THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED.
Discovery of the Pacific.--Cortez's elation.--Cortez's dispatch.--He
sends to take possession of the coast.--The exploring parties.--
Release of the captives.--Rebuilding the city.--Power of Cortez.
--Progress of affairs in Spain.--Warrant against Cortez.--The
commissioner.--His reception.--Tapia's weak points.--His return.--
Cortez's dispatch.--Cortez's account of the arrival of Tapia.--Cortez
unable to visit Tapia.--Father Urrea dispatched to Vera Cruz.--Cortez
prepares to go to Vera Cruz, but is dissuaded.--Embassadors to Tapia.
--Delay asked.--Departure of Tapia.--Advice respecting Tapia.--Reasons
for not sending letters by him.--Insurrection.--Punishment.--Severe
chastisement.--Nuno de Guzman.--Influence at court.--Charges against
Cortez.--Cortez's defense to the charges against him.--Defense
triumphant.--Cortez appointed governor.--His powers.--Letter from the
emperor.--Depression of his enemies.--Unfair dealings.--Escape from
remonstrants.--Expedition to Zapoteca.--Great peril.--They abandon the
scheme.--Progress of the new city.--Cortez's palace.--Religious
zeal.--Catholic priests.--Approach to the metropolis.--Reception by
Cortez.--Success of the missionaries.--Colonies.--Arrival of Donna
Catalina.--Death of Catalina.--Suspicions of murder.
With zeal and energy which never slept, Cortez fitted out several
expeditions to explore the country, to study its geography, and to
ascertain its resources. One party, ascending the heights of the
Cordilleras, gazed with delight upon the placid expanse of the Pacific
Ocean, and, descending the western declivity, planted the cross upon
the sandy shores of that hitherto unknown sea. Cortez was exceedingly
elated with this discovery, for he considered it another bribe with
which to purchase the favor of his sovereign. He immediately made
arrangements for establishing a colony on the Pacific shores, and
ordered four vessels to be built to prosecute farther discoveries. He
lost no time in transmitting to the emperor the tidings of this great
achievement.
"I have received, most powerful sire," he wrote, "some
account of another sea to the south, and learned that at two
or three points it was twelve, thirteen, and fourteen days'
journey from this city. The information gave me much
pleasure, for it appeared to me that the discovery would
prove a great and signal service to your majesty, especially
as all who possess any knowledge or experience in navigation
to the Indies have considered it certain that the discovery
of the South Sea in these parts would bring to light many
islands rich in gold, pearls, precious stones, and
spiceries, together with many other unknown and choice
productions. The same has been affirmed also by persons
versed in learning and skilled in the science of
cosmography. With such views, and a desire that I might
render your majesty a distinguished and memorable service in
this matter, I dispatched four Spaniards, two by one route
and two by another, who, having obtained the necessary
information as to the course they were to take, set out,
accompanied by several of our allies as guides and
companions. I ordered them not to stop until they had
reached the sea, and when they had discovered it, to take
actual and corporal possession in the name of your majesty.
"One of these parties traveled about one hundred and thirty
leagues, through many fine provinces, without encountering
any obstacles, and arrived at the sea, of which they took
possession, and, in token thereof, set up crosses along the
coast. After some days they returned with an account of
their discovery, and informed me very particularly
concerning it. They brought with them several of the natives
from that quarter, together with good specimens of gold from
the mines found in the provinces through which they passed,
which, with other specimens, I now send to your majesty.
"The other party were absent somewhat longer, for they took
a different course, and traveled one hundred and fifty
leagues before they reached the sea, of which they also took
possession, and brought me a full account of the coast, with
some of the natives of the country. I received the strangers
in both parties graciously, and having informed them of the
great power of your majesty, and made them some presents, I
suffered them to depart on their return to their own
country, and they went away much gratified.
"In my former relation, most catholic sire, I informed your
majesty that, at the time when the Indians defeated me, and
first drove us out of the city of Tenochtitlan, all the
provinces subject to that city rebelled against your majesty
and made war upon us; and your majesty will see, by this
relation, how we have reduced to your royal service most of
the provinces that proved rebellious.
