the Emperour, and for himself, and comforted him, who was very sad,
promysing also that alwayes he should be king and Lorde, & commaunde
as heretofore he had done, and better, yea and also he should be chief
ruler of all the other landes and countreys, that he shoulde gette and
bryng to the seruice of the Emperour.
The Golde and Ievvels that Mutezuma
_gaue vnto Cortes for tribute_.
After certaine dayes that _Mutezuma_ and his counsell had yéelden
their obedience, _Cortes_ sayde vnto him, how that the Emperour was at
great costes & charges in his warres, wherfore it should be necessary
that his newe vassals shoulde begin to serue in some thing, and to pay
their tribute, willyng him to sende throughout his dominion to sée
what coulde be gathered of Gold, and that he himselfe should beginne
firste to pay tribute to the example of others. _Mutezuma_ answered
that he was contented so to doe, willyng that some of his men shoulde
goe vnto the house of foule for the same. There went many, and there
sawe golde in planches like brickebattes, Iewels, and péeces wrought
in a hall, and two chambers which were opened vnto thë. The Spaniardes
wödering at the sight, would not touch any thing, without giuing firste
aduertisement to _Cortes_, who incontinent went thither, and caused
it all to be carried to his lodgyng: besides this treasure _Mutezuma_
gaue vnto him rich clothes of cotten and feathers maruelously wouen in
figures & colours, it séemed without cöparison, for the Spaniardes had
neuer séene the like: he gaue vnto him more, twelue shooting tronkes,
wherewith he himself was wont to passetime: some of them were paynted
with birdes, beasts, floures & trées very perfite, a worke surely much
to be commended: and some of them were engrauë very curiously, with
their mouldes and pellets of golde.
He sente also his seruants by twoo and twoo, and fiue and fiue,
ech company with one Spaniarde, to the Lords of other prouinces,
fourescore, and a hundred leagues frö _Mexico_, to gather in golde for
the accustomed tributes, and newe seruice to the Emperour. Euery Lorde
and Seignior payde the quantitie appointed & taxed by _Mutezuma_, in
golde, plate, iewels, stones and pearles.
The messengers returned, although they had taried somewhat long on
their iourney, of whom _Cortes_ receyued all that they brought, and
caused it to be molten, out of the whiche was had in fine golde
.1600000. Castlins, of the value of seuen shillings and sixe pence the
péece, and rather more, and also fiue hundred markes of plate, after
sixe Ducates the marke.
This treasure was deuided among the Souldiers, but not all: euery man
was payde accordyng to his office. The horsemen had twise as muche
as the footemen. Also _Cortes_ was payde out of the stocke the money
promised him in _Vera Crux_.
There came to the kings parte .32000. Castlins and a hundred markes of
plate, the whiche was wrought there in platters, saucers, cuppes, ewers
and other péeces, according to the _Indian_ fashion, to be sent to the
Emperour. Besides this, the present that _Cortes_ layde aside, and takë
out of the stocke to send to y^e Emperour, was worth .100000. Ducates,
in pearles, precious stones, golde, and feathers, feathers and siluer,
and many other iewels, as the gallant tronkes, whiche beside their
value were straunge to behold, wrought with the brauery aforesayde.
This present appoynted, was not sent, for that and al the rest was
afterwarde loste at the troubles in _Mexico_, as hereafter shall more
playnly appeare.
Hovv Mutezuma required Cortez
_to departe from Mexico_.
_Cortes_ seyng himselfe riche and mightie, he occupied hymselfe in
thrée things, the one was to sende vnto _Santo Domingo_ and other
Ilands, newes of his procéedings and prosperitie, and also money to
prouide menne, horses and armour, for his owne company were to fewe
for so greate a countrey. The other was, to take fully and wholly the
state of _Mutezuma_, hauing him prisoner, and also at his commaundement
_Tlaxcallan_, _Coatelicamath_, and _Tuchintlec_, knowyng also that
the _Indians_ of _Panuco_, _Tecoantepec_, and _Mechuacan_, were
mortall enimies to the _Mexicans_, who woulde ayde and assist him
hauing néede of their helpe, his thirde pretence was, to procure all
the _Indians_ to be Christened, the which purpose he tooke first in
hand, as a thing most nedefull. On the other side, _Mutezuma_ repented
himselfe, hauyng newes that _Pamfilo de Naruaiz_ was arriued, who came
as enimy to _Cortes_, yea and after all this he was at length driuen
out of _Mexico_. These notable things shalbe rehersed in their order.
