Then the Lorde commaunded eyght maydens to be called, who were very
well apparelled after theyr maner, theyr attyre was muche lyke the
_Morisca_ fashion, (the one of them was more costely apparelled than
the others) and sayde vnto _Cortes_, all these maydens whiche you here
sée are Gentlewomen, noble and riche, and this mayden whiche is beste
attired, is a Lady of Vassals, and my brothers daughter, I doe presente
hyr vnto you (meaning that _Cortes_ shoulde marrie with hyr,) and the
others you may bestow vpon the Gentlemen in your company, in a token of
perpetuall loue and friendship.
_Cortes_ receyued the presente with thankes, bycause he woulde not
offende the giuer thereof. And so departed with their women ridyng
behinde them, with many _Indian_ women to wayte vpon them, and many
_Indian_ men to beare them company, and to puruey all things necessarie.
Things that happened to Cortez
in _Chiauiztlan_.
The same day that they departed frö _Zempoallan_ they came to
_Chiauiztlan_, and yet the shippes were not arriued. _Cortes_ marueyled
at their long tarying in so shorte a iourney. Ther was a village within
shotte of a hargabushe from the rocke called _Chiauiztlan_ standyng
vpon a litle hill. _Cortes_ hauing little to do, went thither with his
men, and the _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_, who certified _Cortes_ that
the village was appertayning to a Lorde oppressed by _Mutezuma_. They
came to the foote of the hill, without sighte of any man of the towne,
excepte twoo, that _Marina_ vnderstoode not, and going vp the hill, the
horsemen to fauour their horses would alight, bicause the ascending
was cragged and euill way, _Cortes_ commaunded that they shoulde not
alight, bycause the _Indians_ shoulde thinke that there was no place
highe nor lowe, but that these horses shoulde and coulde come vnto it.
So by litle and litle they came into the towne, and finding no creature
there, they feared some deceyte, yet approchyng further, they mette
with twelue auncient men, whiche brought with them an interpreter who
vnderstoode the language of _Culhua_ and the speache of that place,
whiche is the language of the _Totonaquez_, or inhabitauntes of the
Mountaynes. These auncient menne declared that the cause of theyr goyng
out of the towne, was bycause that they had neuer séene anye such
men as the Spaniardes were, nor yet heard that any such had passed
that way, wherefore with feare they had fledde from thence. But (quoth
they) when the Lord of _Zempoallan_ aduertised vs, how you did hurt
no bodye, but rather being a people good and peaceable, then wee were
well assured who ye were, when we saw you come toward vs. And wee are
nowe comen vnto you on the behalfe of the Lorde, to bring you to your
lodging.
_Cortez_ gaue them thankes, and went with them to a certaine place
where the Lord was abydyng their comming wel accompanyed: he shewed
vnto the Christians great good wil, and maruelled to sée those
straungers with their long beardes.
[Sidenote: A straunge salutation.]
The Lord toke a little chafyngdishe in his hande, and cast into
it a certaine gumme, whych sauoured in swéet smel much like vnto
frankinscence. And with a sencer he smoked _Cortez_ with this ceremony
they vse their salutations to theyr gods and nobilitie.
[Sidenote: A straunge hap.]
This done they set them down, and _Cortez_ enformed him of the cause
of their comming into that countrey as he had done in all other places
where he had bin.
The _Casike_ certifyed _Cortez_ euen as the Lord of _Zempoallan_
had done, but he stood in great feare least _Mutezuma_ should be
offended for receyuing and lodging him within that towne, without
his commaundement, and being in thys communication, sodenly appeared
twentye men entring where they sate, w^t certain wäds like cudgels in
their häds, which did signify y^t they were rent gatherers & in ech
other hand, a fly flap of feathers, the _Cacike_ & hys company were
soare afrayde. _Cortez_ demaunded wherefore he so altered himself, he
answered, bicause those twëty _Indians_ were collecters of _Mutezuma_,
and that he feared that they would complayne of him, hauing founde
those Christians there, he feared likewise cruell punishment for the
same. _Cortes_ comforted him, saying that _Mutezuma_ was his friende,
and that he would so vse the matter that he shoulde receyue no blame
at all, but rather that _Mutezuma_ shoulde giue him thankes for that
whiche he had done: And if _Mutezuma_ did not, or would not so accept
it, that then he would defend both him and his subiects, for (quoth
he) euery one of my më is sufficient for a thousand _Mexicans_, as
_Mutezuma_ himselfe was well enformed by the late warres at _Potonchan_.
Yet for and notwithstanding all this talke, the Lorde and all his folke
were in great feare, and meante to arise and to lodge the receyuers.
