messengers who had gone with the seale for _Qualpopoca_, and brought
him, his Sonne, and other fiftene principall persons, with them, the
whiche by inquirie made, were culpable and partakers in the counsell
and death of the nine Spaniardes. _Qualpopoca_ entred into _Mexico_
accompanied like a greate Lorde as he was, beyng borne vpon his
seruaunts shoulders in rich furniture. As sone as he had saluted
_Mutezuma_, he & his Sonne were deliuered vnto _Cortes_, with the other
fiftene Gentlemen. _Cortes_ placed them asunder, and commaunded them to
be put in Irons, and theyr examinations taken, they confessed that they
had slayne those Spaniardes in battayle.
_Cortes_ demaunded of _Qualpopoca_ if he were subiect to _Mutezuma_,
why (quoth he) is there any other Prince to whome I might be in
subiection? giuing almost to vnderstand that he was a Lorde absolute.
_Cortes_ answered, that a farre greater Prince was the King of Spayne,
whose subiects vnder colour of friendship and salfeconduct he had
slayne. But (quoth he) nowe shalte thou make payment thereof. And
beyng agayne more straighter examined, they confessed that they had
slaine two Spaniards by the aduice and inducement of the greate
prince _Mutezuma_, and the residue were slayne in the warres, and had
assaulted their houses, and entred their countrey, wherefore they helde
it lawfull to kill them.
Through the confession pronounced by their owne mouthes, sentence was
giuen against them, and they condëned to be burned, whiche sentence was
openly executed in the market place in sight of all the people, without
any mutine or slaunder, and with great silence, terrour & feare of the
newe maner of iustice which they sawe there executed vpon so noble a
man, in the chiefe seate and kyngdome of _Mutezuma_, beyng gestes and
straungers.
The cause of the burnyng of
_Qualpopoca_.
At the time that Cortes departed from _Vera Crux_, he left in cömission
to _Pedro Hircio_, to procure to inhabite in that place which is
called _Almeria_, & not to permit _Francisco de Garray_ to soiourne
there, for so much as once he was driuen frö that coast. Now _Hircio_
to fulfill his cömission, sente to requyre those _Indians_ with peace
and friëdship, and to yéeld themselues for vassals of the Emperour.
_Qualpopoca_ Lorde of _Nahutlan_, which is now called as aforesaid
_Almeria_, sent to aduertise _Pedro Hircio_, that he could not come to
yéelde his obedience, for the enimies that were in the way: but if it
would please him to sende some of his men, for the securitie of the
way, he would willyngly come vnto him.
_Hircio_ hearing this answere, sent foure of his men, giuing credite
to his message, and for the desire he hadde to inhabite there.
When the foure _Spanyardes_ came into the prouince of _Nahutlan_, there
mette with them many armed men, who slew two of them, and made thereof
a great triumph: the other two escaped sore wounded, and returned
with that newes to the Towne of _Vera Crux_. _Pedro Hircio_ beléeuing
that _Qualpopoca_ had done that iniurie, armed out agaynst hym fiftie
_Spanyardes_, and ten thousand _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_, with two
horses, and two péeces of Ordinance.
_Qualpopoca_ hearing this newes, came with a mightie power to driue
them out of his Countrey, and in that encounter, seauen _Spanyardes_
were slayne, and many _Zempoallanezes_, but at the ende he was
ouercome, his Countrey spoyled, and Towne sacked, and many of his
army slaine and taken captiues. The prisoners declared, that by the
commaundement of the greate Lorde _Mutezuma_, all this vprore was
attempted by _Qualpopoca_: it mighte well be, for at the houre of death
they confessed the same. But some affirme, they sayde so, but to excuse
themselues, and to lay the fault to the _Mexicans_. _Hircio_ wrote
these newes to _Cortez_ béeyng in _Chololla_, and through these letters
_Cortez_ apprehended _Mutezuma_ (as is afore declared.)
Hovv Cortez put a payre of giues
_on Mutezuma his legges_.
