preuailed not, he seing this, set at libertie the priest that was
brought prisoner, and sente him vnto _Naruaez_, with certaine riche
collers of gold, and other iewels with a letter, wherein he wrote,
that he was more gladder of his comming in that fléete than any other,
for the friendship and olde acquaintaunce that had bene betwixt them,
desiring him that they mought talke and cöferre togither, alone, for to
take order to prohibite wars, sedition, bloudshedde and disquietnesse
among them, beyng of one natiö and brethren, requestyng him to shew his
cömission from the king vnto him, or vnto the counsell of _Vera Crux_,
and he would willingly obey it as reason did require: and if he had not
brought any such commission, yet he would make some honest agrement
with him. _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ seing himselfe strong and mightie, did
little regarde _Cortes_ his letters, offers, nor requestes, and chiefly
bycause _Iames Velasques_ was sore displeased with _Cortes_.
The talke of Naruaez to the Indians,
_and his answere to Cortes_.
[Sidenote: A foule bragge.]
_Pamphilo de Naruaez_ declared to the _Indiäs_ that they were deceyued
with their opiniö in _Cortes_, for that he alone was Captayne generall
and chiefe Lorde, and that _Cortes_ was but a naughty man, and so were
all they of his company which are now in _Mexico_, who were all but his
boyes, and that his present commyng was to cut of _Cortes_ his head,
and to chasten the others, likewyse he meant to dryue them all out of
the countrey, & then to departe himselfe, and to leaue them in full
libertie.
[Sidenote: A cruell proclamation.]
[Sidenote: A madde reckenyng.]
The _Indians_ gaue credite to his talke seyng so many bearded men
and horses, and therevpon began to attende and serue him, leauyng
their olde friendes in _Vera Crux_. Also _Naruaez_ began to flatter
_Mutezuma_, and sente him worde that _Cortes_ aboade in that countrey
against the will of his Prince, & that he was a couetous rebell, who
robbed his countrey, and that he pretended to kill _Mutezuma_, and to
make himself king. Also that his comming was to set him at libertie,
and to restore vnto him all that those wicked fellowes had taken from
him. And bicause that others should take example of their factes, he
would commaunde them all to be slaine, willing him to take no care,
for in short space they would sée ech other. And that when he had set
him at libertie with restitution of his goodes, he would incontinent
departe his countrey. These treaties were so foule & abhominable, with
the iniurious wordes which _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ spake openly against
_Cortes_ and his men, yea they séemed odious vnto all his owne hoste
& army, and some of his own më checked him for the same, especially
_Barnardino de Santa Clara_, who seyng the countrey so peaceable and so
well pleased with _Cortes_, he could not let but reprehende _Naruaez_
in his wordes. Also the licenciat _Aillon_ required him diuers times
to cease frö his slanderous talke, vpon paine of death & losse of his
goodes, & also not to procéede towarde _Mexico_, for the great hurte
that might ensue, with slander among the _Indians_, disquietnesse among
the Spaniardes, and offence to the Emperour his Maiestie. _Pamfilo de
Naruaez_ being moued with his talke layde hand vpon _Aillon_, being
a chiefe iudge for the King, and apprehended also his Secretary & an
other officer, and forthwith shipped them, and sente thë to _Iames
Velasques_ gouernour of _Cuba_. But when _Aillon_ saw himselfe at sea,
and frée from _Naruaez_, he began to threaten y^e Mariners, cömanding
thë not to presume to carrie him to _Cuba_ to _Velasquez_ his power,
but onely to _Santo Domingo_, where he was one of y^e kings coüsell in
chancery: the Mariners fearing the Kings iustice, obeyed his cömandemët
and when he was aported at _Santo Domingo_, he wholly enformed the
Counsell there, of _Naruaez_ and his wicked dealyng, whose testimonie
and information did much blemishe the credite of _Velasques_, &
exalt the trauels of _Cortes_. After that _Naruaez_ had shipped away
_Aillon_, he proclaymed warre with fire and sworde agaynst _Cortes_,
and promised certayne markes of Golde to him that shoulde apprehende
or kill him, or _Pedro de Aluarado_, and _Gonsalo de Sandoual_, with
other principall persons of his company. Also he made diuision of his
goodes among his më before they came to possesse it. Surely these thrée
poyntes were of a man without wisedome or discretion.
