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THE MEMOIRS
OF THE
CONQUISTADOR BERNAL DIAZ DEL CASTILLO
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF
CONTAINING A TRUE AND FULL ACCOUNT
OF THE
DISCOVERY AND CONQUEST
OF
MEXICO AND NEW SPAIN
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL SPANISH BY
JOHN INGRAM LOCKHART, F.R.A.S.
AUTHOR OF "ATTICA AND ATHENS"
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. I
LONDON
J. HATCHARD AND SON, 187, PICCADILLY
MDCCCXLIV.
C. AND J. ADLARD, PRINTERS, BATHOLOMEW CLOSE.
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
The History of the Conquest of New Spain is a subject in which great
interest is felt at the present day, and the English public will hail
these memoirs, which contain the only true and complete account of that
important transaction.
The author of this original and charming production, to which he justly
gives the title of 'The True History of the Conquest of New Spain,' was
himself one of the Conquistadores; one who not only witnessed the
transactions which he relates, but who also performed a glorious part in
them; a soldier who, for impartiality and veracity, perhaps never had
his equal. His account is acknowledged to be the only one on which we
can place reliance, and it has been the magazine from which the most
eloquent of the Spanish writers on the same subject, as well as those of
other countries, have borrowed their best materials. Some historians
have even transcribed whole pages, but have not had sufficient honesty
to acknowledge it.
The author, while living, was never rewarded for the great services he
had rendered his country, and it is remarkable that, after his death,
his very memoirs were pillaged by court historians, to raise a literary
monument to themselves.
Most of the other writers on the conquest, particularly the Spanish,
have filled their works with exaggerations, to create astonishment and
false interest; pages are filled with so termed philosophical remarks,
which but ill supply the place of the intelligent reader's own
reflections. Bernal Diaz differs widely from those writers, for he only
states what he knows to be true. The British public, fond above all
others of original productions, will peruse with interest and delight a
work which has so long been the secret fountain from which all other
accounts of the conquest, with the exception of those which are least
faithful, have taken life.
In respect of its originality, it may vie with any work of modern times,
not excepting 'Don Quixote.' The author seems to have been born to show
forth truth in all its beauty, and he raises it to a divinity in his
mind. Can anything be more expressive of an honest conscience than what
he says in his own preface: "You have only to read my history, and you
see it is true."
The reader may form a general idea of this work from the following
critique, which Dr. Robertson, the historian, passes upon it: "Bernal
Diaz's account bears all the marks of authenticity, and is accompanied
with such pleasant naivete, with such interesting details, with such
amusing vanity, and yet so pardonable in an old soldier, who had been,
as he boasts, in a hundred and nineteen battles, as renders his book one
of the most singular that is to be found in any language."
One circumstance, and that very justly, he is most anxious to impress on
your mind, namely, that all the merit of the conquest is not due to
Cortes alone; for which reason he generally uses the expression "Cortes
and all of us."
This is an allowable feeling in our old soldier, and it must be
remembered that the greater part of the men who joined Cortes were of
good families, who, as usual on such expeditions, equipped themselves at
their own expense, and went out as adventurers of their own free choice.
With respect to our author's style of writing, it is chiefly
characterized by plainness and simplicity, and yet there are numerous
passages which are written with great force and eloquence, and which, as
the Spanish editor says, "could not have been more forcibly expressed,
nor with greater elegance." Some readers may at first feel inclined to
censure our author for going into minute particulars in describing the
fitting out of the expedition under Cortes; for instance, his describing
the qualities and colours of the horses; but all this, it will be seen,
was of the utmost importance to his history, and of the horses he was
bound to take special notice, for they performed a conspicuous part in
the conquest. The honest old soldier even devotes a couple of his last
chapters to the whole of his companions in arms, in which he mentions
them all by name, describes their persons, their bravery, and the manner
in which they died.
To conclude these few remarks on this work, I must observe, that it not
only surpasses Cortes' despatches in completeness, but also in truth and
naivete. He represents the whole to you with a simplicity truly sublime;
at times he astonishes with a power of expressing his sentiments
peculiar to himself, and with a pathos that goes to the very heart.
Bernal Diaz was of a respectable family, and born in Medina del Campo, a
small town in the province of Leon. He was what in Spain is termed an
hidalgo--though by this little more was signified than a descent from
Christian forefathers, without any mixture of Jewish or Moorish blood.
