malice and stubbornesse and to treate of peace and friendship warning and aduising them that if they came not wythin the time appointed hee woulde enter into his countrey burning and spoyling with slaughter both great smal armed and vnarmed with which message the messengers departed and Cortez returned to the towne to cure his wounded men The next day came fiftie anncient Indians to craue pardon for their offence and also licence to bury the dead with likewise safeconduct that their rulers and principal persons myght safely come vnto the towne Cortez graunted their request warning them to make any lyes or yet to conspire againe and also if their lords came not personally he would not heare any more embassadors with this rigorous coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t protestation they departed These Indians feeling their strength woulde not preuaile thinking the christians to be inuincible their Lords and chiefest persons did determine to goe and visite the christians and their captaine And according to the time appointed the Lorde of that town and other foure Lords his neyghbours came vnto Cortez with a good trayne of their vessals and seruitours and presented vnto him bread turkie hennes fruites with other like prouision for his host with four hundred pieces of gold of the value of 400. double duckets with other small iewels and crrtaine turkie stones of small value And twentie women slaues to serue to make breade and dresse meate for the whole army He craued and beseeched Cortez to pardon his former offence And to accept and receiue them into hys friendshippe And in token of his obedience hee and his fellowes dyd willinglye deliuer their bodies landes and goods into his handes and power Cortez did louingly receiue them and gaue vnto them certaine trifles of his wares whiche they estéemed much And those Indians hearing the horses and mares ney they maruelled at their neying thinking that the horses could speake demaunded of the Christians what they sayd mary quoth they these horses are sore offended with you bycause ye foâ—â—ht with them wold haue you corrected and chastened for your so doing The simple IndiaÌ„s hearing this presented roses and Gynea Hens vnto the horses desiring them to eate and to pardon theÌ„ Certaine questions that Cortez demaunded of the Cacike Tauasco MAny things passed betweene our men the Indians for where the Indians vnderstood theÌ„ not their behauiour was much to laugh at And vsing conuersation with our men seeing they receiued no hurts of them they brought to the towne their wiues and children which were no smal number And among many matters that Cortez communed with Tauasco by the mouth of Ieronimo de Aguila his enterpreter The first question was Whether there wer mynes of gold or siluer in that countrey and from wheÌ„ce they had that small quantitye that they hadde broughte vnto them The secoÌ„d question was Why they denyed him their friendshippe more than the other captaine that had bin there the yeare before The third was Why they being so many in nuÌ„ber fled from them being so fewe The fourth was To giue theÌ„ to vnderstaÌ„d the mightie power of the king of Castill And last of all to giue them knowledge of the faith of Iesu Christ As touching Sir quoth he the Mynes of gold and siluer in our country we séeke for none for we séeke not after treasure and riches but we procure and desire a quiet life And that golde whiche we haue was founde by chaunce for we know not what Mynes do mean. Yet notwithstanding further within the lande whereas the sunne doth hide himselfe ther the people do finde muche gold and are giuen to séeke the same And as touching the captaine that was here of late we seeing the men and shippes to be such as we had neuer before seene spake vnto them and demaunded what they would haue they sayde that their comming was to chaunge their merchandice for gold and nothyng else wherefore we graunted to their request But now séeing greater vessels and moe in number wee feared least ye came to take our substance And I knowing my selfe nothing inferiour to any of my neyghbours would not permit any iniurie to be offered me and that he and his subiectes did estéeme themselues the most valiant of men of warre in all these parties and that none durste take away their goods women and children to be sacrificed by force wherevpon he thought to withstande those fewe Christians but quoth he I founde my selfe deceiued seeyng we could not kill any of your companye And likewise the brightnesse of youre weapons dyd blynde vs and the woundes you made were incurable But the noyse and lightning of your ordinance dyd more amase vs than either thunder-clappes or tempest and also the great spoyle that you made among vs therwith likewise your straunge horses made vs greatly to wonder to behold their open mouthes wee feared to be swallowed And then to consider