Part 6
Nowe _Cortez_ béeyng assured of hys true Interpreters, hée celebrated hys accustomed deuine seruice, and _Teudilli_ wyth hym, and after they hadde dyned in _Cortez_ hys Tente in presence of many _Spanyardes_ and _Indians_, _Cortez_ enformed _Teudilli_ howe that hée was vassall to the Lord _Charles_ of _Austria_ Emperour of the Christiäs, and King of _Spayne_, and Lorde ouer a greate parte of the worlde, whome great Kings and Princes dyd serue and obey: and that all Princes were glad to bée hys friendes for his Vertue and myghte. And hée hauyng aduertisemente of that Countrey and Lorde thereof, had sente him thyther to visite hym on hys behalfe, and to enforme hym of certayne secrete matters, the effecte whereof he hadde in wrytyng. Sir (quoth _Teudilli_,) I am very glad to heare the Maiestie and Vertue of the Emperoure youre maister, but you shall vnderstande, that my Lorde the Emperoure _Melzuma_ is as greate and as good a Prince as he. And I doe muche maruell, that there shoulde bée anye so greate a Prince in the whole worlde, but yet according to youre request, I wyll certifye hym, and knowe hys pleasure, for I trust (quoth he) in the clemencie of my Prince, that youre newes and message shall bée acceptable vnto him, and you well recompensed for your paynes. _Cortez_ then commaunded al his men to set themselues in order of battayle with fife and drumme, and to skirmishe before _Teudilli_. And that the horsemen shoulde runne, and the ordinaunce shotte of, to the entent that _Mutezuma_ shoulde be aduertised thereof. The _Indians_ did much beholde the gesture, apparell and beardes of our men, they wondered to sée the horses runne, they feared the brightnesse of the swordes, and at the noyse of the ordinaunce they fell flatte to the ground, thinking that the heauens did fall. And the shippes, they held opinion was the God of the ayre called _Quezalcoualt_, whiche came with the temples on his backe, for they dayly looked for him. _Teudilli_ dispatched the poste to _Mexico_, to _Mutezuma_, aduising him of all that he had séene, and demaunded golde of him for to giue vnto the Captayne of that newe people. Bicause _Cortez_ had inquired of him, whether _Mutezuma_ had gold or no, he answered (yes) mary quoth _Cortez_, I and my fellowes haue a certayne disease of the harte, and golde helpeth vs. This message wente from the campe to _Mexico_ in one day and a night, whiche is 210. myle, and the poste caried paynted the horses and horsemen vpon them, the maner of theyr armour, and howe many péeces of ordinaunce they had, & what number of bearded men there were: and as for the shippes he had giuë aduise as soone as they arriued, shewing the greatnesse and quantitie of them. All these things aforesayde, _Teudilli_ caused to be paynted in cloth of Cotten very liuely, that _Mutezuma_ mought sée it. The cause that this message wente so farre in so shorte a space, was, they had certayne places that postes attended, as we may say horsepostes which gaue alwayes from hand to hande the paynted cloth: they doe runne on foote faster in this sorte, than by horsepost, and is more of antiquitie than horsepost: Also _Teudilli_ sent to _Mutezuma_ the garments & many other things whiche _Cortez_ had giuen him, whiche things were after wardes founde in the treasorie of _Mutezuma_.
The present and ansvvere that _Mutezuma sente vnto Cortez_.
[Sidenote: The excuse of Mutezuma.]