With respect to the precise year of his birth he has left us in the
dark, but, according to his own account, he first left Castile, for the
New World, in the year 1514; and as, on his first arrival in Mexico, in
the year 1519, he still calls himself a young man, we may safely
conclude that he was born between 1495 and 1500. In the year 1568 he
completed his work, at which time there were only six of the
Conquistadores alive, and he must then have been about seventy years of
age, but there is every reason for supposing that he reached the
advanced age of eighty-six. Endowed with singular nobleness of mind, he
had the happiness to enjoy an unblemished reputation.
The excellent Torquemada, in speaking of him in his voluminous work
entitled 'Monarchia Indiana,' says, "I saw and knew this same Bernal
Diaz in the city of Guatimala; he was then a very aged man, and one who
bore the best of reputations." Quoting him in another passage, he has,
"Thus says Bernal Diaz del Castillo, a soldier on whose authority and
honesty we can place reliance." He was a man devoted to his religion,
and it must be particularly borne in mind that the Catholic faith was
never stronger than at that time; yet we find him the least
superstitious of all the Spanish historians on the Conquest, and, in the
34th Chapter, he has shown a mind superior to the times in which he
lived.
If we contemplate the period in which the conquest of New Spain took
place, we can easily imagine that Cortes considered it imperative on
him to plant his religion among the Indians by the power of the sword,
if he could not by kind remonstrances; and we are often reminded of
Joshua in the Old Testament. The Spaniards themselves certainly
entertained that idea; for in the edition of Cortes' despatches
published at Mexico in 1770, his sword is termed, "Gladius Domini et
Gideonis:" yet the Spaniards were not the cruel monsters they have
generally been described during those times. As far as the conquest of
New Spain is concerned, they were more humane than otherwise; and if at
times they used severity, we find that it was caused by the horrible and
revolting abominations which were practised by the natives. We can
scarcely imagine kinder-hearted beings than the first priests and monks
who went out to New Spain; they were men who spent their lives under
every species of hardship to promote the happiness of the Indians. Who
can picture to his mind a more amiable and noble disposition than that
of father Olmedo? He was one of the finest characters, Dr. Robertson
says, that ever went out as priest with an invading army!
We may have become exceedingly partial to a work which has now been
constantly before our eyes for the last two years, yet we can scarcely
imagine that any one could take up a volume, whether a novel or a
history, which he would peruse with more delight than these memoirs.
With regard to the translation, which is from the old edition printed at
Madrid in 1632, we have acted up to the author's desire, and have
neither added nor taken anything away, and have attempted to follow the
original as closely as possible. To the original there is not a single
note, and particular care has been taken not to overburden the
translation with them. In the spelling of the names of the Indian
chiefs, the townships, and of the provinces, we have mostly followed
Torquemada, who is considered more correct on this point, for he lived
fifty years in New Spain, was perfect master of the Mexican language,
and made the history of that country his peculiar study.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
I, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, regidor of the town of Santiago, in
Guatimala, author of this very true and faithful history, have now
finished it, in order that it may be published to the world. It treats
of the discovery and total conquest of New Spain; and how the great city
of Mexico and several other towns were taken, up to the time when peace
was concluded with the whole country; also of the founding of many
Spanish cities and towns, by which we, as we were in duty bound,
extended the dominion of our sovereign.
In this history will be found many curious facts worthy of notice. It
likewise points out the errors and blunders contained in a work written
by Francisco de Gomara, who not only commits many errors himself in what
he writes about New Spain, but he has also been the means of leading
those two famous historians astray who followed his account, namely, Dr.
Illescas and the bishop Paulo Jovio. What I have written in this book I
declare and affirm to be strictly true. I myself was present at every
battle and hostile encounter. Indeed, these are not old tales or
romances of the seventh century; for, if I may so say, it happened but
yesterday what is contained in my history. I relate how, where, and in
what manner these things took place; as an accredited eyewitness of this
I may mention our very spirited and valorous captain Don Hernando
Cortes, marquis del Valle Oaxaca, who wrote an account of these
occurrences from Mexico to his imperial majesty Don Carlos the Fifth,
of glorious memory; and likewise the corresponding account of the
viceroy Don Antonio de Mendoza. But, besides this, you have only to read
my history and you see it is true.
