The pleasant historie of the conquest of the VVeast India, now called new Spayne

Cortez gaue them thankes, and went with them to a certaine place where the Lord was abydyng their comming wel accompanyed: he shewed vnto the Christians great good wil, and maruelled to sée those straungers with their long beardes.

A straunge salutation

The Lord toke a little chafyngdishe in his hande, and cast into it a certaine gumme, whych sauoured in swéet smel much like vnto frankinscence. And with a sencer he smoked Cortez with this ceremony they vse their salutations to theyr gods and nobilitie.

A straunge hap

This done they set them down, and Cortez enformed him of the cause of their comming into that countrey as he had done in all other places where he had bin.

The Casike certifyed Cortez euen as the Lord of Zempoallan had done, but he stood in great feare least Mutezuma should be offended for receyuing and lodging him within that towne, without his commaundement, and being in thys communication, sodenly appeared twentye men entring where they sate, wt certain wāds like cudgels in their hāds, which did signify yt they were rent gatherers & in ech other hand, a fly flap of feathers, the Cacike & hys company were soare afrayde. Cortez demaunded wherefore he so altered himself, he answered, bicause those twēty Indians were collecters of Mutezuma, and that he feared that they would complayne of him, hauing founde those Christians there, he feared likewise cruell punishment for the same. Cortes comforted him, saying that Mutezuma was his friende, and that he would so vse the matter that he shoulde receyue no blame at all, but rather that Mutezuma shoulde giue him thankes for that whiche he had done: And if Mutezuma did not, or would not so accept it, that then he would defend both him and his subiects, for (quoth he) euery one of my mē is sufficient for a thousand Mexicans, as Mutezuma himselfe was well enformed by the late warres at Potonchan.

Yet for and notwithstanding all this talke, the Lorde and all his folke were in great feare, and meante to arise and to lodge the receyuers. Cortes woulde not suffer him, and bycause (quoth he) thou shalte sée what I and my men can doe, commaund thy seruaunts to apprehend and take prysoners these receyuers of Mexico, and I wil abide here with thée, in such sorte that Mutezuma with all his power shall not offende thée.

The receyuers put in pryson

With the courage that he receyued at these wordes, he commaunded to lay hande vpon the Mexicans, and bycause they defended themselues, they were sore beaten, and layde euery one in a seuerall prison, and bounde them to a great poste whereat they were tied by the throate, féete, and handes, and beyng in this sorte imprysoned, they asked of Cortes whether they should kill them. Cortes requested that they should not be slaine, but that they might remayne as they were, with good watch that they might not escape: Then they were brought into a hall in the Spaniardes lodging, and were placed rounde aboute a good fire, but yet bounde hande and foote with garde of watchmen. Cortes also appoynted certaine of his men to watch the hall dore, and then went to his lodging to supper, where he and his company was well prouided at the Caziks furniture.

The messages sent by Cortez vnto Mutezuma

Pollicie

The nighte beyng farre spent, and the Indians that kepte the watch being asléepe, Cortes sente vnto the Spanyardes that watched at the hall dore where the prysoners were, and commaunded them to let goe twoo of the prysoners, as secretly as they might, and to bring them vnto him. The Spaniardes handled the matter so well, that they fulfilled his desire, and brought twoo of them to Cortes his chamber, who looked vppon them as though he had not knowen them, and willed Aguillar and Maryna to demaunde who they were, and what they would haue, and why they had bene in pryson. They answered, that they were vassals of Mutezuma, and that they had the charge to receyue certayne tributes, that those of that towne & prouince payde vnto their Lorde. And also (quoth they) we know not for what cause we are nowe imprysoned and so euelly vsed. We rather wōder to sée this new custome and madnesse, for in time past these men were wont to méete vs and receiue vs with great honour & curtesie, shewing all seruice and pleasure. Therefore we thinke that the cause of this alteration is through the fauour of you and your cōpany, who beare the name of immortalitie. We also feare least our felowes which are in prison shal be slaine, before Mutezuma haue knowlege therof. Also said they, these barbarous people dwelling in the Mountaynes, would be glad to rebel if they foūd any succour or ayde, only to put their Prince to cost and charges, as heretofore they haue done. Therefore they moste humbly besought Cortes that hée shoulde not permitte them and their fellowes to be slaine, nor yet to abide in the handes of their enimies wherein he should do singular pleasure to Mutesuma their lord, & otherwise if they should perish, their Lord would be very sorowfull that his olde, faithful and trustie seruaunts shoulde haue such a reward for their good seruice.