After the message sente, and the answere promised, _Teudilli_ tooke his leaue, and within twoo flight shoote of _Cortez_ his campe, he caused a thousande cotages of boughes to be made, & lefte there twoo principall men as Captaynes ouer two thousande persons men and women, and then departed for _Cotosta_ hys dwellyng place. The twoo Captaynes had charge to prouide the Christians of all things necessarie, and the women serued to grynde their corne and make bread of _Maiz_, and to dresse theyr fishe and flesh and other victuals, and the men serued to carrie the dressed meate to the Christians cäpe, and wood, water, & grasse for the horses and al other necessaries, and this they passed eight dayes. In this meane season returned the poste with a riche and gentle present, whiche was many couerlets and clothes of cotton, white, and of other colours wrought, many tuffes of feathers very fayre, and some things wrought with golde and fethers, quantitie of Iewels and péeces of golde and siluer, twoo thinne whéeles, the one of siluer whiche wayde .25. markes with the signe of the Moone, and the other whéele of golde which wayed a hundreth markes, made like vnto the Sunne, with many leaues and beasts, a very curious péece of worke: these twoo things they helde for Gods in that countrey, & giueth thë the colours of the metall that is likest thë, euery whéele was two yardes & a half broade, and so proportionally in compasse round aboute, this present was estéemed at 20900. Ducates. This present shold haue bene giuen to _Grijalua_, if he had not so soone departed as the _Indians_ reported. He also gaue vnto _Cortez_ this answere, that _Mutezumas_ his Lorde was very gladde to know, & to be friend to suche a mighty Prince as the king of Spayne was, and that in his time should arriue in his countrey such new people, & the like neuer séene before, & that he was readie to shew them al pleasure & honour, requesting him to sée what things he stoode in néede of for y^e time that he meant to abide there, as well for himselfe as for his ships, army and deceasse, and it should be prouided abundantly: yea & also if he could finde any thing in that countrey to his contentment, to present to the Emperour of Christians, he would willingly prouide it. And as touching the desire that _Cortez_ had to come to visite & to haue cömunication with him, he thought it vnpossible, bycause that he was sickly and could not come vnto the sea coast, and likewise for _Cortez_ to come where he did abide, it was harde, troublesome and difficill, as well for the many and cragged mountaynes, as also the countrey, wilde, desert & without habitation, and shoulde be constrayned to suffer hunger, thirst, and other necessitie: and moreouer the enhabitaunts of much part of the way that he should passe, were his enimies, both cruell & cursed people, and knowing thë to be his friendes, they should not escape with life.
All these excuses did _Mutezuma_ by the mouth of _Teudilli_ declare vnto _Cortez_, thinkyng to driue him frö his purpose & pretëded iourney, alleaging the foresayd difficulties and perils, the _Indians_ did also hope that with some cötrary weather they should be forced to leaue that coast & coütrey. Notwithstäding this cötradiction, so much the more desire had _Cortez_ to visite _Mutezuma_, who was so great a prince in that parties, & throughly to discouer the treasure which he imagined to be there. And hauing receiued y^e present, & also y^e answer, he gaue vnto _Teudilli_ a garmët of his owne wearyng, and many other trifles of his Haberdash, to be sente vnto _Mutezuma_, saying that if it were for no other purpose but onely to sée so mightie and vertuous a Prince, it should be requisite and iuste to trauayle vnto his Court, how much the more, he was of duetie cöstrayned to doe the Embassage which the Emperour of Christians had willed and commaunded him to doe, for otherwyse he shoulde incurre the displeasure of the King his mayster, wherefore he besought _Teudilli_ yet once agayne to aduertise _Mutezuma_ of his constant determination, bycause hée shoulde vnderstande that he would not leaue off hys pretended purpose for any inconuenience that was obiected vnto him. Alleagying moreouer, that he who had cömen 2000. leagues by sea, mought well goe 70. leagues by lande, and consideryng that he had many at his charge with small prouision, and likewise his shippes in daunger, he required that with all expedition the messengers should be dispatched. _Teudilli_ desired him to recreate himself, & not to take any grief, for as much as he himself did dayly aduertise _Mutezuma_ of his procéedings, euen so with all expedition the full resolution should come from _Mexico_, although it were somewhat farre off. And as for his victuals, he shoulde take no care, for abundantly he should be prouided. And also desired him for so much as he was not well placed among those sandy bankes, that it might please him to goe with him to certayne townes aboute sixe or seuen leagues frö thence. _Cortez_ refused that offer, wherevpon _Teudilli_ departed, and he abode there ten dayes looking for answere from _Mutezuma_.
Hovv Cortez knevv of discorde and _dissention to be in the Countrey_.
In this meane season certayne _Indians_ were espied, that went lurkyng a farre of among the sandy hilles. And those came not neare the _Indians_, that serued the Spaniarde, _Cortez_ demaunded what people they were, & for what cause they went lurkyng so farre off, and came no néerer vnto them.