I have now completed it this 26th day of February, 1568, from my
day-book and memory, in this very loyal city of Guatimala, the seat of
the royal court of audience. I also think of mentioning some other
circumstances which are for the most part unknown to the public. I must
beg of the printers not to take away from, nor add one single syllable
to, the following narrative, etc.
CONTENTS
OF
THE FIRST VOLUME.
PAGE
CHAP. I. The time of my departure from Castile, and what farther
happened to me 1
CHAP. II. Of the discovery of Yucatan, and the battle we fought there
with the natives 3
CHAP. III. Discovery of the coast of Campeachy 6
CHAP. IV. How we landed in a bay close to some maise plantations, near
the harbour of Potonchan, and of the attack that was made upon us
there 9
CHAP. V. We resolve to return to Cuba. The extreme thirst we suffered,
and all the fatigues we underwent until our arrival in the port of
Havannah 12
CHAP. VI. How twenty of us went on shore in the bay of Florida with the
pilot Alaminos in search of water; the hostilities which the natives of
this country commenced with us; and of all that further befel us on our
passage to the Havannah 13
CHAP. VII. The fatigues I had to undergo until my arrival in the town of
Trinidad 17
CHAP. VIII. How Diego Velasquez, governor of Cuba, sent out another
armament to the country we had discovered 19
CHAP. IX. How we landed at Champoton 23
CHAP. X. We continued our course and ran into Terminos bay, as we named
it 24
CHAP. XI. How we came into the Tabasco river, which we termed the
Grijalva, and what happened to us there 25
CHAP. XII. We come in sight of the town of Aguajaluco, and give it the
name of La Rambla 28
CHAP. XIII. How we arrive on the Bandera stream and gain 1500 pesos 29
CHAP. XIV. How we come into the harbour of San Juan de Ulua 32
CHAP. XV. Diego Velasquez sends out a small vessel in quest of us 33
CHAP. XVI. What befel us on our coasting voyage along the Tusta and
Tuspa mountains 34
CHAP. XVII. Diego Velasquez despatches one of his officials to Spain 38
CHAP. XVIII. Of some errors in the work of Francisco Lopez de Gomara 39
CHAP. XIX. How another armament was fitted out for a voyage to the newly
discovered countries; the command of which was given to Hernando Cortes,
afterwards Marquis of the Vale of Oaxaca; also of the secret cabals
which were formed to deprive him of it 42
CHAP. XX. Of the designs and plans of Hernando Cortes after he had
obtained the appointment of captain 45
CHAP. XXI. Cortes' occupations at Trinidad, and of the cavaliers and
warriors who there joined our expedition, and other matters 47
CHAP. XXII. How the governor, Diego Velasquez, sends two of his
officials in all haste to Trinidad, with full power and authority to
deprive Cortes of his appointment of captain, and bring the squadron
away, &c. 49
CHAP. XXIII. Cortes embarks with all his cavaliers and soldiers in order
to sail along the south side of the island to the Havannah, and sends
off one of the vessels to go around the north coast for the same port 51
CHAP. XXIV. Diego Velasquez sends one of his officials, named Gaspar
Garnica, with full authority to take Cortes prisoner, whatever might be
the consequence; and what further happened 54
CHAP. XXV. Cortes sets sail with the whole squadron for the island of
Cozumel, and what further took place 56
CHAP. XXVI. Cortes reviews his troops, and what further happened 57
CHAP. XXVII. Cortes receives information that two Spaniards are in the
power of the Indians at the promontory of Cotoche: the steps he took
upon this news 58
CHAP. XXVIII. The manner in which Cortes divides the squadron. The
officers whom he appointed to the command of the several vessels. His
instructions to the pilots; the signals which were to be made with
lanterns at night, &c. 62
CHAP. XXIX. How the Spaniard Geronimo de Aguilar, who was in the power
of the Indians, came to us when he learnt that we had again returned to
the island of Cozumel, and what further happened 63
CHAP. XXX. How we re-embark and sail for the river Grijalva, and what
happened to us on our voyage there 66
CHAP. XXXI. How we arrive in the river Grijalva, called in the Indian
language the Tabasco; the battle we fought there; and what further took
place 68
CHAP. XXXII. How Cortes despatches two of our principal officers, each
with one hundred men, to explore the interior of the country, and what
further took place 71
CHAP. XXXIII. Cortes issues orders that we should hold ourselves in