But now _Mutezuma_ came, and desired _Cortes_ to departe out of his
countrey, aduising hym that otherwise bothe he and his menne were in
perill of killyng, saying also, that thrée especiall causes moued him
to this requeste: the one was, the dayly sute of the subiectes, who
enportuned him to come out of captiuitie, and to murder the Spanyardes,
saying, that it was a great shame for them to suffer theyr Prince to
bée in pryson in the power of so fewe straungers, whom they might
vse as a footebal: hauing dishonored thë and robbed them of their
goodes, gatheryng and heaping vp their gold for themselues, & for
their king, who as séemed by their doings, was but a poore fellowe,
and if hée would not accept their offer and sute, that then of theyr
owne auctoritie they would take the thyng in hande, for so much as he
refusing to be theyr king they woulde also refuse to be his vassals,
giuyng warnyng and aduice that he should looke for no better rewarde at
the Spaniardes handes, than _Qualpopoca_ and _Cacama_ his Neuewe had
receiued, although they shoulde flatter him neuer so muche.
[Sidenote: A suttle Foxe.]
An other cause was that the Diuell had appeared vnto him, and willed
him to kill those Christians, or dryue them out of the lande,
threatnyng him that if he did not so, that then he woulde goe from him
and neuer talke any more with him, for (quoth he) with their gospels,
baptisme and deuotion, they doe muche displease me. _Mutezuma_ answered
him, that there was no reason to kill thë being his friendes and honest
men, but he would entreate them to departe, (vnto this) the Diuell
answered that hée should do so, and therein he would receyue great
pleasure, for eyther he woulde goe his way and leaue him, or else
that Christian fellowes should departe, for they sow here (quoth he)
a Christian fayth y^e which is much against our Religiö, and can not
dwell both togither. Another cause was, that _Mutezuma_ was not well
pleased with the imprysonment of _Cacama_, whö once he loued excedyng
wel: so in fine, secretely hee repented him of all that was past in the
Spanyardes fauour, and chiefly by the persuasion of the Diuell, who
sayde that he coulde not doe vnto him a more acceptable seruice, and
of greater pleasure to the Goddes, than to expell the Spaniardes and
abolishe the name of Christians, and in so doyng, the seate of Kings
should not finish in the linage of _Culhua_, but rather be enlarged,
& his childrë should raigne after him, wishing him not to beléeue in
prophesies, sithence the eight yeare was past, and was nowe in the
eyghtenth yeare of his raigne. For these causes, or possible for other
whiche we knowe not off, _Mutezuma_ prepared an army of a hundred
thousand men so secretely, that _Cortes_ knew not thereof, to the
effecte, that if the Spanyardes woulde not departe, being once more
required, that then he meant not to leaue one of them aliue. With this
determination, he came forthe one day into the yard or courte, and
had long conference and consultation with his Gentlemen aboute this
matter. This done, he sente for _Cortes_, who liked not this newes,
saying to him selfe, I pray God this message be to good purpose, and
taking twelue of his men whych were readyest at hand, went to know
wherefore hée had sente for him. _Mutezuma_ arose from the place where
hée sate, and tooke _Cortez_ by the hande, commaunding a stoole to be
brought for him, and so sate them downe both togither, and beganne his
talke as followeth. Sir, I beséeche you to departe from this Citie
and Countrey, for my Gods are sore offended with me, bycause I doe,
and haue permitted you héere so long: demaunde of me what you please,
and it shall be giuen you, bycause I loue you well: and thinke you
not, that I giue you this warning in iest, but rather in good earnest,
therefore it is conuenient, that you depart. It séemed strange vnto
_Cortez_ this talke. Also he saw by the countenance of _Mutezuma_, that
some thing was a working, and before the interpreter of _Mutezuma_
had made an end of his talke, _Cortes_ willed one of his më to goe
forthwith, and to aduise all his fellowes, saying, y^t the waight of
their liues was in questiö. Then our më called to remembrance what was
tolde them in _Tlaxcallon_, considering that it was néedeful of courage
and help from God to bring them out of that daunger. Whë _Mutezuma_ had
ended his tale, I haue (quoth _Cortes_) vnderstood your meaning, and
doe thanke you for the same: also I would know when it is your pleasure
that we should depart, and it shal be done. Euen when it please you
(quoth _Mutezuma_) take the time that you thinke méete, and againste
that time will I prepare a hundred waighte of gold for you, and fiftie
pound waight to each of your më.
_Cortes_ sayde, you knowe, that when I came into thys Countrey, I
commaunded all my Shippes to be sonke, so that nowe I haue néede of
time conueniente to builde vessels to carrie vs into oure Countrey:
wherefore my request is, that you commaund some of your Carpëters to be
called, to cutte downe timber for the purpose, for I haue men that can
make the vessels. And this done, wée will departe, so that you giue vs
the golde whiche you haue promised, and certifie you the same to youre
Gods and vassals.
