Founding of the City of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz—Disaffected Caciques
Join Cortes—Destruction of a Heathen Temple because of Human
Sacrifices—Introduction of Christianity—Cortes Sinks his Fleet after
Sending a Vessel to Spain
Cortes was now the authorized commander at the head of six hundred
greedy wolves, before whom the countless hordes of naked Mexicans were
as so many defenceless sheep. The High Court appointed by Cortes gave to
the settlement, which was established before his departure, the name of
Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, “the rich city of the true Cross.”[4] The
budding settlement was called “rich” because it was there they had a
chance to judge of the wealth of the Mexican Empire by the gifts which
had been sent, and because they expected that the treasures of that rich
people, unfortunately for them, would soon be flowing in there. The
addition, “true Cross,” was made because they landed there on the
anniversary of the Crucifixion. This remarkable appellation of the first
European colony in Mexico indicates the two leading passions which
animated the Spanish adventurers, namely, avarice and religious
enthusiasm. They were animated alike by the longings to fill their
purses with gold and Heaven with souls. It was a mixture of the earthly
and heavenly, cruelty and apparent humanity, shameless cupidity and
pretended piety.
The discontented Velasquez faction in Cortes’ camp soon discovered that
they had been deceived and began to murmur afresh. Cortes at once seized
those who were the most intemperate in speech and placed them on board
the vessels in chains. Those who had been misled into sympathy with the
mutineers were sent, under a reliable leader and in the company of
several of the loyal ones, into the neighboring region to procure
subsistence. After they had returned with abundant supplies, and hunger
was appeased, a reconciliation was soon effected. Every one of them
acknowledged his authority, and they soon became his most trusty and
devoted followers. Their destiny and his were now joined, for they had
mutually taken the decisive step and must follow him wherever he led.
When peace was fully restored, the Spaniards made all their preparations
for departure, and a fortunate event cleared the way of all obstacles.
They encountered five Indians, messengers from a cacique, whose
possessions were not far distant, who asked to be conducted to the
Spanish commander. Their request was granted, and Cortes, with the aid
of his interpreter, learned the agreeable news that the cacique of
Zempoala had heard of the great deeds accomplished by the Spaniards at
Tabasco and was anxious to make a friendly treaty with them. After much
questioning Cortes discovered that Montezuma, of whom the cacique of
Zempoala was a vassal, was a proud, overbearing, and cruel master, both
hated and feared by all his subjects, who were only waiting for an
opportunity to free themselves from his yoke.
Cortes was careful to conceal his satisfaction over this intelligence.
He knew how easy it is to overthrow the mightiest empire as soon as
dissatisfaction and misunderstandings arise between the ruler and his
people, and he now had not the slightest doubt of the success of his
undertaking, which but for this fortunate event might have proved
foolhardy in the extreme. The Indians were dismissed with friendly
assurances for themselves and their master, and with the promise that
Cortes would shortly pay them a visit. To fulfil his promise and at the
same time to investigate a spot which they recommended as a convenient
place for a colony, he departed with his whole army after giving orders
to his fleet to coast along in that vicinity. At the close of the first
day’s march they reached an Indian village which was completely
deserted. They found empty houses and temples with images of deities,
remnants of human beings who had been sacrificed, and some books, the
first which had been discovered in America. They were made of parchment
or hide which was smeared over with gum and arranged in leaves. In place
of letters they contained pictures of all kinds and symbols connected
with the abhorrent Mexican religion.[5] On the following day Cortes
continued his march. They came to broad luxurious plains and wooded
regions rich with the vegetation of the tropics. The branches of the
stately trees were hung with dark red, gracefully curving vines and
other parasitic plants of brilliant color. The undergrowth of prickly
aloes, interlaced with wild roses and honeysuckles, in several places
made almost impenetrable thickets. In the midst of this profusion of
fragrant blossoms, countless birds and swarms of butterflies fluttered
about, while exquisite singing birds filled the air with their melody.
Although the invaders were not very susceptible to the beauties of
nature, they could not help expressions of delight, and, as they
traversed this earthly paradise, it reminded them of the beautiful
regions in their own fatherland.