readiness to march against the Indians on the following day; he also
commands the horses to be brought on shore. How the battle terminates we
fought with them 73
CHAP. XXXIV. How we are attacked by all the caziques of Tabasco, and the
whole armed force of this province, and what further took place 74
CHAP. XXXV. How Cortes assembles all the caziques of this province, and
what further happened 77
CHAP. XXXVI. How all the caziques and calachonis of the river Grijalva
arrive with presents, and what happened after this 80
CHAP. XXXVII. How Dona Marina herself was a caziquess, and the daughter
of distinguished personages; also a ruler over a people and several
towns; and how she came to Tabasco 84
CHAP. XXXVIII. How we arrive with our vessels in San Juan de Ulua, and
what we did there 86
CHAP. XXXIX. How Teuthlille makes his report to Motecusuma, and gives
him our presents; as also what further took place in our camp 90
CHAP. XL. How Cortes goes in search of another harbour and a good spot
to found a colony, and what further happened 92
CHAP. XLI. What happened on account of our bartering for gold, and of
other things which took place in our camp 94
CHAP. XLII. How we elected Hernando Cortes captain-general and chief
justice until we should receive the emperor's commands on this head; and
what further happened 97
CHAP. XLIII. How the partisans of Diego Velasquez would not acknowledge
the power we had conferred upon Cortes, and what further took place 100
CHAP. XLIV. How Pedro de Alvarado was ordered to make an excursion into
the interior of the country, in order to procure maise and other
provisions; and what further happened 101
CHAP. XLV. How we marched into Sempoalla, which at that period was a
very considerable township, and what we did there 104
CHAP. XLVI. How we march into Quiahuitzlan, which was a town with
fortifications, and were most friendly received 106
CHAP. XLVII. How Cortes ordered the five Mexican tax-gatherers to be
imprisoned, and no further obedience to be paid Motecusuma, nor tribute
to be exacted; and of the rebellion which was now excited against this
monarch 109
CHAP. XLVIII. How we resolved to found Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, and
construct a fortress on the low meadows, in the neighbourhood of some
salt springs and the harbour, where our vessels were anchored; and what
further happened 111
CHAP. XLIX. How the fat cazique and other chief men of the country come
and complain to Cortes that a garrison of Mexicans had been thrown into
the strong fortress of Tzinpantzinco, committing great depredations; and
what further took place 114
CHAP. L. How some of Diego Velasquez's adherents refused to take any
further part in our proceedings, and declared their determination to
return to Cuba, seeing that Cortes was earnestly bent upon founding a
colony, and had already commenced to pacify the inhabitants 115
CHAP. LI. What happened to us at Tzinpantzinco, and how, on our return
to Sempoalla, we destroyed all the idols; likewise of other matters 117
CHAP. LII. How Cortes erects an altar, and places thereon the image of
the blessed Virgin with a cross; after which mass was said, and the
eight Indian females were baptized 121
CHAP. LIII. How we arrived in our town of Vera Cruz, and what happened
there 123
CHAP. LIV. Concerning the account of our adventures, with the letter,
which we sent his majesty the emperor, through Puertocarrero and
Montejo, the letter being attested by some officers and soldiers 125
CHAP. LV. How Diego Velasquez is informed by his agents that we had sent
messengers with letters and presents to our king, and what further took
place 127
CHAP. LVI. How our agents passed through the Bahama channel with the
most favorable wind, and arrived in Castile after a short passage; and
of our success at court 129
CHAP. LVII. What took place in our camp after the departure of our
agents to his majesty with the gold and the letters; and the instance of
severity which Cortes was compelled to give 132
CHAP. LVIII. How we came to the resolution of marching to Mexico, and of
destroying all our vessels, which was done with the sanction and by the
advice of all Cortes' true adherents 133
CHAP. LIX. Of the speech which Cortes made to us after our vessels were
destroyed, and how we prepared for our march to Mexico 135
CHAP. LX. How Cortes arrived with us at the spot where the vessel lay at
anchor, and captured six soldiers and sailors of the said vessel who had
stepped on shore; also what further took place 136