Before the execution of _Qualpopoca_ and hys fellowes, _Cortes_
declared vnto _Mutezuma_, that _Qualpopoca_ and his company had
confessed, that by hys aduice and commaundemente, the nine _Spanyardes_
were slayne, wherein he had done very euill, they being his friendes
and guestes: but (quoth he) if it were not in respect of the loue I
beare vnto you, this matter shoulde not in this sort be shut vp, and
then knocked a payre of giues on his legges, saying, he that killeth
ought to be killed, according to the lawes of God. These things did
_Cortes_, bycause he shoulde occupye himselfe in his owne griefe and
sorrow, and to let other mens passe.
_Mutezuma_ waxed pale w^t countenäce of death, through the great feare
that he was in, séeyng himselfe in Irons, a new and strange thing for
suche a great King, excusing himselfe that he was innocent of the
facte. And as soone as the execution of burning was done, _Cortez_
commaunded to put away the Irons that _Mutezuma_ ware, offering him
libertie, and willing him to goe vnto his owne pallace, who reioyced
much to sée himselfe out of the Irons, and gaue _Cortes_ most hartie
thankes, and refused to goe home to his owne pallace, surmising that
the offer was but wordes, or else fearing least his subiects woulde
kyll him, séeing him out of the _Spanyardes_ power, for permitting
himselfe to be taken prisoner, and so to be kept. Hée sayd also, that
if he went from them, his subiectes woulde rebell, and compell him to
kill the _Spanyardes_.
Truly the poore simple soule was of small hearte and courage, to suffer
himselfe to be taken prisoner, and after his imprisonment woulde neuer
procure libertie, _Cortes_ offering it vnto him, and many of his noble
men desiring him. And remayning in that order, there was none in
_Mexico_ durst offende any _Spanyard_ for feare of displeasing him,
for _Qualpopoca_ came 70. leagues with only warning him that the great
Lorde had sent for him, shewing hym the figure of his seale: yea and al
the péeres of his realme that dwelte farthest off, were ready to obey
hys commaundementes.
Hovv Cortez sent to seeke for Mines
_of golde into diuers places_.
_Cortez_ had a greate desire to know howe farre the Empire of
_Mutezuma_ dyd extende, and what friendship was betwixte him and
other Kings and Princes Comarcans, and also to gather togither a good
summe of gold, to send to _Spayne_ to the Emperoure for his custome
or fifte parte, with full relation of the Countrey people, and things
happened untill that day. Wherefore he prayed _Mutezuma_ to shew
him where the mynes were, from whence he and his subiectes had the
golde and plate. _Mutezuma_ graunted to his request, and incontinent
appoynted eyght _Indians_, of the which four were Goldsmythes, who had
knowledge and vnderstanding of Mynes, and the other foure were guydes
for the iourney. He commaunded them that by two and two they shoulde
goe into foure prouinces, that is to say _Zucolla_, _Malinaltepec_,
_Tenich_, and _Tutepec_, with other eyghte _Spanyardes_ whiche _Cortez_
appoynted, to haue knowledge of the riuers and mynes of gold, and to
bring a moster of the same. The eyght _Spanyardes_ departed on their
iourney, with the other eyghte _Indians_, with tokens from _Mutezuma_.
_Zucolla_ is 80. leagues from _Mexico_, and the Lord thereof is subiect
to _Mutezuma_, who shewed vnto the _Spanyardes_ thrée riuers with
golde, and gaue of each riuer a moster thereof, although it were but
little, for with want of knowledge they knew not wel the mäner how to
get it out of the riuer. These messengers in their iourney too and
fro, passed through thrée prouinces full of people and habitatiö, with
good buildings & frutefull ground, and the people of the one of them
called _Tlamacolapan_, are of good reason and iudgemente, and better
apparelled than the _Mexicans_.
_Malinaltepec_ is 70. leagues from _Mexico_, from whence also they
brought mosters of golde, the which is had out of a great riuer, by the
naturals of that Countrey.