_Mutezuma_ receyued great pleasure at this aunswere, and sayd,
your request shall be fulfilled: and incontinente he sent for many
Carpenters. Likewise _Cortes_ prepared certayne of his Marriners
for Shipwrightes. All the which workemen went vnto great woddes of
Pinetrées, and there cut downe the timber necessarye for the purpose.
_Mutezuma_ being a simple man, gaue credite to all _Cortez_ his talke:
_Cortes_ likewise aduertised his men of his procéedings, and sayd vnto
them, _Mutezuma_ would haue vs departe out of his Countrey, bycause
his vassals and the Diuell hathe entised him therevnto: wherefore it
is néedefull that we build shipping, and therefore I praye you goe
with these _Indians_, and procure to cut downe the best timber fit for
oure purpose, and in the meane season God will prouide for vs, whose
affayres we haue nowe in hand, of remedie and succour in suche sort
that we lose not this frutefull countrey. It is also necessary, that
whë you come vnto the wodde, that you make all the delay possible,
giuing a shew that you are busie occupyed, and with great desire
to make an ende, that those _Indians_ may suspect nothing of oure
pretence. Departe in Gods name, and aduise me alwayes what doth passe
in your affaires.
The feare that our men stoode in to
_be sacrifised_.
Eight dayes after their departure toward the woddes, arriued fiftéene
saile of ships at the coast of _Chalchicoeca_. The _Indians_ of that
coast aduised _Mutezuma_ therof, who was not a little afraide with
the newes, & called _Cortes_ vnto him, who feared asmuch some vprore
there, and when they shewed _Cortez_ y^t _Mutezuma_ was come forth into
the yarde, he suspected that if _Mutezuma_ pleased, they shoulde be
all destroyed. Wherefore he said vnto his men, maisters and friends,
_Mutezuma_ hath sent me, considering what passed this other day, I
hold it for no good token. I nowe goe to knowe his wyll: wherefore,
whatsoeuer happen, be you alwayes vigilant and ready, commending your
selues to God. Remember also whome ye are, and who are these Infidels,
abhorred of God, and friends vnto the Diuel, without weapon, and
experience in warre: if we chance to fight, the handes of each of vs
shal shew by déede with sword, the vallor and courage of our heartes:
yea, and although we all die, yet shall we remaine with victory, for
that we haue fulfilled the thing we tooke in hand, and the seruice
which we owe vnto God as faithfull Christiäs, with our duetie as true
subiects to our prince. They all answered, saying, we wil do all our
possibilitie while life lasteth, withoute feare of perill or daunger,
for we lesse estéeme deathe than honor. With this aunswere _Cortes_
wente to _Mutezuma_, who sayde vnto him, _Senior_ Captayne, you shall
vnderstande that now you haue Shippes wherein you may departe,
therefore now at your pleasure make you ready.
_Cortez_ answered, not knowing of that shipping, saying, Mightie Sir,
when my Shippes are finished I will depart, nay (quoth _Mutezuma_) I
meane not those Shyppes, for there are ariued eleuen other Shippes at
the coast néere vnto _Zempoallan_, and shortlye I shall be certifyed,
whether the people that are come in them, are come a shore, and then
shall we know what people, and how many they are in number. Blessed is
Iesu Christe (quoth _Cortez_) vnto whome I giue most hartie thankes for
his great mercies shewed vnto me, and to the Gentlemen of my company.
One of _Cortes_ his men went to shewe the glad tidings to their
fellowes, who then receyued double strength, praysing God, and embraced
one another wyth great pleasure and ioy. And _Cortes_ with _Mutezuma_
béeing in communication togither, came another poast, who broughte
newes of fourescore Horsemen that were landed, with eyght hundred
footemen, and twelue péeces of Ordinance, and shewed painted in a cloth
the whole relation both of men, horses, shippes, and ordinance.
[Sidenote: At the time of neede prouideth God.]