CHAP. LXI. How we set out on our march to the city of Mexico, and, upon
the advice of the caziques, take our road over Tlascalla. What took
place here, and of the battles we fought 138
CHAP. LXII. How we commenced our march upon Tlascalla, and sent
messengers before us, to obtain the sanction of the inhabitants to pass
through their country; how they took our messengers prisoners; and what
further happened 143
CHAP. LXIII. Of the terrible battles we fought with the Tlascallans, and
what further happened 146
CHAP. LXIV. How we quartered ourselves in the township of Tehuacacinco,
and what we did there 149
CHAP. LXV. Of the great battle we fought with the Tlascallans, and what
further took place 150
CHAP. LXVI. How we sent a message next day to the caziques of Tlascalla
to bring about peace between us, and the determination they came to upon
this 153
CHAP. LXVII. How we again sent messengers to the caziques of Tlascalla
in order to induce them to make peace, and the resolution they came to
upon this 157
CHAP. LXVIII. How we came to the determination of marching to a township
in the neighbourhood of our camp, and what happened upon this 158
CHAP. LXIX. How we found, on our return to our encampment, that new
intrigues had been set on foot; and the answer Cortes gave to certain
representations which were made to him 160
CHAP. LXX. How the captain Xicotencatl assembled 20,000 chosen warriors
to make an attack upon us in our camp, and what happened upon this 165
CHAP. LXXI. How four chief personages arrived in our camp to negotiate
terms of peace with us, and what further happened 167
CHAP. LXXII. How ambassadors arrive in our camp from Motecusuma, and of
the presents they brought with them 170
CHAP. LXXIII. How the captain-general Xicotencatl arrives in our camp to
negotiate terms of peace; the speech he made, and what further happened
171
CHAP. LXXIV. How the old caziques of Tlascalla arrived in our camp and
invited Cortes and all of us to visit their city, and what further
happened 175
CHAP. LXXV. How we marched into the city of Tlascalla, and were received
by the old caziques; of the present they made us, and how they brought
us their daughters and nieces; and what further happened 176
CHAP. LXXVI. How mass was said in the presence of a great number of
caziques, and of the present the latter brought us 178
CHAP. LXXVII. How the caziques presented their daughters to Cortes and
all of us, and what further happened 180
CHAP. LXXVIII. How Cortes gained some information respecting Mexico from
Xicotencatl and Maxixcatzin 183
CHAP. LXXIX. How our captain Hernando Cortes and all our officers and
soldiers determine to march to Mexico 187
CHAP. LXXX. How the great Motecusuma despatched four ambassadors to us,
all men in high authority, with presents in gold and cotton stuffs, and
what they said to our captains 190
CHAP. LXXXI. How the inhabitants of Cholulla despatched four Indians to
us, all men of no distinction, to apologise for not having visited us in
Tlascalla, and what further happened 192
CHAP. LXXXII. How we arrived in the town of Cholulla, and the brilliant
reception we met with 193
CHAP. LXXXIII. How the inhabitants of Cholulla concerted a plan, at the
instigation of Motecusuma, to murder us all, and what further happened
195
CHAP. LXXXIV. The negotiations we set on foot with the great Motecusuma,
and the ambassadors we sent him 208
CHAP. LXXXV. How the powerful Motecusuma sends a valuable present in
gold to us, and the message which accompanied it, and how we all agree
to commence our march upon Mexico; and what further happened 210
CHAP. LXXXVI. How we set out on our march to Mexico; what happened to us
on our route; and the message Motecusuma sent us 212
CHAP. LXXXVII. How the powerful Motecusuma again sends ambassadors to us
with a present of gold and cotton stuffs: that monarch's message to
Cortes, and the answer he returns 216
CHAP. LXXXVIII. The magnificent and pompous reception which the powerful
Motecusuma gave to Cortes and all of us, on our entrance into the great
city of Mexico 220
CHAP. LXXXIX. How Motecusuma, accompanied by several caziques, pays us a
visit in our quarters, and of the discourse that passed between him and
our general 223
CHAP. XC. How our general, the day following, paid a visit to
Motecusuma, and of the discourse that passed between them 225
CHAP. XCI. Of Motecusuma's person, disposition, habits, and of his great
power 228
CHAP. XCII. Our general takes a walk through Mexico, and views the
