Part 7

Al the newe officers toke possession and charge of their offices, and entred into the towne house to counsel according to the vse and custome of Castill. In the which congregation or counsel then holden, many matters were had in question as touching the good gouernemente of the common weale. And among many other things, they al agréed to electe _Hernando Cortez_ for captaine generall and chiefe Iustice, and to giue vnto him full power and authority for all matters appertayning to the wars and conquest, vntill such time as the Emperour should otherwise prouide: with this determination the next day following al the Aldermen, Iudges, and Counsellers, went vnto _Cortez_, and sayde vnto him: Sir we haue greate neede of a guide and captaine for the warres to procéede vppon the conquest of this countrey, wherfore vntil such time as y^e Emperour shall prouide therein, they all besought hym to accepte that office and charge, approuing him a man most fit for the same, both to rule and gouerne, for y^e great experience that they had séene of his courage, wisdome, and pollicie, and by Vertue of their offices, did cömaund him to accept the same, saying, that in so doing, God and the king shoulde bee faithfully serued. And they woulde thankfully gratify the same, knowing that at his hands they should be ruled with iustice, vsed with humility, & be preserued with diligence and strength. And for that purpose, they had chosen him for that office, giuing vnto him their ful & whole authority, submitting thëselues vnder his hands, iurisdiction & defence. _Cortez_ accepted y^e charge at smal entreating, for he desired nothing so much.

[Sidenote: Liberality.]

And being in this sort elected general, the counsel said vnto him. Sir you do wel vnderstäd, that vntil such time as we shal bee better planted in this countrey, we haue not wherwith to maintaine our selues but only w^t suche things as are abord our shippes. Therfore it may please you to commaund it to be brought ashore, and that you take therof what shal seme good vnto you, for your houshold and familie, and the residue may be taxed at a reasonable price, and so to be deuided among them: & for payment they wold al binde thëselues, or else y^t presently it should be deducted out of the stocke, after that the kings fift parte were subtracted. Likewise they desired him to value his ships and artillery, bycause they would make like payment for the same, and that frö thence forwards the ships should serue in common, for to passe to the Iläds for bread, wine, clothes, weapons, horses, and other things which should be néedeful for the new towne and army, for therby they mought be better cheape prouided than if merchants should prouide them, consideryng alway they seke for excessiue gaine, saying that if it would please hym to accepte thys offer and request, they would thankfully requite the same. _Cortez_ aunswered, that at y^e time he made his preperation and furniture in _Cuba_, he ment not to sel his prouision as others vsed to do, but he would and did frankely giue it vnto them, although hee had spent his goods and indetted himselfe therin. And incontinent he commaunded the maisters of the ships and pursers, to bring a läd al their victual to the town house, requiring the Aldermen to deuide it equally, to euerye man his part, without making any difference of him or of any other, for (quoth he) in time of neede of victuals y^e yongest hath as muche allowaunce as the eldest. And although I am indetted and do owe more than seauen M. Duckets, I giue this victuall al franckly vnto you. And as cöcerning the ships, I wil do y^t which shal be most cöueniët for you al. And (quoth he) I wil determin nothing to be done with thë, but wil first giue you aduertisemët of the same.

Al this did _Cortez_ for to get their loue and fauour, bycause there were many that loued hym not, althoughe in very trouth he was of his own nature liberal and large in experiences with al his souldiers in the warres.

The receiuing of Cortez into _Zempoallan_.

For as much as the situation there was not conuenient to place the newe worke, they determined to go from thence, to _Aguiahuiztlan_, which standeth nere the shadowe of the rocke that _Monteio_ had informed them of, wherevppon _Cortez_ commaunded the shippes to depart, for that place. And he with his foure hundred men and horses would goe by land, and there mete thë, which may be about ten leagues iorney. In this order the fléete departed, and likewise _Cortez_ with his company toward _Zempoallan_ which stoode directly weastward. And after he had iourneyed three leagues he came to the riuer which deuided the Lordshippe of _Mutezuma_ and _Zempoallan_, & coulde finde no passage, wherefore he was forced to returne to the seaside, where with muche adoe they passed ouer, and so trauayled on that side of the riuer, & found cotages of fishermen and other poore houses, and some sowen ground, and procéeding on their iorney at length they came into very faire valleys, wher was great store of deare, and stil they went along the riuer side, hoping to finde some good towne, and in short space, they espied neare twenty persons vppon the toppe of a hill, _Cortez_ commaunded foure of his horsemen to fetch them vnto him, willing thë to make signes of peace vnto them, but if they flie (quoth he) then follow them, vntill you ouertake them, for they shall stand vs in steade, as wel to lead vs the way as to serue vs for enterpreters.

