Part 8

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 wöder 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 cöpany, 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 foüd 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.

[Sidenote: 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 strög 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 y^e charge committed vnto them.

The confederacy and rebellion _done by the industrie of Cortez_.

VVhen 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.

[Sidenote: 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 consideratiö, they dispatched incötinent their messëgers 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 y^t 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 intët 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.

[Sidenote: 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, y^t _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 thë 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 thë, 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 garrisö 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 y^e swiftnesse of the Horses which stopped theyr way.

[Sidenote: 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.

[Sidenote: 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_ presented vnto him on the behalfe of _Mutezuma_.

A coller of golde of eight péeces, whereat hanged a hüdreth and four score and thrée little Emeraldes, and twoo and thirtie little redde stones, lyke vnto Rubies, of small value: there hanged at the same coller seauen and twentie little belles of Golde, and certayne heads of pearle.

Another coller of foure doubled twiste, with a hundreth and twoo Rubies, and a hundreth and seuentie and twoo Emeraldes, and tenne good pearles well sette, and for border or fringe sixe and twentie belles of golde: both those collers were beautifull to beholde, and had many other fine thyngs wrought in them, than is here declared.

Many graynes of golde of the bignesse of a pease, euen as they were founde.

A Casket of graynes of golde of the same sorte.

A Helmet of woodde champed with golde and besette with stones, and at the beuier fiue and twentie belles of golde, and vpon the toppe a gréene birde, with his eyes, beake, and féete of golde.

A sallet of planches of golde, and belles rounde aboute it, decked with stone.

A bracelet of golde of small weight.

A rodde lyke vnto a roiall Scepter, with twoo rings of golde hangyng thereat, garnished with pearle.

Foure forkes with thrée shepehookes at ech, couered with feathers of sundry colours.

Many payres of shoes made of Déere skinnes, sowed with golde thréede, and in the soales were sette certayne stones of colour white and blewe whiche shyned fayre.

Sixe payre of letherne shoes of diuers colours, garnished with golde, siluer, and pearle.

A Targatte of woodde couered with leather, beset round about with belles of Latton, and the bosse in the midst was planched with gold, and there was engraued vpon the same _Vitsilopucthli_, God of the warres, and also foure heads set crossewise, whiche heades were of a Lion, a Tigre, an Eagle, and an Owle, verye liuely made with feathers.

Many skinnes of beast and foule, curried and dressed in their feathers and in haire.

Foure and twenty targets of gold feathers, and set with pearle both curious and gallant to behold.

Fiue Targets of feathers and siluer.

Foure fishes of gold wel wrought.

Two birdes called Auades, and other birdes of gold.

Certaine Hatchets and a rod of latten.

Diuerse loking glasses garnished with gold.

Many Myters and crownes of gold & feathers wrought of many colours beset with pearle and stone.

Many faire feathers of sundry colours.

Many tuffes of feathers adorned with siluer and gold.

A garment like a coape of cotten, wouen of sundry coulours, and in the middest a blacke whele made of feathers.

Many surplices, vestments, palles, frontals and ornaments of Idols alters and temples.

Many couerlets of cotten of diuerse colours, whyche shewed like vnto vnshorne veluet.

Manye shirtes, Iackettes, headclothes and other naperie.

Many Carpets and hangings of cotten.

Al these things wer more beautiful than rich, although the whéeles were very rich, the workmanshippe of al the rest, was more worth than the thing it selfe. The colours of the cloth of cotten wool was excéeding fine, and the fethers natural.

[Sidenote: Straunge Paper.]

The pounced worke in gold and siluer did excéed our goldsmithes, of whiche things we wil write in an other place. They ioyned with this present certaine _Indian_ bookes of figures which serue to their vse for letters: these bookes are folden like vnto clothes, and written on both sides. Some of these bookes were made of cotten & glewe, and others were made of leaues of a certaine trée called Melt, whyche serue for theyr paper, a thyng straunge to behold.