Tlatelulco, (the great square,) and the chief temple of Huitzilopochtli
235
CHAP. XCIII. How we erect a chapel and altar in our quarters with a
cross on the outside; discover the treasure of Motecusuma's father; and
determine to seize the monarch's person and imprison him in our quarters
244
CHAP. XCIV. Of the battle which the Mexican generals fought with
Escalante and the Totonaque tribes 247
CHAP. XCV. Of the imprisonment of Motecusuma, and what further happened
249
CHAP. XCVI. How our general appoints Alonso Grado lieutenant of Vera
Cruz, and Sandoval alguacil-major of the same place 255
CHAP. XCVII. How we entertained and amused Motecusuma during his
confinement, and granted him permission to visit his temple 258
CHAP. XCVIII. How Cortes orders two large brigantines to be built for
the navigation of the lake of Mexico; Motecusuma begs permission to
visit his temples to offer up his prayers there; and what Cortes said to
him when he granted this permission 261
CHAP. XCIX. How our two brigantines are launched, and Motecusuma,
expressing a wish to go a hunting, sails in one of these vessels to a
river where he usually went for that purpose 263
CHAP. C. How the nephews of Motecusuma assembled the principal
personages of the empire, and formed a conspiracy to rescue the monarch
from confinement, and beat us out of the city 265
CHAP. CI. How the powerful Motecusuma, with several caziques and chief
personages of the country, declare themselves vassals of our emperor;
and of other occurrences which happened then 271
CHAP. CII. How Cortes sends out some of our men to explore the gold
mines and those rivers which wash down gold; also the harbours from the
Panuco to the Tabasco, but particularly the river Guacasualco 273
CHAP. CIII. How the officers whom Cortes had despatched to the gold
mines and the river Guacasualco returned to Mexico 274
CHAP. CIV. How Cortes desired the powerful Motecusuma to order all the
caziques of the empire to bring in the tribute of gold due to our
emperor 277
CHAP. CV. How all the gold presented by Motecusuma, and collected from
the different townships, was divided; and what happened to one of our
soldiers on the occasion 280
CHAP. CVI. Of the high words which arose between Velasquez de Leon and
our treasurer Gonzalo Mexia on account of the gold which was missing
from the heap, and how Cortes put an end to that dispute 282
CHAP. CVII. How Motecusuma offers one of his daughters in marriage to
Cortes, who accepts her, and pays her the attention due to her high
station 284
CHAP. CVIII. How the powerful Motecusuma acquaints Cortes that it is
requisite for his safety to quit Mexico, with the whole of his men, as
all the caziques and papas were upon the point of rising up in arms to
destroy us all, in compliance with the advice given them by their gods:
the steps which Cortes took upon this news 286
CHAP. CIX. How the governor of Cuba, Velasquez, in all haste fits out an
armament against us, the command of which he gives to Pamfilo de
Narvaez, who was accompanied by the licentiate Lucas Vazquez de Aillon,
auditor of the royal court of audience at St. Domingo 289
CHAP. CX. How Narvaez arrives with the whole of his flotilla in the
harbour of San Juan de Ulua, and what happened upon this 290
CHAP. CXI. How Pamfilo Narvaez despatches five persons to Sandoval, the
commandant of Vera Cruz, with summons to surrender up the town to him
293
CHAP. CXII. How Cortes, after he had gained every information respecting
the armament, wrote to Narvaez, and several of his acquaintances who had
come with him, and particularly to Andreas du Duero, private secretary
to Velasquez; and of other events 296
CHAP. CXIII. The high words which arose between the auditor Vazquez de
Aillon and Narvaez, who orders him to be seized and sent back prisoner
to Spain 298
CHAP. CXIV. Narvaez marches, with the whole of his troops, to Sempoalla;
his proceedings there; and how we in Mexico determine to march against
him 300
CHAP. CXV. How the powerful Motecusuma inquires of Cortes whether it was
really his intention to march out against Narvaez, though the latter's
troops were double the number of ours 302
CHAP. CXVI. How we determined once more to despatch father Olmedo to
Narvaez's head-quarters, and what we commissioned him to say 306
CHAP. CXVII. How father Olmedo arrived in Narvaez's head-quarters at
Sempoalla, and what he did there 308
CHAP. CXVIII. How Cortes reviews the whole of his troops, and we are
