TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE. See the TRANSCRIBER'S ENDNOTE for details of
this transcription.
THE
Pleasant Historie of the
Conquest of the VVeast India,
_now called new Spayne_,
Atchieued by the vvorthy Prince
_Hernando Cortes_ Marques of the valley of
_Huaxacac_, most delectable to Reade:
Translated out of the Spanishe
_tongue, by T. N._
Anno. 1578.
[Illustration]
¶ Imprinted at London by
_Henry Bynneman_.
1578.
¶ TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE,
Sir Francis VValsingham
_Knight, principall Secretary to the_
_Queenes most excellent Maiestie,_
_and one of hir highnesse most_
_Honorable priuie Counsell_.
Whilest I abode (right Honorable) in the Isle of Palma, in affaires
of merchandize for the vvorshipfull _Thomas Locke_ deceased, and his
company, time then permitted me, to haue cöference vvith auncient
gentlemen vvhiche had serued in the Conquest of the vveft India, novve
called nevve Spaine, vnder the princely Captaine _Hernando Cortez_.
By vvhom as present vvitnesses at many of the actes herein contayned,
I vvas credibly informed, that this delectable and vvorthy Historie
is a most true and iust reporte of matter paste in effect: vvherefore
I did the more vvillingly turne ouer and peruse the same, vvhiche
is a Mirrour and an excellent president, for all such as shall take
in hande to gouerne nevve Discoueries: for here they shall behold,
hovv Glorie, Renovvne, and perfite Felicitie, is not gotten but vvith
greate paines, trauaile, perill and daunger of life: here shall they
see the vvisedome, curtesie, valour and pollicie of vvorthy Captaynes,
yea and the faithfull hartes vvhiche they ought to beare vnto their
Princes seruice: here also is described, hovv to vse and correct the
stubbern & mutinous persons, & in vvhat order to exalt the good,
stoute and vertuous Souldiers, and chiefly, hovv to preserue and keepe
that bevvtifull Dame _Lady Victorie_ vvhë she is obtayned. And vvhere
it vvas supposed, that the golden mettall had his beginning and place
in the East and VVeast _India_, neare vnto the hote Zoane, (as moste
learned vvriters helde opinion) it is novve approued by the venterous
trauellour and vvorthy captaine _Martin Frobisher_ Esquire, yea and
also through the greate paynes, procurement, and firste inuention of
the vvorshipfull _Mychaell Locke_ Merchaunt, that the same golden
mettall dothe also lie incorporate in the bovvelles of the Norvveast
parties, enuironned vvith admirable Tovvers, Pillers and Pynacles,
of Rockes, Stone, and Ise, possessed of a people bothe straunge, &
rare in shape, attire and lyuing, yea suche a Countrey and people,
as all _Europe_ had forsaken and made no account of, excepte our
moste gratious Queene and her subiectes, vvhome vndoubtedly God hath
appoynted, not onely to be supreme Princesse ouer them, but also to be
a meane that the name of Christ maybe knovven vnto this Heathenish and
Sauage generation.
Not long since (right Honorable) I happened to trauayle from the famous
Cittie of _Tolledo_ in _Spayne_, tovvarde highe _Castile_, and by
fortune ouertooke an auncient Gentlemen, vvorshipfully accompanied,
vnto vvhö I vvas so bold as to approch, beseching his vvorship to
aduertise me of his iourney: vvho (after he had beheld my white head
& beard) ansvvered ful gentlely, that his intët vvas to trauayle vnto
the king of Spaynes Court, and vvelcomed me vnto his company. In shorte
space that vve had iourneyed togither, and communed of each other his
Countrey, it pleased him to say as follovveth: My good friende, if you
knevv my sute vnto the Kings maiestie, you vvould iudge that I vvere
a mad man, and therefore to shorten oure vvay, I vvill declare my
attempted sute vnto you. You shall vnderstande, that I am a Gentleman
of lxx. yeares of age, and sometimes I serued in the ciuill vvarres
of _Pirru_, vvhere I vvas vvounded in diuers parts of my body, and am
novv thereby lame in one of my legges and shoulder. I haue neyther
VVife nor childe, and at this presente (God be praised) I haue in the
Contractation house in the Citie of _Siuill_, in golde and plate, the
summe of thirtie thousande Duckates: and I haue also in _Pirru_ in
good lands and possessions, the yearely rente of tvvelue thousande
Duckates, vvhiche rentes and readye money is sufficiente to mainteyne a
poore Gentleman. But al this notvvithstanding, I do novv sue vnto the
Kings Maiestie, to haue licence and authoritie to discouer and conquere
