they were not accustomed to pay of whiche number their Lorde of Zempoallan was one of them and other his neyghbours who many tymes helde him warre to be frée from his tiranny and bondage but yet sayde they it preuayled not for his hoste was greate and his warriers valiant Cortez receyued greate pleasure to finde in that countrey dissention and discorde among some Noble menne and at deuision among themselues thynking thereby the better to bryng his purpose to passe He gaue thanks vnto those Indians for their aduise offeryng vnto them his fauour helpe and friendshippe praying them to come often to his campe and so tooke his leaue of them with his commendations to their Lorde and sente him certayne presents with aduertisement that shortly he would come and sée him yea and also serue him Hovv Cortez vvent to suruey the Countrey with foure hundreth men AT the ende of tenne dayes came Teudilli backe againe and brought certaine cloth of Cotton and other things made of feathers well wrought for recompence of the thyng sente vnto Mexico And warned Cortez to departe for at that tyme there was no remedie to sée Mutezuma and to looke what was necessary for his prouision and furniture and it shoulde be prouided offeryng the same seruice at any time that hée shoulde happen to come that way Cortez would not accept the offer saying That he would not departe from that countrey vntill he had bothe séene and talked with Mutezuma The gouernour Teudilli yet agayne replied that he shoulde not contende therein and with those wordes departed from hym The nexte night followyng be with all those Indians as well men as women whiche attended to serue and prouide the Spanishe campe wente from thence so that in the mornyng all the cotages were emptie where those seruitors had bene Cortez suspecting this alteratiō prouided himselfe with preparation for battayle finding the matter contrary to his expectation he deliberated to séeke a sure roade or harbor for his nauie also a good plotte or situation to buylde vpon for then he fully meant to obtayne perpetuitie to conquere the lande considering that he had found such great tokens of gold plate other riches there aboute within a whole league cōpasse was no fit place for the purpose for why all was sandy ground such as tossed too fro with the winde with other morish groūd not méete for habitation In consideration wherof he sent Francisco de Monteio with two vergantines and fiftie men to runne along the coast vntill they should finde some reasonable poart and good scituation to build vpon Monteio procéeded on his voyage and sayled in sighte of lande vntill he came to Panuco withoute finding anye port or harbor sauing the shadowe of a Rocke whyche stoode somewhat distant from the land a sea boord so that at thrée wéekes ende he returned backe agayne with the foresayde newes Hauing runne so little a way he fell into suche terrible currants that although he made waye wyth oares and sayles yet the sayde Currant forced hym backe agayne Also he broughte newes that the Indians of that coast did let themselues bloud offering the same vnto them vpon little strawes in token of friendship or deitie The relation of Monteio contented not Cortez yet notwithstandyng he pretended to goe to the shade or succoure of the Rocke bycause hée was enformed that néere that place was two fayre Riuers wyth store of wooddes necessarye for tymber and fyre woodde greate quantitie of stones to builde with fayre pastures and ground for tyllage although the harbour was not sufficiente for hys Nauie and contratation bycause that roade was without defence and open vppon the Northe which is the winde that most ruleth with greatest hurte vpon that coast And also considering that Teudilli and hys menne were departed fearing also the want of victuals and likewise that hys Shyppes myghte perishe vppon the shore he commaunded to lade aboorde all theyr stuffe and hée wyth foure hundred menne and all his Horses followed on the hygh way that the Indians hadde gone After hée hadde iourneyed thrée leagues hée came to a fayre vadeable Riuer and passing ouer the Riuer hée found a towne not inhabited for the inhabitantes thereof were fledde with feare he entred into a great house which séemed the place of the Lorde of the Towne built with timber and earthen walles the foundation whereof was raysed with handie worke about a fadome high the roofe was couered with strawe but of a fayre strange workemanshippe inwardes with many greate pertitions some full of pottes of honey and Maiz with other grayne whiche they kéepe in store all the yeare other roomes had cloth of Cotten wool wrought with feathers golde and siluer Cortez commaunded Proclamation to be made that none of his company shoulde take any thyng away vppon payne of deathe onely victuals excepted to the intente to obtayne the good will and friendship among the Indians There was in that Village a Temple whiche hadde a little Tower with a Chappell on the toppe and twentie steppes to come vnto the Chappell where they found some Idolles and many bloudy papers and much mans bloud of those which hadde bin sacrificed as Marina dyd certifie They found also the blocke where vppon they vsed to cutte open the menne sacrificed and the razors made of Flint wherewyth they opened their breastes and plucked out their heartes béeyng aliue throwing them vppe toward Heauen as an offering and after this done they annoynted their Idolles and the papers they offered and then burned them This sight put a great compassion yea and a feare among our Spanyards who did beholde these things From this Village they went to other thrée or foure and found none aboue two hundred houses and all without people yet well prouided with victuall as the firste towne was Cortez returned from thence to discharge his Shippes and to take order to sende for moe men and with desire to beginne habitation in these affaires he occupyed hymselfe tenne dayes Hovv Cortez rendred vp his charge and office with pollicie WHen Cortes was come where his Ships were and the residue of his company hée began this talke saying Now my louing friends and fellowes ye doe sée what greate mercy God hathe shewed vnto vs in bringing vs safe and in health to so good and riche a Countrey as by manifest signes and tokens we haue alreadye séene yea and howe plentifull of meate inhabited of people better clothed and of more iudgement and reason than the others whiche ye haue séene since your firste comming also better buildings fieldes of grayne and corne yea and it is to be thought that the things not yet séene doe surmount all that hithervnto ye haue playnely séene Wherefore wée ought to giue most hartie thankes vnto God and to beginne oure habitation héere whereas we shall enioy the grace and mercy of god And to bryng this matter to passe me thinke best that we abide héere vntill we may finde
certayne number of his mē to goe a land to a Towne which was néere the place where they were arriued and they foūd the towne wrought with Masons worke and good building but they founde no creature therein yet in some houses they foūd cloth made of cottē woll and certaine Iewels of gold Also they entred into a high tower made of stoneworke néere the sea side and there they founde nothing but Idols of earth and stone With this newes they returned to Cortez and enformed him what they had séene and also many faire sowē fields of Maiz and great store of hiues of Bées and many trées of fruites and also presented vnto him the gold and other things that they had foūd Cortez reioyced with the newes but yet maruelled that the people were fledde considering that when Grijalua was there they had not so done wherby he iudged that his nauie béeyng greater caused them to feare and flie and likewise he feared least a snare were prepared for him Then he cōmanded to vnship his Horses for thrée causes the one to discouer the Countrey and the other to fight if néede were and also to grase thē hauing there abūdance Also he vnshipped his mē of warre and sent them to discouer the land And in the thickest of the Mountaynes they found four women and thrée childrē whome they brought to Cortez so that not vnderstanding their language by signes tokens they ymagined that one of thē was the mother to the children mistresse to the other women The pore creatures bewayled theyr captiuitie Cortez made muche of them apparrelled the mistresse as wel as he might with Spanish attire and to hir scruants he gaue loking glasses and sissers and to the little children other toyes to play withall vsing no dishonestie towards thē And thē he determined to send one of the wenches to call hir maister and to enforme him how well they were intreated In this meane season came certaine spies lurking a farre off by the cōmandement of their Lord who was called Calachuni to bring newes of his wife what else passed Cortez receyued them gētly gaue vnto them certayne trifles and sent others to their Lord and returned thē with embassage on his behalfe his wiues to desire hym to come vnto him and to sée those folke from whome he had fledde promising that neyther his person nor none of his countrey should receyue anye molestation of him nor of any of his company Calachuni vnderstāding this friendshippe and also with the loue hée bare to his wife and childrē came the next day following with all the Townesmen in whose houses the Spanyards were lodged who woulde not permitte that their guestes should giue place And the Lorde commaunded that they should be wel entertayned and frō that day forward prouided them of bread fishe honey fruite Calachuni spake and saluted Cortez with greate humilitie and ceremonie and euen so was he louingly receyued wel entertained Cortez did then declare vnto him the commoditie that would ensue vnto him by that nation And also presented vnto him his cōpany many toyes which were vnto thē of small valewe but muche estéemed among them yea more than golde And moreouer Cortez cōmaunded that all the golde and other things that his men had taken in the Towne shoulde be broughte before him and placed it so that euery Indian knewe his owne and was restored vnto them whereat they were not a little ioyfull wondering at the liberalitie of the straungers and departed both merrie and riche with their straunge giftes and went throughout al the Iland shewing to their fellowes their presentes commaunding them in the name of Calachuni their Lord to returne euery man to his house with their wiues and children commending highly the honest and gentle nature of the straungers With this newes and commaundemente euery man returned to his house and Towne from whence he had fledde And after thys sort their feare was past and they prouided the Camp abundantly of honey bread waxe fishe and frute all the time that they abode in that Iland The Indians of Acusamil gaue nevves to Cortez of certaine bearded men NOw Cortez seeing these Indians quiet and wel pleased and also very seruiceable he did determyne to take away theyr Idols and to giue them a remembraunce of Iesu Christ borne of the Virgin Mary by one Melchior a fisherman and very rustical who had bin ther before with Francisco Hernandez de Cordoua who declared vnto them that Cortez his Lord and captaine would enforme them of a better god and better lawes than those which they maintained The Indians answered that they were contented therewith and went with them vnto their temples and there brake downe their Idols and celebrated diuine seruice teaching them to adore and worshippe Christ crucifyed so that they were verye attentiue to the doctrine and ceased sacrifise of men which they were wōt to vse These Indians did wonder much at the shippes and horses yea and marueyled as muche at our colour and beardes so that many times they would come and féele them and signifyed vnto them by signes and tokens towardes Yucatan that there were fiue or sixe bearded men Then Cortez considering how profitable it wold be to haue an interpreter to vnderstand and to be vnderstood he besought Calachuni that he would appoint a messenger to carrye a letter to the bearded men who were in the power of a great Lord and Tyrant and Calachuni found none that durst take that iourney in hand fearing that they should be slaine and eaten Cortez seing this entreated with faire words thrée of the Indians that serued him to accept the iourney and gaue thē rewards for theyr labour yet the Indians excused them saying that they should be slayne notwithstanding with faire promises and rewardes they accepted the voyage so that Cortez wrote with them this letter following WOrshipful sirs I departed from Cuba with cleuen saile in my fléete furnished with fiue hundred and fiftie Spaniardes and I arriued here at Acusamil from whence I write you this letter The people of this Ilād haue certifyed me that there is in that countrey fiue or sixe bearded men and in al pointes like vnto vs they can not here enforme me of anye other signes or tokens but hereby I do coniecture and certainely beleue that ye be Spaniards Both I and these gentlemen of my company do come to discouer and inhabit this land we hartily pray you that within sixe days after the receite hereof ye come vnto vs without any excuse or delay and if ye so doe al we of this nauie wil gratifye your gentlenesse good seruice that ye shal do vnto vs I do send you a Vergantyn wherin you may come two shippes for your safeconduct Hernando Cortez THis letter being written there was found an inconuenience which was they knew not how to carrye the letter so secretly that it might not be séene they taken
he married with a rich gentlewoman of that countrey by whom he hath children and is made a Captaine and wel estéemed with the Cazike for the victories that he hath had in the wars against the other Lords I sent vnto him your worships letter desiring him that he would come with me hauing so fit a passage but he refused my request I belieue for verye shame bycause hee had his nose ful boared of holes his eares sagged hys face handes painted according to the vse of the countrey or else he abode there for the loue he bare to his wife and children All those whiche stoode by hard this Historie were amased to heare Geronimo de Aguilar report howe those Indians did sacrifise eate mans flesh They also lamented the miserie death of his fellowes and highly praysed God to sée him frée frō his bondage from such cruel barbarous people to haue likewise so good an enterpreter with thē for vndoubtedly it semed a miracle y Aluarados ship fel into a leak for with the extremity they returned back again to that Iland wheras with contrarie winde they were constrayned to abide the cōming of Aguilar And certainly he was y mean speech of al their procéedings And therfore haue I bin so prolixious in the rehearsal of this matter as a notable point of this historie Also I wil not let to tell how the mother of Geronimo de Aguilar became mad c. When she hard the hir son was captiue among people the vsed to eate mās flesh euer after whē she saw any flesh spitted or roasted she would make an open outcrie saying oh I miserable woman behold this is the flesh of my deare beloued sonne who was all my comfort The Iland of Acusamil THe Indians naturall of that countrey do cal their Ilande Acusamil corruptlye Cosumel Iohn de Grijalua was that first Spaniard that apported there and named it the holy Roode bycause hee fell in sighte therof on holy roade daye It cōtayneth ten leagues in length thrée leagues in breadth although some say more some lesse it standeth twentye degrées on this side the equator and fiue leagues from the womēs cape it hath thrée villages in the which liueth nere thousand mē The houses are of stone and brick and couered with straw bowes some with tile Their temples and towers are made of lime stone very wel built thei haue no other fresh water but out of welles and raine water Calachuni is their chiefe Lord they are browne people goe naked if any weare cloth it is made of cotten wool only to couer their priuie mēbers they vse lōg hear platted bound about their foreheads they are great fishermē so the fish is their chiefest foode sustenance they haue also Maiz which is for bread also good fruites hony but somewhat soure and plots for bées which contayn 1000 hiues They knew not to what vse wax serued but whē they saw our mē make cādels therof they wōdred therat Their dogges haue Foxe faces and barke not these they gelde and fatten to eate This Iland is ful of high moūtaines at the feete of them good pastures many Deare and wilde Boares Connyes and Hares but they are not great The Spaniardes with their handguns and crossebowes prouide them of that victual fresh salt and dried The people of this Iland are Idolaters they doe sacrifice children but not manye And many times in stead of children they sacrifice dogges They are poore people but very charitable and louing in their false religion and beliefe The religion of the people of Acusamil THe temple is like vnto a square Toure broad at the foote steps round about it from the middest vpward very straight the top is hollow couered with straw it hath foure windowes with frontals and galleries In that holow place is their chappel wheras their Idols do stand The temple that stoode by the sea side was such a one in the which was a maruellous straunge Idol and differed muche from all the rest although they haue manye and of diuerse fashions The body of this Idol was great and hollow and was fastened in that wall with lime hee was of earth And behinde this Idols backe was the Vesterie where was kept ornaments other things of seruice for the temple The priests had a little secret dore hard adioyning to the Idol by which dore they crept into the hollow Idol and answered the people that came with prayers peticiōs And with this deceit the simple soules beleued al that the Idol spake honored the god more thā al the rest with many perfumes swéete smelles and offered bread and fruite with sacrifice of Quayles bloud and other birds and dogges and sometime mans bloud And through the fame of this Idoll and Oracle many Pilgrimes came to Acusamil from many places At the foote of this Temple was a plotte like a Churchyard well walled and garnished with proper pinnacles in the middest whereof stoode a Crosse of ten foote long the which they adored for God of the rayne for at all times whē they wanted rayne they would goe thither on Procession deuoutely and offered to the Crosse Quayles sacrificed for to appease the wrath that the God séemed to haue agaynste them and none was so acceptable a sacrifice as the bloud of that little birde They vsed to burne certaine swéete gūme to perfume that God withall and to be sprinckle it with water and this done they beléeued assuredly to haue rayne Suche is the Religiō of those Indians of Acusamil They could neuer know the original how that God of Crosse came amōgst them for in all those parties of India there is no memorie of anye Preaching of the Gospell that had bin at any time as shall be shewed in another place The Battell and vvinning of Potenchan COrtez procéeded with his Fléete very ioyfull bycause he had found one of his Ships which hée thought had bin lost aported at the riuer de Grijalua whiche in the Indian tong is called Tauases and anckred at the riuers mouth fearing to enter in with the bigger vessels ouer the barre and incontinente came manye Indians to gaze at them and theyr Shippes who were armed with feathers and suche lyke armour as they vse séeming a farre off trimme fellowes They wondered not muche to sée oure Shyppes and menne bycause they hadde séene before Iohn de Grijalua in the same Riuer The behauiour of that people and scituation of the Countrey liked Cortez verye well so that leauyng sufficiente garde in hys Shyppes he manned hys Vergantynes and Boates and carried with hym certayne pieces of Ordinance and with force of oares he entred the Riuer agaynste the streame whiche was verye greate and hauyng rowen little more than halfe a league they espyed a greate Towne walled wyth Timber and the houses made of mudwall couered with strawe The Towne wall was verye