A vvise Captaine

Cortez aunswered that it grieued him much, that Mutesuma his friend should be misvsed wher he was, no nor yet his seruauntes euill entreated, and that hee woulde haue as muche care ouer them as of his owne, willing them to prayse the god of heauen, and to be thankful vnto him that had commaunded them to be set at liberty, in the grace and friendshippe of Mutesuma: he certifyed that in all haste they shoulde be dispatched, for Mexico with certaine busynesse therefore (quoth he) get you to meate, and make you strōg to take in hand that iourney, trusting to your féete least ye should be taken againe to your greate perill and daunger, Iwis their meate was soone eaten with the great hast they had to be gone.

Cortez brought them out of the towne and gaue them victuall to carry with them. And charged for the liberty and curtesie shewed vnto them, that they should signifye to Mutesuma their Lorde, howe that he was his assured friend, and that after he had vnderstanding of his fame, goodnes and mighty power, he much desired to serue him yea and that he helde himselfe happy, to fynde himselfe at such a time & season to loose those his seruaunts, and to shew therin his good wil, likewyse he woulde do all that lay in him to preserue the honour and auctority of so gret a Prince as hee was, & also to defende his subiectes and to loke to his affaires as his owne proper, although his highnesse dyd little estéeme hys friendshippe as appeared by Teudilli, who departed from him without bidding him farewell, and likewise absenting all the people of the sea coaste: yet thys notwithstanding he would not let to do him seruice at all times when occasion shoulde serue, and to procure by all meanes possible his grace, fauour, and friendship, and that he was fully perswaded, that his hyghnesse woulde not refuse his good will and friendship, considering that with his acquaintance, God had done much for him, to méete with a seruaunte of the Emperoures, for thereby he might know great secretes of holy things, and also receyue greate benefytes, if then he would refuse the same, the fault shoulde be his: but yet notwithstanding he trusted in his wisedome, that considering the thing well, he woulde be glad both to sée hym, and talke with him, and also to be friende and brother with the King of Spayne, in whose most happie name, both he and his company were come thither. And as touching his seruauntes that remayned in prison, hée woulde so vse the matter, that they should escape all perill, promising also to set them at libertie to pleasure him, and that incontinente he woulde haue done it, but onely bycause he woulde not offende the Lorde of the Towne, who had friendly entertayned him with greate curtesie, for which cause he would not presume to controll him in his owne house, nor yet to shewe himselfe vnthankefull. The messengers departed with this message very glad and ioyfull, promising to accomplishe faithfully ye charge committed vnto them.

The confederacy and rebellion done by the industrie of Cortez

When the Cazike founde missing the two prisoners, he blamed muche the guarde or watch, and pretended forthwith to murther those that remayned. Then came Cortez, and requested that their deathe shoulde be pardoned, for so muche as they were but officers obediente to their Lorde and maister, and according to iustice they had committed no offence, nor yet deserued anye correction in the facte, whiche was seruice to their King: but for so muche as they shall not flée as the other two haue done, deliuer them vnto mee, and I will take them to my custody and charge.

Diuers opinions in counsell

Vpon this request the eyghtéene prisoners were delyuered vnto Cortez, who sent them aboorde his Shyppes, and there commaunded them to be put in yrons. The Lorde and his counsellors fearing what mighte followe, entred into councell what was best to doe, consideryng that they certaynely beléeued that the two prisoners whiche were escaped, would certifie in Mexico the shame and cruell entertaynemente done vnto them. Some replyed that it was iust and requisite to sende vnto Mutezuma hys tribute, with other presentes, to mitigate hys anger, and to excuse them, and accuse the Christians, who were the causes of the apprehension of his officers, and to craue pardon of their erroure and ouersighte whyche they hadde committed as madde men, in dishonor of the maiestie of Mexico. Others aunswered agayne, that it were muche better to cast off that yoke of bondage and slauery, and to giue no longer obedience to the Mexicans, who were both cruell and wicked tyrants, and also considering that now they had on their side those halfe Gods, and inuincible horsemen, saying likewise that they should not wante many others their neyghbours and borderers to help and succour them.