a certayne parte of _India_, vvhyche adioyneth vvith _Brazile_, and
is part of the Empire of _Pirru_, I pray you novve declare what you
thinke of my sute. By my troth sir (quoth I) I trust your vvorship
vvill pardon a rash and suddaine iudgemët, which you now demand at my
häd: yea truly (quoth he) say vvhat you list. Then (quoth I) my opiniö
is, that you are not wel in your wit, for vvhat vvould you haue? vvil
not reason suffice you? or else would you now in your old days be an
Emperour, considering that your Sepulchre attendeth for you. Novve
truly I thanke you (quoth he) for of youre iudgement are most men: but
I say vnto you, considering that all flesh must finish, I seeke for
no quiet rest in this transitorie life: yea the vvise and Christian
Doctors do teach and admonish, that euery true Christian is borne,
not for his ovvne priuate vvealth and pleasure, but rather to help
and succoure others his poore breethren. Likevvise doe I consider the
greate number of Gentlemen, yonger brethren, and other valiät persons,
vvho through vvant of liuing, do fall into many disorders. VVherefore
to accomplish my dutie tovvard God and my Prince, and to releeue such
poore Gentlemen, do I novv attempte this iourney, vvith the aduenture
of my bodye and goodes, and for that purpose I haue in readinesse
foure tall Shippes, vvell furnished in the porte of _Saint Lucar de
Barrameda_, hoping assuredlye, that before the life depart from my
body, to heare these valiante yong Gentlemen (vvhome novv I meane to
haue in my company) say, oh happie day, vvhen olde _Zarate_ (for so is
my name) broughte vs from penurie, yea and from a number of perils that
vve vvere like to fall into. I hope also, that the royall estate of my
Prince shall be by my paynes and poore seruice enlarged: beleeue you
me, this is the onely sumptuous Tumbe that I pretende to builde for my
poore carkas. But yet I knovv there are some, vnto vvhome I may compare
the Bore that lyeth vvallovvyng in his Stye, vvho vvill not lette to
saye, vvhat neede vve any other vvorld, honor, or Kingdomes? let vs
be contented vvith that vve haue: vvho may easily be aunsvvered, Sir
glutton, your paunch is full, and little care you for the glory of
God, honor of youre Prince, neyther the neede and necessitie of youre
poore neyboures. VVith this conclusion the Gentleman ended his tale,
the iudgement vvhereof I leaue to noble Gentlemen his peeres to be
determined.
And vvhere oure Captayne _Hernando Cortez_, of vvhose valiant actes
this historie treateth, hathe deserued immortal fame, euë so doubtlesse
I hope, that vvithin this happie Realme is novv liuing a Gentleman,
vvose zeale of trauayle and valiant beginnings dothe prognosticate
greate, maruellous, and happie successe: for perfection of honor
and profite is not gotten in one daye, nor in one or tvvo voyages,
as the true histories of the East and VVest Conquests by Spanyardes
and Portingalles do testifye. And calling to remembrance the greate
zeale and good vvill vvhich your honor hath alvvayes extended to good
and profitable attemptes, and especially in the proceedings of the
nevv discouery, youre honor hath not only vsed liberalitie in your
aduëtures, but also taken greate paynes in Courte, to aduance and
further the voyage, a number I saye of Gentlemen, Marriners, and other
artificers, shal haue great cause to pray for your honor. And vvhere I
for my parte haue tasted of your honors goodnesse sundrye vvayes, I am
novve most humbly to beseech youre honor to accept this poore gifte,
the vvhiche I haue translated out of the Spanish tong, not decked vvith
gallant couloures, nor yet fyled vvith pleasant phrase of Rhetorike,
for these things are not for poore Marchant trauellers, but are
reserued to learned VVriters: yet I trust the Author vvill pardon mee,
bycause I haue gone as neere the sense of this Historie, as my cunning
vvoulde reach vnto. I also craue, that it may please youre honor, vvhen
your greate and vvaightie businesse vvill permitte, to beholde this
vvorke, and that shall be for me an encouragemente to take in hande the
translation of the East _India_, vvhiche is novve enioyed by the King
of Portingall. Thus I ende, beseeching the Almighty to preserue your
honorable estate.
(?)
_Your honors most ready at commaundement
Thomas Nicholas._
[Illustration]
The Conquest of the
_Weast India_.
The Byrth and lynage of
_Hernando Cortez_.