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
Haberdashe wares whiche was highly estéemed of him The talke of Cortez vvith Teudilli AL the former talke was had without an Interpreter bycause Ieronimo de Aguillar vnderstoode not thys language bycause it differed muche from the spéeche of the other Indians whereas hée hadde bin captiue for whyche cause Cortez was somewhat carefull bicause he would largely haue discoursed with Teudilli It chanced that among those twentie women giuen hym in Potonchan one of them stoode talking with a seruaunte of Teudilli bycause she vnderstoode them as menne of hir owne language Cortez espying this called hir aside and promised hir more than libertie so that she woulde bée a trustie and faithfull interpreter betwixte hym and those Indians and that hée woulde estéeme hir as his Secretarie And further demanded of hir of what lignage she was then she aunswered that she was naturall of the Countrey that bordered vpō Xalixco and of a towne called Viluta daughter vnto riche parentes and of the kinrede of the Lorde of that lande And béeyng a little girle certayne Merchantes dyd steale hir away in tyme of warre and brought hir to be solde at the fayre of Xicalanco whyche is a greate Towne néere Coasaqualco not farre distant from Tauasco and after this forte shée came to the power of the Lord of Potonchan This woman was Christened Marina She and hir fellowes were the firste Christians baptised in all the newe Spayne and she onely with Aguilar were Interpreters betwixt the Indiās and our men Nowe Cortez béeyng assured of hys true Interpreters hée celebrated hys accustomed deuine seruice and Teudilli wyth hym and after they hadde dyned in Cortez hys Tente in presence of many Spanyardes and Indians Cortez enformed Teudilli howe that hée was vassall to the Lord Charles of Austria Emperour of the Christiās and Kyng of Spayne and Lorde ouer a greate parte of the worlde whome great Kings and Princes dyd serue and obey and that all Princes were glad to bée hys friendes for his Vertue and myghte And hée hauyng aduertisemente of that Countrey and Lorde thereof had sente him thyther to visite hym on hys behalfe and to enforme hym of certayne secrete matters the effecte whereof he hadde in wrytyng Sir quoth Teudilli I am very glad to heare the Maiestie and Vertue of the Emperoure youre maister but you shall vnderstande that my Lorde the Emperoure Melzuma is as greate and as good a Prince as he And I doe muche maruell that there shoulde hée anye so greate a Prince in the whole worlde but yet according to youre request I wyll certifye hym and knowe hys pleasure for I trust quoth he in the clemencie of my Prince that youre newes and message shall hée acceptable vnto him and you well recompensed for your paynes Cortez then commaunded al his men to set themselues in order of battayle with pife and drumme and to skirmishe before Teudilli And that the horsemen shoulde runne and the ordinaunce shotte of to the entent that Mutezuma shoulde be aduertised thereof The Indians did much beholde the gesture apparell and beardes of our men they wdndered to sée the horses runne they feared the brightnesse of the swordes and at the noyse of the ordinaunce they fell flatte to the ground thinking that the heauens did fall And the shippes they held opinion was the God of the ayre called Quezalcoual◠whiche came with the temples on his backe for they dayly looked for him Teudilli dispatched the poste to Mexico to Mutezuma aduising him of all that he had séene and demaunded golde of him for to giue vnto the Captayne of that newe people Bicause Cortez had inquired of him whether Mutezuma had gold or no he answered yes mary quoth Cortez I and my fellowes haue a certayne disease of the harte and golde helpeth vs This message wente from the campe to Mexico in one day and a night whiche is 210 myle and the poste caried paynted the horses and horsemen vpon them the maner of theyr armour and howe many péeces of ordinaunce they had what number of bearded men there were and as for the shippes he had giuē aduise as soone as they arriued shewing the greatnesse and quantitie of them All these things aforesayde Teudilli caused to be paynted in cloth of Cotton very liuely that Mutezuma mought sée it The cause that this message wente so farre in so shorte a space was they had certayne places that postes attended as we may say horsepostes which gaue alwayes from hand to hande the paynted cloth they doe runne on foote faster in this forte then by horsepost and is more of antiquitie than horsepost Also Teudilli sent to Mutezuma the garments many other things whiche Cortez had giuen him whiche things were afterwardes founde in the treasorie of Mutezuma The present and ansvvere that Mutezuma sente vnto Cortez AFter the message sente and the answere promised Teudilli tooke his leaue and within twoo flight shoote of Cortez his campe he caused a thousande cotages of boughes to be made lefte there twoo principall men as Captaynes ouer two thousande persons men and women and then departed for Cotosta hys dwellyng place The twoo Captaynes had charge to prouide the Christians of all things necessarie and the women serued to grynde their corne and make bread of Maiz and to dresse theyr fishe and flesh and other victuals and the men serued to carrie the dressed meate to the Christians cāpe and wood water grasse for the horses and al other necessaries and this they passed eight dayes In this meane season returned the poste with a riche and gentle present whiche was many couerlets and clothes of cotton white and of other colours wrought many tuffes of feathers very fayre and some things wrought with golde and fethers quantitie of Iewels and péeces of golde and siluer twoo thinne whéeles the one of siluer whiche wayde 25. markes with the signe of the Moone and the other whéele of golde which wayed a hundreth markes made like vnto the Sunne with many leaues and beasts a very curious péece of worke these two things they helde for Gods in that countrey giueth thē the colours of the metall that is likest thē euery whéele was two yardes a half broade and so proportionally in compasse round aboute this present was estéemed at 20900. Ducates This present shold haue bene giuen to Grijalua if he had not so soone departed as the Indians reported He also gaue vnto Cortez this answere that Mutezumas his Lorde was very gladde to know to be friend to suche a mighty Prince as the king of Spayne was and that in his time should arriue in his countrey such new people the like neuer séene before that he was readie to shew them al pleasure honour requesting him to sée what things he stoode in néede of for y time that he meant to abide there as well for himselfe as for his ships army and deceasse and it should be prouided abundantly yea
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
attired is a Lady of Vassals and my brothers daughter I doe presente hyr vnto you meaning that Cortes shoulde marrie with hyr and the others you may bestow vpon the Gentelmen in your company in a token of perpetuall loue and friendship Cortes receyued the presente with thankes bycause he woulde not offende the giuer thereof And so departed with their women ridyng behinde them with many Indian women to wayte vpon them and many Indian men to beare them company and to puruey all things necessarie Things that happened to Cortez in Chiauiztlan THe same day that they departed frō Zempoallan they came to Chiauiztlan and yet the shippes were not arriued Cortes marueyled at their long tarying in so shorte a iourney there was a village within shotte of a hargabushe from the rocke called Chiauiztlan standyng vpon a litle hill Cortes hauing little to do went thither with his men and the Indians of Zempoallan who certified Cortes that the village was appertayning to a Lorde oppressed by Mutezuma They came to the foote of the hill without sighte of any man of the towne excepte twoo that Marina vnderstoode not and going vp the hill the horsemen to fauour their horses would alight bicause the ascending was cragged and euill way Cortes commaunded that they shoulde not alight bycause the Indians shoulde thinke that there was no place highe nor lowe but that these horses shoulde and coulde come vnto it So by litle and litle they came into the towne and finding no creature there they feared some deceyte yet approchyng further they mette with twelue auncient men whiche brought with them an interpreter who vnderstoode the languague of Culhua and the speache of that place whiche is the language of the Totonaquez or inhabitauntes of the Mountaynes These auncient menne declared that the cause of theyr goyng out of the towne was bycause that they had neuer séene anye such men as the Spaniardes were nor yet heard that any such had passed that way wherefore with feare they had fledde from thence But quoth they when the Lord of Zempoallan aduertised vs how you did hurt no bodye but rather being a people good and peaceable then wee were well assured who ye were when we saw you come toward vs And wee are nowe comen vnto you on the behalfe of the Lorde to bring you to your lodging Cortez gaue them thankes and went with them to a certaine place where the Lord was abydyng their comming wel accompanyed he shewed vnto the Christians great good wil and maruelled to see those straungers with their long beardes The Lord toke a little chafyngdishe in his hande and cast into it a certaine gumme whych sauoured in swéet smel much like vnto frankinscence Ind with a sencer he smoked Cortez with this ceremony they vse their salutations to theyr gods and nobilitie This done they set them down and Cortez enformed him of the cause of their comming into that countrey as he had done in all other places where he had bin The Casike certifyed Cortez euen as the Lord of Zempoallan had done but he stood in great feare least Mutezuma should be offended for receyuing and lodging him within that towne without his commaundement and being in thys communication sodenly appeared twentye men entring where they sate with certain wāds like cudgels in their hāds which did signify that they were rent gatherers in ech other hand a fly flap of feathers the Cacike hys company were soare afrayde Cortez demaunded wherefore he so altered himself he answered bicause those twēty Indians were collecters of Mutezuma and that he feared that they would complayne of him hauing founde those Christians there he feared likewise cruell punishment for the same Cortes comforted him saying that Mutezuma was his friende and that he would so vse the matter that he shoulde receyue no blame at all but rather that Mutezuma shoulde giue him thankes for that whiche he had done And if Mutezuma did not or would not so accept it that then he would defend both him and his subiects for quoth he euery one of my mē is sufficient for a thousand Mexicans as Mutezuma himselfe was well enformed by the late warres at Potonchan Yet for and notwithstanding all this talke the Lorde and all his folke were in great feare and meante to arise and to lodge the receyuers Cortes woulde not suffer him and bycause quoth he thou shalte sée what and my men can doe commaund thy seruaunts to apprehend and take prysoners these receyuers of Mexico and I wil abide here with thée in such sorte that Mutezuma with all his power shall not offende thée With the courage that he receyued at these wordes he commaunded to lay hande vpon the Mexicans and bycause they defended themselues they were sore beaten and layde euery one in a seuerall prison and bounde them to a great poste whereat they were tied by the throate féete and handes and beyng in this sorte imprysoned they asked of Cortes whether they should kill them Cortes requested that they should not be slaine but that they might remayne as they were with good watch that they might not escape Then they were brought into a hall in the Spaniardes lodging and were placed rounde aboute a good fire but yet bounde hande and foote with garde of watchmen Cortes also appoynted certaine of his men to watch the hall dore and then went to his lodging to supper where he and his company was well prouided at the Caziks furniture The messages sent by Cortez vnto Mutezuma THe nighte beyng farre spent and the Indians that kepte the watch being asleepe Cortes sente vnto the Spanyardes that watched at the hall dore where the prysoners were and commaunded them to let goe twoo of the prysoners as secretly as they might and to bring them vnto him The Spaniardes handled the matter so well that they fulfilled his desire and brought twoo of them to Cortes his chamber who looked vppon them as though he had not knowen them and willed Aguillar and Maryna to demaunde who they were and what they would haue and why they had bene in pryson They answered that they were vassals of Mutezuma and that they had the charge to receyue certayne tributes that those of that towne prouince payde vnto their Lorde And also quoth they we know not for what cause we are nowe imprysoned and so euelly vsed We rather wōder to sée this new custome and madnesse for in time past these men were wont to méete vs and receiue vs with great honour curtesie shewing all seruice and pleasure Therefore we thinke that the cause of this alteration is through the fauour of you and your cōpany who beare the name of immortalitie We also feare least our felowes which are in prison shal be slaine before Mutezuma haue knowlege therof Also said they these barbarous people dwelling in the Mountaynes would be glad to rebel if they foūd any succour or ayde only to put their Prince to