their swiftnesse in running we knew no creature could escape them But the first horse that fought with vs put vs in marueylous feare being but one but when we espyed many then all oure helpe was past for we belieued that the horse and man was al one incorporate Hovv the Indians of Potonchan brake downe their Idols and worshipped Christ crucified WIth the relation of Tauasco Cortez sawe that the countrey was not for Spaniardes nor yet he toke it a thing conueniente to settle themselues where no golde nor siluer was or other riches And so pretended to passe forwardes to discouer westward the lande endewed with golde But before his departure he declared to those new conquered Indians that the Lord in whose name he and hys company had taken that iourney was king of Spayne and Emperour of Christians and the greatest Prince in the worlde vnto whom many kings and Princes dyd homage and obey And that hys rule and gouernemente in iustice proceeded from God beeing iust holy peaceable and sweete and also the Monarchie of the vniuersall did appertaine vnto him And for these causes he required them to yelde themselues as his subiectes And it they would doe so there shoulde ensue vnto them great profite lawes and pollicie And as touching their religion he declared their blindnesse greate abuses which they vsed in worshipping many Gods and in making sacrifice vnto them with mans blood yea thinking that those images and Idols did or coulde doe good or euill vnto them being duÌ„be without life or soule yea and the worke of their owne hands He certifyed them of one god maker of heauen and earth and all creatures whom the Christians did worshippe and serue and that all creatures ought to doe the same In conclusion with thys doctryne they brake downe their Idols and receyued the crosse Cortez hauing first declared vnto them the great miseries that the son of God suffered on the Crosse for mankynde And in the greatest temple of Potonchan set vp a Crosse in remeÌ„brance of the death of Christ
and assist him hauing néede of their helpe his thirde pretence was to procure all the Indians to be Christened the which purpose he tooke first in hand as a thing most nedeâ— full On the other side Mutezuma repented himselfe hauyng newes that Pamfilo de Naruaiz was arriued who came as enimy to Cortes yea and after all this he was at length driuen out of Mexico These notable things shal be reâ—ersed in their order But now Mutezuma came and desired Cortes to departe out of his countrey adnising hym that otherwise bothe be and his menne were in perill of killyng saying also that thrée especiall causes moued him to this requeste the one was the dayly sute of his subiectes who enportuned him to come out of captiuitie and to murder the Spanyardes saying that it was a great shame for them to suffer theyr Prince to bée in pryson in the power of so fewe straungers whom they might vse as a footebal hauing dishonored theÌ„ and robbed them of their goodes gatheryng and heaping vp their gold for themselues for their king who as séemed by their doings was but a poore fellowe and if hée would not accept their offer and sute that then of theyr owne auctoritie they would take the thyng in hande for so much as he refusing to be theyr king they woulde also refuse to be his vassals giuyng warnyng and aduice that he should looke for no better rewarde at the Spaniardes handes than Qualpopoca and Cacama his Neuewe had receiued although they shoulde flatter him neuer so muche An other cause was that the Diuell had appeared vnto him and willed him to kill those Christians or dryue them out of the lande threatnyng him that if he did not so that then he woulde goe from him and neuer talke any more with him for quoth he with their gospels baptisme and deuotion they doe muche displease me Mutezuma answered him that there was no reason to kill theÌ„ being his friendes and honest men but he would entreate them to departe vnto this the Diuell answered that hée should do so and therein he would receyue great pleasure for eyther he woulde goe his way and leaue him or else that Christian fellowes should departe for they sow here quoth he a Christian fayth y which is much against our ReligioÌ„ and can not dwell both togither Another cause was that Mutezuma was not well pleased with the imprysonment of Cacama whoÌ„ once he loued excedyng wel so in fine secretely hee repented him of all that was past in the Spanyardes fauour and chiefly by the persuasion of the Diuell who sayde that he coulde not doe vnto him a more acceptable seruice and of greater pleasure to the Goddes than to expell the Spaniardes and abolishe the name of Christians and in so doyng the seate of Kings should not finish in the linage of Culhua but rather be enlarged his childreÌ„ should raigne after him wishing him not to beléeue in prophesâ—es sithence the eight yeare was past and was nowe in the eyghtenth