so few in number and al footemen for the horses coulde not passe the sâ—â—ce so soone they came vpon them so sodainely fiercely that they made our men to turne their backes and trust to theyr legges yea and our men fel into the water they knewe not which way They slew many of our IndiaÌ„s and four Spaniards who forthwith they sacrifised and eate their fleshe in the open sight of al the army Aluarado saw his owne folly in not beleauing Cortes who had always forewarned him not to procede foreward vntil he had made the way sure behinde him but Aluarâ—do his counsellers payde their counsel with life Cortes sorrowed for the same for the like had happened vnto him if he had giuen credite to their counsel But as a prudent captain he considered the matter better for euery house was then an Ilande the calsey broken in many places and the zoties or house toppes beset with stones for these and suche like places vsed Quahutimoc Cortes went to see where Aluarado had pitched hys campe and also to rebuke him for that which was past and to aduise him what he shold do But when he came and found him so farre within the libertie of the Citie and the daungerous places which hadde passed he dyd highly coÌ„mend his valiaunt and good seruice he also coÌ„muned with him of manye things concerning the siege and then returned to his owne campe The tryumph and sacrifice vvhich the Mexicans made for their victorie COrtez delayed the time to pitche his campe in the market place of Mexico although daily his menn entrede and skirmished with in the Citie for the causes before alleaged and likewise to sée if Quahutimoc would yéeld himself And also the entrie could
not be but very daungerous for the great multitude of enimies that â—illed vp the streates Al his company Spaniardes ioynâ—ly with the kings Treasurer séeing the determination of Cortes and the hurt already receyued besought and also required him to passe his campe vnto the market place who aunswered them that they had spoken like valiaunt men but as yet quoth he it is not time conuenient we oughte to consider better of the matter for why the enimies are fully determined to ende their liues in defence of that place But his men replyed so muche that hee was compelled to graunte to theyr requeste and proclaymed the entraunce for the nexte daye following Hee wrote also in his letters to Gonsalo de Sandoual to Pedro de Aluarado the instructions of the things that they shoulde doe whiche was in effect to Sandoual that hee shoulde remoue hys campe wyth all hys fardage as thoughe he woulde retire and flye and that vppon the calsey he shoulde haue tenne horsemen in ambushe behinde certaine houses to the intent that when the Citizens should espie theÌ„ flie and would pursue after theÌ„ to passe betwixt them and home with the said horsemen after the hurt done among them in this sort that then he with al his army shoulde come where Pedro de Aluarado aboade with other tenne horsemen a hundered footemen and the Nauye of Vergantines and leauing with hym his men should then take thrée of the Vergantines and to procure to winne that broken bridge where Aluarado of late receiued the foyle and if he fortuned to wynne that place that then he should damme it vp and make it sure before he passed anye further and the like order he gaue vnto him for al other broken places that he should passe Vnto Aluarado he gaue commission that he shoulde passe as farre into the Citie as he myght possible requyring him also to send vnto him eightie Spaniardes Hée also appointed the other seauen Vergantines to passe into both the lakes with thrée thousand Canoas He deuided likewise all his army into thrée companies bycause they had thre ways to enter into the citie By the one of these wayes or streates entred the Treasurer and Auditor with seauentye Spaniardes twentie thousande Indians eight horsemen twelue labourers with pickeaxes and Shouels and many other ydle felowes to cary earth and stones and to fill vp the broken places and to make the way plaine The seconde streate he commended to George de Aluarado and Andres de Tapia with eightie Spaniardes tenne thousande Indians two pieces of Ordinaunce and eight horsemen Cortes himselfe toke the thirde way wyth a great number of friendes and a hundred Spaniardes footemen of the whiche were twentye fiue with Crossebowes and Harquebushes and coÌ„maunded his horsemeÌ„ which were eight in number