In the yeare of our Sauiour, 1485. being kings of _Castill_ and
_Aragon_, the Catholike princes _Fernando_ and _Isabell_ his wyfe,
was borne _Hernando Cortez_ in a towne called _Medellin_, situated in
the prouince of _Andulozia_: his Father was named _Martyn Cortez de
Monroy_, & his mother was called Lady _Katherin Pisarro Altamirano_,
they were bothe of good byrth, and procéeded from foure principall
houses, that is to say, the house of _Cortez_, the house of _Monroy_,
the house of _Pisarro_, and the house of _Altamirano_, which foure
houses are auncient, noble and honorable: yet these parents but poore
in goods, but riche in vertue & good life, for whiche cause they were
muche estéemed and beloued among theyr neighbours. His mother was of
inclination deuoute, but somewhat harde: his father was charitable
and mercyfull, who in his youth applied himselfe to the warres, and
was Liuetenant to a company of horsemen. _Hernando Cortez_ in his
childehood was very sickely, so that many tymes he was at the poynt
of death: And when he came to .xiiii. yéeres of age, his parents sent
him to the Vniuersitie of _Salamanca_, where he remayned twoo yeares,
learnyng Grammar, and then returned to _Medellin_ werie of his studie,
yea possible for want of money: yet his parëts were much offended with
him for leauing his studie, for theyr onely desire was to haue had him
a student at lawe, whiche is a facultie both riche and worshipfull,
consideryng their sonne to be of a good witte and abilitie: Yet he
caused muche strife in his Fathers house, for he was a very vnhappy
ladde, high minded, and a louer of chiualrie, for which cause he
determined with himselfe to wander abroad to séeke aduentures. And at
that instant happened two iorneys fit for his purpose & inclination.
The one of them was to _Naples_ wyth _Gonsalo Hernandez_ of the Citie
of _Cordoua_, who was a worthy man, & named the great captaine. And
the other iourney was to the Weast India, with the Lorde _Nicholas de
Ouando_, a knight of the order of _Larez_, who was then appointed for
gouernour of those parties. And musing with himselfe which waye to
take, determined to passe into _India_, chiefly bycause the gouernour
was of his acquaintance, and such a one as would haue care of him. And
likewise the great desire of gold made him to couet that voyage more
than the Iorney vnto _Naples_. Now in the meane while that y^e fleet
was preparing for _India_, it chaunced, _Hernando Cartez_ pretended to
go vnto a certaine house in the night season to talke with a woman, and
clyming ouer a Wall whyche was of weake foundation, both he and the
Wal fell togither: So that with the noyse of hys fall, and ratling of
his armoure which he ware, came out a man newly married, and findyng
him fallen at hys dore would haue slayne hym, suspecting somewhat
of his newe married wife, but that a certaine olde woman (being his
mother in lawe) wyth great perswasions stayed him from that fact. Yet
with the fall he fell into a grieuous Ague, and continued sicke for a
long season, so that he could not procéede vppon his voyage with the
gouernour _Ouando_. And when he had obtained and fullye recouered his
health, he mynded to passe into _Italy_, And so toke hys way towarde
_Valentia_, wandering here and there almoste a whole yeare wyth much
necessitye and penurie, and then returned home againe to _Medellyn_,
with determination to procéed vppon his pretended voyage of _India_:
Wherevppon hys father and mother waying their sonnes estate, desired
God to blesse hym, and gaue him money in his purse for his iorney.
The age of Cortez vvhen he passed
_into India_.
_Hernando Cortez_ was of the age of nintéene yeares, in the yeare
of Christ 1504. and then he went toward _India_, and agréed for his
passage and victual with _Alonso Quintezo_ who went in companie of
other four shippes laden with merchandise, whiche nauie departed from
saint _Lucas de Barramedo_, with prosperous nauigation, vntyll they
arriued at the Iland of _Gomera_ one of the _Canarie_ Ilands, where
they did prouide themselues of all things necessarie for so long a
voyage as they then had in hand.
[Sidenote: Comfort of God.]