yeare of his raigne For these causes or possible for other whiche we knowe not off Mutezuma prepared an army of a hundred thousand men so secretely that Cortes knew not thereof to the effecte that if the Spanyardes woulde not departe being once more required that then he meant not to leaue one of them aliue With this determination he came for the one day into the yard or courte and had long conference and consultation with his Gentlemen aboute this matter This done he sente for Cortes who liked not this newes saying to him selfe I pray God this message be to good purpose and taking twelue of his men whych were readyest at hand went to know wherefore hée had sente for him Mutezuma arose from the place where hée sate and tooke Cortez by the hande commaunding a stoole to be brought for him and so sate them downe both togither and beganne his talke as followeth Sir I beséeche you to departe from this Citie and Countrey for my Gods are sore offended with me bycause I doe and haue permitted you héere so long demaunde of me what you please and it shall be giuen you bycause I loue you well and thinke you not that I giue you this warning in iest but rather in good earnest therefore it is conuenient that you depart It séemed strange vnto Cortez this talke Also he saw by the countenance of Mutezuma that some thing was a working and before the interpreter of Mutezuma had made an end of his talke Cortes willed one of his meÌ„ to goe forthwith and to aduise all his fellowes saying that the waight of their liues was in questioÌ„ Then our meÌ„ called to remembrance what was tolde them in Tlaxcallon considering that it was néedeful of courage and help from God to bring them out of that daunger WheÌ„ Mutezuma had ended his tale I haue quoth Cortes vnderstood your meaning and doe thanke you for the same also I would know when it is your pleasure that we should depart and it shal be done Euen when it please you quoth Mutezuma take the time that you thinke meete and againste that time will I prepare a hundred waighte of gold for you and fiftie pound waight to each of your meÌ„ Cortes sayde you knowe that when I came into thys Countrey I commaunded all my Shippes to be sonke so that nowe I haue neede of â—â—ne conueniente to builde vessels to earrie vs into oure Countrey wherefore my request is that you commaund some of your CarpeÌ„ters to be called to cutte downe timber for the purpose for I haue men that can make the vessels And this done wée will departe so that you giue vs the golde whiche you haue promised and certifie you the same to youre Gods and vassals Mutezuma receyued great pleasure at this aunswere and sayd your request shall be fulfilled and incontinente he sent for many Carpenters Likewise Cortes prepared certayne of his Marriners for Shipwrightes All the which workemen went vnto great woddes of Pinetrées and there cut downe the â—â—mber necessarye for the purpose Mutezumâ— being a simple man gaue credite to all Cortez his talke Cortes likewise aduertised his men of his procéedings and sayd vnto them Mâ—â—â—zuma would haue vs departe out of his Countrey bycause his vassals and the Diuell haâ—he entised him therevnto wherefore it is néedefull that we build shipping and therefore I praye you goe with these Indians and procure to cut downe the best timber fit for oure purpose and in tho 〈…〉 God will prouide for vs whose affayres wâ— haue 〈◊〉 in hand of remedie and succour in suthe sort thâ—â—ine lose not this frutefull countrey It is also necessary that wheÌ„ you come vnto the wodde that you make all the delay possible giuing a shew that you are busse occupyed and with great desire to make an ende that those Indians may suspect nothing of oure pretence Departe in Gods name and aduise me alwayes what doth passe in your affaires The feare
And commaunded that none of his men shoulde goe out of the house without his expresse licence vp◠payne of death The officers of the Lorte prepared a plenteous supper for them and beddyng according to their vse The talke that the Lorde of Zempoallan had with Cortez THe nexte day in the mornyng came the Lorde to visite Cortez with an honorable company and presented vnto him many garmēts wrought of Cottē wolle according to their fashion with a knot on the shoulder like vnto the Egiptian garments and certaine iewels of golde that might be worth two thousande Ducates besechyng both him and his cōpany to recreate themselues and take their reste and at that present he meante not to trouble him with any matters And so tooke his leaue for that time as he had done the day before willing him to demaunde and call for any thing that he should néede Cortez gaue him hartie thāks and so departed Then came moe Indians in number then were there Spaniardes with their courses seruice of meate ready dressed and many boughes of daintie fruits In this sorte they were feasted bāketed fiftene daies