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 wherevppon 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_.
VVhen _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 a better port or scituation. Also that
we make a wall or Castell for oure defence, if néede shoulde happen,
for the people of this land hath little ioy of our comming and abiding
héere.
It was then considered that frö that place they might the sooner
haue friendshippe and contractation with the _Indians_ and Townes
nexte adioyning, as _Zempoallan_, and others whyche were enimies
to _Mutezuma_, and béeyng in this order once placed, they myghte
discharge their Shyppes, and sende them incontinent to _Cuba_,
_Santo Domingo_, _Iamayca_, _Borriquen_, and other Ilandes, or else
to _Spayne_ for more men, armour and Horsses, and for clothing and
victuals.
[Sidenote: Policie.]
Moreouer, it was thought iust and méete, to sende relation of all
their procéedings to the Emperoure theyr King and maister, with the
demonstration of golde, syluer, and other riches, which they had in
their power.
And bycause all these things should be done in good order, _Cortez_
determined as Captayne generall, to appoint a Counsell, Aldermen, and
Iudges.
And also ordeyne all other offices that shoulde be necessary and
néedefull to rule and gouerne a Citie, whych he then pretended to
edifie and erecte, the whiche Magistrates should fully commaund,
vntill such time that the Emperour should otherwise prouide in matters
conuenient for his seruice.
[Sidenote: A good subiecte.]
After this diligence put in vre, he solemnely tooke possession of all
y^e land, in the name of the Emperour _Charles_ King of _Castill_, with
all the actes and ceremonies, as to such a matter apperteyned. And
demaunded of _Francisco Fernandez_ notarie appoynted, that he shoulde
gyue vnto him by testimonie in writing, all the actes done therein. All
his company aunswered, that they did very well allowe hys procéedings
and praysed, and also approued hys determination, besieching hym to
procéede accordingly, sithence they were come to serue and obey hym.
Then _Cortez_ named Iudges, Aldermen, Attorney, Serieant, Notary,
and Towneclearke, and all other officers apperteyning to the good
gouernement of a Citie, in the name and behalfe of the Emperoure hys
naturall Lord, and delyuered incontinent to the Iudges white roddes to
beare in their handes in token of Iustice, and named the newe Citie
to be builte, The ryche Towne _De la vera Crux_, bycause that one
goodfriday they had entred into that land. After these things finished,
_Cortez_ began before y^e saide Notary, another act in presence of
the iudges, who were _Alounso Fernandez Portocarero_, and _Fräcisco
de Monteio_, in whose handes he made cession, and dyd desyst from all
rule and offices whiche heretofore he had receiued, which was his
gouernership, captaineship and general discouerer, receiued in the
Chauncerie of _Santo Domingo_, at the handes of the presidentes, who
were there chiefe of the kings counsell, and presidents, likewise
he protested not to vse the power and auctority of the gouernour of
_Cuba_, Admirall of _India_, for so much y^t now none of them had any
rule or gouernement in that Countrey which he and his fellowes had
newely discouered, and begun to enhabite in the name of the king of
Castil, as his naturall subiectes. The which auctoritie he likewise
required to be set downe in recorde, and to haue a copie of the same.
Hovv the soudiours chose Cortez
_for Captaine generall, and chiefe ruler
in Iustice_.
Al the newe officers toke possession and charge of their offices, and
entred into the towne house to counsel according to the vse and custome
of Castill. In the which congregation or counsel then holden, many
matters were had in question as touching the good gouernemente of the
common weale. And among many other things, they al agréed to electe
_Hernando Cortez_ for captaine generall and chiefe Iustice, and to giue
vnto him full power and authority for all matters appertayning to the
wars and conquest, vntill such time as the Emperour should otherwise
prouide: with this determination the next day following al the
Aldermen, Iudges, and Counsellers, went vnto _Cortez_, and sayde vnto
him: Sir we haue greate neede of a guide and captaine for the warres to
procéede vppon the conquest of this countrey, wherfore vntil such time
as y^e Emperour shall prouide therein, they all besought hym to accepte
that office and charge, approuing him a man most fit for the same, both
to rule and gouerne, for y^e great experience that they had séene of
his courage, wisdome, and pollicie, and by Vertue of their offices,
did cömaund him to accept the same, saying, that in so doing, God and
the king shoulde bee faithfully serued. And they woulde thankfully
gratify the same, knowing that at his hands they should be ruled
with iustice, vsed with humility, & be preserued with diligence and
strength. And for that purpose, they had chosen him for that office,
giuing vnto him their ful & whole authority, submitting thëselues vnder
his hands, iurisdiction & defence. _Cortez_ accepted y^e charge at smal
entreating, for he desired nothing so much.