_Cortes_ woulde not suffer him, and bycause (quoth he) thou shalte sée
what I and my men can doe, commaund thy seruaunts to apprehend and take
prysoners these receyuers of _Mexico_, and I wil abide here with thée,
in such sorte that _Mutezuma_ with all his power shall not offende thée.
[Sidenote: The receyuers put in pryson.]
With the courage that he receyued at these wordes, he commaunded to lay
hande vpon the _Mexicans_, and bycause they defended themselues, they
were sore beaten, and layde euery one in a seuerall prison, and bounde
them to a great poste whereat they were tied by the throate, féete,
and handes, and beyng in this sorte imprysoned, they asked of _Cortes_
whether they should kill them. _Cortes_ requested that they should not
be slaine, but that they might remayne as they were, with good watch
that they might not escape: Then they were brought into a hall in the
Spaniardes lodging, and were placed rounde aboute a good fire, but yet
bounde hande and foote with garde of watchmen. _Cortes_ also appoynted
certaine of his men to watch the hall dore, and then went to his
lodging to supper, where he and his company was well prouided at the
_Caziks_ furniture.
The messages sent by Cortez
_vnto Mutezuma_.
[Sidenote: Pollicie.]
The nighte beyng farre spent, and the _Indians_ that kepte the watch
being asléepe, _Cortes_ sente vnto the Spanyardes that watched at the
hall dore where the prysoners were, and commaunded them to let goe twoo
of the prysoners, as secretly as they might, and to bring them vnto
him. The Spaniardes handled the matter so well, that they fulfilled his
desire, and brought twoo of them to _Cortes_ his chamber, who looked
vppon them as though he had not knowen them, and willed _Aguillar_
and _Maryna_ to demaunde who they were, and what they would haue, and
why they had bene in pryson. They answered, that they were vassals of
_Mutezuma_, and that they had the charge to receyue certayne tributes,
that those of that towne & prouince payde vnto their Lorde. And also
(quoth they) we know not for what cause we are nowe imprysoned and so
euelly vsed. We rather wöder to sée this new custome and madnesse,
for in time past these men were wont to méete vs and receiue vs with
great honour & curtesie, shewing all seruice and pleasure. Therefore
we thinke that the cause of this alteration is through the fauour of
you and your cöpany, who beare the name of immortalitie. We also feare
least our felowes which are in prison shal be slaine, before _Mutezuma_
haue knowlege therof. Also said they, these barbarous people dwelling
in the Mountaynes, would be glad to rebel if they foüd any succour
or ayde, only to put their Prince to cost and charges, as heretofore
they haue done. Therefore they moste humbly besought _Cortes_ that hée
shoulde not permitte them and their fellowes to be slaine, nor yet
to abide in the handes of their enimies wherein he should do singular
pleasure to _Mutesuma_ their lord, & otherwise if they should perish,
their Lord would be very sorowfull that his olde, faithful and trustie
seruaunts shoulde haue such a reward for their good seruice.
[Sidenote: A vvise Captaine.]
_Cortez_ aunswered that it grieued him much, that _Mutesuma_ his
friend should be misvsed wher he was, no nor yet his seruauntes euill
entreated, and that hee woulde haue as muche care ouer them as of his
owne, willing them to prayse the god of heauen, and to be thankful vnto
him that had commaunded them to be set at liberty, in the grace and
friendshippe of _Mutesuma_: he certifyed that in all haste they shoulde
be dispatched, for _Mexico_ with certaine busynesse therefore (quoth
he) get you to meate, and make you strög to take in hand that iourney,
trusting to your féete least ye should be taken againe to your greate
perill and daunger, Iwis their meate was soone eaten with the great
hast they had to be gone.
