The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

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1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an… obliging and friendlyterms, requesting of him at the same time to state along which road he intended journeying to Mexico, in order that he might make thenecessary preparations for his reception at the different stages alonghis route. The licentiate, in reply to this letter, returned Cortes the most sincerethanks for his kind wishes, saying he was desirous of staying a fewdays where he was, to rest from the fatigues of the sea voyage. While staying at Medellin, various accusations were brought againstCortes, both by letter and word of mouth, as the latter had manyenemies at Medellin, composed partly of those who had accompaniedhim on the expedition to the Honduras, partly of those who had been previously banished from Panuco; besides which, there were severaldiscontented persons in Mexico, who would gladly have worked outour general's ruin. Here, it was said, Cortes was hastening to bringthe trial of the factor and the veedor to a close, before the licentiateLeon should arrive. The latter had better be upon his guard; forCortes, with his courteous and flattering sentences, only wished to learnfrom him by which road he intended journeying to Mexico, in order to put him to death by some means or other. The same artifice he had employed against Narvaez and Garay. Further, they assured Leon thatCortes had sacrificed the lives of a considerable number of Spanishtroops, and of above 3000 Mexicans, in the expedition to the Honduras;that he had left there Diego de Godoy, one of his officers, with thirtySpaniards, all suffering from ill health; the whole of whom hadsince perished. This we found indeed to be a fact. They then begged of the licentiate Leon to leave all other considerations, to hasten toMexico, and to remember what had befallen Narvaez, Garay, and Tapia, to whom Cortes likewise made every show of respect and affection, but had, some how or other, obliged them to return home again withoutaccomplishing their object. In short, they calumniated our general inevery possible manner, and actually succeeded in persuading Leon thatCortes would not listen to his commission. [Pg 305] The licentiate was accompanied by several cavaliers, among whomwere the alguacil-mayor Proaño of Cordoba and his brother, Salazarde Petraza, who came with the appointment of alcalde of the fortifications of Mexico, but he died shortly after of pleurisy; further, the bachelor or licentiate Marcos de Aguilar, a soldier of the name ofBocanegra of Cordoba, and several monks of the order of the Dominicians, with their provincial father Thomas Ortiz, who had been forseveral years prior of some cloister, but I forgot where; however, everyone was of opinion that he was better suited for business than for a religiouslife. With these personages Leon held a consultation as to whetherhe should proceed immediately to Mexico or not; and they were unanimouslyof opinion that he should repair thither without delay. The licentiate accordingly set out on his journey, and arrived inIztapalapan when Cortes was about to despatch other couriers withletters and refreshments to him. Here, however, he met with a mostsplendid reception, and a sumptuous banquet was prepared for him, at which Andreas de Tapia figured as master of the ceremonies. Ponce de Leon enjoyed himself very much at table, and was perfectly astonishedwhen fresh cream and cheese were also handed to him. He and the cavaliers who accompanied him eat so heartily of these dainties, that several of them were obliged to leave the table, having been seized with sudden pains in their bowels. Although the others felt not the slightesteffects of the cream, father Thomas Ortiz instantly declared it had beenpoisoned, and that he would take good care not to touch it. The othergentlemen, however, who sat at table declared that he had stuffed downas much of it as any of them; but as Tapia had been master of theceremonies on this occasion, the newly-arrived guests declared that allwas not right. Cortes himself was not present at this banquet in Iztapalapan, buthad remained in Mexico, where a rumour was soon spread that he hadimmediately forwarded to Leon a considerable present of gold bars.Whether there was any truth in this I cannot say, though many persons positively asserted there was no truth in it. [Pg 306] https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32475/32475-h/32475-h.htm 202/282
1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an… As Iztapalapan was only eight miles from Mexico, Cortes learnt theexact hour when Leon would arrive in the city; he therefore went outto meet him, accompanied by the whole of the cavalry then at Mexico,and immediately around his person were Sandoval, the treasurer Alonso de Estrada, the accountant Albornoz, Jorge and Gomez de Alvarado, and then followed the whole of the chief authorities of the town and anumber of the Conquistadores. When Cortes and Leon met on thecauseway, they greeted each other in the most respectful manner imaginable.The latter was not a little astonished at the courteous behaviourof our general, and it was not till after much pressing that he wouldallow Cortes to concede the place of honour to him. When he enteredthe city, beheld the large fortifications, and the numerous towns lyingaround the lake, he declared that no other general in the world, with so small a body of troops, would have been able to take this strongcity, and subdue so vast a territory. The procession then repaired to the Franciscan cloister, where mass was said. When this was finished, Cortes begged Leon to produce hiscommission, as the first thing he should demand was that the veedorand factor might be put upon their trial. Leon, however, desired thatthis might be postponed until the morrow, and Cortes then conductedhim to his palace, which had been hung with beautiful tapestry, and where a splendid repast was awaiting them. Everything was served in gold and silver, and the whole table was so beautifully arranged, that Leon could not help remarking, in an under tone, to his alguacil-mayor Proaño and to Bocanegra, that Cortes, in his manners and conversation, had every appearance of a man who had lived like a grand señorfor many years. The following day all assembled in the principal church of the city, whither Cortes had desired all the civic functionaries, the officers ofthe crown, and the Conquistadores to meet. After mass had been celebrated,Leon, in due form, produced his royal commission, which Cortesperused with deep veneration, kissed it, and declared that it containedthe mandates of his emperor and master, to which he would pay implicitobedience. Every one present then followed Cortes' example, by turns; uponwhich Leon desired the alcalde-mayor, the ordinary alcaldes, the officers of the Hermandad, and the alguacils, to hand him their several staffsof office; which having been done, he immediately returned them to the respective persons. He then turned to Cortes, and addressed him as follows: "Señor capitan, his majesty has commanded me to takeupon myself the chief government of New Spain; not that I think youunworthy of filling this office, and even others of greater importance,but because our sovereign master so commands." [Pg 307] Cortes thanked him in the most respectful terms, with the assurance that he was always ready to act strictly up to his majesty's commands;and Leon himself, he added, would be convinced, from the investigationhe was ordered to set on foot, that he (Cortes) had always proved himself a loyal and faithful subject of his majesty; and how falsely he had been accused and calumniated by evil-minded persons. To this the licentiate answered, that it was ever so in the world; thatwhere there were honest people, there were also others of a contrarycharacter; and that we must expect praise from those to whom we haveshown kindness, and calumny from those towards whom we have beenobliged to act harshly. This was all that took place on the first day. On the following day, after mass, which was celebrated in the palace,Ponce de Leon sent a cavalier with a most courteous message to our general, desiring him to wait upon him. During the discourse which now ensued, there was, besides themselves, no one present excepting the prior Thomas Ortiz; and the licentiate thus addressed our general: "I must, first of all, inform you, señor capitan, that hismajesty has particularly desired me to bestow lucrative commendarieson all the veteran Conquistadores; those who first left the island of Cuba for the conquest of New Spain and the city of Mexico; as also on those who subsequently joined your troops, and likewise assisted in the conquest; but to favour the https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32475/32475-h/32475-h.htm 203/282
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The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

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