_Alounso Quintezo_, being greedie of his voyage, and desirous to come
to the Ilande of _Sainto Domingo_ before his fellowes, hoping to sel
his commoditie the better, departed from _Gomera_ in the night season
without knowledge giuing vnto his company. But incontinent after he
had hoysed vp his sayles, arose vp so great a winde and tempest, that
his maine mast brake, whereby hee was forced to retourne backe againe
to the Ilande of _Gomera_. And he made earnest requeste to them of
the other shyppes to staye for him, vntyl hee hadde mended his Mast,
who friendlye and neyghbourlye graunted hys desire, and departed
altogither, sayling in sight the one of the other certayne dayes: yet
the sayde _Quintero_, seyng the weather stedfast, and harpyng vpon
gaynes, flewe from his fellowes agayne. And where as _Frances Ninio de
Guelua_ his pilote was not experte in that Nauigation, they knew not
where they were at length: the Mariners did giue sundry Iudgements:
the Pilote was in great perplexitie and sadnesse, their passengers
lamented, and bewayled their unfortunate successe: the Master of the
shippe layde the faulte to the Pilote, and the Pilote likewise charged
the Master, for it did appeare that they were fallen out before. In
this meane time their victuall waxed skant, and their freshe water
wanted, so that they prepared themselues to die. Some cursed theyr
fortune, others asked mercie at Gods hande, lookyng for death and to
be eaten of the _Cariues_. And in this tyme of tribulation came a Doue
flying to the shippe, beyng on good Friday at Sunne sette, and satte
him on the shippe toppe: whereat they were all comforted, and tooke
it for a myracle and good token and some wept with ioy, some sayd y^t
God had sente the Doue to comforte them, others sayde that lande was
neare, and all gaue hartie thankes vnto God, directing their course
that way that the Doue flew: and when the Doue was out of sighte, they
sorrowed againe, but yet remayned with hope to sée shortlye lande and
on Easterday they discouered the Ilande of _Santo Domingo_, whiche was
firste discried by _Christopher Zorso_, who cryed, lande, lande, a
chéerefull voyce to the saylers. The Pilote looked out, and knewe that
it was the poynt, or cape of _Semana_, and within foure dayes after
they arriued in the porte of _Santo Domingo_, whiche was long wished
for, and there they founde the other shippes of their company arriued
many dayes before.
The time that Cortez abode
_in Santo Domingo_.
Soone after that the Gouernoure _Ouando_ was in his regimente and
office, _Cortez_ arriued at _Santo Domingo_, and the Gouernoures
Secretarie, called _Medina_, receyued and lodged him, and also enformed
him of the estate of the Iland, and aduised hym what was néedefull to
doe, wishing that hée would be a dweller there, and that he should
haue a plot to build vpon, with certaine ground for husbandry. But
_Cortez_ his thought was cleane contrary, for hée iudged, that as
soone as he came thither, he should lade with gold, whereby hée did
little estéeme his friend _Medina_ his coüsell, saying, that he had
rather goe to gather gold, than to trauell in husbandrie. _Medina_ yet
perswaded him, that he shoulde take better aduisement, for to finde
golde, was doubtfull, and very troubesome. This talke ended, _Cortez_
went to kisse the Gouernours handes, and to declare the cause of his
comming, with other newes from _Estremadure_ the Gouernours Coütrey.
The Gouernour friendly welcommed him, and also perswaded him to abide
there, the which councell he accepted, and shortlye after wente to the
warres, whereof was Captayne _Iaymes Velasques_, in the prouince of
_Anigua Iaqua_, and _Guaca Iarima_, and other Lordships whiche were not
as yet pacifyed wyth the late rebellion of _Anacoana_ widdowe, who was
a gentlewoman of great liuing. _Ouando_ gaue vnto _Cortez_ certayne
Indyans in the Countrey of _Daiguao_, and also the office of publike
notarie in _Azua_, a towne whyche the Gouernour had builded, and there
dwelt _Cortez_ fyue or syxe yeares, and began to play the good husband.
Now in this meane season he woulde haue gone to _Veragua_, which was
reported to bee maruellous riche, with the Captayn _Iaymes de Nicuesa_:
but bycause of an empostume that he had vnder his righte knée, he went
not, and as it happened, he was therein fortunate, for that thereby hée
escaped great perils and troubles, whiche happened to them that went on
that voyage and iourney.
Things that happened to Cortez in
_the Ilande of Cuba_.
[Sidenote: Cortez escapeth.]
[Sidenote: The Gouernoure vvas sore afrayde.]