In this sorte they resolued themselues fully to rebell, and not to lose so good an occasion, wherevppon they besoughte Hernando Cortes to bée their defendor and Captayne, considering that for his sake they had begun that enterprise, and whether Mutezuma shoulde prepare hys army againste them or no, yet they on their parte were fully pretended to hold hym warre, and to desist from seruitude.

God knoweth how glad Cortes was to heare this matter, for he well wayed that it was the high way to hys iourneys ende: yet dissimuling the cause, he aunswered that they should well looke to the thing which they meant to take in hande, bycause (quoth he) I vnderstande that Mutezuma is a mightie Prince, but if ye will valiantly procéede, I will be youre Captayne, and safely defende you, for I do more estéeme your friendship, than the good will of Mutezuma, whyche I nothing care for: therefore lette me knowe what number of men of warre yée are able to make. Sir (quoth they) among all our friends wée are able to make a hundred thousande menne of warre. I lyke that well quoth Cortez, wherefore incontinente sende youre postes, with aduise vnto all your friendes in league againste Mutezuma, and certifie them of this agréemente and succoure of the Christians, not (quoth he) that I stande in néede of your help, for I alone with my company are able to stande againste those of Culhua, although they were as manye more, but reason required that they shoulde be warned of your pretence, and to be in readinesse for the same, fearing least Mutezuma mighte sende his army vpon a suddayne, and finde you vnprouided.

With this aduise and encouragement of Cortez, & also they themselues being a people heady and of small consideratiō, they dispatched incōtinent their messēgers to all the Townes and Villages of neyghbours and friendes, aduertising them what they hadde determined, exalting the strangers aboue the cloudes.

And by this meanes rebelled many Cazikes & townes, and all the whole Mountaynes, so yt there was not left any collector or other officer of Mexico in al those borders, with open proclamation of warres againste Mutezuma, and all his adherentes.

Cortez his intēt was on the other side, to stirre vp these Indians, to get both their goodes, willes, and landes, for otherwise, he could not well bring his matter to passe: he only caused the officers of Mutezuma, to be taken prisoners, and to be loused agayne, he fayned a greate loue to Mutezuma, and stirred his subiectes agaynste him, he offered to be their defendor, and lefte them rebelled, to the intent that they should stand in néede of him.

The foundation of the riche Towne called Vera Crux

At this instant the Fléete was arriued at the port, then wente Cortez to visit them, and carried with him many Indians of the Rebels, both of that Towne, and also of Zempoallan, who did good seruice to cutte downe timber, and to carrie stones to the place appoynted, for the building of the Citie, named the riche towne of Vera Crux, accordyng to the determination, when the officers were appoynted for the same, and chosen in S. Iohn de Vlhua, and in good order made repertition to the inhabitants of the ground, and plottes to builde vpon.