Many of _Naruaez_ his company did amotiue themselues, through the
commaundement of the Licenciat _Aillon_, and through the fame
and liberalitie of _Cortes_. Wherevpon incontinent one _Pedro de
Villalobos_ a Portingal, and sixe or seuen more fledde vnto _Cortes_,
yea and others wrote vnto him, offeryng themselues to his seruice, if
by chauce they should encounter.
[Sidenote: A good captayne and a vvise.]
_Cortes_ receyued the letters, but kept in silence from his company
the firmes of those whiche had written to hym. Some doe thinke that
_Cortes_ had suborned them with letters, fayre promises, yea and a
horse loade of chaynes and planches of golde, which he sente secretely
to _Naruaez_ his campe with a seruaunt of his, publishing likewise,
that he had an army of twoo hundreth Spaniardes in _Zempoallan_, where
he had none at all: these policies mought well be, for he was prudent,
carefull and quicke in his businesse, and _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ was
slouthfull and carelesse.
_Naruaez_ made answere to _Cortes_ his letter by seignior _Bartholome
de Olmedo_, the substaunce of his message was, that forthwith he
shoulde repayre to the place where he was abiding, and there he should
sée the Emperours commission & order, wherein was auctoritie giuen
to hym to take and kéepe that countrey for _Iames Velasques_, yea
and that already he had made a towne of men onely, with all officers
therevnto appertayning.
After this letter and message sent, he dispatched likewise one
_Barnaldino de Quesada_, and _Alonso de Mata_, to requyre _Cortes_ to
depart and leaue the countrey vpon paine of death, and to notifie vnto
him these actes by order of law. _Cortes_ layde hande vpon _Alonso de
Mata_, bicause he named himselfe the kings Notary, and shewed no title
or authoritie for the same.
The talke that Cortes had vvith
_his owne Souldiers_.
_Cortes_ perceyuing the small fruyte that his letters (presentes) and
messengers, obtayned at the handes of _Naruaez_, and that in no case,
he woulde shewe his commission whiche came from the kyng, he determined
to goe vnto him, and according to the olde Prouerbe, Face to face doth
get respect, and likewise if it were possible, to agrée vpon some good
order and quietnesse: wherevpon he sent _Rodrigo Aluarez_ his surueyor,
with _Iohn Velasques_, and _Iohn del Rio_, to treate with _Naruaez_ of
many matters, whereof thrée things were the principalest. The first
was, that they two might méete alone, or else so many, for so many,
and that _Naruaez_ should permit _Cortes_ to abyde in _Mexico_, and
he withall his company shoulde cöquere _Panuco_ or other kingdomes,
also that _Cortes_ would pay the charges, and haue consideration
to gratifie his souldiers, or else that _Naruaez_ should abide in
_Mexico_, and deliuer vnto _Cortes_ .400. of his men, to the intent
that with them, and his owne men he myght procéede to séeke other
countreys to conquere. Laste of all, he required to sée the kings
commission, for that he would obey the same. _Naruaez_ liked none of
these offers, only he accepted that they should méete togither with ech
of them ten Gentlemë for securtie, bound with solemne othe, and firmed
this agréement with their names. But it tooke no effect, for _Rodrigo
Aluarez_ aduised _Cortes_ that _Naruaez_ had made a snare to apprehend
him, or to kill him at their méeting. _Cortes_ vnderstoode the matter,
or else he had some other intelligence by some that loued him wel. And
this former agrement taking no place, _Cortes_ determined to goe vnto
him.