The Lorde _Iames Colori_ being Admirall and chiefe Gouernour of the
new _India_, sent one _Iaymes Velasques_ to conquer the Ilande of
_Cuba_, in the yeare .1511. And gaue vnto him men, Armour, and other
thinges necessarie. And then _Hernando Cortez_ wente to that conquest
as a Clearke to the Treasorer called _Michaell de Passamontes_, for
to kéepe the accompts of the Kings fiftes and reuenewes, being so
intreated and required by the same _Iaymes Velasques_, bycause he was
holden for a man both able and diligente. And it followed, that in
the repartition of the lands conquered, _Iaymes Velasques_ gaue vnto
_Cortez_ the Indians of _Manicorao_, in coniunct company with his
brother in lawe called _Iuan Xuarez_, wherevpon _Cortez_ did inhabite
in _Saint Iames de Barucoa_, whiche was the first place of habitation
in that Ilande, whereas he bredde and broughte vp Kine, Shéepe, and
Mares, and was the first that hadde there any heard or flocke, and with
his _Indians_ he gathered great quantitie of golde, so that in short
time he waxed riche, and ioyned in company with one _Andres de Duero_
a Merchaunt, and put in two thousande Castlins for his stocke. He was
also highly estéemed with _Iaymes Velasques_, and put in authoritie to
dispatch businesse, and to giue order for edifices. In his tyme he
caused a money house to be built, & also an Hospital. At that time one
_Iuan Xuarez_ naturall of the Citie of _Granada_, carried to the Ile
of _Cuba_ his mother and thrée sisters, whiche came to the Iland of
_Santo Domingo_, with that vicequéene the Lady _Mary_ of _Toledo_, in
Anno .1509. hoping to marrie them there with rich men, for they were
very poore. And the one of them named _Cathelina_ was wont to say, That
she shoulde be a greate Gentlewoman: it was eyther hyr dreames and
fantasies, or else some Astronomer hadde made hir beléeue so, but hir
mother was reported to bée very cunning. The maydens were beautifull,
for which cause, and also being there but fewe Spanishe women, they
were muche made of, and often feasted. But _Cortez_ was woer to the
saide _Cathelina_, and at the ende married with hir: Although at the
first there was some strife about the matter, and _Cortez_ put in
prison, bycause he refused hir for his wife, but she demaunded him as
hir husband by faith and troth of hand: wherein _Iaymes Velasques_ did
stande hir friende, by reason of an other sister of hyrs which he had,
but of an euil name. It so fell out that one _Baltazar Bermudez_, _Iuan
Xuares_, and the two _Anthony Velasques_, with one _Villegas_ accused
_Cortez_, that he ought to marrie with _Cathelina_, yet those witnesses
spake of euill will many things, as touching y^e affaires cömitted
to his charge, alleadging y^t he vsed secret dealing with certaine
persons. The which causes although they were not true, yet they carried
great colour thereof. For why? many wët secretly to _Cortez_ his house,
complayning of _Iaymes Velasques_. Some bycause they had not iust
repertitiö of the cöquered Indiäs, and other some not according to
deserte. Contrariwyse _Iames Velasques_ gaue credit to his talebearers,
bicause _Cortez_ refused to marrie w^t _Cathelina Xuarez_, & vsed
vncourteous words vnto him in y^e presëce of many that stoode by, and
also commaunded him to warde. And when _Cortez_ sawe himselfe in the
stockes, he feared some proces of false witnesse, as many times dothe
happen in those parties. At time conueniente he brake the locke off the
stockes, and layde hand vpon the Sword and Target of the kéeper, and
brake vp a windowe, escaping thereby into the stréete, and tooke the
Church for Sanctuary. But when _Iaymes Velasques_ had notice thereof,
he was greatlye offended with _Christopher Lagos_ the Iayler, saying,
that for money he had losed him: wherefore he procured by al meanes to
plucke him out of the Sanctuary. But _Cortez_ hauing intelligence of
his dealing, did resiste and withstand his force. Yet notwithstanding
one daye _Cortez_ walking before the Churche dore, and being carelesse
of his businesse, was caught by the backe with a Serieant called _Iohn
Esquier_ and others, and then was put aboorde a Shyppe vnder hatches.