"As the city," he continues, "of Tenochtitlan was a place of
great celebrity and distinction, and ever memorable, it
appeared to me that it would be well to build another town
upon its ruins. I therefore distributed the ground among the
proposed inhabitants, and appointed alcaldes and regidores
in the name of your majesty, according to the custom of your
realms; and while the houses were going up, we determined to
abide in the city of Cuyoacan, where we at present are. It
is now four or five months since the rebuilding of the city
was commenced, and it is already very handsome. Your majesty
may be assured that it will go on increasing to such a
degree that, as it was formerly the capital and mistress of
all these provinces, it will still be so hereafter. It is
built so far and will be completed in such a manner as to
render the Spaniards strong and secure, greatly superior to
the natives, and wholly unassailable by them."
The power of Cortez was now unlimited. The whole native population
were virtually his slaves. He had the address to secure the friendly
co-operation of the principal chiefs, and the Indians, in any numbers
which he required, were driven by them to their reluctant toil. The
Spaniards assumed the office of overseers, while the natives performed
all the menial and painful labor. Timber was cut and dragged by the
_men of burden_ from the adjacent forests, and from the ruins of
Tenochtitlan the new and beautiful city of Mexico rose as by magic.
Charles V., King of Spain and Emperor of Germany, was overwhelmed by
the cares of his enormous empire. The scenes transpiring far away in
the wilderness of the New World, important as they were, could claim
but a small share of his attention. Velasquez succeeded in gaining
very influential friends at court, and plied all his energies, with
untiring diligence, to secure the disgrace of Cortez. Pride, ambition,
and revenge alike inspired him to work, if possible, the ruin of the
bold adventurer who had set his power at defiance. The sovereign was
at this time in Germany, and the reins of government in Spain were
temporarily placed in the hands of Adrian, who had been private tutor
of the emperor.
Influenced by the coadjutors of Velasquez, Adrian issued a warrant,
signed at Burgos on the 11th of April, 1521, which, after
recapitulating the offenses of which Cortez had been guilty against
the majesty of the Spanish government, appointed a commissioner to
repair to Mexico, seize the person of Cortez, suspend him from his
functions, sequestrate his property, and bring him to trial upon the
weighty charges contained in the indictment.
The accomplishment of a task so difficult required a man of consummate
tact and energy; but, unfortunately, the agent selected was totally
unqualified for his task. Christoval de Tapia, the appointed
commissioner, was a feeble, fussy old man, a government inspector of
metals in Saint Domingo. He landed at Vera Cruz in December, with
his commission in his hand. The authorities there, quite devoted to
Cortez, and fully aware that in his fall their fortunes must also
decay, threw every obstacle in their power in the path of Tapia.
They disputed his credentials, and, by innumerable embarrassments,
prevented him from entering the interior.
Cortez, on the other hand, while cordially accepting this important
co-operation on the part of his friends, the more valuable since it
did not involve him in any responsibility, wrote to Tapia a letter
full of expressions of courtesy, and of veneration for the authority
of the emperor. The imbecile old man soon became entangled in a
labyrinth of diplomacy from which he knew not how to extricate
himself. He had not sufficient force of character to cut the tangled
threads. It is said that every one has his weak point. Love of money
was the great frailty of Tapia. United with this there was great
timidity of character. Cortez, with his accustomed tact, discovered
the peculiarities of the man, and, with his habitual adroitness,
assailed him where his armor was weak. The old man's fears were
assailed with threats, and his avarice was approached by bribes, and
he very soon capitulated. Re-embarking in his ship, he returned to
Hispaniola, leaving Cortez in undisputed authority.
This affair alarmed Cortez exceedingly. The account which he himself
gives of it in his dispatch to the emperor is so curious and
characteristic of the man, that we must give it in his own words. The
dispatch itself will be more interesting and valuable than any
narrative we might give of the event. Upon the departure of Tapia,
Cortez immediately sent deputies to the emperor with a glowing
account of his new discoveries and conquests, with many rich gifts,
and the promise of immense future contributions. He gave, as it were
incidentally, an account of the mission of Tapia, explained with great
naïveté the reasons of its failure, and implored anew that he might be
intrusted with the government of the wide realms which his skill and
the valor of his followers had attached to the Spanish crown.