But before his departing, he declared vnto his cöpany, saying, I trust
ye haue in remembräce what & how much I haue done for you, since y^e
beginning of this enterprise, yea & also how louingly & friendly yée
haue dealt for me: Yée shall now vnderstand that _Iames Velasques_,
in stéede of thankes giuing vs, hath sent to murder vs, _Pamfilo de
Naruaez_, who is a stubborne & an vnreasonable man, one readie to
execute our good desertes done in the seruice of God & our Prince,
with an euill reward. And the cause is only, for doyng our duetie in
the sending of the Kings parte & portiö to his Roiall person & not
vnto him. Also this _Naruaez_ hath already confiscated our goodes,
and giuen them to other men, and our bodies condemned to the Gallows,
yea and our fame and honour plaide at tables, with great iniurious &
slanderous wordes proclaymed agaynst vs, which things truly are not
of a Christian, no nor yet we with Gods helpe will let the matter so
to slippe: yea and though we ought to leaue the reuengment vnto God,
yet we will not suffer them to enioy our trauayles & paynes, who are
now comen white fingered to spoile the bloud of their neighbours, yea
& like madde men to striue against their owne nation, sowing slander
among those _Indians_ which serued vs as our friëds, yea & procuring
more cruel warres, than the ciuill warre betwene _Mario_ & _Sila_,
or of _Cesar_ & _Pompeio_, who turned vpsidowne the Romaine Empire.
Wherfore I do determine to méete him by y^e way, & not to suffer him to
come vnto _Mexico_, for it is better to say, God saue you, than they to
come & say who is there? yea & though they are many, a good hart doth
breake euil fortune, as it hath appered by vs, who haue passed thorow
the pikes since our cöming hither: moreouer, I doubte not but that many
of _Naruaez_ his cöpany will come vnto vs. Therfore my déere friends
doe I giue you aduise of my pretence, to the entent y^t those which wil
go with me, may them prepare thëselues, & those that will not, let them
remaine to kéepe _Mexico_ & _Mutezuma_, whiche is as much in effect.
At the end of this talke he promised great rewards if y^t with victory
he returned. His më answered al w^t one voyce, y^t they were al at
his cömandemët, & ready to fulfil his wil, yet some feared the pride
& blindnesse of _Pamfilo de Naruaez_: on the other side the _Indians_
began to be lusty, to sée dissention among the Spanyardes, & that the
_Indians_ of the coast were ioyned in league with the new come më.
The requests of Cortez to Mutezuma.
[Sidenote: Oh vvise Cortes.]
After al his talk & answer of his souldiers, he wët to visite & to
comune w^t _Mutezuma_ for to departe on his iourney, w^t somewhat y^e
lesser care, & also to proue the minde & wil of _Mutezuma_, vnto whome
he vttered his mind as foloweth. Sir, you know y^e loue y^t I haue, &
desire to serue you, & chiefly the trust againe, that you will haue to
my cöpanions whë I am gone frö this citie. Therfore I pray you, that it
may please you to remaine here in this lodgyng, & to haue regard vnto
these strangers, which I leaue with you: also I cömend vnto you, the
gold & iewels whiche is in their custodie, and gyuen vnto vs of your
owne liberalitie. For I doe now goe to signifie vnto those which of
late are comen in the new fléete, how your highnesse doth commaunde
that I departe from this land, and that they doe not agrauate or molest
your subiectes, nor yet presume to enter into your countrey, but that
they remayne on your coast, vntill we be ready to departe with them,
according to your will and pleasure. And if in the meane season, any of
your subiects be so vnaduised, as to molest my men, whiche now remayne
in your power and Guarde, that then it may please you to be their
shielde, succour, and onely defence. _Mutezuma_ promised to fulfill
his request, wishing him moreouer, that if any in his iourney shoulde
offende him, then immediatly to aduise him, and that he would sende
his men of warre to chasten thë, yea and also (if it pleased him,)
he woulde giue vnto hym guydes to salfe conduct him through his owne
dominion to the Sea coast, who should prouide him of all necessaries by
the way. _Cortes_ kissed his handes for his curtesie, with moste hartie
thankes for the same, and gaue vnto him certayne Spanishe apparell, and
other glasen Iewels, and also other like treasure to his Noble men,
which stoode by at all the talke. But in effect he tolde him not what
he pretended to doe, nor yet the newes of _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ his
procedings was not come to his eare, or else, it may be that _Mutezuma_
dissumuled the matter with inwarde pleasure, that one Christian should
kill the other, thinkyng thereby to haue most sure his libertie, and
the Goddes pleased.