cost and charges as heretofore they haue done Therefore they moste humbly besought Cortes that hée shoulde not permitte them and their fellowes to be slaine nor yet to abide in the handes of their enimies wherein he should do singular pleasure to Mutesuma their lord otherwise if they should perish their Lord would be very sorowfull that his olde faithful and trustie seruaunts shoulde haue such a reward for their good seruice Cortez aunswered that it grieued him much that Mutesuma his friend should be misvsed wher he was no nor yet his seruauntes euill entreated and that hee woulde haue as muche care ouer them as of his owne willing them to prayse the god of heauen and to be thankful vnto him that had commaunded them to be set at liberty in the grace and friendshippe of Mutesuma he certifyed that in all haste they shoulde be dispatched for Mexico with certaine busynesse therefore quoth he get you to meate and make you strōg to take in hand that iourney trusting to your féete least ye should be taken againe to your greate perill and daunger Iwis their meate was soone eaten with the great hast they had to be gone Cortez brought them out of the towne and gaue them victuall to carry with them And charged for the liberty and curtesie shewed vnto them that they should signifye to Mutesuma their Lorde howe that he was his assured friend and that after he had vnderstanding of his fame goodnes and mighty power he much desired to sexue him yea and that he helde himselfe happy to fynde himselfe at such a time season to loose those his seruaunts and to shew therin his good wil likewyse he woulde do all that lay in him to preserue the honour and auctority of so gret a Prince as hee was also to defende his subiectes and to loke to his affaires as his owne proper although his highnesse dyd little estéeme hys friendshippe as appeared by Teudilli who departed from him without bidding him farewell and likewise absenting all the people of the sea coaste yet thys notwithstanding he would not let to do him seruice at all times when occasion shoulde serue and to procure by all meanes possible his grace fauour and friendship and that he was fully perswaded that his hyghnesse woulde not refuse his good will and friendship considering that with his acquaintance God had done much for him to méete with a seruaunte of the Emperoures for thereby he might know great secretes of holy things and also receyue greate benefytes if then he would refuse the same the fault shoulde be his but yet notwithstanding he trusted in his wisedome that considering the thing well he woulde be glad both to sée hym and talke with him and also to be friende and brother with the King of Spayne in whose most happie name both he and his company were come thither And as touching his seruauntes that remayned in prison hée woulde so vse the matter that they should escape all perill promising also to set them at libertie to pleasure him and that incontinente he woulde haue done it but onely bycause he woulde not offende the Lorde of the Towne who had friendly entertayned him with greate curtesie for which cause he would not presume to controll him in his owne house nor yet to shewe himselfe vnthankefull The messengers departed with this message very glad and ioyfull promising to accomplishe faithfully that charge committed vnto them The confederacy and rebellion done by the industrie of Cortez WHen the Cazike founde missing the two prisoners he blamed muche the guarde or watch and pretended forthwith to murther those that remayned Then came Cortez and requested that their deathe shoulde be pardoned for so muche as they were but officers obediente to their Lorde and maister and according to iustice they had committed no offence nor yet deserued anye correction in the facte whiche was seruice to their King but for so muche as they shall not flée as the other two haue done deliuer them vnto mee and I will take them to my custody and charge Vpon this request the eyghtéene prisoners were delyuered vnto Cortez who sent them aboorde his Shyppes and there commaunded them to be put in prons The Lorde and his counsellors fearing what mighte followe entred into councell what was best to doe consideryng that they certaynely beléeued that the two prisoners whiche were escaped would certifie in Mexico the shame and cruell entertaynemente done vnto them Some replyed that it was iust and requisite to sende vnto Mutezuma hys tribute with other presentes to mitigate hys anger and to excuse them and accuse the Christians who were the causes of the apprehension of his officers and to craue pardon of their erroure and ouersighte whyche they hadde committed as madde men in dishonor of the maiestie of Mexico Others aunswered agayne that it were muche better to cast off that yoke of bondage and slauery and to giue no longer obedience to the Mexicans who were both cruell and wicked tyrants and also considering that now they had on their side those halfe Gods and inuincible horsemen saying likewise that they should not wante many others their neyghbours and borderers to help and succour them In this sorte they resolued themselues fully to rebell and not to lose so good an occasion wherevppon they besoughte Hernando Cortes to bée their defendor and Captayne considering that for his sake they had begun that enterprise and whether Mutezuma shoulde prepare hys army againste them or no yet they on their parte were fully pretended to hold hym warre and to desist from seruitude God knoweth how glad Cortes was to heare this matter for he well wayed that it was the high way to hys iourneys ende yet dissimuling the cause he aunswered that they should well looke to the thing which they meant to take in hande bycause quoth he I vnderstande that Mutezuma is a mightie Prince but if ye will valiantly procéede I will be youre Captayne and safely defende you for I do more estéeme your friendship than the good will of Mutezuma whyche I nothing care for therefore lette me knowe what number of men of warre yée are able to make Sir quoth they among all our friends wée are able to make a hundred thousande menne of warre I lyke that well quoth Cortez wherefore incontinente sende youre postes with aduise vnto all your friendes in league againste Mutezuma and certifie them of this agréemente and succoure of the Christians not quoth he that I stande in néede of your help for I alone with my company are able to stande againste those of Culhua although they were as manye more but reason required that they shoulde be warned of your pretence and to be in readinesse for the same fearing least Mutezuma mighte sende his army vpon a suddayne and finde you vnprouided With this aduise and encouragement of Cortez also they themselues being a people heady and of small consideratiō they dispatched incōtinent their
messegers to all the Townes and Villages of neyghbours and friendes aduertising them what they hadde determined exalting the strangers aboue the cloudes And by this meanes rebelled many Cazikes townes and all the whole Mountaynes so that there was not left any collector or other officer of Mexico in al those borders with open proclamation of warres againste Mutezuma and all his adherentes Cortez his inteÌ„t was on the other side to stirre vp these Indians to get both their goodes willes and landes for otherwise he could not well bring his matter to passe he only caused the officers of Mutezuma to be taken prisoners and to be loused agayne he fayned a greate loue to Mutezuma and stirred his subiectes agaynste him he offered to be their defendor and lefte them rebelled to the intent that they should stand in néede of him The foundation of the riche Towne called Vera Crux AT this instant the Fléete was arriued at the port then wente Cortez to visit them and carried with him many Indians of the Rebels both of that Towne and also of Zempoallan who did good seruice to cutte downe timber and to carrie stones to the place appoynted for the building of the Citie named the riche towne of Vera Crux accordyng to the determination when the officers were appoynted for the same and chosen in S. Iohn de Vlhua and in good order made repertition to the inhabitants of the ground and plottes to builde vpon They appoynted also a place for the high Churche a Market place a Towne house a Gayle store houses a kay or Wharse to lade or vnlade a butcher row other places necessary to the good gouernement and pollicie of a Towne They also drew out a plot to build the Castel or Fort on néere the roade in a place conueniente and in this sort began theyr worke and their houses made with mudwall for the earth there is good for that purpose And euery man being this occupyed in this new worke came from Mexico two kinsmen of Mutezuma with other four graue learned menne for Councellors and many seruing men that attended vppon them as Ambassadors from Mutezuma they presented vnto Cortez certayne cloth of Cotten well wouen and feathers coâ—ously and fynely wroughte other peeces of golde and siluer wrought and a Casket of graynes of golde as they were founde in the Mynes not molten which wayed altogyther two thousand ninetie Castlins sayd that Mutezuma hadde sente hym the golde in the Casket to cure theyr disease and woulde gladly knowe howe they fared giuing also vnto him most hartie thankes for loosing his two housholde seruauntes and preseruing the others from slaughter besiechyng hym to make accompte that hée woulde doe the lyke in anye affayres of his desiring hym also to procure the libertie of the other eyghtéene Prisoners and bycause those Indians hadde entertayned hym well in their houses he did pardon their vprore yet notwithstanding he knewe very well that they were suche a kynde of people that in shorte space they woulde committe some other offences whereby they myght bée chastned for all togyther euen as a Dogge deserueth stripes And as concernyng the rest of hys request theyr Lorde was not well at case and also occupyed in matters of warre of greate importance whereby at that presente there was no remedie to visit eache other but in processe of tyme his desire shoulde be accomplished Cortez welcommed them friendly and ioyfully and also lodged them in Cotages néere vnto the water side and sent forthwith for the Lorde of Chiautztlan that had rebelled who came at his commandement Cortez sayd vnto him lo sée what troth I haue vsed with thée for Mutezuma dareth not to send any army no nor yet displease anye person where I am Therefore from this daye forwarde you and all youre lignage and friendes maye accompte your selues frée and exempt from the seruitude of Mexico without rendryng the tributes accustomed He requested to set at libertie the prisoners and to restore theÌ„ to the Ambassadors of Mutezuma Thys Cazike wylled Cortez to doe what pleased him for sayde he euen as wée haue chosen you for oure Captayne we will not excéede one iote of youre commaundemente where vppon hée returned home to his towne and the Ambassadors toward Mexico all well pleased and content Nowe fame flew abroade blasing that Mutezuma feared the Christians wherevpon all the Totonaques prepared themselues for the warres taking cleane awaye from Mexico their tribute and obedience The Ambassadors departed from Cortez with theyr prisoners and manye other things that were giuen theÌ„ of linnen wollen skynnes glasse and yron being greately amazed at the things which they had séene Hovv Cortez tooke by force of armes Tizapansinca NOt long after that these things had happened the Indians of Zempoallan sente vnto Cortes to desire him of succour against the garrisoÌ„ of Culhua which Mutezuma mainteyned in Tizapansinca who did greately anoy them in spoyling burning and destroying theyr corne in the fieldes and flew their husbandmen and toke many prisoners The Towne of Tizapansinca doth confine with the Totonaquez and with the grounde of Zempoallan and is a good strong Towne scituated néere the Riuer and hath a fort standing vpon a high rocke And bycause this Towne was strong and planted among them who were alwayes seditious and Rebelles Mutezuma placed there his garrison who séeyng the officers of receyuers and auditors come flying thyther for helpe béeyng persecuted of the Rebels they wente out to pacifie the Rebellion and for to chasten them they burned and destroyed whatsoeuer they found and also had taken many prisoners Cortez hearing this newes departed towarde Zempoallan and from thence in two dayes iourney with a greate armye of Indians to Tizapansinca whiche stoode eyghte leagues and more from that Citie The garrison of Culhua came into the fielde thinkyng to haue hadde battayle onely with those of Zempoallan but when they saw the Horsemen and the bearded men they lost theyr courage and beganne to flye as fast as they myghte possible theyr succoure béeyng néere they were seene in holde they woulde haue entred into theyr Castell but for the swiftnesse of the Horses which stopped theyr way And when the Horses coulde not ascende vp vnto the forte Cortes alighted with other foure of hys men and among the preasse of the Townesmen gote into the forte and béeyng within they kept the dore tyll theyr companye came wyth manye friendes vnto whome hée delyuered the forte and Towne desiring to do no hurte to the inhabitantes but to suffer them to depart fréely without weapon and standerde It was a newe worlde to those Indians who did fulfyll Cortes hys commaundemente in all poyntes Thys done Cortez returned agayne to the Sea coast by the same way whiche hée hadde come This was the firste victory that Cortes had among the subiectes of Mutezuma whereby all the Mountaynes remayned frée from the vexations of the Mexicans and all our men with great
an other hil and vpon the toppe therof to their iudgement they founde a thousande carte loade of wood ready cut neare to a little tower of idolles they named that place the porte of wood hauing passed twoo leagues from the porte of wood they founde the countrey barren and poore but soone after the army came to a place whiche they named white Castell bicause the Lordes house was of stone very white and newe and the beste that they had séene in all that countrey and so curiously wrought that they meruayled thereat that towne in their language is called Zaclotan and the valley neare vnto it is named Zacatami and the Lordes name is Olintlec who receyued Cortes honorably and prouided for him and his company abundantly being so commaunded by Mutezuma as hée reported afterwarde And in token that he had receyued that coÌ„mission from his Lorde he commaunded fiftie men to be sacrificed for ioy whose bloud they sawe newe and freshe The townes men of that towne caried the Spanyardes on their shoulders on suche beares as we carry dead men to Churche Cortes enformed them by his enterpreters of the cause of his comming into that countrey as he had vsed in other places demaunded whether he the Lorde of this towne were tributary to Mutezuma This Cazike being amazed at his question answered saying What is he that is not eyther slaue or vassall to the great Mutezuma Then Cortes certified him who and what the Emperour king of Spayne was willing him to be his friend and seruitour further enquired if he had any golde to sende him some This Cazike answered that he would do nothing without the commaundement of his Lorde nor yet sende his king any golde although he had inough Cortes dissimuled the matter and helde his peace yet by and by he desired to knowe the Maiestie and mightie power of Mutezuma the Cazike answered that Mutezuma was Lorde of the whole worlde and that he had thirtie Vassals who were able to make a. 100000. men of warre eche one of them he also certified that he sacrificed 20000. men yerely to his Goddes And also his dwellyng was in the most beautyfullest and strongest cittie of al that euer was enhabited likewise quoth he his house and courte is moste greate noble and replenished with Gentlemen his riches incredible and his charges excessiue And truely therein he sayde the very troth excepte in the sacrifice wherein he something enlarged although the slaughter of men for sacrifice in euery temple was very great yea and some hold opinion that some yéeres were sacrificed aboue 50000. men Being in this conuersation came two Gentlemen of that valley to sée the Spanyardes and eche of them presented vnto Cortes foure women slaues certayne collers of golde of small price Olintlec although he was vassall to Mutezuma was a greate Lorde and had 20000. vassals and thirtie wiues altogither in his house beside a bundreth other women that attended vpon them And had for his garde and houshold 2000. persons his towne was great had 13. temples in it eche temple many idolles of stone of diuers fashioÌ„s before whom they sacrificed men doues quayles other things with persumes great veneratioÌ„ In this place and territorie Mutezuma had 5000. souldiers in garrison and ordinarie postes from thence to Mexico Vntill this tune Cortez had not so amply vnderstoode the mighte and power of Mutezuma yea and though many inconuemences difficulties feare and such like did represent it selfe vnto him in his â—ourney to Mexico whiche perhaps would haue amazed some valiaÌ„t persons yet he shewed not one iote of cowaroise hauâ—ng hearde suche a reporte of that mightie Prince but rather his desire was so much the more to sée hym Considering now that he shoulde passe through Taxcallan to goe to Mexico Taxcallan being a greate sirong Citie and warlike people he dispatched four Zeampoalianezes to the Lordes and Captaynes of that Citie on the behalfe of Zempoallan and his owne offering vnto them his friendship and fauour giuing them to vnderstande that those few Christians woulde come vnto their Citie to serue theÌ„ desiring theÌ„ to accept the same thinking assuredly that those of Taxcallan would haue done with him as the Zempoallanezes had done which were both good and faithful who had always vsed trouth with him cueÌ„ so he thought that now he moughte credite them for they had enformed him that the Tlaxcaltecas were their friendes and so would be his considering that they were vtter enimies to Mutezuma and willingly would goe with him to the siege of Mexico with desire of libertie and to reuenge olde iniuries and griefes whiche they had susteyned many yeares before of the people of Culhua Cortez refreshed himselfe in Zaclotan fiue dayes where is a fresh riuer and quiet folke pulling downe the Idolles and placed a remembrance of Christ crucifyed as he hadde done in all the Townes that he had passed He toke his leaue of Olintlec leauing him wel pleased went to a town two leagues froÌ„ theÌ„ce along the riuer side whereof was Lorde Iztaemixtlitan one of the Gentlemen who had giuen him the slaues and collers of golde This towne standeth in a playne grounde of two leagues compasse which is replenished with so many houses as doth séeme to touche one another in that way that our army passed and the towne it selfe doth contayne fiue thousande householdes standing on a hill and on the one side thereof is the Lordes house with a strong forte being the beste yet séene in those parties walled with good stone with barbucan and déepe ditche There Cortes rested himselfe thrée dayes abiding the foure messengers whiche he sent from Zacloton to knowe the answere that should be brought The first encounter that Cortez had with the men of Tlaxcallan COrtes seyng the long tarying of the messengers he departed from Zaclotan without any intelligence from Tlaxcallan Our caÌ„p had not marched much after their departure from that place but they came to a great circuite of stone made without lyme or morter being of a sadom and a half high and twentie foote brode with loupe holes to shoote at that wall crossed ouer all the valley from one mountayne to another and but one onely entraunce or gate in the whiche the one wall doubled against the other and the way there was fourtie paces brode in such sort that it was an euill and perilous passage if any had bene there to defend it Cortes demaunded the cause of that circuite and who had buylte it Iztacmixtlitan that wente to beare him company tolde him that it was but a deuision from their countrey and Tlaxcallan and that their antecessors had made the same to disturbe the entrance of the Tlaxcaltecas in time of warre who came to robbe and murther them bycause of the friendship betwixte them and Mutezuma whose vassals they were That strange and costly wall séemed a thing of greate maiestie to our Spanyardes and more superfluous than