"While engaged in this business," he writes, "I received
accounts from Vera Cruz of the arrival at that port of a
ship, in which came Christoval de Tapia, smelting inspector
in the island of Hispaniola. The next day I had a letter
from him, informing me that the object of his coming to the
country was to assume the government of it by your majesty's
command, and that he had brought with him his royal
commission, which he should nowhere exhibit until he saw us,
but hoped this would be soon. As, however, the horses he had
brought were affected by the voyage, he was not able to set
out immediately, and begged that we would direct how the
interview should take place, whether by his coming here, or
by my going to the sea-coast.
"As soon as I had received his letter, I answered it, saying
that I was much pleased with his arrival; that no one could
come provided with an order from his majesty to assume the
government of these parts with whom I should be better
pleased, both on account of the acquaintance that existed
between us, and the neighborly intercourse we had enjoyed
together in the island of Hispaniola.
"Tranquillity not being firmly established in this quarter,
and any novelty being likely to estrange the natives, I
begged Father Urrea, who has been present in all my labors,
and who knew well the situation of affairs to the present
moment, and by whose coming your majesty's service has been
promoted, and ourselves benefited by his spiritual teachings
and counsels, to undertake the task of meeting the said
Tapia, and of examining the orders of your majesty. Since he
knew better than any one what the royal interests, as well
as those of this country, required, I requested that he
would give such directions to the said Tapia as he deemed
most proper, from which he knew I would not deviate in the
least degree.
"I made this request in the presence of your majesty's
treasurer, who joined his solicitations to mine. He
accordingly departed for the town of Vera Cruz, where the
said Tapia was; and in order that suitable attentions might
be paid to the inspector, either in the town or wherever
they should meet, I dispatched with the father two or three
respectable persons from my companions, and when they had
gone I waited the issue. In the mean time, I employed myself
in regulating the affairs of my command, and in such a way
as best to promote your majesty's interests, and the peace
and security of these parts.
"In ten or twelve days after, the magistrate and municipal
authority of Vera Cruz wrote me that the said Tapia had
exhibited the orders of your majesty, and of your governors
acting in the royal name, which they had treated with all
suitable reverence; but that as to the execution of the
orders, they had answered that, since the most of the
government were with me, having been concerned in the siege
of the city, they should be informed of them, and in the
mean time they would do whatever the service of your majesty
and the good of the country required. This answer, they
added, was received by the said Tapia with great
displeasure, and he had since attempted some scandalous
things.
"Although this answer occasioned me some regret, I answered
them, and begged and entreated that they would look chiefly
to the service of your majesty, and endeavor to content the
said Tapia, giving him no occasion for making a disturbance;
and that I was about going to meet him, and to comply with
whatever your majesty commanded, and the most your service
required.
"As I was now preparing to depart, the members of the
council entreated me, with many protestations, not to go, as
all this province of Mexico, having been but a short time
reduced, might revolt in my absence, whence much injury
would be done to your majesty's service, and great
disturbance caused in the country. They also urged many
other arguments and reasons why it was inexpedient for me to
leave the city at present; and added that they, with the
authority of the council, would go to Vera Cruz, where the
said Tapia resided, examine the orders of your majesty, and
perform all that the royal service demanded. As it seemed so
essential to our safety that the said councilors should go,
I wrote by them to Tapia informing him of what had passed,
and that I had authorized Gonsalvo de Sandoval, Diego de
Soto, and Diego de Valdenebro, who were then in the town of
Vera Cruz, jointly with the council of Vera Cruz and the
members of the other town councils, to see and perform
whatever the service of your majesty and the good of the
country required.