The imprisonment of Pamfilo
_de Naruaez_.
_Cortes_ was so wel beloued among hys companie, that they offered
willingly to goe with him, by reason whereof he chose .250. men fitte
for his iourney, & lefte other .200. in guarde of _Mutezuma_ and the
Citie, with _Pedro de Aluarado_ for their Captayne. He lefte also with
them the artillerie and foure Foystes readye made, to haue the lake
in subiection, beséeching them onely to haue speciall regard that
_Mutezuma_ fled not from them to _Naruaez_, and not to permitte him to
goe out of their fort or strong house.
With those fewe Spanyards _Cortes_ tooke his iourney with no more but
eyght or nine Horsemen, and certayne _Indians_ for his seruice, and
carriage.
[Sidenote: A stoute man.]
[Sidenote: An vncertayne reckoning.]
Passing through _Chololla_ and _Tlaxcallan_, he was honorably receyued
and lodged, and aboute fiftéene leagues from _Zempoallan_ where
_Naruaez_ was abiding, he mette with two Priestes, and his old especial
friend _Andres de Duero_, who had lente him money for the setting
forthe of that voyage. These thrée persons came to require him to obey
the Generall lately come as Lieutenant to the Gouernour _Velasques_,
and to deliuer vnto him the Countrey, with all the fortes or Castels
therein, aduising him, that if he would not accomplish the same, that
then he woulde procéede againste him, euen as an enemie and Rebell,
to the execution of death. Likewise, if he would fulfill the request
made vnto him, that then he shoulde haue libertie, and conueniente
shipping to depart, both for him, and as many as would goe with him.
_Cortes_ aunswered, that hée would rather suffer deathe, than to leaue
the Countrey whiche he had conquered and pacifyed with his handes and
industrie, without anye commaundemente from the Emperoure: and (quoth
he) if againste all equitie and iustice, he will contend with me in
warre, I will defend me as well as I may, and if I haue the victory
(as I trust in God and the righte that I haue on my side,) I shall not
stand in néede of shipping, and if I be slaine, muche lesse. Therefore
I doe require him to shew vnto me his commission and authoritie had
from the Emperour, for vntil I doe both sée and reade the same, I will
accepte no agréemente: and if (quoth he) that he refuse the same, that
then I dare warne, admonish, and require him to returne to _Cuba_, the
place from whence he came, and if he wil not obey my precept, I will
then apprehende him, and sende him prisoner in yrons to the Emperoure:
and with thys aunswere dispatched the thrée messengers, sending
also a notarie of his owne, to commaund him to take his shipping,
and to departe without making any altercation in the Countrey, or
y^t ensuing of further murders and strife, and if not, that vppon
Whitsonday, whiche was within thrée dayes following, he meante to be
with him at supper. _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ made a mockery and iest at
his commaundemente, and tooke Prisoner the Notarie whiche came from
_Cortes_ with that order, holding _Cortes_ for madde, who made so manye
bragges with so small a company. And before _Iohn Velasques de Leon_,
and _Iohn de Rio_, _Cortes_ his friendes, he mustered his men, who were
in number fourescore Hargabushers, a hüdred and twëtie Crossebowes,
sixe hundred men, with other weapon, and fourescore Horsemen, saying,
how will _Cortes_ defend himselfe againste vs, nay at length he will
know his dutie: he promised money to him that shoulde eyther kyll,
or take _Cortes_ prisoner. And the same offer made _Cortes_ against
_Pamfilo_, who made a rounde of his footemen, and skirmished with
his Horsemen, shooting off his artillerie, to put in feare the pore
_Indians_.