to abide there behinde and not to folow after vntil he shold sende for them In thys order and al at one instant they entred the Citie shewing the harts of valiaunt men greatly annoying the enemy and wan many bridges but when they came neare vnto the towne house called Tianquiztli there gathered togither such a number of the Indian friendes who before theyr eyes scaled entred and robbed their houses that they thought assuredly that the same day the citie had bin wonne Cortez commaunded that they should procéede no further saying that they had done sufficientlye for that day for also he feared afterclappes He likewise demanded whether all the broken bridges were made sure in the whych quoth he coÌ„sisteth the peril and victorie But those that went with the Treasurer following victorie and spoyle had left a bridge not well dammed vp but verye hollowe and false the whiche was of twelue paces broad and two fadom in depth When Cortez was aduertised hereof he went thither to remedy the same but he was no sooner come when he sawe his men fléeing and leaping into the water with feare of the cruel enimies which followed who leapt after them into the water to kill them There came also along the calsey manye Indian boates of enimies who toke many of the Indian friends and Spaniards aliue Then Cortes and other fiftéene persons which were with him serued for no other purpose but to helpe out of the water those that were fallen some came wounded and others halfe drowned and without armour yea and the multitude of enimies so beset Cortes and his fiftéene companions who wer helping their meÌ„ and so occupyed in the same that they had no regarde to their owne peril Whervpon certaine Mexicans layd haÌ„d vpoÌ„ Cortes who truly they had carried away if it had not bin for one Francisco de Olea his seruaÌ„t who cut off at one blowe the armes of them that had hold of him and he by the enemies was immediately slain so that he died to saue his maisters life Then came Antonio de Quinionez captaine of the guard who caught Cortes by the arme by force pluckt him out of the throng of enimies wyth whom valiantly he fought But theÌ„ with the fame that Cortez was prisoner came many spaniards among whoÌ„ was one horseman who made some roome but in shorte space they thrust him through the throte with a launce and made him to retire The fight ceassed a little Cortes had a horse brought vnto him on the which he lightlye amounted and gathering his men togither came to the streate of Tlacopan whiche was large and faâ—re There diedâ— Guzman his Chamberlayne giuing a horse vnto his maister whose death was much lamented among them all for he was a man valiant honeste welbeloued There fel also into the water two horses the one was saued but the other was killed by the Indians As the Treasurer and his company were Combatting a bulwarke the enimies threw out of a window thrée Spaniards heads vnto them saying the like they would do with their heads if they went not from thence the sooner They séeing this sight and likewise coÌ„sidered the great hurte and spoyle made among them began to retire by little and little The Mexican Priestes went vp into the Towres of Tlatelulco and made their fiers in chafing dishes and put therevnto the swéete guÌ„me of Copalli in token of victorie and forthwith stripped fiftie Spaniards captiues as naked as they were borne and with their fine rasors opened them in the breastes and pluckt out their hartes for an offering to the Idols and sprinckled their bloud in the ayre Our men seing before their eies the doleful sight would fain haue gone to reueÌ„ge the cruel custome But as time then required they had ynough to doe to put themselues in sauetie through the great troupe of Indians which came vpon them who now feared neither horse nor sword This day as ye haue heard were fortie Spaniards sacrificed and Cortes wounded in one of hys legges and thirtie moe of his men they lâ—ste a piece of Orâ—inance and foure horses Also that day was slayne aboue two thousand Indian friends and