who would fayne haue corrected them but it was not then tyme wherefore he determined to leade them with sufferaunce and spake vnto them as followeth The Oration made by Cortez to his Souldiers MAisters and louyng friendes I did choose you for my fellowes and ye chose me for your captaine and all was for the seruice of God and the augmenting of his holy faith also the seruice of our soueraigne Lord the King now Emperour and next for our owne commoditie I as yée haue séene haue not fayled nor yet displeased yée nor yée likewise haue otherwise done to me vnto this day But now I do féele faintnesse in some yea and an euill will to goe forwarde in the warres whiche we haue in hande but God be praysed it is now finished at the least the ende is vnderstood what it may be and also the wealth that may follow as partely you haue séene but much without comparison of that you haue not séene whiche is a thing that doth excéede the greatnesse of our wordes or thoughts Feare not my louyng fellowes to goe and abide with me God forbidde that I should thynke yea or that any shoulde reporte that feare vexeth my company or else disobedience to their Captayne whiche is a perpetuall infamie if wée shoulde leaue this Lande this Warre this way already made and returne as some doe desire shall wée then lyue at reste loytring as well and loste folke God forbidde that euer oure nation shoulde haue suche a name hauyng warres of honour And whether I pray shall the Oxe goe where he shall not helpe to ploughe the grounde doe yée thinke peraduenture that yée shall finde lesse people worse armed and not farre from the sea I doe assure you that in so thynkyng yée séeke after fiue féete for a Catte yea and you shall trauell no way but that you shall méete some euill passage as the Prouerbe sayth yea and farre worser than this that we haue in hande For why God be thanked since wée came into this Countrey we neuer wanted meate friendes neyther money nor honour For nowe yée sée that yée are estéemed more than menne yea as persons immortall and Goddes if it mighte be spoken for these Indians beyng so many and without number and so armed as ye your selues affirme yet can they not kyll one of vs and as touchyng theyr weapons you sée that they are not poysoned as the Indians of Cartâ—gena Veragna and the Caribez doe vse whiche haue killed many of our nation therewith dying as madde menne ragyng And if there were no other cause than this onely you shoulde not séeke others with whome to warre I doe confesse that the Sea is somewhat farre from vs and neuer Spaniarde trauelled so farre into the mayne lande of India as wée haue done for why nowe we leaue the Sea a hundreth and fiftie myles behinde vs nor yet euer any hath come so neare Mexico where Mutezuma dothe reside from whome suche messages and Treasure wée haue receyued It is nowe but thrée score myles thyther and the worste is paste as you doe sée if we come thither as I truste in Iesus wée shall then shall we not onely gette and winne for the Emperoure oure naturall Lorde a riche Lande greate Kingdomes infinite Vassalles but lykewyse for oure selues muche riches as Golde Siluer Pretious stones Pearles and other commoditie and besides thys the greatest honour that euer any nation did obtayne For loke howe great a King this is howe large his countrey is and what greate multitude of people hée hath so muche the more is our glory Besides all this wée are bounde as Christians to exalte and enlarge oure Catholyke fayth as wée haue begonne aboâ—â—â—ng Idolatrie and blasphemie agaynst our Sauiour Christe takyng away the blouddy Sacrifice and eatyng of mannes fleshe so horrible and agaynste nature and many other grieuous sinnes so muche here vsed for the foulenesse whereof I name them not And therefore I saye feare you nor yet doubte you the victorie consideryng that the worste is paste Of late wée ouercame the Indians of Tabasco and also an hundreth and fiftie thousande this other daye of the Tlaxcaltecas who haue the onely name of breakers of Lyons iawes so with Gods helpe you shal be Conquerers of the reste if ye faynt not and folowe me All hys company was pleased and contente with this comfortable exhortation and those that were faynt harted recouered strength And hys valiaunt Souldiers recouered double courage those who hated him began to honour him and in conclusion he departed from thence excéeding welbeloued of all his company But all his former talke was very néedefull as time then requyred for why some of his as you haue heard were desirous to returne likewise vpon dissention rebellion mought haue growen and he forced to returne to the sea coaste where all his toyle and trauell taken had bene lost Hovv Xicotencatl came for Embassadour to Cortez his Campe. Cortez had not so soone made an ende of his talke when Xicotencatl came entryng into the campe who was chiefe and generall captayne in Tlaxcallan of all the warres he brought in his company fiftie persons of auctoritie to kéepe him coÌ„pany They approched neare where Cortes was and saluted eche other according to the vse of their countrey Their salutations ended and the parties setten downe Xicotencatl began the talke saying Sir I am come on mine owne behalfe and also of my fellow Captaine and Lieuetenant Maxixca and in the name of many other noble personages and finally in the name of the whole state and common weale of Tlaxcallan to beséeche and pray you to admitte vs into your friendshippe and to yéelde our selues and countrey vnto your King crauyng also at your hande pardon for our attempt in takyng armes agaynst you wée not knowyng what you were nor what you sought for in our countrey And where we presumed to resists and defende your entrance we did it as agaynst straungrrs whome we knewe not and suche menne as we had neuer heretofore séen and fearyng also that you had bene friendes to Mutezuma who is and alwayes hath bene our mortall enimy And these things wée suspected seyng Mutezuma his seruaunts in your company or else we imagined that you were comen to vsurpe our libertie the whiche of tyme without memory we haue possessed as our forefathers did with the shedyng of their bloud And of our owne naturall prouision we wante cotten woolle to clothe vs wherfore in tyme paste we wente as naked as we were borne but some of vs vsed other clothe to couer our nakednesse made of the leaues of the trée called Metl and Salte also wée wanted of which twoo things so necessarie to humayne lyfe Mutezuma had greate store and other our enimies with whome we are rounde aboute enuironed And lykewise where wée haue no golde stones of value or any riche thyng to barter with them of very pure necessitie many times we are forced to sell our owne bodies to buy
these wantes And this extremitie sayde he wée néeded not if that we woulde be subiectes and vassalles to Mutezuma But yet had we rather all in generall to ende our lyues than wée woulde putte oure selues in suche subiection for we thynke our selues as valiaunt menne in courage as our forefathers were who alwayes haue resisted agaynst him and his grandfather who was as mightie as nowe is he wée woulde also haue withstoode you and your force but wée coulde not although we proued all our possibilitie by night and day and found your strength inuincible and we no lucke agaynst you Therefore sithence our fate is such we had rather be subiect vnto you than vnto any others For wée haue knowen and hearde by the Zeampoallanezes that you doe no euill nor came not to vexe any but were moste valliaunt and happie as they had séene in the warres beyng in your companie For whiche consideration we truste that our libertie shall not be diminished but rather our owne persons wyues and familie better preserued and our houses and husbandry not destroyed And in suÌ„me of all his talke the teares trickling downe his chéekes he besought Cortes to wey that Tlaxcallan did neuer at any tyme reknowledge any superiour King or Lorde nor at any time had commen any person among them to commaunde but onely he whome they did voluntarily electe and chose as their superiour and ruler It can not be tolde howe muche Cortes reioyced with this Embassage and to sée such a mighty Captayne come vnto his campe to submitte himselfe and also it was a matter of great wayght to haue that Cittie in subiection for the enterprice whiche he had in hande whereby he fully made an account that the warres were at an ende to the great coÌ„tentation of him and his company and with great fame and reputation among the Indians Cortes with a mery and louing countenaunce answered laying to their charge the hurte and damage whiche he had receyued in their countrey bycause they refused at the firste to harken vnto him and quietly to suffer him to enter into their countrey euen as he had required and desired by his Messengers of Zeampoallan sente vnto them from Zaclotan Yet al this notwithstandiyg he did both pardon the kyllyng of his twoo horses the assaultyng of him in the highe way and the greate lies whiche they had moste craftily vsed with hym for where as they themselues fought agaynst him yet they layde the faulte to others likewise their pretence to murder him in the ambush prepared for him enticing him to come to their Citie without makyng firste defiance according to the law of armes These causes notwithstanding he did louingly receyue their offer made in subiection to the Emperour and in this sorte departed saying that shortely hée woulde be with him in Tlaxcallan and presently he coulde not goe with him for the dispatche of the Ambassadours of Mutezuma The receyuing and entertaynement of Cortez in Tlaxcallan IT grieued muche the Embassadours of Mutezuma to sée Xicotencates in the Spanishe Campe and the offer made vnto Cortes in the behalfe of his King of their persons Cittie and goodes aduising Cortes to gyue no credite vnto them for all their saying quoth they is treason and lies and to the entent to locke you vp in their Cittie Cortes answered that although their aduise were true yet he did determine to go thither for that he feared them lesse in the towne then in the fielde They hearyng this answere and determmation besought him to giue vnto one of them licenâ—e to returne vnto Mexico to aduertise Mutezuma of all that was past with an answere to their Ambassage promising within sixe dayes to haue newes from Mexico and till then prayed him not to departe with his Campe. Cortes graunted their request and abode there the time appointed expectyng the answere In this meane season came many of Tlaxcallan in the camp some brought Ginnea cockes other brought bread and Cherries and gaue it for nothyng in comparison with merry countenaunce desiryng them to goe home with them vnto their houses The sixth day the Mexican came accordyng to promise and brought vnto Cortes tenne Iewelles of Golde bothe riche and well wrought and a fiftene thousand garments of Cotten excéeding gallant and moste earnestly besought hym on the behalfe of Mutezuma that he shoulde not daunger himselfe in trustyng to the wordes of the Tlaxcaltecas who were so poore that with necessitie they would robbe him of the thyngs whiche his mayster had sente him yea and lykewise murder him knowyng of the friendshippe betwéene his mayster and him likewise all the chiefest Lordes of Tlaxcallan came to intreate hym to goe with them to Tlaxcallan where he shoulde be cherished lodged and well prouided For it was a greate dishonour and shame for them to permitte suche personages to abyde in suche vyle cotages as they were in And if quoth they you truste vs not that then wée are ready to gyue you for your securitie what soeuer gages you shall demaunde notwithstandyng they dyd bothe sweare and faithfully promise that they might safely goe with them saying also that the Othe and fayth of theyr common weale should neuer be broken for all the goodes in the worlde Wherevpon Cortez seyng the good will of so many Gentlemen his newe friendes and lykewise the Indians of Zeampoallan of whome he had good credite did so importune him and assure him of his goyng he commaunded his fardage to be laden and also his ordinaunce and departed towarde Tlaxcallan whiche was sixe leagues from that place with as good order as it had bene to a battayle And at the Tower where he had pitched hys campe he lefte certayne Crosses for a memorie with a greate heape of stones and entred into Tlaxcallan the eightenth of September There came out such a multitude of people to sée him and to méete him in the way that it was a wonder to sée He was lodged in the greatest temple which had many great and fayre lodgyngs sufficient for hym and all his companie except the Indians hys friends which were lodged in other Temples He set certayne limittes out of the whiche he commaunded straightely that none of hys company should passe vpon payne of deathe and also commaunded that they shoulde take nothing but what shoulde be giuen them His commaundement was well obserued for none presumed to goe a stoanes cast without his licence The Indian Gentlemen shewed greate pleasure and curtesie to the strangers and prouided theÌ„ of all things necessarie and manye of them gaue theyr daughters vnto them in token of true friendshippe and likewise to haue fruite of their bodyes to be brought vp for the warres beyng such valiant men This Countrey lyked well oure men and the greate loue of the people They abode there at their pleasure twenty dayes in whiche time they did procure to knowe particularly the estate of their common weale and secretes and also were sufficiently instructed of
and life of the ChristiaÌ„s with their lawes and customs and as for warlike feates they were satisfyed had séene suche tryall that they helde them for men inuincible in that poynte and that their God did help them Cortes promised them that shortlye he woulde bring them suche men as shoulde instruct and teache them and then they should sée which way was best with the greate ioy and fruite that they shoulde féele They accepting that councell which he like a friende had giuen them and for as much as presently it could not be brought to passe by reason of his iourney to Mexico he desired them that the Temple wherein he was lodged shoulde be made a church for him and his company and if it pleased them they mighte also come to sée and heare their diuine seruice The Indians graunted to his request and dayly came among them all the time of their abode there and some came and dwelte with the Spanyardes but the chiefest friende was Captayne Maxixca who neuer went from Cortez The discord betvveene the Mexicans and Tlaxcaltecas COrtez being throughly satisfyed of theyr hartie good wylles he demaunded of them the estate and riches of Mutezuma They exalted him greately as men that had proued his force And as they affyrmed it was néere a hundred yeares that they mainteyned warre with him and his father Axaiaca and others his Vnckles and Grandfathers And saide also that the golde and treasure of Mutezuma was without number and his power and dominion ouer all the lande and hys people innumerable for quoth they he ioyneth sometime two hundreth thousand men yea and thrée hundred thousande for one battayle And if it pleased hym he woulde make as manye men double and thereof they were good witnesse bycause they had manye times sought with theÌ„ Maxixca desired that Cortes should not aduenture himselfe into the power of the men of Culhua wherat some of the Spanyardes feared and suspected euill of the matter Cortes tolde him that notwithstanding all those things whiche they had tolde him he was fully minded to goe to Mexico to visit Mutezuma wishing him to aduise hym what he mought do or bring to paâ—se for them with Mutezuma for he woulde willingly do it for the curtesie shewed vnto him and that he beleeued Mutezuma woulde graunt him any lawfull request Then they besought him to procure for them a licence to haue cotten wooll and salte out of his Countrey for sayd they in time of the warres we stoode in great néede thereof and that they had none but suche as they boughte by stealthe of the Comercans verye deere in change of golde for Mutezuma had made a straight lawe whereby all suche as carried anye of those commodities to them shoulde be slayne Then Cortez enquired the cause of their disorder and euill neyborhood They aunswered that their griefes were olde and cause of libertie but as the Ambassadors did affyrme and Mutâ—zuma afterward declare it was not so but for other matter farre differente So that eache partye alleadging their causes theyr reasons were that the yong menne of Mexico and Culhua dyd exercise and bryng them vppe in warlike feates néere vnto them and vnder theyr noses to theyr greate annoyance whereas they moughte haue gone to Panuco and Teocantepec hys frontiers a farre off Lykewyse theyr pretence was to haue warre wyth them béeyng theyr neyghbors onely to haue of them to sacrifice to their Gods so that when they would make any solemne feast then would they send to Tlaxcallan