Cortes was greatly surprised to find the whole country deserted,
although it was the territory of the cacique of Zempoala. It looked
suspicious to him. But toward evening twelve Indians, carrying
provisions, who had been sent by the cacique, met them. They besought
the Spanish leader in the name of their master to go to his residence,
which was only a sun’s (one day) distance from there. He would find
everything there that he and his men needed. Upon being asked why the
cacique himself had not come to meet him in person, they replied that he
was prevented by physical infirmity. Cortes sent six of the Indians back
with thanks, retaining the rest to act as guides. On the following day
the cacique’s city came in sight, lying in a fruitful, smiling region,
and very handsome in appearance. Some of the soldiers in the advance
rushed back, excitedly shouting that the walls of the city were made of
solid silver. To their great regret they found they were mistaken, for
the walls were only covered with a cement so white and glistening in the
sunshine that it easily deceived those who dreamed day and night of
nothing but gold and silver. Upon entering the city they found all the
streets and public squares filled with curious natives who were unarmed
and conducted themselves more quietly than might have been expected of
such a multitude of uncivilized beings.
As they approached the house of the cacique, his Indian highness himself
appeared. His figure revealed the nature of the infirmity which had
prevented him from going out to meet his guests. He was so monstrously
fat that he could scarcely walk, his servants having to support and move
him along. His shapeless bulk and clumsy manner were so ludicrous that
Cortes had some difficulty in restraining his men from loud laughter and
in preserving his own seriousness. The attire of the cacique was
gorgeous. He was dressed in a cloak profusely set with precious stones,
and his ears and lips were perforated and richly adorned. His address of
welcome did not in the least correspond with his laughable appearance.
It was very clever, and well put together, and closed with the request
that Cortes would condescend to be his guest and abide with him, so that
they might have an opportunity to talk together at leisure. The rest of
the day was spent in partaking of refreshment and enjoying the fruits
which grew there in great profusion.
In his interview with the cacique Cortes designedly impressed him with
the idea that he had been sent there by the great eastern monarch for
the purpose of putting an end to tyranny in that part of the world. This
encouraged the cacique to make bitter complaint of the haughtiness and
injustice of Montezuma, whom he did not hesitate to characterize as a
cruel tyrant, whose yoke was intolerable not only to himself but to
others of his vassals. His indignation was so great, as he spoke of it,
that tears sprang from his eyes. Cortes endeavored to quiet him and
assured him of his protection. He also informed him that the power of
the tyrant did not disturb him in the least, for he knew that his own
power, which was supported by Heaven, was irresistible. After taking a
cordial leave of the hospitable Indian, Cortes set out upon his march to
Chiahuitzlan, the place selected for a settlement. Their way led over
fruitful plains and through pleasant woodlands, and after a moderate
day’s journey they saw the city upon a rocky eminence. The people had
fled. As they reached the market-place fifteen Indians emerged from a
temple, greeted the strangers, and assured them that their governor and
all his people would come back without delay if their safety were
guaranteed. Cortes solemnly assured them no one should be hurt and in a
short time the cacique and his people overcame their fears and returned.
Cortes was pleased to discover that the cacique of Zempoala was there
also. Scarcely had the interview begun when bitter complaints were made
of Montezuma’s persecutions. Cortes, who heard these complaints now for
the second time, consoled them and renewed his promises of protection.
[Illustration: _MEXICAN CACIQUES BEFORE CORTES_]
In the meantime some of the Indians approached the two caciques and
whispered something in their ears which greatly astonished them. They
sprang up affrighted, and left the spot trembling. Uncertain what might
be the cause of their fear, they were followed, and the reason was soon
discovered. Six splendidly clad representatives of Montezuma accompanied
by a considerable number of slaves, holding feather umbrellas over their
heads, passed the Spanish quarters with glances of contempt at Cortes
and his officers. Their haughtiness so enraged the soldiers that they
were restrained with difficulty from violently assaulting the Mexicans.
Marina, who had been sent to gather information, returned with the news
that they had bitterly reproached the two caciques for their treachery
in receiving strangers, who were the declared enemies of their
sovereign. As a penalty for their disloyalty, besides the customary
tribute, twenty Indians should be delivered over to them as a sacrifice
to the offended deities. Cortes was enraged but wisely refrained from
giving expression to his wrath. He assured the caciques they need have
no fear of harm and instructed them to bring Montezuma’s messengers
before him in chains to give an account of themselves. The caciques, who
had been used to absolute obedience to their master, hesitated, but
Cortes, leaving them no time for reflection, repeated his orders so
emphatically that they dared not offer objection. The messengers were
arrested, the Spaniards, for appearances’ sake, taking no part in it.
Having gone thus far, the caciques would have gone still further and
done to the fettered messengers what Montezuma proposed to do to the
Indians, but Cortes objected to such inhumanity and ordered that the
prisoners should be guarded by his own men.