must plētuously The next day folowyng Cortez sent vnto the Spaniardes certaine olde garments of the Spanishe fashion and many other trifles besechyng him to appoynt a day of conserence at his owne pallayce worde was sent agayne that be was ready and very well contented Where vpon Cortez tooke with him fiftie of his men all armed and left the residue at his lodgyng in a good readinesse and appoynted an vnder Captayne to gouerne them The Lorde hearing of his comming came out of his Course into the streate to receyue him And hande in hand they entred togither into a lowe hall whiche they vse for the extremitie of heate in that countrey the plotte that they buylde vpon is raysed a fadome from the grounde so that they ascende vpon steppes and the walles plaistered with very white lime their tile is eyther of straw or leaues of trées very beautifull and straungely wrought and a good defence against the rayne The Lorde and Cortes satte them downe vpon thrée footed stooles made all of one péece the Lorde commaunded his seruitours to stande aside and by their interpreters they began to common of their affayres a great space in demaundes and answeres bicause Cortes desired to be well instructed of the affayres of that countrey and lykewise of that mightie kyng of Mutezuma This Cacike or Lord although he were huge and laden with fleshe yet in his demaundes and questions séemed very wise The summe of all Cortes his talke was to shewe the cause of his comming thither and who had sente him euen as he had done in Tabasco to Teudilli and others This Cacike after he had heard Cortes attentiuely he began a long communication makyng his complaynt and opening his griefe in this sorte MIghtie Sir my Antecessors liued a long tyme in great peace libertie and quietnesse but of late yéeres my countrey and Cittie was destroyed by tiranny bycause the Lordes of Mexico Tenuchtitlan with their men of Culhua did not only vsurpe my Citie but also my lands by force of armes in suche sorte that my power coulde not resiste them And in the beginnyng those Princes beganne theyr vsurpation by way and colour of religion and holinesse and afterwardes with force of armes and with this title became Lordes ouer vs. And nowe we seyng our errour haue thought it to late to preuayle agaynst them to take away our yoke of seruitude and bondage although we haue attempted it And as often as we haue so done still the victorie was theyrs and the ouerthrowe ours Nowe all suche as doe submitte themselues vnto them are taxed with certayne trioutes and reknowlegyng them for Lordes are defended by them and estéemed as friendes But if after such submission made any chaunce to speake agaynst them or rebell then they are terribly corrected yea murdered and after Sacrifice made to the Goddes of warre called Tezcatlipuca and Vitzilepuchtli of theyr carkasses then is theyr fleshe eaten in banquet and those who remayne alyue doe serue for slaues yea and the Fathers Mothers and Children are compelled to labour and toyle from the Sunne rising to the Sunne settyng with confiscation of all theyr goodes and landes And besides all this crueltie and vituperie they sende theyr officers and Serieantes to execute the premisses who without eyther pittie or mercie many tymes suffereth them to sterue with hunger And beyng thus cruelly punished of Mutezuma who nowe raigneth in Mexico who woulde not suffer to bée Vassall willingly to so good a Prince as you enformed me of the Emperour although it were but onely to bée frée from suche vexation and robbery whiche suche a mighty King coulde doe And with these wordes the teares gusshed out of his eyes and pawsing a whyle he beganne to extoll the strength magnificence and situation of Mexico planted in a greate lake of water also he exalted the riches courte Maiestie and mightie power of Mutezuma Hée sayde also howe Tlaxcallan Huexocinco and other prouinces thereaboute as also the people called Totonaquez of the Mountaynes were of contrary opinion to the Mexicans yea enimies vnto them who had intelligence what had happened in Tauasco Yea sir quoth hée if it please you I will treate suche a compact with this people that Mutezuma with al his power shall not preuayle agaynst vs. Cortes reioyced in harte to heare this newes and sayde vnto him It grieueth mée to heare of the euill vsage of Mutezuma towarde his countrey and subiectes But I assure you with Gods helpe I will deliuer you yea and reuenge all your iniuries for my commyng hither is to take away all euill customes and to helpe the oppressed to fauour the prysoner and comforte the afflicted and chiefly to abolishe tyrannie And for the good entertaynement that I haue receyued at your handes I doe remayne yours to doe you any pleasure and to defende you agaynst your enimies and the lyke will I doe for your friendes wherefore I pray you aduertise them thereof as many as are of our