for men to sacrifice with such a great army that they might take as many as they néeded for that yeare for it is most certayne if Mutezuma woulde in one daye hée moughte haue broughte them in subiection and slayne them all ioyning his whole power in effectâ— but his purpose was to kéepe them for a pray to hunt withall for men to be sacrificed to his Goddes and to eate so that hée woulde neuer sende but a small armye againste them whereby it did chance that sometimes those of Tlaxcallan did ouercome Cortez receyued great pleasure to heare these discordes betwixt his newe friendes and Mutezuma whiche was a thing fitte for his purpose for by that meanes he hoped to bring them all vnder subiection and therefore hée vsed the one and the other secretely to build his pretence vpon a good foundation At all this communication there stoode by certayne Indians of Vexozincâ— whiche had bin against our men in the late warres the which Towne is a Citie as Tlaxcallan and ioyned with them in league of friendship against Mutezuma who oppressed them in like effect of slaughter for their Temples of Mexico and they also yéelded themselues to Cortes for vassals to the Emperoure The solemne receyuing of the Spanyardes into Chololla THe Ambassedors of Cortes séeyng the determination of Cortes to procéede on his iourney towarde Mexico they besoughte him to goe by Chololla whiche stoode fiue leagues from thence certifying that Chololla was a Citie in their friendship and that there he might at his pleasure abide the resolution of their Lord Mutezuma whether it were his pleasure that he should enter into Mexico or no. This request was onely to haue him from thence for truly it gréeueâ— much Mutezuma of theyr new friendshippe and league fearyng that thereof woulde some great displeasure happen towardes him and therefore procured all that was possible to haue him from thence sending him alwayes presents to allure him to come froÌ„ thence the sooner But when the Tlaxcaltecas saw that he would goe to Chololla it grieued them muche saying vnto Cortes that Mutezuma was a liar and fraudelent person and that Chololla was a cittie his friende but not constant and it mighte happen that they would displease him hauyng him within their Cittie wishyng him to looke wel to himself And if néedes he would goâ— thither yet they woulde prouide 20000. men to kéepe him company The women that were giuen to the Spaniardes at their firste entraunce had vnderstandyng of a snare that was layde to murder them at their commyng to Chololla by meanes of one of the foure Captaynes who had a sister which discouered the thing to Pedrâ— de Aluarado who kepte hir Cortes incontinent called that Captayne out of his house and caused him to be choked and so was the matter kepte close that his death was neuer knowen whereby the snare was vndone without any rumour It was a wonder that all Tlaxcallan had not made an vprore seyng one of their greatest Captaynes dead There was inquirie made of that snare and the truth being knowen it was approued that Mutezuma had prepared 30000. Souldiers who where in campe for that purpose within twoo leagues of the Citie and that the streates in Chololla were stopped vp with timber and rayles and the toppes of their houses prouided with stones whiche houses are made with playne rooffes or sotties and the highe way stopped vp other false bywayes made with déepe holes
two princes Cuetlauac and Cacama his neuewes did leade him by eache arme all thrée were riche appareled al of one fashion except Mutezuma whiche had a payre of shoes of golde besette with pretious stones and the soles were tied to the vpper part with latchets as is painted of the Antikes His Gentlemen wente by two and two laying downe and taking vp mantels and couerlets vpon the ground bicause his féete should not touche the same then followed him as in procession 200. noble men barefooted with garments of a richer liuery than the first thrée thousand Mutezuma came in the middest of the streate and the others came behinde him as nigh the wal as they mought their faces towards the grounde for it was a great offence to looke him in the face Cortes alighted from his horse and according to our vse went to embrace him but the Princes who led him by the armes would not suffer him to come so nigh for they held it for sin to touch him but yet saluted ech one the other Cortes put about Mutezuma his necke a coller of Margarites Diamondes other stones al of glasse Mutezuma receyued it thankfully wente before with one of the princes his Neuewes cōmaunded the other to lead Cortes by the hand next after him in the middest of the streat and procéeding forwarde in this order then came the Gētlemen in the richest liuery to welcome him one by one touchyng the ground with their handes after returned to their standyng And if the Citizens had come as they requested all that day would not haue serued for salutatiōs The coller of glasse pleased well Mutezuma and bycause he woulde not take without giuyng a better thing as a great prince he commaunded to be brought twoo collers of redde prawnes which there are muche estéemed and at euery one of them hanged eight shrimpes of gold of excellent workemanship of a finger length euery one he put these collers with his owne hands about Cortes his necke the which was estéemed a most great fauour yea and the Indians marueled at it At this time they were come to the streate ende whiche was almost a mile long broade straight and very fayre and full of houses on eche side in whose dores windowes and tops was such a multitude of Indians to beholde the strangers that I knowe not who wondered most our men to sée such a number of them or else they to sée our men their ordinance horses a thing so straunge vnto them They were brought vnto a great court or house of idols which was the lodging of Axaiaca at the dore whereof Mutezuma tooke Cortes by the hande and brought him into a fayre hall and placed him vpon a riche carpet saying vnto him Sir nowe are you in your owne house eate and take your rest pleasure for I wil shortly come and visite you againe Such as you heare was the receiuing of Hernando Cortes by Mutezuma a most mightie King into his great and famous Citie of Mexico the eight day of Nouember 1519. The Oration of Mutezuma to the Spanyardes THe house where the Spaniardes were lodged was great and large with many fayre chambers sufficient for them all it was nete cleane matted and hanged with cloth of Cotten and feathers of many colours pleasant to behold When Mutezuma was departed frō Cortes he began to sette his house in order and placed the ordinaunce at his dore and hauing all his things in good sorte he went to a sumptuous dinner that was prepared for him As soone as Mutezuma had made an ende of his dinner hearyng that the straungers were rysen from the table and reposed a while then came he to Cortes salutyng him and satte downe by him He gaue vnto him diuers iewels of gold plate feathers and many garmēts of Cotten both riche well wouen wrought of straunge colours a thing truely that did manifest his greatnesse and also cōfirme their imagination This gifte was deliuered honorably and then began his talke as foloweth Lorde and Gentlemen I doe much reioyce to haue in my house such valiant men as ye are for to vse you with curtesie and entreate you with honour according to your descrte and my estate And where heretofore I desired that you shoulde not come hither the onely cause was my people had a greate feare to sée you for your gesture grimme beards did terrifie them yea they reported that yée had such beastes as swallowed men and that your cōming was frō heauen bringing with you lightning thunder thūderbolts wherwith you made the earth to trēble to shake and that yée slew therewith whom ye pleased But now I do sée know that you are mortall mē that ye are quiet hurt no man also I haue séene your horses which are but your seruauntes and youre Gunnes lyke vnto shootyng Trunkes I do now hold all for fables and lyes which hath bin reported of you and I do also accept you for my néere kinsmen My father tolde me that hée had heard his forefathers say of whome I doe descende that they helde opinion howe they were not naturals of thys lande but come hither by chance in companye of a mighty Lorde who after a while that they hadde abode héere they returned to their natiue soyle After manye yeares expyred they came agayne for those whome they had left héere behind them but they would not goe wyth them bycause they had héere inhabited and hadde wyues and children and great gouernement in the land Nowe these myghtie Lords séeyng that they were so stubborne and woulde not returne with them departed from them sore displeased saying that he woulde sende his children that should both rule and gouerne them in iustice peace and auntient Religion and for this consideration wée haue alwayes expected and beléeued that suche a people should come to rule and gouerne vs and cōsidering from whence you come I doe thinke that you are they whome we looked for and the notice which the greate Emperour Charles had of vs who hath now sent you hither Therefore Lorde and Captayne be well assured that we wyll obey you if therebe no fayned or deceytefull matter in your dealings and will also deuide wyth you and youres all that we haue And although this which I haue sayde were not only for youre vertue fame and déedes of valiant Gentlemen I would yet do it for your worthinesse in the battayles of Tauasco Teocazinco and Chololla béeyng so few to ouercome so many Now agayne if ye ymagine that I am a God and the walles and roufes of my houses and all my vessell of seruice to be of pure golde as the men of Zempoallan Tlaxcallan and Huexozinco haue enformed you it is not so and I iudge you to be so wise that you giue no credit to such fables You shall also note that through your commyng hither manye of my subiectes haue rebelled and are become my mortall enimies but yet
I purpose to breake their wings Come féele you my body I am of fleshe and bone a mortal man as others are and no God although as a King I doe estéeme my selfe of a greater dignitie and prehemineÌ„ce than others My houses you do also sée which are of tymber and earthe and the principallest of Masons worke therefore nowe you do both knowe and sée what odious lyars those talebearers were But troth it is that golde plate feathers armour iewels and other riches I haue in the treasory of my forefathers a long time prâ—serued as the vse of Kings is all the which you yours shal enioy at all times And now it may please you to take your rest for I know that you are wéery of your iourney Cortez with ioyfull countenance humbled himselfe séeyng some teares fall from Mutezuma his eyes saying vnto him vppon the trust I haue hadde in youre clemencye I insisted to come both to sée and talke wyth your highnesse and now I know that all are lyes which hath bin tolde me The like youre highnesse hath hearde reported of vs assure youre selfe that the Emperoure Kyng of Spayne is your naturall Lorde whome yée haue expected for he is the onely heyre from whence youre lynage dothe procéede and as touching the offer of youre highnesse treasure I do most hartyly thanke you After all this communication Mutezuma demaunded whether the bearded men whiche came with him were eyther his vassals or his flaues bycause he would entertayne eache one according to his estate Cortes aunswered that they were all his bréethren friendes and fellowes except some that were his seruauntes Then he departed and wente home to his Pallace and there enformed himselfe particularlye who were Gentlemen and who were not and according therevnto sent euery one particular gift or present To the Gentlemen he sente the rewarde by his Controller and to the Marriners other seruitors by a Page of his housholde The Maiestie and order vvherevvith Mutezuma was serued MVtezuma was a man of a small stature and leane his couloure tawnie as all the Indians are He hadde long heare on hys heade sixe little heares vppon him as though they hadde bin put in with a bodkin His thinne bearde was blacke Hée was a man of fayre condition and a doer of Iustice well spoken graue and wise beloued and feared among his subiectes Mutezuma doth signifie sadnesse To the proper names of Kings and Lords they do adde this sillable C. whiche is for curtesie and dignitie as we vse lord The Turke vseth Zultan The Moore or Barbarian calleth his Lorde Mulley and so the Indians say Mutezumazin His people hadde him in such reuerence that he permitted none to sit in his sight nor yet in his presence to weare shoes nor looke him in the face except very few Princes He was glad of the conuersation of the Spanyardes and would not suffer them to stande on foote for the great estimation he had of them and if he lyked any of the Spanyardes garments he woulde exchange his apparell for theirs He changed his owne apparell foure times euery day and he neuer clothed himselfe agayne with the garmentes whiche he hadde once worne but all suche were kept in his Guardrobe for to giue in presents to his seruantes and Embassadors and vnto valiante souldyers which had takeÌ„ any enimie prisoner and that was estéemed a great reward and a title of priuiledge The costly maÌ„tels wherof had bin diners sent to Cortes were of the same Guardrobe Mutezuma went alwayes very net and fine in hys attire He bathed him in his hotehouse foure times euerye day He went seldome out of his Chamber but when hée went to his meate He eate alwayes alone but solemnelye and with great abundance His table was a pillowe or else a couple of coulloured skynnes His Chayre was a fourefooted stole made of one péece and hollowe in the middest well wroughte and paynted His table clothes napkins and towels were made of Cotten woll verye white and newe for he was neuer serued but once wyth that naperie Foure hundred Pages broughte in hys meate all sonnes of greate Lordes and placed it vppon a table in his great Hall. The meate béeyng broughte in then came Mutezuma to beholde the dishes and appoynted those dishes that liked him best and chasing dishes were prepared to kéepe that moate warme and seldome would eate of any other dish except the Lord Stewarde or Controller should highly commende any other dishe Before he sate downe came twentie of his wiues of the fayrest and best estéemed or else those that serued wéekely by turne broughte in the bason and ewer wyth greate humblenesse This done he sate him downe and then came the Lord Steward and drewe a wodden nette before him bycause none shoulde come nigh his table And this noble man alone placed the dishes and also tooke them away for the Pages who broughte in the meate came not néere the table nor yet spake any word nor no man else While the Lord Mutezuma was at his meate excepte some Iester they al serued him barefooted There assisted alwayes somewhat a farre off sixe auntiente and noble men vnto whome he vsed to giue of the dish that best lyked him who receyued the same at his hande with greate reuerence and eate it incontinent without loking in his face whiche was the greatest humilitie that they coulde vse before him He had musike of Fiddle Flute and of a Snayle shell and a Caudron couered with a skinne and suche other strange instrumentes They hadde very euill voyces to sing Always at dinner time he had Dwarfes crookebackes and other deformed counterfets all for maiestie and to laugh at who hadde their meate in the Hall among the Iesters and Idyots whiche were fedde with parte of the meate that came from Mutezuma hys table all the rest of the meate was giuen to thrée thousand of the Guard who attended ordinarily in the yarde or court and therefore they say that there was broughte for his table thrée thousande dishes and as manye pottes of wine suche as they vse and that continually the buttrey and Pantrey stoode open whiche was a wonder to sée what was in them The platters dishes and cuppes were al of earth whereof the King was serued but once and so froÌ„ meale to meale new He had likewise his seruice of golde and plate verye riche but he vsed not to bée serued with it they say bycause he woulde not be serued twice therewith the whiche he thoughte a base thing Some affirme that yong children were slayne and dressed in diuers kind of dishes for Mutezuma his table but it was not so only of mans flesh sacrifised he fedde nowe and then The table being taken vp then came againe the Gentlewomen to bring water for his hands with the like reuereÌ„ce as they vsed at the first and then went they to dinner with the other wiues so that then the Gentlemen and Pages waited as their course fell The
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