Embassadors

They appoynted also a place for the high Churche, a Market place, a Towne house, a Gayle, store houses, a kay or Wharfe, to lade or vnlade, a butcher row, & other places necessary to the good gouernement and pollicie of a Towne. They also drew out a plot to build the Castel or Fort on, néere the roade in a place conueniente, and in this sort began theyr worke, and their houses made with mudwall, for the earth there is good for that purpose. And euery man being this occupyed in this new worke, came from Mexico two kinsmen of Mutezuma, with other four graue learned menne for Councellors, and many seruing men that attended vppon them, as Ambassadors from Mutezuma, they presented vnto Cortez certayne cloth of Cotten well wouen, and feathers curiously and fynely wroughte, other péeces of golde and siluer wrought, and a Casket of graynes of golde, as they were founde in the Mynes not molten, which wayed altogyther two thousand & ninetie Castlins, & sayd, yt Mutezuma hadde sente hym the golde in the Casket, to cure theyr disease, and woulde gladly knowe howe they fared, giuing also vnto him most hartie thankes, for loosing his two housholde seruauntes, and preseruing the others from slaughter, besiechying hym to make accompte, that hée woulde doe the lyke in anye affayres of his, desiring hym also to procure the libertie of the other eyghtéene Prisoners: and bycause those Indians hadde entertayned hym well in their houses, he did pardon their vprore, yet notwithstanding he knewe very well that they were suche a kynde of people, that in shorte space they woulde committe some other offences, whereby they myght bée chastned for all togyther, euen as a Dogge deserueth stripes. And as concernyng the rest of hys request, theyr Lorde was not well at ease, and also occupyed in matters of warre of greate importance, whereby at that presente, there was no remedie to visit eache other, but in processe of tyme his desire shoulde be accomplished.

Cortez welcommed them friendly and ioyfully, and also lodged them in Cotages néere vnto the water side, and sent forthwith for the Lorde of Chiautztlan, that had rebelled, who came at his commandement. Cortez sayd vnto him, lo sée what troth I haue vsed with thée, for Mutezuma dareth not to send any army, no nor yet displease anye person where I am. Therefore from this daye forwarde you and all youre lignage and friendes maye accompte your selues frée and exempt from the seruitude of Mexico, without rendryng the tributes accustomed. He requested to set at libertie the prisoners, and to restore thē to the Ambassadors of Mutezuma. Thys Cazike wylled Cortez to doe what pleased him, for sayde he, euen as wée haue chosen you for oure Captayne, we will not excéede one iote of youre commaundemente: wherevppon hée returned home to his towne, and the Ambassadors toward Mexico, all well pleased and content.

Nowe fame flew abroade, blasing that Mutezuma feared the Christians, wherevpon all the Totonaques prepared themselues for the warres, taking cleane awaye from Mexico their tribute and obedience.

The Ambassadors departed from Cortez with theyr prisoners, and manye other things that were giuen thē, of linnen, wollen, skynnes, glasse, and yron, being greately amazed at the things which they had séene.

Hovv Cortez tooke by force of armes Tizapansinca

Not long after that these things had happened, the Indians of Zempoallan sente vnto Cortes, to desire him of succour against the garrisō of Culhua, which Mutezuma mainteyned in Tizapansinca, who did greately anoy them, in spoyling, burning, and destroying theyr corne in the fieldes, and slew their husbandmen, and toke many prisoners. The Towne of Tizapansinca doth confine with the Totonaquez, and with the grounde of Zempoallan, and is a good strong Towne, scituated néere the Riuer, and hath a fort standing vpon a high rocke. And bycause this Towne was strong, and planted among them who were alwayes seditious and Rebelles, Mutezuma placed there his garrison, who séeyng the officers of receyuers and auditors come flying thyther for helpe, béeyng persecuted of the Rebels, they wente out to pacifie the Rebellion, and for to chasten them, they burned and destroyed whatsoeuer they found, and also had taken many prisoners.

Cortez hearing this newes, departed towarde Zempoallan, and from thence in two dayes iourney with a greate armye of Indians to Tizapansinca, which stoode eyghte leagues and more from that Citie.

The garrison of Culhua came into the fielde, thinkyng to haue hadde battayle onely with those of Zempoallan, but when they saw the Horsemen and the bearded men, they lost theyr courage, and beganne to flye as fast as they myghte possible: theyr succoure béeyng néere, they were soone in holde: they woulde haue entred into theyr Castell, but for ye swiftnesse of the Horses which stopped theyr way.

The valiant courage of Cortez

And when the Horses coulde not ascende vp vnto the forte, Cortes alighted with other foure of hys men, and among the preasse of the Townesmen gote into the forte, and béeyng within, they kept the dore tyll theyr companye came wyth manye friendes, vnto whome hée delyuered the forte and Towne, desiring to do no hurte to the inhabitantes, but to suffer them to depart fréely without weapon and standerde. It was a newe worlde to those Indians, who did fulfyll Cortes hys commaundemente in all poyntes. Thys done, Cortez returned agayne to the Sea coast, by the same way whiche hée hadde come.