_Cortez_ brought them out of the towne and gaue them victuall to carry
with them. And charged for the liberty and curtesie shewed vnto them,
that they should signifye to _Mutesuma_ their Lorde, howe that he was
his assured friend, and that after he had vnderstanding of his fame,
goodnes and mighty power, he much desired to serue him yea and that
he helde himselfe happy, to fynde himselfe at such a time & season to
loose those his seruaunts, and to shew therin his good wil, likewyse
he woulde do all that lay in him to preserue the honour and auctority
of so gret a Prince as hee was, & also to defende his subiectes and to
loke to his affaires as his owne proper, although his highnesse dyd
little estéeme hys friendshippe as appeared by _Teudilli_, who departed
from him without bidding him farewell, and likewise absenting all the
people of the sea coaste: yet thys notwithstanding he would not let to
do him seruice at all times when occasion shoulde serue, and to procure
by all meanes possible his grace, fauour, and friendship, and that he
was fully perswaded, that his hyghnesse woulde not refuse his good will
and friendship, considering that with his acquaintance, God had done
much for him, to méete with a seruaunte of the Emperoures, for thereby
he might know great secretes of holy things, and also receyue greate
benefytes, if then he would refuse the same, the fault shoulde be his:
but yet notwithstanding he trusted in his wisedome, that considering
the thing well, he woulde be glad both to sée hym, and talke with him,
and also to be friende and brother with the King of _Spayne_, in whose
most happie name, both he and his company were come thither. And as
touching his seruauntes that remayned in prison, hée woulde so vse the
matter, that they should escape all perill, promising also to set them
at libertie to pleasure him, and that incontinente he woulde haue done
it, but onely bycause he woulde not offende the Lorde of the Towne,
who had friendly entertayned him with greate curtesie, for which cause
he would not presume to controll him in his owne house, nor yet to
shewe himselfe vnthankefull. The messengers departed with this message
very glad and ioyfull, promising to accomplishe faithfully y^e charge
committed vnto them.
The confederacy and rebellion
_done by the industrie of Cortez_.
VVhen the _Cazike_ founde missing the two prisoners, he blamed muche
the guarde or watch, and pretended forthwith to murther those that
remayned. Then came _Cortez_, and requested that their deathe shoulde
be pardoned, for so muche as they were but officers obediente to
their Lorde and maister, and according to iustice they had committed
no offence, nor yet deserued anye correction in the facte, whiche was
seruice to their King: but for so muche as they shall not flée as the
other two haue done, deliuer them vnto mee, and I will take them to my
custody and charge.
[Sidenote: Diuers opinions in counsell.]
Vpon this request the eyghtéene prisoners were delyuered vnto _Cortez_,
who sent them aboorde his Shyppes, and there commaunded them to be
put in yrons. The Lorde and his counsellors fearing what mighte
followe, entred into councell what was best to doe, consideryng that
they certaynely beléeued that the two prisoners whiche were escaped,
would certifie in _Mexico_ the shame and cruell entertaynemente done
vnto them. Some replyed that it was iust and requisite to sende vnto
_Mutezuma_ hys tribute, with other presentes, to mitigate hys anger,
and to excuse them, and accuse the Christians, who were the causes of
the apprehension of his officers, and to craue pardon of their erroure
and ouersighte whyche they hadde committed as madde men, in dishonor
of the maiestie of _Mexico_. Others aunswered agayne, that it were
muche better to cast off that yoke of bondage and slauery, and to
giue no longer obedience to the _Mexicans_, who were both cruell and
wicked tyrants, and also considering that now they had on their side
those halfe Gods, and inuincible horsemen, saying likewise that they
should not wante many others their neyghbours and borderers to help and
succour them.
In this sorte they resolued themselues fully to rebell, and not to lose
so good an occasion, wherevppon they besoughte _Hernando Cortes_ to bée
their defendor and Captayne, considering that for his sake they had
begun that enterprise, and whether _Mutezuma_ shoulde prepare hys army
againste them or no, yet they on their parte were fully pretended to
hold hym warre, and to desist from seruitude.
God knoweth how glad _Cortes_ was to heare this matter, for he well
wayed that it was the high way to hys iourneys ende: yet dissimuling
the cause, he aunswered that they should well looke to the thing which
they meant to take in hande, bycause (quoth he) I vnderstande that
_Mutezuma_ is a mightie Prince, but if ye will valiantly procéede, I
will be youre Captayne, and safely defende you, for I do more estéeme
your friendship, than the good will of _Mutezuma_, whyche I nothing
care for: therefore lette me knowe what number of men of warre yée
are able to make. Sir (quoth they) among all our friends wée are able
to make a hundred thousande menne of warre. I lyke that well quoth
_Cortez_, wherefore incontinente sende youre postes, with aduise vnto
all your friendes in league againste _Mutezuma_, and certifie them of
this agréemente and succoure of the Christians, not (quoth he) that I
stande in néede of your help, for I alone with my company are able to
stande againste those of _Culhua_, although they were as manye more,
but reason required that they shoulde be warned of your pretence, and
to be in readinesse for the same, fearing least _Mutezuma_ mighte sende
his army vpon a suddayne, and finde you vnprouided.
With this aduise and encouragement of _Cortez_, & also they themselues
being a people heady and of small consideratiö, they dispatched
incötinent their messëgers to all the Townes and Villages of neyghbours
and friendes, aduertising them what they hadde determined, exalting the
strangers aboue the cloudes.