[Sidenote: Liberality.]
And being in this sort elected general, the counsel said vnto him.
Sir you do wel vnderstäd, that vntil such time as we shal bee better
planted in this countrey, we haue not wherwith to maintaine our selues
but only w^t suche things as are abord our shippes. Therfore it may
please you to commaund it to be brought ashore, and that you take
therof what shal seme good vnto you, for your houshold and familie, and
the residue may be taxed at a reasonable price, and so to be deuided
among them: & for payment they wold al binde thëselues, or else y^t
presently it should be deducted out of the stocke, after that the
kings fift parte were subtracted. Likewise they desired him to value
his ships and artillery, bycause they would make like payment for the
same, and that frö thence forwards the ships should serue in common,
for to passe to the Iläds for bread, wine, clothes, weapons, horses,
and other things which should be néedeful for the new towne and army,
for therby they mought be better cheape prouided than if merchants
should prouide them, consideryng alway they seke for excessiue gaine,
saying that if it would please hym to accepte thys offer and request,
they would thankfully requite the same. _Cortez_ aunswered, that at y^e
time he made his preperation and furniture in _Cuba_, he ment not to
sel his prouision as others vsed to do, but he would and did frankely
giue it vnto them, although hee had spent his goods and indetted
himselfe therin. And incontinent he commaunded the maisters of the
ships and pursers, to bring a läd al their victual to the town house,
requiring the Aldermen to deuide it equally, to euerye man his part,
without making any difference of him or of any other, for (quoth he)
in time of neede of victuals y^e yongest hath as muche allowaunce as
the eldest. And although I am indetted and do owe more than seauen M.
Duckets, I giue this victuall al franckly vnto you. And as cöcerning
the ships, I wil do y^t which shal be most cöueniët for you al. And
(quoth he) I wil determin nothing to be done with thë, but wil first
giue you aduertisemët of the same.
Al this did _Cortez_ for to get their loue and fauour, bycause there
were many that loued hym not, althoughe in very trouth he was of his
own nature liberal and large in experiences with al his souldiers in
the warres.
The receiuing of Cortez into
_Zempoallan_.
For as much as the situation there was not conuenient to place the newe
worke, they determined to go from thence, to _Aguiahuiztlan_, which
standeth nere the shadowe of the rocke that _Monteio_ had informed
them of, wherevppon _Cortez_ commaunded the shippes to depart, for
that place. And he with his foure hundred men and horses would goe by
land, and there mete thë, which may be about ten leagues iorney. In
this order the fléete departed, and likewise _Cortez_ with his company
toward _Zempoallan_ which stoode directly weastward. And after he
had iourneyed three leagues he came to the riuer which deuided the
Lordshippe of _Mutezuma_ and _Zempoallan_, & coulde finde no passage,
wherefore he was forced to returne to the seaside, where with muche
adoe they passed ouer, and so trauayled on that side of the riuer,
& found cotages of fishermen and other poore houses, and some sowen
ground, and procéeding on their iorney at length they came into very
faire valleys, wher was great store of deare, and stil they went along
the riuer side, hoping to finde some good towne, and in short space,
they espied neare twenty persons vppon the toppe of a hill, _Cortez_
commaunded foure of his horsemen to fetch them vnto him, willing thë to
make signes of peace vnto them, but if they flie (quoth he) then follow
them, vntill you ouertake them, for they shall stand vs in steade, as
wel to lead vs the way as to serue vs for enterpreters.
[Sidenote: Simplicitie.]
The horsemen tooke on theyr way, and when they came to the hill toppe,
they made signes of peace vnto them, but the poore and fearefull
_Indians_ fledde with spéede, yea being amased and in great feare to
beholde suche a monsterous thyng as a horseman, beleuyng assuredly,
that horse and man was one thing incorporate, but in theyr flight they
were soone ouertaken, and they yéelded themselues, and so were all
brought vnto _Cortez_.