_Cortez_ was welbeloued among his neighboures, who did well consider
the euill will that the Gouernour bare vnto him. But nowe _Cortez_
séeing himselfe vnder hatches, despaired of his libertie, and did
verily thinke, that he shoulde be sent prisoner to the Chancerie of
_Santo Domingo_, or else to _Spayne_, who being in this extremitie,
soughte all meanes to get hys foote out of the chayne, and at length
he gote it out, and the same nighte he changed his apparell with a
ladde that serued him, and by the Pump of the Shippe he gote out, not
heard of any his kéepers, climbing softly along the Shippe syde, he
entred the Skiffe and went hys way therewith, and bycause they shoulde
not pursue after him, he losed the Boate of another Shippe that roade
by them. The Currant of _Macaguanigua_ a riuer of _Barucoa_, was so
fierce, that he could not gette in with his Skiffe, bicause he had
no help to row, & was also very werie, fearing to be drowned if he
should put himselfe to the land, wherefore he stripped himselfe
naked, and tyed a nyghtkerchiefe aboute hys head, with certayne
wrytings apperteyning to his office of Notarie and Clearkshippe to
the Treasourer, and other things that were agaynst the Gouernoure
_Iames Velasques_, and in this sorte swamme to lande, and wente home
to hys owne house, and spake with _Iohn Xuarez_ hys brother in law,
and tooke Sanctuarie agayne with Armour. Then the Gouernoure _Iames
Velasques_ sente hym worde, that all matters shoulde bée forgotten,
and that they shoulde remayne friendes, as in tyme past they hadde
bin, and to goe with hym to the Warres agaynste certayne Indians that
hadde rebelled. _Cortez_ made hym no aunswere, but incontinent married
with mistresse _Catalina Xuarez_ according to his promise, and to lyue
in peace. _Iames Velasques_ procéeded on hys iourney wyth a greate
companye agaynste the Rebelles. Then sayde _Cortez_ to hys brother in
lawe _Iohn Xuares_, bryng me (quoth he) my Launce and my Crosbowe to
the Townes ende. And so in that euening hée wente out of Sanctuarie,
and taking hys Crossebowe in hande, hée wente with his brother in
lawe to a certayne Farme, where _Iames Velasques_ was alone, with his
householde seruauntes, for hys armye was lodged in a Village thereby,
and came thither somewhat late, and at suche tyme as the Gouernoure was
perusing hys Booke of charges, and knocked at his dore which stoode
open, saying: Héere is _Cortez_ that woulde speake with the Gouernoure,
and so wente in. When _Iames Velasques_ sawe hym armed, and at such an
houre, he was maruellously afrayde, desiring hym to rest hymselfe, and
also to accepte hys Supper: No Sir (quoth he) my onely comming is, but
to knowe the complayntes you haue of me, and to satisfye you therein,
and also to bée youre friende and seruitor. They then embraced eache
other in token of friendship. And after long talke, they lay both in
one bedde, where _Iames de Orrelano_ founde them, who went to carrie
newes to the Gouernoure, how _Cortez_ had fledde. After this sort came
_Cortez_ agayne to his former friendshyppe with _Iames Velasques_, and
procéeded with him to the Warres, but afterwarde at his returne, he
was lyke to haue bin drowned in the sea: For as he came from the Caues
of _Bani_ to visite certayne of hys Shepheardes and _Indians_ that
wrought in the Pines of _Barrucoa_ where his dwelling was, his _Canoa_
or little boate ouerthrew, being night, and halfe a league from land,
with tempeste, wherby he was put to his shiftes, and forced to swimme,
and happened to espye lyght that certayne Shepheardes had which were at
supper néere the Sea side. By suche like perils and daungers, runne the
excellente menne their race, vntill that they arriue at the Hauen where
their good lotte is preserued.
The discouerie of nevv Spayne.
[Sidenote: Men tangled in foolish loue.]
_Fraunces Hernandes de Cordoua_ did first discouer _Xucatan_, going
with thrée Shyps for _Indians_, or else to barter. These Shippes were
sette forthe by _Christopher Morante_, and _Lope Ochoa de Saizedo_,
in Anno .1517. And although he broughte home nothing at that time but
stripes, yet he broughte perfect relation, how the Countrey was rich of
gold and siluer, and the people of the countrey clothed. Then _Iames
Velasques_ Gouernoure of the Iland of _Cuba_, sent the next yeare
following his kinsman, called _Iohn de Grijalua_, with two hundred
_Spanyardes_ in foure Shippes, thinking to obtayne much gold and
siluer for his Merchandise at those places, which _Fraunces Hernandez_
had enformed him: So that _Iohn de Grijalua_ wente to _Xucatan_,
and there foughte with the _Indians_ of _Champoton_, and was hurt.
From thëce he entred the riuer of _Tauasco_, which _Grijalua_ hadde
so named, in the whiche place he bartered for things of small value.