_Tenich_ standeth vp towarde the head of the same riuer of
_Malinaltepec_, who are people of another language, and would not
permitte our men to haue relation of the thing that they sought. The
Lorde of that place is called _Coatelicamatl_, who is not subiecte
to _Mutezuma_, nor yet is his friende, thinking that his men hadde
bin espyes: but when he was enformed who they were, he gaue the
_Spanyardes_ licence to be resolued of their affayres, but straitly
commaunded, that the _Indians_ of _Mexico_ should not presume to
come into his dominion. When the _Mexicans_ hearde these newes, they
required the _Spanyardes_ not to credite that _Cazike_, saying, that he
was an euill and a cruell man, and would surely kill them. Our men were
somewhat amazed, fearing to talke with _Coatelicamatl_, although they
hadde his licence, séeyng the people of the countrey armed with Launces
of fiue and twenty foote lög: but yet at lëgth leauing cowardise aside,
they procéeded forwards. _Coatelicamatl_ receyued thë curteously, and
shewed them sixe or seauen riuers with golde, out of the which graynes
of golde were taken in his presence, who gaue the same moster vnto
them, and sente also his Embassadors to _Cortez_, offering his lande
and person vnto him, with certayne mantels, and Iewels of golde.
_Cortez_ more reioyced of the Embassage, than of the gold and presents,
knowing thereby that _Mutezuma_ hys enimies desired his friendshippe:
but _Mutezuma_ and hys counsell liked not the matter, for although
_Coatelicamatl_ is no great Lord, yet his people are good souldyers,
and his countrey full of wildernesse, of Rockes and Mountaynes. The
other that wente to _Tutepec_, which standeth néere the sea coast, and
twelue leagues frö _Malinaltepec_, returned likewise with moster of
golde of two Riuers, and brought newes that the Countrey was fit to
buylde vppon, with hope to reape muche golde, finding once an arte to
get it out of the riuer.
_Cortez_ hearing these news, prayed _Mutezuma_ to build a house there
in the name of the Emperoure _Charles_, who incontinente sente thither
workemen and labourers, whyche within two monethes hadde built a greate
house, and other thrée little houses round aboute it, with a ponde
of water full of fishe, and fiue hundred Duckes, and a thousand fiue
hundred Turkie cockes and hennes, and muche housholde stuffe, so that
the gifte was worth twentie thousand Castlins of golde. He gaue vnto
hym also twenty bushels of the grayne called _Centli_, readye sowen,
and two thousand stockes of trées called _Cacauatl_, whiche bringeth
forthe the fruite _Cacao_, that serueth for money and meate. _Cortes_
began this husbandrye, but yet made not an ende thereof, with the
comming of _Pamfilo de Naruaiz_, and the vprore in _Mexico_, whiche
shortly followed. He also besoughte _Mutezuma_ to certifie him if there
were any sure porte or harbor on the Sea coast, where the Spanish nauie
mought ride in safetie: he aunswered that he knew of none, but that
he woulde sende to make enquirie thereof. And forthwith he commaunded
all that coast to be painted in a cloath made of cotten woll, with all
the riuers, bayes, créekes and capes that were within his dominion. In
all the same portrayture did not appeare anye porte, skale, or sure
roade, sauyng a gulfe that falleth out of the Mountaynes, which place
is now called the harbor of _Saint Martine_, and _Saint Anthonie_ in
the prouince of _Coazacoalco_. The _Spanyards_ thought the same to be
a straight or passage into the South sea, to passe vnto the _Maluccos_
and spicerie, but they were deceiued although they beléeued the thing
that they desired. _Cortes_ for this purpose sent tenne Spanyardes,
all good marriners and Pylots, in companye of the _Indians_ that
_Mutezuma_ sent on that voyage at his owne cost.
They departed, and came to _Chalohicoeca_, where firste they came
aland, the which place is now called _S. Iohn de Vlhua_.
They wente 70. leagues along the coast, without finding any Riuer,
although they mette with many brookes of shallowe water, not fytte for
a roade for Shyppes.