[Sidenote: Simplicitie.]

The horsemen tooke on theyr way, and when they came to the hill toppe, they made signes of peace vnto them, but the poore and fearefull _Indians_ fledde with spéede, yea being amased and in great feare to beholde suche a monsterous thyng as a horseman, beleuyng assuredly, that horse and man was one thing incorporate, but in theyr flight they were soone ouertaken, and they yéelded themselues, and so were all brought vnto _Cortez_.

These men had in their eares and noses bored holes, with rings of golde hangyng thereat, for so was the vse of _Zempoallan_: they enformed _Cortez_ that the Cittie was neare at hande. _Cortez_ demaunded the cause of their comyng thither, they answered to behold and sée so straunge a sight, but why fledde you then (quoth he?) for feare only sir sayde they, of people which we knew not. Then _Cortez_ willed them to put all feare aside, and tolde them that he with his small company woulde goe vnto their Cittie to visite their Lorde, and to be acquaynted with him: the _Indians_ sayde, that the day was farre spent, and that it was late to goe that night to _Zempoallan_, but if it pleased hym they would conduct him to a village whiche stoode on the otherside of the Riuer and within sight, and although it were but a small village, yet there was reasonable lodging with meate sufficiente for his armie: their counsell séemed well, so they wente to that village, and when they were comen thither, the _Indians_ craued license to goe & to aduertise their Lorde how the straungers abode in that place, promising to returne the nexte day with answere. Some of the _Indians_ had licence to do the message, the others abode there, attendyng and prouiding for the newe gestes, & in this order they were al lodged and their supper abundantly prouided. That night _Cortez_ fortified himselfe as strong as mought be, and the nexte morning came a hundreth men laden with Hennes, saying that their Lord much reioyced of their comming, and bicause he was so grosse and vnwealdie, he came not personallye vnto him, but yet notwithstanding he aboade in the cittie expecting his comming. _Cortez_ friendly welcomed them, and with that presente, he and his company brake their faste, and then proceeded with his guides in good order with two fauconets in readinesse, if néede should happen: and from that passage of the riuer they had a faire way vntil they came to another riuer, which being likewise waded ouer, they discried _Zempoallan_, whiche stoode a myle distant from them, all beset wyth fayre Orchardes and Gardens, verye pleasaunte to beholde: they vsed alwayes to water them with sluses when they pleased.

There procéeded out of the Towne many persons, to behold and receyue so strange a people vnto them. They came with smiling countenance, and presented vnto thë diuers kinde of Floures, and sundry fruites, which none of our menne had héeretofore séene. These people came without feare among the Ordinance, with this pompe, triumph and ioy they were receiued into the Citie, which séemed a beautifull Garden: for the trées were so gréene and high, that scarsely the houses appeared.

[Sidenote: Mens folly vvith a great lyr.]

At the Citie gate stoode many graue persons of nobilitie, as Magistrates of the Citie, who solemnely welcomed the Strangers. Sixe Horsemen, which hadde gone before the army to discouer, returned backe as _Cortez_ was entring into the Citie, saying, that they had séene a great house and Court, and that the walles were garnished with siluer. _Cortez_ commaunded them to procéede on, willing them not to shew any token of wonder of any thing that they should sée. All the stréetes were replenished with people, whiche stoode gaping and wondering at the horses and straügers. And passing through a great market place, they saw on their right hande, a great walled house made of lyme and stone, with loupe holes and towers, whited with playster that shined lyke siluer, being so well burnished and the sunne glistering vpon it. And that was the thing that the Spaniards thought had bene walles of siluer. I doe beléeue that with the imagination and great desire whiche they had of golde and siluer, all that shined they déemed to be the same mettall.

[Sidenote: A vigilant Captayne.]

Within this great house was a long rew of lodgings, and on the other side sixe or seuen Towers one higher than another. They procéeded on, dissimulyng the errour of the siluer walles, and followed their guide vntill suche time as they came to the Lordes lodging, who came forth accompanied with many auncient persons, and better attired than the other Citizens were, with twoo Gentlemen that ledde him by the armes. They saluted eche other according to the vse of their countreys, and then entred into the pallayce, where certayne principall men conducted _Cortes_ and all his trayne to their lodgyng, and Captayne _Cortes_ was lodged in the house whiche had the glisteryng walles, situated in the markette place, whiche house was sufficient for him and all his company. And when they were placed, and behelde the walles, they were ashamed of their owne folly: for where they thought those walles had bene adorned with siluer, they founde them cleane contrary. _Cortes_ deuided his men, caused his horses to be trimmed, and planted his ordinaunce at his dore, making himselfe as strong as though he had bene in campe and néere his enimies. And commaunded, that none of his men shoulde goe out of the house without his expresse licence vpö payne of death. The officers of the Lorde prepared a plenteous supper for them, and beddyng according to their vse.