to set vp a Crosse for remembrance of the death and passion of Iesu Christe borne of the virgin Marie The whiche their promisse was well fulfilled for after that day the Spanyardes coulde neuer heare nor finde of any moe sacrifice But yet there abode in their hartes a mortall rancor the whiche coulde not long be dissimuled Truely in this worthy facte Cortes gotte more honour than though he had ouercomen them in battayle The burning of the Lorde Qualpopoca and other Gentlemen AFter twentie dayes that Mutezuma had bene prysoner returned the messengers who had gone with the seale for Qualpopoca and brought him his Sonne and other fiftene principall persons with them the whiche by inquirie made were culpable and partakers in the counsell and death of the nine Spaniardes Qualpopoca entred into Mexico accompanied like a greate Lorde as he was beyng borne vpon his seruaunts shoulders in rich furniture As sone as he had saluted Mutezuma he his Sonne were deliuered vnto Cortes with the other fiftene Gentlemen Cortes placed them asunder and commaunded them to be put in Irons and theyr examinations taken they confessed that they had slayne those Spaniardes in battayle Cortes demaunded of Qualpopoca if he were subiect to Mutezuma why quoth he is there any other Prince to whome I might be in subiection giuing almost to vnderstand that he was a Lorde absolute Cortes answered that a farre greater Prince was the King of Spayne whose subiects vnder colour of friendship and salfeconduct he had slayne But quoth he nowe shalte thou make payment thereof And beyng agayne more straighter examined they confessed that they had slaine two Spaniards by the aduice and inducement of the greate prince Mutezuma and the residue were slayne in the warres and had assaulted their houses and entred their countrey wherefore they helde it lawfull to kill them Through the confession pronounced by their owne mouthes sentence was giuen against them and they condēned to be burned whiche sentence was openly executed in the market place in sight of all the people without any mutine or slaunder and with great silence terrour feare of the newe maner of iustice which they sawe there executed vpon so noble a man in the chiefe seate and kyngdome of Mutezuma beyng gestes and straungers The cause of the burnyng of Qualpopoca AT the time that Cortes departed from Vera Crux he left in cōmission to Pedro Hircio to procure to inhabite in that place which is called Almeria not to permit Francisco de Garray to soiourne there for so much as once he was driuen frō that coast Now Hircio to fulfill his cōmission sente to requyre those Indians with peace and friēdship and to yéeld themselues for vassals of the Emperour Qualpopoca Lorde of Nahutlan which is now called as aforesaid Almeria sent to aduertise Pedro Hircio that he could not come to yéelde his obedience for the enimies that were in the way but if it would please him to sende some of his men for the securitie of the way he would willyngly come vnto him Hircio hearing this answere sent foure of his men giuing credite to his message and for the desire he hadde to inhabite there When the soure Spanyardes came into the prouince of Nahutlan there mette with them many armed men who slew two of them and made thereof a great triumph the other two escaped sore wounded and returned with that newes to the Towne of Vera Crux Pedro Hircio beleeuing that Qualpopoca had done that iniurie armed out agaynst hym fiftie Spanyardes and ten thousand Indians of Zempoallan with two horses and two péeces of Ordinance Qualpopoca hearing this newes came with a mightie power to driue them out of his Countrey and in that encounter seauen Spanyardes were slayne and many Zempoallanezes but at the ende he was ouercome his Countrey spoyled and Towne sacked and many of his army slaine and taken captiues The prisoners declared that by the commaundement of the greate Lorde Mutezuma all this vprore was attempted by Qualpopoca it mighte well be for at the houre of death they confessed the same But some affirme they sayde so but to excuse themselues and to lay the fault to the Mexicans Hircio wrote these newes to Cortez béeyng in Chololla and through these letters Cortez apprehended Mutezuma as is afore declared Hovv Cortez put a payre of giues on Mutezuma his legges BEfore the execution of Qualpopoca and hys fellowes Cortes declared vnto Mutezuma that Qualpopoca and his company had confessed that by hys aduice and commaundemente the nine Spanyardes were slayne wherein he had done very euill they being his friendes and guestes but quoth he if it were not in respect of the loue I beare vnto you this matter shoulde not in this sort be shut vp and then knocked a payre of giues on his legges saying he that killeth ought to be killed according to the lawes of god These things did Cortes bycause he shoulde occupye himselfe in his owne griefe and sorrow and to let other mens passe Mutezuma waxed pale with countenāce of death through the great feare that he was in séeyng himselfe in Irons a new and strange thing for suche a great King excusing himselfe that he was innocent of the facte And as soone as the execution of burning was done Cortez commaunded to put away the Irons that Mutezuma ware offering him libertie and willing him to goe vnto his owne pallace who reioyced much to sée himselfe out of the Irons and gaue Cortes most hartie thankes and refused to goe home to his owne pallace surmising that the offer was but wordes or else fearing least his subiects woulde kyll him séeing him out of the Spanyardes power for permitting himselfe to be taken prisoner and so to be kept Hée sayd also that if he went from them his subiectes woulde rebell and compell him to kill the Spanyardes Truly the poore simple soule was of small hearte and courage to suffer himselfe to be taken prisoner and after his imprisonment woulde neuer procure libertie Cortes offering it vnto him and many of his noble men desired him And remayning in that order there was none in Mexico durst offende any Spanyard for feare of displeasing him for Qualpopoca came 70. leagues with only warning him that the great Lorde had sent for him shewing hym the figure of his seale yea and al the péeres of his realme that dwelte farthest off were ready to obey hys commaundementes Hovv Cortez sent to seeke for Mines of golde into diuers places COrtez had a greate desire to know howe farre the Empire of Mutezuma dyd extende and what friendship was betwixte him and other Kings and Princes Comarcans and also to gather togither a good summe of gold to send to Spayne to the Emperoure for his custome or firste parte with full relation of the Countrey people and things happened vntill that day Wherefore he prayed Mutezuma to shew him where the mynes were from whence he and his subiectes had the golde and plate Mutezuma
graunted to his request and incontinent appoynted eyght Indians of the which four were Goldsmythes who had knowledge and vnderstanding of Mynes and the other foure were guydes for the iourney He commaunded them that by two and two they shoulde goe into foure prouinces that is to say Zucolla Malinaltepec Tenich and Tutepec with other eyghte Spanyardes whiche Cortez appoynted to haue knowledge of the riuers and mynes of gold and to bring a moster of the same The eyght Spanyardes departed on their iourney with the other eyghte Indians with tokens from Mutezuma Zucolla is 80. leagues from Mexico and the Lord therof is subiect to Mutezuma who shewed vnto the Spanyardes thrée riuers with golde and gaue of each riuer a moster thereof although it were but little for with want of knowledge they knew not wel the māner how to get it out of the riuer These messengers in their iourney too and fro passed through thrée prouinces full of people and habitatiō with good buildings frutefull ground and the people of the one of them called Tlamacolapan are of good reason and iudgemente and better apparelled than the Mexicans Malinaltepec is 70. leagues from Mexico from whence also they brought mosters of golde the which is had out of a great riuer by the naturals of that Countrey Tenich standeth vp towarde the head of the same riuer of Malinaltepec who are people of another language and would not permitte our men to haue relation of the thing that they sought The Lorde of that place is called Coatelicamatl who is not subiecte to Mutezuma nor yet is his friende thinking that his men hadde bine spyes but when he was enformed who they were he gaue the Spanyardes licence to be resolued of their affayres but straitly commaunded that the Indians of Mexico should not presume to come into his dominion When the Mexicans hearde these newes they required the Spanyardes not to credite that Cazike saying that he was an euill and a cruell man and would surely kill them Our men were somewhat amazed fearing to talke with Coatelicamatl although they hadde his licence séeyng the people of the countrey armed with Launces of fiue and twenty foote lōg but yet at lēgth leauing cowardise aside they procéeded forwards Coatelicamatl receyued thē curteously and shewed them sixe or seauen riuers with golde out of the which graynes of golde were taken in his presence who gaue the same moster vnto them and sente also his Embassadors to Cortez offering his lande and person vnto him with certayne mantels and Iewels of golde Cortez more reioyced of the Embassage than of the gold and presents knowing thereby that Mutezuma hys enimies desired his friendshippe but Mutezuma and hys counsell liked not the matter for although Coatelicamatl is no great Lord yet his people are good souldyers and his countrey full of wildernesse of Rockes and Mountaynes The other that wente to Tutepec which standeth néere the sea coast and twelue leagues frō Malinaltepec returned likewise with moster of golde of two Riuers and brought newes that the Countrey was fit to buylde vppon with hope to reape muche golde finding once an arte to get it out of the riuer Cortez hearing these news prayed Mutezuma to build a house there in the name of the Emperoure Charles who incontinente sente thither workemen and labourers whyche within two monethes hadde built a greate house and other thrée little houses round aboute it with a ponde of water full of fishe and fiue hundred Duckes and a thousand fiue hundred Turkie cockes and hennes and muche housholde stuffe so that the gifte was worth twentie thousand Castlins of golde He gaue vnto hym also twenty bushels of the grayne called Centli readye sowen and two thousand stockes of trées called Cacauatl whiche bringeth forthe the fruite Cacao that serueth for money and meate Cortes began this husbandrye but yet made not an ende thereof with the comming of Pamfilo de Naruaiz and the vprore in Mexico whiche shortly followed He also besoughte Mutezuma to certifie him if there were any sure porte or harbor on the Sea coast where the Spanish nauie mought ride in safetie he aunswered that he knew of none but that he woulde sende to make enquirie thereof And forthwith he commaunded all that coast to be painted in a cloath made of cotten woll with all the riuers bayes créekes and capes that were within his dominion In all the same portrayture did not appeare anye porte skale or sure roade sauyng a gulfe that falleth out of the Mountaynes which place is now called the harbor of Saint Martine and Saint Anthonie in the prouince of Coazacoalco The Spanyards thought the same to be a straight or passage into the South sea to passe vnto the Maluccos and spicerie but they were deceiued although they beléeued the thing that they desired Cortes for this purpose sent tenne Spanyardes all good marriners and Pylots in companye of the Indians that Mutezuma sent on that voyage at his owne cost They departed and came to Chalohicoeca where firste they came aland the which place is now called S. Iohn de Vlhua They wente 70. leagues along the coast without finding any Riuer although they mette with many brookes of shallowe water not fytte for a roade for Shyppes They aported at Coazacoalco the Lorde whereof was enimie to Mutezuma hys name was Tuchintlec who friendly receyued the Spanyardes for he hadde intelligence of them at their lying at Potonchan He gaue vnto them boates to sounde and séeke the Riuer where they found sixe fadome in deapth and wente vppe that Riuer twelue leagues wher they descryed many great townes and it séemed a fruitefull soyle This Cazike Tuchnitlec sente vnto Cortes with the Spanyards certayne gold precious stones and cloth of cotten with apparrell made of skynnes and tygers requesting his friendship and to admitte him tributarie to the Emperour paying yéerely a certayne portion of his riches with suche condition that the Indians of Culhua should not enter into his iurisdictiō Cortes muche reioysed with these messages and was glad of the finding of the faire riuer for the Marriners hadde enformed him that from the riuer of Grijalua vnto Panuco was no riuer to be found but I beléeue they were deceyued Cortes returned backe agayne some of those messengers with a present of Spanish ware for Tuchnitlec and to be better enformed of all his meaning with a special charge to knowe the cōmoditie of that porte and Countrey who went and in shorte time returned wel satisfyed of their demaund wherevpon Cortes sente thyther Iohn Velasques de Leon for Captayne of a hundred and fifty Spanyardes with commission to build a fort The imprisonment of Cacama King of Tezcuco THe weake courage and stomake of Mutezuma caused his subiectes not onely to murmure but also to seeke meanes of rebellion especially his nephew Cacamazin Lorde of Tezcuco who was a stoute yong man and an honorable and one that receiued greate griefe of his Vncles imprisonment and séeing that
the matter séemed long he besought his Vncle to procure his libertie and to shew himselfe a Lorde and not a slaue but séeing at length that he could not accepte and follow his councell he began to stirre in the matter threatning the death and destruction of the Spanyardes Some said that Cacama did begin that matter to reuenge the iniurie and dishonor done vnto his Vncle. Others saide that his meaning was to make himselfe Kyng of Mexico Others held opinion that his pretence was only to make an ende of the Spanyards But let it be for whatsoeuer purpose Once he gathered a great army which he coulde not want although Mutezuma was prisoner especially against the Spanyards He published that he would redéeme his Vncle out of Captiuitie and expulse the Straungers or else kill and eate them This was a terrible newes for the Christians but yet for all those bragges Cortes dismayde not rather hée determined forthwith to prepare himselfe for the warres and to besiege him in his owne house and Towne sauing that Mutezuma disturbed him saying that Tezcuco was a place very strong and scituated in water and that Cacama was a man of bolde and stoute courage and had at commaundemente the Indians of Culhua and was also Lorde of Culhuacan and Oâ—umpa whiche were fortes of great strength thinking to bring the matter to a better passe another way so that Cortez ruled himselfe by the counsell of Mutezuma and sent vnto Cacama praying him to haue in remembrance the friendshippe that hadde bin betwixt them two from the time that he came and broughte hym into Mexico and that alwayes peace was better than warre and especially for a noble man of vassals for the begynnyng of warres was pleasant to hym that knewe not what warres meante and in so doyng he shoulde do both pleasure and seruice to the Kyng of Spayne Cacama aunswered that he had no friendship with him that woulde take away hys honor and kingdome and that the warres whych he pretended was profitable for his vassals and in defence of their Countrey and Religion yea and before he determined peace he meante to reuenge hys Vncles wrongs and his goddes Also quoth he what haue I to doe wyth the Kyng of Spayne who is a man that I know not no nor yet would gladly heare of hym Cortez turned agayne to admonishe and require hym diuers tymes to leaue off his determination and wylled Mutezuma to commaunde hym to accepte hys offer Wherevpon Mutezuma sente vnto hym desiryng him to come vnto Mexico to take some order in those controuersies and discordes betwixte hym and the Spanyardes Cacama aunswered very sharply vnto his Vncles request saying if you had bloud in your eye or the hearte of a Prince you woulde not permit your selfe to bée prisoner and captiue of foure poore straungers who with their fayre speache and flatteryng talke haue bewitched you and vsurped your kingdome no nor yet suffer the Goddes of Culhua to be throwen downe and spoyled yea and the Mexican religion and holy places violated and troden with théeues feete and deceyuers likewise the honour glory and fame of your predecessors blotted and abased through your faynt stomacke and cowardize But notwithstanding accordyng to your request and to repayre our religioÌ„ to restore the Goddes to their Temples to preserue the kingdome and to procure libertie for you and the Cittie I will obay your commaundement But how not with my handes in my bosome but lyke a warrier to kill those Spaniardes who haue so affrented the nation of Culhua Our men stoode in great perill as well of the losing of Mexico as of their owne liues if this warre and mutinie had not soone bene qualified for why Cacama was valiant stoute and a good souldier yea and well furnished of men of warre also the Citizens of Mexico were desirous of the same for to redéeme Mutezuma their prince and to kill the Spaniardes or else to expulse them out of the Cittie But poore Mutezema remedied the matter knowyng or foreseing that warres would not preuayle yea and beleued that at the ende all shoulde fall vpon his backe He dealt with certayne Captaynes Gentlemen that dwelt in Tezcuco with Cacama to apprehend him and bryng him prysoner coÌ„sidering that he was their king and yet aliue But whether it were that those Captaynes had serued Mutezuma in the warres or whether it were for giftes rewardes they apprehended Cacama being in counsell among them treatyng of his warres pretended and embarked him in a boate armed for the purpose and so brought him to Mexico without any further slander or stryfe and when he was comen to Mexico they put him on a riche seate as the Kings of Tezcuco were wonte to sitte vpon beyng the greatest Prince in all that lande next vnto Mutezuma and in this sorte brought him before his vncle who would not looke vpon him but commaunded him to be deliuered vnto Cortes who incontinent clapped a payre of giues on his legges and a payre of manacles on his handes and put hym into sure Guarde and custodie After that Cacama was in this order prysoner with the consent of Mutezuma was elected Lorde and Prince of Tezcuco and Culhuacan Cucuzca Cacama his yonger brother who was abidyng in Mexico with his vncle and fled from his brother Mutezuma did entitle him with the ceremonies accustomed vnto Princes newly elected and chosen So that forthwith he was obeyed in Tezcuco by Mutezuma his commaundement for he was there better beloued than Cacama who was somewhat of a croked nature In this sorte was remedied all the former perill but if there had bene many Cacamas it would haue fallen out otherwise Here Cortes made kings and coÌ„maunded with as great auctoritie as though he had obtayned already the whole Empire of Mexico and certainely sithens his first entry into that countrey he had an assured hope to win Mexico and to be Lorde ouer the whole state of Mutezuma The Oration that Mutezuma made vnto his Noble men yeelding himselfe to the King of Castile AFter the imprisonment of Cacama Mutezuma proclaymed a Parliament vnto the which came all the Seniors Comarcans and beyng all together he made the Oration followyng vnto them My kinsmen friendes and seruants yée do well know that eightene yeares haue bene your kyng as my fathers and Grandfathers were and alwaies I haue bene vnto you a louing Prince and yée vnto me good and obedient subiectes and so I hope you will remayne all the dayes of my life Ye ought to haue in remembrance that eyther ye haue heard of your fathers or else our adeuines haue instructed you that we are not naturalles of this countrey nor yet our kingdome is durable bycause our forefathers came from a farre countrey and theyr king and captayne who brought them hither returned againe to his naturall countrey saying that he woulde sende suche as shoulde rule and gouerne vs if by chaunce hée himselfe returned not Beléeue ye assuredly