"When they reached the place where the said Tapia was, who
had already set out on his journey to this city, accompanied
by Father Pedro, they requested him to return, and all went
together to the city of Zempoalla, where Christoval de Tapia
presented your majesty's orders, which all received with the
respect due to your majesty. In regard to their execution,
they said that they asked some delay of your majesty as
demanded by the royal interests, for causes and reasons
contained in their petition, and more fully set forth
therein. After some other acts and proceedings between the
inspector Tapia and the deputies, he embarked in his own
ship, as he had been requested to do, since from his
remaining, and having published that he had come as governor
and captain of these parts, there would have been
disturbances.
"The coming of the said Tapia, and his want of knowledge
respecting the country and its inhabitants, had already
excited sedition, and his stay would have led to serious
evils if God had not interposed to prevent it. Much greater
service would have been rendered to your majesty if, while
he was in the island of Hispaniola, instead of coming
hither, he had first advised with your majesty. The said
Tapia had been often advised by the admiral, judges, and
other officials of your majesty residing in the island of
Hispaniola not to come into these parts until your majesty
had first been informed of all that had taken place here,
and on this account they had prohibited his coming under
certain penalties, which prohibition, however, by means in
his power, looking more at his individual interest than the
service of your majesty, he had succeeded in getting
removed.
"I have prepared this account of every thing in relation to
this matter for your majesty, because, when the said Tapia
departed, neither the deputies nor myself drew up any
statement, as he would not have been a suitable bearer of
our letters; and also that your majesty may see and believe
that, by not receiving the said Tapia, your majesty was well
served, as will be more fully established whenever it shall
be necessary."
While thus engaged, Cortez received intelligence that the province of
Panuco was in a state of insurrection. As most of his captains were
absent on various expeditions, he promptly placed himself at the head
of a force of one hundred and thirty horsemen, two hundred and fifty
infantry, and ten thousand Mexicans, and marched to inflict such
punishment upon the rebels as should intimidate all others from a
similar attempt.
The two hostile bodies soon met. According to the estimate of the
Spaniards, the number of the enemy amounted to above seventy thousand
warriors. "But it was God's will," the historian records, "that we
should obtain a victory, with such a slaughter of the rebels as
deprived them of all thought of making any head for the present."
Cortez ravaged the country, mercilessly crushing all who offered the
slightest resistance. Having thus quenched in blood the flickering
flame of independence, he returned victorious to the metropolis.
Here he was informed that some of the inhabitants of the neighboring
mountains had manifested a restive spirit, and had caused disturbance
in other peaceable districts. Sternly he marched to chastise them. The
punishment was prompt and severe; thousands were shot down, and their
chiefs were hanged. "They were punished," says Diaz, "with fire and
sword; and greater misfortunes befell them when Nuno de Guzman came to
be their governor, for he made them all slaves, and sold them in the
islands."
The father of Cortez, who was in Spain, and who was a man of much
elevation of character, now came forward to aid his son with his
influence at court. Implacable enemies were intriguing against the
bold Spanish adventurer in the court of Charles V., who had returned
from his long absence in Germany, and was now at Madrid. Don Martin
Cortez had secured the co-operation of a powerful nobleman, the Duke
of Bejar. The young monarch, bewildered by the accusations which were
brought against Cortez on the one hand, and by the defense which was
urged upon the other, referred the whole matter to a commission
specially appointed to investigate the subject. The charges which were
brought against him were serious and very strongly sustained by
evidence.
1. He had seized rebelliously, and finally destroyed, the
fleet intrusted to him by Governor Velasquez, whose
authority he was bound to obey.
2. He had usurped powers in contempt of the authority of his
lawful sovereign.
3. He had made war upon Narvaez, who had been sent with full
authority to supersede him, and had slain many of his
companions. He had also refused to receive Tapia, though he
was invested with the authority of the crown.
4. He had cruelly, and in dishonor of the Spanish name, put
Guatemozin to the torture.
5. He had remitted but a small part of the treasures
obtained to the crown, squandering vast sums in schemes to
promote his own aggrandizement.
6. His whole system of procedure was one of violence,
extortion, and cruelty.