And by this meanes rebelled many _Cazikes_ & townes, and all the whole
Mountaynes, so y^t there was not left any collector or other officer
of _Mexico_ in al those borders, with open proclamation of warres
againste _Mutezuma_, and all his adherentes.
_Cortez_ his intët was on the other side, to stirre vp these Indians,
to get both their goodes, willes, and landes, for otherwise, he could
not well bring his matter to passe: he only caused the officers of
_Mutezuma_, to be taken prisoners, and to be loused agayne, he fayned a
greate loue to _Mutezuma_, and stirred his subiectes agaynste him, he
offered to be their defendor, and lefte them rebelled, to the intent
that they should stand in néede of him.
The foundation of the riche
_Towne called Vera Crux_.
At this instant the Fléete was arriued at the port, then wente _Cortez_
to visit them, and carried with him many _Indians_ of the Rebels, both
of that Towne, and also of _Zempoallan_, who did good seruice to cutte
downe timber, and to carrie stones to the place appoynted, for the
building of the Citie, named the riche towne of _Vera Crux_, accordyng
to the determination, when the officers were appoynted for the same,
and chosen in S. _Iohn de Vlhua_, and in good order made repertition to
the inhabitants of the ground, and plottes to builde vpon.
[Sidenote: Embassadors.]
They appoynted also a place for the high Churche, a Market place, a
Towne house, a Gayle, store houses, a kay or Wharfe, to lade or vnlade,
a butcher row, & other places necessary to the good gouernement and
pollicie of a Towne. They also drew out a plot to build the Castel or
Fort on, néere the roade in a place conueniente, and in this sort began
theyr worke, and their houses made with mudwall, for the earth there is
good for that purpose. And euery man being this occupyed in this new
worke, came from _Mexico_ two kinsmen of _Mutezuma_, with other four
graue learned menne for Councellors, and many seruing men that attended
vppon them, as Ambassadors from _Mutezuma_, they presented vnto
_Cortez_ certayne cloth of Cotten well wouen, and feathers curiously
and fynely wroughte, other péeces of golde and siluer wrought, and
a Casket of graynes of golde, as they were founde in the Mynes not
molten, which wayed altogyther two thousand & ninetie Castlins, & sayd,
y^t _Mutezuma_ hadde sente hym the golde in the Casket, to cure theyr
disease, and woulde gladly knowe howe they fared, giuing also vnto him
most hartie thankes, for loosing his two housholde seruauntes, and
preseruing the others from slaughter, besiechying hym to make accompte,
that hée woulde doe the lyke in anye affayres of his, desiring hym
also to procure the libertie of the other eyghtéene Prisoners: and
bycause those _Indians_ hadde entertayned hym well in their houses, he
did pardon their vprore, yet notwithstanding he knewe very well that
they were suche a kynde of people, that in shorte space they woulde
committe some other offences, whereby they myght bée chastned for all
togyther, euen as a Dogge deserueth stripes. And as concernyng the rest
of hys request, theyr Lorde was not well at ease, and also occupyed in
matters of warre of greate importance, whereby at that presente, there
was no remedie to visit eache other, but in processe of tyme his desire
shoulde be accomplished.
_Cortez_ welcommed them friendly and ioyfully, and also lodged them in
Cotages néere vnto the water side, and sent forthwith for the Lorde
of _Chiautztlan_, that had rebelled, who came at his commandement.
_Cortez_ sayd vnto him, lo sée what troth I haue vsed with thée, for
_Mutezuma_ dareth not to send any army, no nor yet displease anye
person where I am. Therefore from this daye forwarde you and all youre
lignage and friendes maye accompte your selues frée and exempt from
the seruitude of _Mexico_, without rendryng the tributes accustomed.
He requested to set at libertie the prisoners, and to restore thë
to the Ambassadors of _Mutezuma_. Thys _Cazike_ wylled _Cortez_ to
doe what pleased him, for sayde he, euen as wée haue chosen you for
oure Captayne, we will not excéede one iote of youre commaundemente:
wherevppon hée returned home to his towne, and the Ambassadors toward
_Mexico_, all well pleased and content.
Nowe fame flew abroade, blasing that _Mutezuma_ feared the Christians,
wherevpon all the _Totonaques_ prepared themselues for the warres,
taking cleane awaye from _Mexico_ their tribute and obedience.
The Ambassadors departed from _Cortez_ with theyr prisoners, and manye
other things that were giuen thë, of linnen, wollen, skynnes, glasse,
and yron, being greately amazed at the things which they had séene.