confederacie Cortes then tooke hys leaue saying that he had bene many dayes there and that he had greate néede to goe visite his shippes and menne who muche desired his returne and abode in Aquiahuiztlan where hée meante to soiourne for a certayne season and from thence dayly they mighte conferre of their affayres The Lorde of Zempoallan sayde that if it pleased hym to abyde with him hée woulde gladly accept it and if his businesse were suche that he might not that then he besought him to remember him Then the Lorde commaunded eyght maydens to be called who were very well apparelled after theyr maner theyr attyre was muche lyke the Morisca fashion the one of them was more costely apparelled than the others and sayde vnto Cortes all these maydens whiche you here sée are Gentlewomen noble and riche and this mayden whiche is beste
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
wounde it so festereth that it is almost incurable Theyr swordes are of woodde and the edge thereof is flint stone inclosed or ioyned into a staffe with a certaine kynde of glew whiche is made of a roote called Zacolt and Teuxalli whiche is a kinde of strong sande whereof they make a mixture and after kneade it with bloud of Battes or Rearemice and other foule which doth glewe maruelous strong and lightly neuer vncleaueth of this stuffe they make nayles pearcers ogars wherwith they bore timber stone with theyr swordes they cut speares yea and a horse necke at a blowe and make dentes into iron whiche séemeth a thing vnpossible and incredible In the Citie no man may weare weapon but onely in warres huntyng and among the kings Guarde The Gardens of Mutezuma BEsides the foresayde houses hée had many others for hys onely recreation and passetyme with excellent fayre gardens of medicinall hearbes swéete floures and trées of delectable sauour whiche were many and a thing to gyue prayse to God the maker and creator of all In that Garden were a thousande personages made and wrought artificially of leaues and flowers Mutezuma woulde not permitte that in this Garden shoulde be any kynde of potte Hearbes or thyngs to be solde saying that it dyd not appertayne to Kings to haue thyngs of profite among theyr delytes and pleasures for suche thyngs sayde hée dyd appertayne to Merchants Yet notwithstanding he had Orchards with many and sundry fruites but they stoode farre from the Cittie and whyther seldome times hee wente he had likewise out of Mexico pleasaunte houses in wooddes and forrestes of greate compasse enuyroned with water in the which he hadde fountaynes riuers pondes with fishe warrantes of Conneys rockes couert where were Harts Buckes Hares Foxes Wolues and such like with wildernesse for euery sort To these places the Lords of Mexico vsed to goe and sporte themselues suche and so manye were the houses of Mutezuma wherein fewe Kings were equall with him The court and Guarde of Mutezuma HE had dayly attending vppon hym in hys priuye garde sixe hundred noble men and gentlemen and eche of them thrée or foure seruants and some hadde twenty seruaunts or moe according to his estate and in this maner he had thrée thousand men attendant in his court and some affirm more al the which were fed in his house of the meate that came from his table The seruing men alwayes abode belowe in the court all the daye and wente not from thence tyll after Supper It is to be thought that his Guard was the greater bycause the straungers were there although in effecte of troth it is most certayne that all the Lords that are vnder the Mexicall Empire as they say are thirtie persons of high estate who are able to make each of them a hundred thousand men There are thrée thousand Lordes of Townes who haue many vassals These noble menne did abide in Mexico certayne tyme of the yeare in the Court of Mutezuma and could not departe from thence without especiall licence of the Emperoure leauing each of them a sonne or brother behinde them for securitie of Rebellion and for this cause they had generally houses in the Citie such and so great was the court of Mutezuma The great subiection of the Indians to their King. THere is not in all the dominions of Mutezuma any subiect that payeth not tribute vnto him The noblemen paye theyr tribute in personall seruice The husbādmen called Maceualtin with body goodes In this sort they are eyther tenauntes or else heyres to their possessions Those which are heyres do pay one third part of all their fruite and commoditie that they doe reape or bring vp as Dogges Hennes Foule Conyes Gold Siluer Stones Salt Waxe Honey Mantels Feathers Cotten and a certayne fruite called Cacao that serueth for money and also to eate Also all kinde of grayne and garden Herbes and fruites whereof they do maynteyne themselues The Tenantes doe paye monethly or yearely as they can agrée and bycause their tribute is greate they are called slaues for when they