These men had in their eares and noses bored holes, with rings of golde
hangyng thereat, for so was the vse of _Zempoallan_: they enformed
_Cortez_ that the Cittie was neare at hande. _Cortez_ demaunded the
cause of their comyng thither, they answered to behold and sée so
straunge a sight, but why fledde you then (quoth he?) for feare only
sir sayde they, of people which we knew not. Then _Cortez_ willed
them to put all feare aside, and tolde them that he with his small
company woulde goe vnto their Cittie to visite their Lorde, and to
be acquaynted with him: the _Indians_ sayde, that the day was farre
spent, and that it was late to goe that night to _Zempoallan_, but
if it pleased hym they would conduct him to a village whiche stoode
on the otherside of the Riuer and within sight, and although it were
but a small village, yet there was reasonable lodging with meate
sufficiente for his armie: their counsell séemed well, so they wente to
that village, and when they were comen thither, the _Indians_ craued
license to goe & to aduertise their Lorde how the straungers abode in
that place, promising to returne the nexte day with answere. Some of
the _Indians_ had licence to do the message, the others abode there,
attendyng and prouiding for the newe gestes, & in this order they were
al lodged and their supper abundantly prouided. That night _Cortez_
fortified himselfe as strong as mought be, and the nexte morning came a
hundreth men laden with Hennes, saying that their Lord much reioyced
of their comming, and bicause he was so grosse and vnwealdie, he came
not personallye vnto him, but yet notwithstanding he aboade in the
cittie expecting his comming. _Cortez_ friendly welcomed them, and with
that presente, he and his company brake their faste, and then proceeded
with his guides in good order with two fauconets in readinesse, if
néede should happen: and from that passage of the riuer they had a
faire way vntil they came to another riuer, which being likewise waded
ouer, they discried _Zempoallan_, whiche stoode a myle distant from
them, all beset wyth fayre Orchardes and Gardens, verye pleasaunte to
beholde: they vsed alwayes to water them with sluses when they pleased.
There procéeded out of the Towne many persons, to behold and receyue
so strange a people vnto them. They came with smiling countenance, and
presented vnto thë diuers kinde of Floures, and sundry fruites, which
none of our menne had héeretofore séene. These people came without
feare among the Ordinance, with this pompe, triumph and ioy they were
receiued into the Citie, which séemed a beautifull Garden: for the
trées were so gréene and high, that scarsely the houses appeared.
[Sidenote: Mens folly vvith a great lyr.]
At the Citie gate stoode many graue persons of nobilitie, as
Magistrates of the Citie, who solemnely welcomed the Strangers. Sixe
Horsemen, which hadde gone before the army to discouer, returned backe
as _Cortez_ was entring into the Citie, saying, that they had séene a
great house and Court, and that the walles were garnished with siluer.
_Cortez_ commaunded them to procéede on, willing them not to shew any
token of wonder of any thing that they should sée. All the stréetes
were replenished with people, whiche stoode gaping and wondering at
the horses and straügers. And passing through a great market place,
they saw on their right hande, a great walled house made of lyme and
stone, with loupe holes and towers, whited with playster that shined
lyke siluer, being so well burnished and the sunne glistering vpon it.
And that was the thing that the Spaniards thought had bene walles of
siluer. I doe beléeue that with the imagination and great desire whiche
they had of golde and siluer, all that shined they déemed to be the
same mettall.
[Sidenote: A vigilant Captayne.]
Within this great house was a long rew of lodgings, and on the other
side sixe or seuen Towers one higher than another. They procéeded on,
dissimulyng the errour of the siluer walles, and followed their guide
vntill suche time as they came to the Lordes lodging, who came forth
accompanied with many auncient persons, and better attired than the
other Citizens were, with twoo Gentlemen that ledde him by the armes.
They saluted eche other according to the vse of their countreys, and
then entred into the pallayce, where certayne principall men conducted
_Cortes_ and all his trayne to their lodgyng, and Captayne _Cortes_
was lodged in the house whiche had the glisteryng walles, situated in
the markette place, whiche house was sufficient for him and all his
company. And when they were placed, and behelde the walles, they were
ashamed of their owne folly: for where they thought those walles had
bene adorned with siluer, they founde them cleane contrary. _Cortes_
deuided his men, caused his horses to be trimmed, and planted his
ordinaunce at his dore, making himselfe as strong as though he had bene
in campe and néere his enimies. And commaunded, that none of his men
shoulde goe out of the house without his expresse licence vpö payne of
death. The officers of the Lorde 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 garmëts wrought of Cottë
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 cöpany 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 thäks, and
so departed.
Then came moe _Indians_ in number than there were Spaniardes, with
their courses & seruice of meate ready dressed, and many boughes of
daintie fruits. In this sorte they were feasted & bäketed fiftene
daies most plëtuously. 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 conference at his
owne pallayce: worde was sent agayne that he was ready and very well
contented. Wherevpon _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 Courte 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 stand aside, and by their
interpreters they began to commune 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 _Tauasco_ 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.
[Sidenote: The Indiäs complaynt.]
[Sidenote: Vnder colour of holinesse.]
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 tributes, 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 _Vitzilopuchtli_ 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 their 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.