He had in exchaunge golde, cloth of cotten wooll, and other curious
things wrought of feathers. He was also at Saint _Iohn de Vlhua_, and
tooke possession for the King, in the name of _Iames Velasques_, and
there also exchanged his Haberdashe wares, for Golde, and Couerlets
of cotten, and feathers: and if he hadde considered his good fortune,
he would haue planted habitation in so rich a land, as his company
did earnestly request him, and if he had so done, then had he bin as
_Cortez_ was. But suche wealth was not for him which knew it not,
although he excused himselfe, saying, he went not to inhabite, but to
barter onely in traffike of his Marchandise, and to discouer whether
that land of _Xucatan_ were an Ilande, or no. And finding it a mayne
land, and populous, he left off for very feare. Likewise, some of his
company were desirous to returne to _Cuba_, among whome, was one _Pedro
de Aluado_, who was farre in loue with a woman of that countrey. So
they determined to returne, with relation to the Gouernoure of suche
things as hadde happened till that day, and sayled homewardes along
the coast to _Panuco_, and so came to _Cuba_, to the greate griefe of
many of hys company. Yea some of them wept, with sorrowe that hée would
not abide in that rich countrey. He was fiue monethes vpon his voyage
homewarde from land to lande, and eyght monethes till his returne to
the Citie. But when he came home, the Gouernoure hauing hearde of his
procéedings, would not looke vppon him, whiche was hys iust reward.
The Inuentorie of the treasure that
_Grijalua brought for his wares_.
_Iohn de Grijalua_ bought of the Indians of _Potonchan_, _Saint Iohn
de Vlhua_, and other places of that coast, suche thynges as made his
fellowes farre in loue with the Countrey, and loth to depart from
thëce. The workmäship of many of the things that they bought, was more
worth than the thing it selfe, as this Inuentory perticularly doth shew.
The Inuentory.
A little Idoll of golde hollowe.
A greater of golde, with hornes and heare, with a string of
beadestones aboute his necke, and a Flyeflappe in his hand, and a
little stone for his nauell.
A péece of golde, like the patent of a Challice, garnished with
stones.
A Skull of golde, with two hornes, and blacke heare.
Two and twenty earerings of golde.
Two and twenty péeces of an other fashion.
Foure bracelettes of golde very broade.
A payre of beades of golde, the stones hollowe, wyth a Frogge of
golde hanging at the same.
Another paire, with a Lyon of golde.
A great paire of earerings of golde.
Two little Eagles of golde hollowe.
A little Saltseller of golde.
Two earerings of golde with Turkie stones.
A coller to hang aboute a womans necke, of twelue péeces, with
four and twenty stones hanging thereat.
A great coller of golde.
Sixe little collers of golde thinne.
Seauen other collers of gold with stones.
Foure earerings of golden leafe.
Twentie fishinghookes of golde.
Twelue graines of gold, waying fiftie Duckets.
A headlace of gold.
Certaine thinne planches of gold.
A Potedge pot of gold.
An Idoll of golde hollowe.
Certaine thinne brouches of gold.
Nine beade stones of gold.
Two payre of gilt beades.
One payre of wodden beades guilt.
A little cuppe of golde, with eighte purple stones, and twentie
thrée stones of an other collour.
Foure belles of gold.
A little sauser of gold.
A little boxe of gold.
Certaine smal collers of gold of smal value.
A hollow apple of gold.
Fourtie hatchets of gold mixed with copper, valued in two thousand
fiue hundred Duckets.
A whole harneis or furniture for an armed man of gold thinne
beaten.
An other whole armour of wood with leaues of golde, garnished with
little blacke stones.
A certaine piece made like vnto a feather, of an hyde and gold
ioyntly wrought.
Foure pieces of armour of wood made for the knées, and couered
with golden leafe.
Two targets couered with feathers of many and fyne colours.
Diuerse other targets of gold and feathers.
A tuffe of feathers of sundry colours, with a little byrd in the
middest, very liuely.
A wing of gold and feathers.
Two flyflappes of feathers.
Two little chamberpottes of Allabaster, beset with many trimme
stones, and some fyne, & among them there was one esteemed at two
thousand Duckets.
Certaine beades of tinne.
Fiue paire of woodden beades rounde and couered wyth a leafe of
gold very thinne.
A hundred and thirty hollow bead stones of gold.
Many beades of woodde gilt.
A paire of Sissers of wood gilt.
Two gilt vissors.
A vissor of strange gesture of gold.
Foure vissors of wood guilt.
Foure dishes of wood couered with golden leafe.
A dogges head of gold beset with stones.
An other beastes head garnished with gold.
Fiue paire of rush shooes.
Thrée red hides.
Seuen rasors of flint stone, for to cut vp men that were
sacrifised.