on the lande It was suspected to be a pestilence for one of them infected another There were in his company many Gentlemen ech of them had an office There was a Frier who was a very slaunderous fellow reported that Cortes had poysoned the Licenciat and also that the Licenciat had an expresse order from the Emperour to cut of Cortes his head as sone as he had taken the Vare of Iustice from him The subtle Frier had thought to haue gotten money of the one and thankes of the other and at the ende had nothyng Hovv Cortez came into Spayne WHere one Alonso de Estrada gouerned the state of Mexico as substitute of Marcus de Aguillar accordyng to the Emperours commaundement Cortes considered with himselfe that it was not possible for him to haue agayne his office except he wente personally to the Emperours court where he had many aduersaries and fewe friendes so that he was afflicted on euery side yet he in fine determined to goe into Spayne as well for businesse of importaunce of his owne as also matters touchyng the Emperour and his new kingdoms whereof I will reherse particularly some As touchyng his owne causes first he beyng a man of good yéeres went to marry hoping to haue children vnto whom he might leaue the profite of his labour and payne also to appeare before the King his maister face to face and to enforme his Maiestie what Landes and Kyngdomes hée had wonne and brought vnto his royall crowne To signifie lykewise vnto hym of the dissention among the Spanyardes hys subiectes in Mexico and to answere for himselfe to any false reportes whiche had bene made agaynst hym And finally to receyue a condigne rewarde for hys worthie and faythfull seruice Cortes beyng in these imaginations there was brought a letter vnto him from the reuerend father Garcia de Loaisa ghostly father vnto the Emperour and afterwarde was ordeyned Cardinall in the whiche letter he conuited him earnestly to come vnto Spayne to the entent that the Emperours Maiestie mighte bothe sée and know him assuring him of his friendshippe After the receyte of this letter he made al the hast possible to departe vpon his iourney ceasing from his voyage whiche he had in hande for to inhabite the riuer De las Palmas Before his departure he dispatched twoo hundred Spaniardes thrée score and ten horsemen with many Mexicans for the countrey of Chichimea to inhabite there finding the lande riche of siluer mines as it was reported giuyng vnto those men expresse order that if the people of that prouince did not entertayne them with friendship that then they should accept theÌ„ as enimies and forthwith to make warre and to take them for slaues for that they are a barbarous people He wrote his letter to Vera Crux to prepare with all spéede twoo good shippes and for that purpose he sent Pero ruiz de Esquiuel who was a Gentleman of Siuill But he wente not on the iourney for a moneth after they founde him buried in a little Iland of the lake with one hande out of the graue whiche was eaten with dogges and foule he was buried in his dublet and his hose he had one onely wounde in his forehead And a Negro his slaue who wente in his company was neuer hearde of nor yet the Canas and Indians that wente with him so that the truth of his death was neuer knowen Cortes made an Inuentary of his moueable goodes whiche was valued at twoo hundred thousande Castlins of golde he left for gouernour of his owne estate the Licenciat Altamiranâ— his kinsman with other two friends he furnished twoo shippes and proclaymed frée passage and victuals vnto all those that would goe in his coÌ„pany he shipped for his owne account a thousand fiue hundred markes of siluer twentie thousand Castlins in good gold and ten thousand Castlins of base golde He tooke in his company Gonsalo de Sandoual Andres de Tapia and other of the chiefest of the conquerours He brought with him a Sonne of Mutezumas another Sonne of Maxixcas who was become a Christian named Don Lorenso with many other Indian Gentlemen of Mexico Tlaxcallan and other cities eight players with a cudgell twelue tenis players with certaine men women of that countrey who were white of colour and other dwarfes deformed persons He brought also wilde beasts as Tigres other strange beastes called Aiotochtli and one Tlaquaci Moreouer he brought a great number of mantels made of feathers Conny heare Targets bushes or tuffes of galant feathers and looking glasses of stone In fine he came lyke a great Lorde arriued in Spayne in the ende of the yéere 1528. the Courte being then in Tolledo The newes of his arriuall was blowen through out all Spayne and euery one desirous to sée him The honour vvhiche the Emperour shewed vnto Hernando Cortes with rewarde THe Emperour receyued Cortes magnifically and to giue him the greater honour he went