The talke that the Lorde of Zempoallan _had with Cortez_.

The nexte day in the mornyng came the Lorde, to visite _Cortez_ with an honorable company, and presented vnto him many garmëts wrought of Cottë wolle, according to their fashion, with a knot on the shoulder like vnto the Egiptian garments, and certaine iewels of golde that might be worth two thousande Ducates, besechyng both him and his cöpany to recreate themselues and take their reste, and at that present he meante not to trouble him with any matters: And so tooke his leaue for that time as he had done the day before, willing him to demaunde and call for any thing that he should néede. _Cortez_ gaue him hartie thäks, and so departed.

Then came moe _Indians_ in number than there were Spaniardes, with their courses & seruice of meate ready dressed, and many boughes of daintie fruits. In this sorte they were feasted & bäketed fiftene daies most plëtuously. The next day folowyng, _Cortez_ sent vnto the Spaniardes certaine olde garments of the Spanishe fashion, and many other trifles, besechyng him to appoynt a day of conference at his owne pallayce: worde was sent agayne that he was ready and very well contented. Wherevpon _Cortez_ tooke with him fiftie of his men all armed, and left the residue at his lodgyng in a good readinesse, and appoynted an vnder Captayne to gouerne them. The Lorde hearing of his comming, came out of his Courte into the streate to receyue him. And hande in hand they entred togither into a lowe hall, whiche they vse for the extremitie of heate in that countrey, the plotte that they buylde vpon is raysed a fadome from the grounde, so that they ascende vpon steppes, and the walles plaistered with very white lime, their tile is eyther of straw or leaues of trées, very beautifull and straungely wrought, and a good defence against the rayne. The Lorde and _Cortes_ satte them downe vpon thrée footed stooles made all of one péece, the Lorde commaunded his seruitours to stand aside, and by their interpreters they began to commune of their affayres a great space, in demaundes and answeres, bicause _Cortes_ desired to be well instructed of the affayres of that countrey, and lykewise of that mightie kyng of _Mutezuma_.

This _Cacike_ or Lord although he were huge and laden with fleshe, yet in his demaundes and questions séemed very wise. The summe of all _Cortes_ his talke was to shewe the cause of his comming thither, and who had sente him, euen as he had done in _Tauasco_ to _Teudilli_ and others.

This _Cacike_ after he had heard _Cortes_ attentiuely, he began a long communication, makyng his complaynt and opening his griefe in this sorte.

[Sidenote: The Indiäs complaynt.]

[Sidenote: Vnder colour of holinesse.]

Mightie Sir, my Antecessors liued a long tyme in great peace, libertie and quietnesse, but of late yéeres my countrey and Cittie was destroyed by tiranny, bycause the Lordes of _Mexico Tenuchtitlan_ with their men of _Culhua_ did not only vsurpe my Citie, but also my lands by force of armes, in suche sorte that my power coulde not resiste them. And in the beginnyng those Princes beganne theyr vsurpation by way and colour of religion and holinesse, and afterwardes with force of armes, and with this title became Lordes ouer vs.

And nowe we seyng our errour, haue thought it to late to preuayle agaynst them to take away our yoke of seruitude and bondage, although we haue attempted it. And as often as we haue so done, still the victorie was theyrs, and the ouerthrowe ours. Nowe all suche as doe submitte themselues vnto them, are taxed with certayne tributes, and reknowlegyng them for Lordes, are defended by them, and estéemed as friendes. But if after such submission made, any chaunce to speake agaynst them, or rebell, then they are terribly corrected, yea murdered, and after Sacrifice made to the Goddes of warre, called _Tezcatlipuca_ and _Vitzilopuchtli_ of theyr carkasses, then is theyr fleshe eaten in banquet, and those who remayne alyue, doe serue for slaues, yea and the Fathers, Mothers and Children, are compelled to labour and toyle from the Sunne rising to the Sunne settyng, with confiscation of all their goodes and landes. And besides all this crueltie and vituperie, they sende theyr officers and Serieantes to execute the premisses, who without eyther pittie or mercie many tymes suffereth them to sterue with hunger. And beyng thus cruelly punished of _Mutezuma_, who nowe raigneth in _Mexico_, who woulde not suffer to bée Vassall willingly to so good a Prince as you enformed me of the Emperour, although it were but onely to bée frée from suche vexation and robbery whiche suche a mighty King coulde doe. And with these wordes the teares gusshed out of his eyes, and pawsing a whyle, he beganne to extoll the strength, magnificence and situation of _Mexico_ planted in a greate lake of water: also he exalted the riches, courte, Maiestie and mightie power of _Mutezuma_. Hée sayde also howe _Tlaxcallan_, _Huexocinco_ and other prouinces thereaboute, as also the people called _Totonaquez_ of the Mountaynes were of contrary opinion to the _Mexicans_, yea enimies vnto them, who had intelligence what had happened in _Tauasco_, Yea sir (quoth hée) if it please you, I will treate suche a compact with this people that _Mutezuma_ with al his power shall not preuayle agaynst vs.