maye haue licence to eate egges they thinke it a greate fauour It was reported that they were taxed what they shoulde eate and all the residue was taken from them They went very poorely clothed yea and the most of their treasure was an earthē potte wherein they boyled theyr herbes a couple of Milstones to grinde their Corne and a matte to lye vppon They did not onely pay this rente and tribute but also serued with their bodyes at all times when the great King should commaunde They were in such great subiectiō to their prince that they durst not speake one word although their daughters shoulde be taken from them to be vsed at their pleasure It was reported that of euerye thrée sonnes they deliuered one to be sacrifised but the report was false for if it had bin true the Townes had not bin so replenishēd with people as they were and also the noble men did not eate mans flesh but only of those whiche were sacrifised and they were slaues or prisoners taken in the warres Assuredly they were cruell butchers and slewe yearely for that bloudy sacrifice many menne and some children but not so many as was reported All the aforesayde rentes they brought to Mexico vpon theyr backes and in boates I meane so much as was necessary for the prouision of the house and Courte of Mutezuma all the residue was spente among souldyers and bartred for golde plate precious stones and other riche Iewels estéemed of Princes all the whiche was broughte to the treasory In Mexico was large and greate barnes and houses to receyue and keepe the Corne for prouision of the Citie with officers and vnderofficers who did receyue the same and kepte accompte thereof in bookes of paynted figures Also in euerye Towne was a receyuer who bare in his hand a rodde or a bushe of feathers and those gaue vp their accomptes in Mexico If any such had bin taken with deceypt and falsehoode death was his reward yea and his kinred punished with penalties as of a lignage of a Traytor to his Prince The Husbandmenne if they payd not well their tribute were apprehended for the same and if they were founde to bée poore through sicknesse and infirmitie then they were borne withall but if they were found to be lazie and slouthfull they should be vsed accordingly but in conclusion if they payde it not at a daye appoynted then they shoulde bée solde for slaues to pay their dette or else be sacrificed There were many other prouinces whiche paid a certayne portion and reknowledged seruice but this tribute was more of honor than profite In this sort Mutezuma had more than sufficiente to prouide his house warres and to heape vp great store in his treasory Moreouer he spente nothing in the buildings of his houses for of long time he had certayne townes that payd no other tribute but only to worke and
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
appoynted that when one skull falleth to set vp another in his place so that the number may neuer want Hovv Cortez tooke Mutezuma prisoner HErnando Cortez and his companye were sixe dayes in beholding and perusing the scituatien of the Citie and secretes of the same with the notable thinges before rehearsed they were often visited by Mutezuma the Gentlemen of hys Courte and abundantly prouided of things necessarye for his vse and the Indians of his company Likewise his Horses were cherished and serued with gréene barley and grasse whereof there is plentie all the yeare Likewise of corne meale roses and of all thynges that their owners would request in so much that beddes of floures were made for them in place of litter But yet notwithstanding although they were in this sorte cherished and also lodged in so riche a Countrey where they mighte fyll their purses they were not yet all contente and merrie but rather with great feare and care especially Cortes who hadde the onely care as head and chiefe Captayne for the defence of hys fellowes hée I saye was pensiue noting the scituation of the Citie the infinite number of people the state and maiestie of Mexico yea and some disquietnesse of hys owne companye who woulde come and laye vnto hys charge the snare and nette that they were in thynkyng it a thyng vnpossible that anye of them coulde escape if Mutezuma were therevnto determined or else with the least muteny in the worlde that mought be raysed in the Citie although that euery inhabitant shoulde throw but one stone at them or else to breake vp the drawbridges or withdrawing their victuals things verye easie to bée done With this greate care that he had of the preseruation of his fellowes and to remedie the perill and daunger that he stoode in he determined to appreheÌ„d Mutezuma and to builte foure Foystes to haue the lake in subiection which he hadde tofore ymagined and without the apprehension of the King he coulde not come by the Kingdome he would very gladly haue buylt the Foystes out of hand but he left off that