_Naruaez_ signifyed againe vnto _Mutezuma_ with the messengers who
carried all the triumph and muster pointed, all his former dealings,
but hearing that _Cortes_ was néere at hande, he sente out hys lyght
Horsemen to dyscrie his Campe.
All _Naruaez_ his Horses were readye sadled and brideled, and his men
armed. _Cortes_ entred so close and secret, that no man almost hearde
him, and the firste worde hée spake, hauyng all hys men within with
him, was, shut the gates, and strike, downe with them. There were at
that time many shining wormes, whiche with their glistering séemed
matches of Hargabushe, so that if one péece at that time had bin
discharged, they woulde haue bin in a great feare.
_Naruaez_ béeing about to put on his priuie coate, came one vnto him,
saying: Sir, _Cortes_ is néere your lodgyng, let him come in (quoth
he) for he commeth to talke with me. _Naruaez_ had his men in foure
Towers of his lodging, and he himselfe was in the one, with a hundred
Spanyardes, and at his dore thirtéene péeces of Ordinance ready
charged. _Cortes_ commanded his chiefe Sheriffe _Gösalo de Sädoual_,
with fortie or fiftie of his fellowes, to goe vp into _Naruaez_ his
Chamber, and he himselfe with other twentie men abode at the dore to
defende and kéepe that none might enter thereat, vntil he had finished
his businesse. The residue of his men besieged the other Towers, so
that they might not succoure one another.
[Sidenote: A darke night for Naruaez.]
_Naruaez_ hearing the noyse, woulde néedes fighte, although he was
required to stay his handes, and comming out at his Chamber dore, they
strake out one of his eyes with a pike, and then they layde hande vpon
hym, dragging and drawyng him downe the stayres by the héeles, and
when he sawe hymselfe broughte before _Cortes_, he sayde, oh _Senior
Cortes_, thanke your great fortune, in hauyng my person prisoner: who
aunswered hym againe, oh _Naruaez_, the hauing of thy body prisoner,
is the least thing that I haue done, sithence I came into thys lande.
_Cortes_ commaunded forthwith to lay him in yrös, and to carrie him to
the riche towne of _Vera Crux_, where he abode prisoner certayne yeares.
This combat endured but a while, for within one hour _Pamfilo de
Naruaez_ and the chiefest of his company were taken prisoners, and
their weapös & armour taken from all the rest. There were slayne of
_Naruaez_ his men sixetéene, and of _Cortes_ his side were killed only
two persons with a péece of Ordinance. They had no leysure to giue fire
to their Ordinance, with the great diligence and hast of _Cortes_,
sauing vnto one péece that killed the two men. The tutche holes were
stopped with waxe, through the great raine that had fallen. By this
meane those that were ouercome, did take occasion to ymagine that
_Cortes_ had suborned the maister gunner, and others.
_Cortes_ vsed great sobrietie and discretion, for he would not permitte
anye of the prisoners to be reuiled or misused with any iniurious
wordes, no nor yet _Naruaez_, who hadde spoken so much euill of him,
although many of hys men desired reuengement. _Pedro de Maluenda_
seruaunt to _Iames Velasques_, who was chiefe Stewarde to _Naruaez_,
fledde to the Shippes with all the stuffe that he coulde gette, without
any lette of _Cortes_. Héere may you sée what difference and aduantage
is betwixt man and man, what did eache of these Captiues say, thinke,
and doe, seldome time dothe happen that so fewe of one nation dothe
ouercome so many of the same nation, especially the greater number
béeyng fresh, lustie, and in a strong holde.
The Rebellion of Mexico against
_Cortes_.
After that _Cortes_ had obteyned victorye against _Naruaez_, he knew
very well the most part of his company, vnto whome he spake curteously,
praying them to forget the things past, and so would hée also. And also
likewise, that it mighte please them to goe with him to _Mexico_,
whiche was the richest Citie of all that _India_. He also restored to
euerye man his armour and weapons, whiche were taken from them in their
ouerthrowe. Hée also left very few of them prisoners with _Naruaez_.