Two painted dishes of wood with an Ewer.
A garmët with halfe sléeues of feathers of excéeding fine colours.
A couerlet of feathers.
Many couerlets of cotten very fine.
Many other couerlets of cotten course.
Two kerchiefs of good cotten.
Many perfumes of sweete odor, much of that countrey fruite.
They also brought a gentlewoman that was giuen thë, 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 wooddencombes.
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 coate.
An olde veluet cappe.
The determination of Cortez to prepare a
_Nauie for discouerie_.
Bycause _Iohn de Grijalua_ was absent a löger season than was
_Francisco Hernandez de Cordoua_, 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 forthe 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 w^t 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 relatiö 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 such 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 mës 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 Fernädez_, _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
coüsel 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 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 y^e kings counsell there, were these following, _Segniour
Aloüso de Säto Domingo_, _Segniour Luys de Figueroa_, & _Segniour
Barnardo de Munsanedo_, 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 Sauzedo_ 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 _Pamfilo 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 Couenauntes were drawen and set downe in wryting, before
a Notary, called _Alounso de Escalantes_, the thrée and twenty day of
October _Anno_ .1518.
[Sidenote: The cöming home of _Grijalua_.]
[Sidenote: The gouernour an old enemy.]
[Sidenote: Courage of _Cortez_.]
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 cösider,
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 tokës that he wold rebel,
being in place conuenient, and that he woulde reuenge olde griefes.
Also it grieued _Vermudez_ that he had not accepted y^t voyage, vnto
whö 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 y^e gouernor would be chieftain of y^e fléet, although
his kinesman were not fit for y^e roome. The gouernor also thought
y^t he being slacke, _Cortez_ would also be slacke. But yet he séeing
_Cortez_ earnestly procéed, he sent one _Amador de Larez_ a principal
mä, to intreate him to leaue off y^e voyage (cösidering y^t _Grijalua_
was returned) and y^t he would pay him al y^e costs & charges y^t he
had layd out. _Cortez_ vnderstäding the gouernors minde, made answere
vnto _Larez_, y^t 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
thë he conferred with his friendes, to knowe their mindes if that they
would fauour and beare him cöpany, at whose handes he 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 y^e which money he bought two ships,
6. horses, & much apparel, & began to furnish a house & kepe a good
table for cömers & goers: he went also armed like a captaine, & many
wayting & attëding 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 lefte 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 frö 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 _Iaymaica_ 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 Ordas_, 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.
[Sidenote: A snare layde for Cortez.]
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 fiftie Spanyardes,
whereof 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 y^e Ile of
_Cuba_, to serue and to carrie baggage, & also certayne _Negros_ with
some _Indian_ womë, and sixtéene Horses & Mares, with great prouision
of Bacon, corne, bisket, hennes, wine, oyle, pease, and other fruites,
w^t great store of Haberdash, as Belles, necklaces, beades of glasse,
collers, points, pinnes, purses, nedels, girdels, thredde, kniues,
sissers, pinsars, hämers, hatchets, Shirts, Coyfes, headkerchiefes,
handkerchiefs, bréeches, coates, clokes, cappes, Marriners bréeches,
all y^e which Merchädise be deuided amög his nauie. The Ship Admiral
was of the burthen of a hüdred Tunnes. Other thrée Shippes of the
burthen of eightie Tunnes the péece. All the residue were small
withoute ouerloppe, and vergantines. The deuice of his ensigne or
aunciente, was flames of fire in white and blewe, with a redde crosse
in the middest, and bordred round with letters, in the Lattine and
Spanishe tongs, which signified this in effect: friends, let vs
follow the Crosse, and with liuely faith with this standerde we shall
obteyne victorie. The premisses (as ye haue hearde) was the furniture
that _Cortez_ prouided for his iourney, and with so small a thing
he conquered so greate and mightie an Empire, & strange Countreys,
vnknowen at that time. There was neuer Captayne that did with like army
ouercome so infinite a people, & bring both thë and their coütrey vnder
subiectiö. He caried no money to pay his souldiers, but was rather much
indebted to others at his departure. And to say the truth, there néeded
any money to make pay to those souldiers that went to the Cöquest, for
if they shuld haue serued for wages, they would haue gone to other
places néere hand. But in _India_, euery one pretëdeth y^e state of a
noble man, or else great riches. Now all y^e fléete being in readinesse
(as ye haue hearde,) _Cortez_ began an exhortation to his cöpany as
followeth.
The Oration that Cortez made
_to his Souldiers_.