_Mutezuma_ hearing the newes that this poast hadde broughte, arose
from his seate, and tooke _Cortes_ in hys armes, saying, now do I
more loue you, than I haue done héeretofore, and will this day dyne
with you. _Cortes_ gaue him thankes for the one and the other, and in
this sorte wente hande in hand to _Cortes_ his Chamber, who willed
his Spanyards not to make any extraordinary ioy, or alteration, but
that they shoulde kéepe all togither with vigilant watche, and to
giue hartie thankes vnto God for the comfortable newes. _Mutezuma_
and _Cortes_ dyned togither with greate content and pleasure, the one
thynking to abide and to enioy the kings state and Countrey, the other
thinking that then they woulde auoyd the land. But notwithstanding all
these ymaginations, a certaine _Indian_ Captaine importuned _Mutezuma_
secretely to kill all _Cortes_ his menne, being but few in number, and
then should he be the readier to dispatch the others that were newly
come, and not to permitte them to ioyne one with another: yea and
againe, when the newe come menne shoulde knowe of the deathe of their
countreymen, they would not presume to abide in the lande.
[Sidenote: A drunken reckoning.]
With this counsell _Mutezuma_ called many his friends and chiefe
estates to counsell, propounding the case and iudgement of the
Captaine, whych béeyng among them throughly hearde, there were many
of sundrye opinions, but the conclusion was, to permitte the other
Spanyards to come, saying, the more enimies, the more gaine, and if
we kill but those whiche are héere, then the others wyll returne to
their shippes, and so shall we not make the solemne sacrifice of them
to the Gods, according to our desire. _Mutezuma_ was occupyed in this
counsell with fiue hundred noblemen and Gentlemen dayly, and accordyng
to determination, they commaunded to cherish and serue _Cortes_ and his
company more than ordinary, saying their ioy was at an ende.
Hovv Iames Velasques sent Pamfilo
_de Naruaiz against Cortes_.
_Iames Velasques_ béeyng sore agréeued, with desire of reuenge against
_Cortes_, not only for his expences at the time of preparation of
_Cortes_ his fléete, whiche was but small, but of méere hatred of the
present honor & prosperitie of _Cortes_. Wherevpon he inuented greate
causes and quarrels againste him, saying and alleaging, that _Cortez_
hadde not giuen accompt of his procéedings vnto him, béeyng Gouernoure
of _Cuba_, and _Cortez_ his Deputie, but rather without his consent and
knowledge, had sente to _Spayne_ to the King, aduise of his discouery,
as who would say, that was treason, or an euill facte: but chiefly his
fury was, knowing how _Cortes_ had sent an honorable present, with
the Kings parte or portion of treasure vnto _Spayne_, yea and whole
relation of the discouery, with _Francisco de Monteio_, and _Alounso
Fernandez Portocarrero_, the whiche procéedings _Iames Velasques_ meant
to disturbe, for that he hadde layde in ambushe a coupell of caruels,
to haue taken _Cortes_ hys presente, and messengers, the whiche his
pretence and purpose tooke no place, so that with the prosperous newes
of _Cortes_, his furie and madnesse the more encreased, ymagining still
his destruction.
[Sidenote: A noble Iudge.]
And being occupyed in these fonde ymaginations, it happened that his
Chaplin, one _Benito Martine_, broughte letters from the Emperoure
vnto him, with title and letters pattentes, of Generall and chiefe
Gouernour of all that then was discouered, inhabited, and conquered in
the land and coast of _Yucatan_. With this newes, _Velasques_ began
to triumph, not only so much for the honor, as also to driue _Cortez_
from _Mexico_. Wherevpon, he incontinent prepared this Fléete or Nauie
of eleuen Shyppes, and seauen Vergantines, with nine hundred men, and
fourescore Horses, and appoynted one _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ for Captayne
Generall, and his Deputie in the regiment of the Countrey: and for
his more quicker dispatch, he himselfe wente with him throughout that
Ilande, till they came to _Guaniguanico_, whiche is the Westermost
harbor of the Ilande, and being there _Naruaez_ ready to departe for
_Mexico_, and _Velasques_ to returne to _Cuba_, came the lisenciat
_Lucas Vasques de Aillon_, a chiefe Iudge of _Santo Domingo_, in name
of the whole Chancery, to require _Velasques_ vpon great penalties,
that he should not permitte or suffer _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ to procéede
on that voyage agaynst _Cortes_, whiche woulde bée cause of Murther,
ciuil warres, and other mischiefes among the Spanyards, yea and that
_Mexico_ should be in daunger of losing, wyth all the rest that was
conquered, and in quiet to the Kings vse, saying vnto him moreouer,
that if there were anye discorde betwéene them for goodes, or poyntes
of honor, that then it did apperteyne to the Emperoure to iudge, and
determine the cause, and not that he himselfe should be iudge in his
owne cause, vsing force against the other partie, praying them for
the seruice of God and the King, that if they would goe to conquere,
that then they shoulde séeke other Countreys, hauing so good an armye
and fléete, and Countreys ynough to séeke. This diligëce, request and
authoritie of the Licentiate _Aillon_, to _Velasques_ and _Naruaez_
preuayled not: he séeyng their obstinacie and little regarde to him
being a chiefe Iudge, determined to goe with _Naruaez_ in his Shippe,
to lette and disturbe the greate hurte that might follow, thinking
there in the newe _Spayne_ to perswade _Naruaez_, better than in the
presence of _Velasques_, yea and also if néede should bée, to be a
meane of quietnesse betwixt them.