The twoo Captaynes answered, that they were husbandmen, that went aboute theyr husbandry. _Cortez_ lyked not theyr answere, but suspected that they had tolde hym a lye: for it séemed vnto hym that those people desired to come among the Christians, and that they durste not with feare of the _Indians_ of _Teudilli_, and so it was in very déede. For all that coaste and mayne lande within, as farre as _Mexico_, was full of the newes and straunge things that our men had done in _Potonchan_. Wherefore they all desired to sée them and to talke with them, but they durste not for feare of the _Indians_ of _Culhua_, who are subiectes vnto _Mutezuma_, wherevpon _Cortez_ sente fiue Spaniardes to call them with signes and tokens of peace. This company of _Indians_ were in number twentie, and were gladde to beholde those fiue men commyng towardes them, and were desirous to sée suche straunge people and shippes, wherefore they came willingly altogither vnto _Cortez_ his Tente.
[Sidenote: The Indiäs attyre.]
These _Indians_ dyd differ muche from all the other _Indians_ yet séene, for they were hygher of person, and had the grystels of theyr noses slitte, hangyng ouer their mouths, and rings of Iette and Amber hanging thereat. They had also theyr neither lippes bored, and in the holes rings of golde and turky stones, whiche wayed so muche, that their lippes hanged downe ouer theyr chinnes, and their téeth remayned bare: The whiche custome although they vsed for a brauery, it séemed a foule and vgly sighte in the Spanyardes eyes, and very lothsome.
The other _Indians_ of _Mutezuma_, had theyr lippes and eares bored, with rounde stones hangyng at the iagges thereof, yet they had not suche foule slittes in their noses, but they had suche bored holes that a manne myght put any finger of his hande through them, with rings of golde and stone hanging thereat, the euill fauoured sighte of their faces made our men to muse.
_Cortez_ communed with them by hys interpreter _Marina_, to knowe from whence they were, they answered, that they were dwellers in _Zempoallan_, a Cittie distant from thence one dayes iourney, situated vpon a riuer side, and bordered vpon the Countrey of _Mutezumazin_, and that their _Cazique_ or Lorde had sente them, to sée what Goddes were comen in those _Teucallis_, that is to say, Temple, saying, also that they durste not come sooner, not knowyng what people they were.
_Cortez_ made muche of them and shewed a chéerefull countenaunce vnto them, for they séemed very bestiall, he declared vnto them that he was gladde of theyr commyng, and to knowe the good will that theyr Lorde bare vnto him, and gaue them Haberdashe toyes, and shewed them the Horses and Armour, a straunge sighte for them. And so they wente through the army lookyng and gasing here and there as menne amazed. And in all the tyme they abode there, they vsed no conuersation with the other _Indians_. _Cortez_ enquired of _Maryna_ the cause thereof, and shée sayde that those menne did not onely speake an other languague, but also did appertayne to another Lorde, who was not vassall to _Mutezuma_, but by force and extortion.
_Cortez_ was very gladde of that newes, for hée coniectured by the talke of _Teudilli_ that _Mutezuma_ had warres and enimies, wherevppon hée tooke aside thrée of those _Indians_ whiche séemed moste wysest, and demaunded of them by _Maryna_ what Lordes there were in that Countrey: they answered that _Mutezuma_ was Lorde ouer all, although in euery Cittie and Prouince was a Lorde, yet neuerthelesse all in generall dyd paye tribute and serue him as vassals, nay rather lyke slaues. But yet many of them of late dayes did reknowledge hym by force of armes, and payde vnto him suche tolle and tribute that they were not accustomed to pay, of whiche number their Lorde of _Zempoallan_ was one of them, and other his neyghbours, who many tymes helde him warre to be frée from his tiranny and bondage, but yet sayde they, it preuayled not, for his hoste was greate and his warriers valiant.
_Cortez_ receyued greate pleasure to finde in that countrey dissention and discorde among some Noble menne, and at deuision among themselues, thynking thereby the better to bryng his purpose to passe. He gaue thanks vnto those _Indians_ for their aduise, offeryng vnto them his fauour, helpe and friendshippe, praying them to come often to his campe, and so tooke his leaue of them, with his commendations to their Lorde, and sente him certayne presents, with aduertisement, that shortly he would come and sée him, yea and also serue him.
Hovv Cortez vvent to suruey the _Countrey with foure hundreth men_.