visited him at hys owne lodging The Emperour beyng in a readinesse to passe into Italy to be there crowned with the Emperiall crowne Cortes went in his maiesties company vnto the Citie of Saragoza whereas his Maiestie calling to remembrance his worthy seruice valour of his person made him Marques del valle de Huaxacac according to his desire on the .vj. of Iuly An. 1528 and Captayne generall of the newe Spayne with all the prouinces and coast of the south sea chiefe discouerer and inhabiter of the same coaste and Ilandes with the twelfth parte of all that after that tyme should be discouered for a sure inheritaunce to him and his discendentes he offered vnto him also the habite of the order of Knighthoode of Saint Iames the whiche offer Cortes refused bycause there was no rent gyuen with the habite but he besought his Maiestie to graunt vnto him the gouernmeÌ„t of Mexico the whiche request the Emperour denied bycause that no Conquerour shoulde thinke that the office of gouernment and iustice is due vnto hym for the like demaunde was desired of the kyng Don Fernando by Cristouâ—l Colon who firste discouered the India and also the great Captaine Gonsalo Hernandoz de Cordoua who conquered Naples Cortes deserued muche and also the Emperour gaue him much to honour him as a most bountifull and gratefull King who neuer taketh away that whiche once he giueth He likewise gaue vnto Cortez all the kyngdome of Michuacan but hée had rather haue had diuers other townes whiche he demaunded many other great fauours and rewardes he receyued at the Emperours handes but the principall are those before declared The Mariage of Cortez WHen it was knowen in Spayne that the lady Catherin Xuares wife vnto Cortes was deceassed in India by intercessours he was assured vnto the Duke of Beiar his brothers daughter who was named the Lady Iane of Zuniga hyr fathers name was Don Carolus de Arrellano Earle of Aguilar This Lady was a bewtifull Dame and hyr brethrene noble personages
for a bowe two arrowes and a nette and afterwarde the father in lawe speaketh not one worde to his sonne in law for the space of a whole yeare And when the husbande hapneth to haue any child he lyeth not any more with his wife in two yeares after for feare least she might be with childe againe before the former childe were out of daunger although some doe sucke vntyll twelue yeares of age and for this consideration they haue many wiues Likewise there is an order among them that no woman may touch or dresse any thing being with theyr menstruall ordinarie Diuoremcent was not permitted without a iust cause and authoritie of Iustice among those who were openly married but the other sort might be as easily forsaken as taken In Mechuacan was not permitted any diuorcemente excepte the partie made a solemne othe that they loked not the one on the other stedfastly and directly at the time of their marriage But in Mexico they must proue how the wife is barraine foule of a naughty cōdition but if they put away their wiues without order and commaundemente of the Iudge then the heare of the offenders head is burned in the market place as a shame or punishment of a man without reason or witte The payne of adultery was death as well for the mā as the woman but if the adulterer were a Gentleman his head was decked with feathers after that he was hāged and his body burned and for this offence was no pardon eyther for man or woman but for the auoyding of adultery they do permitte other common women but no ordinary stewes Of the Iudges and order of Iustice IN Mexico were twelue Iudges who were all noble men graue and well learned in the Mexican lawes These men liued only by the rentes that properly apperteyne to the maintenance of Iustice and in anye cause iudged by thē it was lawfull for the parties to appeale vnto other twelue Iudges who were of the princes bloud and alwayes abode in the Court and were mainteyned at the Kings owne cost and charge The inferior Iudges came ordinarily once euery moneth to cōsult with the higher And in euery fourescore dayes came the Iudges of euery prouince within the Mexican Empire to consult with the Iudges of Mexico but all doubtfull causes were reserued to the King onely to passe by his order and determination The Painters serued for notaries to paint al the cases which were to be resolued but no sute passed aboue fourescore dayes without finall ende and determination