abide all togither for the better resistance and bycause the enimies shoulde thynke that they feared wherevpon they mighte without any good order gyue the onsette vpon the Christians and so to fall suddenly into the snare But it followed that when they came within shotte of the Spaniardes ordinaunce they stayed abydyng more company but in shorte space there came so many Canoas that it séemed a wonder to beholde They made suche a terrible noyse with theyr voyces drummes Snayle shelles and other like instruments of warre that they could not heare one an other with such great crakes and bragges as they had done in time paste And beyng bothe parties in a readinesse to fight there happened suche a poupewinde to the Vergantines which came from the shore that it séemed meruellous Cortes theÌ„ praysing God commaunded al his Captaines to giue the onset altogithers not to ceasse vntill the enimies should be dryuen to retire into Mexico for that it was the pleasure of God to sende vnto them that prosperous winde in token of victory This talke ended they beganne to sette vpon the enimy who seyng the Vergantines come with such lucky winde yea such a sight as the like vnto them had not bene séene they began to flie with suche greate haste that they spoyled brake and sunke many of them and suche as stoode to defende themselues were slayne so that this battayle was soone ended They pursued them twoo leagues vntill they had locked them vp in the water streates of Mexico and tooke many Lordes and Gentlemen prisoners And the key of al these warres â—â—sisted in this victory for our meÌ„ remayned for Lords of the whole lake and the enimie with great feare and losse they had not bene so soone spoyled but that there were so many of them who disturbed one an other But when Aluarado and Cristoual de Olid saw the fortunate successe of Cortes by water they entered the calsey with their army and tooke certaine bridges and bulwarkes and draue the Indians from them with all their force and strength But with the helpe of the Vergantines which came vnto them the Indians were dryuen to runne a whole league vpon the calsey and where they founde the calsey broken they procured to leape ouer and so fel into the middest Cortes procéeded forwards and â—indyng no Canoas he landed vpon the calsey that commeth from Iztacpalapan with thirtie men and combatted two towers of iâ—olles whiche were walled with wall of lyme and stone it was the same place where Mutezuma receyued Cortes He wan those towers in shorte time although they were defended with all possibilitie he vnshipped thrée péeces of ordinaÌ„ce to scoure the calsey which was full of enimies at the first shotte he did great hurte among theÌ„ and beyng the night at hande they seased on bothe sides for that day And although Cortes had determined otherwise with his Captaynes yet he aboade there that night and sente to the campe of Gonsalo de Sandoual for pouder and fiftie meÌ„ with halfe the company of Indians of Culhuacan Hovv Cortez besieged Mexico THe night of Cortes his abiding there was perillous for he had not aboue a hundreth men in his coÌ„pany and aboute midnight set vpoÌ„ him many Mexicans both by water and lande although they accustomed not to fight in the night but the Vergantines made them sone to retire In the morning came vnto Cortes from Cristoual de Olid eight horsemen and foure score footemen The Mexicans combated the towers where Cortes was lodged who incontinent came forth draue them along the calsey vntil he had wonne an other bridge and a bulwarke and made a great spoyle among them with the ordinaunce horse men pursuyng them to the vtmoste houses of the Cittie and bycause many of the Canoas whiche were on the other side of the calsey galled Cortes and his menne he brake downe so muche of the calsey that he mighte well passe some of his Vergantines to the otherside the which with few encounters shutte vp the Canoas on that side within the succour of Mexico and in this wise he remayned Lord ouer bothe the lakes The next day Sandoual departed from Iztacpalapan toward Culhuacan and in his way he tooke and spoyled a little Citie that standeth in the lake bycause they came out to resist him Cortes sente vnto him two Vergantines to passe his men where the caâ—â—ey was broken Sandoual left his company with Cristoual de Olid and weÌ„t to Cortes with tenne horsemen and when he came he found him in fight with the enimies and he alightyng from his horse an Indian persed him through the foote with a dart Many Spaniardes were hurte that day but theyr griefe was well reuenged for from that day forwarde the Indians courage was muche abated With the paynes labour and victory already obtayned Cortes might now at ease pitche his campe at his owne pleasure where he woulde and also prouide his army of victuals sixe dayes he ceassed not skirmishyng and the Vergantines likewise founde out channels that they mighte goe rounde aboute the Cittie yea and wente spoylyng and burning many houses within the Suburbes Mexico was besieged in foure places although at the first they determined but thrée Cortes was placed betwixt the twoo towers of the calsey Pedro de Aluarado in Tlacopanâ— Cristoual de Olid in Culhuacan Gonsalo de Sandoual in Xaltoca for they had aduise that the same way they would flée out of the Citie seyng themselues in any daunger It would not haue grieued Cortes to haue lefte a passage for the enimy but only bycause they should not profite themselues vpon the lande and prouide the Cittie that way of armour victuall yea he also thought to preuaile against his enimies better vpon the lande than vpon the water And againe according to the olde prouerbe When thine enimy flieth make him a bridge of siluer The first skirmishe vvithin the cittie of Mexico COrtes pretended to enter the Citie and to gette what he could also to sée what stomacke the enimy had he sent to aduise his captaines that eche of them should do the like requiring them to sende vnto him some of their horsemen and footemeÌ„ He gaue speciall commaundement to Cristoual de Olid to haue regard to the kéeping of his calsey and to forsée that the inhabitants of Xoâ—hmilco Culhuacan Iztacpalapan Vitzalopachtli Mexicalcinco Cuetlauac other cities thereaboutes come not that way behinde them and vnwares He commaunded that the Vergantines should goe along the calsey on bothe the sides of any néede shoulde happen Cortes early in the morning came out of his campe with 200. Spaniardes and. 80000. Indian friends they had gone but a small space when they met with their enâ—mies well armed keping the gappe where the calsey was brokeÌ„ which broken place mought be a speares length and as much in depth They fought with them who for a great space defended themselues behinde a bulwarke but in fine he wanne the
whome he offereth bread flowers Papers and little Canes died in the bloudde of his owne tongue nose handes and other partes of his body After the foure dayes expired then come all the Noble men to beare him company to his palayce with great triumphe and pleasure of all the Cittie but after his consecration fewe or none dare looke him in the face And now with the declaryng of the actes and Ceremonies that the Mexican Kings are crowned I shall not néede to rehearse of other kyngs for generally they all do vse the same order sauyng that other Princes goe not vp to the toppe of the Temple but abide at the foote of the steppes to be crowned and after theyr Coronation they come to Mexico for their confirmation and then at theyr returne to their countrey they made many drunkē feasts and banquets The opinion of the Mexicans concerning the Soule THe Mexicans did beléeue that the Soule was immortal and that they receyued eyther ioy or payne according to theyr desertes liuyng in this worlde vnto which opinion all their religion did attayne and chiefly appeare at their burials They holde for an assured faith that there were nine places appointed for soules the chiefest place of glory to be neare vnto the Sunne where the soules of those whiche were good men slaine in the warres those which were sacrifised were placed and that all other sortes of euill persons their soules above on the earth were deuided after this sorte children that were dead borne went to one place those which died of age or other disease went to another those which died of sodden death to another those whiche died of woundes or contagious diseases went to an other place those which were drowned went to another those which were put to death for offence by order of iustice as for robbery and adultery to another Those which slewe their fathers mothers wiues or childrē to another place by themselues also those who slew their maysters or any religious person went to another place The common sorte of people were buried but Lordes and rich men had their bodies burned their ashes buried In their shreudes they had a greate difference for many dead bodies were buried better apparelled than when they were on liue Women were shrewded after another sorte And he that suffered death for adulterie was shrewded like vnto the God of leachery called Tlazoulteutl he that was drowned like vnto the God of water named Tlacoc and he that died with drunkennesse was shrewded like vnto the God of wyne called Ometochtli But the Souldier had an honorable shrewde like vnto the attyre of Vitzilopuchtli and the lyke order in all other sortes of deathes The buriall of Kings in Mexico WHen any Kyng of Mexico happened to fall sicke they vsed foorth-with to put a visor vppon the face of Tezcatlipuca or Vitzilopuchtli or some other Idoll whiche Visor was not taken awaye vntill they sawe whether the kyng did amend or else die But if he chaunsed to die then worde was sent throughout all his dominions to bewaile his death and also other postes were sent to call the Noble menne that were his nighest kinsmen and to warne them within foure dayes to come vnto his buriall The dead body was layde vpon a fayre matte was watched foure nightes with great lamëtation and mournyng then the body was washed and a locke of heare cut from the crowne of his head whiche was preserued as a great relicke saying that therein remayned the remembrance of his soule This done a fine Emerald was put into his mouth and his body shrewded in seuentene riche mantles of colours both riche and costly wrought Vpon the vpper mantle was sette the deuise or armes of Vitzilopuchtli or Tezcalipuca or of some other idoll in whome the kyng had greate confidence in his lyfe tyme and in his temple should the body be buried Vpō his face they put a visor paynted with foule and Diuelish gestures besette with many iewelles precious stones and pearles Then they killed his slaue whose office was to light the Lampes and make fire vnto the Goddes of his pallayce These things done they carried the dead body vnto the Temple some followed him with dolefull tune others song the death of the kyng by note for so was the custome The Noble men and Gentlemen of his housholde carried Targets Arrowes Mases and Ensignes to throwe into the fire where the body should be buried in the Temple The high Priest and all the Clergie receyued him at the Temple gate with a sorrowfull song and after he had sayde certayne wordes the body was throwen into a great fire made for the purpose with all the iewels that he had aboute him and all the other things whiche was brought to honour the burial also a dogge newly strangled with an arrowe whiche was to guyde him his way In the meane whyle that the King and dogge were burnyng the Priests sacrificed twoo hūdred persons howbeit in this Ceremonie there was no ordinary taxe for sometymes they sacrificed many moe they were opened with a rasour of flinte in the breastes and theyr hartes taken out and throwen into the fire where the Kings body was These miserable persons beyng sacrificed and their bodies throwen into a hole they beléeued assuredly that those shoulde serue for his slaues in another worlde some of them were dwarffes monstrous and deformed persons with some women They placed about the dead body of the King before his buriall Roses Floures and sundry dishes of meate and drinke and no creature durste touche the same but onely the Priests for it séemed to be an offeryng The nexte day followyng all the ashes were gathered togither and the téeth with the Emerald that was in his mouth the whiche things were put into a chest paynted on the inside with horrible figures of diuels and the locke of heare whiche was cut from his crowne and another locke of heare which was preserued from the tyme of his birth Then the chest was lockte and an image of wood made and clothed like vnto the Kings person which was set on the toppe of the chest The obsequies endured foure dayes in the whiche the wines and daughters of the king offered great offerings at the place where his body was buried and before the chest and his image On the fourth day after the buriall fiftene slaues were sacrificed for his soule and on the twentith day other fiue persons were also sacrificed likewise on the sixtie thrée and fourescore whiche was lyke vnto the yéeres minde The order of buriall of the Kings of Michuacan THe kingdeme of Michuacan is almoste as great as the Empire of Mexico and when any king of that countrey happened to be visited with sicknesse and brought to suche extremitie that hope of life were past according to the opinion of Phisitions then would he name and appoint whiche of his Sonnes shoulde inherite the estate and beyng knowen the new king or heyre incontinent