This was the firste victory that Cortes had among the subiectes of Mutezuma, whereby all the Mountaynes remayned frée from the vexations of the Mexicans, and all our men with great fame and reputation, as well among their friendes, as among their enimies, in so much that afterwardes when any neede did happen among the Indians, they would immediately sende vnto Cortes for one of his men, saying, that one man alone of the Chrystians, was sufficient to be their Captayne and securitie.

Thys was a good begynnyng for the pretence of Cortes. Now when he came to Vera Crux wyth hys company triumphantly, he founde there Francisco de Salzeda, who was come with his caruell which he had boughte of Alonso Cauallero, a dweller in Saint Iames de Cuba, and was left there to be grounded and dressed at his departure from thence. He brought with him .70. Spanyardes, and nine Horses and Mares, wherewith they all maruellously reioyced.

The presents that Cortez sent to the Emperour for his fifte

Cortez made greate hast in building vp the new town and the Castell, bycause the Citizens and souldiers mighte haue succoure againste winde and rayne, and commoditie of householde, and lykewise to bée assured of defence against enimies if néede shoulde happen, pretending lykewise with all expedition, to enter within the land toward Mexico, to visit Mutezuma, and to leaue in that newe worke all thing in good order, he finished many thinges, touching as well the peace as the warre.

He commaunded to be brought a lande out of his shippes all the armour & other furniture for the warres, with the Merchandise, victuall and other prouision, and to deliuer it to the rulers of the newe Cittie, accordyng to his promisse. He also signified vnto all his company that it was méete and conuenient, to sende relation to the Kyng of all theyr proceedings and dealings in that countrey, with demonstration of Golde and Siluer there founde.

And (quoth he) to deale vprightly in this case, it is necessary to deuide equally our treasure to euery man his portion, accordyng to the vse of the warres, the deuision beyng made, then firste and principally lette vs deduct the Kings fifte parte. And for the better performance therof, I doe name and appoynt Alounso de Auila Treasurer for the King, and also I doe elect Gonsalo Mexia Treasurer of the armie.

All the newe Magistrates ratified his sayings, and allowed his discretion and wisedome, praysing the election of the newe officers as men moste méete for suche an office, and besought them to accept theyr charge.

This diligence done, he commaunded to bring foorth into the markette place all the goodes and treasure which they had gotten, as well cloth of Cotten, Feathers, Golde, and Plate, whiche mought amount vnto in valew the summe of .27000. Ducates: The same he caused to be delyuered vnto the newe elected treasorers by account, requestyng the whole counsell of the Cittie that they shoulde make deuision thereof. The counsellours and communaltie replyed, saying: Sir here is nothing to deuide, for deductyng the fifte parte whiche appertayneth to the King, all the reste shall be to make payment for the furniture whiche you prepared for this voyage, and you beyng satisfied, then the shippes, munition and furniture shall serue in common for vs all, beséeching him with one assent to take all the treasure, and to sende vnto the kings maiestie his portion or fifte parte, euen as shoulde séeme most conuenient vnto him.

Liberalitie of Cortez

Cortes replied and sayde, that time hereafter shoulde serue to pay him according to their gentle offer: But for this present time my louyng felowes (quoth he) I will receyue no more than the share or portion that appertayneth vnto my office of generall Captayne, and all the residue shal be for the Gentlemen of my company, wherewith yée may beginne to make payment of your debtes, whiche ye ought when ye made your prouision to come with me on this voyage.

And where I haue appoynted certayne things to send to the King, of more value than his fifte parte, it mighte please them, for as muche as they were suche things as coulde not be well deuided, and likewyse the firste fruite of that Conquest, fréely to giue him libertie to vse his discretion in that onely poynt. They al in generall graunted to his request, wherevpon he tooke out of the stocke, these things followyng.

Inuentary

Firste the twoo whéeles of Golde and siluer, whiche Heudilli

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