It was urged in defense,
1. Two thirds of the cost of the expedition, nominally
fitted out by Velasquez, were defrayed by Cortez.
2. The interests of the crown required that colonies should
be established in Mexico. Velasquez was invested with power
to traffic only, not to found colonies; consequently,
Cortez, in the discharge of his duty, was bound to establish
colonies, and to send to the crown for the ratification of
the deed, as he had done.
3. It was the wish of Cortez to meet Narvaez amicably; but
that commander, assuming a hostile attitude, had compelled
Cortez to do the same. The treatment of Tapia was defended
as in the dispatch which Cortez had transmitted to the
emperor.
4. The torture of Guatemozin was declared to have been, not
the act of Cortez, but of one of his officers, who was
driven to it by the clamors of the soldiers.
5. It was clearly proved that Cortez had transmitted more
than one fifth of the treasure obtained to the crown. It was
also pretty conclusively proved that his administration was,
in general, characterized by far-reaching sagacity.
The defense was triumphant. Cortez was acquitted, his acts were
confirmed, and he was appointed _governor_, _captain-general_, _and
chief justice_ of the immense empire which he had subjugated. The
power with which he was invested was vast--almost unlimited. He was
authorized to appoint to all offices, civil and military. He could
also banish from the country any persons whose conduct should be
displeasing to him. A large salary was conferred upon him, that he
might maintain the splendor becoming his rank. His officers were
richly rewarded. The emperor even condescended to write a letter to
the little army in Mexico with his own hand, applauding the heroism of
the soldiers and the grandeur of their chieftain. This was one of the
greatest of the victories of Cortez. The depression of his enemies was
equal to his own elation. Velasquez was crushed by the blow. He
survived the tidings through a few months of gloom, and then sank into
the grave, the only refuge for those weary of the world.
When the envoys arrived in Mexico with the decision of the court, they
were received with universal rejoicing. Every soldier of Cortez felt
that his fortune was now made. But their intrepid commander was not
the man for repose. New discoveries were to be urged, new tribes
subjugated, and far-distant regions explored. Murmurs loud and deep
soon ascended from the disaffected, who now wished to repose from toil
in the enjoyment of their wealth and honors. Here is a specimen of
their complaints:
"I will now relate," says Diaz, "what Cortez did, which I
call very unfair. All those who were the dependents of great
men, who flattered him and told him pleasing things, he
loaded with favors. Not that I blame him for being
generous, for there was enough for all; but I say that he
ought to have first considered those who served his majesty,
and whose valor and blood made him what he was. But it is
useless detailing our misfortunes, and how he treated us
like vassals, and how we were obliged to take to our old
trade of expeditions and battles; for, though he forgot us
in his distribution of property, he never failed to call
upon us when he wanted our assistance. When we went to the
general with the request that he would give us some part of
the property which his majesty had ordered that we should
receive, he told us, and swore to it, that he would provide
for us all, and not do as he had done, for which he was very
sorry. As if we were to be satisfied with promises and
smooth words!"
Cortez had a very effectual way of escaping from such remonstrants. He
immediately dispatched such men as were troublesome on some important
expedition, where all their energies of mind and body would be
engrossed in surmounting the difficulties which they would be called
to encounter. A man by the name of Rangel, who had some considerable
influence, was complaining bitterly. Cortez immediately decided that
the distant province of the Zapotecans was in a threatening attitude,
and needed looking after. They were a fierce people, dwelling among
almost inaccessible cliffs, where no horse could climb and no
artillery be dragged. From such an enterprise it was little probable
that the troublesome man would ever return. He was consequently
honored with the command of the expedition. For apparently the same
reason, Bernal Diaz, whose complaints we have just read, was appointed
to accompany the detachment.
The forlorn party entered boldly the defiles of the mountains, and
wading through marshes, and struggling through ravines, and clambering
over rocks, with the utmost difficulty and peril penetrated the savage
region. The natives, nimble as the chamois, leaped from crag to crag,
whistling an insulting defiance with a peculiarly shrill note, with
which every rock seemed vocal. Stones were showered down upon them,
and immense rocks, torn from their beds, leaped crashing over their
path. Their peril soon became great, and it was so evidently
impossible to accomplish any important result, that they abandoned the
expedition, nearly all wounded, and many having been killed.