supplied with two hundred and fifty very long new lances, by the
Tchinantecs 310
CHAP. CXIX. How Duero, with the soldier Usagre and two of his Indian
servants from Cuba, arrived in our camp; who this Duero was, and the
reason of his visit, &c. 311
CHAP. CXX. How Juan Velasquez arrives in Narvaez's head-quarters, and
what took place there 314
CHAP. CXXI. What took place in Narvaez's quarters after the return to
our camp of the ambassadors we had sent there 318
CHAP. CXXII. The order of our march against Narvaez; the speech Cortes
made to us; and our reply to it 320
CHAP. CXXIII. How the 2000 Indians of Chinantla, whom Cortes had
demanded of the caziques there, arrived at Sempoalla after Narvaez's
defeat 329
CHAP. CXXIV. How Cortes despatches Francisco de Lugo, with two men who
had formerly been ship-builders, to the harbour where Narvaez's flotilla
lay, to bring all the captains and pilots of the vessels to Sempoalla
329
CHAP. CXXV. How we all, including Narvaez's troops, hasten to Mexico by
forced marches 333
CHAP. CXXVI. How the Mexicans made war upon us, and the battles we
fought with them 337
CHAP. CXXVII. Cortes determines to announce Motecusuma's death to the
Mexican generals and chiefs who are at war with us 345
CHAP. CXXVIII. How we come to the determination of leaving Mexico
secretly at night; and what further happened 347
CHAP. CXXIX. How we quartered ourselves in the metropolis of Tlascalla,
and what we did there 359
CHAP. CXXX. How we marched into the province of Tepeaca, what we did
there, and of other things which happened 365
CHAP. CXXXI. How a vessel, which had been sent by Diego Velasquez from
Cuba, arrived at Vera Cruz, commanded by the captain Pedro Barba, and
the manner in which Caballero captured her 369
CHAP. CXXXII. How the inhabitants of Quauhquechola called upon Cortes,
and begged of him to drive out the Mexican troops from their town, as
they were plundered and ill-used by them 370
CHAP. CXXXIII. How one of the vessels which Francisco de Garay had
fitted out for the object of forming settlements on the river Panuco,
put in at Vera Cruz, and what further happened 373
CHAP. CXXXIV. How Cortes despatches Sandoval with 200 men, among which
were twenty horse and twelve crossbow-men, to punish the tribes of
Xalatzinco and Zacatemi, for having put some Spaniards to death, and to
demand restitution of the gold they had robbed us of; and also further
to explore the country 375
CHAP. CXXXV. How all the slaves we had taken in Tepeaca, Quauhquechola,
Tecalco, and Castilblanco, were brought together in our head-quarters,
and branded with an iron, in his majesty's name 379
CHAP. CXXXVI. How the chief officers and principal personages of
Narvaez's troops request leave to return to Cuba, which Cortes grants,
and they accordingly leave; also how our general sends ambassadors to
Spain, St. Domingo, and Jamaica 381
NOTES 387
[Transcriber's Notes: The errata below have been corrected in the
text. Footnote 24 has also been moved to its correct position in the text.]
ERRATA.
P. 17, _l._ 3, _for_ Fronseca, _read_ Fonseca.
17, 24, _for_ dubbloons, _read_ doubloons.
20, 18, _for_ Chaopa, _read_ Chiapa.
20, 26, _for_ Mautanzas, _read_ Matanza.
31, 8, _for_ this, _read_ their.
31, 28, _for_ surrounded, _read_ surmounted.
51, 17, _for_ his, _read_ its
P. 53, _l._ 19, _read_ whom the king Quauhtemoctzin took.
126, 2, _for_ which, _read_ whom.
230, 22, _for_ were, _read_ was.
355, 9, _for_ when, _read_ where.
365, 33, _for_ were the townships, _read_ was the township.
CONQUEST
OF
MEXICO AND NEW SPAIN.
CHAPTER I.
_The time of my departure from Castile, and what further happened to
me._
In the year 1514 I departed from Castile in the suite of Pedro Arias de
Avila, who had just then been appointed governor of Terra Firma. At sea
we had sometimes bad and sometimes good weather, until we arrived at
Nombre Dios, where the plague was raging: of this we lost many of our
men, and most of us got terrible sores on our legs, and were otherwise
ill. Soon after our arrival, dissensions arose between the governor and
a certain wealthy cavalier, named Vasco Nunez de Balboa, who had brought
this province to subjection, and was married to one of the daughters of
Avila. As, however, suspicion had been excited against him, owing to a
plan he had formed of making a voyage to the South Sea at his own
expense, for which he required a considerable body of troops, his own
father-in-law deposed him and afterwards sentenced him to decapitation.