_Pamfilo de Naruaez_ tooke shipping in _Guaniguanico_, and sailed
till he came néere vnto _Vera Crux_ with al his fléete, and hauing
intelligence that there were a hundred and fiftie Spanyards of _Cortes_
his band, he sente vnto them a Priest, with one _Iohn Ruiz de Gueuara_,
and _Alonso de Vergara_, to require them to receyue him for their
Captayne and gouernoure. But the newe Citizens would giue no eare to
their talke, but rather apprehended them, & sente them prisoners to
_Mexico_ to _Cortez_, to aduertise hym of their embassage, wherevpö
_Naruaez_ vnshipped his men, horses, armor, & artillery, & wët w^t thë
directly to _Zëpoallä_. The _Indian Comarcans_ being as well friends
to _Cortez_, as vassals to _Mutezuma_, gaue vnto him golde, mantels,
and vittayles, thinking that they had bin _Cortez_ his men.
The substance of a letter that Cortez
_wrote vnto Naruaez_.
Before _Cortes_ knew the effect of the cöming of this new fléete,
his head was sore troubled, for, on the one side he was glad of the
comming of his owne nation, on the other side he liked not so great
an armye. Likewise he ymagined, that if they came to succour him, he
helde the Countrey for conquered: also if that they were come againste
him, he iudged the Countrey to bée lost. He iudged also, that if they
were come from _Spayne_, that then they hadde brought to him the
thing loked for, but if they were come from _Cuba_, be feared ciuil
warres. He also thought, that from _Spayne_ could not come so many
folke in so shorte space. Finally, he déemed, that his olde enemie
_Iames Velasques_ was come personally, but when he knew the whole
truth, then was he muche more pensiue, thinking that the thread of
his prosperitie was cut asunder, yea and that they would be meane to
stoppe the gappes of the whole discouery, both of the secretes of the
land, mines and treasure, as also, in the knowledge of the friends or
enimies of _Mutezuma_. It shoulde be also a let to inhabite the places
which he had begunne, yea and also to Christen the _Indians_, whiche
was the principall thing that he pretended, yea & a let or stop of many
other things begun in y^e seruice of God & the prince, fearing also
by flying from one inconuenience, to fall into many, and also if he
should permit _Pamphilo de Naruaez_ to come vnto _Mexico_, it shoulde
be a meane of hys perdition: if likewise he should encounter him, he
feared some rebellion in the Citie, and the setting at libertie of
_Mutezuma_, putting in perill his owne honour, life, and trauayle: and
to auoyde all these daungers and inconueniences, he determined remedy.
First, he dispatched twoo men, the one vnto _Iohn Velasques de Leon_,
who was gone to inhabite at _Coazacoalco_, willyng him at the sight of
his letter to repaire vnto _Mexico_, giuing him aduise of the comming
of _Naruaez_ and of the great néede that he stoode in, of him & his
company. The other messenger he sent to _Vera Crux_, to bryng full
relation of the arriuall of _Naruaez_, and what was his pretence.
The letter sent to _Iohn Velasques_, came no sooner to his hande, but
forthwith he obeyed and fulfilled the same, contrary to the expectation
of _Naruaez_, for he was his brother in law, and kinsman vnto _Iames
Velasques_. _Cortes_ seing his constancie, had him euer after that tyme
in great estimation.
From the _Vera Crux_ came twentie of the townes men with certificat
what _Naruaez_ had published, and brought with them a priest, with
_Alonso Gueuara_ and _Iohn ruiz de Vergara_, who had comen to _Vera
Crux_ to amotiue the towne, vnder colour that they had brought the
commissiö from the king. _Cortes_ on the otherside, sent vnto _Naruaez_
seignior _Bartholome de Olmedo_, with other two Spaniards, to offer
vnto him his friendship, & otherwise to require & commaunde him on the
behalfe of the kyng & of his owne, as chiefe iustice of the land, and
in the name of the rulers and Aldermen of the towne of _Vera Crux_, who
were then in _Mexico_, that he shoulde enter peaceably, without making
any alteration vntill his auctoritie and commission were séene and
allowed, and to make no slaunder or vprore to the hinderäce of the king
his maisters procedings.