They aported at _Coazacoalco_, the Lorde whereof was enimie to
_Mutezuma_, hys name was _Tuchintlec_, who friendly receyued the
Spanyardes, for he hadde intelligence of them, at their lying at
_Potonchan_. He gaue vnto them boates, to sounde and séeke the Riuer,
where they found sixe fadome in deapth, and wente vppe that Riuer
twelue leagues, wher they descryed many great townes, and it séemed a
fruitefull soyle. This _Cazike Tuchnitlec_, sente vnto _Cortes_ with
the Spanyards certayne gold, precious stones, and cloth of cotten, with
apparrell made of skynnes, and tygers, requesting his friendship, and
to admitte him tributarie to the Emperour, paying yéerely a certayne
portion of his riches, with suche condition, that the _Indians_ of
_Culhua_ should not enter into his iurisdictiö.
_Cortes_ muche reioysed with these messages, and was glad of the
finding of the faire riuer, for the Marriners hadde enformed him, that
from the riuer of _Grijalua_ vnto _Panuco_, was no riuer to be found,
but I beléeue they were deceyued. _Cortes_ returned backe agayne some
of those messengers, with a present of Spanish ware for _Tuchnitlec_,
and to be better enformed of all his meaning, with a special charge to
knowe the cömoditie of that porte and Countrey, who went, and in shorte
time returned wel satisfyed of their demaund: wherevpon _Cortes_ sente
thyther _Iohn Velasques de Leon_, for Captayne of a hundred and fifty
Spanyardes, with commission to build a fort.
The imprisonment of Cacama, King
_of Tezcuco_.
The weake courage and stomake of _Mutezuma_, caused his subiectes not
onely to murmure, but also to seeke meanes of rebellion, especially
his nephew _Cacamazin_, Lorde of _Tezcuco_, who was a stoute yong man
and an honorable, and one y^t receiued greate griefe of his Vncles
imprisonment: and seeing that y^e matter séemed long, he besought his
Vncle to procure his libertie, and to shew himselfe a Lorde, and not
a slaue: but séeing at length that he could not accepte and follow
his councell, he began to stirre in the matter, threatning the death
and destruction of the Spanyardes. Some said, that _Cacama_ did begin
that matter, to reuenge the iniurie and dishonor done vnto his Vncle.
Others saide, that his meaning was to make himselfe Kyng of _Mexico_.
Others held opinion, that his pretence was only to make an ende of y^e
Spanyards. But let it be for whatsoeuer purpose. Once he gathered a
great army, which he coulde not want, although _Mutezuma_ was prisoner,
especially against y^e Spanyards. He published that he would redéeme
his Vncle out of Captiuitie, and expulse the Straungers, or else kill
and eate them.
This was a terrible newes for the Christians, but yet for all those
bragges _Cortes_ dismayde not, rather hée determined forthwith to
prepare himselfe for the warres, and to besiege him in his owne house
and Towne, sauing that _Mutezuma_ disturbed him, saying that _Tezcuco_
was a place very strong, and scituated in water, and that _Cacama_ was
a man of bolde and stoute courage, and had at commaundemente of the
_Indians_ of _Culhua_, and was also Lorde of _Culhuacan_ and _Otumpa_,
whiche were fortes of great strength, thinking to bring the matter to
a better passe another way: so that _Cortez_ ruled himselfe by the
counsell of _Mutezuma_, and sent vnto _Cacama_, praying him to haue
in remembrance the friendshippe that hadde bin betwixt them two, from
the time that he came and broughte hym into _Mexico_, and that alwayes
peace was better than warre, and especially for a noble man of vassals,
for the begynnyng of warres was pleasant to hym that knewe not what
warres meante: and in so doyng, he shoulde do both pleasure and seruice
to the Kyng of _Spayne_.
[Sidenote: Cacama vvas vvise.]
_Cacama_ aunswered, that he had no friendship with him that woulde take
away hys honor and kingdome, and that the warres whych he pretended,
was profitable for his vassals, and in defence of their Countrey and
Religion, yea and before he determined peace, he meante to reuenge hys
Vncles wrongs and his goddes.