Many other couerlets of cotten course Two kerchiefs of good cotten Many perfumes of sweete odor much of that countrey fruits They also brought a gentlewoman that was giuen theÌ„ and other prisoner Indians And for one of them was offered hys weight in golde but Grijalua woulde not take it They also brought newes that there were Amazons women of warre in certaine Ilandes and manye gaue credit being amazed at the things that they had brought bartered for things of a vile price as here-vnder appeareth the Merchandise that they gaue for al the aforesaid Iewels The Inuentorie of the Spanish Merchandise SIxe course shirts Thrée paire of Maryners breeches of lynnen Fiue paire of womens shoes Fiue broad leatherne girdels wrought with coloured thréed with their purses Manye purses of shéepes skinne Sixe glasses a little gilt Foure brouches of glasse Two thousand beadstones of glasse greene A hundred paire of beades of diuerse colours Twenty woodden combes Sixe paire of Sissers Fiftéene kniues great and small A thousand taylers nedels Two thousand pinnes of sorts Eight paire of corded shoes A paire of pinsers and a hammer Seauen red night cappes Thrée coates of colours A freese coate with a cap of the same An old gréene veluet coats An olde veluet cappe The determination of Cortez to prepare a Nauie for discouerie BYcause Iohn de Grijalua was absent a loÌ„ger season than was Francisco Hernandez de Cordona before his returne or giuing aduise of his procéedings the gouernoure Valasques prepared a Caruel and therein sent one Christofer de Olid for to séeke Grijalua with succor if néed wer and gaue Olid great charge that he should returne with newes from Grijalua with all spéede But this messenger taried but a small while vpon his voyage and saw but little of Yucatan and not fynding Grijalua he returned backe againe to Cuba which returne happed not wel for the gouernour nor yet for Grijalua For if he had procéeded for the on his way to Saint Iohn de Vlhua hee had then mette with whom he sought for and likewise caused him to haue inhabited there But he excused him self alleaging that he had lost his ankers and was therfore forced of necessitie to returne And as soone as Olid was departed on that voyage Pedro de Aluarado returned to Cuba wyth full relation of the discouerie brought many things with hym wrought in gold with strange coloured feathers and cotton wool The gouernour Iames Valasques reioyced much to behold those principles And all the Spaniardes of Cuba wondered therat and likewise to heare the whole relatioÌ„ of the iourney Yet the gouernour feared the returne of his kinsman bycause some of his companye that came sicke and diseased from those parties saide that Grijalua meaned not to inhabite there and that the people and land was great and also how the same people were warlike likewise the gouernour feared the wisedome and courage of his kinsman Wherevppon he determined to send thyther certaine shippes with souldiers and armor and other trifling things thinking chiefly to enrich himself by barter and also to inhabite by force He requested one Baltazer Vermudez to take that voyage in hand who accepted the offer but he demaunded thrée thousand duckets for his furniture and prouision Their gouernour hearing this demaund answered that in suche sorte the charges would be more than the profite And so for that tyme lefte off the matter bycause he was couetous and loth to spend thinking to prouide an army at other meÌ„s cost as he had done before when Grijalua went firste on that voyage for at that time one Francisco de Montezo did furnish one shippe And also certaine gentlemen called Alaunso FernaÌ„dez Porto Carero Alaunso de Auila Iames de Ordas with manye others wente with Grijalua at theyr proper costes and charges It followed that the gouernour brake the matter to Cortez required that the voyage shoulde be set forth betwixte them knowing that Cortez had two thousand Castlyns of gold in the power of one Andres de Duero a merchaunt and also that Cortez was a man diligent wise and of stoute courage Cortez being of haughtye stomacke accepted both the voyage and the charges thinking the cost would not be much c. So that the voyage and agréemente was concluded whervpon they sent one Iohn de Sanzedo to the kings couÌ„sel and chauncery resident in the Iland of Santo Domingo who were then religyous persons to haue and obtain of them licence fréelye to goe and traffike into those parties of â— newe discouerie and also to séeke for Iohn de Grijalua for they imagyned that wythout hym small trafficke woulde bee hadde whyche was to exchaunge trifles of Haberdashe for golde and syluer The chiefe rulers of gouernemente at that tyme in the kings counsell there were these following Sogniour AlouÌ„so de SaÌ„to Domingo Segniour Luys de Figuerâ—a Segniour Barnardo de Munsanedâ— who graunted the licence and appointed Hernando Cortez for captaine Generall of the voyage and setter forth in company of Iames Velasques They also appointed a Treasurer and Surueyour to procure for the kings portion or parte whych was according to custome one fifte parte In thys meane season Cortez prepared hymselfe for the Iourney and communed wyth hys especiall friendes to sée who woulde beare hym companye And hee founde thrée hundred men that agréed to his request He then bought a Caruell and Vergantine and another Caruell that Pedro de Aluarado brought home An other Vergantine he had of Iames Valesques he prouided for them armour artillery and other Munition hee brought also wyne Oyle Beanes Pease and other victuals necessarye he toke vp also vppon hys credite of one Iames Sauzedâ— muche Haberdashe to the value of seauen hundred Castlyns in golde The gouernour Velasques deliuered vnto hym a thousande Castlyns whyche he possessed of the goods of one Pamfilâ— de Naruaiz in hys absence alleaging that he had no other money of hys owne proper And beeyng in thys manner agréed the Articles and Conenauntes were drawen and set downe in wryting before a Notary called Alounso de Escalantes the thrée and twenty day of October Anno. 1518. In this meane time arriued at Cuba Iohn de Grijalua vpon whose arriuall the gouernour chaunged his purpose and pretence for hee refused to disburse any more money nor yet would consent that Cortez should furnish his Nauie For the onely cause was that he ment to dispatch backe againe his kinseman and his army But to behold the stoute courage of Cortez his charges and liberalitie in expences it was straunge and to sée how hee was deceiued And also to coÌ„sider the flatterie and deceite of his aduersarie yea what complaints were made to the Lord Admiral saying that Cortez was subtil high minded and a louer of honor which were tokeÌ„s that he wold rebel being in place conuenient and that he woulde reuenge olde griefes Also it grieued Vermudez that he had not accepted the voyage vnto whoÌ„ it was once offered
seing the great treasure that Grijalua had brought what a rich land the countrey newely discouered was Also he pretended that the gouernor would be chieftain of the fléet although his kinesman were not fit for the roome The gouernor also thought that he being slacke Cortez would also be slacke But yet he séeing Cortez earnestly procéed he sent one Amador de Larez a principal maÌ„ to intreate him to leaue off the voyage coÌ„sidering the Grijalua was returned and that he would pay him al the costs charges that he had layd out Cortez vnderstaÌ„ding the gouernors minde made answere vnto Larez that he wold not leaue of the Iorney for very shame nor yet breake the agréement made And also if Valasques would send a Nauy for his owne account he woulde be contente for quoth he I haue alreadie my licence and dispatch of the fathers gouernours And theÌ„ be conferred with his friendes to knowe their mindes if that they would fauour and beare him coÌ„pany at whose handes be found both ready helpe and friendshippe Hee sought then for money and toke vp vpon his credit foure M. Castlyns in gold of his friend Andreas de Duero of Pedro de Xerez others With that which money he bought two ships 6. horses much apparel began to furnish a house kepe a good table for coÌ„mers goers he went also armed like a captaine many wayting atteÌ„ding vpon him whereat diuerse murmured saying that hee was a Lord without rente In thys meane whyle came Grijalua to the Cittie of Sainte Iames de Cuba but hys kinseman the gouernour woulde not loke vppon hym bycause he had leste and forsaken so riche a lande Also it grieued him inwardlye that Cortez procéeded thitherward so strong and mightye and coulde by no meanes disturbe or lette hym and to sée the greate traine that wayted vppon hym wyth manye of them that had byn the other voyage with Grijalua yea if that he should disturbe him bloud shedde would follow in the Citie So that he was forced to dissemble his sorow Yet as many affyrme hee commaunded that hee shoulde haue no victuals solde vnto hym Nowe Cortez departed from thence proclayming himselfe for General and that the gouernour Valasques had nothing to doe wyth hys Nauie requesting his soldiers to enbarke themselues wyth such victuals as they had He also bargayned wyth one Fernando Alfonso for certaine Hogges and Shéepe that were prepared for the shambles and gaue vnto hym a chayne of golde and brouches for payment and also moneye to pay the penaltie that the butcher fel into for not prouiding the Cittie And so he departed froÌ„ Saint Iames de Baracoa the eightéenth of Nouember with about thrée hundred Spaniardes in sixe shippes The nauie and men that Cortez caried with him to the Conquest COrtez departed from Saint Iames de Barocoa with small prouision of victuals for suche a number of men and also for the nauigation whyche as yet was vncertaine And beeyng out of that parte he sent Pedro Xuarez Gallinato with a Caruell to Iâ—ymaica for vittailes commaunding him that those things which he should there buy to goe therwith to Cape de Corrientes or to S. Anthonies point which is the farthest part of that Iland Westward And he himselfe wente with his companye to Macaca and boughte there greate quantitie of bread and some Hogges of one Taymaio Then he procéeded to the Trinitie Ilande and there boughte an other Shippe of one Alonso Guillen And of perticulare persons he bought thrée Horses and fiue hundred bushels of Corne. And being there at roade he had aduice that Iohn Nonez Sedenio passed that way with a Shippe laden with victuals for to make sale thereof at the Mynes Wherevppon he sente Iames de Ordaâ— with a Caruel well armed for to take him and to bring him vnto S. Anthonies point Ordas went and tooke him at the Channell de Iardines and brought him to the place appointed Sedenio broughte the register of his marchandise whiche was greate store of bread Bacon and Hennes Cortez gaue him chaynes of golde and other pieces for payment and a bil for the rest In consideration whereof Sedenio wente with him to the Conquest In the Trinitie Ilande Cortez gathered togyther two hundred men more who had bin in Grijalua hys company and were dwellers in that Iland and in Matancas Carenias and other Villages and sending his ships forward he went with his men by land to Hauana which was then inhabited on the South side in the mouth of the riuer called Onicaxinall but there they would sell him no prouision for feare of the Gouernour Velasques But yet one Christopher Galsada rentgatherer to the Byshoppe and receyuer for the Popes Bulles solde to him great store of Bacon and bread of that Countrey called Maiz and other prouision whereby his fléete was reasonably prouided c. And then he beganne to distribute his men and vittayles aboorde eache vessell in good order Then came Aluarado with his caruell with his other friendes Christopher de Olid Alonso de Auila Francisco de Monteio manye others of Grijalua hys company who had bin to talke with the Gouernoure Velasques And among them came one Garnica so called with letters for Cortez from Velasques wherein he wrote desiring him to abide there for that he meant to come himselfe or else to send vnto hym to treate of matters profitable for them both Also the sayd Gouernour sente other secret letters to Iames de Ordas and others requiring them to apprehende and take prisoner Cortez Nowe Ordas did inuite Cortez to a banket aboorde his Caruel thinking by that meanes to catche Cortez in a snare and so to carrie him prisoner to the Citie of Saint Iames de Barocoa but Cortez vnderstood the matter and fayned hymselfe to be very sicke and also fearing some vprore he went aboorde his Shippe Admirall and shot off a péece of Ordinance giuing warning to his Nauie to be in a readinesse to make sayle and to follow him to Saint Anthonies poynte whiche was done with expedition and there in the Towne of Guani Guaniga he mustered his men and found fiue hundred and fiftiâ— Spanyardes wherof fiftie were Marriners He deuided them into eleuen companies and appointed these persons following for Captaynes that is to say Alonso de Auila Alonso Fernandez Porto Carrero Iaimes de Ordas Francisco de Monteio Francisco de Morla Francisco de Salzeda Iohn de Escalante Iohn Velasques de Leon Christopher de Olid and one Escouar and he himselfe as Generall tooke one Company He made these many Captaynes bycause his whole fléete was eleuen sayle and that eache of them shoulde seuerally be Captayne both of Shippe and men He also appoynted for chiefe Pilote Antonio de Alamines who had taken charge before with Francisco de Hernandez de Cordoua and Grijalua c. He carried also 200 Indians borne in the I le of Cuba to serue and to carrie baggage also
Company entred the Towne at ease without contradiction so that hée and the other Companye of his Souldyers mette togither at the Markette place and expulsed all the Indians out of the Towne excepte those that were taken prisoners and the carkases of the deade Then the Chrystians soughte the spoyle and founde nothyng but Turkie Hennes and some thyngs wrought of Cotten wooll but verye little Golde There was that daye aboue foure thousande Indians in fyghte and defence of the Towne There was much Indian bloud shedde bycause they fought naked manye were wounded and fewe Captiue Cortez lodged himselfe wyth hys armie in the chiefest Temple of the Idolles where was roome sufficiente They kepte that nyghte good watche as in a house of enimies but the poore Indians durst not once interrupte them After thys sorte was Potonchan taken béeyng the fyrste Cytie that Cortez wanne by force in all hys Conquest The Battell of Cintla AL the nighte Cortez slept not but rather occupyed himselfe in carrying the wounded men other stuffe aboord the Shyps also to disenbarke thirtéene Horses the residue of his mē that he had left aboord that which he brought to passe before the sunne rising although the Tauascans had notice therof Whē the sunne was risen he had with his company made vnto God their prayers and mustered his men where were at that time in Campe néere fiue hundred Spanyardes thirtéene Horses and sixe péeces of ordinance These Horses were the fyrste that euer came into that Countrey whych now is called new Spayne He planted his men and munition in good order and thus marched forwardes toward Cintla The Indians séeyng this preparation began also to make readie and to place in good order fortie thousand men in fyue cōpanies their méeting was in ploughed lande among manye déepe lakes and pondes very daungerous to passe so that our men by reason thereof were brought out of order And Hernando Cortez with his horsemen wente to séeke a better passage and to enclose himselfe among certayne trées on their left hand for to set vpon the enimies when time should serue The footemen procéeded on and passed many marishe groundes vntill they came to the tilled land The Indians were expert in those places wher they beganne the battayle shooting with their bowes and slings and throwing of dartes And although our mē did some hurt among them with their Crossebowes hādgunnes and Ordinance whē they were in place to shoote yet the Indians pursued our men so thicke that they could not put them off for by pollicie the Indians of Potonchan hadde soughte out that place and it is to bée thoughte that they were not barbarous nor of small vnderstanding in warres yet notwithstandyng wyth muche payne oure men gate out of that place and obtayned another somewhat better and more playner grounde whereas they myghte vse their Ordinance and fyghte with their weapons bodye to body But the Indians béeyng so greate a number draue our men to so narrowe a place that they were fayne to ioyne backe to backe for theyr owne defence yea for all that were in maruellous greate daunger for they hadde no roome to vse their Ordinance nor yet Horsemen to make them waye They béeyng in thys perplexitie and readie to flye suddaynely appeared a Horseman with a speckled Horse whome they iudged to be Captayne Morla whych Horsemanne sette vppon the Indians and made them retyre and hauyng more space than before they sette afreshe vppon the enimies and slewe some of them In thys meane tyme the Horsemanne vaded away and was not séene and wyth hys absence the Indians beganne afreshe and enclosed the Chrystians in the same daunger that they were in before then the Horsemanne appeared agayne néere oure menne and made maruellous way among the enimies wherevpon our menne séeyng this succoure gaue the onset agayne with great courage and slewe and hurt many Indians but at the best season the Horseman vanished away cleane out of sighte and when the Indians sawe not the Horseman with feare of whome they fledde thinkyng that he hadde bin a Centaure and that the Horse and man was all one incorporate they returned agayne with liuely courage and vsed our Christians worse than they hadde done before Then the Horseman returned the third time and putte the Indians to flight with great hurte whom our footemē pursued with great slaughter Now at this instant came Cortez with al his company of horsemen being wearied with the trauaile in passing such strange lakes and wildernesse wherof the countrey is replenished Our men being ioyful of his comming they began to enforme him what wonders they had sene a horseman do which came to succour them demanding of him which of their company it was Cortez answered and faithfully assured them that it was none of their cōpany bicause it was not possible for any of them to come any sooner Then they al gaue God praise belieuing that it was a helpe sent from heauen Cortez said my deare fellows forwards for god is with vs Then the horsemē set vpon the Indians and with force of lance droue them out of the marish ground and brake their mayne battel The Indians incontinent left the fielde and fled into the thicke woodden the footemen followed them and slue aboue thrée hundred Indians besides many other that were hurt There wer aboue seauenty Spaniardes wounded with arrowes and stones And whether it were with labour of the battel or with excessiue heate or with drinking the water of that place there fel such a stitch in their loynes that about a hūdred of them fel flat vpon the groūd not able to go nor stand their fellowes being forced to carry thē on their backes But it pleased god that the same night the payne wente frō them being in the morning wel againe Who séeyng themselues deliuered from so manye perils gaue moste humble thankes to the almightye god that had miraculously deliuered them They all agréed that thrée times they had séene the straunge horseman with the speckled horse fight in their fauour as is aforesaid beléeuing generally it was a miracle as certainely it did appeare for the Christians did not alone sée this thing but also the Indians dyd muche note it for the maruelous flercenesse wherwith he came vppon them with such great murder that they were amased and almoste blynde with hys bryghtnesse being so trodden vnder hys féete The captiue Indians after the battayle declared the circumstance therof The Lord Tauasco submitteth himselfe to the Christians COrtez released some of hys prisoners and sent them to their Lorde saying that it grieued him the hurt done on both parties but the fault was theirs And that god was witnesse of hys innocencie and also of hys curtesie offered vnto thē But notwithstanding all that was paste he pardoned their errour with sucke condition That if in continent or within two dayes theyr Lorde woulde come vnto him to yéelde satisfaction of their