There were in that citie twelue Sergeants whose office was to arrest and to cal parties before the Iudges Their garments were painted mantels wherby they were knowen a farre off The prisons were vnder ground moyst and darke the cause whereof was to put the people in feare to offend If anye witnesse were called to take an oth the order was that he shoulde touche the grounde with one of his fingers and then to touch his tong with the same whiche signifyed that hée had sworne and promised to speake the troth wyth hys tōg taking witnes therof of the earth which did mainteine him But some do interprete the oth that if the partie sware not true that then he mighte come to such extremitie as to eate earthe Sometime they name and call vppon the God of the crime whose cause the matter touched The Iudge that taketh bribes or giftes is forthwith put out of his office whiche was accounted a most vyle and shamefull reproch The Indians did affirme that Necaualpincintli did hang a Iudge in Tezcuco for giuing an vniust sentence he himselfe knowing the contrary The murther is executed without exception The woman with child that wilfully casteth hir creature suffereth deathe for the same bycause many women did voluntary vse that fact knowing their children could not inherite The punishment of adultery was death The Théefe for the firste offence was made a slaue and hanged for the second The traytor to the King and cōmon weale was put to death with extreame tormēts The woman taken in mans apparel dyed for the same and likewise the man taken in womans attire Euerye one that challēged another to fight except in the warres was cōdemned to die In Tezcuco the sinne of Zodomy was punished with death that law was instituted by Necaualpincintli Necaualcoio who were Iudges which abhorred the filthy sinne therfore they deserued great praise for in other prouinces the abhominable sin was not punished although they haue in those places cōmon stewes as in Panuco The order of cruell Sacrifice vsed among the Indians AT the ende of euery twenty dayes is celebrated a festiuall feast called Tonalli which falleth continually the last daye of euerye moneth but the chiefest feast in the yeare when most men are sacrificed eaten is at the ende of euerye fiftye two yeares But the Tlaxcaltecas and other common weales do celebrate this feast euery fourth yeare The last day of the first moneth is called Tlacaxipeualiztli on the which day were slaine a hundred slaues which were taken in the warres and after the sacrifise their flesh was eaten in this order Al the Citizens gathered themselues togither in the high Temple and thē the Ministers or Priestes came and vsed certaine ceremonies the which being ended they toke those whyche were to be sacrifised by one and one and layd them vpon their backes vpon a large stone and then the slaue being on liue they opened him in the breast with a knife made of flinte stone and toke out his hart whiche they threw immediately at the foote of the Aulter as an offering and anoynted with the fresh bloude the face of the God Vitzilopuchtli or any other Idol This done they pluckt of the skinnes of a certaine number of them the which skinnes so many auntient persons put incontinēt vppon their naked bodies al fresh bloudy as they wer sleane from the deade carcasses And being open in the backe part and shoulders they vsed to lace them in such sorte that they came fitte vppon the bodies of those that ware them and being in this order attired they came to daunce among many others In Mexico the king him selfe did put on one of these skinnes being of a principall captiue and daunced among the other disguised persons to exalte and honor the feast and an infinite number followed him to behold his terrible gesture although some hold opinion that they followed him to cōtemplate his greate deuotion After the sacrifise ended the owner of the slaues did carry their bodies home to their houses to make of their fleshe a solemne feaste to all their friendes leauing their heades and hartes to the Priests as their dutie and offering And the skinnes were filled with cotten wool or strawe to be hong in the temple and kings pallayce for a memorie The slaues when they went to their sacrifice were apparelled in the habite or deuise of the Idol vnto whom ech of them did commende