At the ende of tenne dayes came _Teudilli_ backe againe, and brought certaine cloth of Cotten, and other things made of feathers well wrought for recompence of the thyng sente vnto _Mexico_, and warned _Cortez_ to departe, for at that tyme there was no remedie to sée _Mutezuma_, and to looke what was necessary for his prouision and furniture, and it shoulde be prouided, offeryng the same seruice at any time that hée shoulde happen to come that way. _Cortez_ would not accept the offer, saying: That he would not departe from that countrey, vntill he had bothe séene and talked with _Mutezuma_. The gouernour _Teudilli_ yet agayne replied, that he shoulde not contende therein, and with those wordes departed from hym. The nexte night followyng he with all those _Indians_ as well men as women whiche attended to serue and prouide the Spanishe campe, wente from thence: so that in the mornyng all the cotages were emptie, where those seruitors had bene.
_Cortez_ suspecting this alteratiö prouided himselfe with preparation for battayle, & finding the matter contrary to his expectation, he deliberated to séeke a sure roade or harbor for his nauie, & also a good plotte or situation to buylde vpon, for then he fully meant to obtayne perpetuitie & to conquere the lande, considering y^t he had found such great tokens of gold, plate, & other riches, & thereaboute within a whole league cöpasse was no fit place for y^e purpose: for why? all was sandy ground, & such as tossed too & fro with the winde, with other morish groüd not méete for habitation. In consideration wherof he sent _Francisco de Monteio_, with two vergantines, and fiftie men, to runne along the coast, vntill they should finde some reasonable poart and good scituation to build vpon.
_Monteio_ procéeded on his voyage, and sayled in sighte of lande, vntill he came to _Panuco_, withoute finding anye port or harbor, sauing the shadowe of a Rocke, whyche stoode somewhat distant from the land a sea boord, so that at thrée wéekes ende he returned backe agayne with the foresayde newes. Hauing runne so little a way, he fell into suche terrible currants, that although he made waye wyth oares and sayles, yet the sayde Currant forced hym backe agayne. Also he broughte newes, that the _Indians_ of that coast did let themselues bloud, offering the same vnto them vpon little strawes, in token of friendship or deitie.
The relation of _Monteio_ contented not _Cortez_, yet notwithstandyng he pretended to goe to the shade or succoure of the Rocke, bycause hée was enformed, that néere that place, was two fayre Riuers, wyth store of wooddes, necessarye for tymber and fyre woodde, greate quantitie of stones to builde with, fayre pastures, and ground for tyllage, although the harbour was not sufficiente for hys Nauie and contratation, bycause that roade was without defence, and open vppon the Northe, which is the winde that most ruleth with greatest hurte vpon that coast.
And also considering that _Teudilli_ and hys menne were departed, fearing also the want of victuals, and likewise, that hys Shyppes myghte perishe vppon the shore, he commaunded to lade aboorde all theyr stuffe, and hée wyth foure hundred menne, and all his Horses, followed on the hygh way that the _Indians_ hadde gone.
After hée hadde iourneyed thrée leagues, hée came to a fayre vadeable Riuer, and passing ouer the Riuer, hée found a towne not inhabited, for the inhabitantes thereof were fledde with feare: he entred into a great house, which séemed the place of the Lorde of the Towne, built with timber and earthen walles, the foundation whereof was raysed with handie worke, about a fadome high: the roofe was couered with strawe, but of a fayre & strange workemanshippe inwardes, with many greate pertitions, some full of pottes of honey, and Maiz, with other grayne whiche they kéepe in store all the yeare: other roomes had cloth of Cotten wool, wrought with feathers, golde and siluer.
_Cortez_ commaunded Proclamation to be made, that none of his company shoulde take any thyng away, vppon payne of deathe (onely victuals excepted) to the intente to obtayne the good will and friendship among the _Indians_.
There was in that Village a Temple, whiche hadde a little Tower with a Chappell on the toppe, and twentie steppes to come vnto the Chappell, where they found some Idolles, and many bloudy papers, and much mans bloud of those which hadde bin sacrificed, as _Marina_ dyd certifie.
They found also the blocke wherevppon they vsed to cutte open the menne sacrificed, and the razors made of Flint, wherewyth they opened their breastes, and plucked out their heartes béeyng aliue, throwing them vppe toward Heauen as an offering, and after this done, they annoynted their Idolles, and the papers they offered, and then burned them.