During the period of four years Cortez devoted himself with untiring
zeal to the promotion of the interests of the colony. The new city of
Mexico rose rapidly, with widened streets and with many buildings of
much architectural beauty. Where the massive temple once stood,
dedicated to the war-god of the Aztecs, and whose altars were ever
polluted with human sacrifices, a majestic temple was reared for the
worship of the true God. Cortez erected for himself a gorgeous palace
fronting on the great square. It was built of hewn stone. All the
houses constructed for the Spaniards were massive stone buildings, so
built as to answer the double purpose of dwellings and fortresses.
The zeal of Cortez for the conversion of the natives continued
unabated. In addition to the spacious cathedral, where the imposing
rites of the Catholic Church were invested with all conceivable
splendor, thirty other churches were provided for the natives, who had
now become exceedingly pliant to the wishes of the conqueror. Father
Olmedo watched over the interests of religion with great purity of
purpose and with unwearied devotion until his death. Twelve Catholic
priests were sent from Spain. Benighted as they were in that dark age,
the piety of many of these men can hardly be questioned. Cortez
received them with great distinction. Immediately upon being informed
of their arrival at Vera Cruz, he ordered the road to Mexico to be put
in order, to render their journey easy, and houses to be furnished, at
proper distances, with refreshments for their accommodation. The
inhabitants of all the towns along their route were ordered to meet
them with processions and music, and all demonstrations of reverence
and joy. As they approached the metropolis, Cortez, at the head of a
brilliant cavalcade, which was followed by a vast procession bearing
crucifixes and lighted tapers, set out to receive them. The Catholic
missionaries appeared with bare feet and in the most humble garb.
Cortez dismounted, and, advancing to the principal father of the
fraternity, bent one knee to the ground in token of reverence, and
kissed his coarse and threadbare robe. The natives gazed with
amazement upon this act of humiliation on the part of their haughty
conqueror, and ever after regarded the priests with almost religious
adoration.
When conversion consists in merely inducing men to conform to some
external ceremony, while the heart remains unchanged, it is easily
accomplished. The missionaries, with great zeal, embarked in the
enterprise of establishing the Catholic religion in every village of
the subjugated empire. They were eminently successful, and in a few
years almost every vestige of the ancient idolatry had disappeared
from Mexico.
Cortez did every thing in his power to induce the natives to return to
the capital. He introduced the mechanic arts of Europe, and all the
industrial implements of that higher civilization. The streets were
soon again thronged with a busy population, and the Indian and the
Spaniard, oblivious of past scenes of deadly strife, mingled together
promiscuously in peaceful and picturesque confusion.
Many colonies were established in different parts of the country, and
settlers were invited over from Old Spain by liberal grants of land,
and by many municipal privileges.
In the midst of these important transactions, while Cortez was living
quietly with the amiable Marina, who had borne him a son, a ship
arrived at Vera Cruz bringing Donna Catalina, the wife of the wayward
adventurer. This lady, accompanied by her brother, weary of the
solitude of her plantation, where she had now been left for many
years, came in search of her unfaithful spouse. Cortez made great
pretensions to religion. It was his crowning glory that he was the
defender of the faith. It would have been altogether too great a
scandal to have repudiated his faithful wife.
"Cortez," says Bernal Diaz, "was very sorry for their coming, but he
put the best face upon it, and received them with great pomp and
rejoicing." In three months from this time the unhappy Donna Catalina
died of an asthma. Her death was so evidently a relief to Cortez, and
so manifestly in accordance with his wishes, that many suspicions were
excited that she had fallen by the hand of violence. Though Cortez had
many enemies to accuse him of the murder of his wife, there is no
evidence whatever that he was guilty. Cortez had many and great
faults, but a crime of this nature seems to be quite foreign to his
character. The verdict of history in reference to this charge has been
very cordially _Not proven_.