Hovv Cortez tooke by force of
_armes Tizapansinca_.
Not long after that these things had happened, the _Indians_ of
_Zempoallan_ sente vnto _Cortes_, to desire him of succour against the
garrisö of _Culhua_, which _Mutezuma_ mainteyned in _Tizapansinca_,
who did greately anoy them, in spoyling, burning, and destroying
theyr corne in the fieldes, and slew their husbandmen, and toke
many prisoners. The Towne of _Tizapansinca_ doth confine with the
_Totonaquez_, and with the grounde of _Zempoallan_, and is a good
strong Towne, scituated néere the Riuer, and hath a fort standing vpon
a high rocke. And bycause this Towne was strong, and planted among
them who were alwayes seditious and Rebelles, _Mutezuma_ placed there
his garrison, who séeyng the officers of receyuers and auditors come
flying thyther for helpe, béeyng persecuted of the Rebels, they wente
out to pacifie the Rebellion, and for to chasten them, they burned and
destroyed whatsoeuer they found, and also had taken many prisoners.
_Cortez_ hearing this newes, departed towarde _Zempoallan_, and from
thence in two dayes iourney with a greate armye of _Indians_ to
_Tizapansinca_, which stoode eyghte leagues and more from that Citie.
The garrison of _Culhua_ came into the fielde, thinkyng to haue hadde
battayle onely with those of _Zempoallan_, but when they saw the
Horsemen and the bearded men, they lost theyr courage, and beganne to
flye as fast as they myghte possible: theyr succoure béeyng néere, they
were soone in holde: they woulde haue entred into theyr Castell, but
for y^e swiftnesse of the Horses which stopped theyr way.
[Sidenote: The valiant courage of Cortez.]
And when the Horses coulde not ascende vp vnto the forte, _Cortes_
alighted with other foure of hys men, and among the preasse of the
Townesmen gote into the forte, and béeyng within, they kept the dore
tyll theyr companye came wyth manye friendes, vnto whome hée delyuered
the forte and Towne, desiring to do no hurte to the inhabitantes,
but to suffer them to depart fréely without weapon and standerde. It
was a newe worlde to those _Indians_, who did fulfyll _Cortes_ hys
commaundemente in all poyntes. Thys done, _Cortez_ returned agayne to
the Sea coast, by the same way whiche hée hadde come.
This was the firste victory that _Cortes_ had among the subiectes
of _Mutezuma_, whereby all the Mountaynes remayned frée from the
vexations of the _Mexicans_, and all our men with great fame and
reputation, as well among their friendes, as among their enimies, in so
much that afterwardes when any neede did happen among the _Indians_,
they would immediately sende vnto _Cortes_ for one of his men, saying,
that one man alone of the Chrystians, was sufficient to be their
Captayne and securitie.
Thys was a good begynnyng for the pretence of _Cortes_. Now when he
came to _Vera Crux_ wyth hys company triumphantly, he founde there
_Francisco de Salzeda_, who was come with his caruell which he had
boughte of _Alonso Cauallero_, a dweller in _Saint Iames de Cuba_,
and was left there to be grounded and dressed at his departure from
thence. He brought with him .70. Spanyardes, and nine Horses and Mares,
wherewith they all maruellously reioyced.
The presents that Cortez sent to
_the Emperour for his fifte_.
_Cortez_ made greate hast in building vp the new town and the Castell,
bycause the Citizens and souldiers mighte haue succoure againste winde
and rayne, and commoditie of householde, and lykewise to bée assured of
defence against enimies if néede shoulde happen, pretending lykewise
with all expedition, to enter within the land toward _Mexico_, to visit
_Mutezuma_, and to leaue in that newe worke all thing in good order, he
finished many thinges, touching as well the peace as the warre.
He commaunded to be brought a lande out of his shippes all the armour
& other furniture for the warres, with the Merchandise, victuall and
other prouision, and to deliuer it to the rulers of the newe Cittie,
accordyng to his promisse. He also signified vnto all his company that
it was méete and conuenient, to sende relation to the Kyng of all theyr
proceedings and dealings in that countrey, with demonstration of Golde
and Siluer there founde.
And (quoth he) to deale vprightly in this case, it is necessary to
deuide equally our treasure to euery man his portion, accordyng to the
vse of the warres, the deuision beyng made, then firste and principally
lette vs deduct the Kings fifte parte. And for the better performance
therof, I doe name and appoynt _Alounso de Auila_ Treasurer for the
King, and also I doe elect _Gonsalo Mexia_ Treasurer of the armie.