While we were spectators of all this, and saw, moreover, how other
soldiers rebelled against their superior officers, we learnt that the
island of Cuba had just been conquered, and that a nobleman of Quellar,
named Diego Velasquez, was appointed governor there. Upon this news some
of us met together, cavaliers and soldiers, all persons of quality who
had come with Pedro Arias de Avila, and asked his permission to proceed
to the island of Cuba: this he readily granted, not having sufficient
employment for so great a number of men as he had brought with him from
Spain. Neither was there any further conquest to be made in these parts;
all was in profound peace, so thoroughly had his son-in-law Balboa
subdued the country, besides which it was but small in extent and thinly
populated. As soon, therefore, as we had obtained leave, we embarked in
a good vessel and took our departure. Our voyage was most prosperous, so
that we speedily arrived at Cuba. The first thing we did was to pay our
respects to the governor, who received us with great kindness, and made
us a promise of the first Indians that might be discharged. Three years,
however, passed away since our first arrival in Terra Firma and stay at
Cuba, still living in the expectation of the Indians which had been
promised us, but in vain. During the whole of this time we had
accomplished nothing worthy of notice: we therefore, the 110 who had
come from Terra Firma, with some others of Cuba, who were also without
any Indians, met together to concert measures with a rich cavalier named
Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, who, besides being a person of wealth,
possessed great numbers of Indians on the island. This gentleman we
chose for our captain; he was to lead us out on voyages for the
discovery of new countries, where we might find sufficient employment.
We purchased three vessels, two of which were of considerable burden;
the third was given us by the governor, Diego Velasquez, on condition
namely, that we should first invade the Guanajas islands, which lie
between Cuba and the Honduras, and bring him thence three cargoes of
Indians, whom he wanted for slaves; this he would consider as payment
for the vessel. We were, however, fully aware that it was an act of
injustice which Diego Velasquez thus required at our hands, and gave him
for answer: that neither God nor the king had commanded us to turn a
free people into slaves. When he learnt our determination, he confessed
that our project for the discovery of new countries was more
praiseworthy, and he furnished us with provisions for our voyage.
We had now three vessels and a sufficient supply of cassave bread, as it
is there made from the juca root. We also purchased some pigs, which
cost us three pesos a piece; for at that time there were neither cows
nor sheep on the island of Cuba: to this I must also add a scanty supply
of other provisions; while every soldier took with him some glass beads
for barter. We had three pilots; of whom the principal one, who had the
chief command of our vessels, was called Anton de Alaminos, a native of
Palos; the two others were, Camacho de Triana, and Juan Alvarez el
Manquillo of Huelva. In the same way we hired sailors, and furnished
ourselves with ropes, anchors, water-casks, and other necessaries for
our voyage, all at our own expense and personal risk.
After we had met together, in all 110, we departed for a harbour on the
north coast of Cuba, called by the natives Ajaruco. The distance from
this place to the town of San Christoval, then recently built, was
twenty-four miles; for the Havannah had then only been two years in our
possession. In order that our squadron might not want for anything
really useful, we engaged a priest at the town of San Christoval. His
name was Alonso Gonzalez, and by fair words and promises we persuaded
him to join us. We also appointed, in the name of his majesty, a
treasurer, called Beruardino Miguez, a native of Saint Domingo de la
Calzada. This was done in order that if it pleased God we should
discover any new countries, where either gold, silver, or pearls were to
be found, there might be amongst us a qualified person to take charge of
the fifths for the Emperor.[1] After everything had been thus properly
ordered and we had heard mass said, we commended ourselves to God, our
Lord Jesus Christ, and the virgin Mary his blessed mother, and set out
on our voyage, as I shall further relate.
[1] During the first conquests of the Spaniards in New Spain, one half
of the profits arising from the gold mines was paid to the crown; but
the ill effects of this exorbitant demand soon began to show themselves,
and it was reduced to one third, and then to a fifth, called the real
quinto, which continued for a length of time, until it was further
reduced. I must take this opportunity of observing, that the Spanish
"peso" is equal to about 4s. 6d. of our money. (p. 3.)