Also (quoth he) what haue I to doe wyth the Kyng of _Spayne_, who is a
man that I know not, no nor yet would gladly heare of hym.
_Cortez_ turned agayne to admonishe and require hym diuers tymes to
leaue off his determination, and wylled _Mutezuma_ to commaunde hym to
accepte hys offer.
Wherevpon _Mutezuma_ sente vnto hym, desiryng him to come vnto
_Mexico_, to take some order in those controuersies and discordes
betwixte hym and the _Spanyardes_.
_Cacama_ aunswered very sharply vnto his Vncles request, saying, if you
had bloud in your eye, or the hearte of a Prince, you woulde not permit
your selfe to bée prisoner, and captiue of foure poore straungers, who
with their fayre speache and flatteryng talke haue bewitched you,
and vsurped your kingdome, no nor yet, suffer the Goddes of _Culhua_
to be throwen downe and spoyled, yea and the _Mexican_ religion and
holy places, violated and troden with théeues féete and deceyuers:
likewise the honour, glory, and fame of your predecessors blotted and
abased, through your faynt stomacke and cowardize. But notwithstanding,
accordyng to your request, and to repayre our religiö, to restore the
Goddes to their Temples, to preserue the kingdome, and to procure
libertie for you and the Cittie, I will obay your commaundement: But
how? not with my handes in my bosome, but lyke a warrier, to kill those
Spaniardes who haue so affrented the nation of _Culhua_. Our men stoode
in great perill, as well of the losing of _Mexico_ as of their owne
liues, if this warre and mutinie had not soone bene qualified: for
why? _Cacama_ was valiant, stoute, and a good souldier, yea and well
furnished of men of warre: also the Citizens of _Mexico_, were desirous
of the same, for to redéeme _Mutezuma_ their prince, and to kill the
Spaniardes, or else to expulse them out of the Cittie.
[Sidenote: Cacama prysoner.]
But poore _Mutezuma_ remedied the matter, knowyng or foreseing,
that warres would not preuayle, yea and beleued, that at the ende
all shoulde fall vpon his backe. He dealt with certayne Captaynes &
Gentlemen that dwelt in _Tezcuco_ with _Cacama_, to apprehend him, and
bryng him prysoner, cösidering that he was their king and yet aliue.
But whether it were, that those Captaynes had serued _Mutezuma_ in the
warres, or whether it were for giftes & rewardes, they apprehended
_Cacama_ being in counsell among them, treatyng of his warres
pretended, and embarked him in a boate armed for the purpose, and so
brought him to _Mexico_ without any further slander or stryfe, and
when he was comen to _Mexico_, they put him on a riche seate, as the
Kings of _Tezcuco_ were wonte to sitte vpon, beyng the greatest Prince
in all that lande next vnto _Mutezuma_: and in this sorte brought him
before his vncle, who would not looke vpon him, but commaunded him to
be deliuered vnto _Cortes_, who incontinent clapped a payre of giues
on his legges, and a payre of manacles on his handes, and put hym into
sure Guarde and custodie.
After that _Cacama_ was in this order prysoner, with the consent of
_Mutezuma_ was elected Lorde and Prince of _Tezcuco_ and _Culhuacan_,
_Cucuzca_, _Cacama_ his yonger brother, who was abidyng in _Mexico_
with his vncle, and fled from his brother: _Mutezuma_ did entitle
him with the ceremonies accustomed vnto Princes newly elected and
chosen. So that forthwith he was obeyed in _Tezcuco_ by _Mutezuma_ his
commaundement, for he was there better beloued than _Cacama_, who was
somewhat of a croked nature. In this sorte was remedied all the former
perill, but if there had bene many _Cacamas_, it would haue fallen out
otherwise.
Here _Cortes_ made kings, and cömaunded with as great auctoritie as
though he had obtayned already the whole Empire of _Mexico_: and
certainely sithens his first entry into that countrey, he had an
assured hope to win _Mexico_, and to be Lorde ouer the whole state of
_Mutezuma_.