_Cortes_ reioyced in harte to heare this newes, and sayde vnto him. It grieueth mée to heare of the euill vsage of _Mutezuma_ towarde his countrey and subiectes. But I assure you with Gods helpe I will deliuer you, yea and reuenge all your iniuries, for my commyng hither is to take away all euill customes, and to helpe the oppressed, to fauour the prysoner, and comforte the afflicted, and chiefly to abolishe tyrannie. And for the good entertaynement that I haue receyued at your handes, I doe remayne yours to doe you any pleasure, and to defende you agaynst your enimies, and the lyke will I doe for your friendes, wherefore I pray you aduertise them thereof as many as are of our confederacie.

_Cortes_ then tooke hys leaue, saying that he had bene many dayes there, and that he had greate néede to goe visite his shippes and menne, who muche desired his returne, and abode in _Aquiahuiztlan_, where hée meante to soiourne for a certayne season, and from thence dayly they mighte conferre of their affayres. The Lorde of _Zempoallan_ sayde, that if it pleased hym to abyde with him hée woulde gladly accept it, and if his businesse were suche that he might not, that then he besought him to remember him.

[Sidenote: An other gifte.]

Then the Lorde commaunded eyght maydens to be called, who were very well apparelled after theyr maner, theyr attyre was muche lyke the _Morisca_ fashion, (the one of them was more costely apparelled than the others) and sayde vnto _Cortes_, all these maydens whiche you here sée are Gentlewomen, noble and riche, and this mayden whiche is beste attired, is a Lady of Vassals, and my brothers daughter, I doe presente hyr vnto you (meaning that _Cortes_ shoulde marrie with hyr,) and the others you may bestow vpon the Gentlemen in your company, in a token of perpetuall loue and friendship.

_Cortes_ receyued the presente with thankes, bycause he woulde not offende the giuer thereof. And so departed with their women ridyng behinde them, with many _Indian_ women to wayte vpon them, and many _Indian_ men to beare them company, and to puruey all things necessarie.

Things that happened to Cortez in _Chiauiztlan_.

The same day that they departed frö _Zempoallan_ they came to _Chiauiztlan_, and yet the shippes were not arriued. _Cortes_ marueyled at their long tarying in so shorte a iourney. Ther was a village within shotte of a hargabushe from the rocke called _Chiauiztlan_ standyng vpon a litle hill. _Cortes_ hauing little to do, went thither with his men, and the _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_, who certified _Cortes_ that the village was appertayning to a Lorde oppressed by _Mutezuma_. They came to the foote of the hill, without sighte of any man of the towne, excepte twoo, that _Marina_ vnderstoode not, and going vp the hill, the horsemen to fauour their horses would alight, bicause the ascending was cragged and euill way, _Cortes_ commaunded that they shoulde not alight, bycause the _Indians_ shoulde thinke that there was no place highe nor lowe, but that these horses shoulde and coulde come vnto it. So by litle and litle they came into the towne, and finding no creature there, they feared some deceyte, yet approchyng further, they mette with twelue auncient men, whiche brought with them an interpreter who vnderstoode the language of _Culhua_ and the speache of that place, whiche is the language of the _Totonaquez_, or inhabitauntes of the Mountaynes. These auncient menne declared that the cause of theyr goyng out of the towne, was bycause that they had neuer séene anye such men as the Spaniardes were, nor yet heard that any such had passed that way, wherefore with feare they had fledde from thence. But (quoth they) when the Lord of _Zempoallan_ aduertised vs, how you did hurt no bodye, but rather being a people good and peaceable, then wee were well assured who ye were, when we saw you come toward vs. And wee are nowe comen vnto you on the behalfe of the Lorde, to bring you to your lodging.

_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.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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, w^t certain wäds like cudgels in their häds, which did signify y^t 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 twëty _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 më 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.

[Sidenote: 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_.

[Sidenote: Pollicie.]