pretence only bycause he would not delay the emprisonment of Mutezuma wherein consisted the effect of all his businesse so that forthwith he minded to put in execution his intent without gyuing any of his company to vnderstand thereof The quarrell wherewith he had armed himselfe for that purpose was that the Lorde Qualpopoca hadde slayne nine Spanyardes likewise encouraged him the greate presumption of his letters written to the Emperour Charles his king wherein he wrote that he would take Mutezuma prisoner and dispossesse him of his Empyre These causes considered he tooke the letters of Pedro Hircis wherein was written howe Qualpopoca was the cause of the death of nine Spanyardes and put those letters into his pocket and walking vp and downe his lodging tossyng too and fro these ymaginations in his brayne full of care of the great enterprise that he had in hande yea he hymselfe iudging the matter doubtfull and his head béeyng in this sort occupyed he chanced to espye one wall more whiter than the rest and beholding the same he sawe that it was a dore lately dammed vp callyng vnto him two of his seruaunts for all the residue were asléepe bycause it was late in the nighte he opened that dore and went in and there found sundry halles some with Idols some with gallant feathers Iewels precious stones plate yea and such an infinite quantitie of golde that the sight thereof amazed him and other gallant things that made him to maruell He shutte thys dore agayne as well as he moughte withoute touching any part of that treasure bycause he woulde not make any vprore therabout nor yet to delay the emprisonment of Mutezuma for that treasure was alwayes there to be had The nexte daye in the morning came certayne Spanyardes vnto hym and manye Indians of Tlaxcallon saying that the Citizens did goe about to conspire their deathe and to breake downe the bridges of the calseys to bryng their purpose the better to passe So that with this newes béeyng true or false Cortes left the one halfe of his men to defende and keepe his lodging and at euery crosse stéete he planted me and the residue he sent to the Court by two and two and thrée and three and he hymselfe came to the pallaice saying that he must talke wyth Mutezuma of matters that did emport their liues Cortes was secretely armed Mutezuma hearyng howe Cortez attended for hym came forth and receyued him taking him by the hand and placed him in his seate Thirtie Spanyardes wayted vpon Cortez and the residue aboue without at â—he dore Cortez saluted Mutezuma according to his accustomed manner and began to iest and talke merily as hée was wont to do Mutezuma beeyng carelesse of the thing that Fortune hadde prepared agaynste hym was also very merrie 〈◊〉 pleased with that conuersation He gaue vnto Cortez Iewels of golde and one of his daughters and other noble mens daughters to others of his company Cortes receyued the gift for otherwise it hadde bin a frent vnto Mutezuma But yet he enformed him that he was a married man and that he coulde not merrie with his daughter for the Christian law did not permitte the same nor yet that any Christian inought haue more than one wife vppon payne of infamy and to be marked in the forehead After all this talke ended Cortez tooke the letters of Pedro Hircio and caused them to be interpreted vnto Mutezuma makyng hys grieuous complaynte agaynste Qualpopoca who hadde slayne so many Spanyardes through hys commaundement yea and that his subiectes had published that they woulde kill the Spanyardes and breake downe the bridges Mutezuma excused himselfe earnestly as well of the one as of the other saying the report giuen out agaynste hys subiectes was false and vntrue and as for Qualpopoca who had slayne the Spanyardes he was innocent thereof and bycause that he shoulde sée the troth he called incontinent certayne of his seruauntes commaunding theÌ„ to goe for Qualpopoca and gaue vnto them his seale whiche was a stone that he ware at his wrest engraued with the figure of the God Vitzilopuchtli and the messengers departed therewith incontinent Cortez replyed and sayd My Lord your highnesse must goe with me to my lodging and there abide vntill youre messengers returne with Qualpopoca and the certaynâ—tie of the deathe of my men In my lodging youre highnesse shall rule and commaund as you do héere in Court your person shall bée well vsed wherefore take you no care for I will haue respecte vnto youre honor as to myne owne proper or the honor of my 〈…〉 you to pardon me in this my request for if I shoulde doe otherwise and dissemble with you mine own company would be offended with me saying that I doe not defende them according to duetie Wherefore commaund your householde seruauntes to repose themselues without alteration for be you assured that
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
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