Cortes desired, if possible, to conceal the appearance of open hostility
to the powerful Montezuma. He cunningly planned to put him under
obligations to himself by making him believe he had not the least
connection with what had occurred. With this purpose in view he summoned
two of the prisoners at night, announced to them that they were free,
and instructed them to inform their master that he would strive to
secure the liberty of the others, and with this dismissed them. The
Indians were told the next day that the prisoners had escaped. Shortly
after this, the other prisoners were permitted to join their companions.
This tricky dealing had the effect which Cortes expected. In the
meantime other caciques were found in the neighboring mountainous region
who shared the same hatred toward their Emperor and were equally
desirous of escaping his tyrannical rule. All these heads of Indian
tribes, bearing the general name of Totonacs, entered into agreements
with Cortes, disavowed the authority of Montezuma, and declared
themselves vassals of the King of Spain.
Steps were now taken for the founding of a city at the new settlement.
The name of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz was retained for the city, but
the name to-day has been abbreviated to Vera Cruz. Every one in the
Spanish army assisted in laying the walls and constructing the buildings
of the new city. No one refused, and Cortes set an example for all by
assisting personally. The work went on with incredible swiftness and in
a short time the enclosed place was sufficiently secure against Indian
assaults. Meanwhile Montezuma’s messengers had returned and performed
the favorable offices expected by Cortes. Their report considerably
mitigated the anger of the monarch, who in his first heat of passion had
ordered the mustering of a mighty army to extirpate these strangers and
their Indian auxiliaries by fire and sword. Now, however, he was greatly
concerned and decided to employ kind measures to induce these dreaded
strangers, if possible, to go away peacefully. To this end he sent
messengers with gifts of great value, two young princes, relatives of
the Emperor, being the bearers. They reached the Spanish camp just at
the time of the completion of the fortifications. They discharged their
duty, presented the costly gifts, thanked Cortes for the assistance he
had rendered in releasing the prisoners, and concluded with the request
that he would be pleased to leave the territory of their sovereign.
Cortes showed them the greatest honor and made the following reply: He
was sorry that the Emperor had been caused trouble by the imprisonment
of his messengers, and yet it must be acknowledged that they had brought
it upon themselves by an inhuman demand, which he hoped had been made
without the Emperor’s knowledge. In any event he must declare that the
Christian religion did not recognize the cruel practice of human
sacrifice and that he felt himself bound to prevent it wherever and
however he could. As for the wrong which had been done the Emperor, that
had been compensated for by the release of the prisoners, and, as he was
under obligations to the allies he had accepted, he flattered himself
that the Emperor would overlook the hasty act of the caciques of
Zempoala and Chiahuitzlan, and pardon them. He was obliged to take these
vassals of the Emperor under his protection for they had striven to make
amends for Teutile’s incivility by giving him a hospitable reception. As
to his departure from the country, he had already had the honor to
assure their master that a mission of the utmost consequence bound him
not to return to his fatherland until he had had a personal interview. A
European soldier never feared to perform any duty imposed upon him by
his superiors. The messengers, amazed at the cool and stately manner in
which Cortes delivered his reply, returned, filled with admiration at
his courageous firmness and with secret contempt for their own
sovereign, to whom they reported all they had seen and heard.
The new Spanish city was now in a satisfactory state of defence, and
Cortes devoted himself in earnest to the completion of other necessary
affairs. Fortune seemed decidedly in his favor, but his excessive
religious zeal came near ruining everything. Word was brought to him
that human sacrifices were to take place in one of the temples of his
allies. Enraged at their cruel superstition and that such an enormity
should be attempted under his very eyes, he rushed to the temple with
some of his soldiers and threatened destruction by fire and sword if
they did not instantly release the intended victims. His zeal did not
stop with this. He demanded that the priests should pull down their
idols, and renounce their false religion forever, although they did not
yet know of a better one. The priests prostrated themselves at his feet,
moaning and lamenting, and the caciques present trembled. As they
refused to pull down their idols, he ordered his soldiers to do it by
force. The priests rushed to arms and in a few moments Cortes and his
little band were surrounded by a crowd big enough to appall the heart of
the stoutest. But Cortes remained unmoved and announced to the assembled
multitude that the first arrow fired by them would cost them the lives
of their caciques and the destruction of them all. The soldiers advanced
to carry out his orders. In an instant the idols were hurled down; the
sacred vessels and the altar followed them. They were all destroyed, and
the temple was cleaned. The human blood which adhered to the walls was
washed off, and the image of the Virgin was set in the place of the
idols. The astonished Indians expected that fire would descend from
heaven any instant and revenge this indignity to their divinities. But
not a spark was seen, and the temple-stormers continued their work
audaciously and triumphantly before their very eyes. This weakened their
faith and caused them to reflect, with the result that they gradually
came to believe that the Spaniards were divinities themselves and
mightier than their own gods. They did not long stop to consider, but,
gathering up the remnants of their idols, contemptuously threw them into
the fire. The temple was consecrated as a Christian church and upon the
same day was dedicated with Roman Catholic ceremonies, which the Indians
greatly wondered at though they did not understand them.