The Oration that Mutezuma made
_vnto his Noble men, yeelding himselfe to the King of Castile_.
After the imprisonment of _Cacama_, _Mutezuma_ proclaymed a Parliament,
vnto the which came all the Seniors _Comarcans_, and beyng all
together, he made the Oration followying vnto them.
[Sidenote: A fonde beliefe.]
My kinsmen, friendes and seruants, yée do well know that eightene
yeares I haue bene your kyng, as my fathers and Grandfathers were, and
alwaies I haue bene vnto you a louing Prince, and yée vnto me good and
obedient subiectes, and so I hope you will remayne all the dayes of my
life. Ye ought to haue in remembrance, that eyther ye haue heard of
your fathers, or else our adeuines haue instructed you, that we are not
naturalles of this countrey, nor yet our kingdome is durable, bycause
our forefathers came from a farre countrey, and theyr king and captayne
who brought them hither, returned againe to his naturall countrey,
saying that he woulde sende suche as shoulde rule and gouerne vs, if by
chaunce hée himselfe returned not. Beleeue ye assuredly, that the king
whiche wée haue looked for so many yeares, is he that hath nowe sente
these Spaniardes, whiche yée here sée. Who dothe certifie, that wée are
their kinsmen, and that they haue had notice of vs a long tyme: lette
vs therefore gyue thankes vnto the Goddes, that nowe they are comen in
our dayes, beyng a thing that we so muche desired.
[Sidenote: Poore Mutezuma.]
Yée shall nowe doe me seruice and pleasure, that yée yéelde your selues
vnto this Captayne for vassals of the Emperoure King of Spayne our
soueraygne, I my self haue already yéelded me for his seruitour and
friend, praying you that from hence forwardes ye obey him as ye haue
obeyed mée. And that yée yéelde and pay vnto him the tributes, customes
and seruice that ye were wont to pay vnto me, and in so doyng, ye can
doe me no greater pleasure. Hys harte then woulde not suffer hym to
speake any more, with the sobbes, sighes, and teares, that fell from
hys eyes. All his subiectes there presente fell into a crie, wéepyng
and mournyng, that for a good space they had no power to speake:
they gaue thankes, and sighings, vtteryng with their mouthes many
dolefull, and sorrowfull speaches, yea that it pitied our owne men
at the hartes. But in conclusion, they answered that they would obey
his commaundement. Then _Mutezuma_ and the Burgesses of Parliament in
order yelded themselues for vassals of the king of _Castile_, promising
loyaltie. This acte was set downe by the Notarie, and with witnesses
auctorized. Then the _Indians_ departed home to their houses with
sorowfull hartes, God knoweth, as you may imagine. It was a straunge
thing to sée _Mutezuma_ wéepe with so many Noble men and Gentlemen, yea
and with what griefe they became subiects to an vnknowë Prince, but
they coulde not otherwise doe, seyng that _Mutezuma_ did commaunde the
same.
[Sidenote: A true prophecie.]
Also they had a certaine Prognostication and forwarning by their
Priestes of the comming from the east parties a straunge people, white
of colour and bearded men, who should winne and rule that countrey.
Likewise there was a secrete talke amög them, that in _Mutezuma_
should ende and finishe, not alone the lynage of _Culhua_, but also
the Empyre and kingdome: therefore some were of opinion, not to name
him _Mutezuma_ whiche signifieth, agrieued with misfortune. They say
also that _Mutezuma_ himself had many times answere of the Oracle of
the Gods, that in him shoulde finishe the _Mexican_ Emperours, and that
no childe of his shoulde succéede in his kingdome, and that he should
lose his seate in the eyght yeare of his raigne: & for these causes he
woulde neuer procure warre to withstande the Spaniardes, beleuyng that
they should be his successours. Yet on the other side he thought his
opinion would take no place, for that he had raygned seuentene yeares:
But this should séeme to come from the prouidence of God, whiche giueth
kingdomes and taketh them away.