heretike Cacama vvas vvise Cacama prysoner A fonde beliefâ— Poore Mutezuma A true prophecie A surtle Foxe At the time of neede prouideth God. A drunken reckoning A noble Iudge A foule bragge A cruell proclamation A madde â—eckenyng A good captayne and a vvise Chvvâ—â—â— Cortes A stoute man. An vncertayne recâ—oaing A darke night for Naruaeâ— A couetous desire and a vile A straunge inuention â–ª A valiant man. Revvarde of a couetous â—â—nd A vvery iourney A payneful man. Cortes vvounded vvith a flyng Oh noble Cortez Oh valiant Cortez 200000. Indians 50000. meÌ„ Faythfull friendes Exclamation A good correction A strange tallovve A Diuelish sentence A kinde harted captaineâ— A cruell â—act of Cortez A â—â—â—e pâ—â—pheâ—â—e An extreme penurâ—â— A sorovvfull tale An euâ—â—â— revvarde Seauen thousand Ceder beames The revvard of a knaue A madde daunce The riche Emeraldes Before the Iudges came Cortez vvaâ— gone to Spayne A good sentence Abhominable fact The oyntment A Table expressyng the Chapiters vvhiche are conteyned in this Historie THe birth and lynage of Hernando Cortez Fol. 1. The age of Cortes vvhen he passed into India 2 The time that Cortes abode in Santo Domingo 5 Things that happened to Cortes in the lande of Cula 6 The discouery of the nevv Spayne 10. The inuentory of the treasure that Gâ—â—ialua brought 12 The determinatioÌ„ of Cortes to prepare a fleete for discouery 16 The nauy and men that Cortes caried to the Conquest 20 The oration made by Cortes to his Souldiers 24 The entraunce of Cortes into the â—â—and of Acusamil 25 The Indiâ—â—s of Acusamil gaue nevves of bearded men 29 A miraculous chaunce hovv Aguillar came to Cortes 31 The Iland of Acusamil 35 The religion of the people of Acusamil 40 The battell of Poâ—onchan 41 The battell of Cintla 43 The Lord Tauasco yeeldeth to the Christians 46 Questions demaunded by Cortes of the Cacike Tanasco 48 Hovve the Indians of Potonchan brake dovvne their Idols 50 The good entertaynement that Cortes had in Saint Iohn de Vlhua 51 The talke of Cortes vvith Teudilli 55 The presente by Mutezuma vnto Cortes 58 Hovve Cortes knevv of discorde in the countrey 61 Hovve Cortes vvent to suruey the countrey vvith .400 men 64 Hovv Cortes rendred vp his office by pollicie 67 Hovve the Souldiers chose Cortes for their Captayne generall 69 The receeuing of Cortes into Zempoallan 72 The talke of the Lorde of Zempoallan vvith Cortes 76 Things that happened vnto Cortes in Chiauiztâ—â—n 80 The message sent by Cortes to Mutezuma 83 The rebellion done by the industry of Cortes 85 The fundation of the riche tovvne of Vera Crux 88 The taking of Tizapansinca 90 The presenâ—e that Cortes sente to the Emperour Charles for his fifth parte 92 Letters in generall from the Magistrates of Vera Crux to the Emperour 97 An vprore among the Souldiers agaynst Cortes and the correction for the same 100 Cortes caused all his shippes to bee sunke a vvorthy fact 102 Hovv the inhabitantes of Zempoallan brake dovvne their Idolles 104. Hovv Olintlec exalted the mightie povver of Mutezuma 107 The first encounter that Cortes had vvith the men of Tlaxcallan 11â— Hovve there ioyned a hundreth and fiftie thousande men agaynst Cortes 116 The threatenings of the Indian campe agaynst the Spaniardes 120 Hovve Cortes cut off the handes of fiftie espies 124 The Embassage that Mutezuma senâ— vnto Cortes 126 Hovve Cortes vvanne the Cittie of Zimpanzinco 129 The desire that some of the Spanierdes had to leaue the vvarres 132 The oration made by Cortes to his Souldiers 13â— Hovv Xicotencatl came for Embassadour to Cortes his campe 136 The receiuing of Cortes into Tlaxcallan 136 The description of Tlaxcallan 141 The ansvvere of the Tlaxcaltecas touchyng the leauyng of their Idolles 145 The discorde betvvene the Mexicans and the Tlaxcaltecas 147 The solemnâ— receyuing of the Spaniardes into Chololla 148 The conspiracie of the Cholollans against the Spaniardes 152 The punishment for conspiracy 155 The sanctuary among the Indians vvas Chololla 158 The hill called Popocatepec 160 The consultation of Mutezuma coÌ„cerning the coÌ„ming of Cortes into Mexico 162 Things that happened to Cortes in his iourney tovvarde Mexico 164. The solemne pompe vvherevvith Cortes vvas receyued into Mexico 160 The Oration of Mutezuma to the Spaniardes 172 The Maiestie and order vvhervvith Mutezuma vvas serued at his table 175 The foote players that played before Mutezuma 178 The tennys play in Mexico 179 The number of vviues that Mutezuma had 