Cortes had hardly escaped the danger to which his religious ardor
exposed him before another and no less threatening one confronted him.
Some of the soldiers and sailors, tired of wandering about and alarmed
at the prospect of fresh dangers on the march to the capital, had
entered into a plot against the commander and decided to seize a vessel,
make their escape to Cuba, and notify the governor of what Cortes had
been doing. Fortunately the plot was discovered before it was too late.
Cortes arrested the leaders and imposed a fitting penalty for the
offence. As he was convinced that the source of disaffection had not
entirely disappeared in his little army, he gave the matter serious
consideration and at last hit upon a definite but dangerous plan of
intimidating their small souls and causing them to recoil with terror
from any thought of mutiny. He determined to remove the last hope of
return and to leave them the alternative of an advance upon the Mexican
capital or death, by destroying his fleet, thus convincing the
fainthearted ones in his army that there was no middle course and that
they must either conquer or die.
Great as was the courage necessary to accomplish this, still greater was
the task of making it acceptable to his army. Fortunately Cortes was as
tactful as he was brave. He began by dismantling his vessels. He had the
rigging removed and all the material on board as well as the cannon
brought ashore. The ships’ carpenters then examined the hulls of the
vessels and reported that they were in such a wretched condition it
would be impossible to repair them. Cortes now inspired his soldiers
with such courage and zeal that they hastened of their own accord to
destroy them—their last refuge should the expedition prove a failure—and
to bring the boards and planks on shore. Only one of them was spared to
carry out Cortes’ purpose. He had been appointed leader by the tribunal
which he himself had chosen, but in reality this was not any more
authoritative than if he had appointed himself. He was anxious to place
his rights upon a secure footing, and, with this end in view, he decided
to send a vessel to Spain to obtain the sanction of the Court for all
his movements thus far, as well as relief from any further
responsibility to Velasquez and his appointment as absolute governor of
the empire to be conquered by him.
He knew of but one sure way to accomplish his purpose, and that was to
send the government actual proofs of the treasure he would secure for
it. To make these convincing he determined to send all the gifts which
had been received from Montezuma, and that all concerned, officers,
soldiers, and sailors, should contribute their share. It was a hard
demand, but Cortes ventured it and carried his point. With these gifts
Cortes sent a letter to the Emperor in which he gave a detailed account
of all that had occurred—his various discoveries, his battles and
dealings with the natives, their conversion to Christianity, his own
dangers and hardships, and much information about the countries he had
visited. He described his difficulties with the governor of Cuba, what
had been done with regard to settlements, and besought the Emperor to
confirm all that had been accomplished as well as his own authority. In
the meantime he was thoroughly certain that with the help of his brave
companions he could place the great Indian Empire in possession of the
Castilian crown.
The officials of Villa Rica also wrote a letter similar to that of
Cortes, and closed it with an emphatic statement of the
maladministration of Velasquez, his venality, extortions, schemings for
his own profit, and disregard for the advantage of his sovereign. With
these two letters a third was sent in the name of the citizen soldiery
of Villa Rica, expressing their loyalty to their sovereign and praying
him to confirm the appointment of Cortes as their leader. The richly
laden vessel, in charge of noblemen upon whom Cortes could depend, left
Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz July 26, 1519, and, in pursuance of exact
orders, anchored for a short time on the north coast of Cuba, but
fortunately escaped the pursuers sent out by Velasquez.
Cortes now prepared to march. His army consisted of five hundred
infantry, fifteen cavalrymen, and six field-pieces. The others, about
fifty men, mostly invalids, besides two horses, remained as part of the
garrison at Vera Cruz. Including his auxiliaries, Cortes had only
thirteen hundred men and one thousand so-called _tamanes_, that is,
porters, who had to carry the necessary baggage and subsistence. In that
country, where there were no horses or pack animals of any kind, a class
of men, named as above, carried things from one place to another. For
the security of those he left behind Cortes took fifty of the leading
Indians of the country with him, whom he kept as hostages, though they
were not aware of it.