This sight put a great compassion, yea and a feare among our _Spanyards_, who did beholde these things. From this Village they went to other thrée or foure, and found none aboue two hundred houses, and all without people, yet well prouided with victuall, as the firste towne was. _Cortez_ returned from thence to discharge his Shippes, and to take order to sende for moe men: and with desire to beginne habitation, in these affaires he occupyed hymselfe tenne dayes.
Hovv Cortez rendred vp his charge _and office with pollicie_.
VVhen _Cortes_ was come where his Ships were, and the residue of his company, hée began this talke, saying:
Now my louing friends and fellowes, ye doe sée what greate mercy God hathe shewed vnto vs, in bringing vs safe and in health to so good and riche a Countrey, as by manifest signes and tokens we haue alreadye séene, yea and howe plentifull of meate, inhabited of people, better clothed, and of more iudgement and reason, than the others whiche ye haue séene, since your firste comming: also better buildings, fieldes of grayne and corne: yea and it is to be thought, that the things not yet séene, doe surmount all that hithervnto ye haue playnely séene. Wherefore wée ought to giue most hartie thankes vnto God, and to beginne oure habitation héere, whereas we shall enioy the grace and mercy of God. And to bryng this matter to passe, me thinke best that we abide héere, vntill we may finde a better port or scituation. Also that we make a wall or Castell for oure defence, if néede shoulde happen, for the people of this land hath little ioy of our comming and abiding héere.
It was then considered that frö that place they might the sooner haue friendshippe and contractation with the _Indians_ and Townes nexte adioyning, as _Zempoallan_, and others whyche were enimies to _Mutezuma_, and béeyng in this order once placed, they myghte discharge their Shyppes, and sende them incontinent to _Cuba_, _Santo Domingo_, _Iamayca_, _Borriquen_, and other Ilandes, or else to _Spayne_ for more men, armour and Horsses, and for clothing and victuals.
[Sidenote: Policie.]
Moreouer, it was thought iust and méete, to sende relation of all their procéedings to the Emperoure theyr King and maister, with the demonstration of golde, syluer, and other riches, which they had in their power.
And bycause all these things should be done in good order, _Cortez_ determined as Captayne generall, to appoint a Counsell, Aldermen, and Iudges.
And also ordeyne all other offices that shoulde be necessary and néedefull to rule and gouerne a Citie, whych he then pretended to edifie and erecte, the whiche Magistrates should fully commaund, vntill such time that the Emperour should otherwise prouide in matters conuenient for his seruice.
[Sidenote: A good subiecte.]
After this diligence put in vre, he solemnely tooke possession of all y^e land, in the name of the Emperour _Charles_ King of _Castill_, with all the actes and ceremonies, as to such a matter apperteyned. And demaunded of _Francisco Fernandez_ notarie appoynted, that he shoulde gyue vnto him by testimonie in writing, all the actes done therein. All his company aunswered, that they did very well allowe hys procéedings and praysed, and also approued hys determination, besieching hym to procéede accordingly, sithence they were come to serue and obey hym. Then _Cortez_ named Iudges, Aldermen, Attorney, Serieant, Notary, and Towneclearke, and all other officers apperteyning to the good gouernement of a Citie, in the name and behalfe of the Emperoure hys naturall Lord, and delyuered incontinent to the Iudges white roddes to beare in their handes in token of Iustice, and named the newe Citie to be builte, The ryche Towne _De la vera Crux_, bycause that one goodfriday they had entred into that land. After these things finished, _Cortez_ began before y^e saide Notary, another act in presence of the iudges, who were _Alounso Fernandez Portocarero_, and _Fräcisco de Monteio_, in whose handes he made cession, and dyd desyst from all rule and offices whiche heretofore he had receiued, which was his gouernership, captaineship and general discouerer, receiued in the Chauncerie of _Santo Domingo_, at the handes of the presidentes, who were there chiefe of the kings counsell, and presidents, likewise he protested not to vse the power and auctority of the gouernour of _Cuba_, Admirall of _India_, for so much y^t now none of them had any rule or gouernement in that Countrey which he and his fellowes had newely discouered, and begun to enhabite in the name of the king of Castil, as his naturall subiectes. The which auctoritie he likewise required to be set downe in recorde, and to haue a copie of the same.
Hovv the soudiours chose Cortez _for Captaine generall, and chiefe ruler in Iustice_.