181 A house of foule vvhiche vvere only preserued for the feathers 183 A house of fovvle for havvking 184 The armory of Mutezuma 186 The gardens of Mutezuma 187 The court and guarde of Mutez 188 The greate subiection of the people to their King. 189 The situation of Mexico 192 The market place of Mexico 196 The great temple of Mexico 201 The Idols of Mexico 204 The charnell house of Mexico 206 Hovv Cortes tooke Mutezuma prisoner 207 The recreation of hunting vvhiche Mutezuma vsed 212 Hovve Cortes beganne to plucke dovvne the Idols of Mexico 214 The exhortation made by Cortes to Mutezuma and the Citizens for the abolishing of Idolles 215 The burning of the Lorde Qualpopoca and other Gentlemen 219 The cause of the burnyng of Qualpopoca 220 Hovv Cortes put a paire of gyues on Mutezuma his legges 221 Hovve Cortes sente to seeke for the mynes of golde in diuers places 223 The imprisonment of Cacama king of Tezcuco 227 The sorovvfull oration that Mutezuma made vnto his noble men to yeeld them to the Emperour 230 The golde and Ievvels that Mutezuma gaue vnto Cortes for his first tribute 233 Hovve Mutezuma required Cortes to depart from Mexico 235 The feare that our men stande in to be sacrificed 230 Hovv Iames Velasques sente Pamfilo de Naruaez agaynst Corteâ— 241. The substaunce of a letter that Cortes vvrote vnto Naruaez 244 The talke of Naruaiz to the Indians and his ansvvere to Cortes 246. The talke that Cortes had vvith his ovvne Souldiers 249 The requestes of Cortes to Mutezuma 251 The imprisonment of Pamfilo de Naruaiz 252 The rebellion of Mexico 256 The cause of the rebellion 259 The threatnings of the Mexicans against the Spaniardes 261 The great dauÌ„ger that our meÌ„ vvere put in by the straungers 26â— The death of Mutezuma 266 The combat betvveene the Spaniardes and the Indians 268 Hovve the Mexicans refused the offer of peace and amitie 271 Hovv Cortes fledde from Mexico 274. The battell of Otumpan 280 The entertaynement of the Spaniardes at their returne to Tlaxcallan fol. 283 The protestation and request of the Souldiers to Cortes 286 The oration made by Cortes in ansvvere to his Souldiers demaunde 289 The vvarres of Tepeacac 292 The great auctoritie that Cortes had among the Indians 294 The VergaÌ„tines that Cortes caused to be buylte and the Spanyerdes vvhiche he had to besiege Mexico 296 The exhortation of Cortes to his Souldiers 298 The exhortation made to the Indians of Tlaxcallan 301 Hovv Cortes tooke Tezcuco 302 The Spaniardes vvhich vvere sacrifised in Tezcuco 307 Hovv the VergaÌ„tines vvere brought from Tlaxcallan to Tezcuco 310. Of the docke or trenche vvhiche vvas made to lanche the Vergantines 311 The order of the hoste and army to besiege Mexico 314 The battell and victory of the Vergantines agaynst the Canoas 316 Hovve Cortes besieged Mexico 320. The firste skirmishe vvithin the Citie of Mexico 322 The great hurte and damage in the house of Mexico by fire 327 Things that happened to Pedro de Aluarado through his bolde attempt 329 The triumph sacrifice vvhich the Mexicans made for victory 331 The determination of Cortes to destroy Mexico 336 The hunger and infirmitie vvhiche the Mexicanâ— suffered vvith great courage 340 The imprisonment of Quahatimoc 343. The taking of Mexico 347 Maruelous signes and tokens of the destruction of Mexico 349 The buylding vp agayne of the Citie of Mexico 351 Hovv the Emperour sent to take account of Cortes his gouernment 354. The death of the Licenciat Luys Ponce 358 Hovv Cortes came into Spaine 359 The honour vvhiche the Emperour shevved vnto Cortes vvith revvarde 361 The mariage of Cortes 362 Hovv the Chancery vvas firste placed in Mexico 364 The returne of Cortes to Mexico 367. The letters vvhich the Indians vsed in Mexico 369 The Mexican yeare 371 The Indians beleeued that fiue ages vvere paste c. 377 The nation of the Indians called Chichimecas 378 The Coronation of the Kings of Mexico 379 The opinion of the Mexicans concerning the soule 382 The buriall of kings in Mexico 383 The order of the burial of the kings of Michuacan 386 The order of Matrimony among the Indians 389 Of the iudges and order of Iustice 391. The order of cruell sacrifice vsed among the Indians 392 The order of certayne religious vvomen 396 Hovv the Diuell appeared to the Indians in a strange forme 398 The viceroys of Mexico 399 The conuersion of the Indians 401 The death of HernaÌ„do Cortes 40â— FINIS