The Horsemen tooke the fielde with stomacke to fight, but after they
had hearde of hys offer, they submitted themselues. In conclusion, all
those that were come, hoping of spoyle, were glad to accepte his offer,
and to goe with him with faithfull promise truly to serue him.
He renued his power in _Vera Crux_, and brought thyther the nauie of
_Naruaez_. He also dispatched two hundred Spanyardes to the riuer of
_Garay_, and sent also _Iohn Velasques de Leon_ with other two hundred
men. To inhabite of _Coazacoalco_. He dispatched also a Spanyarde by
post to _Mexico_, with newes of the victory, and hée himselfe followed
towarde _Mexico_, with the great care that he had of those whome he had
lefte there in guard of _Mutezuma_ and the Citie.
The Post that wente on this iourney, in steade of thankes, was sore
wounded by the _Indian_ Rebelles, but although he was so hurte, yet he
returned to _Cortes_, wyth newes that _Mexico_ was reuolted, and that
they had burned the foure Foystes, also assieged the Spanish house,
and throwen downe a wall, and myned another, yea and set fire vpon the
munition, taken away their vittayles, and had broughte them to suche
extremitie, to be eyther slayne, or remayne prisoners, sauing that
_Mutezuma_ commaunded to ceasse the combate, yea and for all that they
woulde not leaue their armoure, nor departe from the siege, only they
somewhat amayned their furie for theyr princes sake.
These newes were sorrowfull to _Cortes_, for thereby his pleasure was
turned into care, the rather to make hast to succoure his friendes and
fellowes, for if he hadde delayed hys comming but a small whyle, he had
founde them eyther slayne, or else their bodyes ready to sacrifice: but
his greatest comforte was, that _Mutezuma_ remayned styll prisoner. He
mustered his men in _Tlaxcallan_, and founde of his Spanishe nation a
thousand footemen, and néere a hundred Horsemen. He procéeded forwardes
towarde _Tezcuco_, where he founde none of the Gentlemen of his
acquaintance, nor yet he there was receyued, as in time past he had
bin, but rather he found a great alteration in the Coütrey, and also
many townes without people, or else rebelled. In _Tezcuco_ met with him
a _Spanyarde_, whome _Aluarado_ had sente to desire him to come vnto
them, and to certifie hym of all the premisses, saying moreouer, that
with his comming their furye woulde be pacifyed.
With this messenger came another from _Mutezuma_, who declared vnto
_Cortes_, that hys Lorde was innocent of all that was done, praying
hym, that if he had conceiued any euill opinion agaynste hym, to putte
away the same agayne, and that it mighte please hym to goe directly to
hys own house, where hée abode hys comming, wyth the Spanishe guarde
that he hadde lefte with him, who were aliue and in good healthe as he
hadde lefte them.
With thys message, _Cortes_ and hys companye reposed all that nyghte,
and the nexte daye, béeyng Midsommer daye, he entred into _Mexico_ at
dynner tyme, with hys hundred Horsemen, and the thousande footemen,
with a greate companye of theyr friendes of _Tlaxcallan_, _Huexocinco_,
and _Chololla_, but he saw but few folke in the stréetes, and small
entertaynement, with manye bridges broken, and other euill tokens.
He came to hys lodgyng, and all those of his companye whyche coulde
not well bée lodged there, hée sente them to the greate Temple.
_Mutezuma_ came forth into the yarde to receyue hym, full heauie
and sorrowfull, as it séemed, of that offence whiche his subiectes
had done, excusing hymselfe: and then euery one entred into hys
lodgyng and Chamber: but the ioy and pleasure of _Pedro de Aluarado_
was incomparable, saluting the one the other, with demaundes and
questions howe they fared, yea and how much the one company declared of
prosperitie and pleasure, the other againe replyed as muche of sorrow
and trouble.
The causes of the Rebellion.